My live dolly

Silly monkeys

Does that not make you just giggle!!??
Ha ha.

Today we got to feel what its going to be like with Riley at school all day and just the little two at home as Riley had an all day field trip. It was quiet! It was a deja vu of when I just had toddler Riley and baby Liam. It was a gorgeous day so we went for a long walk with our friends. We had to hit the lawyers office again for hopefully a last time. Tonight we spent the evening with our church doing sort of a church picnic for the childrens ministry, complete with bouncy house, face painting and slip n slide. Needless to say, the boys were exhausted and went to bed quickly. Yay, its the weekend. Lots to do, but we'll take time to visit and have some fun on the side. Wouldn't that make a great motto. That's mine these days! I especially have been trying to enjoy my baby who is sadly growing just way too fast!!

One week to go.

We're hoping to get our moving truck on Thursday...that would be one week from now! I'm having lots of mixed feelings about all of this. I think the closest comparison is how I felt when I was leaving Bible school in April and returning home for the summer. I was excited to be going home to my family and familiar surroundings. Having moms cookin, going to the beach, having a change, getting out of the prairies and back to the mountains and lake. I was upset though, about leaving friends, about leaving the independence of running my own life, sad that some friends I had only just met and wouldn't get to further develop those relationships...anyway, you get the idea...there's a lot of similarities.
Calgary is a great city. I will miss the very many cool things to do around here. I will miss our newer house its newer community with all the places in it I go to a lot...the pool, Superstore!, the chiro, the library, the school, the parks etc. Of course I will miss my friends, the SUN that shines even when its butt cold out. Our church, our back alley, our quiet evenings together.
Calgary is a city full of youth, and it's growing and changing all the time. There are so many opportunities to be involved and grow and do things you've never done. It seems that many people here are open to trying new things and venturing out which makes me want to pursue and try new things (aka photography).
As much as this has never felt like "home", it is where Greg and I have spent our entire married life and have raised our three boys thus far. We struggled with our limited funds through school, graduated, had a baby, bought our first house, started our firstborn in school here. All of our firsts. Lots of good memories.
I'm sure we'll come back on occasion to visit our friends and thankfully having internet will keep us in contact. I'm big on keeping connected. Not big on phone calls (mostly cuz I just can't with the boys in the background), but definitely into this blog, emailing and facebook! Salmon Arm is also on the road to everywhere, so I am sure we will get lots of visitors passing through, and we sure hope so.
I get kind of the butterflies as I think about the big changes to come. It's SO exciting! And it's SO close now!
I have a sweet baby laying on my lap right now. He's been such a great baby and we're so happy he's here with us even though the timing was kind of wild with the move. I feel absolutely great. My back is a tad sore, just from breastfeeding and awkward posture, but I'm getting enough sleep and not feeling at all like I just had a baby. The older boys tend to watch more TV than I'd like, while I feed the baby and get myself ready in the morning, but we spend our afternoons mostly outside. It will be nice when they will have all their toys again and a new house/yard to explore. I also am sending Riley to VBS. We'll make lots of beach trips and will have lots of company and friends around. Should be a fun and busy summer. Happy first day of summer, by the way! Riley was convinced that today would be hot as well obviously, it was the first day of summer! I was glad for his sake that it really was! as I couldn't really explain to him that it might not be! Tomorrow his class heads to the zoo all day, so he's quite excited. He finishes kindergarden on Wednesday. Wow, this year went so fast.
Well there was a long-winded update. I hope you're all enjoying the outdoors wherever you may be.

For those who like belly buttons

Belly Button
Originally uploaded by Sarah Dzines

His still has a little dry crusty look as his remains of umbilical cord just finally came off. I saved it for his baby book.

No. Joke only.

3 weeks

Alertness
Originally uploaded by Sarah Dzines

Last night he did one of those nice baby poops up the back of his shirt, so it was time for a dunk in the basin again (since I don't have a baby tub!). We actually moved our change table (with all his clothes) down into the kitchen...part convenience, but mostly cuz we're moving things downstairs as we can...so that's what he's on.
And man, look at that double chin!!

Happy Father's Day!

One of the many reasons I married Greg was that I knew he'd make a great dad one day. I had fun listening to them play with their new super soakers yesterday. Riley giggling and Greg laughing is one of my favorite noises ever!

In this picture, Shea looks a lot like I did as a baby.
He's wearing a special outfit grandma D made for Riley...each of the boys have taken a turn wearing it to church. It barely fit Riley on his first Sunday to church, but Shea fits it a little better.

Special hugs out to my dad and father-in-law...two very cool dads.

Life with the hounds.

Well my first week alone with three boys has been going just fine. I must say that the transition from two kids to three has been much easier than going from one to two. When I had just Riley, I was used to getting my breaks from him when he napped and was able to do my own thing when he was busy playing. That all changed when Liam came and there really is no "me time" until hubby comes home, and even then, you're busy with breastfeeding non-stop. Once you get used to being a mom 24/7, adding another child on isn't really much different. It is a little tricky as we don't have a consistent nap/feed schedule, so I can't really plan much of my day. Getting supper on is a little hard. Forces you to just be a little more organized. But I'm already used to being flexible, so have learned to shower when I can and grab food when there is a chance. Speaking of food...with all the breastfeeding, I'm down another 5 pounds (I had lost 20 at the hospital), only 5 more til pre-prego weight and then I'd love to lose a little more for good measure. I'm currently in my "fat" jeans.
The bigger boys are still in love with little "Shea-Shea". They smother him with kisses and hugs and want to see him all the time. It gets a little tiring, but at the same time it is nice that they aren't wanting to be mean and aggressive with him. Just over-passionate.

Packing isn't going super great as I don't get a whole lot of time in the evenings as Shea tends to cluster feed. He did that last night, but gave me 7 hours of sleep in a row! so I shouldn't complain. I think it'll be a lot of cramming in the last week to get everything done, but I try to pack up a box here and there when I can. Only two weeks tomorrow! WOW.
Shea is still in newborn diapers, but I bet he's close to 9lbs already and growing fast. I'm so sad! I love his little-ness. He's a real sweetie.
He was 2 weeks old last night!! I took this picture tonight after his bath...if you look hard, you can see his spiked hair. He actually has quite a bit of it.


I wish I had more time to take pictures for you, but there is always so much to do. Once I get settled in our new home I'm sure the camera will get more use.

The results are in

Here are the results of the baby poll...
Congrats to Stacy!

Rank Player Name Guess Difference Points From Who I Am
1 Stacy - - 1037.25 DuBois PA Mommy's friend
2 cheryl - - 1069.33 Salmon arm BC friend
3 Mac - - 1089.33 Salmon Arm BC Grandpa D.
4 Ruth - - 1099.33 WA Friend
5 Tanneal - - 1144.33
6 Ruth Anne - - 1254.33 Salmon Arm BC Grandma D.
7 Julia - - 1361.33 Clinton Twp. MI Friend of Mother's
8 Anna - - 1406.25 Salmon Arm BC Sarah's Sister/Baby's Auntie
9 Mark - - 1484.33 Calgary AB Friend
10 Greg - - 1643.92 Calgary daddy
11 Monica - - 1669.33 Chciago IL friend of mommy's
12 Auntie Pam - - 1751.00 Salmon Arm BC Auntie
13 Chrisy - - 1801.92
14 Bri - - 2103.25 Richmond BC Auntie
15 Jennifer - - 2176.42 Smithers BC friend
16 Amaranta - - 2219.33 Meadow lake SK friend
17 Heather - - 2266.83 Burnaby BC Proud Auntie
18 Kristin - - 2428.42 Coquitlam BC friend of the mommy's sister
19 Angie - - 2432.83 Abbotsford BC Friend
20 Faith - - 2459.33 Calgary AB Friend
21 Andrew - - 2539.25 Calgary friend
22 Sarah - - 2589.33 Calgary AB mommy
23 Michelle - - 2662.25 Smithers BC friend
24 Heidi - - 2722.67 Smithers BC Friend
25 Trish - - 3446.17 Calgary AB Friend and fellow big baby bearer

Baby love

Oh yah, we're moving

I almost forget sometimes. What with the new baby and all. Our days are full just feeding and playing with the kids and lovin on the newest little honey. Greg is still off work, which is so nice as I'm still lacking in the sleep department.
Anyway, yah! Moving day is in just over 3 weeks!! OH MY GOODNESS! What are we thinking?? We have our work cut out for us. I have packed boxes sitting around everywhere already, and the walls are void of any pictures. My in-laws took my flowers for me and some odds that would be hard to pack up. But I know there is lots to do yet. Our church provides meals for families who have a new baby, for a week, so we've been blessed that we don't have to think about planning dinner and groceries these days. There are always so many better things to do, like taking Shea to his first check-up (he's back up to his birth weight already), or giving him his first bath...we did that today...





But we're sure excited about the move. Nervous, but mostly excited. It will all be such a change, but we think it's right. Just yesterday a cop stopped in the middle of our street, pulled out a rifle and ran off around the corner. I ran up and looked out the back window and saw another cop parked in our back alley and 5 more armed cops. One cop had a neighbor in handcuffs, and they seemed to be looking for someone else. Crazy!! Yup, further confirmation that small town may just be a better place to raise our kids.
So, off to pack. I'm trying to work at it slow and steadily so I don't pass out with exhaustion on moving week. Mom is flying out to help on the last 3 days and we all know what a busy bee she is, so that'll help.
We've decided to add as many stress factors to our life as we possibly can at one time, hey? A move, a new baby, a new job, a new vehicle...hmm what else could we add. No, thank goodness we have help, and family and people who pray for us to help keep us sane. We are surrounded by love and many blessings, so we should get through this "season" in one piece.

Sweet Shea at 6 days

Family of Five

Pretty crazy to think that less than 6 years ago it was just G and I. Look at us now!! Here we are this morning just before we went to church.
Gregs' parents arrived late last night, and Heather had to fly back home this afternoon. We all just finished a nice Sunday afternoon nap and hope to head out for a bit as it's still so warm.
Milk has arrived in full force, so I'm looking a little like Dolly Parton. Shea seems to be filling up fast though, and is sleepier than he was the past few days as his tummy is getting really full! When the health nurse came yesterday, she said he was already gaining weight, so go me! All you breastfeeding moms know what an accomplishment that is...and a full time job.


Hoping to do a "photoshoot" tomorrow. We'll see if I get the chance.

Baby Mine

Oh I love newborns!! I want him to stay this tiny forever! Ok, maybe not. But I love how itsy bitsy he is and I can't get enough of him. He is doing great. He has been eating lots and pooping lots, so he's doing what newborns do best. I have great help with Greg and Heather at home, so I'm getting rest and am well fed. I'm sure next week will be a little tougher. Riley is really sweet and calm as he gets over his cold and fever. He has had sweet little questions about Shea and is so gentle. Liam on the other hand. He is crazy!! He wants to touch and kiss and squeeze and just won't keep his hands off the poor baby. I am having a hard time knowing how to let Liam feel like he's allowed to be close to the baby, because it's almost easier to say "don't touch". I've always known that Liams primary love language is "personal touch and closeness", so his reaction was expected. The novelty maybe will wear off some, and then it'll be easier.
The weather has been in the high 20's, so we feel like we're on summer holidays here. It's just lovely and warm. Happy days.