Kai's 4th Trimester is Over!

I've heard about babies having a fourth trimester after they are born and with each of my 3 kids, it's totally true. They may be out of the womb, but part of them wishes they were still there. Then, after 3 months, something happens and they go from being little infants to babies. Kai is exactly 3 months old today and he has graduated to being a BABY! Here are some recent changes for him:

* Kai smiles a ton!

* He laughs because something is funny. (i.e. tickling him, making funny sounds, hearing us laugh, etc)

* He sucks his fingers now. He wants to suck his thumb, but hasn't managed that yet.

* He's not into the pacifier anymore.

* He still likes to be swaddled, but not near as much as before.

* He isn't in love with the swing any longer.

* He finally started eating less during the day. (ever 2.5-3 hours instead of 1.5-2 hours)

* He goes 8 hours at night without waking! (7pm-3am, 3am-6:30am)

* He sometimes grips onto things.

For the most part, all of these changes took place within about a week of each other. He grew up so fast! :) It really is amazing to watch a baby grow. He is a sweet and wonderful baby. All 4 of us love him so much!

A New Thing for Everyone

Kai- He only woke up once last night!!! He slept from 8:30 until 3:30 and then woke up at 7:30!!! Let's hope that happens again. Also, at his doctor's appointment on Monday, he weighed 12lbs 5oz and was 23.5 inches long. Top percentiles for both. In other words, here's another big Barber boy!

Keira- She's been getting into dancing and gymnastics recently so I started teaching her some ballet. It's so fun! We both love it. She's adorable too! I'll try to post a video soon.

Andrew- Here's our conversation from yesterday:

Me: Andrew, it sounds like you're getting a bit of a cold.

Andrew: No, it's just a pumpkin cold.

Me: A pumpkin cold? What is a pumpkin cold?

Andrew: You know how sometimes you pick a pumpkin and then a couple days later you get a cold? That's a pumpkin cold.

Cheri's Thoughts: Dr. Seuss Style

Oh to have one child again and not a total of three.

I could live my own life. Oh! How free I would be!

I could write a quaint poem or read a good book.

I could pick some flowers for our clean kitchen nook.

I could go for a walk, nay, go for a run.

I could go to the mall and eat a sticky cinnabun.

I could dine at dim sum,

Go for a stroll with just one.

I could eat at Corner Bakery

With just my one, a friend, and me.

I could do so much more

New adventures, galore!

I could take a shuttle to space!

Sing, in opera, Amazing Grace!

I could learn to speak Russian and a bit of Chinese!

I could take a trip to the Arctic and watch Santa sneeze!

I could swim in the ocean where no one has been!

Catch a ride on a whale! Ride a shark’s fin!

I could climb K-2 and Mt. Everest the same week!

I could tame a lion and nick-name him Zeek!

I could do all those things. Don’t tempt me. I can.

But I won’t do those things. I’m just not a fan.

One child is nice, but a bit of a bore.

Two is good also, but the same as before.

Add one more and you’re sure to get three.

Now things are good, just the way they should be!

October- First Half

Here are some more smiles from little Kai. It's amazing to me (and a little creepy) just how much he looks like Andrew when he was a baby. When I get a similar picture, I'll post them for you all to see.

Kai clearly knows his big brother and loves spending time with him. Andrew will read to him, tell him stories, play dinosaurs with him, the list goes on and on.

Andrew's class is learning about the 5 senses so last week they got to paint with their tongues using pudding for paint. He loved it!

Coincidentally, Keira and I were at home making A-ok Wunderbars. They were fun to make together although Keira's version of helping is mainly licking.

Keira gave Kai an animal to snuggle with while he slept. I just thought it was cool that he actually snuggled.

My Dad came to visit last week and got to meet Kai. It's not easy getting a picture of 3 kids. At least my dad was smiling.

The drool shows that my dad got Kai's approval.

My sister also came down to visit and help out. She was a TON of help. She even got down on her hands and knees and scrubbed our kitchen floor! All the kids loved having special time with Aunt Sara.

So many dolls and so much pink!

Each of the kids made a special sign for Kai when he was born and brought them to the hospital.

They brought them back home and hung them up in his room.

Here are some pictures of Kai's nursery.

Mr. Smiles

Kai has been smiling almost since his birth, but he's gotten more and more smiley as the days go by. I finally got a decent picture today so I thought I'd share my happy boy with all of you.

Kai Comes Home

I nearly forgot to post my last prego shot. This is Kai and I at 39 weeks, hours before delivery.

The morning of Kai's birth was exciting and the whole family was giddy.

Four days later, Kai came home! It was great to have all 3 kiddos together finally. The big kids had gotten gifts for Kai and "Kai" had gotten gifts for each of them.

Andrew chose to give Kai a little Squirt sea turtle that he's had for most of his life. He picked it out from him animals months ago and has had it set aside for Kai since then. Keira chose a carseat toy so she can play with it with him in the car.

Kai gave Keira a Baby Minnie doll, which she loves. It incorporates Minnie Mouse, pink, polka dots, hearts, and babies. How could this gift fail?

Andrew got 2 swords, which he has been wanting for a long time now. He can be a "real" knight now.

After the gift opening was done, the big brother and sister just stared at Kai, waiting for him to wake up.

Final Hospital Pics

These are just some random pictures from the hospital that I liked.

Gabe and Kai watching football together. Gabe (almost) never gets to watch Sunday morning football so you can imagine how excited he was not only to be able to watch it, but to watch it with his new son, opening weekend, AND the Seahawks WON!!! It was a great day for football.

Kai Gets Visitors

On Sunday, our third day in the hospital, we got tons of visitors after church. It was great! Only a few were brave enough to hold Kai, including Derek. He's a natural!

Stephanie with the little one.

Lydia looking shocked... I don't remember why.

Happy Renita with the brave crew.

Sam, James, Bryant, and Daniel- all off at college now. (So are Stephanie and Lydia.) This was our last time seeing them before they left.

Joel, Elaine, Sabrina, and Josh. They're all away at college now too!

Aunt Amy with a new friend for Tyler.

Auntie Lin after she worked her magic with Kai.

Auntie Lin, Uncle Marco, and Norman (Hannah was over by me) before Auntie Lin worked her magic.

Kai Meets His Family

The two big kids came with Leila a few hours after Kai was born to meet their new brother and grandson.

Keira awaiting her baby brother.

Keira was pretty unsure of her new brother. I don't think he's what she expected him to be.

Andrew, on the other hand, knew just what to expect and caught right on. He was delighted to have a new baby in the family.

It was a very special day!

Kai's funny baby toes were the highlight of the visit for Andrew.

Leila got some good snuggles too.

My mom and Len came and got to see Kai when he was just a couple of hours old.