We're famous!

Our three sons

The three amigos, already having a blast together!

Trying to be serious

Proud big brother

Snuggling with his blanky - trying to tell me something?

Tummy time with mommy (6 days old)

Sweet dreams

Liam with his auntie Michelle, one of my dear friends

who was in the delivery room when he was born

Homecoming - Neftalí couldn't wait to give his new baby brother

a load of welcome home kisses

Neftalí and Solomon enjoying a delicious meal brought to us

by our neighbor. Thank you Beckie!

Our newest addition

Sweet little foot!

Weighing in at 7 pounds 4 ounces, Liam set the record for the Menéndez baby birth weight.

As Liam was placed on my chest, he lay there peacefully without making a peep. It was amazing.

Bath time! It must not feel like the warm bath he's been accustomed to for the last nine months.

Finding his voice

In love all over again

First car ride, home from the hospital. As we emerged out into the beautiful sunny day, a nearby church chimed it's three o'clock bells. Perfect.

Neftalí absolutely loves being a big brother.

What are the chances that three brothers would share the exact birth date sprinkled between three different months? Well, I'm not a mathematician, but it seems pretty amazing that all three of our sons have chosen to be born on the 16th day of their birth month. Needless to say, the nurses were pretty surprised as well. At least they've made it very easy for family to remember each of them on their special day!

Liam's birth was a little longer than expected, especially since he was my third pregnancy. Labor and delivery took 12 hrs from start to finish - the same as his oldest brother, Neftalí. As with my previous two sons, I did not have any anesthesia, and felt great about that decision up until about 8 centimeters... and then, of course, I was energized and soaring on adrenaline after my newborn son was placed on my chest. There truly are no words to explain the absolute miracle of pregnancy and childbirth - especially when you are very present - both physically and mentally - through every contraction! Liam decided he didn't want to present himself facing the floor as he emerged. Instead, he was positioned looking sideways as he made his entrance into the world - a position that is more difficult to deliver. But, thank goodness, all went well, and no interventions were necessary. We are both recovering well, though he's probably getting a little more sleep than mommy at this point. :)

Liam Caleb Menéndez

Happy birthday Liam! Our precious son was born February 16th, 2010 at 1:17 pm. He weighed in at a hefty 7 pounds 4 ounces, and was 20 inches long. He is very contented, has quite the appetite, and looks just like his big brother Solomon. Neftalí and Solomon have already paid him a visit here at the hospital, and they are very excited for him to come home today. We are so blessed to have our three precious sons! Pictures to come.

40 weeks + 3 days

Amazingly, I am still pregnant. I had a check up today to see how things are progressing. My doctor is great and is not in any hurry, waiting patiently for nature to take it's course. And I'm glad, because I know that the likelihood of having interventions skyrockets when you are induced. But needless to say, I'm more than ready. I'm feeling pretty heavy and uncomfortable, and carrying Liam very low - lower than his brothers. My original due date, pre-ultrasound, was Feb 17th, so maybe that's closer to the real date he'll emerge. For now, I'm just thankful that he's healthy, his little heart is beating strong at 145 beats per minute, and I know that he'll come out when he's ready. Perhaps he is waiting until the 16th so that he can share his birth date with his brothers (they're Mar 16th and May 16th). I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Haircut

Before: Neftalí a.k.a. "Shaggy," playing educational games on my district-issued laptop.

The mountain of beautiful, chocolate hair that came from Nefty's head

After: Nefty's new 'do'

Being a mother of 3 boys, 1 one thing is certain - I need to learn how to give home haircuts. This idea doesn't excite me much, since I tried once to give my husband a haircut, and I was so nervous it was tricky to get straight lines, and he flinched a lot. That couldn't have been a good sign. :)

But, Neftalí and Solomon have both been in need for a serious trim for quite awhile now, and I just can't stand to spend $12+ on each of them at a salon. So I broke down and bought a nice trimmer and gave it a whirl. For a first timer, I must admit, I think I did pretty good. The sideburns aren't entirely even, and the back neck line is a little high, but other than that, no serious injuries. And Neftalí seems pretty pleased with his new do. :) Now I just need to get the courage to cut Sol's hair - and hopefully he will sit still long enough!

Almost 40 weeks

I have been on maternity leave for 1 week now, and am 4 days from 40 weeks pregnant. I am hoping that baby Liam comes soon, as we are all so anxious to meet him. This pregnancy has introduced me to false labor, which I did not have with either Neftalí or Solomon. But apparently it is not uncommon with third and consecutive pregnancies since your body is so tuned in to what to do. Hopefully third time will be truly a charm. We have everything ready and set up, plenty of clothes and diapers...now we just need a baby!

Stir crazy

Being that we live in Oregon and we get lots of wet weather here in the winter, we have to take advantage of every opportunity that the rain takes a break. Our boys love the outdoors, especially when it includes kicking around a soccer ball. So here they are, playing in the front yard, and Nefty unintentionally plays "keep away" from his little brother while dribbling the ball all over the place.

Dancing

Needless to say, the Menéndez brothers are pretty excited about their soon-coming new addition. Here they are dancing their hearts out to Jesus music, exerting some energy before heading for bed.