Samuel and Thomas updates

2 weeks have past and Samuel has quickly approached his 6 week Birthday! You would think this would mean that he would be sleeping longer and taking somewhat consistent naps...Not so! He is very sporadic at this point and I have to say that we are not getting any more sleep than the day we brought him home! Fortunately, when he is awake, fed, changed, not overly tired, ect...He is a very happy boy! He smiles just at the sound of a familiar voice (which makes my heart melt and I quickly forget about the late night hours that I have suffered with him through the night) and has such a sweet expression when anyone shows him attention. The boys love him so much! We have recently gone back and looked through all of Ethan's and Simon's baby photos and videos on our computer and the boys all look so much alike. Of course they all are unique and we can easily tell them apart but there will be no denying that they are bothers. I love that! We have had so much fun with Samuel and I have to say that Thomas and I have enjoyed this baby phase quite a bit. It might be because I have had so much help and I have an idea of what I'm doing this time!

Here's a quick update on Thomas. He went back to the doctor to get off crutches and found that he had re injured his foot and had to go in for surgery the next day. That went well and he is staying off his foot more now so as to not do any more damage. Last week, which was a week after his surgery, he went in to have a cast put on...doctor put that off for another week because there was more swelling and she wants to see the swelling go down completely before casting it. So, this Wednesday, we should have a cast on and then he will probably have another 4-6 weeks on crutches. At his point, that seems like a lifetime, but we know there is an end in sight and this will all be a blip on the screen very soon. I'm sure we will laugh down the road at the season in our lives, but there is no laughing yet!

I managed to snap a picture when they were playing with Samuel on the floor!




Being on crutches hasn't stopped Thomas from doing much. Bless his heart, he is still keeping up with the kids and doing his best to help me out with Samuel. Samuel is a pretty lucky baby because he gets to be held by Thomas on the couch often and loves to fall asleep on Daddy's chest! Maybe this is why he isn't sleeping well in his bassinet...I would much rather cuddle up with Thomas and fall asleep too!


This is Thomas putting together a track for the kids that we picked up at a garage sale this weekend. He was determined to get it together!




Thomas managed to put down almost all the flooring this weekend. His Dad started it for us and Thomas picked it right up and has almost completed the entire basement. We're getting close! I did paint the basement a few days ago and have been really pleased with the color. It's a warm color that has some yellow in it, although very subtle! I think it is very welcoming and bright and perfect for a basement! I would say we have about 2 more weeks and we'll be finished. Perfect timing for our couch to arrive!

4 Weeks!

Samuel is 4 weeks old, eating like a champ, sleeping 5 hour stretches, and becoming more aware of the world around him! What a blessing!

Ada Hayden Park

Yesterday I took all the boys to Ada Hayden Park here in Ames. They have a doc where the kids like try and look for fish and there is a big lake that oftentimes we take walks around. Since I don't have a triple stroller, I brought the single stroller, put Samuel in it and decided that we would walk as far as Ethan and Simon were able to go. We didn't get to far but we did make it to the main landmark of the entire park...the stick maze (or at least that's what I call it). It really is beautfully crafted and the kids love to play hide and seek and all sorts of games inside the maze. I took a few photos and thought it would be fun to post them.




Ethan hiding!



Climbing through the holes







Simon reading about artist, Paul Daugherty and his famous stick maze!

Caring for 4!

We are now on week 3 of having a newborn baby and I would say that we are doing quite well! While a little delirious at times, we are settling in and finding out what our new normal will be with three boys! There has been one unfortunate mishap that has throw us quite a curve ball...last Saturday, Thomas went to go play soccer with some friends at a park and as he was running to get the ball, he rolled his ankle. I was there with them with the boys and noticed him favoring his foot but didn't think much of it as he continued to play. When we were leaving, he said that the pain was getting worse and as he told me that when it rolled, her heard a pop. All signs that something was broken. So that night, at around midnight, he headed to the ER. He came back with his foot all wrapped up and on crutches. Turns out he broke his 5th metatarsal bone in his right foot and has to be on crutches for 3 weeks in a boot! He will then go back to the podiatrist to see how things are healing at which point he will hopefully be out of crutches and just having to wear his boot. This has probably been the hardest for him because he feels terrible that he can't help out much. Poor guy! He really has been so understanding and patient with me as I am caring for all 3 boys and then trying to respond to his requests as well. And as far as the basement goes, my brother is coming tonight to texture the walls! We are so excited to be taking this next step. No more drywall and mudding! It's amazing what Thomas has still been able to accomplish!



Thomas is finishing up some last minute touches before we are able to apply texture to the walls.


I caught Samuel smiling! 3 weeks old today!

He's Here!

That's right, Samuel Thomas Fawcett arrived on July 28th at 5:24am! Yay! We are so excited to have him join the family. A few stats...

Weight: 7 lbs 1.5 oz
Height: 20.5 inches
Hair: Yes, and lots of it!
Total hours in labor: not many! (barely made it to the hospital and pretty sure epidural didn't work...ouch!)


We brought Samuel home from the hospital on Sunday July 31st and he's been doing great. He is a good baby and his big brothers have welcomed him with loving arms. They want to hold him all the time! They are good helpers, with diapers, pacifiers, blankets, etc...

Thomas and I are a bit weary and tired but feel like this is manageable! However, I can't wait until he reaches that 2 month mark when I can get a 6 or 7 hour stretch of sleep! At this point, I would be happy with 4!

Home Grown!

As I promised before, here are some pictures of the garden as of today, July 22nd, 2011. It's quite daunting to me to go out there and harvest anything but I've been picking away at it the last couple of days. It's been so hot and difficult for me to move around (being pregnant) and so I haven't been able to get out there and work as much as I would have liked, but I realize that I need to do as much as possible because it will only get harder from here on out. Thomas and I are predicting that all the tomatoes need about 1 more week and then they will be ripe, right when we get home from the hospital. There are sooo many tomatoes. The boys have picked a few cherry tomatoes already but no big ones. The zucchini and summer squash are taking over. We have had several batches of beans to cook, I just picked our first couple cucumbers today, Swiss chard is beautiful, the peppers aren't fairing so well due to an early on fungus that took a little while to get rid of, the beets are still growing as well as the carrots and the eggplant need some more time as well. It's been fun to watch all of it grow so quickly now that it's really gotten warmer. We were off to a very slow start. Anyway, the boys love being outside playing in the sandbox (with the garden hose) while I work in the garden.





A week ago we had Allen and Elaine and their two kids Owen and Nora here from DC spend the day with us. The kids had a blast in the pool and cousin Grace was even here too with Troy and Leanna. We ate outside together in the backyard while the kids played. It was a bit warm but not too bad in the shade. Thank goodness for all the mature trees on our lot!




Here is a picture of the boys making juice! I wish I could say that I grew these carrots and celery but not so. We did grow the kale and beets which we add to the juice! They LOVE to juice and once I had everything washed and cut up, they took over! They did it all by themselves. Ethan loves the mashing and Simon loves to toss the veggies down the shoot!

So we're are really closing in on the big day and have been putting in some long hours to get things done quickly! Thomas has been working on the basement, finishing up the drywall and mudding process. It's a long process (having to put on three coats of mud and letting it fully dry in between each one) but he's just about finished. Mom and Dad Fawcett have come to the house a few times to help out, which has been very helpful! We have picked out flooring and made a last minute trip to IKEA to get a few things to furnish the room. All in hopes to be finished by August 1st!




The boys and I have helped some too! Sort of...

Simon got a nasty cut on his leg while working. He was pretty proud!




Here we are in the basement window...our favorite place to find frogs! We found a nice big toad the other day when all the family was here! Allen, Elaine, Owen and Nora were here from DC (Thomas' cousin and his family) and Troy, Leanna and Grace were here as well. We had a picnic outside and the kids played in the sand and pool. Fun times!




Thomas took the boys to West Branch last weekend to pick up a bunk bed to finish their room. I worked on some paintings, moved some furniture (not a good idea when 9 months pregnant), hung window treatments and cleaned out their closet while they were away. We had bought a bunk bed that is now going to be used as a reading loft where EThan can escape from little brothers :) if needed. The white bunk will work better long term since they are twin beds so we opted for those. The boys haven't officially moved into the beds because we have to get mattresses but the room is just about finished. Just a few more little things here and there need to be done. I think they're pretty excited...Ethan has spent the last two weeks in his loft reading for his quiet time! No complaints! Yay!





Oh and the garden...it's out of control!!! Pictures coming soon!

And...it's official...July 29th, baby Fawcett #3 should be here! We can't wait!!!