Fun in the sun...Montana Style!

Hunter tasting rocks.

Hunter running away from me...very typical.

Hunter trying to pull the wagon up the stairs.

We had a great time playing outside today. I think it was close to 50 degrees and I loaded up the boys after school and we went for a walk. I pulled Hunter in the wagon and Walker rode his scooter. It felt so good to just get out of the house and breathe some fresh air. The boys are sick of winter as am I. We're ready for spring! Here are some pictures...enjoy!

Walker ties his shoes!

I know that it is probably funny to write a post on tying your shoes, but it was a first and a milestone for Walker. It is so fun to watch your children grow. I love seeing his face light up when he learns something new - or something "clicks". He was so proud of himself- the smile on his face was just precious. I am so thankful for all the small moments, I cherish all of them. Collectively they make up a great life, full of stories and memories. In short - I just love being a Mom.

First Month with Baby Colter

My three sons...

Gosh, time really does fly when you are home with three kids! Here is an update:

Colter is doing great. He is 6 weeks old tomorrow. He is growing and eating and sleeping. I weighed him last Wednesday and he is now 10lbs! I can't believe how chubby he looks to me. He is eating about every 3 hours and is so content most of the day, napping on and off. He likes to be in his bouncy chair with the vibration on. He is becoming more interactive when he is awake, looking at things, making eye contact, just starting to grin and smile. He goes to be around 10pm and sleeps till about 4am, nurses goes back to sleep 'till about 7am. By far, he is an easy baby for me.

Hunter is my busy one! He is 21 months old, and keeps me running, running, running! He is curious about everything. He is into, onto and on top of just about anything! He is such a sweet, loving little boy. He still likes to cuddle and rock - it may only be for 3 minutes, but I enjoy every second of it. He is fascinated with the toilet and flushing it. We did get him a potty chair this month. I know it's early, but he is so interested in it. So, we have it on hand when he is "really" ready. He loves to get in to the candy drawer (on my list of things to move) and play with computer, he is always getting into Walker's markers - so his hands always have marker on them. He is talking ALL the time. He has his own language, he says Mama, Da-Ye (daddy), Bro Bro (Walker), Baby (Colter), Wawa (water), peese (please), Okay, Stop it and of course NO! And I know I am forgetting a few. But like I said he is always talking...jabbering on and on. He has something to say all the time! He loves to play with Walker and run and jump, watch Elmo and dance to the Gummy Bear song (look it up on YouTube). We just love him and some days we are so thankful for naptime!

Walker is ready for spring!! He is ready to play outside and warm weather! He is liking school. He has a lot of friends and likes reading to us. (My baby is reading!!!) He has been drawing and coloring a lot, our dining room is covered with pictures. He is such a great help, he is wonderful with Hunter, always keeping him entertained. He is my super helper with baby Colter, getting diapers, putting the lost pacifier in his mouth, just holding him sometimes. He is growing up before our eyes.

I went back to work yesterday. I had mixed feelings about going back so soon, but there was really no choice. Financially, we just needed my income. It sucks - but I am trying remain positive. I am only working 4-6 hour shifts, till March 15th, then I start my regular 2 days a week (12 hour shifts). I am thankful that thus far we haven't had the kids in daycare. Jason works at A.W.A.R.E. (a group home) Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I try to work Tuesday and Thursdays and he is home with kids. For the most part it works. Life - man it is harder than I ever thought it would be. God has really blessed us and I just try to remember that, even when I think things look bleak.

Here's a pictures of Colter at 6 weeks old.

Colter's Baby Shower

We were really blessed with a shower my mom through for us along with our church family at RMCC. It was so fun to share Colter and visit with old and new friends. It was such a blessing all the gifts and memories made. Here are a few pictures...

My bestest friend, Esther and I

Beautiful Colter James

My sister, Sarah

Daddy and Colter

Me and my new little one.

Big Brother Walker

Hunter giving kisses.

The boys were so exited to meet there new brother. Hunter was just precious! When he walked in the room he saw Colter - and in the sweetest voice said clear as day "Hi baby" he hadn't said said "Baby" the entire time I was pregnant, even with multiple proddings. He leaned over and gave Colter a kiss. It was so sweet. It was great to come home and start our new life as a family of five.

Colter's Birth

Colter James Schwaderer was born January 6th, 2010 at 7:56am. He weighed 7 lbs and was 20 3/4 inches long. He is absolutely perfect in every way! Here is our birth story... Jason's parents drove in from Missoula on Monday, January 4th. I was so excited for them to be here for the birth of Colter. (We had scheduled my c-section for January 6th at 4pm) But I felt horrible. I had been having contractions for months and the past couple of weeks they were just getting stronger and more frequent. Brenda and Darrell arrived and - my house was a wreck. I just couldn't do any more. We needed groceries, and all I wanted to do was sleep. Jason, cleaned the house (he is really good at cleaning - when he does it) and Brenda did all the shopping. It was nice to finally just relax. Having all this extra help was ....well amazing! Over the next two days, I literally felt like Colter was just going to "fall out" it was hard to walk, sleep was next to impossible. I just couldn't wait for him to come out. On Tuesday at about 11am my doctor called and said my surgery would be at 7am the next morning! WAHOO! I was thrilled! That night Darrell and Jason made prime rib, we just spent time all as a family. I think I headed to bed around 9:30pm....no need to check and see what I needed to pack. I have been ready for months! I woke up at 2 am andnever went back to sleep. It snowed 8 inches that night, so Jason was out shoveling the sidewalks and the driveway. I felt exhausted, I was having contractions and I just kept telling myself in a few hours you will be holding your baby. After yelling at Jason that we were doing to be late for the birth of our child (I was so crabby) he came in showered and we were on our way. Yes, I put make-up on and did my hair and wore a semi-cute maternity outfit that I could wear home. Once we arrived at the Birth Center. I said hello to the girls...I work often in Labor and Delivery and apologizing for being late, my nurse, Katie led me to my room, Suite 6. I changed into that beautiful hospital gown, I had a few butterflies rolling in my tummy. I climbed into the bed, sat down and GUSH....my water broke. YES!!! This baby was coming for sure today. I looked at my nurse and said "I think my water just broke" she checked and sure enough. All the IV's were in and I was off to surgery. Jason was there with me and we waited patiently to hear our baby's first cry. The funny thing was I was so excited, but SO tired. I laid there thinking, I can't wait to see him, but I really can't wait to take a nap. It felt like I was drifting off to sleep, and then I would remember what was happening. I heard him cry and the water works poured! Jason took pictures and I waited to hear how much he weighed. Jason bet 7lbs, I said 8lbs 5oz, he won. Jason brought him over to me and I just couldn't believe this was our third blessing. How perfect his little mouth was, you try to memorize everything about them, his little cry was so sweet and Colter seemed to fit him. I fell in love with my baby, and a little more with my husband.