After Baby Home Time

I was able to take 2 weeks mostly off after the baby came. (I had to go in a couple of days, which was lame).

After the time in the hospital, I spent most of the time with the 3 older kids, while Shantel took care of Lucy. We tried to do some fun things. I really loved this time that I was able to spend with the kids. Here are a few of the things we did.

We headed to the park one day. 

I love this picture, Austin decided he wanted to run and jump up one foot onto the tree and the other kids followed.

Lydia one day decided to build a hammock in her bed. She did an amazing job. She did the two blankets that are vertical in the picture. Then I helped her by adding the paw patrol blanket that is horizontal. It is so cute and she has been loving it. She reads her book in there and loves it so much. I'm so proud of her that she built it mostly on her own and figured it out. 

  

We did a bike ride and stopped at the park. 

 

At the park the kids put on a play for me. It was so funny, they just decided to do a play. So they ran off and planned out a show. Then they practiced a few times and performed it. It was so amazing and fun. 

Austin learned how to do the fireman's pole. He has not been able to do this at my parents house. At the park, there was a girl not as big as him going down it. He said something about how this girl who is smaller than him was going down and he realized he could do it. He was nervous and wanted me to stand there and make sure he was safe, but he totally rocked it and did not need any help. He is awesome.

Jenna texted me and told me she wanted to "bring" us dinner. It was so kind of her to offer since she lives in Iowa and was clearly going to have to have something for delivery or pickup. We told her Chilis would be amazing and put in an order. We actually did it after we put the kids down so we could enjoy a meal, just Shantel and I. It was so delicious and so nice. We were so grateful for Jenna for thinking of us. It was also much needed to just relax and enjoy a delicious meal. 

Lots of book reading at home which was so much fun with those kids.

The Women's world cup has been going on and for the round of 16 match between the USA and Spain we had a world cup watch party. We got all set up and watch the match. It was so fun to cheer on the USA. We did treats and made it a big deal. Go USA!

Playing and fun outside.

Playing games and fun inside.

So glad to have this time at home with the kids and to be able to do so many fun things. 

Babies

“When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, he goes about it in a very unusual way. He doesn't stir up his earthquakes or send forth his thunderbolts. Instead, he has a helpless baby born, perhaps in a simple home and of some obscure mother. And then God puts the idea into the mother’s heart, and she puts it into the baby’s mind. And then God waits. The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts. The greatest forces in the world are babies.” - E.T. Sullivan

This thought it beautiful. As I am spending most of my days holding a tiny new baby and watching my three slightly older babies play and learn and grow, it really hits home to me. (i.e. makes me cry). Praying that I can love and nourish these babies in the way that they need and that they will grow to be a powerful force for good in this world. 

June Wrap Up

We had an incredible June and are so glad to bring Lucy to our family. We had a few other things going on as well, so here are some of the other things from the month.

Shantel and Lydia went to a play that Zach was performing in (while I stayed at home and put the boys to bed).

June also means NBA finals. After Lydia and Shantel got home Lydia came to sit by me and watch basketball and asked if she could watch. We should yes, after she got jammies on. Lydia was thrilled. She ran upstairs and put on jammies and also grabbed her blanket and stuffie to watch with me. It was so sweet and so fun. 

Breakfast in bed for mama from her sweet kids.

A special Austin family home evening. Austin was in charge of family home evening and looked through the "Friend" magazine to find something to share. There was an article with an activity to make cupcakes and it was perfect. Shantel helped Austin plan the lesson and they read the story and then we all had cupcakes that Austin had made earlier in the day. I'm so proud to see these kids thriving in the gospel.

 Playing with Caleb before heading to work.

 
Shantel's mom came down about June 12th and we were so grateful. We covered that in our birth story post, but really appreciate her being there. She had fun with the kids while being there on baby watch. Here they are at the pool.

Fingernail polish with Melissa.

Less than a week before Lucy's birth Caleb had a meltdown of being able to sleep in his crib. He would be so scared and want us to lay by him. If we did not lay by him. Eventually he would not even sleep in the crib and wanted to sleep in the chair. We were at a loss of what to do because Lucy was coming so soon. After lots of crying in bed, letting him fall asleep in the chair and laying by him, we, we made a desperate move. We moved him and a crib in to sleep with Lydia and Austin. We hoped he would feel less scared (and still fall asleep). It was a desperate move. However, he was much happier and was still able to go to sleep. Overall, it has been great. We did not plan that transition right now, but I am grateful it has been working.  

Notice the bed next to the crib here for Shantel and I to sleep. 

On the countdown to baby. I love this picture because it represents our house so well. Austin running around the house while Shantel is doing her picture and he just happens to catch the one moment that Austin is flying by. I love these kids and this home.

One of our favorite summer traditions is the ward breakfast walkabout. It was great to see so many people and eat so much good food. In addition, the kids found their favorite dog to play with.

Some baby prep, giving the kids their photo books for when we are at the hospital with the baby. Austin especially will miss us and loves having pictures to look at to help him feel better. 

 Then of course, Lucy arrived. Here are a few more things from the month post baby.

Caleb - is really loving the kitchen to play with.

We made smoothies! (Strawberries went on sale- so we had to take advantage).

 Tausha Bentz and her kids came to visit. They had a great time.

Family study time on Sunday.

And of course lots of love for Lucy. Happy June.