To the 3rd Power

I have definitely been slacking on my blogging because I am still trying to master the adjustment to having a 3rd child. It is more than just children X 3. . .it is chaos X 3. . .it is laundry X 3. . .it is stuff X 3. . .demands X 3. . .food X 3 (they never seem to stop eating.) So, my life has been turned upside down and I feel like it is more than just everything X 3. . .it is actually exponentially increasing my workload and my stress and my exhaustion. . .hence it is life to the 3rd power!

First things first. Here are a few pics of Ruby Doobie (as the kids call her.)

My little pea in her pod.

Am I mean because I think this crying picture is cute. She actually doesn't cry very much (except at 3am.)

Ready for church.

Ruby is doing well. I am having the typical struggles with a newborn. She eats all the time and doesn't sleep well at night. I always stress about nursing and wonder if my babies are getting enough to eat because they are so small and don't grow very quickly. But, I think I've finally mastered it (on my 3rd child.) Although, I can't guarantee I'll stay exclusively nursing once she can hold her own bottle. . .it's just too tempting to give her a bottle and free myself up.

The boys are adjusting really well (including Mike.) Gavin is proud of his new position as Mom's Best Helper. He really is so helpful and obedient. He asks me just about everyday, "Mom, am I your best helper? Better than Nick?" Yes, Gavin. Except yesterday he said, "Mom, you really should pay me for being such a good helper. Give me your quarters and dollars." We might need to have a talk about true service.

Nick is delightful and hilarious. He has gotten so good at entertaining himself (because he has been neglected by me for months now.) Just today he was playing with a long piece of string that could turn into a space shuttle, a gate, and a waterfall. so imaginative! He's already adapting to his place as middle child. For the sake of journaling, not bragging, I must also mention that he can recognize all of his ABC's, numbers, a few shapes, and about 6 colors. Brilliant child! I totally can't take credit for his acquisition of so much knowledge at such a young age, because like I said before, he's been neglected for awhile. He is just drawn to all the stuff that Gavin's been learning and doing. My favorite little Nick phrase is "No pwobwem (No problem.)" Instead of saying "okay" or "yes", he will say "No pwobwem!" I love it!

It is good for me to write these little anecdotes about my cute kids. My husband pointed out to me that I have been talking so negatively lately, like everything is terrible. And, in actuality, nothing is bad except my nights without sleep. Mike and I are both so much busier with taking care of kids, but he said, "I kind of expected that would happen with a third kid." Well, duh, why hadn't I been looking at it that way. I am truly blessed to have 3 healthy, happy, smart, adorable, beautiful children. I'm so glad I have a husband who is willing to step up and help me with everything that needs to be done (except laundry because he doesn't know how to use our front loader.)

Alright, so here is where I will stop. . . . . .inhale. . . . .exhale. And once again remind myself that these kids will grow up so quickly. I don't want to just white-knuckle my way through their early years. I want to stop, watch, laugh, enjoy, and burn the images into my memory of these delightful little souls exploring the world.

If you have more than 3 kids you are probably laughing at me. If you have less than 3, I hope I have not discouraged anyone. In the words of Garth Brooks, "Even at the worst, it ain't that bad!"