a moment: I give it a "C"

It is officially my 8th day as a momma of three. I felt like things were going pretty well. I can handle this.....right? Granted my mom was still here being a huge helper. We got to preschool on "red day" and I had Quint dressed in Red. VICTORY! We walk into class and I notice the children are lining up in the front of the class, not on the circle like normal. All the mommas were pulling out their cameras and flip video recorders. I wave of anxiety rushed over me. It was their first time singing for us, and I don't have my camera.

I watched my awesome little man do his red song, in his red shirt. I tried to ignore all the other mommys who were talking pictures and recording the moment. Quint did a really great job. I know in my brain that it is not a huge deal, but my fear is I will be stretched too thin and Quint, Russell or Rhett will suffer because I can't handle mommy life of three under four. Another friend who has three close in age told me "you have to let some things go". I am not sure I can do that.

While I was trying to feel better about the missed Red day moment, Mom and I took Russell and Rhett to the mall. We had a plan to let Russell play in the play structure while I nursed and then go shop for some essentials. I was half nursed and Russell took a hard jump. He was hurt. Russell is normally very tough so I was not too stress till I saw the blood. His mouth was gushing blood! I handed mom the baby and ran Russell to the bathroom. He had bit a big hole in his tongue. It was gashed open. I didn't think they could do anything for tongues but we decided to go home and call the doc. The doctor could only see him during preschool pickup time, and thankfully mom dropped us off and went to get Quint. Russell was fine, but as we walked home from the doctor to meet mom, I began to think, how would I do this alone? What would I do? Post pone the doctor so I can get Quint? Ask a friend to get Quint? I can't be two places at once....

I still don't have a plan for the emergency tongue gash during preschool pick up. Guess I will cross that bridge if it happens again. We got home and everyone took naps and I was exhausted. It is only my 8th day being a mommy of three, and if I had to give myself a grade...it would be a "c". Definitely room for improvement.

Thank God, tomorrow is a new day.

Coming home

The hospital took great care of Rhett and I, but we were ready to come home and be a family. BK and the boys came to pick us up Friday night. It was awesome to see how excited the boys were to take their new little brother home. Here are some pics from the big moment:)

Quint and Russell assess the new addition.....

Our family of five

Quint shows off his big brother skills

Russell gets a chance to hold Rhett:)

BABY OUT!

Posted By DADDY:

Quint and Russell had been saying, "Baby Out!" since they found out mommy had a baby in her belly. Today we were blessed to welcome our third son out of mommy and into the world. The day went like this:

630AM- call to make sure they have a bed for Christy-they said yes.

800AM- show up at our fancy birthing suite

900AM- start induction meds

200PM- get epidural

400PM- big increase on induction meds because wasn't progressing fast enough

605PM- Starrett Paul Richardson born. Weight 8lbs 3oz; Length 21.5 inches.

Christy was amazing. She said there was no pain thanks to the epidural. She and Rett bonded over his first meal and now they are both snoozing away. Here are some pics from this fabulous day.

Before we left, the boys said "baby out!"

Mom is "Rhett" to go!

Rhett arrives 6:05 pm

We are so jazzed!

I didn't know anyone could look so beautiful after labor

Fresh out of the oven

Boys and Grammy meet Rhett

TIRED

Starrett "Rhett" Paul Richardson

Biggest belly contest

I saw a picture like this and thought it was a cute idea:) Here is the Richardson version....

Me and my three little men!

In the biggest belly contest....I think I am winning:)

The first day

Today was the first day of preschool. Quint was up early and ready to go by 7 am. He was wearing his backpack around, asking when was it time to go. We packed up and headed out the door at 8:30. Here is our morning in pictures.

Quint poised for a first day pic

Quint wanted to help push Russell in to his school in the stroller

Quint's hook with his backpack on it!

Quint's bucket

Mrs. Winstead's class

Lined up and ready to go.

When it was time to go in, he ran in without me!

By the time Russell and I made it in he was already sitting in circle time.

Guess he is ready!

At circle time just before they kicked out the parents:(
I don't think he even missed us!

Meet your teacher night

Tonight we had meet your teacher night at preschool. It was great. Quint was pumped and I was jazzed BK could be there to get a feel for Quint's school. We toured around to find all the important places, his hook for his back pack, his cubby, the centers room, where he eats his snack, etc. There are two teachers and I hear both are great but I am so happy with the one he got. Mrs. Winstead is kinda like my mom. She has been teacher preschool for 15 years. She has grown children and appears to love little ones. She knelt down next to Quint to introduce herself.

She said "hi Quint, I am so excited you will be in my class this year!"

Quint said nothing. Just stared at her.

I know he is not the most chatty boy but I was hoping for a "hello" or something! I am sure he will warm up, but I couldn't believe even after I prompted him he still just looked at her. It is a big experience, going off to school even if it is only 2 1/2 hours, twice a week. I am a bit nervous about how it will go next week on his first day.

As we were leaving we saw a huge rainbow over the church where Quint's school is held. I felt reassured.