Jersey Shore 2014: Daddy's Birthday

We were lucky enough to make it to the Jersey Shore three times this summer. The first was in June, a week after school ended, to celebrate Stephen's birthday with Grammy and Grampy. Because I'm so behind on posts, this one will be photos only. Suffice to say, we all had a great time. The new house is beautiful and the beach was great. By the time we left, we were all counting the days until our next trip!

Watermelon cake- thanks to Pinterest!

What summer looks like so far

Five days in, summer looks like:

Lunch outside

Still tired after naps

Watering the bushes

Playing in the backyard...shirtless

Playing Legos together

Watching the World Cup

Funny faces

Dinner outside

Playing catch at sunset 

...while baby brother watches 

Smiles for Daddy

Too cool for each other 

Ice cream before dinner

Brotherly love

Afternoons in the pool

Swim lessons

The 6 week hump

Dear Luke,

We've just gotten over it: the 4-6 week hump. 

Like your brothers, this was a time marked by seemingly unwarranted crying and fussiness. But it was much, much worse for you. You cried so loudly and were completely inconsolable. You spent hours crying not only in the evening, but also in the afternoon...and a few mornings. I thought we might need to take you to the doctor because you screamed like you were in pain. We tried gripe water. I was convinced it was colic. I toyed with removing dairy from my diet. Sometimes the baby carrier, swaddling, a bath, or going outside calmed you down, but none of these were a sure thing. It was sad and made me and your Daddy upset. 

Luckily, I *think* we have mostly figured it out. You need to go to sleep around 7:30pm and don't want to be around your loud big brothers. You only need to nurse every 2-3 hours, even if it seems like you are hungry before that 2 hours. If you've been up for a while, you need to sleep, even if you are alert and wide awake. You are better able to calm yourself now when you are hysterical, although it's a work in progress. 

You still have crying fits- and almost always scream in the car, but I'm hopeful that will continue to get better. And  we're trying to time trips so you're more likely to be in a good mood in the car. 

I love you so much, Luke. I would have thought that much crying would make me resent you, but instead it reminded me to be more sensitive to the needs of my sweet baby boy. I was so sad that I couldn't calm you down.You give me such beautiful smiles- I'm looking forward to seeing more of those and fewer tears.

Love,

Mommy

What I learned my first week home with 3 kids

1. It might be difficult, and one (or more) of the kids may cry, but you can do anything you put your mind to (and prep for). 

2. It won't necessarily get easier the next time, but you'll know you can do it.

3. Adjust your expectations- we may be later than expected, the kids might not be in the clothes you want, and the laundry pile will be huge, but that's ok.

4. Capturing sweet moments with your kids, or between them, is priceless. 

5. You can't keep your eyes on all the kids at the same time.

(For te record, I painted on the kids!)

6. Always pack extra snacks.

7. Nap when they nap. Or if they don't nap, let them do something quiet so you can nap.

8. Don't underestimate how much fun the backyard is.

9. A spouse who comes home and takes over caring for 2/3 kids is priceless.

10. Don't judge- who would let their kids watch a tv show in the car on the way to school on a weekday morning? Well, if you are running late, the cars seats straps aren't cooperating, the baby is screaming, and the 2-year old just threw a massive tantrum about getting in the car, you might do it. (This may or may not have happened to me). Lesson learned: you can't see what other parents are going through so don't judge their decisions...hopefully they won't judge you either!

Our funny boys

A few shots from the last 24 hours...

The coolest...

And finally, this is what we saw in the playroom during dinner:

Yes, Luke giving his biggest smiles to date to the adorable boy in the mirror. 

And even a video (with Chase crying in the background), because technology makes it so easy to document these precious moments.