Joe has been super busy at work the last couple of weeks so the kids and I have been trying to stay busy.  We bought a membership to the Children's Museum and Zoo, which has been a ton of fun.

Next week (on Wednesday) is moving day.  We are so excited to be out of the apartment, get all of our stuff, and get settled in our new neighborhood.  The kids will have a yard to play in, safe sidewalks to ride their bikes/scooters, and we'll be able to walk to the library, doctor, Starbucks, community center, park, etc...

The apartment has worked but it's a little stressful with three loud little ones.  Luckily, nobody has complained.  Plus, with no yard and a small space to play, my kids go a little crazy when we stay home all day.

Joe will miss walking to work though, which has been the biggest perk to our current location.

Here's some pictures from the Children's Museum.  

We have been to the Children's Museum once or twice a week for the past several weeks.  They have a different theme every month and different activities/story times every day so there's always something new and exciting to explore and learn.

Last week, I felt like such a city mom. We walked a mile to a downtown post office and stopped at a cupcake shop for a special treat.  Wandering around the city is kind of fun. I mostly enjoy the looks I get from people (apparently, it's not common to live downtown Seattle with 3 small kids?!?)

The Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is our new favorite spot.  Naomi is our little puddle jumper who is pretty much covered in muddy water anytime the ground is wet.

Maxwell is such a trooper on our little adventures.  He just goes with the flow as long as he has a full tummy of milk and a clean diaper.

The zoo feels so different than the Denver Zoo because of all the trees.  The girls love exploring and enjoying the great outdoors.

This is what I want for my children's childhood- time to explore outside.

In case you don't believe it, here's proof that we have beautiful, sunny days here in Seattle!

Maxwell is so adorable.  Everyone in the family is absolutely smitten.

We are all adjusting to Seattle, but once we move, I'm on a mission to make some mommy friends because Mia and I are craving some friendships!  

Maxwell Theodore

13lbs 6oz (75%)

2' 1/4'' (94%)

Head circumference: 15.75in (76%)

3 month clothing

Size 2 diapers

My sweet boy had his 2 month check-up today, which meant he got 3 shots.  He was a little cranky when I tried to take his picture this evening.

Luckily, his big sister came to the rescue.  Max loves attention.

He loves when you look him in the eye and talk to him.  He always has the best conversations with his daddy.  

This past month Maxwell learned to smile and coo and he is so cute when he does it.

He also started sleeping through the night, which makes me one happy mommy.

Max loves being held and really enjoys the baby carrier.

He's a pretty sweet little guy.  I'm kind of obsessed.

Behind the scenes...As I was taking pictures, Naomi was combing my hair.  I wish the pictures were better but if I wait for the perfect light/moment, this post would never make it up.  

The last 2 months have been a total whirlwind. I still look at Max and can't believe he's mine. I can't believe I have 3 kids! Anyway, I still haven't posted Maxwell's birth story. I love birth stories and I want his documented. It won't be a long post because labor was quick and uncomplicated, just the way I like it!

About a week before I went into labor, I was starting to get very anxious for his arrival. I had a lot of fear that he would be late and I would have to be induced since we were leaving for WA 2.5 weeks after his due date. Thankfully, just like Mia, he was born on his due date, November 18th.

On Sunday night, I had some mild contractions but they didn't last long. Monday morning I woke up with cramps, which had me felling a little off. I canceled a play-date with my friend, Hillary, because I was moving super slow and just felt like I needed to stay home. I spent the day cleaning and getting laundry done while the girls played. Joe and I went to bed around 9pm but I woke up about an hour later with painful contractions. I let Joe sleep since I knew it would be awhile before we would need to go to the hospital. I started timing contractions, put together the final things in my hospital bag, and took a shower. Joe woke up and I updated him and he started helping me breathe through the contractions, which were getting more intense. At 11:45pm, contractions were less than 5 min apart.  I wasn't ready to go to the hospital yet because I didn't think I was far enough but Joe felt otherwise, so he called the hospital and they said I needed to come in.

Hillary, arrived at our house at 1:10am to watch the girls and we left for the hospital. At this point my contractions were happening every 3 minutes. They were painful but not unbearable.

Once we got to the hospital around 1:30am, the nurse checked my cervix and I was 6-7 cm and 90% effaced. I wanted to have another unmedicated birth and Joe did great helping me breathe through contractions. I ended up staying in the bed because it was the most comfortable and the nurse thought I was progressing too quickly to go in the bathtub.

I don't remember the exact times at this point, but around 3am, I was about 9cm. The nurse said the only thing stopping me from being 10cm was my water breaking. I wanted it to break on it's own so we waited. Shortly after, I felt this huge urge to push and my water broke. Now, it was getting close to go time. Joe kept reminding the nurse that I pushed my last baby (Naomi) out in one push and the doctor wasn't even in the room yet. The nurses got the room prepped for delivery and the doctor was called.  I started to feel the need to push but of course, the doctor wasn't there yet. I started pushing and the doctor arrived.  Everyone seemed to be buzzing around the room in a hurry yet time seemed to be standing still. There's nothing quite like the painful contractions that happen as the baby makes it way down the birth canal. It took about 3 long pushes and my little guy made his appearance at 3:47am. This was probably my easiest labor but the pain I felt during delivery was more intense than with the other two.

There aren't many moments in life that are more amazing than holding your baby for the first time and it's amazing how that moment is equally as joyful with each child.

Maxwell came out crying loudly for the world to hear.  His cries were music to my ears; he was and is absolutely perfect at 7 pounds, 12 oz and 19 inches long.

*The pictures were taken 3 days after Maxwell was born

Now that we know where we are going to live, we have more time to explore on the weekends.  Yesterday, we walked downtown and had lunch and then explored the docks on Lake Union.  It was the perfect gray and hazy afternoon where everything looked mystical.  

The girls were in awe seeing all of the big boats.

It's still weird that this is our new home; the State really is so beautiful!

Our apartment is in one of the buildings on the top left of the above picture.