Things to remember

• I love newborns. Especially their little peanut heads. Collin's head is covered in hair, and I absolutely love it.

• I forget how tiny babies are. They are so stinkin cute and snuggly.

• The boys wanted to name him Jerry. I have no idea where this name came from. My sister came over yesterday and asked Tyler what the baby's name was and he said Jerry, even though he knows it is Collin. They are pretty disappointed it's not Jerry.

• The best part of having a third is I know what to expect. I know my boobs are going to get as big as watermelons, I know I will cry for no reason when I am home from the hospital, and I know I will not shower, or have a clean house for the next 3 months.

• I am also o.k. with still wearing my maternity shorts and shirts. With the last two, there was no way in hell I was walking out of the hospital wearing maternity clothes. I am fine with wearing maternity clothes now, and I think it will be hard to part with them because they are so comfy.

• Collin sleeps most of the day, and doesn't cry until I change him, but the house seems so full of noise. It is overwhelming at times, and Collin doesn't even make a peep.

• I wasn't as prepared as I thought. Part of this was because he was a week early, but I had my cute jammies and bath robe on order when I went into labor. They got to my house the day I got home from the hospital. Go figure.

• David was set to take some vacation days after the baby was born. I had visions of us doing lots of fun family bonding. He was home for one day after we got home from the hospital and got called into work the next day (today) to haul to the oil spill in Battle Creek. He left at 7:00am and I don't expect him home tonight. They are working around the clock all weekend. How's that for timing! Thank goodness for my mom being here.

• Smart women get epidurals. I was not one of them. I was really freaked out about getting an epidural because of the bad headaches that you can get from them, and I didn't want any other drugs because they affect the baby. Labor hurts and I know this now. Good thing it went fast. Dr. P broke my water at 7:00 am and I had him by 8:30am. The only good thing is right after I had him, I felt great. And Collin latched right on and started feeding like a pro.

• Jake absolutely loves having Collin around. I remember Jake, who was 2 1/2 when Tyler was born, saying the first time he held him "I love him already." Melt my heart. He loves his brothers. Tyler could care less. But I was so excited to have the boys come up to the hospital to meet their brother. It was one of the best parts of having another baby.

• Mr. C loves his thumb. J and T had pacifiers up until age 2, and then I had to try and break the habit. Plus I had to constantly worry that I had a paci at all times. I'm trying to get him to suck his thumb and not use a paci. Any suggestions?

• For having three kids, I think I have been really calm the last few days. I feel like a pro at this. I was by myself for most of the morning today, and even took all three of them to the doctors office for C's check up. With J and T, I would have been pretty freaked out at this point. Of course I didn't shower today, my friend Danielle spent the afternoon with me, and my Mom came by dinnertime and I had dinner brought to me, but I survived without having a break down.

• It was really weird to see three car seats in our van. It looks like a lot to go from 2 to 3.

• I spent hours getting his room ready that he will not sleep in the first three months. I should have been worrying about getting food around for the next three weeks. Who would want to go grocery shopping with a newborn and 2 kids?

• Charlotte is the best nurse in L & D. I had her with Jake and never forgot her. I was so lucky to have her this time. She has the most calming voice and has been doing L&D for 36 years!

• I already forgot how uncomfortable pregnancy is/was and it's only been three days.

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  It's only been three days and I'm already dreading how fast he will grow up.

Cabin, Sweet Cabin

The highlight of the summer for the boys is our trip to the cabin every 4th of July. It is the topic of numerous conversations, and on a daily basis I have to tell them how many more days until we leave for the cabin. This year, I made a countdown calendar because it was getting to be to much asking.

They love it and I can see why. When they get there, the first place they go is the cozy loft full of Lego's and lincoln logs. From there, it's down to the dock for some fishing. That leads to swimming, and then it's time for a walk to the beach for some swinging or teeter totter. The days are filled with summer. Pure summer. There is no time for tv or phones, or for me: facebook. That's right- I went an entire 10 days with no computer (well, I got on-line once at the library). I also went an entire 10 days not cooking, cleaning, or emptying an dishwasher. When I got home, it took me a few days to get used to making dinner again. My mom takes care of everything while we are there, including spending time with the boys and doing the tasks that get repetitive like brushing their teeth. It is such a treat. By the end of the week, I actually get tired of sitting.

David and my siblings came up for the weekend, so the boys had fun with their cousins and Daddy and Uncle Sam spent time fishing with them. The first day we were there Tyler caught a big bass on his little Lighting McQueen fishing pole and he was so proud of himself. He is so content fishing. His only request is a chair, and he will sit there for quite some time waiting for the fish to bite.  

On the 4th we took the boys out in the canoe and kayaks to watch the fireworks. It is so fun to be on the water to watch fireworks. They love it and we don't have to fight crowds. It's only the people who have cabins on the private lake.

By Monday most everybody had left, including David. He has a hard time getting the week after the 4th off work. So every year it is just me, Mom, and the boys for the week. We have no trouble staying occupied. I brought up a night stand I had been wanting to paint and spent way to much time on that project. I also read a whole book, and organized the boys' baby books.

The rest of the time we shopped, went to Harbor Springs, went out to eat a lot, played Sequence, and kayaked. The boys swam all the time. They had a great time doing run and jumps, bouncing on the water trampoline, and playing pirate with Grammy.

I asked the boys to think of something they really wanted to do on their vacation. Jake wanted to have a bonfire, s'mores, and sparklers and I can't remember Tylers request. He usually follows whatever Jake wants anyway. Mine was take the boys to Pirates Cove, a putt-putt place we pass every time we go to Harbor but never stop. It was the coolest putt putt place I have been to. I definitely recommend it.

And vacation is not complete without a stop at Yummy's in Harbor Springs for 50 cent Itsy Bitsy ice cream cone. It is the perfect size for kids and you can't beat the price.

Thanks Mom for all the wonderful memories the boys will have of the cabin!

Summer So Far-

It's already the middle of July, and I have no record of the summer. And I definletly won't in 2 1/2 weeks when this baby comes. It's time to start playing catch up!
In June:

• We celebrated Jake's 6th Birthday with a trip to Michigan Adventure.

• Had a garage sale with my friend Keri.

• Took Jake to the dentist 3 times for cavities and cleanings. I was there once a week!

• Had T-Ball games Monday and Thursday nights.

• Took Jake to swim lessons everyday for 2 weeks.

• Got cable because I was so tired of not having anything for the boys to watch, especially when they were pestering each other. And secretly I wanted to watch Kate Plus 8 all summer.

• Went to the library once a week. I'm working hard to have Jake read 15 minutes each day, and with the summer reading program at the library, he gets prizes for reading- good incentive!

• Picked my Mom up from the airport so she could spend the summer up north and help me when the baby comes.

• Went to Harbor Springs for a weekend with our friends Corey and Keri to help my Mom clean out my Grandpa's condo, while my sister watched the boys and took them to Lake Michigan.