two weeks

Back to life, back to reality (remember that song?) That's what's been running through my head all day because my mom went back home today. With a heavy heart and lots of tears I said goodbye and realized that all of the hoopla is over. It's back to reality for me. A new reality.

My mom took care of our every need over the last two weeks. She washed clothes like a mad woman, cooked meals, bathed and fed the kids, took Cohen to school, stocked our cupboards with food from her coupon deals, made dinner, babysat so we could go on a date, took the older three to a book fair, and much much more. It was just so nice to have a friend around to talk, shop and hang out with.

Tate is two weeks old today. That flew by. I am starting to feel more and more like myself every day. The exhaustion is wearing off and I'm getting use to night time feedings again. Tate only wakes up twice at night and last night he slept from 10 until 4 in the morning! It was amazing to get 6 straight hours of sleep. Then he went back to sleep until 7:30. Not bad for a newborn!

The other kids are doing great. They love Tate. The boys kiss and hug him and love to hold him. Rylee actually likes him to but really doesn't pay much attention to him. I think he looks like a different baby in all three of these pictures. But depending on the angle I look at him I think he looks different. When he is awake looking straight on he looks like Cohen. At a side angle more like Ammon because he has his jaw/cheek structure. And then sometimes he looks like Rylee did too. But she had more olive skin. Who knows maybe he'll be the one who ties them all together because they sure don't look alike!

Miss you mom!

Couponing!

The best deal ever. Twenty three dollars worth of food for -.02 cents back! Seriously the lady gave my mom two pennies for all of this food. The checker couldn't believe it and was telling the other checkers about it. My mom was rockstar at Safeway today!

1 fruit by foot

1 box of fruit roll ups

1 pack of yoplait yogurt

2 packs of hot dogs

2 granola oat clusters

All of this for $12!

4 boxes of fruit by the foot
2 boxes of rollups
2 boxes of chex mix turtle bars
5 granola nut clusters
3 four packs of yoplait yogurt
6 packs of Oscar Meyer hot dogs
3 boxes of Trix cereal
1 box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch

And 1 coupon for a box of free capri suns!

Whew some good deals! My mom has become a coupon maniac and I am reaping all of the benefits of it! Seriously she's been couponing for her and I this whole week and my cupboards are stocked. There are some amazing deals out there and this is a great way to stock up, start food storage and most importantly save money.

Anyone can do this! Go to http://www.beingfrugalisfabulous.com/ to get yourself started by watching the video tutorials.

5 days

Tate has been wonderful. I am just soaking up all of his tiny, sweet babiness. He had one rough night, after getting circumcised. Other then that he's been great. Last night he woke up twice, nursed and went right back to sleep. When we got home from the hospital he broke out in baby acne all over his body. It looked like he'd been bitten by a million mosquito's. Now they have almost all disappeared. My milk came in Tuesday night and I'm dealing with major engorgement. I sat in the house all day yesterday and decided I needed to get out today. So we went to Target and after an hour there I was beat and ready for a nap. I can't wait to start feeling like myself again.

My mom is heaven sent. Seriously. I would be a wreck without her. She cleans, cooks and tends to the other kids so that I can sleep in and take care of myself and Tate. I know she's going to go home exhausted especially from Rylee (check out her latest blog post). I DO NOT look forward to the day she gets home. So I'm trying not to think about it.

22 hours old

Introducing

Tate Lawrence Edmondson

September 12, 2:13 p.m.

7 lbs 12 oz.

21 1/2 inches long

Yes he is here and he is perfect. We are all in love. His middle name is Lawrence after his Great-Grandfather and Grandfather (Jody's Grandad and Dad). We think he's a mix of the two boys but are anxious to get home and look at pictures. He has a cleft chin and we can't figure out where that came from! But besides that he definitely looks like our other babies. So far he's very mellow. Eats, sleeps, poops, pees around the clock. We sent him to the nursery last night to get some rest and I heard a baby crying all night. I was praying it wasn't him. NOPE! Phew. He did great. Came back to nurse every two or three hours and went back to sleep. Let's hope that lasts.

Cohen is IN LOVE with his baby brother. He was already talking to him, kissing him and wanting to hold him. One of the most precious things about having a new baby is seeing their siblings with them.

We were able to get a babysitter to come yesterday afternoon so that my mom could see him be born. I'm so glad she was able to be in the room again! Rylee likes Tate but only gave him a few seconds of her time.

Another VERY proud brother. These boys are going to treat Tate good. Ammon went to Six Flags with a friend yesterday and was able to come by and see Tate on his way home.

Want to see Tate?

Me too! But this will have to do.

His hand is above his head. Foot in front of his lips.

This was hilarious. He opened his mouth and licked his foot!

Ah that was tasty.

Cute little nose and lips!

I'm still hanging in here. Just waiting for him to arrive. Yesterday I went to a chiropractor appointment and saw my friend who works at Prenatal Peaks walking in to work. I went over to say hello and she asked me if I wanted to see him. I was so excited! He looked very chubby and so cute. I've never seen any of my babies in 3D this late in my pregnancy. I'm even more anxious to see him in person. I'm still 3 centimeters but my doctor said she could stretch me to 4 and that my cervix is very soft. I'm betting on this weekend. Take a guess!

Silly Kids

I bought these funny teeth for the boys at Walmart yesterday. They've had so much fun with them.

Rylee loves her pancakes, especially the syrup! She licks her plate clean and last time this was the result. The boys especially thought it was hilarious.

Funny kids.

38 weeks

Almost there. Just two weeks, maybe, hopefully less. I went to the doctor today and found out that I'm 3 centimeters dilated. Doesn't mean I'm going to have this baby tonight. I was almost five centimeters before I went into labor with Rylee. But it does mean that things are starting to happen. I'm tired, tired and uncomfortable. It does not help that the last few days have been in the 90's. Was I this big when I was pregnant with Rylee, Cohen or Ammon? Don't think so. I have so many mixed emotions right now. Excited to see him, see the kids with him, hold him and have my body back. Oh but the sleepless nights, a two year old and newborn (again), nursing, fun stuff that comes after the birth and just the unknown. I'm feeling some anxiety and some excitement. But it goes so quickly and I hope to enjoy it because before I know it I'll be posting about his first birthday. Wish me/us luck!

Freakily Thing

Ammon was late for school the other day because we all got a little sidetracked by the praying mantis that was walking across the carpet. Cohen said, "Mom it looks kind of freakily!" We kept it for a day and then let it go. I love how excited my kids get over the "tiniest" things.