Visiting the Pumpkin Patch

The second week of October we decided to head to the pumpkin patch to get ready for Halloween!  We decided to go back to Schilter Family Farms because the boys had so much fun there last year.  I was a little concerned when we got there because there were two school buses in the parking lot and I was thinking it was going to be really crowded, but we were able to navigate around the big groups without too many problems.

We hit up the hay playground first because there was no one there at the time.  Ethan hung out inside while Tristan and Carter explored upstairs.

The boys found this huge pumpkin and took turns trying to roll it.  Neither had any luck!

Climbing the hay pyramid

They're getting so big!

We hit up the petting zoo next!  Carter was very interested in the baby chicks.

Holding the kittens

Kisses!

Hangin' out with the pigs!

Time to navigate the hay maze!

The boys loved the hay loft last year.  They didn't spend as much time there this year, but they still had some fun throwing hay...

...and taking some leaps into the pile!

Cheese!

They were covered in hay by the time we finished!

This year one of their favorites was the huge sand table.  I think it's probably because Tristan took their sandbox apart for the winter a few weeks ago.  They are going through major sand withdrawals!

Tractor ridin' in the sunshine.  I was so glad it warmed up a little after a while.  I was a little worried about Ashton getting cold even though I had him really bundled and he was in the Ergo.  The sunshine was so nice!

The new slides were another favorite this year.  They were super fast and Carter didn't want to go down at all at first.  But after going down with Tristan a few times he loved it!

Carter coming out spread eagle!

Ethan had a little better form!

Pumpkin bowling

Trying out the saddle

We left our lunch in the car so we decided to just eat it there.  Those were some hungry boys!

After lunch we caught the wagon for the hay ride.

Checking out the trees on the tree farm

Then we grabbed a wheelbarrow and headed out to the pumpkin patch!

One happy boy!

Tristan showing Carter the corn

We decided to skip the corn maze this year, mostly because it was time for Ashton to eat again.  We will have to explore the maze next year!

Ethan hitched a ride out to the pumpkin patch with Ashton.

The boys looking for the perfect pumpkin

After 4 hours of playing, laughing and exploring we finally headed home with 5 perfect pumpkins!  Tristan had to leave a couple of days later, so painting would have to wait until closer to Halloween!  It was such a beautiful fall day and we had lots of fun together!

Changes

For some reason it seems that whenever one thing changes in our home, many things change in our home.  So it should have been no surprise that when Ashton was born Carter would also decided to learn to crawl out of his crib and wreak havoc on bedtime.  One Sunday evening we had an unseasonably early storm blow through and we lost power.  Well, while I was sitting out here with Tristan we watched Carter wander down the hallway...Ah, the joys of toddler beds.

So the next day Tristan moved the crib Carter was in into the nursery and put up our other crib into a toddler bed.  Carter thought it was so fun to have an actual bed.  And, just like Ethan instead of just climbing onto the bed through the opening he felt like he needed to crawl over the small guard rail.  So silly!

Here they are all ready for bedtime in Carter's big boy bed.

Our new, big boy!

Overall he has done o.k. with the change.  For a while I had to put the baby gate up so he wouldn't come out of his room, but he learned how to crawl over it.  So now most nights we just leave his light on and he looks at books until he falls asleep.  We are still working through the bumps but he is doing MUCH better with it than I thought he would.

The boys are adjusting pretty well to a new baby brother.  We are definitely dealing with some attention-seeking behavior, but they LOVE Ashton and always want to help me hold him and entertain him.  One morning Tristan had to leave and I was back in the bedroom drying my hair.  When I came out I found the boys with Ashton on the ground.  They had brought in a bin of toys and were playing with him.  Ethan proudly informed me they were having "an Ashton party".    Ashton parties are a pretty regular thing around here now!

Ashton at 2 weeks old

We are still working through the new life routine, but Ashton is such a sweet boy and we all love him so, so much.  I'm so grateful our boys are so in love with their little brother.

Adjusting to Life As a Family of Five

The first few weeks as a family of five were spent just kind of figuring it all out.  We were grateful to have meals brought to us by family and friends to help us transition and just focus on making sure everyone got the attention they needed.  :)

Ashton came home to visitors!  Tristan's mom had stayed the night with the boys so Tristan could stay at the hospital with me so they were here waiting for Ashton to come home.

You can see how yellow his eyes were from the jaundice.  Luckily, it cleared up quickly and with no problems or light therapy needed (like Ethan had).

We were pretty tired (still are) and I told Tristan one day while he was bathing Ashton that he needed to look more happy.  This was his response.  I hope Ashton knows how crazy his dad is!

First sponge bath.  Not so happy.

He did calm down once Tristan started washing his hair and massaging his head.  I can't blame him.  Who doesn't love a good head massage??

Snuggled up and happy.  Little did we know he was busy making a mess inside that towel after his bath to get him all nice and clean.  He's already a little stinker!

We tried to find ways to keep the boys busy.  Ethan has preschool 4 days a week in the afternoon, but in the mornings we tried to do something fun at home or Tristan would take them out to do something.  One morning they painted.  Ashton supervised.  :)

Meal time is always messy when it comes to Carter.  After dinner one night he literally looked like he had been in a spaghetti tornado!

Sleepy boy

1 week old!

Carter has been going through this phase where he likes to unzip his pajamas and leave it like this.  What a goof!

Playing around at home one day.  Ethan was channeling his inner D.J.

One afternoon while having some floor time I caught Ashton sucking on his 2 middle fingers.  He hasn't done it since, but that might be because I introduced a pacifier to him.  We'll see if it becomes a habit.

One night in his glider he was holding his hands up funny like this:

But Tristan and I were sitting on the floor and this was all we could see!  he looked like a little bull hiding under his blanket!

It has been so nice having Tristan home to help our little family transition to a little bit bigger one.  Ashton seems to be very mild-mannered and content most of the time.  Hopefully he stays that way!  I'm so glad to have our little Ashton here as a part of our family.  The boys love him and are always asking to hold him or asking about how he is doing.  The way a new baby multiplies love in a home is such a blessing!!

The Arrival of Ashton Reid Bernard--9/20/2013

After EAGERLY awaiting the arrival of our newest little man, he finally decided he was ready to come into this world!!  Introducing:

Ashton Reid Bernard

September 20, 2013     8:04 a.m.

8 lbs. 5 oz., 20.5 inches long

 I woke up around 4 that morning with what I thought was a Braxton-Hicks contraction so I went back to sleep.  Another painful contraction woke me up around 6 so I decided to take a shower and make sure I had my stuff in order just in case.  By the time I was done showering I told Tristan I thought we had better call someone to come and head to the hospital.  I didn't want to cut it too close like I did with Carter.  We arrived at Capital Medical Center around 7 and checked in through the ER and they wheeled me up to my room.  I was at 5-6 cm at that point and in full-on, intense labor.  By 8:04 our little guy was here--even though our doctor wasn't.  She didn't make it in time--AGAIN.  I guess my babies just like being delivered by nurses!

 We spent a quiet afternoon at the hospital while Tristan went home to spend time with Ethan and Carter and take Ethan to preschool.  They came back around dinner time and that's when we had some visitors arrive!

 Grandma Bernard showed up right about the same time as Tristan and the boys.  Look at that happy grin from a proud big brother!

My mom and dad showed up shortly afterwards.  Carter was equally excited and was all smiles while Papa Walker took his turn holding him, too.

 K.K. and Anderson also arrived right about that time, so we had a full house!  Ashton sure knew he was loved!

 Finally a picture with my little man!  I was pooped by that point!

 Our new little family--that's not so little any more!  We will need a bigger bed if we have any more kids!

 The boys wanted a chance to hold their brother and both did a great job.

 Carter was so quiet, calm and still while he held him--which is not at all like Carter!  Both boys love their little brother so much already.

 Eventually everyone needed to go get on with their Friday night, so my parents went and got me dinner while Tristan took the boys home to help get them down for the night.  He got back to the hospital around 9 and we settled in for the night.  We had a late visit from the pediatrician, who wrote up his discharge papers.  Ashton did really well and we were all set to head out first thing the next morning.

All ready to head home to our family!

 It's hard to believe that our THIRD little boy is here with us now after anticipating his arrival for the last 9 months!  We are so glad to have him here with us and can't wait for the fun and craziness that is to come!