Nothing much going on here...just trying to survive with 4 under 4 on little sleep. The older two have been a bit difficult lately, but can still make me laugh.

These smiles make it all worth it.

We're seeing a bit more of Callum's eyes lately. He loves to just hang out and look around, until he's tired. Then he needs to cuddle.

Marketa is such a little 'mother'. She loves to bring Callum's blanket over or his burp cloth. She loves to hold him, especially when I'm just getting ready to feed him.

She even tried to wear the sling one day.

Aunt Doralyn and Aunt Debbie came over to visit. They got some cuddle time in with Callum while the others napped. Marketa (one of my more friendly children) decided it was ok to sit with Doralyn to read a few books. Maddox and Beckett, on the other hand, would not come out of the hallway until they left. We even tried to lure them out with some of Debbie's cookies. Didn't work...they are just so stinkin' shy. I guess I don't ever have to worry about them talking to strangers, huh.

Just for laughs

You can pry this cob out of my cold, dead hands

Remember this...Marketa picking that rib bone clean?

Well, apparently she'll do the same thing with corn on the cob.

And she's not so happy when you take the cob away. She'd chew that thing in half if we let her.

For Beth

The other day Maddox and Beckett got their "computer" out and were pretending to skype with Aunt Beth...

Callum found his thumb, much to daddy's dismay.

They love to read...I love it that I can tell them to sit and read some books and they actually do it.

I think she decided it was just easier to sit in her baby doll stroller than to climb up onto the couch.

Cuddling Callum

Just a few of Callum's cuddles in his first week of life...

About a minute old, cuddling with mommy.

Grandpa Denny was his first visitor at the hospital.

Maddox wanted to hold baby brother.

So Beckett had to as well, until he started to cry.

Daddy loves cuddling, especially for naps.

Maddox and Beckett let Grandma Ginny take a break from playing so she could hold Callum too.

Aunt Peggy came all the way from Pennsylvania to hold Callum. Ok, so maybe she had other reasons for coming to Iowa, but she got to enjoy some cuddle time anyway.

Marketa Belle

All smiles...most of the time.

Our little diva.

Total daddy's girl!

1 week old

Callum at one week...can't believe how fast it's gone!

He's a great eater and sleeper, pretty easy going so far.

Bath time mohawks

Since the boys didn't want mohawks this summer (much to Scott's dismay), they get them in the tub when it's hair washing time.

Even Marketa gets a mohawk.

Callum Glyn

Here he is, our new baby boy!! Callum Glyn was born June 30 at 12:06 pm weighing 7 lbs 2.5 oz and measuring 19 inches long. So happy to be home again!

Here he is, moments after he was born.

Getting a good look at mama.

Perfect little feet.

All clean after his first bath.

Content to just hang out in someone's lap (thanks Ann).

Meeting big sister for the first time. Not sure how thrilled Marketa was, but she's warming up to him now.

Beckett and Maddox were interested...

...but they were really looking forward to some hot chocolate.

Home at last. Maddox closely observing Callum's first 'manicure'.

Beckett, getting a kick out of all the excitement.

Maddox, happy that everyone is home now.

Daddy, holding both of his babies.

Enough of the pictures, now for the story (if you're interested)...

Yesterday started out just like any other, awake at 6 am getting ready for the day. As the morning went on I started to feel some pressure that was definitely different from before. I decided to go back to the midwives office to get checked, not wanting to head to the hospital first in case it was a false alarm. Mom came to hang out with the kids. We decided to have her drive me down and Scott would meet us at the office. We loaded up the kids just before 10 am and headed down. On the way, I decided that contractions were definitely stronger and that we should probably just go to the hospital. Scott met us at the door and we headed up the elevator. We got checked in at about 10:15 and I was hooked up to the monitors to watch baby's heart rate and contractions, which were now pretty intense and coming every 3 minutes or so. I was dilated to 5 at this point. By 11:30 I was dilated to 8. The midwife and her student decided they should stick around...this baby was going to be born pretty soon. A little before noon I was dilated to 9 so she broke my water. Within minutes I was pushing and after several good pushes, Callum was born. It was amazing! Seeing this little guy just reminds me how awesome God is, that he formed this little being, knit him in my womb and then brought me through labor so that we could enjoy this little miracle.