Visitors!

I survived yesterday! Actually it went really well. I took the kids to Chic Fil A for lunch. I left the house with three kids and got back home with the same three kids, all unharmed. Spence and Allie both took a great nap, so I got a great nap also. Coleman does not nap, but he can entertain himself and stay out of trouble so I can sleep. Of course, it wasn't a moment too soon when Brian walked through the door at 6:45! After dinner he and the boys played while Allie and I went to the grocery store. I am so not ready to do that with three kids!

Today Candice, her mom, Paul David, and Judson came to visit. Paul David is a month older than Spence, and Judson is about 2 weeks older than Allie. We had such a wonderful time! I can't wait for our next visit.

Friends since first grade

Everybody say cheese!

"So Judson, are you interested in Allie?"


Judson likes to stretch out, but Allie likes to ball up!

The big boys love the babies!

First Day on the New Job

Grandma left yesterday and Daddy went to work this morning. So today is my first official day on the job as Mommy of Three. I have to say I've got some first day jitters. My goal is to multitask as much as possible. Like this morning I brushed my teeth while starting a load of laundry. I tried to sweep the kitchen floor while loading the dishwasher, but that didn't work so well. I can nurse a baby while checking my email, having a devotional and prayer time, and reading a story to the boys. I need to find about seven other chores or activities I can do while nursing a baby and I'll be set for each of the day's feedings! I'm afraid showering just became a low priority. That will have to wait until I get several complaints that I'm starting to stink. I haven't decided if I'm ready to brave the grocery store with all three kids yet. I wonder if there's some training seminar that would prepare me for that? Right now I'm choosing to blog instead of go to the bathroom. That may prove to be a bad decision. Well, the good news is I can't get fired! I can't quit either! I'm actually looking forward to my first day. I better get busy though. I've got back to back meetings with the diaper changing station and the time out chair. Wish me luck!

How could these three be any trouble?

Love Bug

I just wanted to show you all the dress Grandma bought for me. Isn't it the cutest? She's got pretty good taste. Mommy added the pink bow and it makes me feel like a princess!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! We're enjoying our last day with Grandma. We're going to miss her so much! But she and Grandpa will be coming back in a few weeks. I think I won her over. And I know my brothers have!

Guess Who...

Had a bow on today!

Has the best big brother in the world!

Gets lots of kisses from Grandma!

Is the sweetest baby girl ever!

It's Allie!!!

One Week Old

I'm one week old!

Yesterday Allie turned one week old. Of course I had to dress her up and take some pictures. She is a week old and has never had a bow in her hair. Poor little girl! Coleman asked why she's a girl if she looks like a boy. She wears boy pajamas at night, but I do try to put her in pink or purple during the day. I'll get you some bows soon Allie!

Yesterday Allie and I went on our first shopping trip. We took back the "Little Brother" onesie and traded it for a girly outfit. It was a little sad to take back Cooper's outfit, but I just have to keep reminding myself that there never was a Cooper. I just assumed there was! Anyway, Allie and I looked at all the precious-beyond-words girl clothes and I almost started hyperventilating! All...too...cute!!! How I ever got out of that store spending less than $3 is a miracle.

My sweet little girl

Allie, these little boys think you're the best!

Spence enjoying his middle child status

And finally... A picture of Daddy with Allie!

The other night Coleman said, "I'm going to miss Allie when she's not a baby anymore." I can't believe a 4 year old thinks of stuff like that! Let me just say that Allie is a good baby. I don't even want to say how good for fear that I will jinx it. I just feel really blessed right now!

Sweetness Alert!

5 days old!

How blessed can one Mommy be???

Grandma meeting Allie yesterday

First Granddaughter

Coleman made hearts today for Grandma and Mommy

Coleman's prayer tonight:

Thank you for Baby Allie coming out. 'Cause we just really like her.

A Word From Allie

Hi everyone! I'm 3 days old!

Today the loud, rambunctious little boys that they call my brothers wanted to hold me. Mommy and Daddy made them sit in the chair. They did pretty well for their first time. I mean, they didn't drop me or anything.


The bigger one is pretty sweet. He is always giving me kisses. Today he started talking kind of strange to me, saying something like "coochie coochie coo." I have no idea what that means!

I think I'll have to keep a close eye on this one. He kept trying to hand me little sticks today. But he adores me also. I can tell.

Now this lady knows how to love on me! They call her Nana, and she knows exactly how special I am. I hear that another lady named Grandma is coming tomorrow. I'm sure it won't take me long to win her over either. I'm pretty cute and sweet if you haven't noticed.

These are flowers that Grandma and Grandpa sent me today. They are beautiful and smell so wonderful! I hope these people keep fresh flowers around all the time. A girl could get used to that!

Well, I think it's about time I wrap this up and get back to reminding Mommy who's in charge around here. I can have her up and feeding me in no time at all!

We're Home!

Allie, the newest Pik got to go home today!

It's so nice to be home! Allie is sleeping, so I have a moment to post some more pictures. Later I'll try to write a little more about the boys and Allie, but for now I just have to share one sweet story. After we got home and took a few pictures, Allie was still asleep. We left her in the car seat and put her in our bedroom. Brian put a receiving blanket over her. Spence went upstairs and got his favorite blanket that he sleeps with every night. He calls it the donut blanket (it's got big polka dots that apparently remind him of the donut holes Poppa brings). He went over to Allie and draped the blanket over her. It was the sweetest thing! Sharing his favorite blanket with his baby sister. I cried!

Well, I know you all just want to see some pictures!

Mommy and I have been watching HGTV, but she says not to get attached because we don't get that channel at home!

I finally get to wear pink and everyone will realize I'm a Princess!

OK Mom and Dad, show me where we live!

Beautiful flowers from Nana and Poppa

My brothers are glad I'm home!

So all the neighbors know about my arrival

More pics of Allie

What Daddy says to Coleman and Spency when we go on ice cream runs.

Just hours old. Our new sister. Spency likes giving kisses.

Mommy and Allie.

I can open my eyes.

Oh Boy! Baby Pik is Here!

Welcome Allie Vaughan!!!!

7:27am, 8lbs 9oz, 20in.

That's right! A precious little girl. We're all doing well. Thank you for your prayers. We'll try to get some more pictures up later.

We're at the Hospital!!!!!!

The contractions started about 3am Wednesday morning. Amanda woke me up at about 3:30am and we left at about 4am. I wish I would not have stayed up until 1:30am this morning writing a report. 1.5 hours of sleep will be tough today.

The epidural is in and Amanda's doing much better. Probably the next post will be pics of either Cooper or Allie!

The Soon-to-be Middle Child

I was showing Spence some pictures of himself on the blog:

Mommy: Spence, look at that picture of you. Are you sweet?
Spence: Yeah. I'm nice... and very messy.

And last night Mom said Spence told her, "I just can't wait for the baby to get here!" I think he might change his tune in a few days!

That's my adorable little soon-to-be middle child. He's such a hoot! I love you Spence!

Weekly Doctor Update

I am still 4 cm dilated. I couldn't believe after all the contractions I had this week there was no change! For those of you who know what this means, I am 70% effaced. So I'm getting there! My doctor offered to schedule an induction for Thursday or Monday. She said being 4 cm and 70% effaced with a 3rd baby, it shouldn't take much. I called and talked to Brian about it, and we decided to schedule the induction for Monday. We would rather have things happen naturally, but if they don't by Monday, that's only one day before my due date. I loved not knowing when the boys would be born and that excited feeling of it's time and let's go to the hospital! I may or may not get to experience that again, and either way is fine. God is in control! Keep us in your prayers! I'll try to keep everyone updated.

400th Post!

I had hoped to save my 400th post for announcing that we were on our way to the hospital or Baby Pik had arrived, but it's not to be. I go back to the doctor tomorrow, so I'll give an update when I get home. So, what's been happening since I've been too stubborn to post?

The boys' bunk beds came in and Brian and my dad got them put together. They look great and the boys are really enjoying them. Naptime for Spence has been a little challenging, but Mom has been laying down with him and helping him get to sleep. Thanks Mom! Oh yes, my Mom has been our prisoner for the last week. We try to feed her well and let her out occasionally. Of course, she is required to play all kinds of sports ranging from baseball to soccer and I think tomorrow she is assigned to curtain making.



We put the bouncy seat and swing together a few days ago in preparation for Baby's arrival. The boys have been swinging their stuffed animals every day. And Spence likes to sit in the bouncy. I let Coleman sit in it once, but let him know he was too heavy to get in there anymore. Hopefully either the swing will be old news or they'll realize they can't push it fast by the time the baby gets here and we won't have to deal with any whiplash!

This weekend Brian broke out the Slip-N-Slide for the boys. I think they spent about 2 hours playing on it!

And here is the latest belly picture. I had Mom take this today. Come on Baby!

Saturday night we went to a house warming party at Brian's boss' house. I figured I should wear shoes a little nicer than flip flops, and ended up turning my ankle in my strappy sandals! I can still walk! I only had to endure two rude comments from party-goers: "Can I get you a wheel barrow?" and "Are you sure it's just one?" Everyone else was very polite.

I've decided to try to enjoy each day I have with just my two children! We went to Double Dave's today for lunch. I love watching them eat that chocolate chip pizza and then see it all over Spence's face! (And shame on Double Dave's for not having a changing table in their restroom! They must not know how hard it is to change a dirty pull up on a standing toddler.) This afternoon we stopped by Target and Mom bought Coleman some coloring and activity books. He is just amazing us with his interest in reading and math!

And here's a strange little story that could mean years of therapy for Spence. I have to preface it with a story about our dogs. When we were training our first dog Lucy (who now lives with Grandma and Grandpa because she needs to be a princess) we taught her all the names of her toys and all kinds of commands. She had a vocabulary of about 150 words and when asked, could go upstairs and find a certain toy and bring it to you. She was quite smart and very well trained. When we got Maestro, we were satisfied that he didn't pee on the carpet. This week, Coleman has been so into coloring and learning about letters and numbers. My Mom's been working with him a lot. Meanwhile, Spence is pulling his soaked pull up off and running around peeing on the floor. He even took a bite out of a foam ball! Brian made the connection between what we expected from Lucy versus Maestro, and now what we expect from Coleman versus Spence! We've just got to get Spence to stop peeing on the floor and we'll be good!

That about sums up what's going on around here. I'll let you know if there are any updates tomorrow!