Bassinet Boot Camp

Ok, I am a big believer in doing what works with a baby and not worrying about much. So, after spending an entire year up with Caden at nighttime I learned a few things. Number one-babies sleep much better and much longer cuddled up next to mommy and not in their beds. Caleb never had the opportunity to explore this truth because the only place he has ever slept is right next to me anyway. So here's the problem- I am tired...ok, that's generally a mommy problem anyway, but Caleb is a loud sleeper (he grunts and makes all kinds of cute noises) and he is a squirmer. Plus, our queen size bed was not built for me, Collin, Caleb, and an occasional cat or two.
Anyway, I've declared this weekend bassinet boot camp. I am determined to try and get Caleb to sleep for longer than 10 minutes in his bassinet. I know whats in store is about 100 times of putting him in and picking him back up to get him to sleep again, but I'm up for it. Some might suggest attempting to let him cry, but I think he's still too little for that in my mommy book. Anyway, I'm going to blog as an accountability to follow through so here we go....sweet dreams little Caleb!

PS- I am trying to get him to sleep in it for his nap right now and he's woken up 3 times already...oh brother...

Prayers for My Boys

I recently received this email forward and these verses to pray for your kids and loved them! I've been looking for something to put around the house to remind us to pray and these are perfect...
1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Ephesians 2:14-16)

Party Time!

Caden turned 2 this weekend and got to celebrate with a gymnastics party...it was so fun! Check out Daddy on the equipment, oops!

Cousins

Our beautiful cousin Adalyn came to visit us this weekend! (with her mom and dad) She is only a few weeks older than Caleb, they were so cute together. Caden really loves her and had so much fun getting to meet her!

6 Weeks

Caleb is 6 weeks old today!! He is growing up so fast, but still a little baby! Here are some recent pictures and one from when he was first born to compare. Caden turns 2 on Friday! Praise God, we are so lucky for these little boys in our lives!

World Record?

Caden got this balloon today at around noon. He held onto it during his nap (I know in retrospect not a safe idea) and the entire time he slept and continued to hold onto it all day. We slipped it out of his clenched fist a few times just to make sure his hand had a break. These pictures are from dinner, bathtime, and bedtime when he was still holding it. I took it from him just before we put him into bed so he'd be safe but I have no doubt he would have kept it all night!

Curious about the answers to the previous blog?
From top to bottom: Caleb Caden Caden Caleb ---did you guess right?

Guess Who

When Caleb was first born we were astounded at how distinctive his features were in comparison to Caden, they seemed to be really different. Caleb turns 4 weeks old tomorrow, so lets compare one month pictures to see how they look now...by the way I gave Collin this who's who quiz and he got them mixed up!

Peep Halloween Costumes

These costumes are from Peep, Caden's favorite cartoon! Mommy is Chirp the bird, Daddy is Quack the duck (note the matching hat) and Caden is Peep the chicken (note the red hair dye).

The back of our shirts have a picture of all the characters plus a little turtle hatching out of an egg. I wrote, "Welcome to our family Caleb!!! on the back.

Brothers

Look how sweet these two are!

For Grammy

I promised my mom daily pictures while she is away...here is a live action shot from our morning when she called. Also pictures of Caden drinking mommy's Starbucks hot cocoa and Uncle Gray and Miss Jenna holding baby Caleb.

Here's what going on in our house today!

Our first Saturday at home all together...Caleb is 6 days old!

Four Days Old!

Four days old today!

Brothers!

Caden did this all by himself, he is very excited to have a brother!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALEB!!!

What a miracle!! Caleb is here! He was born on Sunday night, actually it was early Monday morning, October 6th at 2:09am. He weighed 7 lbs 13 ounces and was 20 inches long. If you want details here is the "story".

Sunday night we all went for a long walk to the park and when we got home we all had popsicles. At 8pm I got up to help Caden out of his chair in the kitchen and her water broke. I looked up at Collin and said my water broke. (later I asked him why he believed me right away and he said it was because I was standing with my legs stuck together) Anyway, I insisted on staying at the house long enough to make cupcakes and get our stuff together. My contractions started right after my water broke but they weren't that bad. We loaded everyone and everything into the car and headed to grammy's house. My sweet college age brother had to leave his fraternity brothers to come and babysit Caden at my mom's house which he did very well. He even changed his first (i think) diaper. Collin, my mom, and I headed to the hospital which is conveniently 5 minutes from my mom's house.

At the hospital we got all checked in and started doing paperwork and getting IV's hooked up. At this point it was about 10:30pm or so and my contractions were coming about 4 minutes apart and I was 4 cm dialated. 30 minutes later they started getting a lot stronger and I started to really wonder how long I was going to wait for an epidural. Collin and my mom were coaching me through and helping, although at some point Collin got yelled at for watching baseball on tv and was not so nicely asked by my to turn it off. Not to long after that I decided I'd had enough of contractions and asked them to call the anesthesia doctor who was 30 minutes away. In the next 30 minutes things got really painful, I don't know how my mommy friends did that without drugs because by the time 30 minutes had passed I was yelling/crying how much longer. Post drugs things were much better. They checked me at midnight and I was already 9.5 cm dialated! I had to wait to start pushing for some antibitocs to kick in so for the next 2 hours I remeber vaguely watching Planet Earth...and mostly watching the heartbeat monitor and the contraction monitor rise and fall. I definately felt not so little Caleb's head getting closer-thankful again for the drugs.

Finally, at 2 my nurse came in and had me do a "test" push. She quickly said to stop and ran pretty fast out of the room to get my doctor. Everything got set up by 2:05 and 2 contractions and a few pushes later he was here at 2:09! They laid him on my chest and we got to hold him right away! What a wonderful experience.

If anyone knows me they probably know deciding to have a trial of labor instead of another c-section was a big decision that I spent a lot of time researching, etc. There were a few additional risks in some really rare cases labor puts too much pressure on the c-section scar. I will honestly say that in the last 2 hours of labor I was convincing myself that my scar was rupturing and it was kind of freaking my out, but they assured me that everything was fine. (his heartbeat was normal and my labor was progressing without stalling) Having gone through the entire experience I would make this decision 1000 times again. When people say that recovery time is faster for a vaginal birth that is the understatement of the year. And for me the experience of giving birth was something so special and wonderful, looking down to see Caleb's head and holding him the very moment he was born, I am so thankful and blessed that this worked out. It doesn't always go so well and I know that there are so many things out of your control, but for me this was a dream!

Anyway, we stayed in the hospital for 2 nights and got home on Wednesday. Having a baby and a 2 year old at home this last day has been an adventure, but so far Caden is really interested and loving towards Caleb. He has even tried to hug and kiss him several times! So that's it for now, I've used up too much precious nap time writing all of this~

Love from our new family of 4!!!