2 Months Old Already

Good news! Gabby finally likes the camera! It's hard to believe that it's already been 2 months since Gabby was born! Where oh where does the time go? I've been enjoying my snuggle time with this sweet little girl as I know this time doesn't last long. I've also been teaching her how to Zumba in our spare time.

She's pretty good at it and loves to coo along the way. Have you ever done Zumba? It's one of my new favorite ways to work out. I tried it a couple years ago and didn't like it. I tried it again last week and loooooved it! (Just like every other class, the instructor makes a HUGE difference).

In case you're wondering, our mornings still move pretty slow around here. We're lucky if we get moving before 9am. :) Here's a quick peek at how the boys stay occupied while I get Gabby & I ready.



These boys have been so awesome and patient as we transition to a family of five. And they are the best of buds. Giggling, laughing and wrestling throughout the house all day long. I love it and it makes me smile.

A couple of my biggest challenges have been grocery shopping and meals. My new work schedule is from 3-6pm during the week (I work part-time for a community college and have an after school helper). I really have to plan ahead for meals and try to get them cooking before my helper arrives... otherwise we eat a lot of pizza and corn dogs. Which, is okay for now. I have to cut myself slack as I know things will get better. But, I have found some great meals that I really love lately. I thought I'd share them with you.

Buffalo Chicken Tacos via Jamie Cooks it Up!
Though this one doesn't cook while I'm working, it's super easy to whip up.  For the kids, I leave out the buffalo sauce. Also, she taught me one of my new favorite tricks... buy a cooked chicken to use in meals. I'm terrible at remembering to thaw meat. A $5 chicken usually gets us two meals around this house.

Coconut-Macadamia Crusted Shrimp via Our Best Bites
We are trying to eat out less as it's pure craziness when we leave the house these days, but I still like a special treat on the weekends.  This was a lot of fun to make, as well as delicious and easy. I made the sauce, but really don't think it's necessary. There was a lot of waste with the sauce and I don't think it added that much to the dinner.

Shake n' Bake
I've again fallen in love with shake n' bake. It's easy and the kids gobble it up! Also, have you seen the new shake n' bakes in the cheese aisle by Kraft? They are a nice spin on the boxed versions.

Notice I don't have any crockpot recipes listed. All the ones I have tried haven't been that great. If you have any tried and true recipes (or recipe blogs that you love), please share! I get really sick of the same recipes over and over and have noticed that I love being in the kitchen since we don't get out of the house much these days.  Love to you all and hope you're well!

xo

Back To School

Wow! I remember shortly before I had Porter (child #2), someone told me that with one child you can still do the things you always have (and I did), but with two children, you realize you just can't do everything and have to let some things go (which was absolutely true). They never told me what happens with three children, but I would say that it's easy to let everything go! I have time for my three children right now and that's about it! I'm loving it, though. It really is a wonderful thing and I know there are seasons to everything and we will get back into the groove soon.



When Gabby was 10 days old, we drove back home to Nebraska to watch Casey receive his MBA. This has been three years in the making and I completely broke down when I saw him receive his degree. He has worked so hard and we as a family have sacrificed so much to make this happen. We debated whether to make the trip back for his degree as we knew it was a little crazy, but we thought it would set a great example to Caden. And it has.... he now has a piggy bank that he "saves for college."

Speaking of school... Caden started preschool last week. He goes three days a week for 2 1/2 hours. He has the same teacher as last year and loves it! When I asked Caden what he wants to be when he grows up, he said "a football player." Here is his giving a 4 year old forced smile to the camera. (He does this every time the camera comes out).



Then I tell him to be himself. Ah, that's better.



Now for the goofy shots.





And one with brother.



For those of you wanting a Gabby update. She is doing really well. I tried to take good pictures for her announcement a few weeks back and this is what I got.



Fussiness. Pure fussiness and I haven't been able to take pictures since. Blame it on the light, or the pure craziness that is our household currently, it just hasn't happened.

#WhileIWasNursing

Inspired by the dear CJane, I wanted to show you what goes one while I'm nursing.  Because really, we could all use a little laughter around here.


I will say that so far adjusting from 2 to 3 children has been better than expected. The boys play pretty well together and keep each other occupied when I need to help or feed Gabby.

And Caden is a great helper all around. Most days, he serves up breakfast for himself and Porter. It is so awesome to have such a big helper!

Baby Gabrielle is Here!

Welcome to the world, Gabrielle Lucinda!  We're so glad you're here!

She was born Sunday, July 29 at 7:40pm weighing in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20.5 inches long.

She wasn't due until August 21 so you can imagine how unprepared we were!  My water broke Saturday night and I quickly packed a hospital bag, went for a walk with Casey and the dog, and checked in to the hospital.  In the delivery room, she was called a prima donna over and over and since being delivered, the nurses repeatedly call her out for being feisty.



Casey called her out yesterday for being a little diva in her tanning bed.  :)

She's been in the NICU since Monday morning, but should be released today assuming all labs come back okay.  We're excited to take her home and spend more time as a family!

We're Excited to Announce....

Baby #3!  We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Valentine's Day!  We're surprised, excited and even freaking out a little bit.  3 little ones at home may send me to the nut house.  Or I may just have to rename this blog.  (Just kidding!)  We are completely thrilled.  The baby should be here by the end of August.  Yay for summer babies! Happy Valentine's Day!  xoxo