First Week

Our first week with Camden! We'll start with him :)

Camden:

is pure sweetness and I just love how babies are straight from heaven. He has been the easiest first week of life by FAR out of my babies. He sleeps long stretches at night, only fusses if he wants to eat or be swaddled, and is so sweet to watch when he's alert and awake. This has been the first time I have truly felt like I'd repeat a week of newborn time if I could. I love all my children! But for some reason a better recovery and Camden's sleeping made this week infinitely more manageable than my other two experiences of bringing little humans into the world. Feeling so grateful for that!

Bennett:

has not been as into the baby as I expected -- he's actually been very similar to how Westin was when we brought Bennett home. Sweet to him but pretty much ignores him. He's held him a couple times but only with some coaxing, and he has been playing with Westin a LOT more even in just the last week. I'm glad they have each other! Bennett's obedience has pretty much gone out the window this week though -- I swear kids know that a mom's words have no power when she's nursing a baby. She's not getting up. The threats are empty.

Westin:

was fully aware of what was happening through this pregnancy and going to the hospital to meet Camden. It was fun to see him be excited about the baby coming. He has been playing with Bennett a lot more and has been a little extra negative, but I think that's as much due to summer burnout as bringing home a baby. He just needs routine. Which is coming soon because I'm SO HAPPY that his school transfer went through and we will be able to walk to school instead of drive this year. That's a game changer.

Maddie:

After lots of anxiety about another c-section, I am actually pretty surprised at how much smoother this whole recovery has been than my other two. I think a combination of a bigger age gap and healthier start to my pregnancy, walking lots more in the hospital and days following surgery, a sister who is so extremely good at taking care of me, and a baby who's actually sleeping has made for a much smoother first week home. Feeling so grateful for that! I'm soaking up Camden and trying to have intentional moments with Westin and Bennett each day too, and just slowly easing into life with three boys. Just gotta manage expectations and be ok with slow and steady :)

Michael:

is luckily feeling better after getting sick right during new baby week. He's back to work already while family is here with us but will have some time off in August. Fourth year is busy with lots of new chief responsibilities and he's getting used to that. I think he's the most tired I've ever seen him and I'm excited for him to have a week off next month. He works so hard for us at home and at work. The boys love their daddy so much.

My parents arrived today! And Ali just barely left for the airport. I am always so, so sad when she leaves. I could not have babies without my sister. I couldn't do life without my sister! She does so much for me and always has. I'm so grateful for our families!

Camden, Bennett, Westin