Baby Taco arrived this week in dramatic fashion! I got a call from Megan on Wednesday afternoon to tell me that her water broke. What!?!? It wasn’t time yet! In fact, Megan was just 33 weeks and 1 day pregnant, a day past the gestation I delivered Steven, Sammy and Amaya. No one saw this coming.

Megan rushed off to the hospital and I started rallying the troops (Grandma Sunshine, Nana and Rosie) to cover care for the kids because this was not the plan.

The hospital confirmed that Megan’s water broke and she settled in for some time on hospital bed rest. Baby Taco had other plans, though, and arrived early in the morning on Thursday, 11/17. Sweet Baby Taco. Everlee as her mommy and daddy call her.

She’s doing well and is a feeder and grower in the NICU for hopefully not too much longer. Megan is a pro at this after caring for SSA when they were still in the NICU and you can see from these photos how well motherhood suits our wonderful, wonderful May May. We are all so thrilled to share this journey with the Wright family.

Today Megan and Mike came by to pick up something at the house. This was all a whirlwind for the kids because Megan left at nap time on Wednesday and obviously didn’t come back to work. I’m so glad they were able to see her. Sammy said, “If Baby Taco isn’t in your belly, are you getting littler.” Good use of opposites, Sammy!

Steven and May May. Look at that love.

Jason and I are very lucky to have an incredible village around us as we cobble together care until Rosie can start full time. Grandma Sunshine and Nana immediately came to the rescue for which we say THANK YOU. <3

Earlier this week we got the kids first school photos! “Here, hold a pumpkin.”

It’s hard to believe but Nana was still here last Monday. That feels like a lifetime ago! Megan and Nana took the kids to Funtastic for open play.

Nana helping Amaya wash her hands after using the potty.

Tuesday morning I took Nana to the airport and Steven was a little concerned I was going on an airplane so I sent this photo to Megan to show Steven that I was just working in my office after the airport run. It did the trick!

Play doh continues to be all the rage in our house.

Steven made a band-aid for his hand.

Little miss fashionista decided to try on my low heel boot.

Then she added a backpack.

On Wednesday, Megan took Steven to PT like it was a normal day. NOT A NORMAL DAY! This is the last photo Megan took for us between the birth of her baby and the end of her maternity leave. I know that might not seem like a big deal but Megan and I have been a team since before SSA even came home from the NICU. I’ve never really parented without her! And that is not at all to suggest there’s a lack of confidence on my part. I’m mom and I’ve got this. But Megan, Jason and I are a well oiled machine and it’s a big adjustment.

Wednesday afternoon it was Grandma Sunshine to the rescue! Sherry came from Lansing on Wednesday afternoon to hold down the fort Thursday morning and Friday morning until Rosie arrived.

This is totally random, but I realized that the kids can eat whole apples now. Maybe they could have for a while but this was the first time we didn’t slice the apples for them. Steven needed his peeled a bit. The skin was a little tough for him.

On Thursday, SSA were happy kids at home with Grandma. They didn’t skip a beat!

Thursday was also prematurity awareness day which is always a meaningful time to take stock on how far Steven, Sammy and Amaya have com The timing couldn’t be more perfect as it was also Baby Taco’s birth day. 33 weekers rock!

We had amazing weather at the end of the week and Rosie made a point to get the kids outside to enjoy these last few days of fall temperatures.

Friday morning, Sherry and I woke up early to take Steven for his cardiac echo. Because Sherry had never been to the kids’ school, the easiest plan was for us all to go to the appointment and then all drive to school together.

The typical morning scene is Amaya on the potty with her brothers close by.

Sammy and Amaya were so patient while they waited for Steven. I think they’re getting good at waiting for Steven’s various appointments!

Just like with his ekg, Steven was beside himself at the idea of taking off his shirt. The night before we’d watched a youtube video of a child getting the procedure but he was still very upset. Our compromise was that he wore his zip up hoodie during the test. It was all he needed to get comfortable.

And then, after the test and confirmation that everything is looking good, it was off to school! Grandma practiced walking all 3 kids in on her own. We’re lucky to have such good listeners.

Friday afternoon everyone played outside in 70 degree weather and said a final farewell to fall.  Boooooo.

Toddlers goofing around before dinner.

Saturday was a BIG day for Amaya! We’d decided it was time to move from pull-ups to big girl underwear and this was the day. My little girl is such a big girl. I really can’t believe it.

She did such a great job! On Saturday she had 3 accidents in the morning and then nothing for the rest of the day. Same for today. She had a few early morning accidents and then got into the swing of things. She’s on her way! No turning back!

Saturday morning silliness.

Jason went out to do some yard work and the kids wanted to bundle up to watch.

Amaya didn’t last long. Once it started to precipitate (rain? sleet? snow?) she was inside in a flash.

Saturday evening my former colleague Molly came by to see us before Molly and I went out for dinner.

Today Rosie came to spend the morning to start learning the routine for the early part of the day. The kids love her and she’s great with them. We really lucked out!

Playing “pat clap” with Sammy.

Cuddling my Amaya.

Steven’s turn for the big backpack!

Helping Daddy with laundry.

UGH. So, Sammy’s transition to his own room has not gone well. He’s a hot mess at bedtime and wakes up every night around 11pm and 5am. It’s awful. We thought it might be because he’s not so ready to be on his own so we moved him back in with Steven and Amaya. Either something else is going on or the past 3 weeks have done a number on him because he’s still a wreck at bedtime and still waking up at night. I hope he works through this quickly because it’s affecting the whole house and the poor kid seems pretty miserable. 🙁

Back to three. Though, Amaya has been napping in a travel crib in her own room. I like that arrangement because I think they all nap better with fewer distractions and Amaya is most often the nap time instigator.

Finally, on Monday Jason and I met with Miss Penny for SSA’s first parent-teacher conferences!  The assessment is also for 4 year olds so there are some things the kids aren’t doing yet that aren’t age appropriate but, overall, they’re pretty much right where they should be. Their fine motor skills are very good and, as we all know, their gross motor skills still need some development.

It was interesting to hear about how they act when we’re not there. It wasn’t surprising to hear that Sammy is most likely to look for his brother and sister. Amaya just takes off to play without any concern for where her brothers are and has from day one. Steven is finally adjusting and has adapted to school.

Miss Penny told us how they needed to pair up in music class and Steven went right over to someone. On the other hand, another boy came to Sammy and Sammy burst into tears. My bubba.

It was also fascinating to hear about how quiet Amaya is in school. She’s a total chatterbox at home but is just starting to talk in school. I guess it makes sense. Everything is on Amaya’s terms. 🙂 Oh, and I absolutely love that when asked if she’s a boy or a girl, Amaya said she’s a “lady”.

Have a great week and a wonderful Thanksgiving!