1 week old

Back to his birth weight. His heart sounds good. He is doing great!
Oh and he is quite possibly the cutest thing ever!

Introducing....

Chase Tyler Jorgenson

Born April 14, 2010
8:36 AM
8 lbs 2 oz 19.5 inches

He was quickly nicknamed the movie star/rock star baby by all the nurses because of all his hair. The rock star title definitely fits when he does his high pitched squeal when he is not happy. Sadly that little quirk is fading fast and I just hope we have it on video.We spent an extra day in the hospital because he had swallowed some fluid during delivery and needed his tummy cleaned out. He also had an EKG and an Echo performed on him and we learned that he has a slight ventricular defect in his heart. Thankfully it is nothing life threatening, he is just slightly at a higher risk for a heart infection. There is a chance that this tiny hole will close up over time. We are beyond grateful and relieved that it is not serious. It did give Tyler a bit of a scare as he watched from the other side of the glass as the technician and doctor pointed things out on the screen during the Echo.Taylor adores him and wants to hold him all.the.time! She is a big help.Andy and Ashlyn sometimes act like he is not around.
They have each other and they play all day and act as if nothing has changed. Although Ashlyn has reminded me that I can now bend down because there is not a baby in my tummy anymore. Except today she told me there is still a baby in my tummy because "Chase needs to be twins" like her and Andy are twins. She wants a baby girl too.We love our Baby Chase! He is perfect! We are so excited to have him as part of our family. Before each child is born I always wonder how I will love another little person, how will they fit into our family, will it change my relationship with the other kids. The moment I heard those first cries I was in love with this little guy and so grateful that he has been sent to us.

Taylor comment

After a day of children not listening at all and after just dishing out a lecture about the lack of listening in our home that day, I told Taylor it was time to get ready for bed and she replied, "Mom, I'm sorry I'm not listening right now but I really want to put these toys in the basket." Hmmm, at least she recognized she wasn't listening and she apologized.

Now we wait....

The kids helped me sort through boy clothes.

I am now just over 38 weeks pregnant which is a record for me. I have never made it passed this pregnancy benchmark. Can't really say I'm a fan of going full term. Last week the contractions were there and kept me up all night. I really thought he was coming that day, April 7th...sounded like a great day for a birth day! After almost 2 hours in the hospital, I was sent home. I have strong feelings about going to the hospital and being sent home. I never never wanted to do that. So I was bit annoyed to say the least. The nurse tried making up crap to try to make me feel better but I saw through it. I guess our little guy just wanted to give me a test run and reacquaint me with the maternity ward (not really necessary but thanks anyway). The next day I went to my doctor, he confirmed that things are "progressing" but now we wait. So we are waiting. I'm not so good at the waiting game. And because I'm so impatient I'm sure I will be 42 weeks before this kid comes and he will be 10 pounds!!!

Kids say the funniest things...

Lately my kids have been saying and doing some pretty funny things. Every time it happens I tell myself I need to remember this but of course it is impossible to remember everything. My solution is to include these funny moments on the blog because ONE day I plan to print this thing as our family journal.

So yesterday Tyler and Ash were relaxing on my mom's hammock and had the following conversation:

Ashlyn: Dad, let's look at the clouds.
Tyler: Okay what do you see?
Ashlyn: skittles.

How did I get such cute kids???

My friend Rachelle just started a photography business so we had a fun photo shoot with her for Andy's and Ashlyn's 3 year pictures. They turned out great! Check out Rachelle here.

Taylor is my first born. There is something special about that first born child...there is a unique bond between her and I. Everything is a first experience. It is all exciting and scary. I definitely make mistakes along the way as I figure out to handle the start of school, the crushes from boys (seriously kindergarten?), homework, and the influences of the world on my precious girl. She has matured so much over the last couple months. She asks a lot of questions. I asked her why she asks so many questions and she replied "Because I want to know everything!" She is a big kid now. And we are so proud of her.

And then there is Ashlyn, our sunshine girl. Her laugh, her voice, her spunk, her pronunciation of words, her animated face, her daring tricks, her addiction to candy, and the things she says make us laugh everyday. Little girls don't get much cuter than this.

And MY boy! Andy is a momma's boy. Tyler doesn't like me to admit that publicly but he is and I like it! The kid is like 36 pounds and 40 inches tall but requires me to "Hold You" quite often throughout the day. Despite being 37 weeks pregnant, I carry him. He gives the best loves. He has the best eyes, the best dimple, the best love for his twin, and has recently showed us that he is a smart boy. He asks lots of questions throughout the day also with lots of Why's in response. He is sensitive and melts out hearts.

THE dimple.... just like his dad!

Having a sister is a great blessing. I have 2 and I feel very blessed to have them in my life. Taylor wanted nothing more than to share a room with Ash when all the room changing was taking place. She loves to help her, dress her, play with her. Ash loves to follow Taylor around ALL day. She wants to be just like her Tay Tay.Having twins is so fun! I am so grateful that I have been able to have the experience of being a mother to twins. They love each other. They look out for one another. They spend every minute together and for the most part, never really fight. They love to play with one another. If one is upstairs and the other downstairs, they are quickly asking me where the other one is. They have a bond. They have something unique and special. My 3 darlings are definitely a blessing in my life. They challenge me everyday. They push me to be better, to seek out advice and wisdom in an effort to be a better parent. They make me laugh, they make me smile, and drive me crazy but more than anything else, they complete me and I am so grateful for each one of them and their individual personalities that make our family what it is.I hope they always remain close. I hope they rely on one another, support one another,
and have fun together and always remember how blessed they are to have each other.

Vegas!

Our 2nd mini vacation while Taylor was off track was to Vegas to meet up with my sisters, Aunt, and my mom.
The kids were IN LOVE with Trisha's little guy Cannon. The poor kid learned a new grunting noise because he had 3 kids suffocating him all weekend. It gave me a little taste of what I am in for when our little guy arrives.

We introduced the kids to hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts on this trip. I couldn't resist when I saw the Hot Doughnut light on. Andy was extremely fascinated with the making of these melt in your mouth treats. All weekend he kept asking for a hot doughnut. Taylor had 2 and before she was done was asking for a 3rd. I think I have started a little addiction here.

Tyler was such a good sport to swim with the kids when it was only 60 degrees outside. I thought Vegas was always supposed to be hot??? Trisha and I enjoyed the view from the sidelines during this adventure.Ashlyn amazes me everyday with her coordination.
Lately, Taylor tells everyone that she is a monkey.

We are a park loving family and I have decided that Vegas/Henderson have the best parks. We found one and enjoyed an hour there before heading to the strip.Bellagio at 35 weeks pregnant. So not flattering but the flowers were amazing!

The whole gang at Cheesecake Factory.

Classic Ashlyn moment: Taylor: "I want to go to the M&M store." Ashlyn: "I want to go to the skittle store." The girl loves her sugar and don't be messing it up with any chocolate.

We went to the Coke a Cola store so Tyler could reminiscence and remember the good ole days in South Africa. They have sodas from all over the world, 2 of which Tyler drank while on his mission.

We ended the weekend with a girls trip to the nail salon. What could be better?!

This was one of the easiest trips we have taken since Andy and Ashlyn were born. The drive was good. They went to bed easy. They slept well and slept in. No crazy meltdowns. I realized my kids are actually growing up and "vacationing" is more enjoyable. Now let's add an infant to the mix. Only one this time though, that has to be a little easier.