First Family Outing

T and L at Bob the Builder's Architect Station

Grocery shopping!

We got brave and ventured out for the first time last Friday night to downtown Baltimore. Why the city of all places? Because I can't pass up a great deal! Port Discovery is listed as one of the top 5 children's Museums in the Country. It is only 25 minutes from our house, but we have never been. Why? Well, one reason is the price. It is $13 (well, $12.95) per person ages 2 and over, so it would cost us over $50 to go, which seems a bit steep for the kids to play for a couple ours when the park down the street is free! But, last Friday, Target sponsored a "Family Fun Night" making the tickets only $2. I couldn't pass it up! The kids absolutely loved it and Riley was totally content being carried around in her Bjorn all night.

On a side note.... Thank you for all your supportive comments on my last post. It's been a good week so far because Dave took the week off. Next week may be a whole other story! But I'm taking one day at a time. Riley had her 2 week check-up today. She was 8# 11 ounces and 21 1/2 inches. She is so sweet and we're all in love with her!

Thanks, Mom!

My mom flew in the night before I had Riley. Perfect Timing! She left yesterday and I cried. As I hugged her goodbye, all of a sudden, I felt this overwhelming "Oh my gosh, I have to handle 3 kids under the age of 4 all by myself now!" feeling. One of the major helps of my mom was simply to hold little Riley while I juggled Lacey and Tanner.

As you can imagine, for the most part, we just stayed close to home and took care of kids. But we did go on one outing while she was here -- Fort McHenry. My mother-in-law was nice enough to watch L and T while my mom and I took Riley to Fort McHenry, the sight where the original Star Spangled Banner (now in the Smithsonian) flew after the Americans defended Baltimore in the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key saw the flag still waving after the battle was over and knew that America had withstood the British invasion. It was then that he wrote the "Star Spangled Banner" later set to music.

My little T has been really needing some Mom attention. So, my mom stayed with Riley and Lacey while I went outside and spent some time with my T.

And here's an updated photo of the little lady. She's changing every day! And I just want her to stay little!

So, how am I adjusting to life with 3 and no additional help from my mom? Well, I'm alive. And I even showered today. But I'm exhausted. I was up nursing Riley until 11pm last night. She was up again at 2am and nursed for over an hour. Then, Tanner got up at 4am. Dave was able to get him back down, but then Riley woke up again wanting to eat and then Tanner was up for good by 7 (which was awesome because he usually doesn't sleep past 6). So, I'm getting about 4-5 hours of sleep when all is said and done. And I find that I'm starting the day "on edge" with not as much patience as I wish I had. I wish I could explain to my kids that I get frustrated easily because I'm sleep deprived and not because I don't realize they are just doing normal toddler things (like asking me "Why?" 10 times in a row, throwing blueberries all over the family room, climbing on my lap EVERY time I sit down to nurse and practically crushing the baby, etc., etc.). I know many of you reading this have 3 or more kids and handle it just fine. How do you do it? I hope I get the hang of it. I just feel pulled in 3 different directions all day long and then, between T and Riley, I don't get a break at night. It just keeps on going. Well, I didn't really mean to write all of that. I don't mean for any of this to sound like I'm complaining. I always wanted to be a mother and I am truly grateful that I have three healthy children. It's just hard. And it should be because, as my mother would say, "Anything in this life worth having is hard work!" Isn't that the truth!

It's a........

GIRL!!!!! Riley Jane Strom was born on Sunday, November 7th at 4:07pm weighing 8# even and 19 1/2 inches.

Holding my baby girl.

Dave holding Riley for the first time.

The following day, Dave brought the kids to the hospital to meet their baby sister. It was so cute; he had them in cute outfits (Tanner was wearing a "Big Brother" t-shirt even though you can't tell) and each holding a long-stem red rose for me. I wanted to get Tanner's shirt and the roses in the picture, but alas, this is the one and only family shot we were able to get and it was all I could do to keep Tanner on the bed for a second, much less worry about posing the kids and roses! He is a 2-year old boy through and through! I just came home from the hospital today and am so happy to be back home with my family. Life is crazy with three kinds under the age of 4, but we feel so blessed and are grateful to have the help from my mom as well as Dave's parents that live close by. Welcome to the world, Riley Jane!

Happy Halloween!

Ole!

As many of you know, Dave lived in Spain for 2 years while serving an LDS mission. Several years later, we met in Spain and then went back for an Anniversary trip last year. We love Spain! So what more appropriate costumes for our kids than a Flamenco dancer.....

And a Matador?

Tanner showing off his bull (which is actually from Spain)

L and T with their cousins at the Ward Trunk-or-Treat

Lacey with her Preschool class.

We had a fun Halloween weekend! On another note..... Per Ultrasound, I am due TODAY! But so far.... nothing. My doctor is ready to induce me, but I'm hoping to go on my own. I worked today, but told work that I was going to make today be my last day. I'm being optimistic! My mom arrives on Saturday and I'm really hoping to have the baby by the time she gets here because I want to maximize her time here in helping me with the baby. My doctor (who I saw yesterday) said he'll give me one more week, but he's going to induce me if I don't have the baby this week. So, keep your fingers crossed for me!