I just realized Lily got new skinny jeans, Tom's, and vests for Christmas, along with nail polish and a pink Guitar. Where are the Barbies? The baby dolls? Where is my baby?
In all actuality, Lily is still very much a little girl. Her innocent mind is so wonderful and amazing to me. She really is so pure. She watches Disney movies with her brother and still plays pretend and stuffed animals. She is very much a young child. She did get lots of clothes, and while she is a mini-fashionista (unlike her mother, ahem), she still is a tom boy and is often concerned with catching snails or trekking about the yard in her boots searching for treasure. And she has the kindest heart, she is never mean or spiteful. She has lied a handful of times in her life, and it was always silly, to stay out of what she thought was trouble.
However, in looking at those Christmas gifts, which are all well and good (and she did get some Legos by the way too), I feel scared. I'm kind of thankful now that we only have one girl. Little girls are just so precious and you have to protect them from so much that can happen. I feel like Lily is on the cusp of going from a true little girl to a big girl, and that time will start to quickly fly by. I don't know how my mother survived through three! I will be an absolute wreck when she goes shopping with friends for the first time, goes to a school dance, and goes on her first date. Shane will be either following them in the Superior van or cleaning his guns that night, take your pick. But wow, children really do grow up fast.
9 years ago today, I took a pregnancy test, and I found out there was a little bean growing inside me. 9 years ago today, I first became a mommy. She has shaped me into who I am today, and I can only hope that me and her dad make her proud and raise her right and protect her from harm as she becomes "a big girl." xoxo to my sweet, amazing, favorite daughter.
January 1, 2013
Have I created a monster?
So, I've got something on my chest. It's hard to exactly describe how I feel about Parker's behavior and how I can discpline this child. I'm not one of those mother's that never needs a break from her children. I love naptime, and I do occasionally escape sans kiddos to Starbucks or heck, even the grocery store. But I love, love, love my children forever and always. However, one of them has given me a run for my money since birth, and he hasn't let up since. I will first say, I absolutely love this boy to pieces. He is so sweet. He always tells me "he wants me" when he is in trouble, and he tells me he loves Easten. He'll tell us his name is "Car-key Na-haffey" and that he is "fourteen" years old. He follows Lily around like a lost puppy, copying her every move and crying if she goes to a friends house, and he lights up when his Daddy gets home from work. Everything is an adventure to him. He loves to be outdoors. He values the few friends that he has decided are his-"Pa-tom" and "Quinnie" and Tommy and "Yaura." He is amazingly smart-today he told me he was making a masterpiece. He is so boy, and yet, he is so sensitive. He is already a great ball player, and the kid works an Ipad better than me. He is rather shy, but will always call hello! to the mailman and the garbage people. Gotta be on his turf I guess. He loves his Aunt Lacey to the moon and back, and he always asks who I was talking to when I get off the phone. He would live off black beans, fruit, and turkey pepperoni if he had the choice. He is a VERY cool kid.
In all his glory:
But seriously, he is beyond out of control. Hello terrible, no good, very bad twos.
If we look at him the wrong way, tantrum. Can't have the Ipad? Tantrum. Lily has to constantly give into him and let him have his way. We let things slide...because it's easier? Easier now? Or easier in the long run? I think it's the first one. It's easier to say, fine you can keep wearing diapers, even though I know he is ready for underpants. It's easier now to let him eat what he wants and take toys from Lily to avoid a nuclear meltdown. I have tried time outs, I have tried ignoring him, I have tried "spanking" him (not brutal spankings people, pops on his very cushioned cloth diapered butt, and yes, he still has a nuclear meltdown). I'm starting to get embarrassed. There were a few times I was embarrassed in NJ. Parents should never judge other parents...but still, you know they do. We've all done it. And if I was watching a little kid flop through airport security line screaming for a Coke, I probably would wonder what the french is up with that family! (true story! Even the mean New York airport security felt sorry for us...)
This is a hard post to write because I feel like it makes me look like a lazy parent. And in a way, that's what I've become. I let him get away with things I wouldn't even type on here because it's just plain embarrassing. And I am not a "yes" always parent. I have no problem telling Lily no all the time. Is it because I know I won't hear a fit? Then how is that fair to both her and Parker?
Somehow I've got to man up and take control with this strong willed, precious boy. I know he will learn lessons, and it will be of great value to both him and me to not give in to things that he believes he needs. I am the one in control. So, with it being a new year, I am going to start small. Pick my battles-the important ones. Will myself to stay strong through his screaming, even though I am holding him down in timeout and he is hitting me and punching me. Getting him used to the word no, but in a way where I can explain myself and he can understand me.
No one said this would be easy.
In all his glory:
But seriously, he is beyond out of control. Hello terrible, no good, very bad twos.
If we look at him the wrong way, tantrum. Can't have the Ipad? Tantrum. Lily has to constantly give into him and let him have his way. We let things slide...because it's easier? Easier now? Or easier in the long run? I think it's the first one. It's easier to say, fine you can keep wearing diapers, even though I know he is ready for underpants. It's easier now to let him eat what he wants and take toys from Lily to avoid a nuclear meltdown. I have tried time outs, I have tried ignoring him, I have tried "spanking" him (not brutal spankings people, pops on his very cushioned cloth diapered butt, and yes, he still has a nuclear meltdown). I'm starting to get embarrassed. There were a few times I was embarrassed in NJ. Parents should never judge other parents...but still, you know they do. We've all done it. And if I was watching a little kid flop through airport security line screaming for a Coke, I probably would wonder what the french is up with that family! (true story! Even the mean New York airport security felt sorry for us...)
This is a hard post to write because I feel like it makes me look like a lazy parent. And in a way, that's what I've become. I let him get away with things I wouldn't even type on here because it's just plain embarrassing. And I am not a "yes" always parent. I have no problem telling Lily no all the time. Is it because I know I won't hear a fit? Then how is that fair to both her and Parker?
Somehow I've got to man up and take control with this strong willed, precious boy. I know he will learn lessons, and it will be of great value to both him and me to not give in to things that he believes he needs. I am the one in control. So, with it being a new year, I am going to start small. Pick my battles-the important ones. Will myself to stay strong through his screaming, even though I am holding him down in timeout and he is hitting me and punching me. Getting him used to the word no, but in a way where I can explain myself and he can understand me.
2013
Whew, what a year it has been. What a season we have had! I am utterly exhausted and yet full of excitement that a new year is upon us. If I could just catch up on my sleep, I know I would be more than good to go.
In a nutshell, here is what we have been up to...
1. Shane passed his plumbing test. He is officially a Master Plumber! (Have I mentioned that already??) We are very excited and proud of him, and looking forward to what the future holds for our family.
2. My Aunt Maureen and Uncle Steve came to visit a few weekends ago. We did a Stone Mountain day, where we rode in the cars all the way to the top of the Mountain. Kids loved it! Also, we ate tons of yummy food, Steve and Shane went to a Falcons game, and we bonded and reminisced over lots of coffee and tea. I love my aunt and uncle, and I was so glad that they go to fly to Atlanta and meet Easten and stay with us. I love my Cape Cod family.
Here is Parker being his usual self at the top of Stone Mountain:
Ah, and here I am wearing Easten in his Sleepy wrap. He was so cuddly that day, he barely made a peep!
3. We got our basement finished. Have I mentioned that too? It looks wonderful. Sorry if I am repeating myself from a previous post. We now have a full playroom and a full bath. The bathroom is nicer than mine! I might have to move down there. We still need to get a TV and move the Wii downstairs, and get some sort of sleeper sofa...if they still make those, or a futon.
4. Christmas came and went very quickly this year. Shane and I attended Lily's class Christmas party. Then, we visited with my mom and sisters Christmas Eve eve. We went to church on Christmas Eve, and we spent Christmas day with Shane's family. The kids were beyond spoiled rotten. Lily got a guitar, and Parker got a bike, to name a few things. Easten was thrilled with his new Blueberry Basix diaper in elephant print (haha!) Shane surprised me with a Northface jacket. I was super pumped...and I needed it, because we flew to New Jersey the day after Christmas. It was freezing! The plane ride up was literally hell. We were delayed an hour, sat on the runway for 45 minutes (with both the boys crying off and on). Then we endured a 2.5 hour drive from Laguardia to my dad's with Easten screaming at the top.of.his.lungs. I almost jumped out the window. Luckily, this nightmare did not foreshadow our trip experience. Once they got settled, it was fine. Parker thought he moved into a new house. He had his moments, but I was proud of my unflexible boy for going with the flow.
Morristown got 6 inches of snow while we were there. We had a blast with my dad, Allison, and Victoria. Oh, and Oscar, their dog (yes, another Oscar). Shane and I even had a bonafide date night with no kids and drank wine and ate sushi (well, Shane drank iced tea). Shane shoveled snow for a good hour the day it snowed, and built a giant snowman. He still prefers the South though...
Now, we are home. I am already hard at work cleaning out closets and organizing clothes. I have hung up lots of pictures that I finally got developed from my dear friend Anna. I am starting to feel at home now that I have baby Easten up on the wall.
In a nutshell, here is what we have been up to...
1. Shane passed his plumbing test. He is officially a Master Plumber! (Have I mentioned that already??) We are very excited and proud of him, and looking forward to what the future holds for our family.
2. My Aunt Maureen and Uncle Steve came to visit a few weekends ago. We did a Stone Mountain day, where we rode in the cars all the way to the top of the Mountain. Kids loved it! Also, we ate tons of yummy food, Steve and Shane went to a Falcons game, and we bonded and reminisced over lots of coffee and tea. I love my aunt and uncle, and I was so glad that they go to fly to Atlanta and meet Easten and stay with us. I love my Cape Cod family.
Here is Parker being his usual self at the top of Stone Mountain:
3. We got our basement finished. Have I mentioned that too? It looks wonderful. Sorry if I am repeating myself from a previous post. We now have a full playroom and a full bath. The bathroom is nicer than mine! I might have to move down there. We still need to get a TV and move the Wii downstairs, and get some sort of sleeper sofa...if they still make those, or a futon.
4. Christmas came and went very quickly this year. Shane and I attended Lily's class Christmas party. Then, we visited with my mom and sisters Christmas Eve eve. We went to church on Christmas Eve, and we spent Christmas day with Shane's family. The kids were beyond spoiled rotten. Lily got a guitar, and Parker got a bike, to name a few things. Easten was thrilled with his new Blueberry Basix diaper in elephant print (haha!) Shane surprised me with a Northface jacket. I was super pumped...and I needed it, because we flew to New Jersey the day after Christmas. It was freezing! The plane ride up was literally hell. We were delayed an hour, sat on the runway for 45 minutes (with both the boys crying off and on). Then we endured a 2.5 hour drive from Laguardia to my dad's with Easten screaming at the top.of.his.lungs. I almost jumped out the window. Luckily, this nightmare did not foreshadow our trip experience. Once they got settled, it was fine. Parker thought he moved into a new house. He had his moments, but I was proud of my unflexible boy for going with the flow.
Morristown got 6 inches of snow while we were there. We had a blast with my dad, Allison, and Victoria. Oh, and Oscar, their dog (yes, another Oscar). Shane and I even had a bonafide date night with no kids and drank wine and ate sushi (well, Shane drank iced tea). Shane shoveled snow for a good hour the day it snowed, and built a giant snowman. He still prefers the South though...
Now, we are home. I am already hard at work cleaning out closets and organizing clothes. I have hung up lots of pictures that I finally got developed from my dear friend Anna. I am starting to feel at home now that I have baby Easten up on the wall.
December 3, 2012
Oh well, I'm trying!
Yes, I still want to blog. I love it! I love reading about the cute stuff Parker did when he was 6 months old, and I love remembering all of Lily's birthdays. Unfortunately, I am just a terrible blogger these days.
So, sigh.... Let me try to update you and myself. Everything is going just fine, it's just very busy and slightly more stressful. We have our hands in so many different things right now.
I'll start with the house. Things are going well, our chickens are still giving us fresh eggs every day. I almost feel like I am STILL adjusting to having Duke, the now 8 month old Rottie. He is very sweet, but he has so much energy, and sadly, the kids never really took to him. Shane isn't home often enough to really take care of him, so along with the chickens, turtles, etc., I am the sole carer of the dogs as well. I wish I had more time to walk Duke, but sadly, with the two little boys, I don't. Nonetheless, he is growing and is a beautiful dog. Luckily, we have an amazing fenced in backyard, but I do know that he (and Oscar) get bored.
In other house news, we have finally completed our basement. It is finished-with carpet, and sheet rock, and paint, and a full bathroom, and two closets! We have really increased the size of our house by at least 1/3. The new playroom is so great for the kids stuff. I need to take pictures very soon.
Ok, so the kids... Lily is doing absolutely wonderful! She is loving second grade. She is so smart she has already met some of her goals for the year. We are trying to encourage her to read for fun more often as well. She finished her softball season and was awarded "Most Aggressive Player," hehe. She is such an amazing help to me and an excellent big sister. She is asking for a guitar for Christmas... I can't wait for her to take some lessons.
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Parker is your absolutely typical two year old. He is very naughty when he wants to be, throws tantrums, and everything belongs to him. We really do accommodate him too much because he is so temperamental and strong willed. He is quite the middle child! But, he talks like he is about 5, and he melts my heart with the cute things he says. Oh, and I must add, he eats absolutely nonstop. He loves us all very much, and he is very attached to his sister and even his little brother. He has been nothing but kind and loving, albeit occasionally a bit rough, with the new baby. He is still in diapers, but we might start potty learning after the holidays. He has a brand new toddler bed, but he still sleeps in his beloved crib every night. He also had his first bout with pneumonia this year and a double ear infection, which broke my heart, but after his first ever round of antibiotics, he is all clear.
Easten is my sweetest little angel. He is smiling, cooing, laughing, holding his head like a pro, and trying to roll over. He still wakes up at least once to eat at night. He nurses on demand throughout the day. He is a bit spoiled and loves to be held, but when we're not holding him, he will occasionally sit in his bouncy seat or on his Boppy lounger, as long as one of us is playing with him. Easten has been sick for a good portion of his short life! He recently was on a nebulizer, but he seems to be doing better. My sweet boy... his big sister and older brother bring him all sorts of germs. Nonetheless, he fits absolutely perfectly into our growing family. We are all smitten by him!
I think that is a good update. We are busy with life...it's never a dull moment and there never isn't something that needs to be done! Shane has been busy with school, attempting to get his master's plumbing license. His test is today, so please pray! We are getting ready for my aunt and uncle from Cape Cod to come stay with us in a few weeks, and we will be visiting Helen. The day after Christmas, we fly to my dad's in NJ for 5 days. Easten's first plane ride. I may feel scattered and stressed, but I really am blessed with so much more than I ever deserved.
So, sigh.... Let me try to update you and myself. Everything is going just fine, it's just very busy and slightly more stressful. We have our hands in so many different things right now.
I'll start with the house. Things are going well, our chickens are still giving us fresh eggs every day. I almost feel like I am STILL adjusting to having Duke, the now 8 month old Rottie. He is very sweet, but he has so much energy, and sadly, the kids never really took to him. Shane isn't home often enough to really take care of him, so along with the chickens, turtles, etc., I am the sole carer of the dogs as well. I wish I had more time to walk Duke, but sadly, with the two little boys, I don't. Nonetheless, he is growing and is a beautiful dog. Luckily, we have an amazing fenced in backyard, but I do know that he (and Oscar) get bored.
In other house news, we have finally completed our basement. It is finished-with carpet, and sheet rock, and paint, and a full bathroom, and two closets! We have really increased the size of our house by at least 1/3. The new playroom is so great for the kids stuff. I need to take pictures very soon.
Ok, so the kids... Lily is doing absolutely wonderful! She is loving second grade. She is so smart she has already met some of her goals for the year. We are trying to encourage her to read for fun more often as well. She finished her softball season and was awarded "Most Aggressive Player," hehe. She is such an amazing help to me and an excellent big sister. She is asking for a guitar for Christmas... I can't wait for her to take some lessons.
Parker is your absolutely typical two year old. He is very naughty when he wants to be, throws tantrums, and everything belongs to him. We really do accommodate him too much because he is so temperamental and strong willed. He is quite the middle child! But, he talks like he is about 5, and he melts my heart with the cute things he says. Oh, and I must add, he eats absolutely nonstop. He loves us all very much, and he is very attached to his sister and even his little brother. He has been nothing but kind and loving, albeit occasionally a bit rough, with the new baby. He is still in diapers, but we might start potty learning after the holidays. He has a brand new toddler bed, but he still sleeps in his beloved crib every night. He also had his first bout with pneumonia this year and a double ear infection, which broke my heart, but after his first ever round of antibiotics, he is all clear.
Easten is my sweetest little angel. He is smiling, cooing, laughing, holding his head like a pro, and trying to roll over. He still wakes up at least once to eat at night. He nurses on demand throughout the day. He is a bit spoiled and loves to be held, but when we're not holding him, he will occasionally sit in his bouncy seat or on his Boppy lounger, as long as one of us is playing with him. Easten has been sick for a good portion of his short life! He recently was on a nebulizer, but he seems to be doing better. My sweet boy... his big sister and older brother bring him all sorts of germs. Nonetheless, he fits absolutely perfectly into our growing family. We are all smitten by him!
I think that is a good update. We are busy with life...it's never a dull moment and there never isn't something that needs to be done! Shane has been busy with school, attempting to get his master's plumbing license. His test is today, so please pray! We are getting ready for my aunt and uncle from Cape Cod to come stay with us in a few weeks, and we will be visiting Helen. The day after Christmas, we fly to my dad's in NJ for 5 days. Easten's first plane ride. I may feel scattered and stressed, but I really am blessed with so much more than I ever deserved.
September 19, 2012
Happy 8th Birthday, Lily!
Holy moly, Lily is 8! Today, I let her sleep as late as possible before school, and I presented her with a new shirt with a pug on it to wear to school. One perk to a weekday birthday is that Lily was in an insanely good mood for 7 am. At lunch, Parker and I took Lily Subway, upon request, and we brought Hello Kitty cupcakes for her class.
Lily is still waiting on her dad to get home so she can open her presents and go out to dinner. We are planning Lily's birthday party for the 30th, so she still has to wait 10 more days to have her big celebration.
Happy One Month, Easten!
How in the world is he already one month old? I say that every time. But seriously, babies really aren't babies for long. The other day, Parker looked SO old to me. His baby face was totally replaced by a serious "kid" face. But I digress.
At one month old, Easten still seems to retain much of his newborn self. He sleeps most of the time, and he is awake for short increments, where he likes to stare at you and be held. He's very laid back, but he is a little bit rotten already. I have a habit of raising rotten little boys who love their mama, what can I say? He really has no use for the bouncy seat or swing. He prefers to be held, or laid down on his belly. He is almost too big for all his newborn clothes. His newborn diapers are fitting very well now, but he is a heavy wetter, so they often leak, which is super frustrating. I see buying some hemp inserts in our future.
Easten eats when he's hungry. He's not very predictable on feeding times or naps, but unlike with Parker, I could really care less. He doesn't mind a pumped bottle of booby milk if he has to have one either. He has no use for a paci and doesn't like to be swaddled either. He wakes up once or twice a night to nurse and get his diaper changed. He likes to sneak into bed with us, and I usually let him. He's still sleeping in our room in his little bassinet. He's fine in the carseat, as long as we are moving, and he loves to be worn in the Moby Wrap. Now that its cooler, hopefully we will sweat less.
All the kids love their little brother. If we leave the house, Parker asks, "Baby go too?"
Oh, and the big boy weighs around 9 pounds. I held him on our scale yesterday, and then weighed myself to figure out the difference. Voila!
September 5, 2012
Out of Order: Parker Turns Two
On June 28, 2012, Parker turned two. We celebrated with a small family party. Lily helped make him a cake. He got a Red Rider scooter, which he absolutely loves! He is talking up a storm. He is actually very goofy and loves to joke. He is still a huge mama's boy but also a daddy's boy. He adores his big sister to the moon and back and hates it when she leaves him for any reason. He loves dinosaurs, trucks, cars, stuffed animals, coloring, anything on Disney Jr., and he still loves balls. I can't believe he is two!!
Back to School 2012
Here are some month old images of Lily starting second grade. Second grade has been great so far. I already feel like she is learning lots. She has also started back playing softball. She has plans for horseback riding this fall, and she wants to learn to play the guitar. I love my creative little girl!
Here is my sweet girl on her first day:
Here is Lily and Parker in one of her back to school pictures by Julianna Grey Photography.
Here is my sweet girl on her first day:
Here is Lily and Parker in one of her back to school pictures by Julianna Grey Photography.
Welcome Easten Ford!
How many attempts to keep this blog going? I'm not quite sure yet. I really want to remember everything about my little ones, but I just get so busy with life and kids and everything that blogging is left on the back burner. I love looking back at all the exciting things we do and watching my children go, so here I go AGAIN.
In some very exciting news, I gave birth three weeks ago to a sweet little boy named Easten Ford. Lily and Parker are proud to be a big sister and a big brother to this sweet little guy. Life has taken some adjusting, but we are doing great and slowly getting back in the swing of things. I really had absolutely no clue if I was having a boy or a girl. It's been fun to have Easten wearing Parker's hand me downs. It's also pretty cool the boys will be so close in age and be best friends (hopefully). Also, Lily gets to stay the little princess of the family.
My c-section was scheduled for August 15 at 10 am. We dropped Lily off at Shane's parents to go to school, and we took Parker to his sweet baby sitter. We arrived at the hospital around 8 am... I was nervous, hungry, and thirsty! Everything seemed pretty much routine. My IV was a breeze. The spinal was actually sort of uncomfortable for me, but it quickly took effect. I was pretty nervous, as usual, but I kept praying and remained fairly calm and collected. Shane meanwhile was online shopping for a phone case right before the surgery! Shane is such a rock for me though. He held my hand and watched the whole procedure and made sure I was ok. When Easten came out, Shane got to announce, "It's a boy!" The OB and the nurses and everyone loved that we were having a surprise baby! Shane also got to cut the cord for the first time (no other doctors had ever let him during a c-section).
Unfortunately, right after he was born, Easten was grunting and struggling to breath. I tried nursing him in recovery once, but he didn't really latch, but the nurse showed me how to drip the colostrum into his mouth. His first feeding was a bit odd, but I'm glad he still had Mommy milk. Easten spent about 24 hours in the NICU working on his breathing, but he has been safe and healthy every since. He came back to my room the next day. I had already gotten up, used the bathroom, had a shower, and walked around. Talk about a much easier recovery! Cobb Hospital has you moving pretty quick, but I think it was for the best! Also, I have to add a funny story: my first shower after my c-section, and Parker just HAD to get in with mommy. You know you're a mother when you're in the hospital, and your two year old won't let you shower in peace. hehehe!
My mother stayed the whole time and was an absolute godsend. She was running pumped milk to the NICU for Easten at 2 am. Seriously. That's how amazing she was. Shane spent the night with the big kids at home, but he arrived early each morning with Starbucks for me and my mama. Our knight in shining armor! The whole hospital trip was sort of a blur, and luckily, after 48 hours, the amazing on call pediatrician said Easten's x-rays, blood tests, and breathing was good to go, and he was released!
He breastfeeds like a champ and is perfectly content. He loves to be held, I will say that. He especially loves sleeping with Mom and Dad, and he hates his bassinet. He's an amazing car rider. He seems a bit more laid back than his big brother. But, I also have to add, Parker has done amazingly with his little brother! He loves him to the moon and back, and his jealousy has been very minimal.
Here are some amazing photos of my little boy. I love our complete little family of 5!
In some very exciting news, I gave birth three weeks ago to a sweet little boy named Easten Ford. Lily and Parker are proud to be a big sister and a big brother to this sweet little guy. Life has taken some adjusting, but we are doing great and slowly getting back in the swing of things. I really had absolutely no clue if I was having a boy or a girl. It's been fun to have Easten wearing Parker's hand me downs. It's also pretty cool the boys will be so close in age and be best friends (hopefully). Also, Lily gets to stay the little princess of the family.
My c-section was scheduled for August 15 at 10 am. We dropped Lily off at Shane's parents to go to school, and we took Parker to his sweet baby sitter. We arrived at the hospital around 8 am... I was nervous, hungry, and thirsty! Everything seemed pretty much routine. My IV was a breeze. The spinal was actually sort of uncomfortable for me, but it quickly took effect. I was pretty nervous, as usual, but I kept praying and remained fairly calm and collected. Shane meanwhile was online shopping for a phone case right before the surgery! Shane is such a rock for me though. He held my hand and watched the whole procedure and made sure I was ok. When Easten came out, Shane got to announce, "It's a boy!" The OB and the nurses and everyone loved that we were having a surprise baby! Shane also got to cut the cord for the first time (no other doctors had ever let him during a c-section).
Unfortunately, right after he was born, Easten was grunting and struggling to breath. I tried nursing him in recovery once, but he didn't really latch, but the nurse showed me how to drip the colostrum into his mouth. His first feeding was a bit odd, but I'm glad he still had Mommy milk. Easten spent about 24 hours in the NICU working on his breathing, but he has been safe and healthy every since. He came back to my room the next day. I had already gotten up, used the bathroom, had a shower, and walked around. Talk about a much easier recovery! Cobb Hospital has you moving pretty quick, but I think it was for the best! Also, I have to add a funny story: my first shower after my c-section, and Parker just HAD to get in with mommy. You know you're a mother when you're in the hospital, and your two year old won't let you shower in peace. hehehe!
My mother stayed the whole time and was an absolute godsend. She was running pumped milk to the NICU for Easten at 2 am. Seriously. That's how amazing she was. Shane spent the night with the big kids at home, but he arrived early each morning with Starbucks for me and my mama. Our knight in shining armor! The whole hospital trip was sort of a blur, and luckily, after 48 hours, the amazing on call pediatrician said Easten's x-rays, blood tests, and breathing was good to go, and he was released!
He breastfeeds like a champ and is perfectly content. He loves to be held, I will say that. He especially loves sleeping with Mom and Dad, and he hates his bassinet. He's an amazing car rider. He seems a bit more laid back than his big brother. But, I also have to add, Parker has done amazingly with his little brother! He loves him to the moon and back, and his jealousy has been very minimal.
Here are some amazing photos of my little boy. I love our complete little family of 5!
July 2, 2012
A Note on Not Knowing
I can't believe that in about 6 weeks, I will finally find out who's hiding in my belly. I love all the people who, with 100% confidence, tell me if I'm having a boy or a girl. My dad says girl, my mom says boy, all the ladies at the nail salon say boy, Shane's aunt and uncle say girl, you get the picture. Sadly, I really have no clue myself. Shane and I have pretty much decided on both a boy name and a girl name. Sometimes I try to change it, but then we take a family vote and we come back to the same name. Lily loves putting her two cents in! I can't reveal the names in total confidence, but I think we are pretty much set. I kind of like keeping the names a secret, but I have already told a handful of people, so they aren't really a secret. Can I tell you some of my favorite names that I really pulled for but got thrown OFF the list? For a boy, Shane vetoed both Sawyer and Wylder. I still love Sawyer, and I tried it again yesterday, but I lost with the democratic vote. I do like our other boy name too, and it goes really well with Lily and Parker. I still have to decide how to spell it though. For a girl, the only other name we BOTH liked was Delaney, which we still like, but Shane likes the other girl name better. For the record, I think girl names are REALLY hard. I love hearing unique girl names!
I've gone 32 weeks and 5 days without knowing. If this had been my first pregnancy, I think it would have been much harder. Pregnancy is measured in weeks, and many of those weeks come with milestones. 14 weeks is the second trimester, 19-20 weeks is the gender ultrasound, anytime after 30 weeks you usually have a baby shower, and then you have to buy everything you didn't get at the said shower. This time around, it's been pretty quiet! If I have a boy, all I'll need to do is open up the storage boxes containing Parker's baby clothes, enough outfits to clothe twins! If I have a girl, then I WILL have to hit up the stores for pretty much all clothes. So, its' been the waiting game for sure. As of now, I have enough newborn clothes to make it through until I am able to drive again. I have tie dyed onesies, and I have some yellow and white things as well. I thought I had purchased a gender neutral coming home outfit from Gymboree, but after a Facebook poll, I am now convinced its rather boyish. Luckily, I have a friend with a baby due in September who IS a boy, and she will be receiving an insanely adorable outfit if my baby is a little lady. And Target is just across the street from the hospital, so hopefully we can trust Shane to pick out a cute newborn pink something.
Nevertheless, I think it will be very exciting for the OB to announce, "It's a....!" I am giddy over meeting my third baby. Most importantly, I have all 36 newborn and small diapers prepped and ready to go! Even though they are all gender neutral, they will just be so insanely adorable (and you can bet I will purchase some bigger pink fluff if I do have a girl. I mean, come on!)
So bear with me, only 6 weeks and 2 days to go.
I've gone 32 weeks and 5 days without knowing. If this had been my first pregnancy, I think it would have been much harder. Pregnancy is measured in weeks, and many of those weeks come with milestones. 14 weeks is the second trimester, 19-20 weeks is the gender ultrasound, anytime after 30 weeks you usually have a baby shower, and then you have to buy everything you didn't get at the said shower. This time around, it's been pretty quiet! If I have a boy, all I'll need to do is open up the storage boxes containing Parker's baby clothes, enough outfits to clothe twins! If I have a girl, then I WILL have to hit up the stores for pretty much all clothes. So, its' been the waiting game for sure. As of now, I have enough newborn clothes to make it through until I am able to drive again. I have tie dyed onesies, and I have some yellow and white things as well. I thought I had purchased a gender neutral coming home outfit from Gymboree, but after a Facebook poll, I am now convinced its rather boyish. Luckily, I have a friend with a baby due in September who IS a boy, and she will be receiving an insanely adorable outfit if my baby is a little lady. And Target is just across the street from the hospital, so hopefully we can trust Shane to pick out a cute newborn pink something.
Nevertheless, I think it will be very exciting for the OB to announce, "It's a....!" I am giddy over meeting my third baby. Most importantly, I have all 36 newborn and small diapers prepped and ready to go! Even though they are all gender neutral, they will just be so insanely adorable (and you can bet I will purchase some bigger pink fluff if I do have a girl. I mean, come on!)
So bear with me, only 6 weeks and 2 days to go.
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