Labor Day

We went for a hike on Labor Day. I wasn't sure Marie and Peter would be able to handle it, but we wanted to do something as a family. I decided we could start and I would just stop when Marie and Peter were done. Scott could finish the hike with Richard and Audrey. Marie and Peter were determined and fought their way to the top! We didn't even have to carry them!

First day of School

Richard's first day of 1st Grade. He bring his lunch from home.  So far, he hasn't asked for school lunch.

Audrey's first day of Preschool. It's her second year at the same preschool. She was really excited to start up again.

An update

Thomas is now 2 1/2 weeks old. I can't believe how much easier it is this time! Scott and I talked before he was born about how it would be easier with only one, but I'm just amazed at how much easier it is! It helps that he sleeps A TON and only wants to eat every 3 hours. It's also exponentially easier only having one baby to care for.
Another bonus is I have kids that are almost 7 and almost 5 as opposed to just barely 4 and just barely 2. Audrey LOVES to help! She always wants to hold Thomas. Richard is not about to be outdone and will also hold and bounce Thomas. They take care of Thomas while I do other things. It's great! (The twins are not really a help).
Thomas has been a little cranky when he's awake. When he's not sleeping or eating, he can be grumpy. He's getting much better, though. He used to only be happy for about 5 minutes before he wanted to be bounced. Now, he'll last for quite a while as long as he's being held.
He also has had a hard time gaining weight. Remember above how I said he sleeps a lot? Yeah, well that means he won't stay awake to eat well. I think he's just so sleepy from being 3 weeks early. He had his two week check-up a few days ago and weighed less than he did when he was born. So, I have to weigh him every couple of days to make sure he is gaining weight. He is getting better at staying awake, so hopefully he'll keep making progress.

Mater!

A man in my parent's town created Mater. We were able to get a picture by the truck, and the kids were pretty excited.

Cabin

We went to my parent's cabin for a family reunion with my parent's and siblings. The plan was to be there for a week. My parent's had all kinds of fun activities planned.

The kids decorated brownie bears. They also decorated sugar cookies.

A fun run was organized. Since we were at 10000 feet and had little kids, the "run" was only .8 miles.  Richard ran the whole way. Audrey ran most of it. Marie and Peter were able to go the whole way on their own.

The kids were able to fly kites.

We had a puppet show. Richard, Audrey, and I did "The Grasshopper and the Ant." The kids dressed up and acted out "The Three Little Pigs."

My sister-in-law did some dancing with the little kids. Marie is so much more outgoing than Audrey was at that age.

This year, however, Audrey was very much part of the action.

The kids carved whatever they wanted out of bars of soap.

They made bubbles.

Or at least played with the string/straws contraption.

We went to the stream and some brave souls got in the water.

Some kids got in the water more than others.

We had a wonderful week! It was full of fun and excitement. We had many memorable things occur.

bili lights

I had great hopes of hurrying out of the hospital to get back to the cabin and be with my family. Alas, Thomas had bilirubin problems and we had to hang out while he was under lights. 

It happened a little early

I was minding my own business and trying to put on my shoes. I bent over to tie the blasted things, and I felt a gush. What?! This wasn't supposed to happen now! Things weren't supposed to happen for another week at least! I didn't want to interrupt the family time at the cabin with this!
Alas, despite what I wanted to have happen, my water broke and gushed out everywhere. It was a little embarrassing. I couldn't believe how much it kept coming and coming and coming....

Anyway, we were worried about things going quickly, since labor went quite quickly when Marie and Peter were born. My sister rushed me down the mountain and another sister called Scott to make sure he didn't come up. We made it to the hospital in PLENTY of time. Apparently even though your water breaks, that doesn't mean your body is ready to go into labor. It was very slow going. It took 12 hours from my water breaking for the baby to be born. I guess that's what happens when you're only 37 weeks.

So, we would like to welcome Thomas Frederick Woolston to our family. He was 6 lb 10 oz and 20 inches long. He was very healthy even though he was earlier than any of my others.

We were very glad the other kids were well taken care of at the cabin. We were disappointed to not be there with the family as much, but at least we knew all was under control with the kids.