three is a tough crowd

I am really starting to feel it now. I feel like all of a sudden I have so much to do, so little time and so much attention to all 3 that I am getting really tired really fast. Why didn't anyone tell me 3 was hard? Luckily, Owen still sleeps quite abit but Andrew has been coughing for about 3 weeks now and it doesn't seem to go away. I have been trying to teach him to cover his mouth when he coughs and when he gets close to Owen, he gets really close, like right in his face close. I am afraid that Owen will get it too. That is the last thing we need, a sick baby.
Keaton has been doing really well. He has really started to involve Andrew more in his games and activities. Before that didn't really happen. Now they are really good friends and I a lot of the time I will hear them laughing really hard somewhere in the house, but I have caught on really fast that it is usually something not good.
For instance, this evening, like most nights, I was a single mom again and I decided to put the boys in my bathtub instead of hauling everyone upstairs. Owen had a massive blowout and I was changing him on my bed when all of a sudden I hear really deep belly laughs. I knew it wasn't good so I went in and saw Andrew and Keaton with all their clothes off stuffing them into the toliet. Needless to say I was livid. I was alittle harsh on my boys, but who wouldn't after that. So I had to fish all the clothes out of the toliet. It was gross. Just one of those days of being a mom I guess.
Does anyone have any advise for me on how to raise 3 boys? I can't wait to see what is in store for me and don't get me wrong, I love my boys to death, its just I NEED A BREAK! PLEASE LET ME REST!

First week

Today is Sunday and the boys are at church and it is just Owen and I this morning. It has been so peaceful and so quiet. I actually have had time to think about this past week and all the craziness it has brought into our lives. Owen is almost a week. He will be tomorrow and this week went by so fast and yet so slow. We have had quite a few adjustments but I think we are doing well.
Since I have some time to myself a few people have emailed and called wondering how the labor and delivery went. Lance and I had to be to Labor and Delivery by 7 am last Monday morning to be induced. The doctor told me that he wanted to get him here on a schedule in fear that if my water broke somewhere between our home and the hospital the baby would be born somewhere along the way. When we checked in we were the only ones there and then I think about 10 minutes into signing the papers and registration about 5 other couples showed up to be induced also. It was a busy morning for the Labor and Delivery unit. They got us into our room pretty quick. They hooked me up to the Pitocin and an I.V. and then we waited for awhile for that to kick in. Now mind you I was already dialated to a 6 when we got there so I knew this one would come fast. My doctor came in and checked me around 9:30 and I was dialating to almost a 7. He told me if I wanted my epidural to get it then so he could break my bags of water. So we called in the doctor. Epidural went great and fast. A lot of pressure but they are worth it right?
Well about 10:30 am the doctor came in to break my water and I was feeling quite abit of pressure. I could feel the contractions starting to come fast and hard adn asked why the epidural wasn't kicking in. The nurse, who we just loved, told me to give it some time. But time went by and still no numbness. Alittle bit but not much. Then about 11 a.m. I was really feeling it. I told the nurse I needed to push and that he was coming and so she checked and sure enough I was fully dialated. So she called in the doctor and we started to push. I have never felt so much pain in my life. I was so uncomfortable, I just wanted them to pull him out. When they make you sit up and pull your knees practically up to your face and then tell you to push as hard as you can when you can't breath it was pretty intense. After only about 12 minutes of pushing Owen was born at 11:12 a.m. He came out screaming and beautiful. He weighed 9 pounds 4 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long. He has some dark brown hair. More hair than any of my other boys had. He is so beautiful. I love all the little rolls he already has on his legs and thighs.
I have recovered pretty fast. I really didn't tear at all which the doctor commented was amazing considering how big he was. I feel great and I have already lost all the weight I gained with Owen. Now I just need to work on the extras from Keaton and Andrew.
I can't believe how different Owen looks. Everyday he changes and we are not sure who he looks like yet. Most think he looks like Keaton. I agree to some extent but I see a little bit of Andrew in him too. Time will tell.
The boys are doing well. I am having a hard time trying to dedicate my time to each of them. It has been nice because Owen sleeps pretty much the whole day so I have been able to focus on the boys and help them out.
Andrew is very curious about feeding time. He likes to sit close and try to observe what is going on. Keaton already knows and isn't curious. He just sits back and waits until he is done feeding and then they both like to help burp him.
The first week so far has been great. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way. Owen is sleeping 3-4 hours at a stretch at night. He is nursing really well and he is just a very happy baby. We love him so much.

Picture this

This was the sweetest thing to watch this morning. Keaton held him all morning long while he watched Super Why. I couldn't resist.

We can't get enough of him

Here are some more pictures of Owen. We are so in love with this little guy. He had such a sweet disposition and he has been a sweet boy to have in our family. The boys just love holding him. Keaton woke up this morning and before he woke us up I woke up to find him standing over his little crib in our room just watching him. He was so sweet to watch him watch Owen. We really are in love and I couldn't imagine life without him now.
So far so good. Last night Owen slept 4 hours at a stretch. I am holding my breath that it will continue but isn't it always true that the yogart hits the fan after only a couple of days being home? So far we are doing fine. He is nursing really well and loves to be held. He is going to be spoiled. He already is.
Here are some more pictures we have taken of him. Enjoy!

Taylor Swift meets Cold Play

Check this out.....

We loved the video and thought you would too.

Owen Ray

Here are some more pictures of Owen we took this morning since I realized that I didn't get any good close ups of him. He did so well last night. He slept and ate well and his blood sugar levels are where they should be. We are hoping to break free from the hospital tonight but we will wait to see about that.
The boys are in love with him. Keaton mentions him in his prayers. They are two very anxious and excited big brothers.
Lance's mom flew into Boise last night. We are so happy to have her with us. The boys have had a fun time playing with Grandma Snyder. So far, so good. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, phone calls and thoughtful gifts. We have appreciated all of them.

The big brothers kissing Owen

Meet Owen Ray Snyder

He is finally here! He is healthy and we are so happy. Labor and Delievery went well. After only 4 hours of labor and 13 minutes of pushing he came.
He weighs 9 lbs. 4 oz. and in 21 1/12 inches long. He is a big boy and he is very healthy. His older brothers Keaton and Andrew were so excited to see him. They had a fun time holding and kissing him.
I will post more when we get home but for now this will have to do. Thanks for the flowers, the calls, and everything else that has been done to help us make this easier. We love you all and can't wait to bring him home. Here are some pictures from today.