Memorial Day Weekend.

Our first weekend of the summer was pretty laid back & uneventful. It was rainy most of the weekend which sucks for little boys that want to play outside, but good for me because it feels like we live in the Pacific Northwest. It's so green! We tried taking Arlo on his first family walk but that didn't last long. We did stop by a couple parks on Saturday & Sunday. On Monday we went on a long drive & did some exploring in Paradise Valley. I think it was my favorite drive so far.I can't believe how much we still haven't discovered this close to home. We found some beautiful little cabins up one of the canyons & we found a lake on another road. The lake is going to be one of our first camping spots as soon as we get our fishing license. The best part of the lake was that even on a holiday weekend it was almost empty. =) 

I'm looking forward to tomorrow so we can do more exploring. I love you, Montana. 

Meet Arlo.

He's here! Arlo Julian Perry was born on May 11th at 4:42pm. We went to the hospital at 7am to get monitored & start pitocin. My contractions were pretty mild so they broke my water & I started hating life immediately after. From there I was progressing quickly enough that by the time they checked me again it was too late for an epidural. What? =( They had an anesthesiologist come by to give me an intrathecal instead. Soon after that Arlo was born.

& he's perfection. 

We were able to leave the hospital the next day which happened to be Mother's Day. The big boys & my MIL welcomed us home with cards & sooo many flowers. 

Arlo & I had a rough few days when we got home. Nursing was not going well for either of us even after working with a lactation consultant. Arlo was not having enough wet/dirty diapers & I could feel some postpartum depression coming on so with Tyson's support we decided to switch Arlo to formula. Presley & Mason were both formula-fed & they are both incredibly healthy so I've always been 100% comfortable with formula, but I did want to try nursing at least once. I was a little disappointed but it's been just over two weeks & I'm feeling like myself again (give or take 5 pesky pounds). & Arlo is gaining weight like a champ. =)

napping while i get my pitocin. 

finally holding him. good grief it was a long nine months. 

meeting his big brothers. 

& his papa. 

hot mess. 

he's going to think his name is "look at that hair". 

first family photo. mason is still deciding if he likes him or not. 

lucky me. 

steak dinner at the hospital. it was surprisingly tasty. 

my mother's day gifts. the boys made the planter boxes at the hardware store in town. 

the littles & i. 

after his first bath. he is not a fan. 

naked, pouty baby.

presley truly is the greatest brother.

tired parents.

well rested, ready to party all night. 

sun's coming up, time to sleep. 

first family walk. 

he's the sweetest papa. 

hanging in his bouncer while i get ready. i'm just glad he enjoys the blow dryer. 

mama's boy. he rarely leaves my arms. 

black-haired, blue-eyed babe. 

bits + pieces : keeping busy before baby arrives

Story time before bed. 

Making cookies. 

Flying our kite behind the house. 

Yard work & playing with the girls. 

Story time in Mama & Papa's bed. 

Tyson keeping the boys entertained at dinner. 

Presley's first scout hike in Yellowstone. 

Sunday morning. 

Making our Sunday roast. 

Sota. Handsome idiot. 

Helping me plant & care for some new flowers. 

Chasing bunnies. 

Reading Harry Potter to his mom. 

& more reading. They melt me. 

I only posted a tiny fraction of the photos I've taken lately. Be grateful. 

We've been super busy preparing for Baby's arrival. Tyson has finished about 95% of the chicken coop & they spent their first night out there! We probably won't get around to painting it until next week or so, but they are no longer living in the family room. The boys are staying busy with their various activities & I'm trying to enjoy more time with them before Baby is born (even though they only seem to care about the fact that Grandma Becky will be here on Friday). 

My due date is May 17th & I had originally asked to be induced on the 15th, then we realized that inducing on a Wednesday made no sense for Tyson's work schedule so I charmed my way into rescheduling for the 11th. THIS SATURDAY. Now I feel like we have a million things to do before then. The house is tidy, the laundry is done, we're stocking up on food tomorrow...I should probably pack my hospital bag.