Green Acres-Country Meets City: The first week as a family of 5

I was so thankful my parents could be here to help. They kept the house clean, organized stuff, helped me to get rid of stuff, entertained the kids, let Brian and I get some sleep, and just help us adjust to a family of 5. Kaelyn ended up with a double ear infection and congestion with a cough. We had to keep the kids away from the baby and it was so hard. The kids, Kaelyn especially, wanted to see the baby and hold her. "Hold baby, see baby" Kaelyn would hold out her hands to tell us she wanted the baby. I felt so bad when we told her she couldn't hold her. Hadley pretty much lived in our bedroom.

Hadley's first doctor's appointment and she did great.
Weight: 7lb 5.5oz
Height: 19 3/4inches
Head: 34 1/2

Newborn pics done by Sara whom we love

Hadley has been a pretty easy newborn. She is more demanding to eat during the day but I have to wake her up to feed her at night. Sometimes I have slept through my alarm and I wake up and its been 4 hours and she is still sleeping. I try to feed her every 3 hours.

I got the kids some gifts after Hadley was born since they are the big brother/big sisters now. I bought Kaelyn a baby carrier so she could wear her baby dolls just like I wear Hadley and she loves it. I bought Jaxon and new video called Bibleman- its a superhero movie, which he loves.

It was nice to have Brian home over Christmas break and then after Haldey was born. He spent some extra time with Jaxon. Then we got a huge snow storm and Brian was able to stay home. They enjoyed playing out in the snow and sledding with his buddy Andrew and Andrews dad. I stayed inside where it was warm with the girls.

They were supposed to skiing with friend Andrew and his dad while Brian was off work, but the conditions at the ski slopes weren't that great. So they had a boys day instead and went to Charlotte to a children's museum instead.

Since Hadley has been born, the snow and cold weather, sickness, no school, I feel like we've been hibernating. I couldn't wait to get out of the house.

So thankful for our church family to bring us meals as we adjust.

Cousin Ally got to meet Hadley

Mom and dad had to leave earlier than expected because my grandmother fell and had a brain hemorrhage and was not doing well. Thankfully they left when they did because she passed away on the day that they originally were to leave to go see her.
We were all sad that she passed but thankful she is reunited with Papa. She hadn't been the same since after Kaelyn was born. She didn't communicate very much and it put alot of stress on my aunt to check on her everyday at the nursing home and my mom and my aunt to visit with her often.
We took Hadley to the funeral in South Carolina and thankfully Jaxon and Kaelyn stayed with Brian's parents for a few days. It made traveling alot easier and I was able to spend more time with my family. At 2 weeks old Hadley met alot of people at the funeral. I wish Jaxon and Kaelyn could have gone with us so they could play with all their cousins.

The first 2 days I was by myself with the kids, Jaxon had preschool, so the transition was a little bit easier. If I needed to feed Hadley, Kaelyn will sit in her high chair and play with puzzles or color and entertain herself. Or she would sit next to me on the couch while I fed her. She has been a little jealous and wants me to hold her all the time.

Jaxon has pooped in the potty 2x now by himself and on his own initiative. So we had to make a big deal and take him to the toy store. They came back with a gun that has lights and noise. They also bought one for his friend Andrew for his birthday. Now they can shoot each other. I have many things still to learn about raising boys. I don't think I can have a gun free house now. If he doesn't own one he will make one with whatever he can find.

He pooped in the potty for a 2nd time and of course there is not more going to the dollar tree when he knows there is a cool toy store with better toys. This time he had to use his own money. I talked him into getting a helicopter lego set. I think Brian enjoyed helping him put it together.

We had really nice weather one day and I took the kids to the park for a picnic after preschool. Hadley did great and I wore her in the sling and let the kids run around. The sling will be a lifesaver.

Jaxon
He sleeps in some days which helps me out. His wake up time could be anywhere from 7-8
He loves shooting with his toy gun and now has taught Kaelyn
He is learning how to write more letters
He has had some separation issues at preschool and if I leave the house and can melt down
During my pregnancy and now even after Hadley was born he can get jealous for my attention
He loves playing matching games
He has gotten more emotional
He says "I'm mean at you" if he's mad at you
The few times he has pooped in the potty he wants to save it in the toilet so he can show daddy

Never thought I would be having this Conversation with my 4 1/2 year-old son

J mommy I want to bring my gun for show and share at preschool today
M Jaxon I don't think that's a good idea
J why mommy?
M because guns can hurt people and your gun looks like a real gun. They don't want you to bring guns to school
J but mom this gun doesnt hurt people it's a toy gun
M i'll have to ask your teacher

This is only the beginning

Kaelyn
She is putting more words together and has become more independent "I do it"
She continues to be a good eater
She is still sleeping in in the morning until 10:00am which is great. I do have to wake her up earlier if its a preschool day.
She gets jealous and wants me to hold her if I'm holding Hadley
She loves playing with her dolls and putting them in Hadley's carseat
She will tell me to put Hadley in her bed
She will tell me "baby crying"
"feed baby" "baby hungry"
She loves apple juice, oranges, and crackers and will tell you what she wants to eat
She likes to clean up
She likes to tell you that she farted
She prefers that I put her to bed

She loves putting puzzles together