Baby #2 is HERE!!!

At my 39 week appointment, the Dr said I was 2 cm dilated which was significant progress from the week before.  The few days after the appointment involved contracts, lots of low back pain, and the loss of my mucus plug.  But at the end of each work day, the contractions had stopped, the low back pain dissipated, and nothing more followed after the mucus plug.

So after work on Friday, we went out for Chinese hoping the salt would coax baby out.  As our middle of the night on call person was gone, my parents were set to arrive later that evening.

Early Saturday morning, around 3:30 a.m. I woke up with some pretty intense contractions.  These contractions were different than what I had felt earlier in the week.  These were lower in my pelvis.  I stayed in bed until about 4:30 when they started to become really uncomfortable lying down.  When I got up, I started timing them and they were pretty consistent.  Then after about an hour they died down.  In effort to keep them going, Shaun and I took Sadie for a walk.  It did not help much.  I was down to a few sporadic contractions.

So we had breakfast with Tavin and my parents.  Then my mom and I went to a garage sale.  I had a few contractions while out and about and they were starting to get more intense.  When we got home, I did some laundry and played outside with Tavin.  During some of the contractions, Tavin was quite concerned as to why I was doubled over, but Shaun reassured him that "mom was thinking."

At around 11 a.m. I had some bloody show.  The contractions were still inconsistent, anywhere from 5-10 to 15-20 minutes apart.  I went and talked to Shaun and told him it was time to go in.  We decided to wait until after lunch.  Unfortunately, the lunch my mom was making wasn't going to be ready until almost 1 p.m.  My mom rushed some of the lunch to get done and I was eating around Noon.  The contractions continued to get stronger.

By the time we left the house, it was closer to 12:45.  I had a few contractions in the car (=hell) and the walk to the hospital (due to construction) felt like an eternity.  After getting checked in and changed into the hospital gown, the nurse checked me.  She said I was 5 cm and pretty stretchy.  She commented that my doctor would likely break my water to speed up the birthing.

When my doctor arrived and checked me, I was 7 cm.  She broke my water and the contractions intensified and were coming right on top of each other.  While I was breathing through the contractions, they were trying to get the saline lock/IV put in.  Yeah that was not fun either!

About a half hour after the doctor broke my water, I was ready to push!!  Baby descended quickly and after about 15 minutes of pushing (compared to 2 hours with Tavin), baby was born!!!

And it's a GIRL!!!!

It only took 4 hours to decide on her name.  We screened all the names (Vivian, Isabella, Addison, and Olivia) through Tavin and after we told him all of them, he shouted "Livie".  So Olivia it was!

Our first picture as a family of 4!

Olivia Jean was born on May 3 at 2:42 p.m.  Weighing 7 lb 6.9 oz and 20 inches long!

Dear Tavin: 2 years old!!!

Holy Moly!!  Hard to believe that my little boy is already two!

I sucked this second year keeping track of all the things we did, all you learned, and your Tavinsims.



You still love your Mama over Daddy.  When it's time for bed you always point to me and say "Mama Mama" and I tell you "No, it's Daddy's turn" and you get more persistent and say "Mama Mama" again. There have been times where you've thrown a huge fit because I didn't put you to bed.  However, you are getting better with Dad doing it.

Your favorite characters are Pooh, Elmo (elno), Cookie Monster (cookie), Mickey Mouse (kaka) and Little Mermaid (mermie). We aren't quite sure how you became attached to Little Mermaid.  The only thing in the house is the movie and a blanket I had from 10 years ago!

You haven't quite figured out how to say Grandma (nana as we try to get you to say).  Instead you just say Papa for both Grandma and Grandpa.


You went through a phase of wanting to listen to "boom boom" (Black Eyed Peas, Boom Boom Pow) when you woke up.  It was quite funny to watch you jam out with Daisy.

(Disclaimer: Before the ASPCA comes after us, please know that this cat jumps into the crib.  We do not put her in there.  She can jump out at any time yet she sits there and goes along with it!)

You love to scare.  Lately when you we are eating you get a funny look in your eye and then put your hands in a fist and go "rawr".

A few of your other "loves"

1. fist bumps
2. making snow angels
3. playing with your snow shovel
4. books - we have so many of them around the house it's crazy!
5. slides (or wee's as you call them)
6. hugs-you are such a great hugger!

Speaking of eating, you are a great eater!  You go in spurts with what you want to eat.  But for the most part you do a very good job eating your veggies, fruits, and of course, noodles.  Most of the time you tend to skip over your meat.  And sweets!  Well let's just say Cookie Monster has influenced you on cookies and I have influenced you over ice cream :)

You have been really good during the pregnancy.  When someone asks you where Mama's baby is, you point to my belly, try to lift up my shirt, and talk to the baby through my belly button.  One time in church you were patty my belly and kept saying "baby" then a few seconds later it was "baby OUT".  I'm pretty sure there were a couple people nearby snickering.  We've read books to you about being a big brother and when we are out and about every time you see a baby you want to look at it.  We are hopeful that things will go smoothly but I know those first few weeks are going to be quite the adjustment for all of us!



We have tried to get you to use the potty.  Daycare has had more luck than us--tinkling a few times.  Pretty soon we are going to have to dive deep into it.  Hopefully you'll be ready.

We celebrated your 2nd birthday at Grandma and Grandpas with some extended family.  You had a great day playing with your balloons, cousins, and eating pasta and cake!

It's been a great second year and I can't wait to watch you continue to grow!

Love Always,
Mama

Happy 40th Anniversary!

On October 16, we celebrated my parents 40th Anniversary!  Yep, you read that right 4-0 years of being married.  In today's "let's just split" mindset, this is AMAZING!  I'm so proud of my parents and was more than happy to help them celebrate!

My dad came to my sister and I earlier this year and asked for our help in surprising my mom with a renewal of vows and little get together afterwards.  So we planned and schemed, invites were sent, reservations were made, and my mom knew NOTHING (well for the most part until our lunch reservation called the home number and talked to my mom).

Shaun and I went home for the weekend using the cover of a dodgeball tournament.  My mom had off the entire week and was pretty crabby when we got there on Friday.  She apparently took off thinking her and Dad were going somewhere....oopsie!

Saturday arrived and so did their first surprise...a brand new kitchen table!!  Shortly after the delivery people arrived so did my sister and her family!  My mom was SHOCKED!

Then Sunday came.  She still didn't know what my dad had planned until we told her at breakfast.  When Dad told her they were renewing her vows she looked at him and said "No we are not!" and then started tearing up!  It was actually pretty funny.

We arrived at church and helped put on their corsages (which amazingly lasted a long time!)

Then came the renewal!

And blessing:

And after church with Deacon:

Family shot (how is that someone's face is always blocked?)  

Bigger family picture:

At the after party:  We got them an anniversary cake and put their actual cake topper on it!

Still in love after all these years!

And me and my Mommy (haven't had one taken with just us for a while!)

I had my cousin take some pictures during the day as well, but haven't gotten them from her.  So when I do, I'll post an update with my favorite from the day!