Ella is a few days past turning 2 1/2, and I thought I should attempt her interview. Attempt is the right word. I feel like she's either very bright and likes to play games, or she's incredibly ditzy. Also, she and Jack have been very into pretend words lately, so there's that.

Christmas morning arrived early here. Oliver was up a lot of the night, and The Husband spent the evening into the early morning hours putting together the activity table his dad built and the train we got for the kids.     This is the first Christmas that Jack really understood what was going on, and the delight in his eyes was precious when their daddy walked them into the room.  He went straight for the flashlights (he loves those things), but once he realized the train was for him (and her), he was all about the train. He spent all morning playing with it.  We do the 4 gifts "rule" for each kiddo. We weren't quite prepared for Olli, haha, so he only got something to read and a pair of gloves to grow into.  Something they want.  Something they need.  Something they wear.  Something they read.      The train is obviously not a true "need," but I figure there's not much a 3-year-old and a 2-year-old need...

Ryan. You were a spitfire from birth.  You had us all holding our breath when you'd whirling-dervish your way into a room.  You had a smile and a head-full of angelic curls that could light up any gloomy day.    You were the first new baby in our family.  The first grandson. My first nephew. A very wanted child.    You and I. We spent many a day together over the first five years of your life. We had park dates and adventures. We played and danced to Bon Jovi.  And, you grew, both in maturity and stature. You gained a self-control that amazed me. You were a friend to your sister and a helper to your family. You were kind and thoughtful and quiet and unassuming.  We had you in our lives for 18 years.  Such a short time for such a loved young man.  I can't wrap my mind around the truth of it. The truth that you aren't here with us anymore. The truth that I won't hear that "hello" when I call or see you ...

Oliver is 4 days old today. Yesterday, on his third day in the NICU, we were told right before his 11am feeding that he would get to room in with us. I had already been released the day before and was allowed to "room in" since I'm breastfeeding him around the clock. It's a nice thing they offer. And we were elated he was coming.    When he arrived in our room, he was bundled up in a lit blue blanket to help lower his jaundice levels since they were still elevated. I was disappointed because I knew that meant we'd have to deal with the lights and the blanket instead of getting to do skin-to-skin and love on him in our space. I was finally given the go-ahead to take him out of it when I fed him because he refused to nurse in it. But then he had to go right back under the lights.  It was a long night. I woke and sat bolt upright, and in the process nearly killed my incision when I saw he had ripped off his blinders. That happened twice.    They rechecke...

It's 4am. I'm beyond tired. Beyond emotional. Beyond being able to function aside from the pumping I'm doing. I do not have the energy to walk down to the nicu one more time. But my milk came in with the last feeding at 11, so I have to pump to keep my supply up. He has plenty of pumped milk with him down there, and they will feed him by syringe when I don't make it to the 5am feed.  I'm pumping and trying to stay awake as I listen to The Husband snore on the couch by the window.  I was looking through pictures I've taken over the last couple of days, and I realized something:  I have few words when it comes to watching The Husband with our newest babe. Every time I see him hold Oliver, my heart swells because he ADORES that boy. Every time I see him gently rub their noses together or cuddle him close or speak softly to him telling him how much he loves him, I swoon.  He's kind of over-the-moon for our Olli, and I'm kind of over-the-moon for them...

I went to bed Tuesday night thinking it would be a typical night. I'd be up 3, 4, 5 times using the restroom. Ella might wake a couple of times. Jack might have a bad dream. I did have a couple of potty runs, and Ella might have woken once and gone right back to sleep, but I was definitely not prepared for what happened next.  Around 4:30, I woke to fluid rushing out of me. I jumped out of bed, and the fluid continued gushing as I stood there in disbelief. I've never had my water break on its own. Such a surreal moment. I grabbed my phone and took many deep breaths as I tried to reach The Husband. After several attempts and a text or two, I gave up and called my parents and asked them to come stay with the kids. I called The Husband's work and asked them to let him know as soon as possible.  I finished packing the bags that I had packed the day before (I was in total nesting mode and had no idea that I had done those things just in time), and I changed into clothes th...

We'd like to introduce the newest member of our family. I will write up a full birth story for him in the coming days, but this is all I'm up to right now. Weighing in at 5 pounds 4 ounces and measuring 17 3/4 inches long with a wonderfully strong set of vocal chords,   Is our boy --  Oliver Flynn 💙 Olli, to the four of us who have gotten to know and already love him well.   

I asked Jack these questions last year , and it's crazy what a difference a year has made in his speech/communication.  I tried to do this yesterday when he actually turned 3 1/2, but life happened and an iPad screen got cracked and a momma nearly cried.  So.  We did it today before his nap.  I videoed this time, and at just under 4 minutes, I think you can see a glimpse of the character of a boy we have on our hands and in our hearts.  Enjoy 💚

Each Monday, I'd like to do a  highlights post , including a picture, summarizing the differences in my pregnancy from week to week.  I totally "grabbed" this idea from  Kelly .  I've done this with my three previous pregnancies (you can go to the search box and type in "pregnancy," or "week #" if you're interested in how my previous pregnancies progressed), as well, and I still think it is a great way to jot down the things that I don't want to forget later on.   Pregnancy Highlights: How far along :  35 weeks Size of baby:   This little one is over 18 inches long  (head to toe) and weighs a little more than 5 lbs (about the size of a honeydew melon) 🍈  Total weight gain/loss :  I'm up 27 pounds total as of my appointment today. Sheesh. It would be unrealistic to hope this baby is 10lbs, right?! Maternity clothes:   anything that still fits or The Husband's clothes when I'm desperate :/...

Each Monday, I'd like to do a  highlights post , including a picture, summarizing the differences in my pregnancy from week to week.  I totally "grabbed" this idea from  Kelly .  I've done this with my three previous pregnancies (you can go to the search box and type in "pregnancy," or "week #" if you're interested in how my previous pregnancies progressed), as well, and I still think it is a great way to jot down the things that I don't want to forget later on.   Pregnancy Highlights: How far along :  34 weeks Size of baby:   This little one is almost 18 inches long (head to toe) and weighs a little less than 5 lbs.  Total weight gain/loss :  I'm up 26 pounds total as of my appointment today. Holy. Cow.  Maternity clothes:   anything that still fits or The Husband's clothes when I'm desperate :/ Gender:   boy :) 💙 Movement :  big, jerky movements, shovi...