On my own...

I'm very sad this morning as I just dropped my mom off at the airport. She's been here a month and has been a tremendous help. Not really sure how I'm going to do this on my own, but we'll manage! I'm so thankful that she can come and stay so long and is such a big help! Not only did she help me recover at the hospital, took care of the boys, and took care of Caroline, but let me list a few of the other tasks she tackled while here... organized the garage so we have space to actually walk in the house, put a fence up in the backyard to separate a place for the boys and a place for the dogs, hung pictures, redecorated my downstairs bathroom, found a climbing plaything for the boys, hung a ladder, made me install a laundry system, did about 400 loads of laundry, grocery shopped, picked up food, the list goes on and on. I know I'm forgetting things! She also made me go through some "dry runs" of picking the boys up at school by myself and taking care of everybody the last couple of days on my own so I could feel like I could do it! That's really what a good mom does.. does things for you and then shows you how you can do it on your own! I"m so thankful to my mom and so glad my kids have her for their granny!

Now the real fun begins.....stay tuned...

I'm going to try to post a couple of new pictures too! All right, I'm still learning and posted my picture twice! I'll get some more of the boys soon too!

Two weeks

Caroline is 2 weeks old and weighs 7 1/2 lbs. as of today. She made quite a jump, as a week and a half ago, she was only 6.2! Obviously, I don't have to worry about if she's getting enough to eat!
Everything else looked great! She's as sweet as can be!

The boys played tee ball in the backyard yesterday. "Played" is a very loose definition! More like walked around with the bat and ball... They are liking playing in the backyard though. We are currently searching for a climbing structure! The stuff never ends!
Okay, Collin is crying, so that's all I've got!!

Backyard Shenanigans

The temperature has finally calmed down here in North Texas. With help from their Grandma Melissa the kids played in the Garden of Eden known as our back yard (work with me here)

Still trying to figure out how to make these blogs easier to read...hope everyone is doing well

Three carseats!!

I definitely had one of those reality moments when I saw all 3 carseats with the kids in them strapped in the minivan! Could not quite believe they are all mine!!
I am glad to be home, although the hospital was wonderful and really like staying in a hotel!! Caroline and I got some quality bonding time!
I am really enjoying her. The second baby (or third) is so different since you are much more relaxed! You can really just stare and enjoy and love on her! She's been very good so far and I am getting some sleep and good naps thanks to my mom. My favorite thing is taking a nap with her in the room in the bassinett next to me!
The boys are adjusting well. They are so young, if it doesn't directly affect them, they're not interested. Jack laughs every time she cries and Collin just does his typical Collin stare at her. He keeps trying to get people who come to visit to take her home.
Thank goodness for my mom! I'm not quite sure how this is all going to work when she leaves, but we'll just go one hour at a time. ... I'm trying to really be present and notice the moments when all 3 are quiet and happy. It really does actually happen quite a bit during the day, but it's much easier sometimes to get caught up when they are all fussy!!
Like right now I'm savoring that Caroline is sleeping in the playpen and the boys are playing in their playroom without fighting. I'm drinking some coffee and publishing this post! And my nice mom is doing my laundry! A very nice morning!!

A baby, some friends and a Jackie

Caroline is home and enjoying herself. Grandma Melissa is doing a great job helping with the boys and Lindsay. Lindsay is doing a great job feeding Caroline.

Our boys were so glad their best friend Haley came over to see them. I hope I am spelling her name correct

Jack is wondering if he can fit in this box. "No Jack, you cannot"

Caroline at Home

The Scanlan Zoo is now open for business! Collin and Jack met their baby sister Caroline today at the house. She is doing great and still sleeping and eating like a champion. The boys are very happy to have their Mama back at the house after a boys week with Dad. Give us a call and come by to say hello. Thank you to everyone that has sent their wishes and gifts

Updated Caroline Pictures

More Baby Pics you ask for...more baby pics you shall receive. Caroline is feeding off her sweet Mother today and doing very well. She can be a feisty little one and we are not sure how she got all of that hair!

Meanwhile - Jack and Collin are keeping themselves busy on the homefront waiting for their baby sister to arrive...

Baby Caroline is here

Well what do you know? As I looked down to check out the unit of what was to be our third boy it turns out - IT'S A GIRL! Caroline Alice Scanlan was born around 2 O'Clock today on September 8th. More pics to come as she is spending a little time getting the fluid out of her lungs. Lindsay is doing well and getting some rest at the hospital.

Family of Four...

Here's our last picture as a family of 4! As of tomorrow we will be 5! We're as ready as we can be!

I'm so thankful to have made it this far in the pregnancy! I had so much wonderful help, especially from Sean's parents and my mom. It has been such a blessing to have family willing to pitch in when we really needed it!

But, really, to get mushy for just a minute, the person who has made all this easier has been my wonderful husband! He works tirelessly and never complains. All through this pregnancy, he has taken care of the boys from the minute he hits the door after work and so much on the weekends. Of course, they adore him and so do I. I'm so grateful that my kids have such an amazing father to look up to. I really can't say enough about him and am so glad I gave out my number to the guy picking me up at the Rangers game so long ago! Look at us now...

We'll have pictures out of our new little Scanlan in a couple days. We pray tomorrow we are blessed with a healthy baby! Thanks for everyone's well wishes!

What were we thinking???

This is what I was asking myself as I'm dropping my two boys off on their first day of Mother's Day Out! As they, along with the entire building it seems, are screaming, and looking at me with what can only be described as total panic. You really do have that moment where you just want to pick them up and say "never mind!". They can stay home with me until they are able to read novels right?? Then I remembered that I am having another baby in less than a week, and, in order to keep my sanity, they need to go. I also remembered all the wonderful things they will learn at school! So, I made myself leave and fortunately, found another mother in their class who also needed to calm down! We went and had some coffee, told our life stories, and felt much better!
The report at the end of the day was not too bad. They cried on and off. Loved the buggy ride, eating (of course), and singing songs. They wouldn't go down for a nap there, so the director called to see if I wanted to pick them up a little early. When I got there, the entire building wasn't napping!
God bless their teachers and the sweet director and I pray for their continued patience as I'm sure this will be quite an adjustment for my boys.
I called my mom from the car after I dropped them off (trying to hold it together) and she said "Well, how did it go?". I said "Let's see, the director's already walking around with Jack!"
I am bracing myself for tomorrow morning as I know it will be worse since now they know what's coming!
To be continued....