Saturday, June 9

Legoland

On Friday, the Siders' last full day in California, we went to Legoland.  Karis, Kyle and I went.  Since Makena was a little too young to fully enjoy it, Derek took the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with her.  He took her to the Irvine Regional Park for a train ride and a picnic lunch.  

Karis loved her time with the cousins and riding all the rides.  I loved watching Karis' excitement as she experienced so many new things.  My sisters helped me a great deal by watching after Karis and sometimes staying with Kyle so I could go on rides with Karis.  Karis enjoyed the extra mommy-time al day long.  Thankfully, Kyle was easy and slept most of the day away.  


Karis did really well driving for the first time.  She's a natural!









The airplane ride was one of their favorite rides. 



Aaron checking out the new Star Wars exhibit 

Tired after a long, fun day

Thursday, June 7

Karis' Recent Achievements

1) She moved up to the next level gymnastics class.  She is now in Embers Level 2.  Her class is made up of mostly 4 and 5-year olds, but she does a great job keeping up!

2)  She no longer sleeps with a bed rail -- though she occasionally falls off the bed.

3)  She no longer sleeps with a Pull-Up diaper at nap times.  The other day she just told me she wasn't going to sleep with one.  She's now done it for three days without an accident.

4)  She had her first sleepover at my sister's house.  She was so excited and didn't care that Derek and I were leaving.  She slept through the night and didn't even miss us the next day.

Tuesday, June 5

More Family Time

On Monday, we went to Zoomar's petting zoo.   The kids got to hold guinea pigs and feed a variety of animals.  





Karis on the train ride.

Julie feeding and playing with a Zedonk.
Hanging out while the kids played in the corn pit.





After Zoomars we went to dinner and then got Mochilato for dessert.




Family style!

Kyle slept in the stroller the whole time which was about 5 hours!

Karis finishing off every last drop.

Monday, June 4

The Siders Are In Town!

My sister and her family came to visit for a week.  They came to meet baby Kyle and to spend a much needed week of rest.  It was so much fun to get to hang out with them.  The kids had a great time.  We spent the first day at our place and at the pool.  We grilled some burgers, dogs and sausages for dinner.  It was a feast with six adults and ten kids. 





On Sunday, we went to Julie's place to hang out and have dinner.  Everyone loved holding Kyle.




Sunday, June 3

Life With Kyle


Kyle has been a pretty easy baby so far, sleeping and eating well.  He seldom cries, mainly just when his diaper is being changed.  The first week, Kyle nursed every two hours around the clock.  Then he started feeding every three hours during the day and four hours at night. That was great!  But the last couple days, he's been nursing every two hours during the day and every three hours at night.  Not so great.  Perhaps it's a growth spurt and he'll go back to feeding every three/four hours (fingers-crossed!).  He has definitely chunked up the past few days.  He's noticeably heavier, his legs are filling out and he has now acquired a second chin.  


Derek took two weeks off from work and Grandma was here for just over a week during that time.  I was a little nervous when Derek went back to work and when Grandma left, but so far it hasn't been bad at all.  The first day by myself, I actually did two loads of laundry and bathed all the kids.  Not bad.  I even braved Costco with all three of them.  It has definitely helped that we are receiving meals three times a week for a total of six weeks.  That's one less thing off my plate and I can spend that time playing with the girls and giving them some much needed Mommy-time.  


The first couple weeks Karis and Makena were much more needy and whiney.  I did what I could to spend time with them, but I could only give them so much.  I'm thankful that they don't blame Kyle for the reduced amount of Mommy-time they are receiving.  They are loving their little brother, always wanting to see him and hold him. Makena especially is always hanging around me when I'm nursing him.  She likes to help me burp him, cover him with a blanket and let me know whether "Baby wake!" or "Baby nigh-nigh" depending on if his eyes are open or close.  


We've had a lot of visitors who have come to see Kyle.  A few have come bearing gifts for the girls which I love.  They make the girls feel special too.   
Karis and one of the (very large ) gifts she received.
We started going to church last week and we went again this week.  It's a little more challenging getting all four ready, but in some ways it's easier than staying home!  People at church are surprised to see us at church already.  Today, one lady told me that I'm the most calm mother she knows.  A friend also told me that I look tired but not frazzled (yet).  I definitely notice a difference in myself this time around.  Yes, three kids is more work, but I'm just trying go with the flow and get what I can done.  This morning as I was getting ready to get the girls in the car to go to church, Kyle woke up hungry.  Instead of stressing that we were going to be late, sweating, and yelling at the kids to go faster, I just decided to let Kyle have his fill and we'll get get there when we get there.  That's huge for me since I hate being late, and I'm always try to do everything.  


I know the days will be more challenging as Kyle gets older, is awake more during the day and especially when he becomes mobile.  But so far, it's been good and I'm enjoying my family five!!