So long. . .

To pre-school and Ms. Cheryl that is. 

Wednesday was Max's last day at pre-school.  They celebrated by wearing their swimsuits and enjoying some water play.  Max had a great time - even if he wasn't willing to smile for me when he left the house in the morning.  To celebrate Max's last day of pre-school we went out for ice cream as a family.  Thank goodness for drive through ice cream.  I still don't really want to take Jack out in public, so this was a great option.  I'm not sure who enjoyed the special treat more Max or Will.

 

Will also had a big day this week.  His last day at Ms. Cheryl's!  You can see by the smile on his face here that he enjoys his time at Ms. Cheryl's, although he has been giving her a run for her money lately.  She is an amazing in home care provider and I'm sad that after five years of working with her, our time is coming to an end.  She did such a great job with both of my biggest boys, it almost makes me sad that I won't be returning to school next year so she can watch Jack - almost.

I would be telling a bit of a lie if I said I wasn't terrified of next week when I have all three boys all day by myself.  Will is a typical two year old and into almost everything, so I know I will have my hands full.  I'm sure little by little we will find a rhythm that works for everyone, but I'm also sure that there will be some bumps along the road.  I'm thrilled to be staying at home for a while and I know it is going to be great for our family.  It will be great, not perfect I'm sure, but great!

One Month Old

I feel like I've blinked and a month has gone by.  My littlest boy is growing so quickly!  He seems to be a bit longer and a big chunkier every day and sometimes I look at him and can't believe how much he has changed in a month.  Some of the three month clothes are almost too small for him. It is amazing to watch. 

We had his one month check up with Dr. Joe yesterday.  Max was with me and he was all concerned that Jack would need to get a shot - "because Mommy, shots hurt"  I love the way he looks out for his brothers.  I know that will serve them all well as they grow.  As they wheeled in the scale I felt my typical sense of apprehension.  I thought Jack had been growing well, but was he really?  Is he getting what he needs from me?  Well sure enough he is. He weighed in at 10lbs 9oz and measured 22 1/2 in - nearly three pounds and two inches over his birthday stats.  Crazy.  Dr. Joe did notice that Jack still seemed a bit yellow, so he sent us to get a bilirubin check.  Turns out it is a bit high and we will have to have it rechecked in about a week.

This picture cracks me up.  I thought it would be nice to take monthly pictures in the same place with Jack's little lovey -you know like pinterest says?  This is what I got.  Maybe the two month shot will go better.

So what else has Jack been up to?  Not too much actually.  I have been savoring every moment of our Mommy and Jack time before the big brothers finish school/daycare for the summer.  Come next Monday I will have my hands really full!  Jack is giving me more 'open eye' time each day.  He is typically pretty content and he loves hanging out on his newborn lounger and listening to me talk to him.  He is becoming more aware of what is going on around him and he seems to be responding to sounds.  He doesn't quite have the coordination to turn to sounds yet, but his eyes seem to look around.  I can't wait for the social smiles that I know are coming in the next few weeks.  So much fun!

Mother's Day

What could be better than these three little miracles on Mother's Day?  They are just too much fun! 

One Week Check Up

 

Our sweet baby Jack turned one week old yesterday.  He is cute as can be and doing so well.  I had to include this pic of my three boys (even though it is way too dark) because they are just too darn cute!  Max loves holding Jack, I think in part because it is something that Will can't do.  Doesn't Jack look too cute in his little doggy sleeper? Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Max still usually refuses to give me real smiles and then Will says 'cheese' and I get pictures like this.  I love it!

Yesterday Jack had his one week check up with Dr. Joe.  Since I can't drive yet Nonna did the honors -she even drove the van on 141!  Anyone that knows my mother knows what an accomplishement this is. 

Dr. Joe couldn't be happier with Jack's progress.  He gained 8 oz since we left the hospital and he is already back to birth weight!  In fact he is growing so well that we don't need to go back until he is one month old.  I can't believe that before I know it that day will be here.  Knowing that Jack is our last little one is making me realize just how quickly these days go. 

Welcome Home Jack!

After four days in the hospital we were all anxious for Mommy and Jack to come home.  So far Jack has been a really easy going baby.  He snuggles up and is just so darn cute!  In fact the baby nurses fought over who got to take care of the 'cute one'.  He is all baby and absolutely adorable.

 

After Jack and I were both checked out one last time we were all set to head home.  Jack looked too darn cute in the little outfit that Max picked out for him a couple months ago.  It is crazy, but since Jack is pretty long the outfit barely fit him!  He was his sweet little self and slept the whole way home.

Once we got home Jack met his future little lovey.  Nonna Carlotta bought one both of the other boys.  They are the cutest little dolls and the big boys love them.  Sardine the Cat will be with Jack for quite a while.

Little by little we are getting into a routine at home.  The big boys continue to love on their little brother and when they get home in the afternoon they can't wait to see him.  Jack continues to be his sweet little self.  Brian and I are doing well too - thanks to the help of our wonderful families.  Nonna has done laundry like no other, Grandma and Grandpa delivered a delicious home cooked meal, and Great Aunt Carm came to sit with Mommy when I just needed a bit of company.  We couldn't ask for better family!

Jack Meets the Brothers

The afternoon of his birth Jack was able to meet his two very excited and very anxious big brothers. 

Max had told everyone at school that his Mommy was having a baby sister that day, so we were a little worried about how he would take the news of baby Jack's arrival.  There was no need to worry, because he was thrilled.  

 Will just kept saying baby over and over and he couldn't get close enough to his new brother. In fact right after this picture was taken Will sneezed on Jack.  I guess he is helping his little brother to build up an immune system. 

 

Visits from the boys were the highlight of our afternoons.  Little by little Max learned to hold his new brother.  We tried to keep Will from sneezing on Jack again and we were successful, however he did try to share his teddy grahams with the baby.  We had to have a talk about how baby Jack only drinks milk. 

Look at these three healthy, beautiful, little boys.  How did we get so lucky?

Welcome to the World Jack!

On Monday, April 29, 2013 at 8:16 am Jack Oliver Dull made his grand entrance.  He weighed in at 7lb 11oz and measured 20 3/4 inches long.  Just a tad bit bigger than his oldest brother was at birth.  After six weeks of modified bedrest due to high blood pressure, my water broke at about 2:30 am.

I was so excited that to know that our baby picked his own birthday and that we would get to meet our little one soon!  Grandpa Jack came over to stay with the boys and get them off to school while Mommy and Daddy headed to the hospital.

The c-section went very well.  Things were nice and calm and Brian was even able to peek over the curtain and announce to the room that it was a boy!  It was such a magical moment and it made waiting to find out the gender all worth it.  Before we knew it Jack was in our arms and all was right with the world. Being a tad bit early - 38 weeks, 2 days - Jack still had a fairly thick coat of vernix covering his sweet little skin. 
 Once Jack got cleaned up just a bit Daddy was able to cut his cord - or at least part of it.

He was weighed, his cute little footprints were taken and we were able to get a picture of Mommy, Daddy and Jack.



I was even able to hold him on the journey from the OR to the recovery rooms.  Jack was very alert in recovery and took to nursing right away.  The hospital has a new procedure where they check baby over and give him his first bath right in the recovery room with mom.  It was wonderful that my newest little man never had to leave my side.  I couldn't take my eyes off him!