Four weeks ago we were blessed with the arrival of our third child – Benjamin. While we were overjoyed by his safe delivery, we faced the reality of life with three kids.  Yikes!

Over the past few months many friends and family lovingly reminded us how chaotic, horrible, awful, paralyzing, overwhelming, daunting, messy and generally terrible our life would be once Ben arrived.  I admit the constant nay-saying got under my skin and the apparent joy those around us seemed to get in our upcoming ‘torment’ made me more than grumpy at times. {{Apologies if you were the victim of a sharp-tongued retort.}

So how is life four weeks in?

Is my house messier? Yes.  Is my life crazier? Yes.  Is my coffee always cold by the time I drink it? Yes! So would I change it if I could? No!

To those that said our life would be chaotic, I say, to some degree, you were right.  Our life is much louder and unorganized but that is what’s easy to see.  Beyond the circus is the formation of a new family.

Without the addition of Ben I couldn’t see Teddy as a big brother and witness how surprising caring and tender he can be (he’s 2 and rarely gentle).  I once again get to see Maddy as a big sister but this time older and more mature. And of course, I get to know Ben :).

What I can say four weeks into life with three kids is this: Our time and attention may be divided but the love and our hearts have grown.

Spent a little time making earrings this weekend. Years of bead purchases sit patiently in my craft space just waiting for an ounce of attention. I have to admit it was nice to make something other than butter noodles and baby food for a change!

Facebooks daily reminders of your past events is typically happy …and sometimes annoying. But January 27th brings back a sad reminder.

Three years ago our Jackie, and blogs namesake, left us. I’m not sure why his passing is still so raw and today I always spend a few moments reflecting on his life and the experience of his illness. Many dogs have left paw prints on my heart but Jackie seems to hold a special place. I believe his kind nature coupled with his viscous cancer and resulting short life, made his death particularly tragic.

I hope, wherever he is, he is running and playing. I hope he spends everyday doing all the things he loves. Miss you, Buddy!

Today we visited Manatee Lagoon in Palm Beach. The Manatees are drawn to the warm waters produced by the local power plant. I was shocked to see over 100 manatees! Some were small but many were huge. If your ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping by. Small bonus: It’s free!

Teddy is almost 6 months old. Where did the time go, right!? Teddy is simply the cutest and we love every moment 😍.

Theodore in review:

Weight: ~15lbs

Eye color: hazel

Loves: his sister, eating, babbling, grabbing hair and chewing on his feet.

Happiest moment: diaper time!

Coming up: crawling, real solids and teeth 😬

After my previous post, I waited for another two whole days before welcoming Baby Theodore to the family. By all accounts, the delivery was uneventful (thankfully!) and now a little over 2 weeks later he is doing well.  He only wakes up Mommy once during the night!  We are all over the moon for our little man and Maddy is doing an excellent job in her new role as big sister.

Sitting here at my kitchen table, two days past my due date, keeping busy, and waiting.  Waiting for a tiny person to decide “Today is a good day to enter the world”. Although I don’t know if I would pick a hot, humid day in July that feels like 103.

What do I do while stuck in between phasing out of work and caring for a newborn?  I think of all the personal projects that faded from the limelight as my schedule became more hectic and my personal time disappeared.  The first victim is always the blog.

So here is my annual blog post.  Perhaps I will keep up with it for awhile or perhaps it will fade away once again. I make no promises. Of course Facebook reminds me almost daily I’m letting down my followers. 

Friends and family, stay tuned.  At some point this peanut will enter the world – willingly or unwillingly!