Exhausted.....

I wish I wish this was a picture of me......if only I could fall asleep like that!!

I survived my FIRST week all alone. And WOW. SO SO SO many people told me oh once you have three you might as well have ten because you are already out numbered.....oh heck NO!!!

Rhys is such an AMAZING baby. He is already so patient and so content.....I am really really hoping this lasts and it's not just that he should still be in the womb. But we will see.

As for the other boys...they are proving to be difficult.....that would be an understatement. There is no control around here....I am trying so hard to take it back but with zero sleep and busy season I don't see it happening anytime soon. They are each acting out I am going to make them T-shirts that say I am acting this way because I have a new baby at home. Maybe I wouldn't be judged as harshly......how long can I use this as an excuse??

I am hoping that each day that passes we will get more and more comfortable in our new normal.

You've had Birthday.....

On Sunday it was all about SAWYER all day!! He choose a yummy breakfast of french toast......
Then he opened presents.....he was very happy with Stinky's friend Rocky and his electric guitar.

After church Grammy, Grampy and Leslie came down they brought dinner and dessert. It was so nice to not have to worry about dinner or anything!!

The March Birthday's.................

Sawyer was freaking out a little when the candles started melting!

I can't believe Sawyer is 4!! He has been such a good helper with the new baby. He is sweet and sassy all rolled into one. We can't imagine our family with out his sweet fun personality!

4!!!

GeoTagged, [N33.64199, E117.64197]

Happy Birthday Sawyer Bop!!

Sawyer is such a character he literally has me rolling with the things he says.

We love you Sawyer!! Happy "real" birthday!!

Today is the day they give babies away....

(parts taken from my journal)

The 12 days that Rhys spent in the NICU seemed like weeks. I remember when we

had Ryder how hard I thought going to the NICU was. WOW it is so much more difficult this

time around. I wanted to be there 24/7but was lucky if I could make it down for one feeding.

Of course it was NEVER enough. And of course the days were filled with insurance issues, sick

kiddos at home, my incision getting infected and opening back up. Every day I was in the NICU

I would hope and pray for the good news that Rhys was going home. It is so frustrating....

each nurse did things very different some would feed him through his feeding tube with out even

trying to bottle feed him, some told me nursing was out of the question until he came home.

Saturday 3/11/11 we thought Rhys would be coming home......sadly it didn't happen. So on

Sunday I went down not expecting anything good. When the Dr. rounded I was thrilled when they said we were going home today!!! I quickly called Jeff who put the other boys down for naps and called his sister to come sit here so he could be there to help take Rhys home!

Outside the hospital all ready to go!!

The boys were so excited to FINALLY have there baby home. It has been a whirlwind few weeks for them. For the most part they have adapted very well. Being VERY patient!

I am so happy that I have all my babies under one roof and to have the last month behind us.

We have been so loved by so many and couldn't have done it without you!!

March Birthday's

Last week we celebrated the March Birthday's with one side of the family. March is such a busy month. We went to Farrells which was great for the kids they had a blast!! The March Birthday's minus Rhys who was still in the NICU :( luckily I got to go snuggle him after dinner!

Sawyer was VERY excited about his very own Birthday sundae!!

Tomorrow I start my last year in my twenties......CRAZY!!!!!

Nana and Papa were so sweet to sit by Sawyer.....who is literally a cyclone!!

GeoTagged, [N33.64253, E117.63797]

I can't figure out how to get this put down below with the post. But here are me and Rhys on day 5 of his life!

A WEEK

Wow to say this week has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Having a baby in the NICU is such an emotional roller coaster. I wish I could say that since I have done it before and I knew that we would most likely have another premie that I was handling it like a pro. But I would be lying.

We have had SO many wonderful people surrounding us with whatever we may need. It is still so hard. I feel so guilty for not being there with Rhys and when I am with Rhys I feel guilty for not being home with the other boys. So basically my new name is guilt.

Rhys is doing really well the most frustrating part is waiting every day we hear someone else's opinion about when he will get to come home. I feel a little silly when people ask how he is doing because there isn't much in the way of updates. He is eating really well about every other feeding he gets exhausted so quickly. He is waking up every two to three hours ready to eat. Which is great!

He so far hasn't had to be on the lights for jaundice which I am shocked about because all of our other kids have had to be.

He is still in his incubator he is holding his own temp. But they don't want him burning too many calories in between feedings.

So hopefully in the next few days we will have a time frame or the good news that Rhys will be coming home. We sure miss him!!