Oh my.

I had that thought several times today.

I am wondering what I have gotten myself into. 3 kids 3 years and under. Oh my.

My mom is still here helping which has been a HUGE blessing. Our transition to a family of 5 has been made much more difficult by the fact that everyone keeps getting sick around here. A stomach bug and a nasty cold keep getting passed around.

Finally, I think the stomach thing has run it's course (and thankfully skipped me and Brody). Jesse is finishing his antibiotic for a sinus infection and is getting much better. Joel goes into the doctor with Brody in the morning and he will probably get an antibiotic for the same thing...he woke up from his nap with a fever and his cough has just become really nasty.

Little Brody is still struggling with the jaundice, although he is off of the bili lights right now. Part of his struggle is also a lack of weight gain. He hasn't increased his weight for 6 days (we go in every day for a weight check and a billirubin check) and the doctor finally told me I need to supplement the breastfeeding with formula too.

Anyway, this is part of the reason for a lack of posting and also a lack of pictures. I am taking some but Zac has been downloading on his new computer so I need to get them on mine too.

But aside from all of the sickness, I think the boys are having normal adjustment difficulties to our family change, and that has created extra work and energy drain. I know we'll make it through this but it's gonna be tough!

Brody's Birth Video

Sunbathing anyone?

Our little dude looks a little bit like a pumpkin...and it's not in honor of Halloween. He has jaundice and will soon commence sunbathing in a little "bili-bed" that is being delivered to our home momentarily. I'll try to post some pics later.

It's a bummer, but it makes me so thankful that we live in a time and place where medical attention is available immediately. Just a few hours ago we were at the doctor getting his blood draw...those people work fast.

Other than that, things are going well here. The boys have been at Nana and Papa's house for the week because they have colds. But, they return for dinner tonight and we are so excited for everyone to be together again!

Brody Jaron Hicks!

Our newest little guy arrived this evening!

Our son's name will be a reminder to our family and to him of his constant need of God's grace in his life. Brody is Gaelic for "muddy place." Jaron is Hebrew, meaning, "he will sing, he will cry out." Psalm 40:2-3 is where these two names come together: "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth; a hymn of praise to my God." From the mud to a new song...his name encapsulates the message of the Bible and the glue that holds our family together...Jesus Christ, our Lord.

He was a very healthy 8 lbs. 6 oz and this Mommy was glad that he decided to make his appearance 11 days early! He resembles different parts of the other boys and it will be fun to watch him grow!

Joel and Jesse were quite excited to meet him! They marched into the room beaming with pride and proceeded to give him lots of gentle pats and kisses. Joel was already acting very protective of Brody--reminding people not to take pictures with a flash so it wouldn't hurt his eyes, and telling the nurse to be careful when she bathed him. He stood there and watched her the entire time with this very skeptical look on his face and quickly pointed out when a few bubbles of soap got near his mouth. Thanks, buddy!

My parents made it home from a trip just in time to stay home with the big boys and Zac and I are enjoying our little "vacation" in the hospital.

More to come, we are ready for a little rest around here!

Halloween

This picture doesn't quite do the whole scenario justice. We ran into a 200 pound mastiff dog sniffing a 10 pound little black dog, dressed up as a fire hydrant! The big dog's head seriously was the size of a large watermelon. Incredible.

My 9+ month pregnant self trying to pull up my pants just a little more. That seems to be a most frequent occurence in my life these days.

Our knight in shining armor. He abandoned his shield for a piece of licorice midway through the evening.

Fireman Jesse!

We took the boys trick or treating last night with some friends. It was a nice evening--ate some pizza, got some candy (walked a long time so I might go into labor), and then went back home for some apple cider. This was also the warmest Halloween on record for Colorado--mid 60's when we were out at 8:00 at night. Nice.

The night was actually slightly monumental because it marks the FIRST time I have ever participated in Halloween--even as a kid. I didn't really see what the big deal about the whole thing is, after being disappointed every year of my childhood that I wasn't participating (I think I was mostly just sad back then because I didn't get candy).

Joel thought it was really fun. Jesse rode in his stroller clutching his (mostly empty) candy bag the majority of the time.

They did, however, leave their costumes on the entire night which seems like some sort of victory to me!