Friday, April 10, 2009

Crew's first month

Crew has been such a good baby! I realized today that I am not taking nearly enough pictures of this cute little guy. Probably because the ones I do take don't turn out how I want them. (Heidi, help!?)

He is still tiny, but growing fast. Here is a picture of him at 10 days old in his winter outfit. It is HUGE on him! He looks like one of Maya's dolls.
He LOVES his swing. He would be content spending every moment of the day in there. The first time I put him in there, his eyes got huge and he made a scared face and it took him a good couple of minutes before he decided that he was ok with it. Maya will sometimes go and put the swing on FULL speed where it is swinging high and fast, and he gets that scared look again. He still doesn't cry, and that's the amazing thing!

Here's Crew's cousin, Cayden, born exactly 3 weeks after Crew. They look a lot alike, I think! I am excited for them to grow up together being the same age. It's so great to have cousins close to my kid's same ages.


Being a mom of three is, um, different. I was feeling brave and I ventured off to the grocery store. I put Crew in a sling and told Maya she could walk if she stayed close to the cart. I was feeling like a great mom-able to handle this like a champ, until Maya decided to put masses of snacks in to the cart faster than I could take them out. Then she ran to the other end of the store and gave me a look like, "Just try and get me. I dare you!" So I told Hayden to stay by the cart as I ran holding the baby sling in place and yelled at Maya to come here. Then she decided to dodge me going back and forth, around me, under me. "Fine!" I said, "We'll see you later."
Then the fun was over for her and she came and took my hand and walked with me to the cart. I had to put her in the cart after that because that is the punishment for running off, and she was NOT happy about that, so she screamed the whole rest of the trip. Yep. I looked like a great mom.

I waited for a few days before I decided to go out by myself again with all three by myself. When we did go, we went to the library, because honestly how bad would the kids (MAYA) be in the library for 20 minutes. Um, really bad, it turns out. Crew was in his stroller being his good ol' chill self and Hayden was being the sweet boy he always is and Maya was busy taking her shoes and socks off and hiding them in the book shelves and putting 5,000 random books in the stroller and climbing counters and SPRINTING to the front of the library exit (which leads to the street!) about 5 times. I wanted to climb under the tables. I could just see the librarians saying to themselves, "Doesn't this Mom know this is a library? She needs to keep her kids (MAYA) quiet!" I will think again before taking all three to the library. Probably won't happen any time soon.

But really, I am loving being a mom of 3. It's like Crew has been with us all along. I can't imagine life before he was here. How did I ever get along not knowing this little angel? Life is good.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Introducing...

Crew Ericson Salway
Born on February 27th at 7:54AM
Weighing only 5lbs. 6 oz. and 16 3/4 inches long


For any of you that have had a new baby, you know the amazing feelings of love and gratitude that I feel right now. I have so many thoughts and feelings that may have to wait for another post, but for now, here's a little bit about what's been going on.
Crew's birth was such a better experience than my other two. I was so excited to find out if this little baby was a boy or a girl and the doctors and nurses were too! Before they took him out, I could hear everyone saying, "What is it? What is it?" And then I heard Eric yell, "It's a Boy!"

I should have known! He is such a tiny little thing, though.


When the kids came to visit in the hospital, there were mixed emotions from them. Hayden and Maya were both really quiet and Maya wouldn't even smile for any pictures. The next time they came to visit, they were much more excited. Hayden was holding Crew and said very matter-of-factly, "Hi, I'm your big brother, Hayden. I'm going to teach you how to swim and take you all of the fun places we go." It was so cute. Just a little conversation between him and his brother.
Maya was really cute when she finally warmed up to him. She was talking in a really high voice and kept saying, "Baby wake up, Baby hungry, Baby poopy." She's excited for her new baby brother.

I have to admit, I am a little overwhelmed. Three kids is a lot! My mother in law has been here to help this week (thank goodness!) because up until today I haven't even been able to go up and down the stairs. (hence the post being 6 days late..) I hope it will be an easy transition for me.

We had the hardest time naming this guy! I finally decided I needed to stop listening to other people's opinions and go with my own. I know a few people strongly disliked the name we chose, but I LOVE it and I think it suits him so well!

When we were going home from the hospital, we had to put Crew in a pink car seat. We didn't snap the picture fast enough, but as soon as we put him in it, he put his hands over his eyes. "Not a pink car seat!" Luckily my friend, Nora, lent me her gender neutral one!









Here's the only picture of my pregnant belly that I have. I definitely look like I'm carrying at least a 7 pounder! Why are you so small, Crew?

More to come later...