The Mothership

When we first found out that I was pregnant with Ella (though we obviously didn't know it was Ella then) one of my first thoughts (after the reality of us actually have SIX children set in) was transportation.

At the time we were driving the Big Red Beast which only had 7 seats. In the world of automobile transportation we were maxed out. Additionally, in the world of stroller transportation, we were also maxed out.

You see, back before the twins were born a very generous friend bought us a double stroller as a baby shower gift. It was an awesome stroller that has served us very well over the last 4 years. However, that double stroller does not accommodate infant carriers. When the twins were still in their infant carriers we just took two single strollers everywhere and clipped their carriers onto compatible single strollers. When Aaron and Olivia were in infant carriers it was always a bit trickier. I was always waking up a little baby to transfer him or her to the double stroller. It wasn't fun.

Now that we have 3 little ones who need a ride when we are out and about it became clear we needed wanted a new stroller. I mean, after all, these two had used our current one..

as well as these two...

Yes, our trusty double stroller had served us well these last four years, but it was slowly dying a painful death. That bar on the front had somehow gotten ripped off as well as the carrying strap that helps you fold the darn thing up. Not to mention the baskets on the bottom had been well used and were stretched and literally dragging the ground. Basically, the only parts still in tact were the seatbelts and wheels.

Other strollers mocked us when we went out into public.

So, what do you do when you have 3 little ones under 2 years old AND you need want a stroller that accommodates an infant carrier?

You call in the big dogs, that's what.

Behold the mothership of all multiple capacity strollers.

Yesterday when I saw this box sitting in my carport, I may or may not have physically clapped my hands. I also may or may not have emitted an excited little girl shriek and hopped up and down for a brief second until I realized IT IS JUST A STROLLER and I should get a stinkin' grip.

Here's a little perspective for you. This is Ashlee beside the mothership shortly after she was removed from the box (the stroller, not Ashlee).

It would do you good to know that I made Ashlee move from her spot in "time out" and stand beside the stroller so I could take a picture for you all. Additionally, the ONLY reason she is smiling in this picture is because I told her that if she smiled, she could get up from time out.

That's award-winning parenting right there.

Anyway, this stroller is serious business. Assembly was not easy, especially considering that this person really wanted my undivided attention...

and I only had to install about 57 different sized washers before attaching the wheels. Thankfully, this person....

thought he could handle a fussy little sister and proceeded to do this for the next 10 minutes...

which resulted in Ella doing this...

This sad face was quickly resolved with a ride in the kikoi and after Luke arrived home from work, I finished up assembling the mothership and packed my people on for a test ride.

See Aaron back there in his little "jump seat?" He is SO stinkin' proud of himself! This morning's trip to CBS went extremely well and it was so much less stressful than packing up the double stroller and struggling with Ella's carset on one arm while pushing the double stroller with the other hand.

Which proves, in my opinion, that evolution could not possibly be plausible. Because if it were, I would have surely started growing a much needed 3rd arm by now. And I'm most certainly not.

Ella at 1 month


I can hardly believe our sweet little Ella is already 1 month (and 3 days) old! I guess time flies when you're having fun, huh? My BFF Amanda gave me the idea to blog about Ella month by month so that I don't forget all those little details that fade from my memory so very quickly.

At one month old, my sweet Ella Joy loves to be held. During the day she naps on her tummy with Mommy and her brothers and sisters "checking" on her regularly. She's such a content baby and seems unphased by the noise, kisses, hugs and constant love pats. I guess after 42 weeks of hearing it from the inside, the outside isn't much of a change!

She loves for me to carry her in my kikoi (sling) and when we are outside (or out and about) she takes her naps in there. I'm truly loving my kikoi and I never thought I'd turn around and drive 15 minutes back home just to get it. It's a must have now that I've discovered how to really be a "baby wearing" Momma. (PS: If you'd like one, email me and I can hook you up! They're super inexpensive, will help support some great friends' adoption fund and straight from Africa!)

She still has adorable chubby cheeks that I cannot resist smooching. Her umbilical stump finally fell off at 3.5 weeks old and she had her first real bath a day or so later. So far, she LOVES bath time and I love her clean baby smell.

A few intentional smiles have slipped across her face and a few small coos have echoed from her sweet, little mouth. I'm still deciding on who she looks the most like, now thinking she will surely favor Lucas most. Her soft, red hair reminds me so much of Ashlee's baby fuzz while her calm, laid-back personality is reminiscent of her eldest sister's in so many ways.

Night times are getting easier. She sleeps swaddled up and alternates between sleeping beside me in the bed while nursing, sleeping in the bassinet and sleeping in the swing that's in our bedroom. For the last several nights, she's gone 3 hours stretches between feedings!

I prayed that the Lord would bless us with an easy-going baby and He did just that. I am absolutely smitten with her just as I was with another special, little girl not too long ago.