A day in the life of the Hamptons

Here is a day in the life with 3 kids:

5:00 am - alarm goes off; I hit snooze twice

5:18 am - wake up and shower.  Then I head downstairs to wash the dishes/bottles that I was too tired to wash last night. (And apparently R was too because he didn't do it either)

6:01 am - Ryan wakes up (she has her own alarm clock, which she asked for; and gets up and gets herself going - for real. All by herself).  She comes down to say hello to me then goes back upstairs to get ready.

6:15 am - I finish getting dressed then head to wake up Reagan.  Usually she gets right up but this morning she says,  "I'm not ready" and I try again.  She's not moving so I hand her off to her daddy.

6:30 am - R starts breakfast for the girls.  I finish my hair.

6:40 am - "Ryan, you have to move a little faster.  You don't even have clothes on yet.  Get out of the bathroom and go get your clothes on."

6:45 am - I go down to check on breakfast progress.

*This morning prince P slept through this all!  Usually he's up and I'm juggling him on my hip as I get everyone ready.

6:50 am - Everyone is downstairs for breakfast.  R and I switch.  He goes to get ready.

7:00 am - I'm packing lunches and checking to make sure Ryan's backpack is ready to go.

7:10 am - 5 minute warning to girls.  Clear table and get shoes on.

7:20 am - R leaves to take girls.  I stay and begin to check my email until he returns.

7:30 am - Baby awakes. Change.  Feed.  Kiss and cuddle

7:50 am - R returns.  I leave for work.  P is at home with daddy.

6 Months

We have now hit the 6 month mark as a family of 5!

My days are non-stop.  I don't sit until I hit the bed at around 10 pm.  The girls are both dancing - on 2 different nights and my little prince has my heart.

I.  could.  eat.  him.  up.

For real.

Boston

I am sitting in bed, in a hotel room in Boston.  The architecture is beautiful. I've seen brownstones, castles, and crazy driving.  I've yet to hear a true Boston accent though - maybe tomorrow.  The weather is cold.  Freezing.  

I am here for work.  A meeting to give feedback on a product we use at work.  I love my job. I am so thankful to have the career that I have.  I love teaching both children and adults.  I like inspiring others.  I enjoy the travel and most importantly the opportunity to learn new things.  

That's all.  Just want to document my little trip to Boston.

Good night. 

Happy

I have learned that no matter what might be going on in life.  We just have to be happy...and the Bible tells us this also.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Phillipians 4: 11-13


A lot has been going on in the House of Hamptons - good and bad but I have decided to be happy no matter what.  To be grateful no matter what.

Here's whats going on around here:
Me - Work - at home, career, and in every other aspect...
Him - Starting of a business
RC1 - Knows everything
RC2 - Threenager 
Prince P - Chocolate Puddin' (8 months - cruising, two teeth, likes to eat, not crawling but military crawls, "dadadadada", "heeeey")

Dear Ryan, Reagan, and Pace,
I love you with all my heart.  Some days I might lose my patience but it doesn't mean I love you any less.  You three keep me on my toes.  You are all such busy bodies and girls - well, you talk ALL DAY LONG.  Prince P seems to be a little quieter so far but we shall see.  More than anything I want you to know that God is in control and everything is a part of his perfect plan.  Always be kind to others and pray every single day.
Love, 
Mommy


Dear Russell,
We are meant to be.  I love you.  That's all I have to say. 
Love Always,
Tish

Summer 2016

This summer I did not work and stayed home with my babies.  We didn't do a big summer vacation this year but we did manage to squeeze in a little weekend getaway to Alabama for our niece's college graduation (Auburn University).

Summer 2016 was full of quality time together here at home, dancing, playdoh, painting, television, iPad, swimming, parks and love!

Pace's Baby Dedication at church

Little Dancer

This summer we decided to give dance class a try...for Reagan.  I wasn't really sure if she was going to like dancing but it turns out she was a natural.  She loved it so much that everyday she would ask, "I go dance class today mommy?"

If was fun to watch her practice and then they had a little recital at the end.  She was so happy and she was the star of the class - if I must say so myself.  Reagan and her other two little dance buddies were so freakin' cute during practice and then at the finale.  One little girl did not enjoy the audience - that was fun to watch (bless her heart).

Dance class + Reagan = Cutest thing ever

Currently...and 3 kids

3 kids.
3 kids is A LOT of work.
3 kids is busyness.
3 kids is a tired mommy.  And daddy.
3 children is a blessing.
3 children is fun.
3 children is...

I always knew I wanted to have a family - a wonderful husband, "2.5" kids, a big house with a fence and all all that fairy tale stuff.  I am so glad that the Lord blessed us with all of these things and more. I could not have imagined the love and work behind having all of this.  It is AMAZING.

Prince P you are now 5 months old.  He is the BEST BABY ever.  The girls were really good babies too but this little boy of mine - he is the icing on top of our cake.  He is such a chill little thing.  He is my son.  He is Russell's "lil dude".  He is the girl's baby.

Pace @ 5 months

Reagan, you are still as fiesty as ever.  You have graduated from a "terrible two" to a "threenager".  You are so busy and talkative and busy and talkative and all you want to do is have fun.  I am soooooo tired of your little tantrums and you can cry like no other - for no reason OR for lots of reasons and you won't stop until you have it your way.

Lil' Dancer

Ryan, you are so me.  But you are a much smarter, prettier, better version of me.  You know e-ver-y-thing (just like that).  You are very responsible and so good with your sister and brother.  I can always count on you, even though you too like to cry - over absolutely nothing.  You like to read, think, ask a million questions, and play on our little laptop/tablet combo.  You impress us everyday.  Keep being the sweet little girl that you are.

Miss Ryan Claire

We love each of you so much.

-Mommy and Daddy

The Prince has arrived

It all began the Saturday before.  I felt funny all day.  That night (early am hours) I began to have contractions.  I didn't think anything of it BUT it did last a while so I began to time them.
No consistency.  Not stronger.  I figured false alarm.

Monday, March 14 I had a doctor's appointment.  It was my 37 week checkup.

I had an inkling that labor had probably began from those pains I had began to have over the weekend.  But little did I know that it was for real showtime.

Here are the texts to some of my friends.  The beginning of Ps birth story via text:

By the time I checked in I was 5... a little while later the meds started and I progressed.

Unexpectedly (but gladly!!!!)  I had an entire family team during this labor.  Russell and my mom (of course - my A team), then I decided to add my photographer, my sister Chanel.

Then my dad decided he wanted to stop by with my nephew Jaiden and then my awesome sister-in-law came up with a few last minute things I asked her to pick up.

Everyone stayed and we all entertained each other until it was time to push a few hours later.

My A-team was in place during the delivery and about 15 minutes later the rest of the family returned to this...

*Worth noting - my actual "push" time was less than a minute.  Record breaking for me.
ONE MINUTE and ONE PUSH.
And he arrived.
6 lbs. 10 oz. 20 in. at 37 weeks @ 1:37 a.m.

Healthy.  Happy.  Baby Boy.

Here are a few more pics from labor and delivery.

Prince Pace Charles Hampton
March 15, 2016
my "PayDay" baby

4 weeks

37 Weeks

Hospital bound.  Last selfie with my RCgirls before P the arrival of their baby brother.

34 Weeks

We are almost there!

Before we know it we will be a family of five.  I will have a little boy.

I must admit I'm a little nervous about that.  Although I've had plenty of practice with my Prince Jaiden I still feel like I don't know what to expect with a boy.

Here is a bump update (minus a 34 week picture):
I still like to eat.  At my last appointment I weighed more than I did on d-day with RC2 (insert wide-eyed emoji)

I am exhausted.  I'm sooooooooo tired.  You, baby boy are getting to be a heavy load to carry around!  Kudos to anyone who has had twins.

Since I'm so tired I'm very cranky and moody.  Poor rc girls (and I guess R too), I have snapped on them more than I care to admit. #thistooshallpass

According to my app you are the size of a pineapple or canteloupe.  Pretty much you're just gaining weight.

We are not ready.  Or at least I am not ready.

I know that everything will work out.  We are just being faithful servants and know that God never fails.

You have a name and I'm so excited about it.

In honor of your great-grandfather (daddy) and Shammie (daddy's mom's maiden name).  PawPaw Pace never had a boy but he did have 6 girls.  Daddy thought it'd be neat to name you for him.

Your middle name is Charles - for your other great-grandfather C. A. Hampton.

Everyone was surprised that we didn't go with another 'R'.  I did try but your daddy rejected all of my R favs.

We will see you in a few weeks Mr. Pace Charles Hampton.

xoxoxo - Mommy