Eleanor

     Okay, so we've been a bit busy around here. Apparently some people think that large life-changing events like having a kid deserve blog entries.... and that's probably true. Here ya go. There's not really a good way to catch up, so I'll summarize:

 Eleanor joined the family on July 2nd. She's beautiful, fairly easy-going, and she likes to spit up.

Caleb and Madeline really like her, and they seem to be adjusting well. Madeline is a little overly enthusiastic. She tries to help a little too much, and isn't quite as gentle as she needs to be. Caleb likes to hold her, but he's always afraid she'll spit up on him. 

We are working on finding a new routine, and establishing a new "normal." It's taking a while because honestly, there are days I don't even get a shower. Life is a challenge with three kids under five running around the house. I keep thinking that things will become easier when the school year starts. If nothing else, it will help us stay in a routine. Right now I'm having a hard time keeping the kids and myself sane. It is way too hot to play outside during the day, and there aren't really any indoor play areas that I feel comfortable tackling alone right now. I'm not sure I can keep track of Madeline in a crowd while still caring for Eleanor, although I know that will get easier as they both get a little older. Luckily, I have a lot of indoor activities that we've been switching out in an effort to keep the older two occupied. 

The past few weeks have been challenging. I'm exhausted. My house and hair are a mess. I don't have time to do laundry, much less work out to lose this baby weight. BUT, I'm loving (almost) every minute of it. I am very blessed in so many ways. I'm especially thankful that I'm not a prisoner to the postpartum depression that followed the birth of my first two. I'm not sure I could have handled that gracefully in front of Caleb and Madeline. 

So, basically, life is going on like it tends to do. Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of blogging more often. Just don't judge too harshly; we all know how consistent I am with that. 

Have a wonderful day!