Kramer

Pantera is, by nature, incredibly over dramatic. Yesterday we were talking about school enrollment and she freaked out! She said that by sending her to school I make her feel like I want her to find a new family and that it makes her "feel like junk, junk covered in spiders and tossed out a window." Then she said that she will "just go to the principle's office everyday, for talking all the time!" I try to reassure her that she is going to love school, she doesn't believe me though.

Zeke is the polar opposite, as long as he gets his meals on time, he's usually drama free! He loves to color these days, in fact he has been trying to sneak his coloring books into the bath tub with him. He colors like a crazy little artist, throwing every crayon behind his back after each carefully placed scribble. He is really bothered by Amari's umbilical stump and will almost touch it, then gets grossed out and walks away.

Amari is cute as can be. Everyday it looks a little more like she is going to fulfill all my hopes and dreams. That's right, it looks like she is getting red hair! I know it can still change, so just give me this post to GLORY IN IT!!!

She also has the oddest hair growth patterns, a HUGE whorl on the back of her head and several cowlicks. Which makes her look a little like Kramer when she's not wearing a headband. Thank goodness she's a girl!!!

Bye-Bye

The kids had a blast hanging out with "Pops" but alas, he had to go home this morning. Zeke was really enjoying all the "guy time" and spent most of his days following Pops around the house. Zeke even cried when we dropped my dad off, he doesn't even cry when I leave! It was such a lifesaver to have him here to help with the kiddos! Thank you again Dad! In other big news, Jess put in his 2 week notice today. He starts a new job on the 10th of May.

Little update

Life as expected, has been kind of hectic since Amari has arrived. Jess went back to work yesterday after a little over a week off. Luckily for me, I was smart enough to ask for help (for once!) and my dad has been out here for over a week now. It has been really nice and the kids LOVE having "Pops" to play with. Amari is mainly eating and sleeping AKA trying to bulk up because of all of the tiny comments.
Pantera has been a big helper and loves having a new sister. I did not expect her to need even more attention then she required before. She has gone from attention starved to being on her attention death-bed. It has been a bit of a challenge.

Zeke has adjusted pretty well. He always rubs the top of Amari's head and talks to her. Then he likes to give her kisses and laugh afterwards as if to say "Look at how sweet I am!" The poor guy is getting in 4 molars and his top canines all at once! He is still so good considering.
We will see what happens after my dad leaves...YIKES!!!

Amari Photoshoot

Presenting...

Amari Nicole Hammond

Birth story (read at your own risk!):

I was pretty stinkin miserable for the past month! I was having contractions that were doing nothing along with sciatica and joint issues. I went in to the doctor on the 7th for an exam and discussed being induced. The doctor said he would call me sometime that day with a date and time, because I wasn't making much progress. So I waited for a call all day, nothing. Around 8pm I had 2 really sharp pains in my lower abdomen. I told Jess that something didn't feel right, but it went away. Jess went to work around 2am. I woke up around 4am bleeding. I was TERRIFIED! I called the doctor and he said to go to the hospital, easier said then done, Jess is over an hour and a half away and I am home alone with the kids. Luckily Pam Binger (yes the same one who Pantera wants to join her family) was sweet enough to be on call for me and came right over. My mom told me to call an ambulance and go.

Jess met me at the hospital. I guess we were the only ones that concerned about the bleeding (it was NOT normal), they tried to blame it on the exam the previous day, uh huh. Then they tell us that they may or may not send us home. I am 39 weeks, bleeding, and going to be induced anyways, needless to say I was a mess. But after 4 hours or so of letting us worry, they decide to admit us! They start me on Pitocin around 9:30am. At about 5 cm I get my wonderful epidural. Around 1:45 I force Jess to go get food for himself. I was only at a 7 and I figured I had plenty of time. I decide to call Meredith because I was bored, while I am talking to her I have a contraction and that pushing feeling...what?!?

I call the nurse and Jess. The doctor checks me and guess what, the babies head is about to come out! Once everyone is gathered I push once-there's her head, another partial push-the rest of her body. The resident was so impressed, really it helps that Amari was only 7lbs 2oz with a tiny head. Pantera was 8lb 12oz and Zeke 8lbs 4 oz. But I still felt like a delivery room superhero. They kept telling the students who were observing "This isn't how it usually goes, it's not normally that easy!" She came out just perfect and beautiful. She is doing great and nursing like a champ! I feel great, I don't feel like I just had a baby, I guess little babies are the way to go!

Cherry Blossoms

Springtime on the east coast is absolutely AMAZING!!! It makes me very grateful to be out here. Pantera quote from when she was asked to clean her room "Everytime I look at my room, it makes me want to die!"

New Car