Three Little Sparkles

Going through some baby pics of the kiddos, I cannot remember the boys looking so little!  When they say to take a ton of pics when they're small, they mean it!  They change so fast. :-)

{Luke -- 8 months, 5 months adjusted}

{Levi -- 3 months}

{Libby 10 weeks}

I think all of our children look alike, but yet different.  You can definitely tell they are siblings. :-)

In My Daughter's Eyes

As I was driving down the road today, the song "In My Daughter's Eyes" came on the radio.  I must have heard it about a thousand times, but this was the first time that I actually listened to the words.  I guess they have an entirely new meaning to me now.

In my daughter's eyes, 
I am a hero,
I am strong and wise, 
And I know no fear,
But the truth is plain to see,
She was sent to rescue me,
I see who I want to be,
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes,
Everyone is equal,
Darkness turns to light,
And the world is at peace,
This miracle god gave to me,
Gives me strength when I am weak,
I find reason to believe,
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand around my finger,
How it puts a smile in my heart,
Everything becomes a little clearer,
I realize what life is all about,
It's hanging on when your heart is had enough,
It's giving more when you feel like giving up,
I've seen the light,
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes,
I can see the future,
A reflection of who I am and what will be,
And though she'll grow and someday leave,
Maybe raise a family,
When I'm gone I hope you see,
How happy she made me,
For I'll be there,
In my daughter's eyes

...sang by Martina McBride

Although this song is about a daughter and her Mother, I feel the same about my sons.  I think children have  a way of making the simplist things in life more meaningful, and the most complicated things simpler.  Some days I wish I could again see the world through a child's eyes.

These are a few of my Favorite Things...

I know several folks that have recently had babies, are expecting babies, will be expecting babies someday, or know someone previously listed above.  I guess that pretty much encompasses most everyone. :-)  So, I thought I would post a few of my favorite things that I didn't have with the boys that I think every Momma, Momma-to-be, and/or Momma-someday needs!

1)  Oxo wipe dispenser -- Ever try to snatch a wipe one-handed out of the container and get a long chain of 20 wipes?  Then, you find yourself doing the one-hand shake to get the 1 wipe you really need to release?  Yep, been there!  This dispenser is *awesome* because it has a weight that only allows one wipe at a time to be dispensed.  It also has a clear window on the side that allows you to see when you're about out of wipes.  (Never fun finding this out while baby's legs are mid-air (yes, been there, too!).)  It does not heat wipes, so it keeps them nice and moist (some wipe warmers dry the wipes out...Boo!).

2)  Boppy Lounger -- This is not a Boppy Pillow, but instead looks like the pillow with the middle filled in...if that makes sense.  It's for the baby to "lounge" in, versus for nursing which is what the Boppy Pillow is intended for.  I use this a lot when it's Libby's feeding time.  It allows me to feed her a bottle while pumping at the same time.  I can slide the lounger right up next to me, and it holds her head at the perfect angle.  It looks pretty comfy, too. :-)

3)  Hands Free Bustier -- Used with #2 above during feeding time.  I actually really hate pumping, so when it's not feeding time, I'm able to use this to multi-task and take my mind off of the unpleasant task. :-) 

4)  Fisher Price Rock 'n Play -- We LOVE this!  I purchased this for the first few weeks after Libby came home for her to sleep in next to me while I slept on the couch.  I knew I would be having a csection, and that I wouldn't be able to climb in and out of my own bed easily for a bit.  This keeps the baby inclined, which is awesome for those kiddos who spit-up frequently or who have reflux.  You can also rock it gently.  Now, I strap her in it while I'm cooking, eating dinner, or taking a shower.  It's very lightweight...nice and portable! 

5)  Soothies Gel Pads -- Sorry guy readers, but it's true.  We get sore nips from nursing/pumping. :-(  These little miracles are like a little piece of heaven...not even joking!  I had a little issue in the hospital, and one of the Lactation Consultants gave a set to me.  Seriously, where in the world were these guys when I needed them with Luke and Levi?!  If you're planning on nursing, pumping, or know someone who is, buy them!!  You won't regret it. :-)

6)  Medela Tender Care Lanolin -- The pump tore me up with Levi.  This stuff makes a *world* of difference!

7)  Aden and Anais Muslin blankets -- We swaddle Libby.  I think it makes her feel more secure, and it also keeps her nice and warm at night. :-)  These blankets are awesome.  They're light, breathable fabric (muslin), super soft, and ginormous.  Perfect for swaddling!  They can be a bit pricey, but I bought 4 as a steal on babysteals.  I was a little leary about how well I'd like them, but I'm SO glad I bought them. :-)

8)  Sound machine -- We have two different versions of these...two Homedics, and one Conair (pictured).  We use the Homedics ones (on waterfall) at home for all 3 kiddos, and the sitter uses the Conair one.  Kind of funny...when the power goes out at home, it automatically comes back on as Rainforest.  We've had a couple of visitors think that there are birds in the house. :-)  Anyway, I'm convinced that these little miracles help camouflage a bit of the background noise in our home to help all of the kiddos sleep better at night.

And, a couple of things we didn't need, but that I thought were pretty neat:

Milestone Stickers:  Some may have noticed that when I take Libby's monthly picture, she has her age on her shirt.  It's just a sticker!  I didn't have these for the boys, and I SO wish I did when they were little.  I love to have the kiddos' pictures professionally done every 3 months in the first year, but these are so nice for the month-to-month snapshots that I take at home.   

{Ours are not from Sticky Bellies, but I did gift a set of these, and they're adorable!}

Framed Birth Announcement:  Again, I really wish I would have done this for the boys, and I actually may go back and have one made for each of them even though they're older.  I think the announcement looks so neat, and it can be put in a photo book to remember highlights of baby's Birthday when I no longer want it displayed. :-)

{Frame and Printed Announcement purchased separately.}

Okay, so I shared mine...please share yours!  What are your baby must-haves?  I'm always looking for new things! :-)

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it's off to work I go...

My little baby turned 2 months old yesterday!  I can hardly believe it. :'-(

My Mom hosted a "Welcome Home Libby" party for her.  Since we had to postpone the baby shower back in April, we decided to have a little gathering after she came home and had gotten a little bigger.  It was a very nice day...not too hot...and Libby really enjoyed getting to meet everyone. :-)  The boys had a lot of fun with some of their cousins, too!  Of course, *I* didn't get any pictures because I forgot my camera, but I'll do a separate post for her party when I snatch some photos from Mom.

Today, I went back to work.  I am definitely ready for the adult interaction and new challenges that working brings, but it is always so hard to leave your itty bitty!  If I could have a little set-up at my desk for her, that would be perfect!! Of course I miss the boys, too.  :-)

Libby also had her 2 month check-up today.  It's just plain torture for a Mom's first day back to include taking her baby for shots (THREE shots, at that!!!) on her lunch break. :'-(  We weren't expecting to get shots today because Libby is still so tiny, but Doc said it was fine so we went ahead and got them.  Tylenol is on board to help with the pain.  Poor sweet one.

Libby is now 6lbs 14oz and 20.5 inches long.  She is gaining weight, but Doc really wants to see her gain just a little bit better, so we're working on feeding more frequently (She is a puker, so increasing volume can get tricky.  Any suggestions?!).  He'd like to see her getting 20-24oz per day, and she's currently at 16-18oz.  We'll get there!

{Her facial expression is priceless!  Reminds me of B. :-)}

Hope everyone had a Happy Monday!

This little piggy...

Our boys are *all* boy, for sure!  Last weekend B made some ruts in the garden with his 4-wheeler, and added water.  The boys were *in heaven*!! :-)  They started out with clothes ON, and by the end of their wallowing in mud adventure they were naked.  They kept yelling, "I'm a piggy, I'm a piggy!".  I pitched the clothes...what a mess!!  Too cute not to share, though!

Love my little piglets!  All 3 of 'em. :-)