Easter surprise

Uncle Jay surprised us for Easter coming to visit and meet baby Thea.  We did lots of fun things while he was here.  

Friday we went to lunch and picked Jonesy up from school early.  He showed Uncle Jay all his tricks - basketball and reading books and playdoh etc. it was a good surprise.  Ps jones say Jay as Dee sometimes Day mostly Dee.  

Saturday we went on an Easter Egg Hunt at the same farm we get our Christmas Tree.  They have a playground and little petting zoo and an Easter bunny too.  It was good fun.  Jones and Thea both wanted nothing to do with the bunny. 

Jones didn't understand the egg hunt and then was scared after one of the baby pine trees got him in the face.  We ended up moving eggs out of tall grasses so he could grab eggs easier. 

He was not scared a bit of feeding the goats and pigs though.  He loved it. 

We also liked that Easter candy was not in the eggs but tickets and prizes this made it more manageable.  As a reminder that we should bring baskets in the future. 

After a nap and some lunch we went into the city for the fountain square music festival.  Worried about Thea and the loud music inside we just enjoyed the show outside.  But it was still fun we did some dancing, people watching, and chalk drawing.  And jones dance moves were amazing. 

On Sunday we opened Easter baskets, went to church then had a picnic before a nap and then going to joes for supper. My kids also were not fans of the ears I got them although jones tolerated it for pictures. 

It was a great Easter surprise. 

Theaburf 1 month

Dear Thea - 

If we thought time flew by with jones it flies by faster with two babies for sure - here we are at one month of being your parents.  

So far you are our screamer.  

You scream at diaper changes.  

You scream at baths. 

You scream when you go in your seat. 

You scream when you wake up.

You scream when the car stops.

You scream when I take your pictures.

Seriously lots of screaming.

But you are also a champion nurser.  You latch and eat anywhere and everywhere.  

You are starting to smile. 

We call you "little birdie".because of the way you move when hungry. So cute. 

You like to stay up late while daddy plays video games.  

You wear lots of bows and tutus.  

You like to sleep on mommy.  

You also love to nap in the baby carrier. 

You weigh 8 lbs exactly. 

You are 22.5 inches.

You have a Strong neck.

You hate tummy time. 

You have long legs and arms and newborn pants are like 3-4 inches short. 

You are very patient when jones wants to hold you. 

You have blonde hair and your eyelashes and eyebrows are starting to grow in. 

You are sleeping between 7-9 hours in a row at night - hello awesome! 

You are very alert when not screaming or sleeping. 

You have long beautiful perfect fingers.

You seem to control your hands very well and you like to rest them on your chin and cheek. 

We love you so much girlie we are so glad to have you here.

Love Mommy

Ps I took additional photos of you at three seperate times with the heat up and you just being fed and all are of you screaming or covering your face.  

31 - 1:12 Dates Fogo

I thought we did a date in February too but I can't seem to recall where so I am considering this date 1.  For Dustin's birthday I took him out to a place he's been wanting to visit Fogo De Chou which is a Brazilian steak house where they serve unlimited meat served by gauchos carving the meat at your table.  

It was a huge hit.  Kathleen babysat for us and took Jones out for pizza.  The meal was yummy and Dustin enjoyed it and would like to go again sometime.  Anyhow I guess we better catch up on dates - lucky for us Aunt Lita is coming to visit soon.  

2 - Thea's birth story

Baby Thea this is your story of your birthday as recorded by me... 

At my 41 week checkup while 5cm and 100% effaced - there didn't seem to be much progress from the prior week.  So we discussed the scheduled induction with my doctor.  Dustin was very anxious and my doctor was getting ready to leave on vacation.  While I was perfectly okay with letting it ride since you seemed to be okay.  The best option seemed to be to schedule the induction and meet you already.  So with that said they booked us in at 6am the next day.  We went home packed.  Tried to spend time with Jones tried to explain to him about the baby coming tomorrow and grandma and Lita coming to visit.  I stayed up waaaay to late doing things but you it happens.

Before we get into the real gritty details I want to also tell you - I wanted to have natural child birth with you I wanted it for Jones too but after like 20 hours of labor I was crazy and caved.  This time I didn't want to give in.  I went in with all these breathing techniques and positions etc.  more determined then before I was going to be focused.  

The next morning we arrive at the hospital and check in during a fire alarm. This does not seem like it gets us off on the right foot.  We make a few jokes about it.  The nurses then ask me a million questions and have me put on the hospital gown.  They then run my IVs - it took them 4tries to get it in and they had to call in another nurse.  Again this seems to be terrible.  But at least when it's done we start the induction process.  It goes really slow at first - this is intentional since I have the gbs and we are trying to get the antibiotics.  

My day shift nurse Tammy comes in at like 7:30 and she seems awesome.  We talk about 1000 things and watch the monitors.  Just as we get settled in as good friends and they pull her for a csection since my contractions are very minor and only every 4 minutes.   So I then am sharing a nurse who I don't even know her name.  This makes me feel like labor will be all day and night like with jones. 

I find I am very bored.  I read a devotional, I start a podcast, I text a bunch of people.  Daddy is very nervous he eats several meals and snacks.  And can't figure out what to do with himself.  

i can't seem to get comfortable on the bed but they are having issues getting consistent readings so they ask that I wait to be up moving around.  They turn up the pitocin.  The doctor was planning to break my water at 11 but no progress so we wait.  This makes me feel even more like things will be all day and night once we stopped walking with jones progress seemed to slow down.

But I am patient, I pray and continue to podcast, and text.  Around 1 - I have a few contractions in my back which make me jump right out of the monitors and the bed - these contractions don't even show on the monitors.   The nurse of course comes back to readjust the monitor.  She tells me the doctor will not be breaking my water until after 3 and turns up the pitocin.  She says that the pitocin may not be working.  She says get a good read on the baby monitor and we can switch to the rocker or the birth ball.  

I go back to texting.  I have like 4 more back contractions and then need to use the restroom.  So Daddy helps me unhook and I go to the bathroom.  While in the bathroom I get an overwhelming hot flash, then have 4 sudden super strong contractions I couldn't even count to ten in between them. I yell for Dustin (who's like what what?).  I debate between sitting on the cold tile bathroom floor and dying or walking back to the bed.  While debating I get another contraction and decide while the cold floor seems appealing I need to get you out.  

I walk out into the room and tell (probably yell) Dustin "I cannot do this.  I am dying."

His response is "I told you to just get the epidural"

Another contraction hits me and I grab at him and scream at him "no.  I am dying!" As I regain my breath and attempt to sit on the bed my water breaks this is 2pm. It literally comes with a contraction and great pressure and I feel like I am peeing all over the side of the bed and floor I can't even open my eyes to look down another contraction hits - "I can't do this!"  I say again.  

Dustin says "where's the call button?  Your water broke."

To which I yell "there's no button. I can't do this!" (Mind you I was informed of at least 5 buttons at check in, in this moment they don't exist).

He makes sure I am actually sitting on the bed gripping the rail instead of him and runs to the hall for help.  

He apparently runs to the nurses station where the Lactation specialist is briefing like 10 nursing students.  And declares "my wife's water just broke,  we need a nurse."  Since I had declined students the Lactation specialist was the first to arrive she pages my nurse upon seeing me and a whole bunch of nurses show up.  I am in some kind of weird state yelling, and grabbing Dustin and trying to remember to focus and insistent that I am dying and can't  breathe but nobody is listening.  They try to calm me down I think I snap at them.

They check me and discover I am pushing with my contractions and the baby is crowning.  And someone pages my doctor or any doctor.  They try to get me to put my feet in the bed I try not to.  

A doctor shows up she is Indian like some kind of crazy lunatic I talk to her in a fake Indian accent.  She tells me the baby is coming.  

Voices are everywhere and I am still insisting this is me "dying" and "I can't breathe".  A nurse Stacy gets in my face and she refocuses me.  And some point in this chaos I push twice no fancy breathing no counting just contraction and push and you come just like that.  They put you on my belly for a minute seconds while I keep having contractions and I keep screaming "I can't I can't."  Stacy tells me that already here to look and see you.  the doctor asks Daddy to cut the cord he declines and I can't seem to understand. They move you over the warmer.  I keep having contractions and deliver the placenta probably a minute after you.  

I am still insisting "I can't and no no no" and Daddy and Stacy keep telling me that you are here.  The contractions finally stop and I seem to regain my sanity.  I keep telling the nurses to give me you and that you are mine.  they are checking you because you delivered so fast "spontaneous" they called it.  Looking for bruises etc.  Our doctor arrives just as everything's all done - she congratulates us and looks you over.  

They stitch me up and I finally hold you and feed you.  I am shocked to discover you have a little bit of blonde hair.  You are so long and lean and perfectly pink.  You nurse like a champ from the beginning.  I am shaking like a crazy person but I am surprised to discover I am 100x less sore than with jones and I don't even want Tylenol or anything.  I actually get up like 15 minutes after you are born and go to the bathroom to change and get cleaned up.  Daddy holds you and takes your picture.  And he texts everyone people I had been texting are shocked to discover you came so fast -12 minutes as I had been texting them minutes before my water broke.  

I am so grateful you came in 12 minutes with maybe an hour of contractions because I am certain my level of crazy would have gotten crazier.  I say a prayer of thankfulness while snuggling you.   We are so very thankful for you little Thea Corrine.  

Born 2:12pm weighing 7 lbs 14.5 oz and 21.5 inches long.  

And that's your birth story or how your mommy goes temporarily insane.  

Family Photos - February 2016

Sadly I missed taking any family photos in January - I took lots of me and jones and lots of Dustin and jones and even some Kathleen Katie and Jones but didn't get one of the three of us.  But in February I remembered both before 3 became 4 and after although I think they are on Dustin's phone.

(Above bedtime selfie)

It snowed on Valentine's Day and even though it was extra cold we went out into the snow. Jones loved it and we snapped a series of family Selfies.  I love that jones is so happy in these.  What a trip. 

And then we were 4.  I look terrible in this photo but we had literally just had our baby several hours before. 

18 - Baby Thea's Room

I went back and forth on what to do with Thea's room.  Like do we get her a crib or not?  Do we paint or not?  Do we put the rocker in there or not?  Remove carpet?  Do I buy a dresser etc. etc.  we did decide to get rid or the big dresser and full size bed even though room is going to remain the guest room.  My brother and sister in law found us a deal on the bed frame and it came with two dressers that we are going to paint for Jones's big kid room this summer.  We already had the twin sized mattress and box springs.  My sister had a tall dresser not being used it wasn't really my style but with a coat of spray paint it's much improved.  I painted the door and Kathleen did the heart on the wall.  The fans and name were from Aunt Alicia but I did paint them to match.  They fans had a horrible time staying up but I finally  got the push pins to hold them.  And the little gold table was in our living room I swapped the one from the room before because it was too nice to spray paint.  

My sister bought us the laundry hamper.  And I picked up the storage bins for $.50 at an after Christmas sale.  The pillows we actually already had.

I bought the quilt at target it was the right color so I don't feel bad for not making one, especially since eventually Thea will get Jones's crib and we will give him the bed and need another quilt.

I do plan to buy her a rug, make her a headband rack, and perhaps put up curtains but I am considering this project done.  FYI she currently sleeps in our room in the basket bed - so we don't yet have her sleeping in here.  

20 Months of Jones

This month we stopped by the Garfield park mural.  We were on our way to the park for an event at the art center so it was fitting.  Jones was excited about the dog on the mural and also thought he was supposed to run to me as I took his picture but it shows his personality.

Jones Jones -

You celebrated 20 months the day after your sister was born.  

So far you are a great big brother.  You are very concerned about Thea crying and try to be helpful with the pacifier and getting me things we might need like her blanket or wipes etc.

You love to kiss her on the head or rub her gently like you see mommy do.  

Oh and you love her little feet you think they are funny.  

At 20 months you weigh 28 lbs and I think you are  33" tall but honestly I haven't measured you.

You continue to love to eat pizza, cheese, yogurt, blueberries, and beans.

You also love dipping sauce. 

We read lots of books you were so jazzed to find Where's spot on the shelf, but you also like Brown Bear and Look What I Can Do.

You enjoy drawing, painting, play dough, gluing, stapling, and cutting.  

Recently you are all about basketball.  You request we watch you and you practice shots while yelling "Kobe" like daddy.  You make maybe 20% and like it when we cheer for you and give you high fives. You probably play at least once a day.  

You get your head stuck under the tv trying to retrieve balls and I keep telling you to ask us.  

You also love to go swimming with your inner tube minus water and it's too cute. 

You can count to 3 and recognize letters a and b.  

You've been signing words we don't know lately too although we did recognize please.  

Mommy is most impressed with all the words you've learned or parroted recently you say many sentences and phrases now. Yesterday you said "terrible idea" which I thought was an interesting one.

Mommy enjoys having you read with her although mommy wants to pick the books.

Mommy loves when we do crafts or play ball.

Daddy has been giving you candy and mommy is not a fan of this.

Daddy has trouble telling you no.

Daddy likes when you want snuggle with him.

Jones you are getting so big, smart and strong it's great to see you grow.

Love mommy

Meet Baby Thea

Brand new to the family yesterday Thea Corrine.  We are so overjoyed she's here.   And what a crazy birth story I need to write for her.  She looks like her dad I think and even has a sprinkle of blonde hair.  

Jones-Made Valentine's

Jones and I typically will do some sort of craft each evening if we don't go out.  Whether it's markers, stickers, cutting etc.  so it seemed fitting to make up some Valentine's.  Jones actually initatatied the project getting out my cutter and slicing up our birth plan for Thea before I noticed what he was doing.  Who taught him how to use this??  

Anyhow so I swapped him out for red and pink papers I had.  He cut a bunch of strips out then tore and cut them with scissors to make them smaller.  He needs a little assistance wth his kid scissors but surprisingly not as much as I thought. 

Then with a handful of hearts I free handed for him we glued it all down.  He seemed to know exactly what to do.  He also drew on some hearts and added stickers that grandma sent.  The stickers were a huge hit and some Valentine's got like 4-5 stickers.  

With a short happy valentines love jones on the back we mailed them off.  

Snow

I have been waiting for some snow to come when I could take jones out in his thrifted $2 snowsuit.  Finally for Valentine's Day we got some. When I told him after his nap about the snow he immediately wanted to go out.  He was not so interested in waiting for several layers of clothes and mommy putting on warmer socks and finding her mittens etc.  he stood by the door waiting for easily 15 minutes.  He took a ball out into the snow since we had been playing ball too.

Once outside he was like "oh wow" and "snow" and "brrrrr" but he was totally into it.  He picked snow up almost immediately with his mitten hand and smashed it into his chest.  He thought snowballs were great.  Sadly it wasn't really packing snow so no snowman. And was practically jumping for joy when the snow plows drove down the street pushing the snow.  

He liked tasting the snow and was uber excited about his slide in the snow.  And even though he had ice gloves and snow in his boots.  He had a major meltdown when we brought him inside to warm up.

I hoped we would get more than the 2 inches over night so Dustin could take him sledding but we didn't get much and I am sure the snow will be gone from the sledding spot when he gets home from school today.