Task Master

While we had extra help on hand, we took full advantage. We were getting our home ready to sell and really appreciated the slave labor :) that our parents contributed. From yard work to painting to dusting to wrestling the kids, they did it all. Seriously, I can't imagine how we would have ever pulled it off without their help. We would be listing in August if we tried to do it on our own.

A few family members managed to escape and go on a little hike.

The night we had pictures taken of the house, everyone (sans Myles and me) headed to the hotel where Luke and Emma practiced their canon ball techniques in the pool with their dad.

Blessing Day

We blessed Myles on March 29th. Both sets of grandparents made it for his special day. It felt low key, but still stressful. I think it's just in my nature to take something special and make it stressful. :) Bryan gave him such a tender blessing. Grateful for the priesthood and the blessing and comfort it provides.

Life

Here's a few outtakes of our life lately as we adjust to a family of five

Clothes are optional.

Emma has become quite the fashionista when clothes are being worn.

We're all a little sleep deprived and will grab a quick nap whenever and wherever possible.

Technology has been a best friend for these two crazies-and one reason they are still alive. :)

Mister Myles started smiling around 5 weeks. LOVE when they hit this stage. He has very timely smiles-I think he knows exactly what we're saying. Luke is really good at getting him to smile and Emma loves to give the snuggles.

Not my best picture, however I need to document this!! Myles spends the majority of his days in the Moby wrap. As much as I curse this arrangement, the wrap has seriously been the biggest help with Myles. The majority of the time, he loves being in the wrap. So much so, that when I ran some errands, Bryan even sported it…in his own way. :)

The reality of what the house looks like more often than not. 

First day at church with the whole family.

Through all of the craziness and sometimes stressful moments, this guy manages to keep us laughing. 

Grandpas

Within 8 days,  my Grandpa Kotter and Bryan's Grandpa Nielson passed away. My grandpa was 96 and Bryan's grandpa was 97. I told Bryan that if we each inherited of our grandfather's genes we had quite a few years left in us! My mom was an angel and extended her trip a few days to help me with the kids while Bryan attended his grandpa's funeral in Boise. We are blessed with wonderful families and examples to follow because of each of these men.

Help!!

We had an exceptionally busy week filled with lots of appointments last month. Luckily, my mom was able to come back out and help us with the week.  It felt crazy with her here, I can only imagine how out of control I would have been without her help and sense of humor!

The calm before the storm. 

Poor Myles has bad reflux and that makes him pretty unhappy. It can make for some long days and nights. I've found a few things that have helped my sanity. He loves to be in a sling or wrap. Using a Moby wrap  has saved me. I might have back problems for life, but we actually have a baby that will sleep longer than 20 minutes at a time.  I keep reminding myself that this won't last forever, at least, I sure hope not!

We kept it a secret from Luke and Emma that grandma was coming. Well, once they came home from church, the surprise visitor rang the doorbell…and this is what followed.

How can you not feel so loved?

 This is Emma's Neurologist, Dr. Asaikar. He is one of those people that will never know how much gratitude I have for him and his approach with Emma and her seizures. He was an answer to many prayers. She has now gone 4.5 months without anymore seizures and without medications. He feels very confident that she will outgrow them. I left the office with tears in my eyes. So grateful for this healthy girl.

Myles had a couple of appointments that week. He was not so found of meeting one of the doctors, I can't blame him. No baby boy is ever happy to have this procedure done (I only wish they would've done it in the hospital, but we had to wait until he was almost a month! Better than a year, I guess.)

After Luke's appt, we hit up Costco for one of his favorite lunch meals: pepperoni pizza and berry smoothie. I debated whether or not to bring Emma along with us, but my mom encouraged me to take just Luke. On the way, Luke told me, "Mom, I'm really glad it's just you and me today." Grandma nailed it. Glad I listened. Luke and I had a great time together.

Grandma would take Myles in the early morning so we could try to get some more sleep. It was beyond helpful. With a little more sleep I feel so much more like myself and able to cope with everyday life significantly better. :) Did I mention that is was a HUGE help to have grandma here???

Muddy Mess

While my parents were visiting right after we had Myles, Bryan and my dad took Luke and Emma to the "dirt jumps." Well, there wasn't nearly as much dirt as there was mud. Little boy's heaven.

This picture reminds me so much of this post. 

Oddly enough, that other muddy picture was right after I had Emma. I'm seeing a pattern.

2 weeks

Myles is 2 weeks old! This always feels like a milestone of sleep deprivation. :) Even though it's only been a couple of weeks we are already learning lots about our newest family member. He loves to be held and snuggled, is a good eater, sleeps best in the afternoon and night, likes the attention Luke and Emma give him and how they "run to the rescue" whenever they hear him cry. He dislikes having his diaper changed, especially the cold wipes part, not the biggest fan of baths and if you try to give him a binki to "stall him," you better think twice!!