even more delicious than ever

Will is 3 weeks old...

He's getting so FAT! I love it.

The older kids are the best helpers. I was worried about how Miles would be, but he has stepped up and been the best big brother - and he's so gentle and loving. Whenever Will cries and I'm not able to get to him right away, Miles finds a toy to comfort him. I find little stuffed animals around Will's head all the time that Miles has put there. I think it's so cute!

I think Will likes it....

Usually....

Morgan takes a different approach. She pulls a stool up to the swing and sings and tells stories to Will for long periods of time. I can't seem to keep her away from him. I keep telling her she's going to make a fabulous mother someday - and I know she will.

I could just kiss those little lips right off his face. It's only been 3 weeks and I can't remember (well I don't want to remember) life without him.

Morgan's 5

Ya, I know she turned 5 a couple weeks ago, but cut me some slack...

We had a family birthday/father's day dinner at Grandma & Grandpa's house.

Morgan requested a princess crown birthday cake. Will was only a week old, so I didn't have the patience or time I usually do for making a cake. She didn't even notice all the mistakes I made. She thought it was a perfect princess cake, and that's all that matters.

While the adults sat around and talked, Uncle Doug stepped up and helped the kids make smores and he bounced them on the tramp. The kids love Uncle Doug.

Since so many of Morgan's friends have moved recently, she decided to invite 2 friends and do something nice for her birthday party. She took Brynlee and Carly out for a pizza lunch, then to the Clay Cafe to paint jewelry boxes, and then to Dairy Queen for a twist cone.

Happy Birthday my little 5 year old! We love you!

not to shabby for still being in jammies at 11 am.

I've learned that pictures just don't do babies any justice... You have to see them in person to really see how cute they are. But, that doesn't stop me from trying to capture the cuteness I see all day long.
Today I used my new BabyBjorn Active Carrier (with added back support)- my one and only baby purchase demand that I put on Mike before having a third baby. With the other two kids I had a knock off/cheap version of the carrier, but I required Mike to promise me an original one if I got pregnant. (I have found that having a husband who wants lots of kids puts me in a good negotiating state :)
Anyway - it turns out to be just as wonderful as I expected.
While I did a load of laundry and a load of dishes, I got to look down at this little face staring up at me. Housework has never been so exciting!

This is the way to carry around a baby - no more of this inside the womb nonsense.

It's been a while since I've read a good book, and today I finished this one the book club in my ward is reading. It was my kind of book - an easy, fun read. Perfect for summer.

Morgan has been doing it for a while now, but now Miles is doing it too. They both make their beds - well attempt to make their beds. Miles blanket is upside down, but he tries so hard and is so proud of himself every time he's done. I think it's such a beautiful sight.

Oh, and one more thing... We made chicken tacos for lunch. How sweet is today. Seriously.

Our first week

Aside from the physical pain of getting into the swing of nursing again, this week has been great. It is hard for me to describe the joy I've felt over the last week - so I'm not going to. Let's just say I feel like I'm in a happy bubble.
Here are a few reasons why:
Will has been such a good baby. He rarely cries, he was a pro nurser starting at 5 minutes old, and he sleeps great (so far)...
3 DAYS OLD:

Will is the only one of my kids to take a bottle... It's got mama milk (that's what Mike and the kids call it) in the bottle, but he'll drink it from a bottle. This is huge for us - neither of my other kids would take a bottle - even if it was mama milk inside. (I admit I am kind of a nursing snob - no formula for my babies - it wreaks! No offense to formula babies, but I can't stand the smell of formula poop or spit up...)

4 DAYS OLD:

Tons of cuddling. There is nothing better than cuddling with a new baby. The smell of a newborn is my most favorite smell in the entire world - no make that universe. I love to bury my nose in their little neck crack and just breathe them in. So yummy.

5 DAYS OLD:

I got to pull out the swing. I've used this swing for each of my kids and the sound of the music it plays makes me weepy. I love watching them as they stare at the mobile...

6 DAYS OLD:

Will still has his belly stump. I love the stump - mostly because it reminds me of how fresh they are out of the oven.

6 DAYS OLD:

Will takes a binky.... Both of my other kids were over 3 months old before they'd take a binky. This has been a huge lifesaver - it holds him off between feedings and keeps him entertained when he needs it. I love the binky!

8 DAYS OLD:

Gowns! Another one of my favorite newborn items. Morgan was a little concerned when she first saw Will in a gown and asked why her brother was wearing a dress, but after seeing how slick it was to change his diaper she came around.

Will gets cuter every day!

As of today, and I know this will change, Will has not leaked or pooped out of his diaper one time - AND he hasn't spit up one time... What is that about... I'll tell you - he's an angel and he loves his mama.

8 DAYS OLD:

And the main reason I've been so happy this week:

Mike's been home all week. I think my kids are the luckiest kids in the world because they have Mike for a dad. He is the most loving, involved father I've seen, and he genuinely loves being a dad. Seeing him so happy makes me happy.

More Baby Will Pictures...

Here is Will with Grandma & Grandpa Dehner. Hooray for Grandparents. Kurt and Shawn made this weekend such a breeze for us... They watched the kids multiple times while we were at the hospital, took Morgan to her dance recital, came to visit Will in the hospital, and kept our two antsy kids happy - not an easy feat. WE LOVE YOU GUYS!

Daddy was Will's favorite visitor. With older kids to take care, Mike had to split his time between taking care of the older kids and spending time with his new son. I know this weekend was exhausting for Mike going back and forth trying to keep multiple people happy, but he did such a great job and didn't complain once.

Auntie Beth also came to visit Will. Beth LOVES being an Aunt and I have to say she does a great job at making each of our kids feel so special. She came and snuggled Will right up - and he definitely enjoyed himself.

Brother and Sister came to visit with Grandma and Grandpa...

I can't get over this kids hair... I had such bad heart burn during this pregnancy, and now I can't help but wonder if the old wives tale about lots of hair giving you heart burn really is true...

Then it was time to leave the hospital. (Sad sigh)... I love the hospital - it's so peaceful, and quiet, and did I mention peaceful...

We headed to Grandma's to pick up brother and sister. Will decided he couldn't wait until we got home to fill his britches... I forget how they poop ALL the time. It's definitely going to be an adjustment going back to diapers after not changing one for over a year.

Once we got settled at home, the kids took turns holding the baby. They are so cute with him and I'm excited to watch them help take care of him.

Morgan especially loves to hold the baby. She actually does a really good job and I love having the help.

I'm excited to see us settle into a routine over the next few weeks. For now I'm just enjoying having a newborn around the house again.

Will Henry Dehner

Family & Friends - Today, Amber gave birth to Will Henry Dehner. He was born around 3:55 pm EST and weighed 7lbs 11oz. He was almost 20 inches in length and had a good amount of hair on his head. Amber was a champ as usual and only needed about 8 minutes or 4 contractions to deliver once the doctors gave her the green light to push. Will seems to have a very calm demeanor about him, but I think it's because no one has explained to him what circumcision means. Mother and son are doing great and should be home tomorrow!!!

While Amber was breathing through her labor pains, I spent my time flirting with the inner circle of a sorority. This particular sorority is very hard to penetrate and its members are very seclusive. They mean business and if you have the hint of cheap cologne and day old Right Guard, you my friend, have no place at the table. I am talking about the RN's at the maternity ward. I was getting pushed around by them like a 3rd grade crossing guard who had to wear the florescent orange shoulder strap to school. It was not pretty. I spent most of my time being told to sit down or found myself wrapped up in that stupid curtain divider that shields the room from the open door. It was not my best performance and I was quickly reminded that the maternity ward is a group of powerful women that you do not want to get in the way of. Other then my pride, I was not seriously injured. Hope everyone is doing well, enjoy the pictures.

Will has a question, but has not learned that he needs to raise his hand not his leg. His question is how did he get so big. Morgan and Miles were light weights compared to Will.

I am still licking my wounds from the beat down the RN's gave me. They came at me and stunned me with the shock and awe tactic. I didn't even see it coming.

The kids were enamered by Will. They were so sad to leave him.

Amber looks great just hours after delivery. The kids and I on the other hand look like we belong on the movie Razing Arizona. What you don't see is the mullet I am growing.