Bringing You Home

Dear Russell,

It's been a whirl wind of a week! I have so many thoughts running through my head that I want to be sure to tell you about, but I'm on the edge of my seat, waiting for you to wake up again so I can feed and snuggle you some more! I try to put you down at least once or twice a day so that you get use to sleeping somewhere other than my chest, but it's hard for both of us to be separated even for the length of a nap.

I delivered you and your siblings by C-section. I've never been so nervous as I was with yours. I had myself so worked up over every little thing that I didn't sleep at all the night before. That was a mistake on more than one level because our delivery time got pushed from 7 am to 9 pm! That only gave me even more time to get more nervous. If only I had known then what I know now; that it was going to be one of the best experiences I've ever had.

Dr. Smith came into the room while they were prepping me, which he has never done before. He came in special just to deliver you. We were all excited because it was Dr. Smith's birthday too. The whole time they were prepping me for the spinal and administering the spinal Dr. Smith was talking, telling stories, making jokes, asking questions. It completely distracted me from what was going on and before I even knew they had started giving me the spinal, they were finished.

The delivery itself went very quickly. I got to watch them clean you off and then they brought you over to the table and I got to get such a good look at you. I even got to give you kisses before they took you back to my room.

You are perfect in every way. You have red hair, which completely thrills your brother Connor. We're 3-3 now. Daddy says we should have one more baby to break the tie!

 Our stay in the hospital was short. You were doing great and I was feeling great so we went home after the second night. You've been the easiest baby in the world. Grandma Karen hasn't even heard you cry yet! You really don't cry much at all. When you're hungry you smack your lips on your hand. It's a pretty loud smacking noise- no way to miss it! I love it.

Your siblings think you are the best thing that has ever happened to this family. They keep asking for even more babies. They want to feed, snuggle, and hold you as much as they possibly can. I've lost count of how many kisses you get in a day. They all will just run by and randomly plant one on your cheek before carrying on their way.

You had your first bath at home and you were not a huge fan. It was the fastest bath I've ever given because you were getting cold. You sure did look cute though. You have the most adorable face when you are upset. Who am I kidding, every face you make is absolutely adorable!

I can't believe it's only been 4 days. I feel like you've been a member of our family forever. I love you so much!
Mommy

Daddy

Dear Bubbas,

It could be because Father's Day is this weekend, or your Dads birthday in a couple weeks... It's possible that it's because I'm 37 weeks pregnant.... but whatever the reason I've been thinking about how fantastic your Father is lately. I probably don't tell you nearly as often as I should how wonderful he is. I should tell you every day, multiple times. Although, you probably already know.

The truth is, it's a lot easier to roll my eyes because the yard hasn't been mowed or sigh when he turns on his stupid fan for bed. But I don't want you to see me rolling my eyes and sighing at your Dad because then you aren't seeing the way I truly feel about him, which is this- He absolutely the man that I want you boys to become and Kaylee to marry. Yes, he is flawed. He's human. But he is so funny, so loving, and so wonderful. If I listed all that I love about him I would be here all night writing so I'll just tell you a few that have been on my mind the last few days.

1. Daddy spends so much time with you. He is constantly chasing you around the house, putting together your puzzles with you, spending hours playing Risk, and snuggling you. This last weekend he put up the tent in the living room so that you could pretend to have camp outs. It turns out that Hunter was too scared to sleep in the living room. Hunter wanted to be on the same floor as Mommy and Daddy, so Daddy ended up spending three nights sleeping on the the living room floor in the tent with you. He goes to all your friends birthday parties with you and enjoys them with you. He's always the one chasing all the kids at the party with silly string or water guns. Whenever he has a choice on how to spend his time, he always chooses to spend it with you.

2. Daddy takes such good care of Mommy. When Mommy and Daddy were dating he would call in sick to work if I was sick and he would sit next to me so that he could make me toast or rub my feet. We've been together for over a decade and he hasn't changed. He still comes home from work early when Mommy is sick to take care of her. Whenever I'm pregnant he goes above and beyond making sure that I have whatever I need. I literally don't have to get out of my recliner after you kids go to bed. Daddy will drop what he's doing to make me a smoothie or run to the store. He never complains and he makes me feel like he wants and loves to take care of me. 

3. He is the funniest Man alive. He makes the three of you giggle so much. I love the sounds of you playing and laughing together. Nobody can make you laugh the way Daddy can. Which makes a lot of sense because nobody can make Mommy laugh the way Daddy can. He always knows when we need a good laugh too. He's notorious for helping us turn our frowns upside down.

4. Daddy could probably go the rest of his life without decorating another cookie and he wouldn't blink an eye. However, he will always sit down with Mommy and help her create masterpiece cookies. Regardless of the event they're needed for: birthday parties, school snack day, holidays, preschool graduation. He makes it look so effortless and always fixes my mistakes. Then he makes sure to tell everyone that is in ear shot that Mommy made and decorated the cookies so that all the compliments get directed my way. I try to give him credit and he just won't take it. I love the way he helps me make all your big days special.

5. Daddy is the least materialistic person I know. He doesn't care if we have furniture that is on its last leg. He doesn't mind that we don't have a lot of extra money to go on vacations or trips. He will use broken headphones for six months if he has too, which he currently is... He wants Mommy to be able to stay home and raise you and he gives up everything else to make that happen. He works so hard for our family and sacrifices so much. He reminds me daily that life isn't about "stuff" and that we have everything we need and more than we've ever wanted. You guys are what it's all about and he never forgets that.We bought him an Oregon Coast hat for Father's Day and gave it to him early because he lost his original one at the gym. We had to call Flamingo Jims in Rockaway Oregon, send them a picture of Daddy wearing the old hat, and have them send us a new hat. Daddy loved it so much. He thought it was the most thoughtful gift ever. He wants to frame the receipt. He's so easy to please. Mommy leaves him notes on the front door every now and then in the morning. He always tapes the notes up in his car he loves them so much. I love that he loves the little things like that.

6. He is flawed. I love every one of those flaws. I love how awful he is at yard work. It makes me laugh. It makes me feel better about not being able to keep up on the housework the way I want to be able to. Looking at the long grass or the overgrown bush reminds me of all the quality time we got to spend with him during the weekend. I hate the fan he insists on having on all night long, but I love the way he comes rolling over to my side of the bed to snuggle more because he's cold and the way he knows how much I hate the fan and he never forgets to turn it off when he gets up for work. He can never find anything. He forgets where he sets almost everything. For months after we move into a new place he'll ask me questions like where his underwear are or where do we keep the big spoons, but he never forgets the important things. He's always there when it counts and he always comes through when you need him.

I hope your Daddy knows how much I love him. I hope he knows how much you love him. Just in case, we should all try to show him a little more love and appreciation. He deserves it, because he sure does show us.

Love,
Mommy

Look at that face of concentration as he takes orders from Kaylee on how to decorate her cookie.

Daddy filled almost 200 water balloons all by himself for your last day of preschool!

The hat...