Christmas Eve & First Baths

This little man is really needy but once in a while something has to get done around the house. On this particular day I was trying to get laundry done and my back was hurting from carrying him and trying to rotate the laundry so I gently laid him on the warm laundry. He almost instantly fell asleep but who can blame him it was so warm.

His cord finally fell off so he got his first REAL bath. He seemed to really enjoy it although we decided that bathing him in the sink probably wasn't the best option since it is next to a window and are now going to bath him in one of the bathrooms so it will be warmer. The girls all got chairs and gathered round so they could watch and help. It was a fun way to spend out Christmas Eve morning

Then while I fed Liam Matt got the girls started on gingerbread house. These little houses are just the right size for each of them to have their own. Matt even decorated one for us. They turned out so cute

Christmas Bells Program

The Sunday before Christmas our ward had their annual bells program. This year Matt was able to participate to play one of the bells. Matt's parents came down to listen and even Liam and I snuck into church late and left early so we could see as well. After the program we were lucky enough to have Matt's parents stay and have lunch with us. The girls loved wearing their matching dresses and they looked darling

Early Morning & Candy Making

Nic and I have always made Christmas candy more for the visiting and eating the candy than for actually making it and taking it somewhere. This year I was feeling good so we decided to go ahead and make some candy...mostly caramel. It was also nice to get to hang out and visit with someone without having to leave the house. We made and ate plenty of candy before we took a break and watched Smallfoot and ate some dinner. Im so grateful Nic is willing to drop everything and drive up to hang out 

One morning Liam was having a hard time getting settled one morning but I laid him on my pillow and he was out. I love seeing his sweet face in the morning

Ogden Christmas Village & Emy's Preschool Program

The Christmas Village is a fun tradition. I felt like I had missed out on so many traditions I didn't want this to be another one so we all bundled up and off we went. We grabbed dinner at the kids favorite place...Pizza Pie Cafe and then went to see the lights. It was a pretty pleasant night and it was nice to be out getting some fresh air and all being together

We decided that Liam would probably stay the warmest bundled and in his car seat that also allowed us to have hands for the girls to hold. They of coarse also wanted to help push the stroller at various times.

We were a little rushed because we needed to get back to needed to get back to Emy's preschool Christmas program at the library. We got there just in time. The program was so cute. They acted out the Christmas story. Emy was the horse in the stable

It was a fun evening with family doing old traditions and adding some new. I love this family of mine and all the time we spend together

Visiting Santa, 2 Weeks Out, Sleepy Cuddles

Emy really had her world rocked with the addition of Liam. We were cooped up inside 99% of the time and aside from Dr appt and getting the girl where they needed to go and she likes to go and do. So after the Dr we stopped by the mall to grab a few Christmas gifts and to of coarse see Santa. Although they wouldn't let me take pictures with Santa I had to document her awesome hat he gave her. She was so excited and looked so cute

She has also become a master pouter when she doesn't get her way. Im doing my best trying to spend time with her and play but Liam can be so demanding its hard to find a balance

One thing I noticed with the girls is that I didn't document how quickly I lost the weight and what I did to do that while still taking care of my family and myself. I feel like my body is getting back quicker than I expected and to be honest Im so happy to not be pregnant and to not ever have to think about being pregnant again but at the same time its bittersweet for sure. But above all Im so grateful for a body, that although imperfect, carrier four healthy and happy babies. It also allows me to care for not only the baby but my family. I get so much satisfaction from knowing that I can do that. Yes I have stretch marks, cellulite, and overall my body will probably never be the same I choose to embrace that because each of our babies were worth it. 

I wont lie I love when he falls asleep he looks so peaceful

Liam Matthew Week 2

This week we hit the big 2 week mark. Still feeling surreal and foggy that our family is complete and we are now two weeks into our new normal. We went to the Dr for the first time since the hospital and got a little bit of a lecture about not bringing him in sooner since she felt like he wasn't gaining weight as quickly as she would like. I, for the first time, didn't agree. He left the hospital weighing 8lbs 8oz. Today he was 8lbs 4 oz. He was eating and sleeping great and looked very healthy. She suggested we start fortifying my breast milk with formula to make it higher calorie until he was 2 months. And to wake him up every 3 hours round the clock. Everything inside me felt like this was wrong. I asked if I could see a lactation specialist and have my milk calories tested and do pre and post nursing weight. She said she felt like that wouldn't be as much help as he needed. She also wanted me to come in every 3-5 days and have him weighed which I was not about to do with all of the germs. I left the appointment so frustrated and questioning myself. I decided to follow my gut and continue doing what I had been doing. So I called my NICU lactation specialist. I made an appointment to go see her the following week. At that appt he was 8lbs 5 oz. We did pre and post weights and he was taking just over 3 oz a feeding which was more than enough for his age and weight. My milk tested at 22kcal and the hind mild was 25 kcal which both are above average. So the lactation specialist suggested bringing him back for another weight in a week. The next week he was 9lbs she was super impressed and said to keep doing what we were doing. A week later while in the area I stopped and he was a whopping 10lbs! No weight gain problems here. Then I stopped worrying so much.

I love when he's asleep and just melts into you. Moments like these are the ones I will really miss as he gets older and stops doing it

When this little guy is awake he is taking the world in a second at a time.

Liam's Newborn & Update Sister/Family Pictures

When I found out we were expecting I knew immediately I wanted professional newborn pictures done. I have wanted that with all the kids. They grow and change so quickly I always feel the urgency to capture every stage. Ashley has been doing our family and girls pictures on and off for quite a while so I knew when she announced she was opening a studio at her house that it would be a good fit for us. So when Liam was a week old we headed to Tremonton to do pictures. We took the girls out of school, they of coarse had no objections. The night before pictures I had a slight freak out that I hadn't even thought about what the girls were going to wear. Luckily their Christmas dresses fit what I had for Liam great. The girls also loved that they got to match.

Liam was less than cooperative for pictures. He wouldn't sleep for more than 2 seconds but luckily we were able to get a few good ones. I wish it would have been warmer in the studio and that I would have fed him more and maybe...just maybe it would have gone better. All I wanted was some sweet sleeping pictures and we did manage to get a few. The girls were great and very patient considering we spent over an hour trying to get pictures of Liam

Emery 3 yrs 7 months

Hallie 9 yr 3 months

Gracie 6 yrs 11 months

Liam 1 week

Our family of 6

When we left I was frustrated and disappointed. I had high hopes and we didn't get to all the pictures I was hoping to get so Matt said he was willing to help me try again at home so we set up some work lights in his room and over a couple nights finally got a few decent ones...dang kid just doesn't want to cooperate.

I do love this little one of his feet

Sweet little Liam we are so grateful for you