Grady's Birthday, Grandma and Grandpa visit, Spring comes to Portland

Phew, it feels like it's been forever since the last post.  A lot has happened, and this is a photo-laden post. First and foremost, Grady turned four.  It was a very special birthday because Grandma and Grandpa came out to visit and celebrate with us.

It's the best we could do

Unfortunately for Peggy and Jeff, but fortunately for the rest of us, Clara was sick while they were here.  Her discomfort manifested itself largely in less than desirable behavior.  Meaning, maybe 14 percent of waking hours were spent not tantruming.  We are coming through it, but it has been a long haul.  And we are definitely missing Matt's parents! Some evidence of the obstinance (funnier in retrospect) -

At least she's wearing shoes

Nap time - slept by the door

That night's bed time - slightly better

Despite Clara's mood, we managed to have a lovely visit with the grandparents.  Grady was especially thrilled by the extra attention and lego and book reading buddies.

Grady's birthday was a lot of fun.  We started the day with chocolate chip pancakes.  (Grady at 6:31 a.m., calling up the stairs "MOMMY! What are you making me for my birthday breakfast?"  This kid knows what it is to be spoiled on his birthday.)  After we managed to get Clara in some form of clothing and downstairs a few hours later, we opened presents.  Grady was completely spoiled as always.  The hits of the birthday were teenage mutant ninja turtles, super hero coloring books, a scooter, and various other things that had this four year old pretty darn excited.  Indeed, presents were opened in a record time of I'd say 90 seconds.  It was pretty intense!

We spent the rest of the day playing with presents and with the grandparents, and enjoying a special dinner of scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, corn, and strawberry ice cream.  All in all, a success!

We had Grady's birthday party today.  We decided to do a small party at a local pottery painting shop.  In retrospect, not the most brilliant idea to have 8 children aged 6 weeks to 5 years in a small shop filled with breakable objects, but everyone seemed to have a good time and nothing was broken.  It was nice being able to have Grady's old friends and his new friends all in the same place.

Our routine, such that it is, has been a bit thrown by birthday and sickness, but we are nonetheless enjoying our new life as a family of five.  Theo remains an incredibly chill and happy baby (despite working through his first cold), and has begun rewarding us with the occasional adorable smile.  In fact, he is so laid back that we occasionally worry he hasn't made it to the car with us.  In one of these instances, Matt asked Grady if Theo was in his car seat.  Grady: "I think so.  I don't see him on the floor."

Despite the cold, he is thriving. I snuck in a weigh in for him when we were at the doctor for Clara, and he was up to 9 lbs 14 oz as of a week ago - so he is gaining over an ounce a day.  He is definitely feeling more substantial and getting a little chunky!

Here are some other photos of our littlest munchkin.

The kids love to hold him, and do the occasional tummy time with him.  Clara is endlessly thrilled when Theo is awake.  "Theo's awake! Eyes open!"

With the weather turning warmer and sunnier, we've managed to have a number of outdoor adventures.  Grady was on spring break, and we took advantage of that time to do some "bear hunts."  He's quite a hiker - got those Swap genes.

Oaks Bottom

Mt Tabor

Clara joined us to go to the Rhododendron Gardens, which ended up being a really fun outing.

DUCKS!

Yes, Clara is wearing 4 skirts

And then this past weekend, the whole family made it to the Tulip Festival - the photo opportunity of the year.

Gentle

Not quite so gentle

There's a baby in there

And here are some miscellaneous photos from the past month

"MySELF!"

Pillow room!

Me and my babe

First jog with mama!

Besa getting comfortable

 And some of my favorite Clara outfits of the past month -

 And finally, a few words about our birthday boy.  Grady is a sensitive, caring boy.  He makes us laugh with his stories, his turns of phrase, and his catchy songs.  He will make sacrifices to make his sister happy and is often the only one who can cheer her up when she is sad.  He has an incredible imagination, and can play happily by himself for hours.  He feels passionately about certain things and has a strong sense of justice.  Although he doesn't always do the right thing, he feels really badly when he doesn't.  Although he is shy, he has made a number of really great friends, and loves playing with them. He is a really special kid.  We are so lucky to have him.

Clara turns 2!

Clara has been two in spirit for quite a few months now, so we were happy to officially welcome age two on March 11 - although we didn't officially celebrate until later in the week.  Clara was completely spoiled with lots of thoughtful presents from relatives far and wide, and with the birthday dinner of her choice - toast and chocolate cake with strawberries.  (We did supplement the toast!)

First present from Grandpa and Nana

Five minute break to play with her first present

Grady gets impatient and wants to help

Cookies!

New baby doll from cousin Brando and company - BIG hit! 

Horse from Grandma and Grandpa - this goes with her everywhere.

The whole crew

Grady helps make the cake

The verdict: Yummy!

Thumbs up

After dessert, we went around the table and said things we loved about Clara.  Grady loves how she plays in the the big puddle in front of the house with him.  Matt and I love Clara's independence, strong will, humor, effervescence, style, love for her family, and ability to do anything she sets her mind to, among others.  She is a pretty amazing little girl.  We are lucky to have her.

We have been settling into having three little ones around the house.  Grady and Clara are pretty interested in Theo and like to hold him and help him out when he's feeling sad.  They also enjoyed giving him his first bath!

And check this out - Theo first, Grady second - resemblance you think?

We also went on our first real family excursion this past weekend, going to the opening day of the Portland Farmers Market.  Clara picked out a stunning outfit for the event.

Ready to fight bad guys

Not much was ready yet, and we didn't end up buying anything besides the essentials (coffee and cookies), but we got out of the house!

In general, Clara seems totally fine with/oblivious to the disruption in her life with the arrival of her little brother.  Grady, always a bit more sensitive, isn't quite as equanimous, but luckily he isn't taking it out on or associating it with his little brother.  Besa has adapted.

Theo has reached the two week mark, and knocking on wood, he seems to be colic free.  He is a pretty mellow baby, getting upset for the most part only when hungry or wet.  He is a frequent eater - going about every two hours, three if I'm lucky.  As of his two week appointment today, he was back above birth weight at 7 pounds 12 ounces - gaining 10 ounces in 11 days!  He is a total sweetheart and we are completely smitten with the little guy.

Matt is back to work as of Tuesday.  Tomorrow is my first day with all three of the kids on my own - so I should probably get to bed and get ready!

Welcome Theodore John Wilkinson!

On March 4, Matt, Grady, Clara and I welcomed Theodore ("Theo") John Wilkinson into our family.  

The birth story for those interested  - As with Grady and Clara, Theo was induced due to concerns over my tendency for fast labor.  I was put on a very low dose of pitocin around 9 am and allowed to labor slowly and steadily until about 1:30.  The contractions were noticeable but not at all unmangeable, and at that point I didn't need to breath through them to get through them.  

My water was broken around 1:45 and things progressed pretty quickly from there.  Around 2:45 the contractions started to feel pretty intense, but I was able to breath through them and felt pretty calm and connected.  Around 3:45 or so, I felt the need to push.  The nurses called my doctor, who luckily was already outside the door, because 4 pushes later, Theo was there!  He was 7 pounds 9 ounces, 21.75 inches, pink, screaming, and perfect.  

He was born early enough that Grandpa and Nana (who blessedly had been in town to help with the kids and with us) and Grady and Clara were able to come to the hospital for a visit.  Grady was cautious but excited to hold his little brother. 

"Why is he so small?"

First thing Clara did was stick her finger in his ear, followed by pressing with both hands on his tummy.  She is a bull in a china shop that one.  We were too busy intervening to take pictures of that tender moment.  

Grandpa cuddles

The kids wanted and were promised lemonade and chocolate when Theo arrived, which they got on their second visit the following day.  As with Grady's visit to Clara, day 2 was a disaster.  Matt accidentally got ginger lemonade, which was too spicy, so he got them some sprite instead.  That ended up on the floor in about 2 seconds.  At least Clara was kept occupied for a few minutes by the M&Ms! 

I have a baby what now?

Coming home outfit

Theo is, thankfully, a pretty mellow baby so far.  He has a sweet, squeaky cry that he breaks out during diaper changes and when hungry (which is about every two hours at the moment!) but has long periods of staring around peacefully and getting acquainted with our crazy family.  He lost about 10 ounces while at the hospital waiting for my milk to come in, but his weight was rising as of his first doctor's appointment on Saturday (back up to 7 pounds 2 ounces).  With the way this kid eats, I'm hoping he'll be back up to birth weight by his two week appointment. 

Checking out Daddy

Sleep smiles

The kids, especially Grady, continue to be interested in him.  

Bestowed with gifts from Grady and Clara

Besa is as well.  I'm not sure Fuzz has ventured out to see him yet! 

I'm feeling great.  The birth was fairly easy.  Theo was a full pound less than Clara, and it made a difference!  I've been walking and am looking forward to being able to run again in about a month. 

Grandpa and Nana left on Saturday, but not before cleaning the oven, our rugs, making dinner, watching the kids, cleaning up, and generally being incredibly helpful.  Approximately four minutes after they left, Grady broke out a variation of the "where do babies come from" question ("How did you make Theo?") which I expertly dodged.  ("He started out small and got bigger and bigger and then I pushed him out, is that what you mean?")  Thankfully, we have not been so tested again. Matt and I are managing with being outnumbered.  I'm most worried about school drop off when Matt goes back to work next week, but we will manage.  

There is, of course, also some adjustment.  Especially for Grady who tends to be sensitive.  We have been giving everyone lots of extra cuddles and love, and enjoying the extra time together as a family while Matt is on leave. 

Mommy-Grady chalking

Outside of baby Theo, the kids are doing well.  Grady is still really into superheroes and is finessing his supehero moves.  

He is teaching Clara all his super ways. 

Clara is finishing up age 1 today - 2nd birthday is tomorrow!   We will be celebrating Clara's birthday this weekend and I will try to post photos not too long after.  She continues to be a high-energy, motivated, assertive girl.  Grandpa and Nana got a kick out of her shenanigans and her outfit choices.

Wish us luck!