William's Blessing Day

So, I know I am hopelessly behind, but I thought I'd post some pictures from William's Baby Blessing (sort of like the Mormon version of a christening) today. Someday I'll catch up on everything I haven't posted about. Someday. Someday....

We were so glad to have Grandpa Mark and Grandma Suzanne and the Ellingson family come for this special day. And we are grateful for our wonderful ward family here in Texas too. We love you all!

My "Things I've Done Today" List

This morning I had an epiphany. I've been feeling unproductive and overwhelmed and all the things that a mom of four littles regularly feels. I've tried making great To-Do lists so that I can mark things off as I get them done. I'm a compulsive list maker, and usually to-do lists are my best tool for productivity, but lately they just aren't working. So this morning, I was getting the big kids out the door and looking longingly at the blanket waiting for me on the couch, thinking about turning on Disney Junior and dozing for an hour. Knowing I'd wake up feeling grumpy and guilty about not being productive, and then scrambling to get a couple things done from my list for today, knowing I'd feel guilty about all the things left on the list when I went to bed, knowing I would transfer most of those things onto tomorrow's list, only to repeat the cycle again.

Instead, I threw out my list. And I got a new sheet of paper out and started a "Things I've Done Today" list. I know I do things every day. I fall into bed completely exhausted at the end of the day, so I know I do things, I just had no idea what, exactly.

Here's my list:

• Fixed and fed 5 people breakfast and lunch and dinner (Travis is on his own).
• Helped the kids unload the dishwasher. Loaded the breakfast dishes.
• Snuggled a cute baby.

• Washed 1 load of laundry.
• Put away 4 loads of folded laundry from yesterday.
• Fed the baby. (This doesn't sound like much, but it takes up a HUGE chunk of my day. William eats every 2 1/2 to 4 hours. He eats 6 - 12 oz at a time. It takes him 30 to 90 minutes each time, by the time you burp and change him. So, to do a little math, if  he eats every 3 hours on average, and it takes him an hour each time, that is about 8 hours a day. That is a full time job right there. Fortunately, when the big kids are home, they want to feed him, so that frees me up a little, but if you are a mother of an infant and don't have big kids or you are nursing, give yourself a pass on everything else - you are amazing if you can find the time to brush your teeth every day!)
• Dealt with 3 wardrobe meltdowns - one fashion-conscious preteen, one leaky diaper, and one grumpy toddler who insisted on picking her own clothes.
• Made 3 beds (usually only make my own, but I washed the sheets).
• Got showered, dressed, brushed my teeth.
• Attended a tea party.

• Cleaned my bedroom.
• Filed papers.
• Watched Micky Mouse and snuggled on the couch.
•  Negotiated several short-lived peace treaties between Megan and Jared.
•  Talked on the phone to my sisters and friends.
•  Wrote a blog post.

 At the end of the day, there are still cobwebs where the ceiling meets the wall in Every. Single. Room. There is a mystery stain in the carpet in the livingroom. The toaster oven still needs to be cleaned out. And the dry cleaning is still on the front seat of my car, waiting to be dropped off (it's been there for about 3 weeks now). My bathroom is still dirty. But I know I had a productive day. And I feel good about my list.

I'm not saying I won't make a to-do list tomorrow, because I probably will - I can't seem to help myself. But I won't feel so bad when I don't get through half the items on it.

Spring Break 2013

During Spring Break this year we kept things pretty low key, but we did go on a couple of outings.

We went hiking and had a picnic at Steven F. Austin campground. (The Thomas family was camping, but we just joined them for part of a day. Not brave enough to camp with a newborn.)

And then we went to the beach in Galveston with Auntie Eleanor and her kids and our friends the Milletts. It was COLD! And WINDY! Nobody played in the water much, but they all had fun flying kites and building sandcastles on the beach.

We had a picnic at the Water Wall with Travis and the our friends the Haynes.

And of course, we went to Ritters.

A Babyshower for William

Have I mentioned that I have the nicest friends? Because I really do. You might think yours are nicer, but you would be wrong. Really. Mine are the best.

A week before I had William my wonderful friends threw a shower for me. It was so much fun to get together and visit and relax. And eat. And eat. Mmmmmm. Everything was fabulous. And so thoughtful. Lots of vegetarian options. And best of all, for dessert we had Ritters. Quarts of it. It was the best party ever.

See - I told you my friends were the nicest.

More Pictures of Baby William

Our first family picture:

Here are a few more pictures of William. Isn't he handsome? (That's all for tonight - I promise!)

William Meets the Crazies

Megan, Jared, and Kate were so excited to meet their new baby brother.

Megan would have been happy to hold him forever. She remembered everything from when Kate was little.

Jared was excited to hold him too. I think he is thrilled to have a little brother.

Kate was....Kate. She is a little hurricane! She climbed on all the furniture. Jumped off everything she could. Pulled my IV out of the vein so the fluid pooled under my skin. Hugged and kissed her baby brother. Tried to get him to drink from her sippy cup. Beeped his nose, poked at his eyes, ears, and mouth. Pulled his hair. Ate candies without taking the wrapper off. And dumped out my water bottle. It will be an adventure when we go home tomorrow.

Please Welcome Baby William!

William James Mansfield was born on Wednesday, February 6 at 12:13 pm. He was 8 lbs, 7 oz and 21 inches.

Here are a few pictures taken when he was just minutes old.