Infant+Passport Picture= IMPOSSIBLE

This week was my first week with all the family gone and it proved to be more difficult than I thought it was going to be. I'll be the first to admit that I thought the transition from 2 kids to 3 kids was going to be no big deal. The 2 older kids were, just that, older now, so I thought having a newborn would be no big deal. Well, I was right about the older 2 being a big help and entertaining themselves, but I wasn't prepared for the overwhelming guilt I feel for having to tend to Lainey's needs all the time and feeling like I neglect them. They never complain, but I feel like I am nursing Lainey or calming her down all the time and they don't get the attention they deserve. That is one reason why i am looking forward to them starting school tomorrow so they will be able to get out of the house and play with their friends. I am also sad about them going to school tomorrow, dumb hormones have me all over the place!! I am sad because I have been with them almost every minute of everyday this summer and they have been my little buddies and now they will be gone most of the day. I have so enjoyed being off of work and just taking care of them. They have been so good and helpful all summer!!

Lainey has been a little trying this week. She went from eating every 3 hours to wanting to eat every 1-1 1/2 hours and all she would do was scream in between feedings as I was trying to make her wait longer in between feedings. On Thursday, I broke down and cried from exhaustion and frustration. I didn't know if her tummy was hurting or if I wasn't making enough milk for her. I finally called my sister-in-law Lisa, she has a one year old at home and nursed him, I couldn't remember if my other kids did this or not. Luckily she went through the same thing with Luke and made me feel alot better. She said when he was around 3 weeks she took him to the pediatrician for the same thing and the dr said it is normal for babies to do this around 3 weeks due to them having a large growing spurt, he told her to just feed him when he was hungry and he should space back out after a week or so. This made me relax alot and Thursday night she slept much better. During the day she still has times where she only makes it 1 1/2hours but most the time it's 2-3hours. Just knowing I am not starving her made me feel alot better, and we can definitely tell she is alot bigger this week, her little thighs are filling out and her cheeks are getting squishier, so I'm glad there is a reason for the madness. I can't thank you enough for some peace of mind Lisa :)

We have been doing alot of preparing to get ready for the kids to start school on Monday, we had Jackson's Open House last week and Leah's this week. They are so excited to get back to school!! I love that they love school so much. We had to go get Jackson's school uniform since he is starting Kindergarten. I am actually pretty happy he has to wear a uniform, it will make the mornings much easier. I can't believe he is starting Elementary School!!! We went to Target to get Leah some new school clothes. Haircuts today and the grocery store to get lunch making supplies and I think we will be ready.

Lainey and I right after she ate...when she is MOST happy :)

You can tell it was a good meal when she has milk running fown her chin :)

She was so awake I had to the post this one

Loving her time with Daddy when he gets home from work!

OK, so on the passport. Lainey's Birth Certificate came in the mail on Friday so we have an appointment on Monday to get her passport. They recommended we take her passport photo ahead of time since it can take awhile to get the picture right to meet all the guidelines.

1. She has to facing forward

2. Eyes open

3. A neutral expression on her face (Yeah right!)

4. A white background

5. Nothing in babies hair

Seems easy enough, right? Except if you are attempting this on a 3 week old!! Here are some of the pics we took an attempt to get an adequate passport photo...ENJOY!!

Things didn't start out too well, since she pooped during the very first photo!! Can you tell by that face?? HAHAHA

Then the eyes diverted to the side....

Then we were getting a little too relaxed after filling the diaper

Then we got mad about the diaper and to take a timeout to clean the princess

Then her attention got diverted again and our white background got messed up, but we were getting closer

Now she had a "Girls Gone Wild" moment...she decided to pull her top down...

And now we are rooting....of course

JACKPOT, we got one that we think will work. Wish us luck!! She will probably hate us one day for this pic :)

I realize I have been dominating the blog with Lainey pics since she has been born and I am going to change that starting tomorrow when the kids have their first day of school!!