A Weekend With the Wojos

This past weekend was our belated Christmas celebration with Curt's side. Every year for the past six years we've gotten together on a weekend in January rather than packing in our family time during the actual holiday season. We see each other then, too, if possible, when there are bigger family gatherings with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, but we've come to appreciate the time that just the immediate family is together at Mom & Dad's, especially now that there are kids involved. What we've done in the past is gone out for dinner, followed by a night of gifts and games. Each child took his/her turn each year choosing the restaurant and location. Last year there were only two babies, so family friends came over to watch them while we went out. This year, though, we decided to stay in and host it at our house, which ended up being much easier for Curt and I than packing up our entire house to spend an overnight now that we have two kids. And since there are four kids total, three of whom wouldn't be comfortable with an unfamiliar babysitter at their ages, they were part of the festivities as well.

Maddy and Jackson checking out their new presents

Curt had decided that, since it was his year to choose the meal, he wanted each of his siblings to make something "exotic" that they - or at least most of us - had neither eaten nor made before (that's how he defines "exotic" food). We ended up having a really good meal consisting of duck, jerk chicken wings, stuffed peppers, ham and potato soup, and tiramisu for dessert. We had fun sharing our opinions of the different foods, and the siblings even came up with a contest to choose the winner (the peppers and dessert tied). After dinner we exchanged white elephant gifts, which was hilarious, and played some games. On Sunday we went to church and came home to a nice breakfast, followed by an afternoon of snacks and Vikings (n0tice which I wrote first) before the family departed.

The white elephant exchange. I should have taken a full-length picture so you could see how awesome this sweater truly is. Curt's is a hand-made t-shirt from his sister Erin (she's in the above photo).

Spending times like this together reminds me how lucky we both are to have such great families. There is so much love and laughter shared among us all, and I am always so touched when I see how much love our parents have for our children. Watching the kids spend time with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins as they grow up has already given me such a deep sense of pride and joy, which I'm sure will only continue to grow as the years pass by... all too quickly.

Bringing Home Baby

While Jackson stayed with the Wojo grandparents, Curt and I brought Carter home on Tuesday night and finished getting everything situated for days and nights at home with a newborn. I felt so good after this delivery, and Carter was doing so well, that we decided we had no reason to stay at the hospital any longer. The transition was difficult at first because he wasn't nursing all that well or that often, and I finally had to pull out the pump once my millk came in to relieve the pain and pressure. At first I was worried that he wasn't getting all that he needed, but after the nurse's home visit and the doctor appointment this week, we found that he's already over his birth weight, so that was a relief for me. Now that we have figured each other out, it's so much easier! He's got a more consistent nursing schedule, I am better at using tricks to keep him nursing equally from both sides for the most part, and I'm not so worried about how he's doing. He is just a very efficient eater, that's all! I struggled with nursing Jackson at first, too, who turned out to be the opposite - a nursing session could take 50 minutes total with him, whereas it's closer to half an hour at the most with Carter, which is actually kind of nice now that I'm more relaxed about it! I was also worried because he was somewhat jaundiced, for which they're supposed to be brought into the hospital, but it was snowing too hard and was Christmas the day I would have done that. By the time the nurse and then the doctor saw him this week, though, they said his color looked great, just a bit of yellow left in the whites of his eyes, which is the last part to go back to normal color and has done so by now. He is a very content baby, like his brother, with not much crying, just fussing when hunger strikes. He has his days and nights sorted out and is slowly gaining more awake, alert time during each day. It's so much fun to watch his sweet little expressions and hear the tiny baby coos he's starting to make! I'm definitely in love. :)

The Wojos brought Jackson to the hospital to meet his brother on Monday night, but he slept right through it! After holding Carter for a while, they took Jackson back to their house for a couple days so we could finish up our stay and have our first night at home with just one child, which really made things go smoothly for us. They came back up Wednesday evening to bring him home, and Curt and I made sure neither of us was holding Carter when Jackson came in. He approached the bouncy chair where Carter was sleeping, not really knowing what we meant (I don't think) when we told him there was a baby in there, and physically backed away upon seeing him, repeating, "No baby, no baby," and taking my hand to try to pull me away from him. He was emotional and whiny for a while, saying "no" to everything we offered or requested. Neither of us held the baby at this time, but Grandma did, and he didn't like that very much! He was okay once Grandpa distracted him with some toys, but it took him a while. He avoided Carter the rest of the night and kept saying "No baby" when we'd say anything about him, until I had to nurse. He started to get fussy then and wanted to be in my lap, too. "Mommy, mommy, mommy!" he cried as he tried to climb up into my lap. I tried to explain that I had to hold Carter so he could eat, but Jackson was pretty jealous. At the same time, I got a phone call, his grandparents were leaving, and Daddy decided it was bedtime, so things were very chaotic for hime for a while there! He cried about going to bed and had to be rocked by Daddy. Needless to say, I think he was stressed out and confused after all that. Since then, though, he's really done a good job. He doesn't try to do inappropriate things to his brother; in fact, he mostly ignores him, except to say, "Oh, baby" when he cries or makes noises. He still doesn't love it when I nurse, but if Daddy's around to play with him, then it's no big deal. He will now give Carter kisses if we ask him to, and he even "held" him for a picture already! He likes to bring Mommy things the baby needs if I ask for them, and he's learning that Mommy and Daddy can't play ball with him while holding the baby. :)


As for me, it was very strange to see my toddler again after giving birth to a tiny thing. Jackson seemed so much more grown-up, and he looked like a giant! And the first time I changed his diaper, I couldn't believe it - he took up the whole changing table! Carter only takes up about 1/6 of it! That's when I pulled the potty chair back out of its storage place and set it next to the toilet. :) Jackson went back to daycare yesterday to see his daycare lady again (she really missed him!) and keep him familiar with that, and I think he really enjoyed it. He seemed to be getting a little bit bored here at home with us! It's too cold to play outside this week, and Daddy's been busy working on his shed, so I was happy to give Jackson some much-needed kid time yesterday. It gave us a nice break as well. I am very blessed to have two happy, healthy little boys, and I've been impressed with how much help my great big boy has given me since he's been off work. He even has two more weeks to be home - lucky us! We are one happy little family! :)

Welcome Carter Joseph!

After waiting for five days past his due date, Carter Joseph came into the world at 7:45 p.m. on Monday, December 21st. He weighed in at 9 lbs even and was 21 inches long. Although he was over half a pound bigger than Jackson at birth, his delivery was much easier, much to this mama's relief! (Warning: birth story to follow. If you are a boy or are squeamish about such things, skip ahead to a few more photos.)

I woke up to use the bathroom on Sunday night at 3:30 and had a mild contraction after laying back in bed. I had another at 4:30, then another at 5:30. By the time I got up for work I had had one more, along with some bloody show, which made me nervous, so I called the OB nurses to make sure that was normal and okay. She said not all women have that, but that it was normal and the cervix was probably getting ready! I was very excited after 4 steady contractions, as I had had only a few real ones up to this point and they were very sporadic; never more than one real one in a day. I called in to work and said I hoped that would be the day; Curt stayed home as well. I had two more contractions over the next two hours, which were getting steadily stronger. I called both our moms to say I was pretty sure this was the real thing. By the time my mom got up to our house a couple hours later, though, we were getting discouraged as my contractions were at a stand-still. However, after Mom and I took about a 20-minute walk, I had a rather strong contraction that got me excited again. We ate lunch and then they became steady, about 10 minutes apart now, and definitely more intense. Now I was really sure that this baby was on its way! It was a wonderful feeling to experience some labor naturally and to know that my body was doing its job without the aid of drugs, which I had to have with Jackson.

We called the hospital, dropped Jackson off at daycare until his other grandparents could come pick him up, and headed in to have a baby! I had another contraction on the way in, and when they were setting me up in the labor and delivery room after 2:00, I had a few more. I was already dilated to almost 6 by this time, which was super exciting as I only had 4 more cm to go. I made sure to tell the nurse that I was ready for the epidural as soon as they could give it to me! I could have handled a few more contractions, but I didn't want to miss my window of opportunity to get the drug and I figured, why wait? I got to feel what strong, regular contractions were like and decided I didn't need to feel any more of them. :)

Brea had joined us by this time to be with us during labor and delivery; she and Mom left the room to get something to drink while the epidural was administered (it was very painful for me to have it put in last time, and Mom did not enjoy watching that!). It's a good thing they did, because my blood pressure dropped and I nearly passed out once it hit. They gave me some medication to bring it back up, and I began to feel better, except for the itching that comes with an epidural, so I sat and scratched my face and neck for the next half hour to hour. But that drug was working, baby! I was totally numb from the belly down and was only aware of contractions by watching the monitor or hearing the nurse say I had just had one. It was probably about 3:30 by this time, and we sat around watching TV/reading magazines/talking/watching the monitor for the next few hours.

The nurses checked me periodically to see how far I had dilated as my contractions remained strong and steady, and I was making progress. As it got closer to 7, my doctor also came in to check my progress before leaving for the day (assuming she'd have to return later that night, I guess), and was very surprised to find that the baby's head was already very low in the birth canal and that he was just about ready to be born! Curt and Brea had left the room at this point to walk around a bit, so Mom rushed out to find them while the doctor went to get her scrubs on and came back to get prepared in the room with the nurses. When my family made it back and the medical staff were ready, I began pushing through contractions, and Carter Joseph was born not six contractions and 20 minutes later! His birth was so smooth and easy compared to the last one! I didn't feel a thing, did not have to completely exhaust myself physically by pushing out a head that just didn't want to come, andI had no tearing whatsoever this time, thank goodness! It could not have gone any better. We have a beautiful, healthy baby, and now I'm a proud mama of two boys! (Check back later for an update on life after bringing baby home.)

It is amazing how quickly a newborn's look changes after that first day

Jackson's first picture with his new baby brother

OVERDUE!!! OH NO!!!

I went to the doctor on Tuesday, who wants this baby to have every chance to arrive on its own. I do, too, but I really hope it's before Christmas! Like today would be good. So there are no plans to do anything yet; I see her again on Monday afternoon if I make it that long. The good news was that I was dilated to 4 cm that day.

Okay, now get "The Brady Bunch" theme song in your head. Got it? Okay, here goes:

Here's the story
of a mom named Ashley
Who was waiting for her second to arrive
So she went in to the doctor for her 40-week check-up
And she came out with her head held in her hands

She's over due
She's over due
She's so sad, because now she's over due!!!!!

Doctor Update

Well, the doctor had good news and bad news for me on Tuesday. The bad news was that she decided not to schedule me for induction if I make it to my appointment on the 15th. Since the original due date was January 6th (based on when I told them my last period had been, but it got bumped up after my 21-week ultrasound), she doesn't want to jump the gun and make this baby come too early. I know this baby's health and safety is the number one priority, but I can't help but be selfish after waiting so long for it to come and being focused on this before Christmas due date! As you know from reading the last post, I wake up each morning and pray for that to be the day. So I was horribly disappointed by this news. As she walked out of the room saying, "I hope you have this baby by Christmas!" I was even more disappointed and about ready to cry. However, there was some good news. I am dilated to 3 now, and my belly measures at 40-41 weeks. She also doesn't want me to have a really big baby again after my third-degree tear with Jackson, so if I don't have this baby by my next visit, she will probably order an ultrasound to see how big it is and decide what to do from there. So it is with a very hopeful, if somewhat gloomy, heart that I close this post, hoping not to post again until I can put up pictures of the new baby! Continue to keep your fingers crossed for me, and all your other parts, too, for some extra help, please! Oh, and prayers don't hurt, either. :)

Not Yet

There are 10 days and counting until d-day, and no baby yet. Nothing exciting is happening that makes me think this baby will be born early, either. It's rare for me to even have two contractions in the same day. If you've laughed just from seeing me lately, you know that I am physically exhausted and way beyond ready! And I'm so sick of maternity clothes! It's kind of fun to wear them again at first, but by now even my underwear are rolling down off my belly! I am running out of pants that stay up - I'm down to about two pair - and even the biggest clothes I have are starting to show a bit of my belly. Grr. It is also a very good year to have maternity leave from work, as this group of preschool kids are wild and crazy! So there's another reason I keep praying that each new day is the day this child will be born.

Yesterday I was looking at a couple pictures from my first pregnancy, and although I have gained more weight this time, it's not such a wide gerth as it was then. My belly is literally sitting on my lap and the baby is all out front, basketball-like. Last Wednesday the doctor said it's for sure 7 lbs. She also stripped my membranes (to no avail) and said I was dilated to about 2 (and yet here I sit). So the most encouraging news I got that day was her promise - after I begged - that she would schedule me for induction if I don't have this baby on time, rather than me going so far overdue like with Jackson. Of course with him I just wanted to deliver, but I wanted him to come naturally (not without an epidural, silly! I'm no dummy! Just without pitocin to induce labor), so I was okay with waiting for a while. This time, um, no. Sure, I would also love for this baby to start coming on its own, but I am only giving it so much more time! Plus, the holidays are upon us, and I'd like to be able to share this new gift with my family away from the hospital.

To try to prepare Jackson somewhat for having a baby around, we've brought out the carseat, bouncy chair, and swing. I also bought him a glow-worm, and he loves it! He hugs and kisses it just like he kisses my belly (cute, huh?). He likes to put his "baby" in the bouncy chair and turn the music and vibration on for it. We are talking about bringing a real baby home and him being a big brother. I know he has no concept of what's going on yet, but hopefully these few little things will help. It'll be interesting to see how he handles the change, to say the least!

Hopefully I won't make it to my next doctor appointment on Tuesday, but I will update if I do and there's anything to tell. Cross your fingers for me that this baby will be on its way before then!

Baby No. 2

Last week I went in to Curt's department at the hospital one night to sneak in an ultrasound. My doctor hasn't mentioned setting up another one, and I have been curious to know how big the baby is right now and to see it again now that I'm closer to the due date (Dec. 16). It turns out that baby was 5 lbs, 8 ozs last week, so hopefully it won't gain over 3 more pounds in the next six weeks before it's born! The first photo is the more traditional 2-D version, and it shows Baby's profile. The second is the newer 3-D ultrasound, which gives an amazing amount of detail and makes babies look so much more realistic. I think this baby looks like it's brother!