Looking Back...

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Anne just sent me this picture of my "last days of being pregnant" from one night we walked downtown with the kids for dinner. There was the prettiest sunset that night so she took a picture of me and my belly as we were walking. It's so weird to NOT be pregnant anymore but since Janie is all curled up on my chest right now as I work on my laptop, I don't have heartburn anymore and I have a few more choices in clothing- I'll take this side of pregnancy :)

Janie slept much better last night! She seems to have an three night pattern or a BAD night (last night), an okay night and a really good night. Last night she slept from 11pm-5am in the bassinet, nursed and slept from 5-9am curled up next to me. I tried this crazy co-sleeper bolster pillow thing in out bed since she sleeps way better next to me - but go figure after Jannie, Emmy and I spent 30 minutes trying to figure it out and rig it up on the bed- Janie sleeps well in the bassinet almost all night! My husband is very patient.

I miss your little kicks and jabs in my belly but I'm glad you're here in the world Baby MaryJane!

More Red Bluff Baptism Weekend

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I love this picture of Oliver! The Big Man of the weekend looking so dapper in his sweater vest with his mom and making a hilarious I'm Not Happy face

Making cookies with Aunt Kat, she asked France if they were ready to go in the oven yet and Francie said "No they need more tasting"

and these amazing Dora PJ's were a result of a little trip to WalMart after the baptism- we had to run an errand and the store we needed to go into wasn't open yet- Maisie and Janie had fallen asleep in the car so I asked Heff if Francie and I could 'run into WalMart' for 5 minutes. We were on a mad hunt for Diego PJ's (nobody makes them- but WalMart was the most likely place to find them!) but we emerged after about 20 minutes with 2 pairs of 100% polyester-sure-to-be-thread-bare-after-10-washings PJ's. Francie insisted on wearing hers all day.

Janie on my lap - nothing better!

And Oma brought out Sherman for some rides. I wish I had close up pictures of Maisie but you can sort of see the ridiculous amount of excitement on her face on the back of a horse. She might be our animal lover - where those genes came from I'm not sure- but at least she doesn't hesitate to respond "Bang Bang!" when we ask her what Daddy does to the elk.

Pure excitement

These pictures make me happy- not that you need to turn into a horse-girl Sharkie but you are so happy up there!

Buzz and Woody PJ's (from the boys section) Francie picked out for her sister. She was almost as excited about these as she was to "WIDE BA!" (ride a horse translated)

Little Maisie Moo with Oma making the rounds on Sherman

Clara and Aunt Kat

Heff having to talk Maisie into taking off her helmet for Clara's turn

Clara Marie's first time to ride a horse! She was a little apprehensive but Francie and Maisie talked her into it :)

Ready for a few steps forward?!

I mean- I can't believe I paid $6.00 each for these pajamas

Awww cute Uncle Ducky and Aunt Kat

I love this sign in their house they got as a wedding gift

Cousins running around rough-shot

Francie got the last turn - "the looooongest last turn" she told me

It's tiring to be baptized!

The rest of the day we relaxed inside, visited, drank, ate and played Words with Friends with each other on our iPhones/pads in the same room.

Susan (Donald's mom) and I tried to take some baby-in-a-basket pictures of Janie but she wasn't really having it. She's looking at me like "Seriously Mom?"

Nope- still mad even with clothes on.

All that posing and screaming wore Sleeping Beauty out (Maisie put the tiara on her)

Spring is coming in Red Bluff! I didn't take enough pictures of the chaos and fun inside- great dinners and lots of hanging out with cousins- I love weekends in Red Bluff!

Oliver's Baptism

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We were in Red Bluff this weekend for Oliver's Baptism and for Janie to meet her Opa. Brian and I were honored to be chosen by Kat and Donald to be Oliver's godparents- we're up for the challenge keeping that REALLY cute little guy inline and Catholic! We are also god-parents to little Thomas and Heff is a godfather to Garrison and I have my sweet godson James- so besides our awesome god-daughters Madeline and Claire Elise- we've got daughters and God-SONS to look out for :) It was a relaxing weekend in Red Bluff and Opa got to meet his 10th grandchild.

Heff and his girls going into church

Daddy Donald and his Mini-Me

I mean- it's like a 5 month old version of Uncle Ducky right?!

Kat and her baby boy- and her cute Grandma Heffernan purse as a diaper bag! Oliver is wearing the Heffernan family christening gown- had to get him baptized before lent or he would never fit in this after- he is a big guy!!

Oma and Opa with Maisie Moo

Proud parents

Daddy and his middle child baby girl (who is sitting next to me looking at these pics and whining "I 'ant DADDY!" he's just at work but Maisie misses her dad :)

Godparents and little ones

Cathleen held Janie for the ceremony- and Maisie lost it when her mom and dad left her in the pew so Uncle Mark distracted her walking around in the back- thanks guys!

Silly Maisie and Clara Marie - who are cute little buddies now

Francie the big helper

Me and the girls (wow I look tired! Janie actually slept great both nights in Red Bluff but is back on her night-owl schedule at home- I slept in a few half hour increments from 11pm-6am last night!! Then she is knocked out from 6-11am… I mean that's good sleeping in Janie but not really the big picture :)

The Heffernan clan there to celebrate

Mr and Mrs Doverspike came down from Oregon too- Oliver Donald with his parents and both sets of grandparents

Three across headed back to Oma and Opa's- more Red Bluff and "horsey" pics next!

Congrats Doverspikes!

Baby Love… In Stripes

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Just some Janie loving pictures of the girls playing down in the guest room from last week… and if it isn't obvious Emmy took them all! She's way better at this taking-pictures-and-editing thing than I am :) and I am only getting this post up because also thanks to Emmy's Adventures at the Park I have all three girls sleeping soundly for the afternoon again- quite a feat.

Janie's First Bath

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March 1 Janie had her first official bath- 10 days old might be a little late blooming on the first bath thing but newborns smell so good and stay pretty clean don't they!? and maybe the third child thing contributed to that- a little less novelty and more utility involved in giving a baby their first bath. But the girls loved helping and the sink in their bathroom (we put in hoping there would be a new baby to bathe in it at some point!) was perfect with a little foam frog under her. The bath ended promptly when Francie poured a cup of water from the spout on Janie and I didn't realize until she screamed bloody murder it was ice cold water! Sorry Janie. Other than that she loved her first bath (AND the subsequent ones since then :)

Big helpers… being silly

She really was happy for most of the bath- despite her mad-mad-Janie face in these pictures… she was probably trying to tell me to put down my camera and protect her from the icy cold waterfall coming her way

All clean! but probably thinking "I'm glad they got me out of there…"

Thanks for helping Jannie! I don't think you've missed a first bath yet :)

Fun Pics and Emmy

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I got a cool new camera for the diaper bag and to document all the progress we are finally making in the Bumble construction. The camera is called the Olympus PEN - it's a small, retro looking camera but has interchangeable lenses, better than point-and-shoot technology/speed, and shoots video too. I love it so far and it saves my big camera and lenses from getting knocked around daily. Plus it has all these cool "art modes" on it like pinhole camera and film grain.

And Emmy has been coming two mornings a week to let Heff go to work while I sleep in with Janie (thank goodness!) or just clean up around the house or do some work. She and the girls frequent Shoup Park and Emmy is soo patient letting them take scooters or trikes at a snail's pace on their walk. They have made lots of new friends on the playground and it sure wears the girls out for a good nap after lunch at home. Thanks Emmy!!!

"Edebody loves Cousin Emmy" :)

And Emmy loves her girls

and we all love having you around Janie!

>

TTFN ;)

Saturday Out and About

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Last Saturday we ventured out in the cold for a morning of vaulting and a visit with some friends. There was a bunch of hype that it might SNOW here in the Bay Area- even at sea level. I kept checking outside when I was up with Janie but no snow. It did snow in the hills a little bit but didn't live up to all the talk. The creek is running pretty crazy after all the rain though!

<

But Saturday morning the temperatures were still COLD so we bundled up for Francie's vaulting class (brought back memories of myself in layers and layers of spandex for cold vaulting days :) It was the first time we'd all piled in the car together as a family of five!

Maisie says "WHAT are we doing out here in this cold when I don't even get to ride the horse??"

Francie's turn



Daddy and Janie

I love these pictures- Francie's coach Lisa told her to wave to Mom!

Ready for exercises

Mom trying to keep Janie warm in her bear suit - I wish I had one like it!

And after Vaulting we went by the Hutchinson's to wish Wyatt a Happy Birthday and warm up in their cozy house. Wyatt and Isaac have the best toys- ALL BOY stuff the girls love :)

Nice going Maisie - I think this one's a little small to ride in

What a cute family :) Chad, Lindsey, Isaac and Wyatt and they are expecting a PINK bundle this summer!

and then we went right back home to put on warm cozy clothes and keep a fire going all day- we ordered Sushi (the new place by us delivers!) and didn't leave the house all night.

Family Dinner

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Sunday night we had dinner at Jannie and Grampa's with the Arnerich family so they could all meet Janie. It was Oscar's Night but we didn't watch much- Heff and I don't watch movies (I DVR plenty of bad TV but I don't really have the patience for movies) so we are clueless for Academy Awards. But we had fun watching our girls run off and play with the big cousins and dotting on Janie.

The kids table with Aunt Kim- Maisie was set up with the adults and when she realized "GaGa" was at the big kids table she moved her highchair (tried- I helped finally) and place setting into the other room. She thinks she's pretty big now!

Crazy girls showing off for their big cousins (well my cousins which makes them second cousins once removed or something?? Jannie correct me…)

Janie napped by the window while we ate

Thanks for a fun night Jannie and Grampa! and thanks for coming over from the East Bay UJ and Kim- in 2 weeks they will only have to drive from Aptos- they are making a big move back to Santa Cruz County, we are so happy for you guys!

Aquarium with Dad

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Monday Heff had the girls up bright and early to head down to Monterey for a day at the aquarium- they were there when it opened and loved seeing everything under the sea. Heff had booked a hotel right next to the aquarium for a sleepover so they went back for a swim and naps early afternoon- swim happened, naps didn't! Then back to the aquarium, dinner at Bubba Gumps and then bedtime. Somehow a binky missed the packing process so bedtime proved to be a challenge- Maisie was also asking for her monkey music maker and pillow and told Heff "No Okay. HOME." but they survived! They came home Tuesday morning happy campers and I was thankful for the day and night to spend with Janie and sleep (as much as she would let me- not her favorite activity when the sun goes down but we're working on it :)

Francie pretending she's a seal or something with flippers. (a hair band missed the trip too!)

Seahorse exhibit (Heff claims Francie erased a bunch of the good pics- I'm just happy to get something back on the camera after an adventure with dad!)

Francie "teaching Maisie things" I'm sure

hiding in the "fort" to see the fish

Francie and a penguin

Maisie's cheese face!

Silly girls eating lunch at the aquarium cafe

My favorite part of the aquarium- tide pools… waiting…

for the huge overheard wave! The girls like it too :)

and the most talked about exhibit "MOM! We touched BATRAYS!!"

A light up touristy plastic glass for Shirley Temples at Bubba Gumps. Heff said the girls lost their minds when they came out with these.

Worn out and snuggled up in bed.

Enjoying It While It Lasts

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Janie is 10 days old and it's my first day home by myself with all three girls! Heff took Francie and Maisie on a special adventure to the Monterey Bay Aquarium yesterday and they stayed overnight in a hotel to swim and give mom a night with just Janie- I'll have to upload their pictures to blog next. This was the one Heff texted me when they got there at 10am yesterday… this was our third time to the aquarium but the girls were younger before and just soaked it all up this time. Francie was only slightly disappointed they didn't have her three favorite animals- Humpback, Orca and Sperm Whales :)

so today he is back in the office for a bit and we are surviving at home- lucky for me he tired them out and ALL THREE girls are sleeping soundly right now. I should be sleeping too since I was up every hour last night with Janie or the darn dog (ate a diaper- needed water or to go out three times. Gross) I better go do something productive- I hear Maisie's monkey music thing on- this quiet won't last long!!

We Love Baby Janie

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Emmy and I tried to get a picture of the three girls in their "I Love Baby Janie" shirts (I had them at the hospital but they never made it on the babies - the boy version is tucked away for next time!) Turns out it's about impossible to get a good picture of a 3 year old, 1.5 year old and newborn- who knew?! Emmy worked her magic on a few- we'll try again when Janie can hold her head up on her own maybe :)

Proud Big Sis

"How many M&M's will you give us if we don't move?"

Maisie thought it was funny to drop her harmonica over the bed and then climb down in the 3 inch space and retrieve it. Francie the Sheriff said "Oh God- OH God." when she dove down there- we'll have to have a little talk about GOSH for future reference!

Dotting sisters

"Maisie you have to be GENTLE!!"

"WHAT is going on here?"

Not a chance

As close as I got to smiles

THANKS Maisie very funny :) Which Uncle taught you that??

It's all a blur

You'd think I tied her down… hey wait, good idea for next time!

Janie is not a fan of playing the dolly while one sister serenades her with a harmonica and the other tries to "see" her (let's hope not burn her- thanks Toy Story) with a magnifying glass

Ah safely back on mom's knee

Not for long- someone always wants a turn to hold her

My six BIG FEET

Two babies

Francie being Francie

Maisie being Maisie

Heff being a Superdad :)

This pretty much sums it up- life with three little girls is a little crazy but SO MUCH FUN!!!

Big Helpers

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The big girls have been big helpers with a new baby in the house. They can usually be talked into running to get a diaper/blanket/whatever and are very interested in taking care of her. Life with three is busy but pretty fun so far!

Maisie is doing better than I thought- she has her meltdowns here and there (little diva!) but is really good around Janie and only wants Mom to hold her- I had forgotten Francie did that too- even when Jannie or Heff held baby Maisie she wanted her back on my lap. She climbs up on the couch next to her or stands next to her bassinet and squeaks a high pitched "Hi Nay-Nie! Tick-a-tick-a!" and likes to poke/point to her eye/nose/head (sorry Janie). She wants to hold her all the time but then throws her arms up and goes "All done!" after 3.5 seconds. (And I just realized in this picture she has confiscated her big sister's favorite polyester Minnie PJ's and somehow I don't remember the fight that should have ensued from this injustice!)

Francie is more maternal and will "babysit Janie" while if I have to grab something from another room. She is good at holding her head and kind of gets that you can't throw her around :) She tells people when they come over "You should probably wash your hands before you hold my sister. You might have germs on them." (flu season thanks you France) She tries to teach Janie lots of things already- manners, Spanish, right from wrong :) and takes her job pretty seriously.

"What's that!? A baby crying? go get her mom!!"

Francie has been getting into her "Responsibility Chart" for doing her chores and having good behavior. Of course Maisie goes in and messes up all the hard-earned magnets so we had to give Maisie her own chart- random animals and numbers that stick on like her sister's. She's happy with that :)

and a random review of our week…

2 out of 3 knocked out! Francie and Maisie spent the morning at Jannie's house Wednesday swinging, playing and going to the San Carlos airport for lunch! Francie was so worn out she fell asleep on the couch- which NEVER happens. We let her sleep from 5:30-8pm so of course she was wide awake with me until 11pm- we watched "Survivor" which she calls the camping show. At least she was in a good mood after such a late nap.

Heff cookin up dinner- our first night home by ourselves as a family of five Wednesday night

Thanks for the dinner idea from Oma for all the chard and kale we had from our FarmFresh delivery sitting in our fridge- Heff made a yummy dinner with bacon and onions sauteed with the greens. Maisie had a solo dinner with us while Francie and Janie were still sleeping! Francie woke up and goes "I missed dinner?!" like we don't have to practically force her to sit down and eat most nights ;)


Tuesday night Em & James came over for dinner with my parents to meet Janie- they were out of town for the weekend. Thanks for coming and for the treats guys! We had a seafood feast with filet of sole and shrimp salad. I love this "sit on the couch with the baby while people cook at your house" thing!

Jannie and Stinker #1 making appetizers for everyone

Maisie in her favorite apron squeezing lemons - I wish I could say they were for sidecars but I think these were for dinner!

Speaking of which- I love this eCard Molly Coogan sent me!

So tiny in the MamaRoo- which Janie likes but really just likes to be held- I'm not complaining yet since Heff is so good covering the big girls but you might see a lot more swing time once we get back to real life Janie!

Making a cake with Jannie- Francie was begging for Funfetti but Jannie was at Andronico's and they don't carry the high-class cake mix so she got sprinkles and they made a "homemade funfetti cake." It was delish- Heff and I take a slice off the cake every time we walk by it in the kitchen- still a few bites left :)

Big hugs for Jannie before she left to meet Grampa for dinner Thursday night since he won his case! Good job Grampa and thanks for all the help this week Jannie!

Bedtime! The bedtime routine hasn't changed much but it is more of a challenge with two of us and three of them! Maisie gets a book or two on her couch in her room (Jannie and I redecorated the day before Janie was born :) while she has her bottle (no more milk bottle in bed as she decided binky was more important- oops did I just admit I gave her a bottle in BED for a year of her life?!) then she goes in the binky/pillow/comforter haven of a crib with the rail down and we just cross our fingers she stays there. She gets it by now (no bed, no binky) and stays down most nights.

Some days she gets cranky and asks for binky- when we remind her only in bed she runs in to her room, climbs in her crib and takes a "hit off the binky!"

Oh the sisterly love. Playing happily one minute…

and too much one-sided "love" the next

and why not end with a sleeping baby?! Janie is so sweet- I know we haven't hit the 2 week "wake up" age but she pretty much still sleeps most of the day and does okay at night. The first week she was awake for 2 hours at some point in the EARLY morning (between 2:30am-6am- ouch) but last night at a week old she finally managed to be awake for a good hour around 11pm, eat at 3am and go right back to sleep until 7am, eat again and snooze until 10am! I can handle that… but I'm sure it will be a different story tonight since I am proclaiming out loud we had a good night :) I can deal- she's worth it.

Lunch Outing

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Tuesday was Janie's first lunch out on the town!

Dressed up in a "real outfit" to lunch with the ladies

Oliver got to come too- I got him this cute flannel shirt from Gap and a size 0-3 month in case we had a boy… I'll just save it for the next boy born in the family! Sarah is due end of April and Andrea due end of August… we'll see!

Oliver and Kat

Christian the baby whisperer

I was pretty happy to leave the house (the only time I've left so far this week!) to sit at Rosewood and eat my favorite Cobb Salad, Arnold Palmers AND a glass of Prosecco :)

More Janie

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She sure looks her sister's baby pictures huh!? Especially in pictures- but in person she really has her own look. She has a sweet disposition and so far she rolls with whatever we throw at her. She is sleeping pretty well (especially during the day ;) and goes 4-5 hours at night but likes to have one period of being awake for about two hours between 3-6am. I've been going back to sleep with her in the mornings. We have been hibernating in the house all week- I am loving to cold rainy weather and threats of SNOW (what?!) possibly falling tomorrow in the Bay Area. Just soaking up the itty-bitty baby phase while it lasts!!

She's had visits from Dr Cisco and checks out A-ok. She was 7 lbs 3 ozs on Sunday and he came again today (Thursday) and she was 7 lbs 11 oz. Good growing Janie.

and big news- her umbilical cord fell off today! :)

Swaddled up and trying on hats

Wrinkly little body

big yawn

"Ok mom enough with the pictures"

Knitted up (leaving the hospital - forgot I had these :)

Life at Home with Three

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This picture pretty much sums up our first three days at home ~ sleeping, eating good food from family cooks and drinking champagne/wine together to celebrate! We had Oma here until Tuesday morning, Kat, Oliver and Uncle Ducky Sunday-Tuesday, Jannie every free minute we could get her, my dad when he wasn't preparing for the trial he's in, Emmy most afternoons for pictures and hanging out and lots of sibling and friends love too. Thanks for all the help and company! We've had no less than 6-10 people for dinner every night and no shortage of good food- thanks especially to Oma and Jannie for the around the clock granddaughter/daughter/son love.

Emily, Lucy, Jannie, Oma and Francie getting snacks ready for the troops and popping champs for the afternoon

Maisie loves "holding" babies! Here with Janie (3 days) and Lucy (5 months)

Double Doll strollers are good for tiny kids too

Assuming my favorite position (Maisie took this)

Swaddled and a rare moment of not being in someone's arms

See not everything in our house is pink ;)

Aunt Mimi, Uncle Andy and Cousin Drew came over from Aptos for some baby snuggling

Jannie and Francie decorated the gate with "It's A Girl" balloons

Oma getting a good laugh out of a near-miss "ear fetish" from Maisie (we already have one of those in the family right Izzy?!) Maisie was naming all of Oliver's body parts while he patiently played along. And seriously how big is this little cowboy!? 4 months old and about as big as Maisie

Exhibit B

Christian spoiling Janie with my favorite BonPoint outfit ever in her store (Heff goes - please tell me that's not cashmere?! At least he learns quickly!)

Trying the flowergirl dresses on for Jen and Zach's wedding we are all lucky enough to attend in three weeks! How many adults does it take to get Maisie's head through the right hole?

Jannie holding Janie - love these newborn gowns!!

We're so lucky to have you home with us Janie! You are a sweet little baby so far and a good excuse for a week-long family event of food and festivities :) Now off in a quiet house to take a nap...