First Halloween

We were going to put you in the giant pumpkin your Dad carved this weekend but I forgot and when I looked at it today it was moldy so I guess you dodged a bit of a bullet there!  We took you and Dylan to Deepwood Estate this afternoon for their Halloween/Fall celebration thing.  Tried to take a picture of the two of you together...you weren't terribly interested.  Barely got a picture of you by yourself ;)

Your shirt says, "This is my costume..." and Annie Potter made the hat!

Your Two Week Check-Up

Auntie Kim was sick so we saw someone else in her office today.  She was nice too.  You weigh 9 lbs 2.5 oz, are 21 inches long, and have a head circumference of 37.5 cm.  These all put you in the 75 percentile.  They also did the PKU test.  I made your Dad go so he could hold you.  It seems like an incredibly mean thing to do to a little baby!  But, as your Dad kept telling you, it's for a good reason.

You Too Are a Government Statistic

The first piece of mail your brother ever received was his social security card.  Turns out that was the same for you.  Not sure if this is a positive or negative statement on our government...but it does kind of freak me out!

Pressing Cider Self-portrait

You really are in this picture...you just can't tell ;)  We were watching while Daddy and Uncle Mike were pressing apples.  It was cold and rainy that day!

The Two of Us...Just Before You Were Born

You were born on Unity Day or some such thing.  Basically, folks were posting pictures on Facebook standing in unity against bullying.  So I had Christy take this picture at work so I could post.  Little did I know, you would be born less than 12 hours later!  How cool is it that we have a picture of us together, with you on the inside, on the day you were born?  Not my finest picture but definitely a fun one!

One week down...many more to go!

This isn't the greatest photo...just used the little camera deal on my laptop.  But, it gets the point across.  I can't believe you are a week old already!  It went by so quickly and yet, it feels like you've been a part of our lives forever!

Grandma Colleen's Thoughts on Being Here

Bringing You Home

I really dislike hospitals.  So much so, that I'd rather get discharged at 11 pm the day after you were born then stay the rest of the night.  Plus, the hospital beds don't fit me very well and hurt my back.  But...the hospital really prefers you have a name for the baby before you leave. 

Your Dad and I both take naming a baby very seriously.  So seriously, that at 1 am we still hadn't figured out a name for you!  And, we were tired and cranky to say the least.

I finally told the night nurse we were going to play stupid, take the paper work home, and bring it back later.  The lady who does the paperwork called twice the next day before getting a hold of me.  We learned that in Oregon you have a year to name the baby but she needed the paperwork to declare a live birth.  She really wanted it back!  

Rather than continue fighting, Grandma Colleen ran interference and we came up with your name.  Almost seemed harder than giving birth ;)  But, we both love your name (while I realize you may decide to be called something later).  And, the paperwork lady was happy.

Your Birth Story

Every baby has his or her own birth story; each is unique just like the baby.  And, I love yours!  Because your brother was early, I was having a hard time not be anxious/hopeful that you would be early.  You did not disappoint.  Today is Saturday evening as I write this.  

Wednesday, I went to work like normal and felt fine during the day; other than being tired.  But, I've been tired for what feels like months.  Came home, by bike by the way, and discussed potentially applying for a new job with your Dad.  He left for a study group for the class he's taking and Dylan and I were hanging out.  Around 6 I started feeling yucky.  Made dinner for Dylan but didn't really feel like eating myself so I just had a couple of slices of cheese.  

The yucky feeling was a lot like I felt when I went into labor with Dylan.  And, it seemed like it was getting worse.  Dylan had been playing at the park with Grandma Bonnie and your Dad made him a fort out of your car seat box and let him color it with markers.  Needless to say, he needed a bath!  I wanted to take one too.  So, I went ahead and put Dylan in the bath and called Grandma Colleen to tell her I thought I might be in labor.  Then, Dylan watched Curious George while I took a bath.  

I was starting to get a little nervous that your Dad wouldn't get back from the class in time.  Plus, Mary across the street, was at a meditation class and I knew she wouldn't get back until after 9 and she was supposed to watch Dylan for us.  Luckily, your Dad got back a little early.  I had all my stuff packed at that point and suggested to your Dad that I was probably in labor ;)  We called Marnie just in case and she told us if Mary didn't get home, she'd come sit with Dylan.  Then, I called Kathleen and explained what was going on.  She rushed right over!

A little after 9, I noticed someone was home at John and Mary's so I called again.  Mary had just gotten home and came over.  Kathleen got here at the same time so we left for the hospital.  I called Grandma Colleen again and let her know we were on our way! 

If you get to the hospital after 9 you have to go in through the emergency.  They wheeled us through the halls with a nurse running ahead with an emergency packet in case we didn't make it ;)  The nurse in triage checked me and said, "You're not going anywhere."  I thought she meant anywhere in the labor.  Then she said, "Your 5-6 cm dilated and your water sack is bulgy!"  That's when we realized she meant I was definitely in labor.  

They took me over to the delivery room, got me ready, you and I got in the tub and labored for a bit.  My water broke in the tub during a contraction.  It literally felt like some sort of explosion!  They promptly got me out and dried off.  Something about not having the baby in the tub!  I pushed and you came out about 15-20 minutes later, if that!  We were at the hospital less than 2 hours. 

I think you and I make a great team.  As soon as I offered you the breast you went to town with a beautiful latch!  And, you nursed for something like an hour and a half or so.  Quite impressive.  

I had thought these last few weeks that you were for sure longer than Dylan.  Maybe it was the being 16 days early but you were 8 lbs 7 oz and 20 inches long.  Almost identical but just an ounce less and an inch shorter!  Thank you for helping to make it such a quick and smooth labor. 

Pictures taken at the hospital by Auntie K!

Day One

From Kim Heggen's cell phone.  Toys from Gma Colleen.