four

My baby girl turned four years old yesterday.

We had a party for her at the in-laws’ on Sunday with cake and balloons and presents. We had a birthday lunch, an afternoon at the park, and then an incredible Easter dinner.

Preston got to meet his Auntie Laura-Mae and Uncle Byron,

his great-grandma,

and Jay and Kami, who I forgot to photograph. (Grr.)

He loves the bouncy chair, Kami! (As do I.)

When I said “Happy Birthday!” to Liliana on Monday morning, her real birthday, she said to me, angrily, “But I already HAD my birthday!”

That girl. We were in the back yard setting up the trampoline on Saturday and the girls were playing with sidewalk chalk in the driveway. Kaylie complained that Liliana was coloring on her drawings. Liliana came to her own defense, “But they’re just so BAD!”

Noah stifled laughter and I got after Liliana for being a turd. She’s obviously very concerned about others’ feelings.

I let Liliana do whatever she wanted (within reason) for her birthday. She got to wear the dress of her choice, have the sugary cereal that’s usually reserved for weekends, and play the games of her choice all day. She even got to go for lunch with her Big Papi.

Kaylie has this week off school for Easter/spring break. It’s nice to have her home, and the girls played really great for most of the day today, but my goodness three kids by myself can be stressful. If Preston’s crying and the girls are fighting and I just want thirty seconds to go to the bathroom BY MYSELF, my head starts to spin a little bit and I frantically search for the escape hatch.

Overall, though, the whole three-kid thing is going well. Preston is a great sleeper (*knock on wood*) so most days I’m pretty well-rested. He’s much more snuggly than Liliana was as a baby and has at least one nap per day in the wrap or just on my chest. Since he’s most likely our last baby, I’m just enjoying the newborn snuggles and not worrying at all about “spoiling” him.

Time is going by way too fast. I can’t believe he’s already two weeks (and a day) old. Time can slow down ANY TIME NOW. I need more time to breathe in his fluffy red after-bath hair. (I love his red hair.)

He loves to sleep on his tummy, but don’t worry, we always keep a close eye on him when he sleeps like that. It’s funny, though, that for years that was the “safer” sleep position, whereas now people gasp if you say anything about your baby sleeping on his tummy.

At night he’s always wrapped up like a little burrito.

A really long burrito.

We’re getting into a nice routine now that Noah’s got a day job (did I mention he started a new job last week?) and Preston lets me sleep at night (I should really stop telling people that lest it backfire on me). It’s nice not having to drive anywhere this week (I hate driving) and only leaving the house to go to the park or the back yard.

I’m looking forward to this next month of my sister, Meg, and my parents coming to meet Preston, warmer temperatures, and maybe getting some muscle back again. Maybe by the end of the month I’ll even be able to finally be able to run again.

Dare I say it, I think spring is finally here.

Filed under: Kaylie, Liliana, Preston, family, milestones