3 Weeks

We survived week #3 without Bobby! We had a trial run on Sunday because Bobby went to the Colts game, so it was me and 3 kids, alone. We made it and it went surprisingly smooth. Getting the girls to school by 9am was more of the challenge since Austin likes to keep me up throughout the night and then trying to get the girls dressed, feed Austin, get myself to look halfway presentable and out the door without grumpy attitudes is the trick. Tuesday went great. Wednesday I had 3 crying kids at once, but by the time we were buckled in the car, everyone was fine. Thursday, went well especially considering I forgot to pack their lunches the night before.  Mondays and Fridays are definitely busier with 3 kids, but hasn't been too bad. The girls are great with Austin and are helpful. He loves to be talked to and the girls are usually always willing to talk to him or sing to him, which he loves!

Next weekend, Austin will be a month old! How is that even possible?

Last week, we had our 2 week check-up and he weighed 9 lb 9.6 oz. Everything looked good, but the doctor said Austin was being a little pokey with his weight gain. He was happy he was gaining and not losing, but wants us back on October 21st instead of his 2 month check-up just to monitor his weight. 

Austin has been holding on strong to his umbilical cord and it finally fell off last night!  So, he officially has a belly button!  Time for his first real bath today or tomorrow!

I think Rusty has enjoyed getting to be out of his "cage" and the daily car rides to take and pick up the girls.

 

Apple Picking

We headed to Ditzler's today for some apple picking!  Bobby got to go with us too since today is his last day off of paternity leave!  We will miss him for sure next week!

It was a sunny, cool, windy Fall day!

Luckily, Bobby was with us because as soon as we got out to pick the apples, Austin wanted to eat. I was wearing him in the Moby wrap and we were the only ones picking apples, so I was able to feed him while walking around the orchard so I was still able to somewhat participate in the apple picking. We picked 2 pecks of apples: Golden Delicious and Jonagold. Now onto making applesauce!

Lots of Visitors!

We've had a lot of visitors in the last week!

Bobby's parents were in town Wednesday through Friday last week. Bobby got a picture of his mom with Austin, but didn't get one with his dad.  They enjoyed time with Austin and the girls. The girls got to go to the Terre Haute Children's Museum, which was a lot of fun for them, especially since they got to skip out on nap time at school that day!  That Friday, we all ventured out to the Cory Apple Festival, which was Austin's first time out of the house other than going to the doctor's office.

On Friday night, my parents headed to our house and it was my dad's first time being able to hold Austin without being connected to wires in the NICU!  Saturday, my Grandma and Grandpa Barry made the trip down to Terre Haute. It was a beautiful weekend!  Austin even got to get out on Saturday to go watch Kyle play football!

Great-Grandparents

4 Generations

Grandparents and Great-Grandparents

Sunday, everyone headed back home.

This week is Bobby's last week off work and then the real fun begins when I'll need to be getting the girls to school and picking them up by myself. As well as being alone with all three kiddos on Mondays and Fridays.  It will be an adjustment, but I'm sure we'll figure it out over time.

So far, we've been blessed with lots of meals from friends and still have many more to come: Bobby's co-workers, The Vandiver's, The Sebastian's, The Cosby's.

Proud Big Sister

So far his eyes are that grayish/blueish newborn color...can't wait to see what color they end up being. Natalie's are hazel and Aubrey's are brown.

Love these three babies!

Austin 1 Week Old

I can't believe Austin is already a week old! Since we spent his first 3.5 days in the hospital, this week has flown by!

We have very much enjoyed being home with our little guy. The girls are loving having him home and often want to hold him and give him hugs and kisses!  They are so sweet with him. He's been a great addition to our family.

So far, he has been really chill and really only fusses if he's hungry, tired, or needs a clean diaper. During the day, he is eating every 3-4 hours, except in the evening where he cluster feeds so he's eating every 2 hours or so. At night, he goes anywhere between 3-4 hours between feedings. I have been setting my alarm to make sure he does eat at least every 4 hours, but he typically stirs before my alarm goes off. After our doctor appointment next week, I will probably no longer set my alarm and just let him eat when he's ready to at nighttime.

The transition from 2 to 3 kids hasn't been too difficulty thus far. The girls still go to school Tuesday through Thursday, which has been nice. Nighttime is usually the most challenging time so far because the girls are exhausted, so exhausted that at least one of them throws a fit (lately it's been Natalie).

Austin had his first doctor's appointment on Tuesday. The doctor said everything looks good and she's not concerned with anything at this time. We go back next week, which would have been his regular, routine check-up if he didn't have to be in the NICU.

Weight: 9lb 5oz (above 95 percentile)
Height: 21.5 inches (between 90 and 95 percentile)
Head Circumference: 37 cm (75 percentile)

I want to take some newborn pictures of him, but just haven't gotten around to it quite yet, so more to come!

Rusty isn't too sure about the little guy and has been our shadow lately...probably so we know he's still here!

So far he likes the mamaroo on the car ride setting the best.

His first piece of mail :)