May-gram

It was a good month, we are adjusting to three kids, and even seem to be surviving!

Seth continued to be a Super Dad, playing with the kids, taking them for puddle walks and even fixing my sewing machine. 

I had a wonderful Mother's Day - whew, I sure do love my kids! (and it helps that I am back to getting my "me-time" runs in the morning.)

Hazel is an amazing big sister.  She has really matured since turning 4, I love the conversations we have.  She loves to hold "Baby Brother", and spent an afternoon protecting us from a fly.  (She firmly believed that it would land by her if she held still long enough).

And, even though she loves the new baby, I think she has a little more fun playing with Averett.

Averett, oh, Averett.  "He's all boy".  That is the number one thing I hear from others.  I couldn't agree more.  Now the secret is out to his big muscles...

Averett doesn't have much to say, verbally, but boy is he expressive.  His facial expressions crack me up.  He has a great personality.  He loves green smoothies, but always "covers" his ears when we run the blender.  

Pierson is feeling the love from his big brother and sister.

And when he gets a break from them, he tries to catch up on his sleep, and occasionally he reminds us that he's a newborn, and we are clueless parents and he let's out a yell.

We also enjoyed some delish food, namely Seth's bread and some Pie Pizza - fresh from SLC!!  Oh, yum.

Lastly, we celebrated several graduations.  Hazel's graduation from Miss Katie's preschool.  (She will be at a different preschool next year).  Seth and I went down to DC for my cousin's graduation from Georgetown's medical school - way to go Doctor, Doctor Thaidra!  Annnd, we celebrated a few of Seth's cousins graduating from high school - and we were fortunate enough to catch four generations of Halsey men-folk. 

It's been a good month!

One Month

--  9 pounds 13 ounces (40%)  --

--  23.25 inches (98%)  --

 (5.29.13)

 

Pierson Pursuits - Month 1

 

 

--  eat. play. sleep. eat. play. sleep. eat. fuss a little. sleep. eat. play. sleep  --

--  newborn diapers for the first week, then straight to the "giant" number ones  --

--  met your great-grandpa, (you get your middle name from his father)  --

--  belly button "tag" (as Hazel liked to call it), fell off after ten days...gross  -- 

--  survived a "bath" on the counter (where all belly-buttons in the room were identified), you much prefer baths in the big tub  --

 

--  current bed: your mattress on the floor in our room, but you must like it...after a night or two cuddling, holding and rocking you all.night.long, you adjusted to your new "bed" like a champ  --

--  started out as a very sleepy eater, but you've figured it out, you're eating every 2-4 hours (I even woke you up at night to make sure you got your feedings in, no slow weight gain for you, been there done that)  --

--  left the hospital at 8 lbs, at your two week appointment you were back up to 8 lbs 12 oz (over your birthweight - go you!)  --

--  like to be swaddled, love your soft, fuzzy, blue blanket  --

--  you do NOT like to hang out in a poopy diaper  --

--  successfully surviving all the attention your big brother and sister give you  (if only we could convince Averett that you are still fragile!)  --

--  your sweet, blond, fuzzy hair is falling out, I tried to save it, but you now have the hairline of a 75 year old  --

--  your "milk spots" (white spots) are still around, but seem to be dwindling --

--  not such a fan of your car seat  --

-- endured sitting in a car seat all day, just so you could have your first trip to the Air & Space Museum in DC (or to attend Cousin T's med school graduation)...

 

--  big fan of your daddy  --

 

Pierson, you are an awesome addition to our family.  You have been an angel at night, only waking two times a night to be fed (and I really don't count the second feeding, because I get up shortly after).   You are a little fussy in the morning and in the evening, but nothing serious.  You just like to be held (and I like to hold you - I just can't always hold you).  You're a great eater, and you really love sleeping on the mattress in my room.   I am so happy to have you here.  I may never clean the house again, or shower regularly, but I wouldn't trade the dirty floors for anything.  I love you!

Grandma Tang

My Mom:

AKA: Grandma, Boppa Tang, The Great Adventurer, Babysitter, Mom Extraordinaire

Come for nearly three weeks?  Yes, please.

Mom arrived a few days before baby, and I have never been so relieved!  Once she was here, I knew I could have the baby at any moment, because at least the kids would be taken care of.

Each year she hosts "Camp Boppa Tang", Hazel has attended in Utah in the past, and other times, the camp has been sent to us.  But, ever since Hazel heard Grandma was coming to us, she has been asking about camp. 

Boppa Tang did not disappoint.  While we were at the hospital, she held the first ever "Camp Boppa Tang: Maryland Edition".  She came prepared (I knew I should worry when the boxes started arriving the week before she did!)

Sidewalk Chalk.  Official Camp Shirts.  Banner.  Planting Seeds.  New Books.  Adventurous Walks.  Games, Games & Games.  Making Grass Houses.  Delicious Meals.  Field Trips.

When we came home from the hospital, Mom was a huge help keeping the bigger kids distracted while we all adjusted to being home.

But, soon we were all a little restless and it was time to go to the park and the boardwalk.  

(Which, of course, meant a stop at Rita's on the way home). 

(our first family-of-five picture)

We had to take Boppa Tang to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, one of our favorites.  We also gave her an accidental tour of Philly on the way home (drove by the new LDS temple construction site - can't wait!)

The War of 1812 is kind of a big deal around here.  During the war, the British attacked Havre de Grace, and every year they have a festival (to celebrate? remember?).  We headed down to see the ships, my internal navigation was a little off, and we ended up walking all over town (so I had my harbors mixed up...my bad).  Unfortunately, Averett wasn't in the greatest mood (teeth), so Seth carried him the entire time. (Averett's bones are made of lead). 

It was pretty cool to go on the ships, especially for me, and my strange love of pirates. Yo Ho Ho!

There is a little zoo, not far from our house, and we've always talked about going.  A visitor was the perfect excuse to hit it up.  None of us were sure what to expect, but it was great! There were peacocks everywhere, llamas, tigers and bears, oh my! 

The kids and I nearly walked over a GIANT black snake.  It was just sitting right in the middle of the path.  I retreated, Seth and the kids chased it.  

Go figure. 

It was a lot of fun, and we'll definitely go back!

We all got a little restless one evening and decided a walk by the river would wear out some rowdy kids.  Seth and the kids were up ahead (Averett's legs had quit working...again), and they suddenly stopped.  On the side of the trail was an owl.  After documenting it, Seth tried to shoo it away so we could pass (it was hoo-hoo-ing at us, in a very unfriendly way).  While he was doing that, I noticed a second owl land in the branches above us.  We then realized that trail-owl was the baby, and tree-owl was the momma.  We're not dumb.  We decided we had walked far enough, and turned around. 

It was still a nice time, even if a little short.  

We had an awesome time with Mom, she kept us fed, spoiled us, cut my hair, kicked our trash at Phase 10, soothed the baby (and the older kids), bunked with Hazel, helped me withone some house-projects, cleaned the bathrooms, made us laugh, and was a much-needed taste of home!  

All of that was lots of fun, but most of all, the kids were able to spend time with their Grandma, and really, that's exactly what we all needed.

I know we exhausted you, Mom, but please...come back soon!

Love you and THANK YOU!