Memorial Day Weekend

Saturday was Daddy's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our favorite Daddy in the world. We love you!

We enjoyed the hot weekend by spending a lot of time swimming and running through the sprinkler. We also went to a Memorial Day parade today, where Mr. Mister got to sit in the fire truck.

Sleepy Baby

He fell asleep like this...hope it's not a sign of things to come!

Camping

Last weekend we went camping. With a 3 week old. I know it's crazy...almost as crazy as when my husband wanted us to go hiking on the Appalacian Trail for our honeymoon (which we did the week after our honeymoon instead, after my objections!).

I do admit that this was luxury camping, since we stayed in a decked out motor home and not a tent. But it was still an adventure with a newborn.

Grandma and Papa drove their RV out to a campground about 10 min. from our house. Mr. Mister loved the whole experience...the fire, the playground, the other kids there, s'mores and other treats, and of course, lots of time with his grandparents! Daddy enjoyed sharing one of his favorite things with his son. It's in their blood. I like to say I'm a camper by marriage :)

Father's Day

I know Father's Day is still a few weeks out, but we gave my dad an early Father's Day present by doing his mulch while he was out of town. It was a team effort with my mom and both my sisters and their families, and we actually had fun doing it (unlike the memories I have of helping with mulch when we were growing up). I even got in on the action for a little bit while Aunt K held the babe. The little boys were great helpers too with their gardening gloves, rakes, and wheelbarrows!

Mr. Independent

Some examples of Mr. Mister's growing independence:

• The other day, he was having some "room time" when all of a sudden, I heard the toilet flush. I went upstairs and there he was, standing by the toilet without any pants on. He looked at me and said, "I was just flushing the poop out of my diaper." Sure enough, he had taken his diaper off, flushed the poop down the toilet, and thrown the diaper in the garbage can. While I appreciate his ability to do this by himself, my first thought was, "If you can dispose of your own poopy diaper, you should be using the potty!"

• Last night, about 45 min. after we put him in bed, Daddy went up to check on him. There he was in his rocking chair, reading a book. He said,"I just wanted to read this" with a very convincing face and tone of voice.

And lastly, here are pictures of other expressions of his independence.

I don't think this is what Papa had in mind when he built him this sandbox.

This is how I found him when I went to check on him after I had put him down for his nap. I have no idea how he got in there.

2 Weeks

I finally have a minute to update on how we are doing in this new life of toddler and baby. We've made it two weeks, which feels like an accomplishment! It's been more of an adjustment than I expected. I think the hardest part has been not getting much sleep and waking up to a toddler who is full of energy and ready to go. So sleep is harder to come by and harder to catch up on. But, we are doing well and every day is a little better.

I've had a range of emotions, which is to be expected in the post-partum time. Many days in the beginning of wondering how I'll do this. Some moments of missing our old life of predictability and having a set schedule. Feeling a little overwhelmed by newborn things again. Feeling like all I do is nurse every couple hours. Missing one-on-one time with Mr. Mister and hoping he still knows he's loved even in this crazy transition. Etc. etc. etc.

But, two weeks later, I'm feeling much less overwhelmed. Still a little stir crazy and confined because I haven't ventured out too much and still spend most of the day feeding. But more confident that I can do it and life will feel normal again!

Fun Visitors

We had a fun visit this weekend from Aunt J, Uncle C, and cousin Beybeth. When they first suggested coming to visit, we were still in the middle of very sleepless nights. So we said, "Yes, but can you stay in a hotel and just come play with our kids while we sleep?" Thankfully, we were feeling much better by the time they came to visit and we had a great time with them.

More Cute Pictures

I have things to blog about, but writing takes too much time when there is sleep to catch up on. So here are pictures, which is probably what you want to see most anyway!

Sandbox and Flowers

I have to say that I am extremely blessed with wonderful in-laws. They are a huge blessing in our lives and we are so thankful for how they love us and our kids.

While we were in the hospital, they came in town and stayed with Mr. Mister. Papa brought him a sandbox that he built, which is now the highlight of every day for the little man. He loves to play out there and it is so nice for him to have something so engaging that he can do independently.

I also arrived home to find 3 baskets full of flowers hanging on our fence. Mr. Mister helped Grandma plant these for me. I love them. Now that I have a toddler who tromps through the yard, I've had to give up the small gardening area that in previous summers bloomed with color. So now I have blooming color on my fences instead - and Mr. Mister can't step on these!

So thank you again, Grandma and Papa. Our backyard is a fun place to be now!

Mother's Day

Here is the collage that Daddy made for me yesterday. I love my boys...all three of them!

I was also treated to breakfast in bed. Mr. Mister came running upstairs saying, "Mommy, we made you a card. It says Happy Birthday Mommy. And we made you toast and yogurt and strawberries!" He was so excited and I felt so loved.

The Arrival

After a really long and painful labor and delivery experience with Mr. Mister almost 3 years ago, I was getting a little anxious toward the end of this pregnancy as I wondered what was to come. I had been praying a lot about it and was hoping that what they say is true - the second one goes much faster.

To my shock, surprise, and much delight, what they say is true, at least for me it was.

1:35pm - I checked into the hospital

1:45pm - My water broke (very good timing...not in the car!)

3:35pm - I started pushing

3:53pm - He was born!

It was so fast and fairly easy (as far as childbirth goes). As I was in labor, Daddy and I were talking about which was harder - running a marathon or giving birth. As a contraction hit, I decided childbirth was much harder. But, after Baby was out only a couple hours later, Daddy reminded me that I'd still be running the marathon. I still don't know my answer, but I do know this - you can stop running a marathon, but a baby's going to come out one way or the other.

I'll blog more later about how the first week has been (it's been an adjustment for sure). I also need to decide on a blog name for Baby and maybe, just maybe, I'll update my blog background some day since it's been the same for 3 years. But that is very low in the priority list right now!

Here's a rare picture of Baby with his eyes open!

Brothers

I can't get over how much they look alike as babies. Here are similar pictures side by side. They definitely look like brothers!

The Boys

Here are the boys getting ready to leave the hospital yesterday. Mr. Mister is a very proud big brother! The first thing he said when he woke up this morning was, "Where's the baby? Can I hold him?"

We're Home

We came home today. It's good to have our family back together after being away from Mr. Mister for a couple days. Life with newborn and toddler is definitely an adjustment for everyone. But that's to be expected I guess. Mr. Mister loves his little brother a lot but also can tell that life is a little different.

I'm exhausted so I'm going to bed. But just wanted to give the quick update that we made it home and are ready to settle in.

A HUGE thank you to both sets of grandparents for their help with Mr. Mister over the past few days. You guys take really good care of us!

P.S. I have high ambitions of all the things I want to post. But I also am being realistic to know that it probably won't happen that quickly. So I'll try to give short updates so you know what we're up to, but if I have to choose sleep or blog, sleep will always win.

It's A Boy!

May 3, 2010

3:53pm

7lbs. 14oz

20in.

Praise God for a quick and smooth delivery!

Almost Here!

I just left my 40 week checkup at the doctor's office and I am 6 cm! She gave me the option of being admitted or coming home to wait a little bit. Since being admitted meant being induced, I decided to come home and try to walk. But hopefully the baby will come today!

We'll definitely keep you updated.

26.2

Despite how ready I am for the baby to come, I was happy that he/she held out a little longer so that I could cheer on my younger sister in completing her first full marathon this morning! Way to go, sis...we are SO proud of you!

She endured many months of training by herself, including a trip to Haiti, and then pouring down rain throughout the course to finish 26.2 miles today.

Mr. Mister enjoyed cheering her and all the other runners on. He said someday he'll run a marathon with his daddy. I don't doubt it. It will be fun someday to all run together. That's a little ways off, though...for now, I'll just focus on getting through birth #2.

...and waiting

Here is the daily update to let you know that Baby has still not arrived. No news yet...I'll keep you updated!

Still Here, Still Waiting

No baby yet. I have to keep reminding myself that my due date isn't until Tuesday, so I can't really feel discouraged or disappointed that Baby has yet to arrive. But this waiting period is such a strange time....being prepared for any minute, but knowing it could be days still.

Here was a cute conversation we had with Mr. Mister today as we were sitting on our bed. I wish I got it on video.

Daddy to me: When do you think the baby is going to come?

Me: I don't know. How about today?

Mr. Mister: Yes! Yes! Yes! Today! Today! I want the baby to come today!

He started jumping up and down on the bed chanting this over and over. It was fun to see his excitement!