We Survived--But Barely

As most of you know from my earlier post this week that Nolan went to his first Mother's Day Out.  Well we survived--but barely.  It all started so smoothly---I was pushing the stroller with Conley, and Nolan holding my hand to the church.  He even walked in the building just fine, but when we got to his room he freaked out.  He started crying and grabbing for me but not before he grabbed the two cars he played with during orientation.  As I left the room, my heart dropped to see my boy crying so much for his momma.  The teacher already had him on her hip bouncing him, and I could tell she was very nurturing and knew what she was doing.

I had dropped him off at 9am, and I received a phone call at about 11:30am just to let me know that he wouldn't eat any snack or lunch but did drink milk.  She said he was doing fine and crying some when the left outside or the big playroom but that she just wanted to let me know about him not eating anything because she said if it was her she would want to know.

She gave me the option of him staying or for me to come get him if I was worried about the meal issue.  I decided to let him stay because as most of you know dealing with a toddler's eating habits is pretty much an every day occurrence.  Plus he usually doesn't have lunch until 12 or 12:30pm when he is at home. 

I expected to get another call about him disrupting nap time, but I didn't and so at 1:40pm I packed up the baby and headed over to pick him up.  When I got there, he was totally passed out with the lights all on.  He was sniffling in his sleep from crying which made me sad---and the teacher said he had finally fallen asleep the last 30 minutes of nap time.  (I knew it would be hard for him to nap with it being new and because it was almost a whole hour and a half earlier than he usually naps.) 

He was completely passed out, and we really had to try hard to wake him up.  He was fine when he got up, and we put his shoes on and we walked to the car.  Guess who ate all his lunch right after we left?  Yeah this boy.

His report card asks how he was feeling during the day, and the teachers had circled sad and curious.  It also said he made rest time difficult for others.  Aww my poor boy! 

The teacher thinks he'll do great once he gets used to it and said he was a sweet boy.  So we're going to keep trying to see how it goes, so keep us in your thoughts next week for round 2!

Wordless Wednesday-School & Bathtime!

Where's My Easy Button?

Ok I'm not sure if I have written about this before, but when Nolan was a baby he was very needy.  You know the baby that you can't ever put down.  Thankfully, he started to love his swing, and I started using my sling like nobody's business.  I distinctly remember at about week 2-3 when the newborn sleepiness starting wearing off that I realized that this mom gig was no joke.  I remember just wishing for the day that he could be awake without crying.

Well HELLO we are here again.  I thought Conley was going to be an easier baby than Nolan, but I have had a wake up call this weekend.  He's just the same as Nolan with a louder cry.  It's that whole immature digestion system that gets him...and if you've had a baby you know what I am talking about.  Every bowel movement is like they are literally dying.  I can hear him start squirming in his sleep and know he's dealing with gas and poop.  Yesterday he had the biggest yellow diaper that he's had since he has been on this earth. 

I'm hoping as he ages that it won't bug him as much, but as of now he's just like his big bro in the needy department.

While the husband was getting gas for the mower last night, I was trying to feed Nolan dinner, keep the baby from crying, and make dinner.  I could not even make it back to the stove without Conley losing his $%&$. 

Oh and I forgot to mention this was on top of Nolan throwing food and coloring on my door with crayon.  Needless to say, time outs have begun in our household.

Anyhow, as Nolan would say, "Be cool."

And here's some hospital pics I just got back from the hospital photographer---I mean I guess it's all worth the trouble when you look at this little cutie!

 Here's to a new day my friends---and hopefully less gas in my future :)

 

Lately...

The last two weeks have been a blur.  I can't believe I'm a mom to a toddler and a newborn.  It's definitely a lot of multi-tasking and so far, so good.  I've somehow coordinated the boys to nap at the same time which I'm sure will change once the newborn gets out of the sleepy stage.  I have successfully made it out of the house a few times with both boys in tow.  AKA parking right next to the cart return---put baby who is in the carseat in the cart and then Nolan in the front.  Today I managed to get to Mother's Day Out orientation without Nolan having a meltdown.  Can I say I am super nervous about him going?  It's so hard to let someone else care for your child when you are the only one who usually does.  I know...it's the Momma Bear in me!  He starts officially next Tuesday.

I booked Nolan's 2nd birthday party at the local Little Gym.  I cannot believe he's already 22 months old and that I'm planning his 2nd birthday party!  Wasn't he just a baby yesterday? 

I have a feeling that the whole rest of the year is also going to be a blur---now I just need some magic to slow it down.  Fall is my favorite time of year so I can't wait to enjoy the cool, brisk air with my boys.

Oh crap...that means I have to get Halloween costumes for two????  The planning never stops does it? :)

Meet the Fleet

This past weekend we ventured out as a family of four to a free event put on by the City Hall called, "Meet the Fleet."  It's where the city brings all of their working trucks and cars of the city for kids to sit in and honk the horns.  We saw bulldozers, police cars, tractors, fire trucks, wrecker trucks, a helicopter, and many other vehicles. 

My friend Laura and her family came with us to join in on the fun.  Both boys had a great time climbing the trucks and "pretending" to drive the vehicles. 

I didn't get many pics since I was pushing a stroller and managing Conley, but I think Laura has a few more than I do so I'll share once I get a copy.

Nolan loves some trucks and was sad to go...he would have inspected them all day long if we would let him!

Newborn Photo Sneak Peek!

Wordless Wednesday-One Week Old!

Conley's Birth Story

Finally our little boy has arrived!  He was due on August 3rd, but apparently that date did not suit him very well.  Nolan was a day earlier than his due date so I fully expected with this being my second pregnancy that I would go early.  I kept feeling more pressure and contractions, so I was sure that we would have a July baby.

On my August 3rd doctor appointment, I was 3cm dilated and about 50% effaced.  My doctor asked me what I wanted to do, and I decided that we would see how the weekend goes and then come in for an appointment.  On Tuesday, we had an 11am appointment where I was 4cm dilated and the same in effacement.

Now if you know me I'm not one for being induced.  However, I felt with this being my 2nd child and with the progression I had already made that maybe this little boy needed a gentle nudge.  Plus this gal was over being pregnant!

We scheduled to be induced the next day, August 8th at 7am.  We waited awhile before we started the Pitocin due to the fact that the hospital has strict rules when it comes to monitoring.  Can I just say next time I am seriously thinking about having my next child (if we have more) at a birthing center.  I'm so over hospitals just wanting to tie you in a bed so it's convenient "for them."  As my husband said, this was our most expensive item all year long so we should be able to get what we wanted instead of the other way around.  Anyhow, that's a story for a different post--my rants about hospitals!  And trust me I have a long, long list after this visit.

Yes don't I look thrilled to be hooked up to their machines?

At around 9:30am, we got the show on the road.  I was already having contractions before they started the Pitocin, but once being on the medicine my contractions actually slowed.  It was really weird to see the number go up but my contractions going down.

My doctor came in around 1pm to do the cervical check.  I was at 6cm and fully effaced!  I was so excited because with Nolan it took me almost a whole day to go from 2cm to 6cm.  She then decided to break my water.  I have heard that this hurts, but I am assuming since I was so far along that is why it did not.  It's crazy to think with Nolan my water broke at 2cm and this time it wouldn't even break!

Just like last time with Nolan, I was going to try to do a natural child birth.  At a certain point during labor while I was standing, Conley's heartbeat was really high so the nurse made me lie down in the bed.  Let me tell you I could not do natural child birth in a bed...I have to be standing because laying down makes them so much worse.  I laid down this time on my side for about 30 minutes to help the little guy's heartbeat, and then stood back up.  His heartbeat was steady and didn't go any higher.  The contractions this go around seemed to linger longer than when I had Nolan.  Nolan's seemed to be much higher but quick and over with whereas this was a gradual contraction which kind of made it worse because you just wanted to be over.

At around 3:15, I was having very strong contractions and lots of pressure...almost feeling the need to push.  The nurse checked me and said I was at 7cm.  Then at around 3:45pm I told my husband, I really have the urge to push thinking in my head there was no way I was at 10cm already in 45 minutes.  He got the nurse, and SURPRISE I was at 10cm and it was go time!  Last time with Nolan I pushed for 2 hours because his station was so high.  The nurse actually called the doctor early because when I pushed he was going very low but then going back up.  She was afraid because I was going natural that I wouldn't be able to stop and this baby would be hopping out before the doctor would make it.  When the doctor arrived, I only did 2 sets of pushing and our little boy was born. 

This time I pushed for only 30 minutes instead of 2 hours and a total 7 hours of labor instead of 26 hours which was definitely a blessing!

Conley was born on 8/8/12 at 4:22pm at 8 lbs, 2 oz and 20.5 in length.  (Side note: Nolan was 7 lbs, 11 oz 21.25 in length)

We are adjusting to our new life so you probably won't see me commenting as much on your lovely blogs but I'm still trying to read along.

Conley is beautiful boy, and we are so happy to add him to our family.  Nolan is adjusting pretty well to his role as big brother and always saying, "Baby" and "Cry"and even saying "Conley."  I can't wait until these boys get to play together!

Baby Conley Has Arrived!

Baby Conley made his arrival on 8/8/12 at 4:22pm weighing it at 8 lbs, 2oz and 20.5 inches in length.

We are so excited to meet him and are getting settled in at home.  Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers....he couldn't be more precious! :)

Winner-Winner, Chicken Dinner!

The winner of the Mission Possible Book Giveaway is my long time follower Jenn from When in Doubt, Add More Salt. Congrats on your win!  I'll be emailing you to get your address and information.

And to everyone else---nope I have not had a baby yet, this boy is still baking!

All Smiles :)