We've managed to survive 2 weeks . . . ok that sounds bad, it really hasn't been that bad, but there have been some moments.  This week was more back to routine with my Mimi gone and Steve went back to work last Friday, Feb 12th.  We have great carpool friends who have been driving both ways to and from school which has been so nice.  Here's how the week went . . . Let's see Monday was a holiday so the kids didn't have school, Steve still worked. I think Tuesday went ok as I tried to get the girls' homework done, dinner, and kids to bed by myself--Steve worked until 10:30pm that night (things have piled up and his customers are getting antsy since he spent a week sick right before our baby decided to come early).  Wednesday evening I sent Steve the following text:

Ellie and her partner Owen. They did the Tango and Cha cha cha.  They both had quite the hip movements during the Cha cha cha.

First bath. All the kids cry during every baby's first bath because the baby is screaming. Good times. Steve manned the drying station. Marcus's hair went really puffy--Steve said it has lot's of volume. ;)

Marcus is a planker.  It cracks me up.  He'll stick his legs straight out like that suspended in the air while he's nursing.  He is also quite a rolly polly already, rolling from side to side--even the doctor noticed and mentioned it today.  What a funny kid. ;)

What a great week we've had snuggling and relaxing with Marcus.  Mimi took the girls to the Chinese New Year celebration Thursday night at the school and then all of the kids stayed the night with Mimi and Grandpa Friday.  They made valentine cookies and played with their cousins.  


Saturday the girls went to a gymnastics meet with Grandpa and Mimi and had a wonderful time.  Steve sent me to get a pedicure while Andrew napped and he took care of Marcus.  It was kind of weird to come home to 3 boys and no girls and I realized that at some point that will be my life--all boys all the time.

Marcus getting his first bottle while I was getting a pedicure.  Fortunately all of my babies have nursed and taken a bottle.

 
We truly are enjoying our time with the little boy who has recently stole our heart not to say there hasn't been some adjustments or sleepless nights, but we are trying to savor the moments knowing this is our last.  












Andrew finally decided he could hold and kiss Marcus until then he had been keeping his distance.


This morning the kids woke-up and I showed them the valentine's presents Steve and I had wrapped and laid out for them.  Andrew was so excited to open a present.  Lila had insisted on a grocery store trip last week that we get Marcus a valentine present and picked a little stuffed hippo--good thing she did because I had not bought him anything thinking he wouldn't be here yet.














Traditional heart pancakes for breakfast. Then we went to Mt Green where we had some family and newborn pictures taken and shared our traditional fondue dinner with Mimi & Grandpa for the second year in a row.  This year we even had fondue dessert which was a hit--who doesn't love dipping fruit and treats in chocolate.












Birth Announcement with pictures taken on Valentine's:
Our monkey has arrived.  He decided to make his grand entrance 15 days early on the Chinese New Year which the girls thought was cool. They actually told me on Sunday after church to keep the baby in for 11 more hours so he could be born in the year of the monkey--I didn't think too much of it until the contractions began at 2am and I noticed the monkeys on google as I did a time check between contractions.  I guess we officially have a monkey. :)

arrived Monday, February 8th at 7:32pm weighing 7lbs 5oz and 21.5 inches long.






















It was a long day of laboring (started at 2am), but we are so grateful he is here and healthy, truly a miracle. 

We sent Mimi some pictures so she could show the kids as they were getting into bed.  When Mimi showed Andrew the picture of us and the baby he said, "No just Mommy and Daddy."


Because he arrived so late in the evening we didn't have any visitors until the next day. Andrew and Mimi came up after getting the girls off to school.



Then Grandpa and Mimi brought the whole crew up after school.















Andrew still not getting too close to the baby. ;)











We left the hospital at 9pm Tuesday night.  I always sleep better at home so I we try to get out at the 24 hour mark.

Kids were in bed when we got home so in the morning they crowded around as we tried to get them ready and off to school. Andrew also said the first time he heard the baby cry, "Mommy baby need milk."  I guess it is pretty intuitive. ;)


Marcus is so small, snuggly and even makes the most gentle cries and noises such a difference from our screaming rambucous Andrew.  Not saying Marcus won't eventually be that kind of boy, but Andrew came out that crazy way.  For now we are adjusting to life as 6 and enjoying every moment with our precious newborn.

This break we've been having some winter fun.  The girls have been doing ski school on Wednesday evenings and then skiing with Daddy for a couple of hours.  They've loved it.  The last night they had a little celebration where they fed them pizza, soda and a cookie.  They also got a free day pass--we'll have to try to use up soon.

We went out to Pizza Pie cafe for dinner to use some of their school rewards.  It was fun and we all tried lots of different pizzas, pastas, salads, dessert pizzas.  Izzy & Siena spent the night with us again.  We had a couple of friends over to play while their Mom had to work.  We went to the Discovery Gateway Center one last time before our membership expired.  The kids loved it.  I'm now on the hunt for new membership that I can enjoy with my two little boys . . .










Then Grandpa came down Friday, January 29th so he and Steve took the girls day skiing to Powder Mountain.  They all had a fabulous time.  Steve said the runs were long and fun and had powder off to the side so he felt like he was enjoying some powder skiing or exploring while the girls were practicing their skills on the groomed part.  They even went up the bungee surface tow several times.   I have to admit I was a little jealous--I want to be skiing with them.

I took the girls on a little mid-day date to see Kung Fu Panda 3.  It's super cute with a good moral.  We had a wonderful time together.  The last week my nesting really took over and I patched some holes in the walls, painted, repainted the mudroom top board, cleaned under the fridge & stove, and deep cleaned the stove, dusted the decorations on top of my cupboards and made lots and lots of yummy food, like buffalo wing dip, cheesecake cookies, spaghetti squash pasta.  It was like I had this burst of energy to get things done around the house.

I had told the kids we would go to Boondocks to do bowling and games too, but I was feeling really big and pregnant and not up for bowling.  So tonight we turned on the Wii and did some bowling while we ate pizza.  It was fun.  We played several games and laughed.  

It was a nice break (except for the fact that Steve got sick again and I sent him to the doctor who gave him an antibiotic for a sinus infection and said the cough and sore throat will take time to heal--here's for hoping we're all better before the baby comes and our immune systems are strong now).  I will miss year-around school next year--wish we could do it for a couple more years.