For July 4th, we drove up to Lake Connor (in Lake Stevens) to Grandpa Bill's property/campsite for a visit. The weather was nice. The distinct campfire smell was wonderful and almost relaxing. Grandpa Bill held little Nathan while I indulged in lunch prepared by Grandma Judy. Then the boys went swimming in the pool inside the campground. Grandma Judy took the boys for a spin in the new cart. They had a great time going for the ride. It won't be long before they beg to drive (I hope we can wait on that one!) As I've told other Grandparents, if the boys don't listen while on 2 feet, then they won't listen (hence be safe) when on 4 wheels. The boys played at the little park adjacent to the pool, and then it was off the head home.
Later, we watched the neighborhood fireworks from lawn chairs placed in the front yard. It was quite a sight, large, bright, close. Our next door neighbor (fellow Mops mom etc) came out and chatted for a bit. Then all of a sudden the neighbor two houses over had a firework backfire and slam into my direct neighbor's house. I ran over to stomp out anything that might have ignited, but fortunately it all fizzled out before anything caught fire. It's events like this that make me want to stay home and watch over the house on this day of each year. We also watched the fairgrounds' display, but this was from the boy's bedrooms... Jockey even sat on the dresser for the best view possible. Caleb disappeared from sight before it was over, and turns out he curled up in my bed with Daddy and fell asleep! He might have hit the hay early, but Nathan sure didn't... that crazy was still tossing, grunting, eating and stuff 'till 2:30AM.

Other events this week:
Grandma Bishop and I created a scavenger hunt for the boys in the backyard. They had to find eggs with exercise commands and clues to the final treasure... which was a piece of chocolate, a plain washer for decorating and making a necklace and a dollar for the DollarStore to choose anything they wanted. It was a great activity that they had a blast doing... even if it took an hour to prepare and they had to scooter and play at the park while they waited!

I took the boys to the splash park. It was the first outing I'd taken all three boys on BY MY SELF! It took us an hour longer than I anticipated to even get out of the house, but we did get out and arrive at the intended destination... while it was still sunny enough to enjoy the water portion of the park. We met one of Jockey's friends, which of course made the day "the best" for Jockey. Nathan did ok while I was there, mostly due to the Boppy that I brought for him to lay upon... since he really doesn't like his car seat. So there he lay, upon the Boppy, upon the picnic table in the shade while his brothers ran around the splash park in the sun. And a huge coincidence... we ran into my brother, Uncle Jeff! So Uncle Jeff, Aunt Danene, and Cousin Kyler got their first peek at new Nathan. We talked briefly as they were on their way out, but it was a a perfect coincidence to introduce a new little guy to family.

Nathan has spent the last two nights getting me up every 1.25 to 2 hours for eating and grunting, snorting, choking and other random noises in between feedings. So I'm tired and dragging the last two days. Nathan is getting very spoiled and has decided that he only wants to sleep when he is being held; the moment that I put him down he wakes up or starts in on the fussing (aka grunting/farting/pooping). He is really not a fusser, just a gas mover really, and voraciously hungry always!
Speaking of hungry, Nathan went to the doctor yesterday for a weight check. In the last 8 days he has gained 10 ounces... two more than they said was good/expected/average. So he is above the goals and healthy as can be. Even if he is outputting as quick and I input (or so it seems).
Today he had his second bath in the little sink. And he really liked it. As long as I kept a good grip and let him feel stable, he really liked the floating and the feeling. I love the fluffiness of his hair now that it is fresh and clean.
Saturday, I don't know what the plans are for Grandma, Nathan and myself, but Mike is taking the big boys out on the Livingston boat in the sound in the hopes of getting crab. They will do so again on Sunday, but in Grandpa Dahl's boat that day.

Things are getting a bit easier getting a load of laundry done per day, making the boys help put away their clothes each day, and picking up after themselves (I hadn't realized how MUCH I was acting like their maid). I still can't get out of the house with any predictable time, especially in the mornings... especially if I have to "sleep" late attempting to sleep in between constant feedings. I'm still not up to standing, cooking, and cleaning up from it all (thank you to all my supportive friends that have brought meals, it has truly been a blessing), and all the other household chores... but I'm doing better in getting the kids to help and just laundry. My mom has been a huge help in getting the boys retrained to be household participants not just hotel guests getting hand & foot service; she watches them while I try to catch up on sleep; she holds Nathan while I get other things done since that is his favorite position..being held. Moral support is intangible but priceless, just knowing someone is on your side and wants and works for what ever is best for you even if you are struggling or failing at the moment due to pain, exhaustion or post partum hormones gone crazy. Thanks Mom!

The boys are acting like their usual hyper active selves with humorous things to say all the time... my next challenge and fervent desire is to try to get them out of the house more often and give them opportunities to burn off all the excess energy. I still won't be able to leave the house on time, but if I leave and get them out successfully for an energy burn, it would be worth it! I have plans the get to the Children's museum eventually, bowling for which I have free coupons, and free movie days... Big plans, I just have to match with scrounging around for energy to follow through on.
In the meantime, the boys are enjoying nearly nightly "movie nights" with Grandma and the anticipated campfire tomorrow night and perhaps the crabbing with Dad too.

So that's the update. Nutshell: Good times, Healthy/Hungry Nathan, Tired/discombomulated Mom, Helpful Grandma (although tired too), Hyperactive Boys, Working Dad.
More pictures coming soon.