Ready to Run!

Today I heard about the most exciting invention since the mini-van! As an aspiring runner, I am always looking for things to motivate and help me become a better athlete (and I use that term loosely). I love to run, it has become my passion even though I am not naturally gifted in that area, but I still try. Anyway, my other passion is music of course and now Apple has teamed up with Nike to develop the COOLEST thing for anyone who likes a good jog: Nike+iPod Sport Kit contains a sensor and receiver that allows a new line of shoes to communicate with your iPod. Get this; a computerized voice acts as a personal coach, telling runners how they are doing. After your run, you can connect the iPod and transfer all your workout data (calories burned, pace, distance traveled, etc). You can even get coaching sessions from famous athletes to inspire you in your ear while you workout! That's my kind of motivation.:) I spent way too much time tonight on the website researching EVERYTHING about this new technology.:) From the new apparel, to the music (which is going to be fantastic) and of course the shoes! You can pre-order one style now and the rest are coming out during later dates. I haven't started running yet because I've had a few setbacks in my recovery but now I am more inspired than ever! I plan to pre-order mine when the style I like is available in June. For more info. check out the website at: www.nikeplus.com. I haven't been this excited about an item since I got my Barbie Dream House for Christmas when I was 10! Haha.

Ready for Fun in the Sun!

...Well, shade mostly.:) Here is my 2 week old little buddy! Yesterday my parents took Gabe and Grant to the Akron Zoo, and Jim was working so it was JUST me and GareBear all day! I didn't know what to do!? Lol. I'm never without my boys so I felt kinda lost without them for the day. Garrett and I took a nice long, breezy walk and caught lots of quality cuddle time so it ended up being time well spent.:) As a Mother's Day gift, Jim had a cleaning lady come and tidy up the entire house this week so needless to say, I have felt pretty spoiled lately. To be honest, I think that helped really give me a boost overall because I know the house looks good, the laundry is caught up, and I've been able to catch my breath a little. I can definitely see a difference from my last journal entry when I was feeling overwhelmed. Everyone is easing into a nice little routine and adjusting better each day. Garrett is such a dream too, he is an amazing little baby and doesn't cry unless he's hungry or needs a diaper change (I'm counting my blessings)! Well I better run, time to get Gabe from his last day of school!

What Day is it?

I *think* it's Saturday night, sometime around 10pm.:) I know I haven't updated in a few days but, things have been hectic (to say the least). I went from the giddy/happy filled-with-newborn-adrenaline phase, to the lack- of- sleep, exhausted, overwhelmed stage. I'm sure it will balance out to a happy medium in between those two extremes, I'm just waiting for things to settle down a bit. Everything is going great, I'm just trying to catch my breath and figure out WHEN I'll have time to brush my teeth, or change out of my sweat pants? Lol. It's so funny because I had all these projects planned for when I was on maternity leave. I thought I would have the house spotless, catch up on photo albums, and cook 4-course gourmet meals for my family. Hahaha! The house has never been messier, and I hardly have time to mic a hotdog for the boys and get a shower, let alone cook and work on projects.:)
I keep hoping I'll have time to transfer all my preggo and non-preggo clothes from the basement but so far no dice. I'm trying to find a few things to wear because my maternity clothes are too big, but my pre-pregnancy clothes are still too small. Thank goodness for elastic yoga pants in the meantime!:) As far as the baby goes...he is doing wonderfully well! He is 10 days old and I can tell he has grown already, it's amazing how fast time flies. His chubby little cheeks are just the cutest thing ever, and they match his chubby little legs, I love it! Even though I've had the blessing of experiencing life with a newborn twice before, each time is so unique and amazing. I love the faces he makes when he's sleeping or stretching, I love when he's awake and trying to study his surroundings, and I love just holding his tiny body in my arms. Gabriel and Grant seem to love their little brother to pieces too.:) Grant is having a harder time adjusting though and I want to make sure he knows how loved he is, even though there is another addition in the house. Well I had planned to post more pics but that will have to wait for my next entry. I have a window where I can get some sleep and I'm taking it while I can!:) Have a great weekend.

Tongue Tied

Here is the first picture of our new family of 5!! Wow. I am still amazed that everyone is smiling and looking at the camera at the same time, I’m framing that one for sure! Lol. It’s day 6 already and I can’t believe my little man will be one week old soon. He is doing great and the doctor said he’s right on track and even weighed in at over 9lbs as of yesterday!:) Gabriel and Grant are both sick unfortunately and I have been stressing that Garrett will catch it too. Having another baby is like seeing my heart outside my body, for the third time. I love him so much that it’s scary because I just feel so vulnerable and I don’t know what I would do if he got sick or something happened. For now he is perfect though so I can’t dwell on the “what if’s” because I don’t want to miss out on all the little miracles of today.
Having 3 boys with the letter “G” has finally caught up with us!! Jim and I keep getting mixed up and combining names, “GRabe”, or “Gant”, or “GRarrett”. Ahhhhh!:) It’s so funny because Gabe catches on and makes fun of us, hopefully that means he won’t be scarred for life that his parents get him mixed up with his brothers!:) As always I have so much more I would like to write but I need to run and do a few things while I have a free minute. I still never wrote about my labor/delivery story and I plan to do that soon too!! For now I better just practice saying my boys names so I get it right next time!:) Lol.

P.S. We FINALLY SOLD OUR HOUSE!!! For those of you who have followed the ordeal for the past 10 months, you know our stress about paying 2 mortgages (for our other home in WI). God has perfect timing doesn't he?!

Can't Help Falling in Love

Our baby is already 4 days old and I’m falling in love with him more and more each day. I know it’s early, but so far he is such an amazing baby (and getting more handsome by the minute!):) I keep thinking I’ll have time to sit down and really express my thoughts about the past week. At this point though, I’m not doing much of anything other than feeding, changing diapers, trying to help Jim with the boys, and occasionally get a second of sleep (that includes overnights)! It has been a complete whirlwind and we are still in the middle of adjusting to this new, fantastic change. My biggest stress is being able to give each child the attention they need. Garrett is a full-time job and it’s been a struggle to balance that, with what the rest of the family needs too. Plus on top of that I’m still trying to recover and not do too much. So needless to say I am still a little frazzled! Still, each day seems to get better and I know it will be fine once we get into the swing of things. The boys (Gabe and Grant) are handling the change great... for the most part. There have been a few meltdowns but overall they love to help and pitch in. It’s so cute too, they LOVE calling Garrett by his nickname “Gare-Bear” and it just fits him since he’s such a cuddly little teddy! Here are the latest pictures as of today, we are taking them fast and furious so I’ll be posting more daily!:)

Welcome Baby Garrett!!!!

Baby G is finally here! Garrett Michael. We are so excited that our healthy baby boy made his debut on May 10, after 18 loooonnng hours of labor and 3 big pushes!!:) 8 lbs, 15 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. It's Friday and we just came home from the hospital and I'm just trying to get my bearings. He is only 2 days old and already melting his mommy's heart (just like his brothers and daddy). I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now but I know it's all part of the transition. I just wanted to update and post a few pictures of our handsome little guy!! Also, thank you for such wonderful prayers and support, it means so much to our family. We feel truly humbled and blessed. I will jump on for the full labor and delivery update soon...and of course LOTS of new pictures are coming too!!:) Here are a few (oh yeah, and Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mommies out
there, God Bless You!)...

Not Ready for "Mom"

Over the weekend my oldest son, Gabriel, announced he would no longer be calling me "mommy". He said "I'm getting older, from now on I'm going to call you MOM, only babies say mommy". Ahhhhh....wait, I'm not ready for that, he's only 4! I know it's not really a big deal, but for me it's just another indication that my baby is growing up. Maybe it's a "mom" thing, but I still look at my children as my babies and probably will see them with those same eyes.... even when they are 50 years old. :) We had a fun weekend and it went fast, except at night. Getting sleep is a distant memory but I know it's just part of the deal at this point. Thankfully Jim has been great at taking over if I need to take a break during the day. Tomorrow I will have another doctor's appointment but as of right now it seems like baby "G" is not wanting to budge. All the impending labor symptoms I've had in the past are nonexistent so far. The Braxton-Hicks have been ongoing like crazy and that's the main thing which has been hard. Some are intense, some are lighter...but always enough to keep me uncomfortable. Thankfully it's been nice to enjoy the warm weather and keep busy, Spring is a great distraction!

Bare Escentuals Blowout!

Today and tomorrow on QVC! They are doing a big anniversary special and BIG discounts! I have tried every makeup on the market and got hooked on Bare Minerals and LOVE it. It is the best makeup ever and now is the time to stock up!:)

Dreaming

This week has been so fun. Yesterday I had such a fantastic day with the boys. A few weeks ago I took Gabriel to work with me and we had such a special one-on-one day. Well, yesterday was Grant’s turn to get undivided mommy-time (Gabe was at school) and it was such a blessing!! You know, Gabriel was able to have us all to himself for 2 ½ years before his brother got here. Poor Grant is never alone with us though and that’s why I think yesterday was so important. He was just hamming it up, cooperating like an angel, and turning on the charm! It was just really special to have that time before we add another baby to the mix.

Today I had a doctor’s appointment and everything looks good! I lost a pound, and my blood pressure is nice and normal. I think this pregnancy I will have gained a little over 30 lbs total which is fine with me. The baby is doing great and could come any time! So you know what that means…it could be today, or it could be 2 weeks from now!! It’s just a waiting game at this point. All I know is that I cannot wait for the moment when I finally see his face after all these months. I daydream about him and wonder if he’ll have his brother Gabe’s chubby cheeks? Or will he have the same full-head of spikey hair like his brother Grant? I know he will have his own unique features and personality and I just can’t wait to discover every little inch of who he is. I miss holding a tiny baby, watching them sleep as they twitch and make noises, and the softness of their skin. Seeing Gabe and Grant today has really shown me how FAST that goes by. That stage is gone in the blink of an eye. I just hope I will remember that and cherish every second. There are times when I panic and still worry about juggling everything but with Jim being such a great dad and helper, I know that we have a good team. Well, that’s it for today, so far he is still “cooking” but I’ll keep you posted!:) Also, thanks for the nice comments and e-mails. Sorry I’m not the best at responding lately but it’s great to get encouragement and positive feedback. Thank you.

The Latest

Just a quick post today!:) No baby yet, still waiting! Today I have a rare morning off due to a childcare issue so I only have a minute to update. I am excited to take Gabriel to school (haven't done that since his first day)! After that, Grant and mommy will have some quality shopping time (he needs new shoes). Aside from that everything is wonderful and tomorrow I will have another doc. appointment. My good friend (who was due AFTER me) had her baby already and I am so envious she got to meet her baby and I'm still sitting here like a beached whale! Lol. No, I am joking. I am over the moon for her, and thank goodness everything went well...mom and baby are doing great. Well it's a hectic morning here so I better run! I'll be back if there is any baby action!:)