A Month of Favorites

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Claire's first month has been full of so many sweet moments. She's so loved by Wyatt and Stella; they're never far away. Claire enjoys their sweet cuddles and playtime and studying all of their little details. So many times I have to pinch myself just to make sure they all are truly mine.







 Don't get me wrong, there are definitely moments of struggle. Times when I'm not sure if we'll survive the day, or even the morning; making it to school on time is definitely a struggle. There are times of jealousy between them and times where no one is content. Some days we don't get dressed and spend way too much time staring at screens. 






I know this is a time that I won't ever forget. I'm soaking up all of the moments, all of the story reading, all of the mornings spent cuddled up in my bed watching cartoons. The days are going by too fast. Next year Wyatt will be in Kindergarten and our days will be so different without him.






So for now we will continue to have fun, cuddle, and just be together.




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ONE MONTH of CLAIRE

Friday, December 29, 2017

Our Dearest Claire,

The first month with you flew by -- I'm blaming it on the holiday season. We are so thankful for your laid-back & happy demeanor. Your favorite things are eating and being held, which I'm blaming on your brother. Wyatt is so in love with you. He would sit and hold you all day, and any time you start fussing he declares that you're hungry and immediately starts saying, "It's ok, Claire. Mama's going to feed you." It's the absolute sweetest and most annoying thing. Your big sister loves you too, as long as she's getting the same amount of attention and being a helper for all your needs. We love you so much and we're not quite sure why we waited so long for you. 



  • You weigh about 10lbs, 3oz and are about 21in long.
  • You wore NB clothes for about 2 weeks before moving onto 0-3/3month. 3/6 clothes are a little baggy still but we're definitely moving through clothing pretty quick.
  • You are wearing size 1 diapers still but I think this will be our last box before starting size 2.
  • You eat about every 2-3 hours but it really fluctuates everyday. Some days you seem so much more hungry than others. At night it's usually every 3-4 hours. 
  • Sleeping is ok. You really like to be held so we're working on breaking you of needing to be held to sleep all.the.time. You've also been more gassy at night the past week or so--we think it's related to me eating dairy, so I'm trying to watch it. 
  • Noise does not phase you at all. You actually prefer when there's a lot of sound, aka, your brother and sister playing loudly + TV + all other noises. 
  • You hate to be swaddled. You let us know that after about a week when you would wake up fighting with your arms.
  • You enjoy sitting in the bouncy seat; it's by far your favorite place to be put down. 
  • You're so smiley and love to talk--especially in the mornings. 
  • You've been busy meeting people this month. Thankfully everyone has come to our home. We're trying to keep you protected from all the yucky flu going around. 
  • You did get to go meet Santa at Wyatt and Stella's school. 
  • We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas at home this year with you. 
  • We lost someone so special to us this month and we're so sad that you won't have the chance to meet him. Mr. Ryan would have loved you. 


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Claire's Birth Story || November 15, 2017

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Well, given that Claire is now 3.5 weeks old I figured I should try and get her birth story written. I do not know how anyone with three kids blogs...I barely have time to eat. 
I digress, let's get this written before someone needs food or a butt wiped.

On the morning of November 15th I started having contractions around 5:30am. I'd been experiencing braxton hicks contractions pretty much my entire pregnancy, and I definitely knew these were different and real. It was a Wednesday so I knew that I needed to get the kids to school, which meant I needed to get them and myself ready.

Around 7 I realized the contractions were coming about every 4-6 minutes. Although they weren't real painful I still felt they were the real deal since I'd never actually had contractions without pitocin. I also knew that bowel movements are common before labor, and well, twice in one morning is enough to make me a believer. I called my mom (who was 5 hours away) and told her I was pretty sure it was happening. I also called Sean who, as I knew he would be, was skeptical and not in any hurry. And although I was a little skeptical too, I definitely wanted to at least be checked and see if I was at least progressing.


I got the kids and car seats dropped off at school around 8 and arranged their transportation for the afternoon with friends. I got home and finished getting ready, gathering a few last minute items, and picking up a bit. The contractions were still continuing on about the same at this point.

Sean arrived home around 8:45 and we left for the hospital about 9:20. By this point the time between my contractions had actually spread to more like 9 minutes but they had progressed in intensity and I actually felt like something was happening. 


We arrived at the hospital around 9:55, after a quick stop for some breakfast. They got me into a room and said they would monitor my contractions for a couple of hours and we'd go from there. They checked my uterus and I was dilated 3cm, which was progress from two days before when I was almost 2cm.

After being there for about two hours they checked me again and there had been no change in dilation, and my contractions had slowed down substantially. The nurses called my doctor to get his thoughts and he gave us the choice to go home or stay and induce. Since I was already two days past my due date and knew we'd probably be back soon, at 12:30 we decided to stay and induce. 



Coincidentally, or not, almost as soon as we decided to stay my contractions picked back up on their own. I blame it on the lab work and IV since they made me nervous and tense, but whatever. They went ahead with the pitocin at 12:45 and at 1:20 my doctor came in to break my water. Everything after this point went super fast and is kind of a blur but I tried to record as much as possible.

My contractions really picked up once he broke my water and I was dilated to a 4 almost immediately. The nurses went ahead and called in the anesthesiologist for my epidural and by the time she got there I was in some serious pain. The epidural was in by 2:30 and I had progressed from 4-7cm over the course an hour. 


After the epidural was in my blood pressure immediately dropped. They had me lay back and had to give me meds to bring it back up. The medicine caused it to spike up really fast so it caused me to have a migraine. Thankfully Claire was totally fine during all of this, but Sean was in a bit of shock once they let him back into the room and he saw me laid back on oxygen. 


By 3:00pm I was fully dilated and ready to push. Claire made it easy on me and was born by 3:14pm...with a head full of dark hair. And let me just add, pushing with a migraine...not so fun, but like I said, thankfully she came quick.


Since this is our third baby to be delivered by Dr. R we have a wonderful relationship with him and he let me hold her for a few minutes before Sean cut the umbilical cord. It was really sweet and surreal. And feeling my heartbeat through her is something I'll never forget. 


After a few minutes they got her weighed, 7 lbs, 10 oz (our heaviest baby), and wrapped up. She pretty much just wanted to cuddle and sleep immediately, and that pretty much hasn't changed since. We were, and are, just so thankful for another happy and healthy baby.














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A Morning at the Fire Station

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Every fall our preschool visits the local fire station to learn about fire safety and have fun with the fire trucks. This was the first year Wyatt and Stella both got to go, and Stella was so excited about her first experience. 




She was obviously most excited about seeing Sparky! She was first to give him a hug (she ran from the back of the room) and gave him at least three. Wyatt's hug was from a distance but there were no tears and he made an attempt. 





But, of course, their favorite part was the fire trucks! The firefighters were so nice and let them crawl all over, in and out of,  several of the trucks.



I am so happy I was able to attend since it was Wyatt's last year and Stella's first!
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38 Weeks {Baby Dorey #3}

Thursday, November 2, 2017




Size of Baby: I'm currently 38 weeks (+4 days) and Claire weighs about 6.8 pounds + is measuring about 19.5", or the size of a spaghetti squash. 

Total Weight Gain: I've gained a little over 30 pounds but I actually lost weight (or didn't gain any because I had on different shoes) between my 37th week and 38th appointments. 

Symptoms: Had some issues this week with elevated blood pressures; nothing dangerous but higher than my norm. I have also been experiencing bouts of dizziness and extreme exhaustion in my legs. Claire is really low and pushing on all kinds of nerves in my pelvic area and causing discomfort. I was dilated to a 1 on Wednesday, which isn't much. But I was only a 1.5 two days before having Stella....so, we'll see. 

Food Cravings/Aversions: I don't have any cravings or real aversions. I just typically eat in the earlier part of the day and by dinner I'm usually too exhausted/full to eat. 

Movement: She is still moving. Most of the time it's pressure that I feel or her knees kicking me in my sides. 

Purchases: I have been on a roll with buying way too many matching sister outfits. But can you really have too many of those?? 

Best Moment of the Week: I've continued to stay really busy the past couple of weeks. We've just had one thing after another. Halloween was fun (and exhausting), and I got to go with the kids on their field trip to the Fire station this week! 

Looking Forward To: Honestly, meeting our baby girl! Although, I don't think I have fully wrapped my brain around what that all means. We're so excited for her to be here! 



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36 Weeks {Baby Dorey #3}

Wednesday, October 18, 2017



Size of Baby: I'm currently 36 weeks and "Claire baby" weighs about 6 pounds + is measuring about 18.5", or the size of a head of romaine lettuce. 
Total Weight Gain: I've gained a little over 30 pounds but thankfully the weight gain has been slowing down a bit. 
Symptoms: Still having lots of braxton hicks contractions and some back pain with them. She's also really been pushing down on my pelvic bone; usually in the evenings. Sometimes it's so painful I can't walk. 
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings have really dissolved, along with my appetite in general. 
Movement: She's most active from about 7pm-10/11pm. I'm already planning for her to be wide awake + eating during this time in the evenings.
Purchases: I bought he a few outfits that will coordinate with a few things Stella received for her birthday. I also ordered her personalized Boppy cover from Pottery Barn this week. We've also been receiving some much needed gifts and clothing. 
Best Moment of the Week: We've had a busy couple of weeks + highlights. This past weekend we celebrated Stella turning 3 with friends and family.
Looking Forward To: Sean being back home...he's out of town this week and a few days next week. I'm not packing a single thing until he is home and then it's game on!

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Three!!

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Our Princess Stella Elizabeth,
How is it possible that you are THREE today?? You are such a big girl but also so much still my baby. You are so independent and are so content to play by yourself, with your babies of course. You are a lover of books and would much rather have mommy read to you than watch TV. You are still our sassy little girl and love to say, "Excuse me?!" and mimic me, usually when I'm disciplining Wyatt. You are so excited to be a big sister and love to give "Claire Baby" kisses everyday before I leave you at school. We are so proud of you and can't wait to watch you flourish in the big sister role! Happy 3rd Birthday, baby girl!




Height: TBD
Weight: TBD
Nicknames: Sissy, Stella Beth, Cupcake, Baby Girl



Potty Training: You are wearing panties throughout the day and only have an occasional accident (usually right in front of the potty). You still sleep in pull-ups but have been waking up dry on days you nap.
Sleep: Naps are hit and miss. I don't force it everyday because on days you don't nap you and Wyatt go to bed at 7, and that's just glorious. Some days a nap is just needed though.
Favorite Phrases: "Excuse me?!" "No thanks." (Usually when I need/want you to do something)




Favorite Songs: Your favorite right now is the new 311 album, Mosaic. You're also kind of into the new Macklemore album, Gemini (edited of course). You have also started making up your own songs that you'll randomly belt out at any given time.
Favorite Foods: Apples, strawberries, cheese, macaroni & cheese (you would eat this everyday), junk food (donuts, cookies, etc.), cheese balls, "bar-bars", black olives, frozen PJ&J
Learning: You know all of your colors, numbers 1-10 (and sometimes a couple more), and sometimes you can spell your name. You're also learning so much at dance, and even showed me some of your moves on one of the watch days (which never happened last year). 
Likes: You love to be outside (with others or by yourself), climbing in your playhouse (or just up the slide), play with babies, swing, school, dance class, Belle & Beauty & the Beast, and any other princess movie (Sleeping Beauty & Cinderella mainly), giving Wyatt hugs & kisses 20x before bed, and Super Heroes
Dislikes: Naps, waking up from naps (you're usually cranky), green grapes






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33 Weeks {Baby Dorey #3}

Monday, September 25, 2017


It's been a bit since I've done an update but things are moving along pretty smoothly so there hasn't been much to share. This pictures is actually about 2 weeks old but it's still pretty accurate. ;) 



Size of Baby: I'm currently 33 weeks and our baby girl weighs about 4 pounds + is measuring about 17", or the size of a pineapple. 

Total Weight Gain: I've gained around 30 pounds. I'm right at the weight I was when I delivered Wyatt + Stella...and I have roughly 7 weeks to go. But I do know that I weighed more when I got pregnant this time around, so I'm trying to factor that in and not get discouraged. Also, my weight gain has slowed substantially in the third trimester. 

Symptoms: Hip pain, back pain, etc, etc... And lots of braxton hicks. Getting dressed is my least favorite activity of everyday. And praying the weather cools off soon so I can at least wear jeans/leggings comfortably again. 

Food Cravings/Aversions: Haven't really craved too much. With my growing belly I've had much less of an appetite. 

Movement: All the time. She's really good at elbowing and kneeing my too, which can cause me to yell "ouch". 

Purchases: Haven't really bought anything recently but I have a few things on my list to purchase in October. 

Best Moment of the Week: We had a great weekend visiting my dad's family and spending some down time on the farm.

Looking Forward To: My baby shower that a few friends are hosting this coming weekend! Which also means my mom is coming for a visit too!






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Pre-School Fair Field Trip

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Every year Wyatt and Stella's school has a field trip to the fair to see all of the farm animals on display. This was Wyatt's 3rd year to visit and Stella's first (besides when she was a baby), and it was the BEST visit yet (minus the meltdown Wyatt had when he couldn't find his BFF)!!





They were all about the animals, especially Stella, who I am pretty certain would have sat and talked to every.single.one.









We finished up the trip with a walk through the fair to check out the rides...and snacks, of course. Can't believe this is Wyatt's last year to attend with FUMC. 


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