Busy Busy Busy ^3

Good Daddy time.


4 Generations.


Kristina's right hand is her imaginary friend named "Honey". Honey's Daddy is her left hand. It's a hoot.


She is such a cutey.


The Family, chill'n at the park.


Great Grandpa Westlund - making faces at Spencer.


Yup, you found it Tyler, the only button on that toy.


At the Orange County Fair.


At the Orange County Fair.


A Good day at the park.

Hi everyone. It has been a long time without an update. Life sure is busy with 3 kids.
Wake up, get to work, come home, play with the kids, story time, sleep. repeat. Amy's day is a little different: pull Baby off breast after falling asleep in feeding chair, shower with Spencer crying in his bouncer just outside the shower, make breakfast for the kids, clean up breakfast, feed Spencer again, clean up potty messes, make lunch, clean up after lunch, start laundry after being spit-up on, feed Spencer, go shopping for groceries, try to get something for the twins to do before they kill each other, get Tyler to not hit buttons, attempt to make dinner with kids at feet squawking that they are hungry (like baby birds in a nest), try to sit with Daddy for dinner, instead feed Spencer. Hopefully, Spencer falls asleep and get a little break with her new Kindle. Occasionally get to join Daddy at story time - repeat. Go SUPER MOM. I exaggerate a little ... but she is a Super Mom.

Amy is hanging in there with Spencer. Spencer is one needy baby. He likes to be held, no doubt about it. Just try to put him down for a bit... as soon as his head hits the pillow... WAHHHHHH! geez kid. He also has the uncanny ability to know when Mommy is about to eat dinner. It's like he hears her pick up her fork. WAHHHHHHHH! Feed me FIRST!... Amy says... AHHHH SH@! Kinda like the Christmas Story movie, it is rare for her to have a hot meal. Even when I bring something home... WAHHHH! There may be something said for at least a partially formula fed baby; Daddy gets to help more. Spencer has started to sleep more at night. He has gone 6-7 hours on several occasions now. The result, though, is that he is more awake during the day.

The time has really flown by for me. Spencer is already almost 4 months old. To think where we were with the Twins at this age - 1 baby is a piece of cake. It is all relative though, don't get me wrong.

Spencer is doing great! All his feedings are helping him to grow big and strong ... he is wearing 6-9 month clothes at not even 4 months of age. Last weigh in was 15 pounds at the end of July. At his 2 month check up the doc said he was in the 95th percentile for weight and height, 85th percentile for head circumference. Amy's back is getting a workout from holding him all day long. But, the huge smiles, coos and laughs are worth it.

The twins are still getting used to being on their own while Mommy takes care of Spencer. Amy said that Tyler came up to her one day, put his arm around her shoulder and said... "All I want to do is play with you, Mommy; but you have to hold Spencer." Such grown-up emotions. It breaks your heart. Hang in there Buddy, soon you will have a brother who will play with you like only a brother can. Hang in there Super MOM, Spencer will be signing "I love you" in no time.

Amy and the Twins went down to southern California for 2 and 1/2 weeks. We drove down together and then I flew back to return to work. I physically couldn't handle them being away for so long. Canker sours, sore back - night clubs with Scott and Kyle. OK, that last part was fun, but I certainly missed the family. Tyler and Kristina don't like to hear that Daddy is going to the airport. We may have traumatized them a little.

On top of all that... Renovation time! We have signed the contract and made the down payment on our second largest investment ever. Hopefully by Halloween we will have a house back. We are getting new cabinets, appliances, hardwood floors, french back door, 4 new windows, new front entry door and all stain finished wood trim. WOAH!

Life is busy, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Family life is Awesome!

mother's day family photos

It's a BOY!

At 3:27pm, On May 1st, 2010, Spencer Jason Vincent was born. 7 lbs 15 oz, and 20" long.



The big day came 1 week early. Mild contractions started Friday evening and became more exciting at 2:30 am. By 4 am we were checking into the hospital. With no cars on the road, all the lights were green and we made it there in record time. Yes, even obeying the speed limit. I figured it wasn't a time for risk taking. The 1 and a half hours of sleep that Amy and I got, was, I guess, a warm up for the next 6 months.



On arrival, the ER was quiet. We were sent right to the labor ward. At check-in, Amy was 2cm dilated and contractions were between 3 and 4 minutes in frequency. After a few check-ups, the doctor came in at 9:30 am and broke her water.



Amy took a few doses of Fentanyl just a few times during the early parts of the day. It only lasts in the system for a short period of time, and isn't given towards the final phases of the delivery. That means, you guessed it... SHE DID IT NATURALLY! Holy cow! The doctor and nurses said she did an amazing job. With 9 GIANT pushes, Spencer joined the world.



I teared up a bit during some of the pushes. Perhaps it was just all the excitement, but, no one wants to see their loved one in so much pain. I love her so much. I was granted the privilege of cutting the cord. The birth of a child is a life changing event in so many ways - I still wasn't prepared even with the experience with the twins.



Amy's Mom has been WONDERFUL. She has spent the last 2 days staying at our house and taking care of Tyler, and Kristina, and the rest of the animals in the house. Kristina and Tyler were able to meet Spencer. They each proclaimed, "that's MY Spencer brother".



Enough of me chatting, here are some pics.



One happy family! Mom looks GREAT!



They're helping out already!


Can't tell from this picture, but he's got two dimples.
Many have suggested he looks just like Tyler.

In the Hospital

Officially checked into the Hospital. 4am Saturday.
Everything is ok.

Potty training woes.

We have stooped to bribery to get our kids to use the potty. We have tried stickers, chocolate, and hugs an kisses. However, we may have found their Achilles heal.

They love to play games on Daddy's phone. Tyler especially likes this balloon popping game. It has gotten pretty bad though.

Tuesday night, Tyler sat on the potty for over an hour trying to pee. When we suggested it was time to go to bed, now 9:30pm, he proceeded to cry --- no no I want to play daddy's phone! NO NO NO! WHAAAA AAAA AAAA! He finally managed to squeeze a few drops. The poor guy had a red ring on his fanny when he finally pulled himself off the plastic seat. He did get to play the game. He fell asleep during Daddy's Dragon story time though.

Tonight, Kristina had her share. She successfully used the potty before bed time. She was put to bed and story time was all finished. We were downstairs when we heard the pitter-patter of feet. Kristina heard mommy coming up the stairs and jumped back in bed. Mommy entered the room to hear Kristina saying, "I want to use the potty." Mommy said, "ok, you get two minutes." After five minutes, Mommy pulls her off the potty kicking and screaming... "NO! I want to go potty. I want to make Mommy HAPPY! WHAAAAA!"

At least they want to go. Sheesh.

Oh... and Amy is still pregnant. 2 and 1/2 weeks to go.

Almost there!

35 weeks and 2 days. Officially 1 day past when the Twins were born. She is still on her feet chasing the kids. What a Gal!



Grandma's reading time.


Helping herself to the pesto and carrots. Hmmm.


Being a Dad can be back breaking. Worth every bit!


Tyler's masterpiece. Eyes and everything. A rare picture as 5 seconds later it was erased.



To jump, or not to jump, that is the question. Go for it, Kyle! You're only young twice!


A few "special" quotes:

Amy is sitting on Kristina's bed with arms crossed - waiting patiently for the kids to stop making noise and take a nap (it has been 1 and 1/2 hours). Tyler starts singing... "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to mommy, she is angry...we're not going to sleep." Mommy cracks a grin through her gritted teeth.

Kristina:
@2am - sneaking next to daddy's bed - "Daddy, my tummy's hurting, I need toast."
@4am - "My tummy's hurting daddy... I need chocolate" - Yeah right, off to bed kiddo!

Both of them in unison: "Hi Grandma, Where's my treat!"

3 months to go.

Hi all.

Amy is doing well - just 3 months to go.

Happy Valentine’s Day to my Wife

Happy Valentine’s Day to my Wife.
I can’t think of a better way to spend my life.

Working and raising a family I know can be hard;
And here I am without another card.

A new member of the family is almost here.
With you by my side, there's nothing to fear.

Even when things get in a rush,
I love you so very much.

I can’t think of a better way to spend my life.
Happy Valentine’s day to my Wife.

I LOVE YOU

No, that's my Mommy!

Profile shot at 22 weeks - we won't know the gender... until May.


Pony ride at Irvine Park.


Good times on the pony ride.


Loves Trains, just like Daddy.


Happy Birthday to ME!


Blow!


I ate it all!


Yup - 3 years old!


Auntie Kim diving into the powder.


The Family is doing great.

They are now saying and doing the cutest things. Of course there are the total melt downs, but nothing that a little alone time with daddy while practicing slow breathing can't fix.

I just got home from an awesome Tahoe Ski vacation with my Sister and our Cousins. What a hilarious bunch. Kim is the most awesome sister ever for setting it all up. The timing couldn't have been better. A massive California storm had dumped 6 feet of snow the two days before we got there. AWESOME!

The funny things they say:

1) At daycare, another girl was trying to give Tyler a hug. Kristina walks up and separates them like a boxing referee and says... No, that's MY Tyler.

2) another at daycare, Tammy (the daycare owner) was displineing another child. Tyler yells at the child too... You get in the corner! Tammy says... "huh... Tyler that wasn't very nice" - Tyler yells to the child again... "you get in the corner - PLEASE!"

3) In play, Kristina put Tyler in the corner. Tyler shrugged his shoulders and played along. He stayed there until he got a hug from Kristina.

4) Kristina, being naughty to get attention, was stepping on the toys Tyler was playing with. Tyler starts crying. Mommy says in a stern voice to Kristina, "You need to apologize." With her head hanging low she trys to walk up to Tyler to say I'm sorry. Tyler steps away and Kristina starts wailing with HUGE tears - I WANT TO SAY SORRY! Tyler runs away yelling no no no.

5) At bed time - Me talking to Kristina and her repeating - "good night mommy" - she replies in a sweet tiny quiet voice - "good night mommy". "good night Tyler" - "good night Tyler". "good night Kristina" - "good night, TO ME!"

Tyler just loves electronics. He will be a Gamer when he gets older. He likes to play - "squash the bugs" on daddy's phone and the "paiting program" on daddy's big computer.

Kristina likes to sew her animals with yarn and water painting. She is cute when she plays with her toy kitchen. Pouring fake milk in a cup, putting it in the microwave, pushing the buttons, stands there with her arms crossed, and then gets it out.

They had a great 3rd birthday party at our house. We'll have to read up on games for the kids to play. The only one I could think of was Ring-around-the-rosey. It was a hit.

Love to you all.
Jason