Week three.

Sunday, January 15

Sunday morning snuggles are my favorite. 

My parents picked up the boys after church for a sleepover at their house. Lee, Olive, and I stayed home and rested watching the playoffs and our friend at Wodapalooza. I needed a day to do 0 things because I felt a bit run down. 

Olive is obsessed with our protein shaker cups. 

Meanwhile, at my parents…

Monday, January 16

Lee had this day off so we got to workout together at the 8:30 class. Since the boys were at my parents, it was just us and Olive we had to get out the door. It’s wild how easy one baby feels now that we have three. 

I got these pictures from my mom. The boys (my dad included) seemed to have a blast chatting and playing together all day. 

After the gym, I cleaned and it felt so good. I got it all done while listening to a podcast and it felt so peaceful. I normally dread cleaning but I think it’s because I hadn’t found a rhythm that worked for me. Now that I’m aware of what that rhythm needs to look like, I shared it with Lee and set a plan going forward. That feels incredibly helpful and like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I carried trying to figure it out around more than I realized. 

After I cleaned, I had a doctor’s appt that Lee and Olive came with me to. I got these sweet selfies from Lee while I waited on the doctor. I normally see so much of myself in Olive, but in this first one I see Lee. 

Checking on the kids before going to bed, this “door stop” cracked me up. 

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby? 

Tuesday, January 17

Lee hung this Christmas gift over Olive’s crib and I love it.

For Luca’s LA, we’re reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We take turns; I love listening to him read. I also love taking a turn. I really enjoy reading children’s books out loud. He’s enjoying the book so far, but he does not enjoy pictures. 

My cousin, Laura, had her white coat ceremony at JMU and we got to watch virtually. I’m so proud of her! (She’s the beauty on the far left.)

Wednesday, January 18

My mom sent this throwback to when Olive was itty bitty. It’s insane to me how time is flying by even faster since she was born. 

Her leg up like that cracks me up! She was feisty at the gym this am. Everything I tried to give her to play with, she’d look me straight in the eyes and throw. And if she didn’t throw it far enough to hit the floor, she’d smugly kick it. She’s not usually like that! She had me and some others laughing at the sudden sass. 

I used a 50 lb dumbbell for the first time in a workout this day!

We tried doing some school in Olive’s room so she could play and move. Trying to teach school now that she’s more mobile is a bit harder than it had been. 

Thankfully, Luca is super helpful and he happily occupied her while I worked with Jack. He set up a “date” for her with board books all over the floor.  Then he found this one on his shelf and presented it to her as a gift. Sweet guy. 

Taco night! I love taco night because all five of us eat it. The boys eat two (at least) with meat which is huge! We worked hard for that the last few years. Olive likes refried beans, guacamole, taco meat, and sour cream. She especially likes/seems to eat more of the beans and guac. 

Thursday, January 19

On Thursdays, we draw at the gym for the question of the day. I pushed hard on this workout and my legs were jello after it was over. 

We got a glider rocker for Olive’s room and it was delivered this day. I couldn’t be more grateful or more excited. A hearts desire fulfilled, God is so kind to me. 

She loves the surprise smooch! She went in for a kiss here on her own again! Bestill my heart. 

Clearly, I’m beside myself excited to get to rock my girl. 

She seems to approve. 

She inspected it thoroughly.

And seems quite pleased. 

It’s even big brother approved! 

Leftover tacos for lunch. 

School looked different this day. The boys seemed to need it to be so I rolled with the punches. 

Sweet chunk!

I genuinely can’t comprehend how much faster time has gone since Olive was born (I sound like a broken record). It feels like it’s flying by at lightening speed.

Friday, January 20

The boys stayed at home while Olive and I went to the gym. Olive really doesn’t like when they aren’t there. The only time she cries in the car is when the boys are missing.

When I got home from the gym, I gave the boys their next assignment to do while I showered. When I got out of the shower, not only had they completed the assignment, but they took it upon themselves to start doing other lessons. Luca read Jack a Bible story and asked him a follow up question about it to ensure comprehension, they did the calendar and mystery number, Luca taught Jack his math lesson from his workbook, and Luca had started to read his novel when I walked out. They were so proud and worked so diligently. I was so proud of them! And grateful for that leadership and motivation too. 

I loved Jack writing prompt response. 

At lunch, we were talking and mid-conversation Luca stood up and helped Jack with something, then put the thing away he was helping him with, all while talking. He did it all on his own and it happened so naturally that he didn’t even seem to realize how kind and helpful he was being to serve his brother the way he did. My eyes filled with tears as I watched and when I told him how proud I was and highlighted what he did, he shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t even fully understand what my praises were for. Like he was just being who he is, a person becoming love. It was so cool to see, I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

This cutie loved her baked ziti lunch. 

After school I placed grocery orders ( praise Jesus for grocery pick up) and then Abby came over for a bit. 

We love days that Lee works from home. 

I really love the way Lee looks at her. And the things he tells her that I don’t think he knows I hear. He is such a good girl dad. 

The way Olive so casually had that green bean hanging out of her mouth killed me! She was unsure of the potato but was totally in for the green bean. 

Saturday, January 21

We started the day at the gym and then did a couple grocery order pickups. 

After we got home and put everything away, we had a nice low key afternoon playing, resting, building legos, and going for a walk. 

Jack took the next two pictures. 

We introduced watermelon to Olive for the first time. 

She seemed a bit unsure. 

Luca’s favorite thing to do is print pictures to color or ones with ink to put on his wall or make “paper guys” with. 

In the evening, Josh and Abby came for dinner and to watch one of the playoff games.