picnic in the park

Before we get too deep into life with a new baby aka normalus interruptus ... I want to jot this afternoon down because it was a good one. Not that any of my posts are extra exciting but this one might be thrown in the super unexciting category but I know I'll be happy I typed it in stone to look back on in the near and distant future. 

After Simon and the kids picked me and Phoebe up from the hospital on Friday we grabbed some cafeteria fare and headed to a park down the street from the hospital for a little picnic and recreation.

BUT not before Simon and I split up at the hospital - he took the boys to grab the food and I had Phoebe and a mountain of newborn diapers in my lap with Julia by my side holding my hand.  I was wheeled down to the lobby (complete with lengthy detour via the entire fifth floor ... down from my former residence .... the sixth floor) by a very kind gentleman volunteer that had one walking speed: sloth. He ran over Julia's sandaled feet multiple times and stopped for multiple breathers. The whole thing was just as stressful as it was comical with Julia giving me wide, "wtf" eyes and clutching my hand even tighter than her usual deathgrip while I prayed that Phoebe would keep it together and my diaper pile wouldn't spill and set us back two years.

Even Phoebe mustered a brow furrow and hung on for dear, sweet life.

Anyway. Glad everyone survived.

Onward.

The park and the picnic. I hate to wax too sappy and happy but Simon starts his crazytown hours again tomorrow and then is back to pounding the interview trail pavement at the end of the week. The horror. Things will be back to their regular volume of: loud complaints .... SOON enough.

Should I openly admit that Theo's favorite food in the whole wide world is Sun Chips? Probably not. But now you know.

The weather was perfect and the kids didn't fight (a full fledged miracle these days .... Julia and Sebastian fight about e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g lately ... ) and Theo was the happiest little clam

wearing Sebastian's shorts. But you'd never guess.

he still hyperventilates and waves both hands violently whenever he approaches the new addition. I'm sure the new will wear off soon but for now ... it's endearing as bleep.

Ladies man.

and Phoebe slept the entire time and the cafeteria was selling genuine Chick-fil-a so basically it was just a little utopian afternoon for the Pattons.

Mostly.

Sebastian walking the diaper changing plank while Theo dodges that bullet with a squat and a cackle.

And then we came home and I was so super optimistic about the ease of outings with a bebe and forced everyone to pile in the van to go get some frozen yogurt later that night right as we reallllly should've been getting everyone to bed. Laugh laugh laugh laugh. Of course all of the meltdowns (mine included) collided at once and we ended up speeding through the Wendy's drive-thru for Frosties galore before came home, sugared up, and tossed the crazies into bed.

And since we've been home the reality of la vida postpartum has set in somewhat harshly. I'm lucky to not have to deal with crazy difficult recovery periods but I do (always!!) have quite the battle with the b for breastfeeding situation. After watching his mom try not to pass out from the pain Sebastian matter-of-factly stated, "oh, baby Phoebe bite you and it hurts."

Well, yes. Basically, Bash.

But I'm glad we'll always have this batch of cellular phone photos to remember our first wild and kRaZeE adventure as a family of six.

And there is a very good reason there are no photos of Grace ... I was sure to flail my hospital bracelets at anyone that cast a glance in my swollen + yoga pantsed direction. I love love love newborns but they have an impressive knack for leaving this mom looking like she's been hit by a truck. A garbage truck. But I'll always forgive them. Of course.

happy heart emojis abounding.