Baby Blessing for #3

 Last month we got to have a few visitors and many family members come for Gwen's baby blessing. Bry's dad and stepmom were able to stay with us for several great days, and my dad and brother came out for the weekend. It was so nice to have them here with us. We decided to have the baby blessing at home and it was a lovely experience. Allison's family and Tom's family were able to come for it and have some dinner (tacos/burritos) with us. It was a little crazy for the couple hours everyone was here - 23 people total was a lot for our downstairs to handle! It was so nice to get to see family, though. Gwen was so sweet and just listened to her daddy as he said the blessing. It was a special weekend. 

Newest addition

Gwen is two months old now. She smiles at us sometimes which is so fun. She likes to be held all the time, and likes to be swaddled for sleep. She isn't a big fan of pacifiers but takes one sometimes. White noise does wonders to calm her. She is a pretty good sleeper at night. 

Emma and Henry are getting more used to her being around. One of them will usually rush to help Gwen calm down (by shaking a noisy toy) when I have left her alone a minute such as to throw away a diaper. Both are good at helping me by getting a diaper or burp cloth if I ask them to. 

Bry actually had paternity leave this time around and took 4 weeks off which was really great. He made sure to get the kids ready and off to school each day and picked them up, could hold Gwen when I needed a break, and got some things done around the house. My mom was a huge help before baby came, while we were at the hospital and the days after we got back. She took care of food, cleaned up things and helped with all three kids. My sister switched off with my mom (arriving the day mom left) and took care of food, cleared junk/papers from downstairs, took photos (see below), and held Gwen. I am so grateful to both of them for coming out. 

Due Date

 The kids didn't have school this morning which was pretty nice and I was able to stay in bed later which was great, so today I feel rested! But no baby yet, so this will be my first late baby. At yesterday's appointment baby's heartrate was elevated so I was sent to the hospital to be monitored (I picked up Bry on the way) and baby's heartrate was back to normal and checked out, so we came back home after a while. 

Mom and I took the kids to a state park for a bit today, and did some grocery shopping in the afternoon. I was worn out by the time we got home. I've had some contractions that feel like minor cramping and a sore back (which maybe is just a sore back?), but nothing consistent or as convincing as the Braxton Hicks I had a few weeks ago. 

Hoping baby comes soon. For now just waiting. So here's pictures of the kids we can see. 

They're the cutest. They voluntarily positioned themselves and called "Cheez-its!" Ha.

I can't remember what he was saying but it was funny.

Bear-crawling over the rocks.

Pumpkin Patch pictures

 We took our annual trip to the pumpkin patch early this year and went opening weekend (the last weekend of September). It was a nice clear day and we had a great time. 

38-week bump

First Day of School pictures

Much belated pictures of the kids' first days of school. Emma started 1st grade the end of August and Henry started preschool a couple weeks after. 

Emma's first day.

Henry's first day.

He's lucky to have his big sister to look up to. :)

California -- Disneyland

We had a great time visiting with family the end of July and first week of August. We were glad we could have a few relaxed days before we made the drive down to Anaheim, although they weren't relaxing days for everyone (sorry, mom!). 

Sleepy pup worn out after playing with the kids. 

My kids loved the pool - especially Henry who stayed in it for many hours the first time. 

Went to Don Edwards Park to get in nature for a bit.

First day at Disneyland

Unintentional photobomb by Pat.

The rental house had a nice pool - the kids loved it.

First day in California Adventure Park.

The kids loved Spiderman: Web-slingers even though it broke down while we were on it.

Second day in Disneyland Park.

Frozen parade float going by during the day!

California Adventure Park day 2.

View of the Little Mermaid ride from the ferris wheel. We went on Little Mermaid many times.

Saw Spider-Man!!

Line for Web-slingers was VERY long the second day we did it. 

We got to sit for part of the wait - thank you family for keeping place in line.

This was delicious and huge.

Picture with Elsa!

Mmm. Ghirardelli.

Disneyland day 3. 

Great day minus problems with my sciatic nerve and developing swollen feet. Woo, pregnancy.

The girls holding hands - too cute!!

Thanks for taking our picture, dad!

And thank you, Becca, for taking this one (and others).

Big thanks to my parents for making this fun, memorable trip possible. It was a struggle at times keeping up with all the fun in Anaheim (and it was HOT), but I'm so grateful for all we were able to do. The kids loved it and we're glad to have had that time all together. This trip I couldn't ride the big, fast rides but I did enjoy many tasty treats, rode some new rides and enjoyed looking around the new Star Wars Land (Galaxy's Edge) and Avengers Campus. Mainly I loved seeing my kids experience Disneyland and its wonders. So grateful for the memories we made and for coming home healthy.