Back to School: Kindergarten Edition

This year our "back to school" transition has looked quite different.  In years past, it is mostly just about me returning to work and the kids returning to the sitter and preschool.  My first day won't be until October 3rd due to maternity leave so our school transition has been all about our big, full-day kindergartner!

We attended the school ice cream social and "Sneak-a-peek" to meet Cade's teacher and drop off school supplies.  His teacher gave him a special note to open the night before school starts.

And...being the all-star mom that I am...I totally forgot to have him open it!!

Clearly he wasn't as anxious about school as other kids might be, but all I could think about was the rest of the class discussing the glitter under their pillows and Cade not having a clue.

I left the opened letter on the pillow with some glitter nearby and filled Cade in when he woke up in the morning...he didn't seem too scarred for life.

Cade said he'd like to hold up a chalkboard so we quickly made it happen...next year I'll be checking into some printables perhaps.

Our group photos leave a little to be desired...

Cade thought we were crazy for walking to school, until we got to the end of our street and literally met up with about 8 other families walking to school.  (We are about a 4-minute walk to school.)  The kindergarten teachers are very wise and know that this can be quite the adjustment for moms and dads.  They welcomed the parents into the room and had a little art project that we got to do together and then the parents went to a breakfast in the library held by the principal.

Cade has adjusted extremely well to going to school, just as we knew he would!  He was ready.  It's so fun to see how much he enjoys school.  He loves the specials: library, computers, music, pe, and art.  He also enjoys reporting to us what was for lunch and what "center" he was at that day.  His teacher is extremely organized and very fun.

We have enjoyed our routine of walking Cade to school.  I get a little misty thinking about how I wish I could walk them to school every day...this is only a maternity leave luxury and what I will miss most when going back to work.

However, Cade is usually pretty wiped at the end of the school day and is less than excited to walk home.  I prefer to walk there to get some exercise so I've been bringing his bike so he can ride it home instead of walking.  (We talked about how we need to get a bike lock to be able to leave the bike at the school and he was so confused as to why we needed to lock it up.  This sweet boy can't imagine a world where someone would steal his bike!)

My new favorite thing is to go eat lunch with Cade at school.  It is beyond entertaining to eat with a table full of kindergartners!  Cade knows everyone's name so it's fun putting faces with names...and the kids are more than willing to share stories about the other kids in their class.  I learned a lot!

It's fun getting the post-school report from Cade but I'm nervous about keeping up with all the folder-checking and such once I go back to school myself...

I've got about three weeks left at home with my Squishy.  I prefer for these next weeks to pass by ever so slowly--and the rest of the school year to kindly fly by.

He's getting to be such a big kid already in the Bumbo.

So this year we learn the ins and outs of kindergarten with Cade and hopefully next year we'll be "experts" when Reese starts.  Then I'm sure it will all be new and different by the time we're seeing Cam off to school but I'm thankful for the journey!  God always teaches me so much with these new beginnings!

Cam: 2 Months

The big guy is two months old!  I knew he was growing fast and is bigger than our other kids were at this age, but the comparison photo really tells the true story.

Stats:
Weight: 12lbs 3oz (55th%)
Height: 23 inches (60th%)
Head: 15.75 (50th%)
Comparison: Cade was 12lbs at 3 months and Reese was 12lbs at 4 months

He enjoys being in the pouch for outings, trips to the grocery store, and around the house if need be.

We've had to disregard the size of clothing and the age that Cade wore an outfit, because this onesie that Cade wore at six months is perfect for our Squishy right now!

We ventured to Legoland and Sealife as a family for a final hoorah to Cade's summer.  Cam slept either in the stroller or in the pouch the entire time.  #ultimatethirdchild

We've been to the pool several evenings as we try to get the most out of our city pool passes.  Cam sleeps.

Most of the pictures I take are of sleeping Cam.  It's rare that I remember to take one when he's awake...and even more rare that I can capture one with him looking right at the camera!

See why his nickname, Squishy, is so fitting?

Cade started kindergarten this month and we all enjoy getting to walk him to school.  (I will miss this so much when I have to go back to work!)

The boys miss each other while Cade is at school.

The only smile I've somewhat been able to document so far.

Cam got to meet Jet-setter Barbie!  (Aunt Kizzie, Aunt Batenzie, The Kid...the nicknames are numerous.)

We made a trip to Derby to attend a baby shower for Gentry and Baby P and got to meet Uncle Scott as well.

Cade wore the tie onesie (a gift from Dedra) at 3 months.  And Cade got to wear shorts and socks.  The third child gets no such luxuries apparently.

Cam wears size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes but both are getting pretty tight.  He can (and probably should) wear 3-6 month clothes.  He falls asleep anytime he rides in the car and is turning into quite the laid back baby.  He goes with the flow very well, falls asleep anywhere really and is sleeping a longer stretch through the night.  The last week or so he has gone a 5-6 hour stretch of sleeping straight through!  We're still at the point where it freaks me out and I have to go in and make sure he's okay when I haven't heard from him after 3 hours or so.  

He did well staying home with Dad while I worked the 5 days before school started.  He took a bottle of pumped milk but still seemed to hold out a little for me to get home.  He's getting better at taking bottles even though we only attempt it about once a week or so.    

He takes a morning nap after we take Cade and Reese to school, then an afternoon nap and an evening nap as well.  He loves bath time and rarely cries at all it seems.  He must be a very serious baby as we don't get too many smiles from him at this point.  He's also getting where he'd rather be put down awake and fall asleep then held and rocked to sleep.  Growing up so fast, Cam!  We all just love to kiss those Squishy cheeks!!  

A look back:

Cam at One Month

Cade at Two Months 

Reese at Two Months

What to Wear: Hospital and Postpartum Edition

In any situation, the more prepared you are, the more confident you will be.  This post is pretty random--just some insight into what I wore in the hospital and how my wardrobe is transitioning post-baby.  I'm no expert, and definitely NOT a fashion blogger, but I am fresh off of my third c-section so I thought I'd chat a bit about what has helped me feel more comfortable in the hospital and as I've adjusted to my new postpartum body.

Headed to the hospital: I like to wear the outfit to the hospital that I plan to wear home from the hospital.  I discovered this by accident the first time around since I didn't fit into what I had planned to wear home...


There are tons of cute nursing pjs and tanks from Old Navy, Target, and specialty stores.  I purchased  a gown, shorts, two nursing tanks, and a tank/pants/cardigan outfit to take to the hospital.  My mom gave me a nice soft robe and some cute slippers to wear as well.

You can't really tell, but I'm wearing the gown here.  I like to change out of the hospital gown ASAP (read: before photos) and having a gown of my own makes it where someone can help me get changed before I'm able to get up and out of bed even.  (See below for a link to the gown.)

The nursing gown actually looks like this and is from Target.

Women's Nursing Surplice Pajama Chemise

I find that I like to be showered and wear makeup at the hospital actually even a lot more than once I go home.  There's just something about lying around in a hospital bed all day that makes me feel yucky if I don't at least do what I can to put myself together.  Is that crazy?  Some will think yes.  But some might understand my crazy.  No?

I loved having this purple cardigan that kinda doubles as a nursing cover.  It comes with a nursing tank and some pants.  I really hated the pants but love the other two pieces.

Eve Alexander Women's Nursing Three-Piece Set

I love these shorts (I'm wearing them right now!) and wish I had bought more!

Women's Sleepwear Printed Short

This is the robe from my mom, it's almost like stretchy swimsuit material--so soft!

Now something I was NOT prepared for was how big my stomach would be when heading home from the hospital.  Here's a photo I only let my closest of friends see... ;)

I knew my stomach wasn't going to be magically flat after I delivered, but I didn't expect to still look five months pregnant when heading home.  That was a source of frustration.  I'm so glad I had loose-fitting and comfortable clothes that were nursing friendly to wear while my tummy was still so huge.

I live in these white tanks and even ordered a second one.  They are nice and long and I like to layer it under other shirts when out and about so my stomach is covered when nursing.

Women's Nursing Cotton Cami

I ordered this tank a few weeks ago for another nursing option to sleep in.  It's very soft but runs quite a bit smaller than the white cami above even though they are the same brand.  It's really tight around the ribs but I'm hoping, wishing, and praying my clothes will be loosening up here (magically) in the weeks to come.  

Women's Nursing Fluid Knit Sleep Cami

Everything's all fine and dandy until it's time to actually venture out from my home.  I started to get stressed because I was working the five days of pre-service before school started.  I figured it would be good to be able to work alongside my long-term sub and be present for meetings since they go over so many things at the beginning of the school year.  This also allows me to come back to school in October without exhausting all of my leave.  Of course, as these days drew near, I was dreading it.  I didn't know what to wear and I was barely six weeks out so I was nervous about having to pump and be emotionally present...it eased my mind to shop and at least have some new outfits to wear.  I took advantage of the Loft end-of-summer sales and ordered some clearance items in considerably larger sizes than usual.

Loft Riviera Shorts

Online the shorts looked red but, surprise!, they are actually orange.  Oh well, it works.  And I have a necklace that matches at least?

Mixed Media Back Pleat Tank

Loft Ikat Riviera Shorts

Vintage Soft Tee

It's always tricky knowing how much to buy when at this "in-between" size.  But let's be real, I've said all along that I don't know if I can come back from this...or it's at least going to take a very long time.  I'm noticing that this third time around things are not bouncing back near as quickly.  (Nothing's got any elasticity left to bounce!!!)  I'm still up around 20 pounds from where I was pre-pregnancy.  It's never been about the number on the scale for me, usually just how clothes fit and choosing looks that flatter my shape.  But it is frustrating to think of having to build a whole new wardrobe so I'm hoping that I can drop a few sizes over time.

I'm taking advice from my favorite fashion blogs (Sheaffer, Putting Me Together, and Outfit Posts) when online shopping.  I sized up and ordered two pairs of jeans (during the anniversary sale!) that come highly recommended.  I love the fit of these jeans and I think they will be pieces that fit now and later...


Wit & Wisdom Skinny Jeans

Wit & Wisdom Boot cut jeans

I ordered this Target dress (that is maternity) AFTER the pregnancy because all the bloggers say it absolutely doesn't fit like a maternity dress, and they are so right!  I purchased mine in the store (because I really wasn't trusting all the reviews that said it didn't translate as maternity) and it's black with white stripes, so soft and fits so well!


T-shirt dress from Target

Matt picked up this shirt for me and even though it is a bit tighter than I usually prefer...I've sported it non-stop because, duh, Olympics!


I've tried to start working out here and there but getting into a routine has also been tougher than in the past.  It's not something I want to be a slave to or beat myself up about if I don't fit it in right now.  I will be having a follow-up surgery soon that has pretty drastic restrictions for four-weeks following surgery.  That leaves me in a strange place as far as jumping on the work-out bandwagon right now.  (Independent sales people of workout plans and health foods...I'm not ready yet...I'll let you know when I am.:)  I'm super nervous about my milk supply during this surgery process and whether it's even feasible to not lift anything more than my baby for a month after surgery!  Not really a fun way to end my maternity leave...

Even amidst getting used to my postpartum body and my instantly smaller wardrobe, there are plenty of wonderful things in life right now like getting to walk Cade to and from school and spend the days snuggling my squishy baby Cam.

You know, moms are awesome.  Everywhere I go I see moms who sacrifice so much for their kids and their family.  Moms doing the best they can to juggle their many roles.  God bless the mamas!!

As you can tell, I'm conflicted between frustration and appreciation of my new normal in this body and being thankful for what I've got.  I do know that these changes with my body are a small price to pay for a life with these three.  Adjustment takes time, but I do know that I'm truly blessed--hernias, hemorrhoids, saggy belly and all!    

Cam: 1 Month

Our little Squishy is one month old!



I'm attempting to document our monthly photos in this format, as seen on Kelly's Korner Blog (my favorite blogger that I don't know personally).

Cam has been a good eater from the start, I was often waking him up to eat in the night to help me out rather than the other way around when we first got home from the hospital.  He pretty much never turns down a meal...which perhaps is making him our biggest baby yet!  

He moved to size one diapers right as our newborn case ran out and wears 0-3 month clothes.  No more newborn clothes for our household...ever.  Now that's sad to think about it that way! I'm always a little weepy when packing away baby clothes that don't fit anymore, especially when it happens so quickly!  Cam is wearing clothes now that Cade wore when he was around 3-6 months old.  

Stats at first doctor appointment at 9 days:
Weight 7 lbs 14oz --33%
Height 20.5 inches--55%
Head 14 inches--27%

Stats at first doctor appointment at 1 month:
Weight 9 lbs 15oz--68%
Height 22 inches--66%
Head 14.75 inches--30%

Cade weighed more than Cam at birth, yet less than Cam at one month.  Reese weighed a pound less than Cam at birth and almost 2 pounds less than Cam at one month!

This picture explains how he got the nickname Squishy, or Squish for short.

It's like I've gotten worse at these photo shoots over the years!

Cam has very dark blue eyes and more hair than Cade or Reese at birth, although his is thinning out quickly.  I love his long tuft of hair on top of his head, especially how it sticks straight up!  Cade had blonde hair by 3 months and it took a little longer for Reese's to turn light so we will see what the timeline is for Squish, or if he ends up a blondie at all.  I'm guessing he will.  He looks similar to Cade and Reese did, just more full cheeks.

Those cheeks!

Are we done yet?

We visited Dad at basketball camp often...gotta get used to that horn going off at games!

Cam slept a lot in his first month, but also fussed inconsolably in the late evenings in his first few weeks.  I really don't like to offer the pacifier until around 4 weeks old to make sure my  milk is established and once we did that it made the evenings much easier!  Nursing is kinda my jam so I don't want to take a chance on offering the pacifier when he should be eating...but we probably would have been fine.

Cam only preferred this old-school pacifier at first, but now takes the gumdrop one given to us at the hospital.

I love putting babies in these gown jammies.  It's just so much easier without zippers or snaps!  Cam has never worn socks or footie pajamas in his one month of life so far.  

Everyone loves the Rock'n'Play!  This arrived on Cam's one month birthday and has been as fabulous as everyone says it is.  I wasn't wanting to get new baby gear since this is our last, but this thing has already been worth it!  It rocks automatically and plays music and Cam loves it...therefore I love it.

He sleeps in his bed in his room and will usually sleep one 3-hour stretch and then wakes up every 2 to 2.5 hours to eat.  I wake up pretty easily just when I hear him start to move around and whine a little and I'm usually pretty full and needing to feed him anyway.  I like to use the rocking chair in his room and then have the changing table right there to change him and put him back to bed.  He's been going to bed for the night around 11pm (after his fussing spell) and then will go back to sleep in his bed after eating until around 10 or 11am unless we need to get dressed and go somewhere.

Cam has already been drug a lot of places with us and does a pretty good job of sleeping through most outings.  He sleeps in the car which is very helpful.  Cade and Reese do a great job of attempting to console him when he's fussing.  

He still stares off into space and doesn't really focus or follow you with his eyes which always freaks me out.  His neck is getting stronger but it does seem like it would be taxing to hold that big 'ol head (and cheeks) up!

Overall, Cam has made it very easy to adjust to being a family of 5.  We are so thankful for Cam!

A look back:

One-month-old Reese

One-month-old Cade