A whole month of goodies...

Well that past month flew by! This is going to be a picture update blog, because so much has happened its just easier to say it in pics than to type it all :) Tate is an AMAZING baby, already sleeping through the night most nights. He is so laid back and just goes with the flow. He is by far my best baby out of all three. He is 9 weeks old and we have his 2 month checkup tomorrow so we will see where he falls (I'm pretty sure on the big side.)

 We met Nana in Monroe and picked up flowers in May to do our planters. Preston loved pulling the wagon around.

Having a picnic lunch outside on one of the first really nice Spring days we had in May.

 I just love that he can sleep anywhere. Preston said he was "playing a guitar" in this pic :)

 He can even sleep sitting up! Preston was pretending to sleep too ;)

New Glarus held their annual bike rodeo in May. The police department sponsors it, and the kids get bike checks, they pump their tires, and then can go through a bike obstacle course. Then they had a drawing for each grade to win a free bike, and Reese won for the Kindergarten age group! She was so excited.

We headed to Devils Head Lake in Baraboo (about 45 min north) one Sunday and kids had a BLAST! They played in the sand and swam for almost 4 straight hours. We plan to camp their in July for a few nights so the kids can play again.

Courtney, Kyle, Aidan, and Aubrey visited us on Memorial Day weekend. The big kids got to go see the Lion King on Saturday. We had so much fun and they all loved the show (as did the adults!)

The first time A & A have met Tate :)

Last week one of my good friends from Indy was in Madison visiting her in-laws, so we go to meet up for lunch. I moved right after she has her baby so it was nice to meet Ava and she got to meet Tate. The boys had fun chatting and playing together too.

Reese had her last day of school yesterday. On Friday, they had a school picnic for the parents and siblings to come to. She had fun!

Tate, 8 weeks, still likes to sleep ;)

Last night, we celebrated Reese's Kindergarten graduation. We were lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents attend as well. It was such a nice program. They sang 6 cute songs, and received their "diploma".

1st and Last Day comparison

 Her teacher, Mrs. Rufener

 Ice cream treat with Dad after the last day of school

 66 kids in her Kindergarten class of 2028!

So, let the summer fun begin! The kids and I are going to make a summer bucket list today, and I'm sure it will keep us busy for the first week- haha just kidding.  As every mother I'm sure feels the same anxiety about summer, excited for a break in schedules, but a tad nervous for providing all day entertainment everyday. We will keep busy with playdates, camping, swim lessons, tennis, softball, tball, and much more!

Mother's Day and more

First, Happy Mother's Day weekend to all mom's, expecting mom's, grandmas, and great grandmas! This will be my 5th Mother's Day and first as a mom of three :) As my "present", Kyle took the kids camping (in the new camper) today and tonight while Tate and I got some Mommy and Tate time alone. Honestly, so far this day has been so nice. I have gotten more accomplished today than I have in the last month. Kitchen cleaned top to bottom, shopping trip to Madison and some new clothes for the kids and I, my closet got a good spring cleaning, laundry folded and put away, and bathrooms cleaned. Phew- and it's only 4 pm! Tomorrow we will celebrate mothers day at my sister in laws as it is also my niece's, Maddy, birthday.
Last weekend we went to Mothers Day tea with my mom at her church. It was a cute little program and Reese, Tate (the only boy there), and I really enjoyed ourselves.

 

Tate turned a month old this past week, and he celebrated by finally waking up a bit more. He is such a sleepy baby (and I am NOT complaining) but this week he has been up more during the day and has been so much more alert, smiling and cooing now when you talk to him. He is still a great eater. He weighed in at 11 lbs 4.3 oz at his check up which is 2 lbs more than Preston at 1 month and 1 lb more than Reese at 1 month. He is a big baby! Already in 3 month clothes. He was 23 inches long (born at 20 1/2) so he is growing like a weed! I have also been successful at baby wearing with him. Neither of my other two liked to be put in a wrap or baby carrier, but Tate loves to snuggle up and get comfy. 

Reese is doing great in school, coming home everyday singing her Kindergarten graduation songs they are practicing for her June graduation. She started soccer last week (and is actually enjoying it this time around) and still in gymnastics twice a week. Preston is just, well, Preston. He keeps me busy and on my toes all day long. He is still going to preschool a few days a week and loves to see his teacher and his friends. He is also a big fan of Tate. He always wants to know what Tate is doing, and loves to talk to him and help me out with whatever I need. Reese is more indifferent and could give or take Tate. I think once he starts becoming more mobile and can play with her, she might be more interested. 

 Last week, the baby I watched, Husdon, turned one! We visited him and took him his birthday presents. Hudson was all about Tate. I am taking the summer off, but we start up watching Hudson a few days a week again in September when my kids go back to school.

Adjusting

We are 3 1/2 weeks in being a family of 5 and I must say we are adjusting so much better than I had anticipated. It may be because Tate is such a good baby, or it may be because the kids are are bit older and can help out, or it might be because this is our third rodeo and we might now know what we are actually doing :) The kids are such a good help with him, and have been very understanding when I have to feed him and can't play or help them at the very minute they want me to. Tate is a great eater and has been a pretty good sleeper as well. The past few nights he has been up eating every 2 hours instead of 3-4 like he had been, but I'm attributing it to a growth spurt and hoping we get back to 3-4 hours soon. Of course, he chose to wake up more at night when Kyle is in Colombia this week for work. He gets home tonight, and I am very happy to get two more sets of hands to help out with the kids. I have officially put away the newborn clothing (tear...) and we are in 0-3 month clothes at 3 1/2 weeks old. I'm sure he is over 10 lbs now because we have also transitioned from newborn to size 1 diapers.
Last weekend my sister came to visit and we had such a good time. Aubrey was supposed to join but had a cold, and we weren't going to chance getting the baby sick, so she stayed home with Kyle and Aidan. She gave Tate lots of snuggles, and played with R and P so I could get a little break. It was so nice I offered her a full time nanny position :) She cooked, entertained the kids, and basically took care of Tate the whole weekend. We can't wait for her to come back over Memorial Day weekend- bringing Aidan and Aubrey to meet Tate! Here are some of our pictures from last weekend.
On Saturday we went to Eugster's farm for their Lambing days. We got to see all the animals, feed the fish in the pond, play in the play area, and pet baby lambs. Preston fed the goats and Reese fed the chickens. It was a great day and the weather was perfect! Saturday afternoon my parents came up and Courtney made us all dinner. It was a fun day!

 

Helping Aunt Courtney pick rhubarb to make crisp for dessert

 Kiddos lending a hand in rhubarb crisp making

 Aunt Courtney wore me out!

 Our "new to us" swingset we got set up on Sunday. The kids love it and I am going to love the entertainment it provides for them this summer! :)

Tate Brandon Montgomery - 4.4.16

I look back at my last blog post, and little did I know less than 12 hours later we would meet our little guy. Last Sunday went on like any other day. I never once had an inkling that I would be going into labor that night. Kyle's parents were here most of the day helping us trim our grapes out in our mini vineyard and we spent most of the day outside. Around 8:45 that night just after I sat down to watch tv before bed, contractions began. I had been having contractions on and off for a few weeks, so I didnt chalk it up to much. I started timing them a little after 9:00, and they were every 9 minutes apart. I decided to take a shower and see if they were going to stick around or if it was just another fluke. Well, when I got out of the shower, they were about every 7-8 minutes apart. I woke Kyle and said he might want to pack his bag. He called the hospital and they said it was up to me at what point I wanted to come in. I laid down for a bit, but once they got to every 5 mintues apart (which was only about 10 minutes later) I decided it was time to go as they were getting very painful. We called Kyle's mom and told her we needed her to come up and spend the night with the kids. She lives about 35 minutes away, and I knew I wasn't going to make it that long. Thankfully my friend Jenna only lives about 7 minutes away, so I called her at 10:30 and asked her to rush over. By this point, they were every 2-3 minutes apart and super painful. She arrived and we took off. Once in the truck, I was getting them every minute and it was the longest 20 minute ride to the hospital in my life! I thought at one point baby would be joining us on the side of the road. Luckily, we made it to the hospital around 11:30, they got me in my room, and Tate was born less than an hour later. Since labor was SO fast and intense, I did not have the chance to get any pain meds. But believe me, I begged for them. At that point, they said all it would do would "drug" the baby and I would get no relief. I do have to say, an all natural birth was not my game plan. I was not prepared mentally for it and I think I made it harder on myself than I needed too. Let's just say I give MAJOR kuddos to those women who have done an all natural labor more than once, or who choose to do it. None the less, Tate (A BOY!) arrived at 12:28 am weighing in at 8 lbs 10 oz (one oz more than Reese making him my biggest baby) and 20 1/2" long. He looks like a mini Preston. Long fingers, long toes, and a pretty happy baby. Unfortunately, our first 4 days with him were spent in the hospital. His jaundice levels kept rising, so he was on a bili blanket 24 hours a day, with his blood being taken every 6 hours to check his level. His poor little heals were all poked and sore. Finally on Friday afternoon, we got news that we could go home! My parents and Kyle's mom were able to help out with Reese and Preston all week, with Kyle staying at the house at night, so with the shuffle, we made it work. But boy were we glad to get home!
This past weekend we spent relaxing and adjusting to being a family of 5. The kids are really good with Tate, and are interested in him when he is awake. We went back on Saturday morning for another blood draw to make sure he could sustain on his own without the bili blanket, and his levels were within normal range- whew!
Tate is a pretty content baby so far. He hates diaper changes and baths, but overall only cries when he is hungry. He is also giving me 3-4 hour stretches at night- which I hope he keeps up!  Here are some pics from our last week...

Kyle's first time holding Tate

Meeting Poppa

 and Nana

 The first meeting. Preston was in awe of how little he was - I just love his expression here.

 Checking him out

Meeting Grammie

 Pretty proud big sister

 And then there were three...

 Meeting cousin Mekenna

 A visit from big sister after gymnastics

 That silly bili blanket is interfering with our cuddles!

 Hanging with Dad- passing the hours in the hospital with lots of snuggles

Poor babe all wrapped up

Finally, off my blanket!!

 Time to go home!!

 First night at home- pajama party :)

 One week old

Kyle left today until Friday for work in Indianapolis. I am a bit nervous, but know we will be ok. With school drop off and pick ups, and gymnastics, I pray that Tate goes with the flow :) Keep us in your thoughts!