Well, it's been about five months since I grabbed a warm cup of coffee and thought to myself, "Today is a great day to visit my lonely blog."  The last trimester of my pregnancy had me like, "hello, sofa! Kids, watch this movie and let Mommy close her eyes!" It was also full of nesting, welcoming my two gorgeous new nieces to the world, finishing up some photo sessions before it was time to welcome our little guy in August, and lots of visits to the pool to wear out Ty and Elena.  Summer is always a crazy time of year, but I definitely feel like this summer was jam-packed and flew by. 

It was a Sunday night in late October... the night before Ty's first day of preschool that contractions started. I was in denial that we were in labor, but I labored all night and at 12:15 on Monday afternoon, we welcomed our third blessing to our family. It only took us an hour of his life to give him a name, but he,without a doubt, is Noah Alexander. The name fits him perfectly and he is the perfect addition to our clan.

Needless to say, the past five and half weeks have been pretty much a whirlwind and all the days and nights have run together.  People always told me and Justin that the transition from one to two kids is the hardest and all the rest aren't bad. I would beg to differ. 

Learning our new routine and being outnumbered in our own home was quite the adjustment.  This combined with Ty starting school all in the same week made for an incredibly emotional ride for a post-partum mama. But I can definitely say that it's been worth it.  

We are starting to get some sleep again because Noah is a great sleeper.  And we are getting into our real-life routines again after Justin went back to work from his month-long paternity leave (thank you, Jesus, for that!).  

I must say I have a whole new appreciation for mamas that have multiple children.  It really is a labor of love to keep things moving and making sure all the kids are happy and fed.  Let alone finding time to shower and even use the bathroom.  

There have been several moments when Justin and I just look at each other and start laughing because it is unreal to us that this so quickly became our life.  Once upon a time (only four years ago) we were going out mid week for dinner and drinks and thought we were busy with work and whatever else we had going on. Somehow though, in merely three and a half years we are neck-deep in diapers, carseats, soccer games, and picking up teeny tiny pieces of pretty much anything but the kitchen sink off the carpets all through out the house. How does it happen so fast?

I'm doing my best to really soak this time in. As fast as it came, I know it will go and I will look back and miss the chaos.

If I find time to catch up on the blog, I call that a win.  In the meantime, I have also been working on building my photography business and run this household. We stay busy. We stay crazy. I have no brain most days.  I hands have never been this full.  My laundry machine has never run so much. My sink has never seen so many dishes.  But my heart has never been this full.  I am so grateful God chose me for this life. I am thankful He chose Justin and me to be Ty, Elena, and Noah's parents. 

My favorite time of year is upon us and we have so many family activities planned, from pumpkin patches, to Halloween parties, to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I cannot wait to see how we manage the holidays as a family of five.  

To all the mamas that have done it and done it well, you rock.  To all the mamas that are starting out and adjusting to life with a child for the first time, you rock. Motherhood is a wild ride. And that is the understatement of the year. 

Cheers to me for finding the time for me this morning. To sip a cup of coffee and write while my kids watch Daniel Tiger and baby Noah sleeps peacefully in the rocker. Happy Thursday!

A Day at the Zoo

On Saturday we went for a visit to the NC Zoo in Asheboro. This was Ty's second visit and Elena's first time.  We were all so excited for our trip!! It was the most perfect day for the zoo. Weather was gorgeous and all the animals were out roaming in their habitats. I must say... it's alot of walking for a mama of two who's 25 weeks pregnant! The kids weren't the only ones exhausted at the end of the day! 

E checking out the gorillas

these three cuties loved hanging out together!

the double stroller was clutch 

The elephants were the best part! They were so close!

We are already excited for our trip next year! Ty walked almost the entire day and both he and Elena were passed out before we made it out of the parking lot on the way home! SUCCESS for the Schneider family!

Linked up here!

A Day at Monster Jam

No, I was not there. No, I was not invited. But these pictures prove that this was SO. MUCH. FUN. and I just had to share. 

This past weekend Justin and Frankie took Ty and Callan to their first Monster Jam. The boys (daddy's included) were so excited to see some "BIG MONSTER TRUCKS". Before the show started they arrived at the arena early for the Pit Party. Ty clearly had the time of his life.

After the pit party, the guys did the manliest thing they could think of... grab corn dogs and fries, find a vacant stairwell, and chow down before the show!

The smiles on these four faces are priceless as they watched these monster trucks do their thing!

when you don't sit still, all your pictures look like this!

This kind of Saturday makes me so happy to have a son. I absolutely eat these boy activities up, even if I can only see the pictures! 

Linked up here today!

Ty's Third Birthday

This has been the most exciting birthday party for Ty because it's the first one that he has completely understood is for HIM! All week long he couldn't stop telling me that all his friends and Daddy were able to come to gymnastics and have cake for HIS BIRTHDAY! 

When he took tumbling class, Justin and I knew his gym would be the perfect place to celebrate him because he LOOOOOVED it. This is his element. And I was totally on board with the ease of just bring a few things and not having to worry about a clean house and a ton of decorations to clean up.  It was a WIN-WIN for this pregnant mama!

Only days before the Paw Patrol party we planned, Ty informed me that he would be having a Spider-Man cake. Well, thank goodness for a procrastinating mommy, we were able to EASILY switch gears and get all of our Spider-Men in a row for the big party!

I found these shirt very last minute at Target and could not be more excited about them! It was such a great find for us and I mostly loved Ty and Elena matching for Ty's party. I thought they looked too cute and had to get me and Justin in on the action!

Here are all of the party guests lined up waiting for a fun afternoon:

The party started with warm-ups and dancing. But to be honest, these toddlers couldn't wait to get on the equipment! They did a great job being patient though!

Ty got to lead the party train to the tumble track for some trampoline and balance beam fun!

He showed off all his skills...

...and so did his sister! :)

Next came the obstacle course! Ty and his cousin Elle loved the bar! Little monkeys!

I snuck upstairs after the obstacle course to get the party room ready! We were all set with Spider-Man cupcakes, plates, napkins, and of course, a Spider-Man balloon!

The kids had the most fun in the pit! 

One of the best parts of the party was having Ms.  Kathryn, Ty's tumbling teacher come to surprise Ty. This was seriously like a celebrity coming for Ty. He's so lucky! 

Before cupcakes, the kids did the parachute! This was my favorite gym activity as a kid.

Next up was cupcakes and singing Happy Birthday to Ty!

Elena had to help her big bro out with the candle!

When we got home from the party, Ty opened all his gifts... well, most of them! He was so exhausted and overwhelmed with excitement, he only got halfway through the presents before he wanted to stop to eat his birthday pizza!

The best part of the day for me was the GIANT hug Ty came and gave me after the party. He was on cloud nine and had the best day! THREE IS GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR! :)