End of July

July coming to an end means 3 things: 1) We are 2 weeks away from having a 1st grader.  2) Quincy is now old enough to start Pre-school.  3) And our baby is almost 1 month old.  Pretty sure I am not ready for ANY of these things.  But time keeps pushing us on and I get to deal with it whether I am ready or not.  The last few weeks of July are kind of hazy... adjusting to a new baby and recovering from a surgery will do that to ya.  We have spent a lot (too much) time indoors with very little activity, and the poor girls have felt it.  But limited as I am here's what we have been doing the last few weeks...

Grandma Payne stayed with us for a week and it was awesome!  She took the girls gallivanting all over California and I was so grateful for that, knowing that we would be spending a lot of time at home once she left.  They loved all the activities that they got to do with her and they have definitely been feeling the loss since she left.  And so have I.  She helped immensely with feeding us and keeping the house clean, and we are forever grateful to her!

 Thanks to her, Devin and I even got out for a quick date for my birthday!  Devin took me out for a Sushi dinner and some frozen yogurt.  It was divine... and so great having a minute alone with this handsome man!  What a great way to turn 31!  The following week was our 9 year Anniversary!  We celebrated by taking all 3 girls out for the first time to a pizza buffet... yeah we party hard!  But I am not sure which of these makes me feel older... turning 31, being married for 9 years, or having 3 kids?  I guess the combination of the 3 really pushes on the age!  But I couldn't be more grateful.  I am so lucky to be spending eternity with my best friend, and that we have been blessed with 3 amazing daughters.  I couldn't even begin to describe how full my heart is with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with this family.

We have spent quite a few days at the pool in these past few weeks.  I have been extra grateful for where we live right now because we have a pool, a big green area where the kids can play, and great areas to walk around just right outside of our home.  So I feel like the girls are getting out without more work than I can handle and being a few steps from the comforts of home.  

These 3 beauties just melt my heart... And the adoration for their new baby sister has continued.  Sometimes it is overwhelming how much Adalyn and Quincy want to love Tessly, but I hope it never ends.  There is so much love passing between these 3 that I am overcome.  I am lucky to be their mother and witness the relationships that they have with each other. 

Sometimes a box is all you need to have fun.  "This can be our sitting place!"

If I haven't already said it, this little lady is one sweet baby.  She is very alert when she is awake, she is a great sleeper, she eats on a great schedule, she takes a binkie (hallelujah!), hardly cries (but when she does it is LOUD), and is as healthy as can be.  

This is her at 3 weeks old.  Her stats from her check up were Weight: 8.14 lbs(59%), Height: 20.5 in(50%), Head: 15 in (97% typical Payne)

A couple days later Grandpa Wayment came to town and got to meet Tessly for the first time.  We love when he comes to visit!

And we managed to sneak in a few crafts here and there.  We also have a Michaels right across the street so that has helped us a lot as well.  

We have also been very lucky to have friends invite the girls over for play dates, which they have loved and I have appreciated more than they know!

Now on to August and I can't help but anticipate the changes coming in the next few weeks:  adjusting to new schedules, starting school/preschool, and finding ways to manage it all with a baby!  I just have to keep reminding myself that change is good and it helps us grow!