Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

A Few Firsts

We have been busy as usual, and the days seem to fly by. I can't believe L will be 8weeks old tomorrow! On Sunday, we took him to church for the first time. He slept through the entire service...whew! Last week, he went to his first jewelry party...had to mark that event for Daddy! He is doing great at night these days. Most nights we get 4-5 hours between feedings. We have noticed that he does a lot of "talking". Sometimes, I go to check on him, because I think he is crying when he is really just talking to his friends on the playmat.:) J was such a quiet baby which seemed like a good thing at the time. We now know the early signs of apraxia were evident. I remember thinking he should be babbling more but pretty much ckecked it off since it did come. It definitely did not come this early or as often from Jackson. So, fingers are crossed and prayers are going up for no apraxia with Luke. Lately, J runs to check on L when he is crying, which can be often on some days, and he will sometimes gently rub his little head if he isn't too fretful. Precious.



Friday, July 22, 2011

The Simple Things...

I had such a good morning with my boys today! We had no plans which is unusual for us. We have literally had something to do almost every weekday morning since Luke was born (playdates, speech, MMO, etc.)I love those things, but I really believe that God provided this morning for me. Sometimes, I spend so much time doing other things, perhaps things that are necessary for the boys, but today was a day for me to just enjoy QUALITY TIME with both of them separately. J and I spent time outside playing in his little pool and with his sprinkler ball. I took a minute to remember how much progress we have made with him since last summer. Many parents see it earlier, but we have seen it most at age three. After J and I had some time together, I gathered a snack and put in Toy Story for him to watch while I gave L a bath. He loves his bath and will just stare at me as I talk to him. So special.

Our apraxia journey is far from over, and the deep desire for J to overcome it with few other additional problems remains. I constantly have to give my worries, fears, etc. about the future to God. So, I believe God provided me with an uplifting conversation with my husband last night, and then a great day with the boys today.







It has been established that sweet, baby L is a little more fickle than his brother, but he totally cracks me up with the things he will do. He LOVES to eat, and no matter how full I get him, he will sometimes suck on everything-his hand, my shoulder, my arm, whatever is nearby...came out of the womb this way. Well, when he starts that, I will hold him out and tease him him about being an eating machine. He gives me the funniest look, like "What's the problem, Mom? Milk can come out of anywhere if I try hard enough!"

Progress

Big Brother is coming around a little bit with his new sibling! He will at least acknoweldge him when he cries, lets me know what toys & things are his, and reminds me to get him out of the car (as if I may forget). I caught these shots earlier in the week...



Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Washing Cars

Dave and J spent some time last weekend washing our car! Life seems so busy these days, but we are not forgetting that spending time with each boy is one of the most important things we can do right now. These days are going by fast, and one day J and L will be grown up...my messy house will still be here! :)


Hmm, is Mr. Ty, our neighbor, outside???



L grabbed the rattle on his playmat. Good job, Little Guy!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

L's Birth Story

It has been six weeks, and I am just now posting Luke's birth story! I have wanted to type it out in a post just like we did for Jackson. I want to eventually print our blog in a book, so I need to give the details now (before I forget) of that precious day! As I posted earlier, we knew that L would arrive on the morning of June 1st...

Our day started at 5:00 a.m. since the hospital asks you to come about an hour before surgery to do all of the prep work. They told me to call the charge nurse before leaving for the hospital to be sure everything was still on as planned and no emergencies had occured to delay the c-section. All was clear, and we arrived at the hospital where we greeted by just a few of the AWESOME nurses at CMC. Everything was calm and relaxed. Dave and I were much more laid back this time! Like before, inserting my IV was an issue...poked four times by three different nurses only to have the CRNA do it in a second with some numbing meds. Soon Dr. Barnes arrived, and I knew the party was about to get started! The last question they asked me before wheeling me to the OR was if a couple of student nurses could watch my c-section since they had never seen one...my reply "yes"...they remained with me the rest of my time there...interesting experience...L and I were their guinea pigs. Glad we could assist in their learning, though! ;) Dave had to wait on me to receive my spinal outside of the OR. Everyone introduced themselves as I arrived in this small, cold OR, and the CRNA, Suzie, became my best friend! The flood of emotions were much different the second time-joy as you know the depth of the special moment that is about to occur and anxiety as you anticipate the pain that is before you, more anxiety as you wait to be sure everything is ok, and even more anxiety at the realization that life is about to change dramatically FOREVER! The focus on these emotions quickly shifted as the spinal began to work with the combination of me feeling like I was getting sick. Imagine dry heaving as your body becomes numb. Sorta scary....no VERY scary! They reminded me that I was breathing, and my new best friend went running to get some meds in my IV. Thankfully, they took affect quickly! Dave finally got to come in, and I told him about me feeling like I was getting sick earlier. The CRNA thought I said I was getting sick again, and she jumped up. Ha! Dr. Barnes talked to me throughout the delivery, so she let us know the first moment she could see Luke. She announced that he was breech and really cute. They told us he was a big guy with red hair! Dave and I were listening for that first cry that didn't come immediately which is common for c-section babies. Once he did cry, Dave went over to check little L out. I found out L's apgar score was 9 & 9...woohoo!!

I was able to watch them, also. This hospital quickly got Luke over to me and gave the three of us a nice amount of time together. They also took lots of pictures for us! While Dave examined the placenta with the staff, Dr. Barnes talked to me about my first visit with her and how much we desired another child at that point. Such an answered prayer to remember that day but be able to look to my right and see how God poured His beautiful, nothing short of miraculous, amazing blessing on us in a way that only He can.



L was a snuggly little guy from the beginning. He loved being next to Mommy and was immediately great at nursing! L stayed in the room with us until late that night...everything waited until he had a day to rest from delivery and bond with us. So special. We spent the next three days in a wonderful hospital that pampered Mom and Baby! I missed that place in a way that I think is far beyond normal, maybe because my love language is acts of service and they spoke it well! :)

A friendly Dr. Barnes and Dave photo

One of our favorite nurses who also assisted in the c-section

Sip N See

Two weeks ago, we introduced Luke to many family members on the Hilton side of the family at a Sip N See. L did great, and everyone was so happy to meet him. He loved the sweetness and love that all of these ladies poured on him. I laughed that night at the fact that he smelled like a variety of perfumes!!









We were able to take the boys out on the beach while we were there. J liked the ocean if he was way out with Dave where the waves were not breaking. We think he needs to be out there MORE!!



EXHAUSTED

1 Month Stats

Little L is actually 6 weeks old today, but I haven't posted his stats from last week's 1 month doctor's visit. He is growing like crazy!!!!!!!!

Weight: 9 pounds 11 oz. (50th percentile)
Height: 21 3/4 in. long (75th percentile)
Head: 15 1/4 (90th percentile)



He is such a funny guy! I never know what I might find him doing or have done when I put him down for a moment and come back. Sometimes he manages to pull his pacifier out and has it dangling on his fingers, and other times he has taken off his velcro bib. He always finds a way to move around the crib. If I leave him right in the center to watch his mobile or look in his mirror, he finds a way to move to the side and has put his foot through the rails!! The scariest thing he has done is managed to get his breathable blanket on top of his head when it was placed below his waist in the bouncer. L is a super alert baby and aware of everything going on around him!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Thankful Thursday

It's no surprise that my first Thankful Thursday post would include these three guys-

Mommy Sings to Me

Here is how L feels about Mommy's singing....


Who is Already 1 Month Old???

Our little L is one month old now! The time has gone by sooo fast!! We absolutely love having a second son and learning more & more about this guy!

So snuggly

So cute

So alert

Sooo your Daddy's TWIN