TIME FLIES

It has been a very long time since I have updated our blog.  It has also been a very crazy time and when time is crazy it flies.
Update on kids;
  Bryggen is about to turn 4.  She is doing so great these days.  I can really tell a change in her maturity level.  Don't get me wrong, we have some minor issues and some bad days but overall she is a huge delight.  She adores her brothers and is super helpful with them.  We have a blast together and I am enjoying these moments with her.
   Griffin and Jackson are doing about the same things so they can fit into one category on certain things.  They both learned to get out of their cribs about a month ago.  It wasn't a huge issue the first couple of weeks but then became a major ordeal.  They would climb out, walk down the stairs at 3am or 5am or whenever they felt like it.  They eventually got locked in their bedrooms.  They would still get out and eventually sleep on the floor.  I took their cribs down and left the mattresses on the floor for them but still lock their bedroom door.  They destroy their bedroom daily.  They climb on their changing table, the dresser, the queen bed in there and do anything possible to trash the place.  They take off their dirty diaper and run everywhere getting poop everywhere.  I had to lock the bathroom doors because they would get in the tub, close the drain and turn on the water.  They've done it four times. Once in their room at the beach, Bryggen's room at the beach, my room at the beach and then my room in Auburn.  We have a serious issue with that.  Fortunately, the water has been cold but I can't be too lucky.  Both boys have escaped the house.  Once while Mike was hanging out with them.  Jackson was naked and both boys headed for our neighbors house.  She returned them.  They climb on the counters by pulling out the drawers and using them as stairs.  They've gotten on the dining room table several times.  All in all, they will find a way to climb.  Guess they're not afraid of heights like I am.  Now Griffin gets in just as much trouble as Jackson but he is a little more carefree.  He's easy going and laid back most of the time.  He's a little methodical and likes to "work" on things.  He is more of a silent terror whereas Jackson is full of emotion right now.  He is all trouble.  Loud and rough.  He's a little bully towards everyone.  He hits and scratches everyone whether playing or being mean.  He's going through his terrible twos right now and if thats not what it is then everyone needs to start praying because the poor guy can't get into any more trouble.  He is a mommas boy right now and we love to cuddle and at the same time, Griffin is a daddys boy.  He loves Mike.  He yells daaad anytime he sees his daddy.  They are little buddies right now.
   Townsen is a sweet cuddly baby.  He's a little high maintenance like his sister was.  He is a little finicky about falling asleep and he hates the car like all of the other kids did.  He is still waking every 3 hours or more to eat.  UGH!  I am exhausted and getting ready for a "cry it out" time.  However, I am waiting til the first of the year.  We have just been able to move him into his room therefore I am giving him time to adjust on his own.

Michael TOWNSEN Slocumb

He is here and I guess it is about time that I updated my blog.  I am sure you will forgive me considering I have 4 kids now.
Townsen arrived at 12:06pm on July 28, 2012.  I was scheduled for induction that day but arrived to the hospital in labor (contractions 5 min apart).  In fact, we got there at 6:45am, was in a room and hooked up in about an hour and epidural before 10am and pushing at noon.  It didn't take long and was actually pretty easy.
Before we delivered we had decided his name would be Townsen Talmer, but after he was born we changed his name to Michael Townsen.  We will call him Townsen or Towns.  We changed his name for the physically obvious in that he is a complete mini-Mike.  After delivering the twins blue eyed and blonde, we sure didnt think we'd have a dark haired baby with olive skin but here he is.  I love that all of our kids are different- well all of our pregnancies anyways.  I love that the twins are more me and that B and T are Mike.
Now delivery was easy but the after stuff hasn't been easy and I am not talking about Townsen.  The day after I delivered Townsen I had my tubes tied.  Yes, 4 kids in under 4 years is enough.  The surgery was fast and my doctor was great.  The recovery was awful the first couple of days.  Then four days after delivery I became super sick with a bladder infection.  That was worse than the recovery from surgery.  It lasted a rough 4 days.  Nine days later B and I became sick with a stomach bug.  Fortunately, that was a quick virus but Mike was out of town.  Then two days after that I found out I had shingles.  I did not have a bad case of it and wasn't in pain just itched really bad.  I am still being medicated for that.  The good thing about being sick after giving birth is that I dropped a lot of weight fast.
All of the kids are adjusting really well.  Townsen is sweet, cuddly and pretty easy going.  He likes to be held and is restless a lot but who can blame him with two brothers throwing things at him and yelling all of the time.  Jackson likes to give him hugs but Griffin isnt as interested.  Bryggen is super helpful and patient.  She's done a great job and I really am impressed with all of them.  Of course, life is super hectic with the twins alone so the additional chaos doesn't help but its a phase we will pass and not a bad phase at all.
We are currently at the beach for a week or two.  I am enjoying it a lot but we are only on day two so we shall see how it plays out.  I do not have any help here and it can be challenging (I went to the grocery store with 4 kids yesterday and needless to say you can't get much so the loading and unloading takes longer than the trip inside).  But we are going with the flow.  I do feel more confident as a mother than when I brought the twins home so lets hope that sticks around and isn't just good hormones.
I hope I am able to post more often.

Today, tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday or whenever....

We will welcome Townsen Talmer Slocumb any day now.  Thought it was going to be tomorrow because I was scheduled for induction.  But now I have been bumped to Saturday.  So, who really knows when he will be here.  I guess thats the whole point though is to not really know when they will arrive.  But here we go, truly counting down the days til we meet this sweet baby boy that has had us fooled from the start.  I wonder what else this little guy will have in store for us once he gets here.  I CAN NOT WAIT TO FIND OUT!!!!!!  My next blog will be about his arrival.  YAY!

DO WE HAVE A NAME??

Well, the answer to that question is somewhat.  We have known that we were expecting a baby since mid-December.  We have known that this baby was a boy at 14 weeks (20 weeks ago).  You would think we have had plenty of time to come up with his name.  But after 3 kids, 2 of which are boys, we find it hard to name him.  I really can blame it on Mike or give Mike credit for taking so long.  He really wanted to live up to the strong names we gave the kids.  So, we finally have a first name and are working on the middle name.  Our little guy, our 4th and last child's first name is TOWNSEN.  His name will be spelled like that by my account.  All three of our kids end in "en", "in" and "on".  It is only fitting that this guy do the same.  Mike wants to call him TOWNS but I want to call him TOWNSEN.  We will see what sticks or if his name is something different when he arrives.  Speaking of his arrival, I had a conversation with Dr. Dupre Wednesday.  I had issues with my epidural during both deliveries.  They apparently take a long time or a double dose to actually work on me.  He suggested I have an epidural earlier than normal.  After talking further, we realized that I did not have extra time with Griffin and Jackson.  Therefore, Dr. Dupre became a little concerned that I might not make it to the hospital in time for an epidural or make it at all if TOWNSEN comes on his own.  So, he decided that I should be induced around my 38 week mark.  I will be going to see Dr. Dupre weekly starting July 3rd at which point I will be 36 weeks pregnant and will be checked each week to determine the plan for TOWNSENS arrival.  Will keep you posted on his full name and on his expectant arrival date.

34 weeks and 1 day

This picture is from a week ago.  I don't have a picture from today but I am currently 34 weeks and 1 day pregnant with this little guy.  At 34 weeks and 1 day with Griffin and Jackson, I delivered them both 5 1/2 pounds each 6 weeks early.  It amazes me that I had them at this point in my pregnancy.  But looking back on my journal, I was 7 inches wider around the belly and 10 pounds heavier.  It appears that this baby is around 5 pounds and average size at this juncture whereas Griffin and Jackson were above average and obviously so.  I do remember that at about 30 weeks with Griffin and Jackson, I was miserable.  I just have become miserable with this baby and know that I have about a month left.

MOTHERS DAY 2012

Today is my third Mothers Day and it was a great one.  I was really dreading it because Mike is out of town but having a lunch date with Haley, Isabella and all of my kids made this day wonderful.  FYI: Haley is holding Griffin and I am holding Jackson.

Today is also my 6th wedding anniversary.  So I was initially double sadden when he had to be out of town.  This has been a crazy year with a lot of ups and downs and a lot of surprises.  But we have grown closer because of it and I am extremely happy about where we are and where we have come.

Griffin and Jackson are 15 months old and super fun.  They started walking between 13-14 months.  Its so cute.  They waddle around all over the place.  They climb the stairs and everything else they can get their feet on.  They are into everything.  They have surprised me beyond words.  I walked into their room at the beach house the other day to find out that Jackson had thrown his dirty diaper into Griffins pack n play.  Griffin took his diaper off and threw it on the floor then peed all over the floor and pack n play.  They are definitely different than little girls (Bryggen) and as active as she was there was no preparing me for them.  I have my hands completely full and here comes another one.  Though I am beyond excited about this special child, I am exhausted already.  I am over 28 weeks along with him (Baby No Name) and doing great.  He is super busy so I guess he will fit right in with his siblings.

We've already started spending a lot of time at the beach house even though there are workers there daily finishing up at a turtle rate.  I love the house and never want to leave it.  I am so blessed that Mike and I have been able to do together.  Getting settled is taking time and its a lot of work especially with the three kids.  I don't have help there so trips to the store or short but many.  I will post some pictures of the house after its completed if not before.

Proverbs 22:6 and Matthew 11:28

Most of you that really know me know that I am a nervous/worrisome person. Today seemed to be a normal day without reason for worry yet I had a lot of nervousness inside. Probably all hormonal since there really isn't something I can pinpoint my anxiety to but it was there. So, it was wonderful when I was reading my devotional tonight(hours after my anxiety height) that dealt with the things I worry the most about on a daily basis. I worry the most with being the best spouse and parent. I worry with rushing life so fast that I miss out on all of these special days I have with my family. I mentally take a moment each day to absorb all the good and bad of that day. I do a great job of being grateful for my life and I try to humble myself before the Lord for the blessings He has provided. Yet, I still find myself panicking that I won't be as good as I need to be. I am sure most of us are this way but in the end I know I am too hard on myself. And I have realized this more this pregnancy because I have weekly nightmares. They are not just nightmares. They are horrific and usually send me yelling or almost in tears. The depth of the nightmares are so intense yet the reason seems so clear. (I do not believe dreams tell the future. Instead I believe they remind you of the true and deep and inner thoughts that you as a person had that day- knowingly or not) So, this devotional I read today was just about the worries I have as a wife and mother. Here are the scriptures used in that devotion:

Proverbs 22:6, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (NLT)

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (NIV)

Now I know I can rest assured in the words of our Father, but sometimes as a sinful human I need reminders. Thank you Lord, for reminding me to turn to You for all of my worries and reminding me that You will guide me in the right path. AMEN!

MY 3OTH BIRTHDAY

I am celebrating my 30th birthday tomorrow and I want to honor Our Lord and Savior. I have had an amazing 30 years and am in awe of the glory God has brought upon me. I have a huge family that I love and adore. I have an amazing husband and three beautiful children here with one on the way along with another child/soul in heaven. I have so many special friends and we live a wonderful life.

Though my relationship with The Lord can always be better and has so much room for improvement; I am grateful for our relationship and the Father I have in Him.

My Sweet Children

JACKSON STANDING AND GRIFFIN SMILING

BRYGGEN LOVES HER BROTHERS. JACKSON IN HER ARM AND GRIFFIN IN HER FACE.

BRYGGEN HUGGING JACKSON WITH GRIFFIN SITTING ON THE RIGHT.

THE OBVIOUS- BRYGGEN WAVING HELLO.

Bryggen is such a sweet big sister. She is very helpful with her brothers and loves to play with them. She is actually excited about this little boy on the way and even hugs and kisses my belly almost every day.

Jackson is taking several steps while Griffin can stand on his own and can take a couple of steps at a time. Both have a little ways to go but are on the move.

They're all such happy children and such a joy to our lives. I am truly blessed and honored to be their mother.

23 weeks

19 weeks

Almost half way there. At 19 weeks but no name yet. We are working hard and I can not wait to give this precious boy a name. But for now things are going great. He is kicking and moving though they are small gestures at this point. I love feeling every bit and stop to enjoy it. Bryggen is much better about having another brother. She really wants to hold him and give him is bottle or like she calls it ba-ba. I think that is so super sweet.

Life has been crazy with a sick family but we are on the mends. Jackson is healing from his second double ear infection from February. Bryggen got one for the first time in two years. Mike had the flu and is now battling a bacterial infection and double ear infection. Griffin only had a mild bacterial infection early February. And I had a sinus infection and bronchitis. This never happens to our family so I am praying we are healthy for a long while. Especially because Griffin has been healthy and a happy little guy.

I am a little nervous. Mike and I are getting away this weekend. We are going to Las Vegas from Saturday to Wednesday without the kids. They will be in great hands but I am an emotional wreck. I haven't been away from them all like this. Prayers for a calm trip are appreciated. I am gonna miss them like crazy.

MY 4 KIDS

Last Tuesday, the 21st, all three kids went in for a wellness checkup. All left with flying colors, of course.

Bryggen is 34 pounds and 37 1/2 inches tall placing her in the 50th%. She was sick that day with an apparent viral infection. After two more sick days she recovered and all was well til today. At 4 am she woke up with a fever and complaining about her ear hurting. Now Bryggen is never ever sick so after last weeks viral infection it was time to go back to the doctor. And she has an ear infection for the first time in 2 years. Poor thing. I am really loving all about Bryggen these days. She has a great personality. Full of fun and laughter. She is not dull but very busy and exciting. She loves going to the basketball games, to ballet and especially school with her friends. She is great running errands with me and is very helpful. She loves her baby brothers and does a lot to entertain them and help take care of them. I never expected such a loving child to come out of a 3 year old but it has in her.

Griffin is 20.07 pounds and 29 inches tall placing him just at the 50th%. He's been great and happy for some time and I pray he continues. He was sick last Thanksgiving with an ear infection, had a bacterial infection right before his birthday but overall has been a healthy angel. He has been pulling up and cruising around furniture for several weeks now. He has let go or pulled himself up without holding on a few times now. He can say Mama, Dada, clap his hands and more. He is off the bottle and off formula and on regular milk in a sippy cup eating mostly big people food. He is a normal one year olds now and its fun and sad. Its been going by so fast but its so enjoyable too. He is calmer but still very busy and playful. He is laid back and relaxed and content. More like me. He likes to hang out and enjoy the show as well as participate in the action.

Jackson is 20.12 pounds and 29 1/2 inches tall placing him closer to the 75th%. He's been great but a little sick lately. He had a double ear infection last Thanksgiving and then again right before his birthday along with a bacterial infection. On Tuesday, 21st, he was all well and happy. Jump to yesterday and we were back at the doctors office with a double ear infection again. That's 3 double ear infections in 4 months. Poor guy. These days Jackson is super busy and playing in everything. He cruises around furniture like Griffin, waves but not on command, claps, says Mama and does most one year old things besides walking yet. And I can be patient with that. He is off the bottle and off formula and on regular milk in a sippy cup eating mostly big people food. He is my goofy and silly and fun 1 year old that has a lot of the same characteristics like Bryggen.

Baby boy is doing great and growing perfectly. He still has no name but we are slowly working on it. I have my big ultrasound to check on him next month and I really look forward to making sure all is well and on track. I can't wait to give him a name, to get his room ready and to bring him home. We are fortunate in that we have clothes from the big boys for him and have almost everything we could need. I think he will only not use their 6month and some 12 month clothes due to the weather difference. I have already bought a few things we did need and his room is starting to get in order. We already had a crib from DC that he will use, the guest bed will stay in there for our nanny to sleep in, the dresser will become his a combo dresser/changing table and all we will change is the wall color and add his crib bedding which I have picked out and am just waiting on the go ahead from Mike.

Life has been full of crazy sickness around here this February so I am praying that we are all well from here on out. The kids being sick all month, me having bronchitis and a sinus infection and Mike with the flu. Fortunately, we have new help that started yesterday. Her name is Laura and she will help us Monday afternoons, a few hours on Wednesdays and all day Fridays. I am looking forward to her being here to help me get things done. I did great without help for a while but I realized I couldn't do it all. Now I am beyond ready for the beach house to be finished so I can get down there and relax. Hopefully only another two weeks but I do realize I have been saying that for some time now. Mike and I do have a trip coming up March 12th that I can not wait for. I am taking us to Vegas for his birthday present. It will be so much fun and my sweet friend Bonnie will keep the kids for us. Yay!

Comparing

Here's Griffin at one years old

Jackson at one years old

And Bryggen when she was one.

Its hard to see the similarities but there are a good bit. Of course, Bryggen was larger at one and the boys have more hair than she did at one. But they have similar skin tone and face shape. They're all so perfect. Can't wait to see what Baby #4 looks like.

One Year Later

Jackson and Griffin in the NICU a year ago. Valentines day will always be special to me because these little guys are the best valentines present I have ever received. And the best little guys in my life.

And the trouble now a year later continues. What an absolute blessing!!! Can't wait for them to meet their brother in June.

The Big One!!!

Tomorrow is the big day. Jackson and Griffin turn One. I can not believe that a year ago I was about to be delivering these little guys. I never would have guessed they would have been born on Valentines Day and here it is almost a year later. They have been the best babies ever. They sleep great and barely fuss or cry. They are happy guys and make my day every day. I love walking into their room in the mornings or after naps to see the two of them standing up in their cribs smiling and giggling. I love the way they all play together(all three of the kids). They love Bryggen and she adores them. The boys are sick right now but are getting better. I sure hope they enjoy their day tomorrow.

The boys are busy these days. Still eating every 4 hours during the day taking 6oz of formula and regular people food. They have cut down on the formula and aren't interested in it as much as before. I will begin easing them off formula and onto whole milk. They have been crawling since they were 7-8 mos old. They have been pulling up and walking around furniture for a few months. But I think I have some time on the full walking thing. They are not steady yet and that is okay with me. Even though they are getting heavy carrying up the stairs, I am not ready for walking babies. Griffin has 7 teeth and Jackson has 6 teeth. They both weigh 20 pounds but I am not sure about their height just yet. We have their 1 year wellness check up next week to get all of their stats and I can not wait.

Hope you all have a Happy Valentines Day. We will be celebrating with more blue from now on!

ITS A BOY!!!!!

WE FOUND OUT WE ARE HAVING ANOTHER BABY BOY!!! WE HAD AN ULTRASOUND TODAY AND THIS LITTLE GUY WAS READY TO SHOW HIMSELF OFF. I GUESS HE WAS TIRED OF HIS BIG SISTER CALLING HIM A GIRL. WE BROKE THE NEWS TO HER AND SHE WAS NOT HAPPY AT FIRST. SHE ASKED ME WHY. I TOLD HER THAT GOD WANTED TO GIVE US ANOTHER BOY. SHE TOLD ME THAT THAT WAS MEAN. HAHAHA! AFTER A LITTLE LAUGH, I THEN EXPLAINED HOW EXCITING IT WAS TO BE WELCOMING ANOTHER LITTLE BROTHER FOR HER AND SHE THEN BECAME HAPPY. GUESS WE WILL SEE HOW THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS GO.

I AM 14 WEEKS AND DOING BETTER. THE FIRST TRIMESTER WAS EMOTIONALLY HARD DEALING WITH MOOD SWINGS AND 3 CHILDREN. BUT I AM BETTER AND EXCITED ABOUT THIS LITTLE GUY. TOO BAD MIKE AND I HAVE NO NAMES ON A LIST TO WORK ON. GUESS WE BETTER GET STARTED.

JACKSON HOLE, WY TRIP

WE TOOK A SKI TRIP LATE JAN. BRYGGEN WAS SO GOOD THE WHOLE TIME WE WERE THERE. WE SENT HER TO SKI SCHOOL THE FIRST AFTERNOON WE WERE THERE BUT THINGS DID NOT GO WELL. SHE REFUSED TO PUT HER SKIIS ON. HOWEVER, TWO DAYS LATER WE TRIED AGAIN AND IT WAS A SUCCESS.

A LOT HAS HAPPENED!!!!

Jackson playing with Daddy on Christmas morning

Bryggen and Griffin playing on Christmas morning

Bryggen's 3rd Birthday Party

The three of us at her party. She looks happy taking a picture with us but we had to have one.

So much has happened in the past two months that its hard to believe. We had an amazing Thanksgiving and Christmas followed by Bryggen's 3rd birthday and then Mike's birthday yesterday. It would probably take me forever to relive all the wonderful events that have happened during this time and I don't have time as I am sure you don't have time either. All I have to say is that it was a wonderful first for the boys. They really are the best babies ever and we are amazed, in awe, blessed and in love so much with all three kids.

Now for the SHOCK! Mike and I found out we were pregnant again shortly before Christmas. This was a huge surprise to both of us as we "were done". Apparently, God had other plans for us. It is so funny how things have turned around for us. It has been a rollercoaster ride for us these past 4 years. We miscarried before Bryggen then became pregnant with her. My pregnancy with her was easy and fun and amazing. We miscarried again without trying for a baby when Bryggen was a year old. Then six months later became pregnant with the twins and the shock that there was an additional baby was amazing and overwhelming. But that pregnancy was easy and fun and amazing too. We were complete and content with our lives. We were in a great schedule, getting some descent sleep and on a great path as a family of 5. I can't say that we were thrilled or happy when we first found out we were pregnant. We never got really excited about our pregnancies at first anyways with my history of miscarriages. But even after we found out everything was okay, we still had to allow things to sink in before getting excited. It was the last thing on my mind yet after some time I am in love with this new baby. I have heard the heartbeat twice now and know that its growing great. My due date is August 2nd and I am almost 12 weeks along. Yes, we sure waited a while to announce our news but time flies when you have 3 kids three years old and under and the holidays and birthdays make that time fly even faster. I have gone over it in my head a thousand times, but we will have a 3 1/2 year old, two 18month olds and a newborn. Life is already crazy but will be even crazier when this angel arrives yet it will be wonderful. Bryggen is excited and totally understands this time around. She wants to hold "her". She thinks we are having a girl. I hope she's not disappointed if we have another boy. But she insists its a girl. That will probably be our next announcement. We will find out the minute we can. Fortunately, I have almost everything I need if its either one. They fall in a little different season but I can get good use out of most things. So, I couldn't be happier to announce our news. And will enjoy in sharing this time with everyone.