5 Weeks Old

I wish I could say the time has flown by, but really it seems like forever ago that I was in the hospital having baby Reese.  

Not necessarily in a bad way, life with 4 kids is just hard

and tiring,

and rewarding all at the same time.

Sometimes I'm a crazy woman...

like the day I roared at Jackson.

Ya, you know like in Shrek 4 when everyone is making noise and everything is going wrong and the little kid is telling Shrek "Do the roar." and then he reaches his breaking point and does a massive, angry

 ROOOOOAR!

Ya, that was me.  Ogre Mommy.

Only my roar was more of a low pitched scream.

I'm not proud of that moment.

I had some apologizing to do that day.

Nevertheless, there are also lots of good moments.  I know these hard tiring times where I have 4 kids ages 6 & under will not last forever and that someday I will even miss these days.  (or so everyone at the grocery store tells me...)

So here are some pictures of little Reese.

He's still skinny, but I'm expecting him to start plumping up any day now....like all my other kids did.

 On Sunday we got a few shots after church.

The boys.

Sydney, the second mommy.

Funny faces.

 Me and my employers. ;-)

That evening I also helped the kids make this spooky Halloween house.

Now for a few random pictures of Carter.

On this day McKay made him a Nutella sandwich.

When Carter saw the picture he said "Eww! Cake?"

He must think it's cake all over his face.

Helping Dad with some yard work.

Hanging out on Mom and Dad's bed.

Today is Jackson's birthday.

We had his party on Saturday, and after his birthday dinner at Red Robin tonight I'll post pictures of my

FIVE YEAR OLD BOY!!!

Back then

I just came across this video from a couple years ago.  

Sydney was 4.

We lived in Virginia. 

Crazy how fast time goes and how quickly life changes.

Back to school, back to life.

*Warning*

Lots of words in this post!  Scroll down if you're just interested in pictures!

Six days after Reese was born school started.  

Sydney started first grade, and Jackson all day Kindergarten.

It was a day I had very mixed emotions about.  I knew I'd have a 6 day old baby, and a needy almost 2 year old at home.  I wasn't sure if the big kids being gone all day would make things easier (cuz, hey, 2 is easier than 4 right??) or harder (cuz lets face it...those big kids do A LOT to help me out!!)

I also worried with Jackson being so young that he'd have a hard time adjusting to being in school ALL day.  He only meets the deadline to start school this year by 2 days.  He's a boy, he's full of energy, and he's very social.

McKay took the kids to back to school night since I had just come home from the hospital.  It was hard for me to not be there to meet their teachers and get a feel for how the first day of school would go...but braving a crowded school in 110 degrees 3 days after my c-section didn't seem like the best idea.

Monday was the big day and Sherri, my sister, came over to watch the 2 little kids so I could take the  big kids to their first day.  It was HOT, and just the little bit of energy it took wiped me out, but I was so happy I got to go.

Jackson did great.  He wasn't at all emotional and seemed excited to get into the classroom.

Sydney was emotional.  She really wanted to be there, but was nervous.  She had tears, but tried to hide them.  She's been excited to go back to school since summer started, so I think she surprised herself when the tears came.

They both had a great first day.  Jackson has only had good reports from his teacher.  He fits right in and listens well.  His teacher is very strict (which he needs) and he loves her.  Every day when he gets home from school he reminds me that he needs to do his homework.  He gets a months worth of homework at a time and he had it finished in about 6 days.  I can't even explain how relieved I am that things are going so well for him. I really worried that this year was too soon for him to start and that I should wait until next year, but he's doing SO well.  

Of course Sydney is doing great, too.  She's made for the classroom.  She's not as excited about homework as Jackson...She gets to complaining when I tell her it's time to work on it each day, but the thought of turning in an incomplete homework packet stresses her out enough that she always gets it done. ;-)

So, all my stresses of back to school are gone.  It was a crazy few weeks leading up to, and following the big day, but it's come and gone and it couldn't have gone any better.  Phew!

Sydney and Jackson in front of the school. 

They wear uniforms and I LOVE it!

I thought it was cute that they held hands walking in.

Sydney trying to smile for one last picture before going inside.  

It was not easy!  

So, now the majority of my days are spent with just 2 kids.  It reminds me a lot of when Sydney and Jackson were little....except I have to keep up with the chores of a family of 6.  Lots of laundry, shopping, food preparation, etc.  It's good to be busy.

Carter gladly lets the kids leave in the mornings.  He loves his alone time with me.  

He also found this little back pack in the dress ups and puts it on when the big kids put on their back packs.  

I stay plenty busy during the day...but sometimes I get a few seconds to myself.

As much as Carter loves his alone time during the day, he's very excited when the big kids get home to play with him.

Last weekend McKay went on a scout camp out and picked up this tasty treat to feed the boys.

You can only imagine Carter's excitement when he laid his eyes on it! 

Remember how much Carter likes to eat!!!

While McKay was gone me and Sydney gave Reese his first bath.  Sydney took pictures for me.  It wasn't the most enjoyable bath, but his second one was much better!

All clean. 

And one last picture.  This has to be one of my favorite pictures of Carter ever.

I think I'll have it blown up and hung somewhere.

McKay snapped this on Labor day when just he and Carter went for a little joy ride.

SO cute, and SO Carter!

Reese McKay Whitney

Born August 23, 2011 at 7:55am

8 pounds 9 ounces 21 inches long

Jackson and Carter's middle names are G, after my maiden name Gifford.  

Since Reese's first name is already after me, we decided to have his middle name be after McKay.

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30am.  I walked into the operating room at 7:30 and Reese was born at 7:55.

The doctor performed a text book c-section.  No complications and I didn't even throw up during the surgery (I saved that for after...)

This recovery has been by far my best.  I felt as good on day 2 as I normally do on day 5 or 6.

The doctor used dissolveable stitches and super glue to close my incision.  No staples to deal with like my other 3 c-sections.  Hooray!

Reese has been our most calm baby.  He eats every 3 hours during the day and every 4 during the night.  He loves his swing and it's a life saver when I'm trying to make dinner, help kids with homework, and keep Carter occupied.  That last hour before McKay gets home from work has always been hard, but man oh man...I'm a crazy woman with 4 kids!

 Now for some pictures!

Fresh out of the oven.

  My first time holding him....a few hours old.

It always surprises me how swollen my face is after my c-sections.  Maybe it's all the IV fluid? 

Daddy getting a look at his little tiny legs and feet.

Dad, happy that baby Reese is finally here!!

The hospital surprised us with this lovely treat.

Aunt Jacee visiting the hospital.

Grandma Gifford and baby Reese.

I brought this pacifier to the hospital hoping he'd like it more than the Soothie kind the nursery gives them.  

No such luck.  This is probably the only time he kept it in his mouth.

Soothie it is.

Cousins Evan and Conner visiting.

 All dressed and waiting to be discharged.  

Not too happy about the car seat.

Finally home...and wiped out!

The three older kids stayed with McKay's brother and family in Logandale while we were in the hospital.

They were pretty excited to get home and meet their new brother.

It gets crazy around here, but I feel like I'm doing pretty well.  Sydney and Jackson love to hold him any chance they get, and Carter is adjusting to sharing his mom with the baby.  

Here's Reese one week old.

Stay tuned for a back to school post!