Well, I have a lot to catch up on! As you all know, 2011 rang in with the birth of our little Straton. I went in on the morning of Dec. 31st at around 5:30 and he came into our lives at 1:52 that afternoon. All went well and the delivery was the easiest of all 3 (not that I ever had any hard deliveries). Now, prior to the delivery was a whole different story...I had ongoing contractions for a good couple weeks before he came and even had a false alarm on Christmas night. My biggest fear was that I would wait too long to go to the hospital and then I would be too far along for an epidural. I am not one of those all natural kind of girls. If I had my way, I would get an epidural at the beginning of my last trimester :) When I was giving birth to Ky, I dilated to an 8 before the good for nothing nurse said, "Oh, did you want an epidural?" Um, are ya kiddin' me?! I wanted one at a 3 when you sent me home! Anyway....I digress. To say the least, life has been a whirlwind with 3 kids. Hence, 4 months later, I'm finally blogging for the 1st time in 2011. Obviously, we didn't find out the gender until he was born, and everyone has asked if we were really surprised. To be honest, I really wasn't because deep down I've always felt like we were supposed to have a boy in our family. In fact, when I was pregnant with Ky I was positive she was a boy and shocked when they confirmed otherwise in the ultrasound. When Strat was born, I was super relieved because I'm confident when I say, I think our family is complete with the 3 kiddos and if Strat would have been a girl, I would have felt there was still that little boy up there. Now,(big sigh of relief) I will never have to be pregnant again! Strat has been the complete opposite as a baby then my girls were. My girls were pretty content little things and excellent sleepers. He has given me a run for my money. I never really understood the whole colicky thing, and I can't even say he's been colicky, because he was/is consolable but he's way fussier than my girls and he has a temper like a freakin' bull dog! If he doesn't get his way, and get it now, man oh man. He also eats NON STOP! Everyone tells me that's a boy thing but he is a bull dog with a bottomless pit :) All that being said, this little man gives me sooooo much joy! His smile has quite literally stolen my heart and I love that I am the center of his universe because he is definitely the center of mine. You know the love you have for your children can't compare to anything else in the world and you can't imagine loving another that way. Then you have another child, and you didn't think it was possible, but the instant you see their little face, your heart is given away to one more precious soul. Oh, and to watch my girls with him is so adorable! They can't get enough of him. Sadie is a little too enthusiastic with her love sometimes, but I know it comes with the territory. Ky is my little helper and I'm sure will be a life saver during the summer when she's home more. Strat is now getting to the age where his little personality is developing and my current obsession is trying to get that first giggle. We've gotten close a few times, but I can't wait for the day I hear that first belly laugh. Another way he's way different than the girls is he rolls over now!At this rate I think he'll be walking by 6 months old. I remember Sadie rolling over at 6 weeks but it was not a consistent thing. Strat will more often than not try to roll over when you lay him down on the floor. He's also not a binky baby at all. That sucks. My girls lived for the binky! It's funny because my mom didn't want the girls getting hooked on the binky because she said growing up she sucked on her thumb and it was a "terrible, terrible habit." Well, you got your wish mom, he's not a binky lover, just a thumb sucker! HA! Truthfully, I think it's the cutest dang thing I've ever seen and I hope I don't have to pay for it when he's 5 and still sucking his thumb. Speaking of my mom, she has been an absolute life saver! Even though Strat was born right at the start of tax season, she has VOLUNTEERED many, many nights to come stay and get up with him during the night. How do people do it without grandmas? Seriously, thanks mom! I've said it before and I'll say it always-YOU ARE THE BEST! Well, not that this remotely even catches me up on my blog, but at least it's a start. I still have Ky's Bday, Vday, St. Patty's, Spring Break and all the small stuff in between. In all seriousness, maybe I'll be caught up by Strat's 1st Bday!
