This historic farm boasts all sorts of programs, mostly in the spring and summer months as well as a host of barnyard animals like chickens, turkeys, goats, sheep, draft horses and pigs as well as some other assorted birds, bunnies and a couple peacocks and pea hens. The farm is also an overwintering ground for monarch butterflies. so cool. To our disappointment the horse drawn train only runs in spring/summer. Also on the list for a return visit, the gardens.

The kids had a ball running around the grounds and checking out all the animals. We stuck around for the 3:30 animal feeding too. Claire and Conor loved petting the chickens, seeing the eggs and feeding the goats and sheep.

Kieran was a dream to have along, slept the whole time unless he was eating.

We’ve been home fourish days. Its difficult to believe its already Friday and Josh’s leave from work is drawing to a close. Kieran still seems to be a pretty laid back baby but I’m not holding my breath. I still think its too soon to tell. The truth? I’m afraid to declare he is a more laid back kiddo only discover that is not so and get to grapple with what three busy kids would mean (though I would still be infinitely grateful).

My observations of him thus far are in comparison to his siblings. In the hospital with Claire the nurses and lactation staff were adamant that I feed her every two hours and came to check and make sure I did. She would scream at the two hour mark if we tried to ‘make’ her eat and settle down in an hour or two and eat. I learned she would eat when she wanted to and that was that. Kieran is more like, meh…sure feed me now, feed me later, just feed me and if you want, I’ll just eat all the time. Conor was a wiggle worm from the first flutter I felt. Even when eating he would rarely sit still and just eat, Kieran would lay there all day long and just chill. He continues the family tradition of blowing out diapers even at this tender age and has infinite patience with his siblings who are interested in his every squeak, cry and movement.

Claire and Conor thus far have totally surprised me. For the past few days they have been diggin’ their brother. (I am thankful for this but will take each day as it comes). Kieran has already accumulated around 100 kisses from Conor. Conor is also getting a little more bold and wants to pick him up, hug him and stick a pacifier in his mouth. Going to have to keep my eye on that kiddo. Claire, Miss not into dolls what so ever, is little mother to him. “Can I hold him? He needs to be held, I think he’s hungry, does he need his diaper changed? Let me help you put him in the carseat, oh look that’s a big yawn.”

While feeding Kieran in the middle of the night my thoughts have strayed to the scenarios I will encounter in the days ahead. Its a good thing I’m sleep deprived because otherwise I would lay awake in a panic with my hair standing on end. The days to come especially when Josh is back at work and my help leaves, will be very interesting. I’m sure there will be many stories to share in the days to come.

For all the interested minds, the following is an account (pg version) of Kieran’s birth story.

The last six weeks of this pregnancy had taken a toll on me mentally. I was more uncomfortable than the previous two pregnancies and I’m sure chasing around after a 3 year old and 18 month old didn’t add to my energy or comfort level. I am a planner and consequently, as my due date drew near, my mind began messing with me. When will he come? Will he be late? Feels like he’s going to be huge. And for the first time, as the New Year passed, I declared myself done with pregnancy. I was just ready to be done. After hearing from my OB that she would let me go as far as 41 weeks 5 days gestation (the 22nd of January), I was making plans to take matters in my own hands and safely encourage labor to come. In fact, Saturday morning dawned beautiful and clear and we took the kids to the Oakland Zoo to spend the day. It was also good for me because I could be on my feet and walking, allowing gravity to do its work. As late as Saturday night I was talking it out with Josh and expressing that I was not mentally prepared for what’s ahead and not prepared for labor, I just wanted it to be over. I had had some mild contractions on Saturday but nothing consistent and since I’d also had contractions the previous days for a couple hours that just went away, I did not think twice about it. I went to bed decently early on Saturday but woke up at 11:45 with an uncomfortable contraction then went back to sleep. That continued for a couple hours off and on. Finally at 2:45 I couldn’t go back to sleep. So, I paced the house a little pondering if this was the real thing or not. You see, I had a note in my doctor file that I tend to deliver quickly and so if I feel anything I should come in. But the last thing I want is to raise the alarm falsely and rouse everybody only to be sent home. So, I tried to talk to Josh but he was not waking up. I texted my sister who happened to be awake with Ellie and solicited her opinion. Josh woke up at that point and he started timing contractions (2 minutes apart). I was confused however because there were other things that happened in my previous labor that had not yet happened, casting doubt about whether this was really happening. Anyway, I was convinced to call Labor and Delivery who said yes, it would be a good idea to come in. We called my parents and raised the baby alarm. I jumped in the shower to rinse off – though Josh would rather I just got dressed and waited by the door. I think he was afraid I’d just stay in the shower and deliver there.

This time I was just ready to be at the hospital, probably because I was in that ‘let’s just get this over with’ mentality. I paced waiting for my parents to arrive and with a grim face got in the car and headed to the hospital. We checked in at the birth center and went to triage to be evaluated. They determined yes, i would be staying, I was at 5cm so even though the other things I thought should happen first, hadn’t happened, they were irrelevant now. The nurse marked admit time at 4:31 am. They got my iv hooked up and I got changed, called my mom because she wanted to be present and help as she could. I had plans to walk around and keep letting gravity do its work but this time I just didn’t feel like it so…I laid down and pretty much stayed there. At some point mom arrived, I met my nurse, Jenny and time was marked by the break in contractions. This time I remember what I was thinking about. I sang old hymns in my head and pictured Claire and Conor’s faces. As things got more intense I started to feel more and more done with the whole process and doubted my capability to see it through (transition). As I talked out the drugs/no drugs thing with Josh, the voice in my head was saying, you are just done, you are done. So the nurse came in an checked again now 8cm. With Claire, I remember being cheered by that declaration. The nurse was upbeat and said, we’ll probably have a baby in an hour. This time it made my grumpy. I need something. So…they gave me a little something in my IV, don’t remember what it was but it was supposed to last about an hour and take the edge off. It totally relaxed me between contractions and even helped dull contractions for like 20 minutes but that was all – still it was enough. After 20 minutes things felt REALLY intense again, and I started to feel like the pushing stage would be coming close. The nurse came in and checked, 9cm. She also warned, my water had not broke so mainly to Josh, beware. Ok…10 minutes later definitely had the pushy sensation. Mom ran to get the nurse, she came in, took a look and gave me the go ahead to push. Poor nurse, somebody should have warned her that I don’t even spend an hour pushing. After the first push she was on the call button demanding extra hands and the doc in the delivery room. Alas for her, this was not to be. Next his head was out and she was wrestling with his shoulders and directing my mom to push all the call buttons on the bed and demand the doctor. He came in after the hard work was done, we’ll leave it there. Meanwhile nurse Jenny is still wrestling with his shoulders and for the first time in all my deliveries, they are directing me to push push more (usually its stop stop stop) but this kids shoulders were giving us a little trouble. Suffice to say for me, I was aware that they were giving trouble because holy cow…that hurt. So, finally his shoulders were out (clavicles in tact praise God!) and the rest of him was out. Baby boy was purple purple but got an apgar socre of 8.

So…as morning dawned that day, I felt my life had come full circle. I was born 33 years ago in that same hospital on that same day. Kieran and I now have a special bond, we share a birthday…the best birthday present I could ever get.

First impressions…Kieran is a man child hulk of a baby. Dusting of darkish hair, no neck and all chub. He is stats are as follows, born 6:46 am on January 8, 2012 weighing in at 9lbs 10oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He seems to be more laid back than this siblings. He is definitely less wiggly than the other two, even as an infant.

Little birthday party for Kieran and I.

Conor enjoying his cupcake!

His name is Kieran Joseph. Kieran means is a gaelic name meaning little dark one and Joseph is after my maternal grandfather Joseph (Zeck) Moriera. Josh gave me a little more license in the name of this baby because he was really camped out on our previous two kids’ names (not that he camped on bad names).

Welcome to our family Kieran Joseph! We are thankful you are here!

Conor and Ellie catching up.

little brotherly love.

Auntie Katie pulled overnight duty with me at the hospital! Thank you!!!

all ready to go home!

What does it feel like to have made it to 39 weeks?

I am thankful that little man #2 made it through all the major holidays so now he can have a day of his own (or share it with me or my mom and sister – all three of us have January birthdays). I am EVER so thankful for the time Josh had off around the holidays – gave me a big chance to regroup. I feel physically and mentally better than I had in a month or so. Having another set of parent hands was awesome and he really took initiative while I was off so that I would nest rest.

All that to say, yesterday was a tough day. I was unsure about what to do with the kids and not mentally prepared for the day. I was allowing the waiting game to get the best of me and indulging in the post holiday blues. For the past six weeks its been all about holidays and family and gatherings and I hadn’t really visualized life after New Years day nor did I have any plans. So, after some thought and prayer and a pep talk from Josh I got my act together. I will treasure the remaining time I have with my two precious munchkin monsters while they are the only two. I will make plans and be thrilled to break them when I go into labor. I will take the final stretch aches and pains with a grain of salt recognizing that its temporary and in a couple weeks at the longest, they will go away. Thank the Lord for this new perspective. I awoke this morning ready to tackle and have a good day with the kids – oh and nest when they are sleeping.

I will cherish the time with my two precocious/busy/loveable and utter snuggly kiddos…yes its a repeat but I’m trying to make it my mantra…

My favorite memories of this Christmas season? Making cookies with Claire, dancing to Christmas music with the kids, watching her delight in making and handing out Christmas cards to our family, listening to both the kids ooh and aaah over Christmas lights (when we’d drive around looking at them). I loved Christmas eve with Claire and starting some new family traditions. The kids and Josh opened the last advent door and heard the conclusion of the birth of our savior, Jesus. Claire helping me lay out the stockings (couldn’t keep them out before because Conor kept yanking them off the mantle), setting out the cookies for Santa, choosing shoes for her and Conor to set by the fireplace for St. Nick to leave treats in, and sprinkling reindeer food out on the lawn. Conor at this point was a wreck, it was well past his bedtime and he had croup so while Clarie and I enjoyed the preparations, Josh wrestled with Conor in the house getting him settled for bed.

My favorite Conor memory was Christmas morning when he unwrapped his present, we got him a smart trike and before we could even get the bag off of it, he was climbing onto it. For the record he test drove it today and was so happy about it, he didn’t even mind wearing a hat (which he usually never does).

‘let me feed you this Christmas cookie!’

all this Christmas celebration is wearing me out…

‘I think I’ll wear this today.’ (nothing more suitable for a 3 year old than mom’s maternity sweater).

a visit from Auntie B and Eleanor.

more Christmas cookies and what better place to eat them than in front of the tree?

I was laughing at Conor running around in diaper and socks but when I went to get the camera, he plopped in front of the tree and declared “CHEESE!!!”

And so, our family celebrations this year were low key and filled with laughter, family and good food! This year we also had the pleasure of Meme’s theme park to entertain the kids. I have a feeling this will also become a new tradition. We ended Christmas night with a ‘picnic’ in Meme & Pop Pop’s backyard, turkey soup and cornbread, popcorn for the kids, the train, the rollar coaster and tee ball. It was a lovely way to bring Christmas to a close – sort of.

Though the rest of the commercial world will be getting on with the next holiday, we’re still on Christmas around here. The tree and decorations are going nowhere. Though the radio stations have moved on from Christmas music, our house will still ring with the sounds of the season. The Smith family will keep Christmas going until the inlaws arrive sometime next month to celebrate the arrival of baby boy #2. So Merry Christmas!

just brushing up on my newborn skills, thanks Ellie for helping me out.

I think this picture sums up how Claire felt about this gift.

Claire has developed a passion for re-wrapping gifts…rolls of tape beware!

two Christmas campers a little sleepy from all the excitement.

On Monday I assisted a friend, who works in Public Affairs at Kaiser, with a promo video for prospective patients in Labor and Delivery. My qualifications had nothing to do with my acting resume but the fact that I’m super pregnant. This video was shot in Walnut Creek, the same place I had both Claire and Conor. It was weird being there and going through the motions of admitting, triage and the delivery room. I was feeling just fine until they asked me to don a hospital gown and get strapped to the fetal monitor. It was just plain weird, all too familiar and too close to home.

On Wednesday I had this weird “episode” where I felt like my blood pressure was sky rocketing (i have no idea if that is what it was but that’s what it felt like) and I saw spots (like leopard spots), the spots lasted for about an hour. Later in the day I mentioned it to Josh and my mom and both of them urged me to let my doctor know. So…under a little duress I sent an email and she responded requesting that I go to Labor and Delivery and have a little work up done to make sure all is good. The downside, between the kids and myself I feel like I’m at the doctor quite enough as it is. The upside? Though I was born at Vallejo Kaiser, I remember nothing about the L&D department and have no idea where it is so I looked at this as an opportunity to figure out where I would need to be going in the near future. So once again i was hooked up to the fetal monitor and I got about 30 minutes of respite reading my book while they evaluated me…relaxing and at this point, I’ll take my relaxation where I can get it. As I departed, the security guard smiled at me, “not today eh?” To which I responded “nope, and just fine with me.” That day is when the real work begins. Stay tuned, we’ve got a few more weeks before this next adventure should play out.

Tree has been up for two weeks, no ornaments broken – yet. Conor is learning the finer points of look but don’t touch or touch but don’t take off the tree. He’s catching on but still likes to bring us ornaments and say “no! no! no!”

Christmas on first street and appetizers at Vino Paladini. Appetizers were delicious and the gazebo full of kids toys was a complete bonus!

hanging out with Lola (apparently she was cold)

and yes, there is Conor, standing in his chair, no pants with the portable potty seat – that’s all I have to say about that.

this picture Josh and I look at and wonder, how did Claire get so stinkin old?

check out the pouty face!

Josh gets to meet Ellie!

Conor and Uncle B just hanging out.

The Christmas Parade on 1st street.

The morning ritual of the advent calendar!

Bringing home a little one is such a special/terrifying/heartwarming/challenging time and bringing one home for the first time is something I feel, you’ll never experience again. Sure it can be super overwhelming: figuring how to feed the baby, discern her cries, soothe her and get her to sleep. Throw in your own postpartum hormones and insomnia and if you’re like me, you can be downright cuckoo during those first few weeks (or months). But, as time goes on you figure those things out.

For a second or third or whatever time around, there are the adjustments to be made as you learn about this new little person in your house but maybe somethings are a bit easier or you’re more relaxed because you’ve been through them before but this time, you’re going through them and there is another little person already in the house that is depending on you for things especially entertainment. So maybe the newborn thing is if not easier, its familiar which may make it seem easier but that complicating factor of a sibling throws a whole new dynamic into the mix. Its wonderful and challenging all at once as you learn to juggle multiple kids. When we brought Conor home, there was so much going on (we were in process of moving) that I was quick to pass Conor off to a loving pair of arms so that I could attend to Claire and ensure her transition was as smooth as possible. I did miss out on much of that sweet snuggle time though he did seem to enjoy making up some of that in the middle of the night when he woudldn’t sleep.

What am I saying in all of this? Nothing that hasn’t been said before. Enjoy this time with your kid(s) because it goes so quickly. If you’re just entering into the parenting journey the first time, take that time to indulge yourself with that precious baby of yours because there is nothing like the first time. I think back to all the ‘things’ I tried to get down around the house when Claire was newborn/infant and wish I would have sat down a bit more and just enjoyed her. Its a luxury you get the first time but not necessarily anytime after that. Of course, this is all coming from someone who’s kids are kind of close together and are all at home right now. I think I’m going to be more of a baby hog this time around and attempt to capture more of that snuggle time. Not sure how I will navigate but we’ll figure it out as we all do.