2 weeks young

John Joseph was just one week old and weighed in at 8lbs 5oz; he never dipped below birth weight! He was born at lunch time and has been hungry and eating ever since!

Birth announcement sent to family. Who's the genius who left off the birthdate? Facepalm.

The days have basically all seemed to meld together, so this little update will certainly not be a day-by-day account of activity. In fact, there's been very little activity to speak of - for me and the bébé, anyway. Nana has kept the "big kids" busy and engaged and having fun, which is lovely, and I've mostly waved from the porch holding a wee one calling out, "Bye, I love you, have fun!" They went to Costco, the aquarium, the library, the playground, and Ada had music, too. I joined them on their outing to the library wearing little John Joseph because the library's just a block and a half down the street, and I couldn't miss the kids' chance to eat bugs! The Audubon Zoo brought a Bug-mobile out to introduce some ... friends and let us *gulp* touch them. And at the end, there were little chocolate chirp cookies and candied worms. Yuck. But I hid my disgust and was very happy with Paul's and Ada's adventurous eating!

Besides the activities & outings, these first two weeks postpartum have been quite different for me from the other two kids' newbornhood. Being in summer here - but, really, just being in this southern climate at all, any time of year - I have noticed many fewer cabin fever-y feelings or those of being stuck. I mean, I did have both others in January in Minnesota, so it's no wonder I felt that. When we want a little sunshine or breeze or some outside time for the big kids, we just pop out on the porch. It's lovely. But it's also stinkin' hot, and JJ's brand new skin isn't a fan of the heat just yet and breaks out in a little heat rash, poor dear. I'm otherwise feeling much better (than 2 weeks ago? duh, but also better than after the other 2 births), but I am still forcing myself to have quite a bit of down time. This coming up week will be quite the test, however! Just the 5 of us ... and during the day, just the 4 of us. Please say a little prayer for patience and peace for us if you think about it during the week next week. While both Paul and Ada are truly darling with the baby, they each have a couple of adjustment issues; Paul's target has been Ada, and Ada has really wanted Mama. Luckily the latter manifests itself in wanting to be right next to me when I have the baby, which is pretty sweet and grooves fine with me. The Paul's targeting Ada for {x} is a little less groovy, and he really needs to lay off of her. So, yes, the prayers, please.

And now for the photos - mostly of our new addition, Jack, + a few others I'd like to share:

Father's Day & kids' FIRST movie!

First outing!

Just Mama+Paul café date

He loves the Beatles! yay.

Thus ends our journey with JuneBug! Thank you for following along and for all the well-wishes and prayers. Please keep an eye on Knowing the Knolls for future updates on the craziness that is having 3 kids 4 and under!

Welcome, John Joseph, on Monday, June 13, 2016!

Well, look who's here!

And there wasn't any Bridge traffic to worry about because on Sunday the 12th, my water broke at 5pm. Out of nowhere. Thus began the 24hr timeframe "they" give to deliver once the waters are gone due to an increased risk of infection. God lined things up just right for us, though, in so many ways, beginning with my parents being in town! Dylan and I walked out of the door to smiling Paul, Ada, Nana & Pappy faces.

But I had no contractions. Rather, I had about one an hour or thereabouts. After being checked in, set up, told I had to lie down because of the risk of more water rushing the cord over baby's head, a semi-restful but dark night, and 12 hours after the initial water-break, Dylan and I decided to succumb to a pitocin drip to urge along contractions. I still wanted to labor pain-med-free, so it was a very slow, low drip and apparently just enough to get things started. A couple of hours after increased length of contractions and decreased time between them, things were running smoothly, and come 9:30 or so, Dylan and I were chugging along in our 3rd-time familiar pattern; he's been an amazing helper all 3 times, and I couldn't imagine doing it all any other way. He helped keep my body as comfortable as possible and my head clear & focused on God's work. Meanwhile, on the Point...

John Joseph entered the world at 11:55 am, just in time for lunch, with the help of a lovely nurse and excellent Dr. Nobles. I saw what I imagine is everything and didn't even have to wait to hear "It's a boy!" before grabbing him to my chest, all blue and slippery and warm. It was awesome.

And then we had lunch - both of us. Baby JJ nursed beautifully as Dylan fed me red beans and rice; it was Monday in Louisiana, after all.

This third time was both different and very similar to Paul's and Ada's births; each was different in its timing and progression and length of time, of course, but the same things have to happen. So this time, when I saw and felt the changes that may have been nerve-wracking the first time around, they were so very welcomed this time because it was a sign of the end - of the work and of the waiting! It was really beautiful.

We were settled and comfortable recovering when we were ready to introduce this new little one to the big crazies he's born to! Nana & Pappy brought Paul and Ada over late afternoon through dinner, and they were both so sweet about the baby. Ada insisted that Paul has a baby brother and she has a baby sister, and she calls him John Jofess. Paul was so, so excited to touch him and want to hold him and did not want to go home after just a couple of hours.

Dylan, Baby Jack, and I were ready for an early discharge way before the hospital staff was, but we held out as best we could, napped, and walked out on Tuesday around 3pm. Nana & Pappy had to hit the road for Houston - this had been an unexpected longer stay, and they weren't quite prepared for more days ... though they, of course, wanted to stay. They'll be back this weekend!

And, finally, all 5 of us Knolls are doing pretty well. I'm feeling well, Dylan's sorted out things with work to stay home this week, JoJo is eating, sleeping, and diapering wonderfully - praise the Lord! - Ada mimics whatever one parent does to her own baby doll, Baby Boo Boo, and Paul is being awesome, just awesome. He's doing so much, but he's said two things in particular that are so sweet and show how soft his heart is: 1) Papa can still go to work because I can do everything to help Mama and get her everything she needs because I'm big, I'm 4. 2) I did all of the things you ask me to do but you didn't ask; you didn't say it but I did it!

Perhaps you've picked up on the many names I've used for the baby ... yes, his name is John Joseph, and I use that a lot. But the kids like JJ and JoJo, and Papa likes Jack - oh, the possibilities! We'll just use them all until we see what fits best. Whatever we call him, he's such a precious baby, and our hearts are happy.

38 & in the clear

JuneBug and I have officially made it to 38 weeks without much ado! After an appointment on Thursday, my mind eased quite a bit as regards this baby coming early or pushing myself too much. As of now, while I'm not anxious to get things moving just yet, there'd be no worry if things did happen to start. Though I'm sure labor will catch me at least a little off guard whenever it does begin.

Paul's photography

So, since last post, we've had a pretty easy week; this is mostly due to the fact that Paul was participating in a Vacation Bible School from 9-12 everyday. Almost-big-sister-Ada and I missed him lots, but, admittedly, one child, who's only 2 and is still in that anything-to-please-you-Mama-phase is less to keep up with than said 2yo and a busy four year old. So, our mornings began by seeing Paul off and then easing into all of the normal things that simply take less time and present less struggle when it's just Ada. "Let's get dressed." "OK!" <2min later> "So, what do you want to do now?" "Laundry!" Ha, alrighty, little lady. She and I managed lots on our own this week: a café visit, the playground, Costco, my doctor's appointment, her music class, Flubber Friday art, and lots and lots of reading and playing with toys on her terms. That last part was probably my favorite: getting to watch her play with things that she seeks out and seeing what she does with them without any older brother interference was precious. The books perfectly lined up, the shimmying of a train through the house, singing at the top of her lungs the song she wants to sing; so sweet. Our afternoons with Paul were smooth, too, since they'd missed each other! That was lovely.

planted from seed back when we did "U for Underground"

We did have some electric and internet problems this week, though, so fixing those took up a couple of our evenings with Papa.

And then we had Paul's VBS finale to attend on Friday morning. He's such a darling, and we know he's shy at first and not one to put himself out there straight away; but we also see him get comfortable quickly and know he's super silly. That being said, while he enjoyed his own 8-kid VBS class, he wasn't having any of the "final show" business with performing, dancing, and singing in front of parents. S'ok, bud, you don't have to.

That evening we welcomed Nana & Pappy in for the weekend, and we had a great Saturday all together, even stopping for a Sal's snoball in Mom's old stomping ground. Saturday night was our last Movies on the Point til Fall.

And in JuneBug news: since Thursday's appointment, before which practically nothing had happened but one hour's worth of contractions in the night last week, I have been feeling a bit, well, big. And "getting there", I keep telling others who ask. I had another hour's contractions during Friday's night, felt wiped out Saturday, took things slow, and had quite a few again during the movie Saturday night. Then again at Mass on Sunday morning, I felt 4 or 5 and have noticed it's often when I'm sitting upright in uncomfortable chairs. Hm. They're always pretty mild, short-lived, and not intensifying, so we're not yet "on alert", so to say, but we're paying attention. Also, there's lots of poke-y fingers, ha.

Last pregnancy#3 post? We'll see!

 

Closing in on 37

Last week and the first half of this one have been great. It's felt good to get a bunch ready and done before JuneBug, albeit after a bit of a piano fiasco that jumped up on us last Thursday (see below). Dylan well made up for the stress he induced with that (love ya!) with all of the hard work over the weekend; we (ahem, he) scratched tons off of our mutual and my personal to-do lists, which helps me feel de-cluttered and organized enough to bring this little bébé home. Nesting at its finest / most-annoying. I've slowed down tons, too, quite literally in my pace and figuratively by way of opting out of things I'm normally up for, but I haven't been able to push through in quite the same way as I (think I) did with the others. Dylan reminds me, though, that with #1 "Pea", I was working, yes, but I came home at 4 and relaxed until bed everyday; and with #2 "Bee", I had toddler Paul, yes, but it was winter in MN so activity was limited for me. So, taking that into consideration, I guess I am doing a bunch with the 2 kiddos + neighborhood activities (to which we walk) and all the normal upkeep. Anyway, all that being said, I'm definitely feeling tired and, to be honest, am looking forward to the having of the newborn in a way that is new to me. Not that I didn't love my first 2 newbies, but I also really loved pregnancy with them; this time's been a bit more of a challenge come that 3rd trimester mark, so perhaps early postpartum+newborn time won't be as hard ... maybe?

In other news, these rascals and I had fun this week playing all sorts of random things (since I haven't been as quick to run out for playgrounds, walks, events, etc). See the rest of it in photos =) :

what happens after a 4yo sees Star Wars for
the 1st time.
And she has a sword; it's like pirates vs Jedi

harmless tackle... (she's smiling, promise!)

Then this happened on a whim; someone was giving it away, so Dylan thought it imperative for us. Yes, I know a piano would be a good thing for the kids to explore, and I know they're otherwise expensive, yada yada, yada. 3 months ago, fine, 3 months from now, fine. It was just funny timing.

But -

they love it (duh). The kids have played everyday, multiple times a day, so I guess it was worth the non-nesting stress...

Birthday party jump-jumps. Paul adored them, and Ada wanted nothing to do with "those things".

Memorial Day Miss. River beach walking

A reminder that these are 1/2 Aussie kids.
Afternoon cuppas are a must.

Porch Picnic

JUNE BUG! It's June 1st and, therefore, BABY MONTH. Technically 36w5d at today's appointment and weighing mom in at 132lbs, in good position, growing well, and doing just what needs doing. Except the poking me part and the straining my right-side ligament part. Otherwise, we're a good team. Pretty ready to meet this little one. It's funny to think that this kid's birthday is on the calendar already ... we just don't know when it is!