This Thanksgiving

I have to say that this Thanksgiving, I was MOST thankful for family. Especially my sweet Nanny! She joined us at my parents' house this year, and it was so sweet to have her there. She isn't quite the same Nanny as I grew up with, since she had a stroke/brain injury the beginning of 2011, but she still has moments where she surprises us all with her comments and random memories. She remembered Brandon's name without prompting, but then she told me that Morgan has "pretty blue ears." A year ago today, her husband, Dink, went to his forever home with Jesus, and I miss him just as much as I did this time last year. Losing him was hard, but it also makes us thankful for the family we do have here! I had to post a picture of my girls with Nanny!

Kate has loved her "big girl bike" and rode all around her GiGi and PopPop's driveway. All of the sudden, I look at her and realize just how big she is getting!

Not the greatest picture of the kids, but I wanted a family picture with Nanny.

A little better, with my parents.

This year, Brandon had to work on Thanksgiving morning, and the morning after, so it limited our traveling. So, we had his parents drive here to celebrate with us! The kids loved having their 4 grandparents all in the same place. Nothing like a little extra attention!

Now that I have posted about Thanksgiving, Christmas is coming around the corner! I guess I will get to that after the New Year!

My Helper

Bathtime has gotten easier at our house now! I bathe Kate and Blake first, then Blake gets out... He is just a little too active, messy, dangerous, etc. to keep in there with Morgan! And then, I just pass Morgan to Kate. She helps me lay her down to wash her not much hair, then sit her up to rinse her off.

Kate's new name for Morgan is Mor-guinea-pig. Didn't love that at first, but it is kind of catching on for the kids at least. So now we have Katebug, Bubby, and Morguinea Pig... awesome! A funny story about Blake- he calls himself Bubby all the time and will correct you if you don't. He was in the church nursery the other day and came home with a family tree craft with the names "Mom, Dad, Kate, Bobby and Morgan." I laughed outloud because the sweet lady thought his name was really Bobby. Either that, or he corrected her when she said Blake. What a mess!

I am posting this picture mainly for myself... Morgan seems so tiny, and is very light, but she has some thighs! Her leg chub makes me laugh because you just don't expect to see this when you see her with her clothes on. We go to her 4 month appointment next week, so I will keep you posted on her growth progress.

Sharing Our Saturday

Morgan is being sweet, sitting up in her Bumbo watching her brother pitch a fit for no reason. She really looks at me sometimes like, "Could you tell him to be quiet?" or, "Can you tell them to get out of my face?"
She was sleeping great for a while, but has been waking up in the middle of the night again. Maybe a growth spurt? I think I remember a weird sleep time around 4 months with the others.











We went to the grocery store this morning, and he has been screaming since we got back because he wants to go somewhere else. I think he is tired of me, Kate, and Morgan. He turned 3 on Halloween, but he isn't acting any bigger. People have told me that boys are worse at 3 than at 2, and I might believe them. He has been pitching some wild fits lately. We are pushing through it, spanking regularly, and maybe, just maybe we will kick this habit! Don't get me wrong, he is a wild man, but he sure is sweet too! He has gotten a lot more interested in Morgan lately, he loves to giver her the pacifier if she is crying and when he is sad, he asks to hug her.







Kate has been laying on the couch watching Mary Poppins, and she told me it was "so long it passed her right out." She then told me that Blake was driving her nuts. Me too, Kate! I wish I had more exciting things to share on Saturday, but this is it, folks! Daddy is working, so we are relaxing and trying to clean up around here.

New Tricks and A Big Trip

Remember those curls in the last post? GONE! His hair was out of control, so we went for his first professional haircut, and he did great. I wouldn't have put him through the trauma of cutting it myself if I had known how easy it was to get it done, although way more expensive than it should be for a child!

Morgan is into her new play gym. We had a terrible one from when Kate was a baby, but I got this and she can lay on it for over an hour. She kicks the piano keys with her feet, and has started grabbing the toys that hang down. She sees herself in the mirror and just coos and coos, it is sweet! This baby continues to amaze me with her laid-back spirit... just not used to it!


She likes sitting in her Bumbo (for a little bit). Her eyes are looking more like Kate these days, and she reminds me of her when she smiles.

Morgan went on a getaway weekend with just me and Brandon a few weekends ago. It was so nice to get away and relax. Here is what Morgan did while I sat on the beach. Brandon just sat on the porch reading with her in the swing so I could enjoy some cool beach breeze and a good book. Heaven! And while we were there, the "big kids" went on an exciting trip of their own!




Their Papa G and JoJo took them to DISNEY WORLD! I think it was the trip of a lifetime, they did everything fun, and more! I was impressed when Jody said they wanted to take them by themselves, they are sweet kids, but a few days with them will wear anyone out! They ate with the princesses, went to the Not-So-Scary Halloween Parade, and saw "the real" Finding Nemo. Kate has an autograph book from all of the princesses, Donald Duck, Eeyore, etc. So cute! I was sad to miss seeing it all in person, but I know they couldn't have had more fun- they are just slighty obsessed with Papa G and JoJo. And they kept us up to date with picture texts of all the fun things they did.

Kate with Belle... she was probably so excited, she couldn't stand still!

Donald... I love Blake's body language.



The kids in Mickey ears.

Riding fun rides with JoJo!

Time Is Flying By

Mothers' Day Out starts in the morning, and I am ready! I told Kate I would miss her tomorrow (a little), and she told me I could take a picture of her with me and wave it around so I would think she was with me. Smart girl! She is so excited about school, I really will miss her help during the day, but it will be nice to run errands with just a carseat.
I just had to show you the difference in my girls' eyes. At first glance, you think Morgan looks like Kate because of the pointy chin and pretty pointed top lips (that Kate is hiding)... but the eyes make all the difference! I think Morgan's eyes are a lot like Blake's- but they are getting bluer (is that a word) everyday! Blake's are more hazel.

A good picture of Blake's eyes- he is my sweet boy! He tells me he will NOT cry when I drop him off at MDO in the morning, we will see. :) He is still my shy one, doesn't love jumping into social settings quite like Kate does.

Wanted to show you Blake's sweet curls in the back that tell me it is time for a haircut.

Morgan started smiling between 6 and 7 weeks old, and it is precious. She is 8 weeks now! She has also started the soft "talking" to you when you make eye contact with her. Love it!

Kate still LOVES Morgan, and tonight I walked in to find her "patting" Morgan's cheek while she cried because I pat Morgan's bottom when she cries. I don't think she realized Morgan was crying BECAUSE she was smacking her face- yikes!

Nothing like a sleeping baby! Morgan is still doing great in the sleep department- waking up once a night. I feed her around 8:30 or 9 and she wakes up around 4:30 to 5, then sleeps till 8 in the morning. Once again, NO COMPLAINTS here! I told Brandon I don't know what it would have been like if she had been our first, but he just laughed and said, "Like we could have had more kids any sooner?" I guess the sleep doesn't matter all that much anyway, I just love babies!

Maybe Weakness Isn't So Bad

This post is to remind MYSELF of God's truth. The past week, the "big kids" have driven me CRAZY... is that horrible to admit? I think they are stir crazy, tired of summer, and bored with me. So, they pull out every toy they own, destroy everything I have just cleaned, get toothpaste all over the bathroom sink, tear up paper into tiny pieces to "decorate" their room, etc, etc. I have lost my patience, been visibly frustrated, sent them to time out just so I wouldn't yell at them, and broken down in tears. You would think a newborn would be the "thorn in my side" at the moment- NOPE, she has been sweet. She has started spitting up some, a little fussy sometimes, but she still sleeps well and snuggles like a champ. I told a friend that I would love a day just with the baby, that would be a vacation from these wild kids. Not to discredit how hard one child is, I know how hard babies are, whether you have 1 or 3! It hasn't helped that Brandon has been on a bad rotation at work this month, the first two weeks were night shift, and now he just has long days and works all weekend. He is helpful when he is home, so it hurts not to have him!
This morning I sat down with coffee to do my quiet time, and I was reminded that I should be thankful even in times like this! I need Him to remind me that when I feel the weakest, I should be relying solely on HIM! He is using these times to draw me closer to Him.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10- "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, 'I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

4 Weeks

Don't worry about this girl, she is well loved! From a big sister who wants to be with her all day, to a post-call sleepy daddy who just wants to snuggle before he sleeps, she is in someone's arms A LOT! How have 4 weeks flown by?

Kate is surprisingly good with her, she is getting a little more brave, unfortunately Morgan's neck control is not strengthening at the same speed. I keep having to explain that just because she CAN move her by herself, she is not supposed to. Morgan is laid back, and I think God made her just like that for her siblings.

Don't let Blake's gentle kisses fool you... he is ALL BOY! He just runs full force towards anything, even if it means pain for him or whatever he is running towards.

We get lots of kisses, and lots of nicknames. Kate has started calling her "my sweet cherry pie."

She is filling out more and more, so she is starting to have "a look." The picture where she is asleep in the swing reminds me of Kate, but the one where she is awake reminds me of Blake.

I am still enjoying this sweet girl, I think God keeps reminding me with the other two how fast this phase goes by. She is waking up twice a night (in twelve hours, so no complaining here) to eat, and is still not spitting up. Both things I am totally unfamiliar to! Kate and Blake spit up A TON and didn't sleep for longer than 3 or 4 hours until at least a few months.

Remember the crooked toe? It was "fine" when I got it checked out right before Morgan was born, but it was not x-rayed. Now it is making me nervous because it is not bending at the joint, and the entire big toe will not flex when I try to raise my toe. So, I am going back to the orthopedic specialist on Thursday to make sure we are "fine." I will keep you posted!

The First Two Weeks

Our first two weeks have flown by! We have made it with everyone intact and healthy, but the house is falling apart. The "big kids" get out every toy they own EVERY day, so it is hard to keep up with their mess. But, we are loving our new baby, so the house can wait!


We have had some visitors come see us- Grandma and Grandpa Slagley came to visit and get their hands on Morgan. Morgan slept on Grandma for a good long time.

This is just to show you how long she is- it is hilarious that she seems so tiny, but she is just long and skinny.

Sweet girl has been staying awake for longer periods of time during the day, and it is funny to just watch her look around. She has a busy world to watch!

And don't worry, Kate hasn't lost interest yet! She still loves to hold Morgan any chance she gets. She helps keep her covered up, tells me is she needs a new diaper, and buckles her into the bouncy seat. It is nice to have such an attentive helper!

Sweet Baby

We have had a great first week with sweet Morgan. People always say third babies are low-key, and that has been the case so far. She eats, poops, and sleeps. She stays awake after a feed two or three times a day, and sleeps the rest of the time. I am NOT used to this, because Kate and Blake had reflux from such an early age, and were pretty fussy. I do realize that babies change every day, so I am not getting too used to anything yet. I think I am taking more time to enjoy the little things since this could be (probably is) our last baby. I always said I wanted four, but pregnancy has done me in! I think it is pretty sad that I feel better and have more energy AFTER having her- that just shows all my complaining was legitimate!

The big kids have handled Morgan very well, it helps to have each other as playmates. Kate is still REALLY into Morgan, and sometimes a little too hands on. Blake is sweet to her, but holds her hand a little too hard and runs past her a little too fast. There has been some hyper-sensitivity too, they get really upset when they are punished or corrected, which they should be very used to by now. And they don't really like for us to be out of their sight. All of these things should be better soon, at least it isn't worse! I will take some extra snuggle time with the bigger ones, which seem HUGE by the way, compared to my little peanut.

We went to the doctor on Tuesday for Morgan's one week and a really late 4 year checkup for Kate. Brandon was able to be off and go with me, and I don't know how I would have done it without him! Kate got a finger stick and two shots, so we had our share of drama. Morgan got a heel stick, but recovered quickly. When Kate cried, I was trying to entertain Blake so he wasn't watching, and he burst into tears because Kate was sad. So my hormones couldn't handle it, and I teared up at his tender heart. We were a sight! The good news is that Morgan was above her birth weight. When we left the hospital, she was down to 6 lbs 6 oz, and at one week she was up to 6 lbs 14 oz, so I got the go ahead to let her sleep more at night. I was having to wake her up after 4 or 5 hours the first few nights, but now she is back to around 3 to 4 hours between feeds at night. Another thing I was not used to from the other two. They were 2-3 hour night babies, so I will take this! I had planned on putting her in her crib, but I chickened out (or got lazy) and put her in the Moses basket next to my bed, and it seems to be working pretty well. She doesn't really cry when she wakes up, she just makes grunting noises, so I worried I wouldn't hear her.

It is an adventure, but we are making it! And enjoying this sweet new baby. I forgot how much I love a newborn curled up on my shoulder, no wonder I have 3 babies in 4 years! I am going to have to volunteer at a nursery or something after this!

By the way, check this link back to a blog post when Blake was a baby to see how similar they look.

Morgan May Slagley

These kids are so proud to announce the arrival of Morgan May Slagley, born Tuesday at 11:06 am.

I was induced around 6:40 in the morning, and let myself feel painful contractions until about 8:20 until I got the epidural... why wait? It was STRONG! Stronger than my other two epidurals have been, so I couldn't feel much of anything, until I shifted and felt pressure very low and thought I might need to let me nurse know. When I did, she told me we could let the kids back in to say goodbye until after we met Morgan, she was ready to go! It was kind of crazy fast, but we knew once she was coming, she was going to be quick. Two pushes later, she was screaming in front of me. It was so surreal, I was still waiting to exert any sort of effort, but she was already here... thank you epidural (and two other kids to pave the way)! She looked little from the start, and she was our smallest, at 6 pounds 10 ounces. I am a little partial to the smaller ones anyway with my NICU nursing history. :)

They got everything ready for visitors and the kids came running back in. I had so much fun introducing them to their new sister. Their faces were so sweet and excited. Kate's hasn't changed since, Blake has already lost a little interest.

Our new normal...

There is not a better moment than the one where you meet your sweet baby. I just stared at her and tried to see who she looks like- still can't tell you! I see Kate and I see Blake, I see me, and I see Brandon. She is her own little person!

We got settled into our room upstairs and the kids got to come marvel at her again. See Kate's super smile?

There is the super smile again! She is really good at holding Morgan, she stays still until she tells you she is ready to move. Blake will hold her for a minute until something else comes along, then he bails.

Sweet sisters.

Sweet brother!

Getting her first bath. Kate got to help with the lotion after the bath, and she loved it!

We got home yesterday, and we are starting to adjust to life with 3 kids! Thank you for all the calls, texts, and emails- we are so thankful for a healthy sweet girl.