Lucky to be alive... for now.

This from the child who has been through surgery, had 3 pins in his arm and staples in his head. Seriously?!
(maybe you can't see there are two clear plastic bins on top of each other... some thought and effort went into this).
And yes, these are two seperate days... but in the same week. Sigh.

Aubryn update

So it's true what they say about 3... it's crazy and I thought I didn't have much time before, well... it's been 6 weeks and no detailed post or additional pics or anything about our sweet little Aubryn. Sorry baby girl. The massive snow storm of 30 inches (with 10-20 more one the way) has not helped with all 3 home. Bonus: Husband trapped at home too- at least for now. :) Since they are at grandma and grandpas shoveling with dad and baby sleeping (for now) I figured this is a good time to post a bit.
One of my favorite things with babies is when they first start to smile (and sleep on a schedule and for longer than a couple hr stretches). Since we don't have the later, the first will keep me going.
Her eyes are getting more blue and she is starting to coo. I love it when she looks be in the eyes and "talks" and smiles at me. The long nights and spit up'd on clothes are even more worth it. She loves the light and it can distract her (momentarily) from a fussy-fit. She loves her big brothers who dote on her ALL the time. They talk to her and like to sing to her. Very, very sweet.
Little Aubryn has had trouble with reflux and been on prevacid for about a month now which has lessened the projectile vomiting to just normal baby spit-up (most of the time). She still seems to be uncomfortable frequently if not in total pain crying regardless of anything I try. have been off milk, milk products(didn't realize how much I liked butter and cheese), chocolate, nuts (including much loved peanut butter, tomatoes, broccoli, oranges, my vitamins (b/c they are food based and include broccoli and kale),... sigh. New foods include rice and soy milk and children's vitamins. Yummy and colorful :) Since those changes to my diet and her meds twice a day (which has been better the past 2 days since I got it flavored to bubble gum, she has been much more peaceful and happy. Once she even slept for 4 hours straight and I felt like a new person!
She is at least starting to be able to be comforted with a pacifier. She likes the same kind Carter had- the mam brand. I have a love/hate relationship with the Binky. It's great b/c it helps stop the crying, but you have to hold it in the whole time and once it falls out b/c she is almost asleep, the crying starts all over and you start again. At least there is a respite from the crying...
She weighed 11 lbs. on 2/3 so... just over 5 weeks old and was 22 3/4 inches long. That puts her at 90th percentile for weight and off the chart for height. She has her daddy's feet though and hope she doesn't end up a size 14 too! But with her everything seems so feminine and dainty- even her long cute feet.
I just love this little girl so much and love to hold her and kiss her. She is growing so fast, I need to remember that at nights and in moments of crying. Soon she will be coloring with markers on the carpet and riding a bike just like her brothers. I need to enjoy these moments, these smiles, the cuddles, the "talks" we have when she lays on the changing table so content after eating while being changes because I know it is all over too quickly.
Old pics from past month or so...
(we had a birthday party for Aubryn the week we brought her home. She gave Bryce a train set and Carter a kid camera).
(There is a pic of me around this age that looks just like this photo)!
(here's one of the boys so they're not left out riding on daddy's feet...)
(first bath...did not love it, even with the heater in there. Likes it now though).
(getting sleep where and when we can)!
(first bottle of mommy's milk (out of the 3 she's attempted)She did really well that first time though.
(Bryce trying to 'pump').
(Bryce nursing sheepie. I have a pic of Carter when Bryce was born nursing ee-oo too. Funny...).
(boys in the snow storm shoveling, climbing, and getting stuck)!
I love my family!

Welcome little one!

Aubryn Naomi Darrington born on Sunday, December 27th at 7:48am.
Weighing in at 8 lbs 3 oz and 21 3/4 inches long.
Beautiful baby girl loved so much by her daddy, mommy, and big brothers Carter and Bryce.

Knee owie

We've been in and out of our new place all week slowly moving in, cleaning, etc. On Monday night, my grandparents from CO, my sister and her family, my parents and our family all met for dinner and then went over to our new house to give them all the 'tour.' The cousins had so much fun sliding down the stairs and running all over the empty house. Probably too much fun b/c on the way home, the boys were complaining about knees, shins, and tummy's hurting. We lifted up their shirts/pant legs to see the damage and they had some major carpet burn where it was bleeding. Needless to say, this left some nasty scabs. Especially on one of Bryce's knees. It's all purple and thick like he majorly scraped it on the sidewalk. Anyways, now on Friday, it's still tender and scabbed over. I asked him how it was feeling and he said, it was getting a little better and said, "maybe Jesus should heal me." We just finished reading about the miracles of Jesus in the scriptures. Innocent faith. Love it!
And today while driving home, we passed a church with a cross out in front and Bryce said, "look mommy, a cross! Jesus died on a cross..." and proceeded to tell me about the nails in his hands, etc. Then he asks me, "when is Jesus going to come again?" I tell him I don't know, no one does, that's why we always need to be ready. Bryce then says, "But I AM READY NOW! He is taking a long time..." Sometimes I feel the same way...

New-ness

So a lot of change in the Darrington household this next month. First of all, we bought a single family home about 4 miles from here and we are so excited to move in the beginning of December! But before that adventure comes the adventure of trying to sell our townhouse which means keeping it clean. This has proven to be a little tricky the past 2 weeks as I need to have everything ready to "show" all the time and especially if I ever leave the house b/c someone can call at any second on their way. This is hard enough with two active boys, made a little harder by an ever growing little girl. Scrubbing and painting walls, doors and baseboards in addition to packing, organizing and cleaning is not exactly how I envisioned myself with 5 weeks to go (in theory).
So in addition to packing, cleaning and selling this place, moving into the other home in a little over 2 weeks, having a baby a couple weeks after that (again in theory), my little brother has decided to get married to a wonderful lady on December 29th, 5 days after my due date.
Needless to say, a lot going on which makes this an exciting/stressful time.
Oh, one more thing, Carter changes schools as well. He starts tomorrow but we've already met his new teacher on Friday and he knows 2 kids in his class which hopefully will make for an easier adjustment. We figure, new school first while still in the old house, then new house, then new sibling. A month or so is enough time for all those new things right? Hmmmmm.....
Still no baby name picked out, although Carter likes Sal-a-lean-uh. That's how it's pronounced anyways. His other top favs include, honey, sweetie or love. Bryce wants to name her "baby sister."
We'll keep you posted, but for now, that's the Darrington news!

Ghost-ez

Tonight while putting Bryce to bed, he said he was scared of "ghost-ez." I tried to reassure him that ghosts were not real and that Carter was in the next room and mommy and daddy would be right down stairs. He could always say a prayer to Heavenly Father who would help him feel safe. Bryce said, "let's do that right now. I'll say it first, then you have a turn mommy." He got out of bed and knelt next to it and asked Heavenly Father to make him "not scared of ghost-ez and feel love in his heart." Then he said it was my turn. What a sweet boy and what faith. Again, another testimony builder that we should truly all become as little children. Sometimes I wonder who teaches who more in this family because I learn so much from my children about unwavering faith and trust in the Lord time and time again. Thank you boys for your testimony and example. I am so blessed.

Reprimanded by a 3 yr old

Last night after the fifth time of telling Bryce to get back in his room and back in bed, I might have called the phrase up in a little less than loving voice. His response was a quiet but firm, "you need to speak more kinder to me mommy."
Thanks for the reminder buddy... you are right.