all about emmett

It's hard to believe, but baby Emmett is now over one week old! So far, this is what we know about our sweet "Mr. Man" as I call him:

• Emmett likes his sleep. He sleeps through most of the day, only recently spending about 45 mins to an hour after feeding with his eyes open. His longest waking stretch is typically from about 8pm - 10pm. He sleeps 2-3 hrs at a time throughout the day, and 4 hour stretches at night (most of the time).
• He's laid back. Nothing much upsets this little one. He cries when he's hungry and when he wants to be held. So far, that's about it. We love this!
• He's a cuddler! Emmett loves to cuddle. He will sleep on his own in his bouncy chair or bassinet, but he likes to fall asleep in your arms. He loves to snuggle up cozy with you with his head near your heartbeat and he will just purr in your arms. This is a real treat!
• He's a good eater. On Monday Emmett had his first doctor's appointment and he weighed 7lbs 5oz (50th percentile), and was 20.5 in long (75th percentile). Which means either the scale was wrong at the hospital when he was born, or he gained nearly 1/2lb. and grew a 1/2 an inch in a week!
• He will take a bottle with breastmilk and will breastfeed directly. Unfortunately due to swelling and overproduction, I have had to pump 80% of the time and feed him from a bottle. I say unfortunately only because this takes twice the amount of time it does to just feed him directly. I am hoping in the next few days this issue will resolve itself and I can switch back to 80% direct breastfeeding (so I can get more sleep!).
• Many think Emmett resembles his Uncle Matt so far. I must say I agree - however babies change so much so quickly, it will be interesting to see how he grows! I have a feeling he may be tall, as he has long skinny feet with long toes.
• Emmett is just a sweet, content, easy-going little guy!
  

We're so happy you are here little Emmett James!

in gratitude

Over the course of the past several weeks, many people have extended their offers of help to myself and Steve as we prepared to give birth to our 2nd child. Not one who accepts help very easily - it took me awhile to just give in and accept the offers that were sent our way. For several nights before baby Emmett was born Anna spent the nights at Grandma Mary's, or Grandma Mary spent the night here. On Tuesday of last week we asked Papa to come and stay with us to help lighten the load as I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and chasing after Anna was becoming difficult. Little did he know that as he was walking in the door - we would be walking out heading to the hospital.

Papa, Nana, & Grandma Mary all spent a ton of time with Anna while we were in the hospital, and once I returned home. Their help with Anna, the baby and around the house was nothing short of incredible. I know for certain that Anna would have had a much tougher transition - and I a much longer recovery - had it not been for their assistance. With all of my heart I thank you.

The phone calls, emails, facebook messages, visits and more from relatives and friends have been treasured as well. Thank you for taking an interest in our lives and for your excitement about our new addition!

Since the grandparents have gone back home or gone back to work - Anna, Emmett and I are making our transition to days with just the 3 of us, and evenings with the 4 of us. With very cold weather and an exuberant toddler, this has not been an easy feat. Yesterday we took our first outing out of the house...I can tell you that I most certainly burned more calories trying to get myself and 2 little ones dressed, changed, fed, packed up and out the door before 9am than I used to burn playing an entire soccer game. By the time we reached our destination, I needed another shower.

This is just one of many things that will get easier with time, and practice. Anna has been very good with the transition thus far - just some issues with whining when she doesn't get her way, and a constant quest for my attention when I am feeding Emmett. Most other times she is interested in helping and eats up any praise that is directed her way for being a "great" big sister.

Again, we thank you for your love and prayers as we transition into a family of 4. Thank you for your help and the interest & time you pour into our children. We are a stronger family because of it.

being a big sister

Anna has taken on her role as a big sister with tremendous pride. Upon meeting Emmett in the hospital, we had her sit in my bed loaded with pillows and hold her baby brother. This is how she greeted him...


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Since our arrival home, Anna is always curious as to where the baby is and what he is doing. She likes to be next to him, and if he's in his bouncy chair she will pull up the Bumbo chair and sit by his side and sing songs to him. She also enjoyed some time on the floor this afternoon laying by him while she watched a movie.

While this is an adjustment for her, I have to say she is taking it very very well so far. She likes to help and loves to be praised as a "good big sister". I couldn't be happier at this time in my life...what joy these children bring.

it's a BOY!

In the wee hours of the morning on January 21st, 2009 we welcomed our second child and first son into the world...Emmett James. Emmett was born at 12:39am and weighed in at 6lbs. 14oz. and 20 inches long.

On Jan 20th I woke up at 2am wondering if perhaps I was leaking water. 4 hours later I was having strong contractions and asked Steve to come back home from work because I thought labor was imminent. When he arrived back home, my contractions, pain and bleeding all stopped. I thought perhaps I was going crazy! (I think Steve did too). I did call in to the doctor to make an appointment just because I had a nagging sensation that something wasn't right. Later that afternoon, after being monitored for a few hours it was determined that I did in fact have a leak in my amniotic sac and that we needed to head to the hospital for delivery!

We arrived at the hospital around 3pm on Tuesday, and they continued to monitor my contractions (which were coming every 2 to 10 mins). 3 hours later they decided to start Pitocin, a drug to help stimulate contractions. This certainly made my contractions stronger...but it didn't do anything as far as make any progress for at least 2 hours. At 9:30pm I received my epidural because the contractions were strong, yet things had not changed from when I had arrived at 3. And then suddenly, two and a half hours later it was time to push! So, once things got moving they went very fast. I was very comfortable throughout the rest of the labor and it was a much more relaxed delivery than Anna's. We were thrilled to be able to hold Emmett right away and he immediately wanted to eat.

Since then Emmett has been a wonderful baby. He spends his days (and nights) eating and sleeping - with a few moments here and there where he peeks his eyes open to see what's going on. So far he appears to be content and cuddly - and definitely recognizes his big sister's voice.

Anna is going to be a great big sister. Definitely an adjustment for her, but she is very interested and concerned about baby Emmett (or baby Moses - she alternates what she calls him), and will certainly become a big help.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the phone calls, emails, gifts, prayers, offers of assistance, and more. We are reminded once again how blessed we are...thank you!

P.S. Aunt Kathy...you won our baby contest! :) Will be getting your "prize" in the mail soon! Enjoy and great guess!

wake up call

This was my wake-up call this morning:

"Mommy, it's time to get up now!
You know I love you!
Do you know why?
I love you as big as the ocean and the sky!
You know I do, you know I love you mommy!"

Oh you sweetheart...how did you know that is exactly what I needed to hear today.

No baby yet, contractions keep coming...doctor appointment this afternoon.

cold snap = big fun

It's been freezing around here...literally. I think the temps most days this week upon waking were in the negative 20's with windchill advisories in the negative 30's. That's cold, even for this girl who grew up in this frozen tundra.

Because of the cold, many of our activities have been cancelled. Preschool, mom's day away, etc. While this has made things interesting for me (how to entertain a 2 yr old inside all day when 39 weeks pregnant...hmmm?), Anna has had big, big fun.

Since school was called off, Grandma had free time and offered to come and play with Anna. Good buddies, Anna & Grandma escaped to the world of make believe for much of the morning on Thursday. The two of them giggled, had "parties" (Anna's new favorite thing to do), and played babies. Yesterday Grandma met Anna & I at Chuck E Cheese for Anna's first Chuck E experience. While nothing like the restaurant we went to when I was little (technology changes things!), it was fun for Anna to ride the rides and give skee ball a try. She had more fun trying to roll the ball up the ramp than anything else.

It's fun to see these 2 having fun...I am so thankful for all of Anna's wonderful grandparents. You bring such joy into her life!

Yesterday afternoon I had another doctor appointment and my doctor confirmed what I had thought to be true. I am certainly dilated (quite a bit) and the baby is ready to come any day. My doctor leaves for Guatemala next week until the first week in February and he assured me that he will likely not see me pregnant again. My contractions have been strong, but whenever they begin a regular pattern they slow again. I have been minutes away from calling the hospital and getting ready to leave on more than one occasion, and then things have slowed. I anticipate that baby Moses is just about ready to make his or her appearance. We will certainly keep you posted! What exciting times!

controlled chaos

Hi there. Still here...no baby yet! We've just had a bit of a hectic week this week with not too much time to write.

Beginning this past weekend, Anna has started to wake up earlier and earlier (6 - 6:30am) and instead of climbing back into her bed to sleep or rest until it's light out she has begun calling for me making her voice louder and louder until I eventually come to let her out of her room. This has been paired with a fight to get her to go to bed - "just one more story daddy, sing me a song mommy, I'm scared daddy, I need water mommy, etc" - and an afternoon nap that lasts about an hour, maybe a little more. Perhaps she too is feeling the anticipation of change to come. Fortunately, despite this change in sleep patterns she has been a pretty happy little girl.

Tuesday afternoon I started to feel out of sorts and thought that perhaps labor was around the corner. This progressed into a pretty bad case of the stomach flu, paired with strong contractions, which made for a long night and day on Wednesday. Fortunately Steve was able to stay home to care for Anna (and for me) and I was able to spend the day in bed resting (thank you hon!!). My doctor also prescribed a strong anti-nausea medication so that I could curb any dehydration. I am feeling quite a bit better today - and luck (and God) were on my side this morning when school was cancelled here so my mom could come over and play with Anna all morning allowing me time to rest and to begin disinfecting things around the house. Say a little prayer that this virus does not live long enough to infect Steve or Anna!

While my contractions continue to ebb and flow, there still isn't any consistency. Baby is certainly running out of room and I have peace in knowing that he or she will indeed arrive within the next week or two. Until then I will be disinfecting the house and trying to keep warm in temps that are in the negative 20's. Hope you all are staying warm and healthy too!

running commentary

This is the streaming commentary coming from Anna's room at the present moment (6:45am):

Mommy! I'm up now!
Is it up time yet?
Well?
Yes or no?
Yes? OK, come in here.
Is daddy up yet?
Well?
No?
Well....is it up time yet?
You have to come open the door!
Well?

Silence

(I love how she had a conversation, complete with answers that no one else provided, all in her own mind. I'm guessing round 2 will begin in about 20 mins when it begins to get a little light outside.)

safety net

This is Anna's bed. Notice the number of animals, dolls and other "things" that have become staples as her bedtime companions.

When Anna first moved into her new room, the majority of these animals were in her toy bins at the other end of her room. She slept with one of her babies - baby Titus, along with a pink bear and her green frog. Since then, as you can see - her list of "must haves" has grown. I can't even count them all - yet she has an inventory like you wouldn't believe. If I move any one of them it's only a matter of time before she will notice and let me know.

All of the animals that sleep at the foot of her bed

I have tried to tell her that if she wants to add an animal, then she needs to put one of the others in the doll crib, or in the bins. This worked for a few weeks, but then our conversations started to go like this:

Me: OK Anna, you want to add that bear, then let's pick another animal to go in the baby crib

Anna: No mommy! This is the mommy bear, and the daddy bear and the baby bear...they are a family. They have to sleep here.

The head of her bed - notice the water, and the flower which MUST be next to her

Or, last night she simply told me..."Mommy, there's lots of room, they can sleep here".

I suppose if this is what makes her feel safe at night then who am I to argue. She doesn't request that all of these animals travel with her, she brings only 1 thing when she sleeps somewhere else. Still, one of these mornings I am going to have to dig her out from underneath her "family". Either that or buy a bigger bed.

precious moments

It seems my days are filled with precious moments as of late. I know they have always been there, maybe I am just noticing and cherishing them more these days. It seems that over the course of the past few weeks our little Anna has become quite the cuddle bug. From a girl that has been on the move basically since the day she was born, cuddles are a luxury.

Each morning at exactly 7:18am Anna calls from her room "Mommy, Daddy, I'm up now, come get me! It's light outside!". A month or so ago I had told her that she could call for me/us when the sun is up and it's light outside - this allowed me time to sleep in or to shower and get things ready for the day before she called around 7am. A quick study, I will often hear her feet scamper across the room around 6:15 or 6:30 to her window to look out and then a quick scamper back into her bed. She will play there, or sleep again until 7:18 when that scamper will be heard again followed by her call.

I am guaranteed the biggest smile of the day when I open her door shortly after. This is followed by a "will you play with me?" and a refusal to let go of my fingers, unless it's to prepare her breakfast.

Upon waking from her afternoon nap (which has been extremely short these days - 1 hour - ugh!) she has been calling "Mommy, I love you! I know you're up. I love you as big as the ocean, can you come get me?" How, how, how do you resist that?!

Throughout the day she exclaims her love for mommy, daddy, Anna and baby, and hugs are plentiful. While we read books together, watch a show together, or play together on the floor - Anna will snuggle up and put her head on my shoulder. Sometimes she'll even say "let's snuggle up and get cozy mommy". Or, she'll ask to go lay down in mommy's bed where it's "more comfy" for a few minutes in the middle of the day and will coax me to lay down and relax with her. Let's just say it doesn't take much coaxing.

As these days tick by and I long for our next baby to be born, I am equally torn with a desire to make these precious moments with our eldest last forever. I am brought to tears when I think of how her life is going to be tipped upside down in a matter of weeks, or even days. It's almost like she knows what is about to come and she too is trying to soak up as much as she can. She is my big girl now, but like I tell her...she will always be my baby too.

next year...we need a bigger couch

Last weekend we gathered with my dad's side of the family for an extended family Christmas celebration at my grandma's home - "Grandma Great". As a larger family we try to get together at least once or twice a year and these get-togethers are getting more crazy and fun as all of my cousins continue to expand their families.

Look at all of the great-grandchildren! All 13 of them are pictured here...with one more due to arrive any day, and probably more to come in the year(s) ahead.

Back: Anna, Kayla, Elizabeth, Hannah, Alayna, Elise (hidden), Kalle, Leo, Ella

Front: Carter, Will, Bennett, Tessa

The little ones enjoyed opening gifts from their great-grandma and spent most of the day dancing on the pool table, running around the room and playing with balloons. Anna even decided she was going to have a baby in her tummy just like mommy with one of her balloons (thanks to Uncle Patrick).

Elizabeth & her backup singers

Baby in her tummy

Introducing...Baby Archie

It was a wonderful way to close out our holiday season this year...Grandma Great knows how to throw a party! We certainly missed those who couldn't be there this year - some due to bad weather conditions and some because of a small ocean between us, but we look forward to next year already!

happy new year!

For the first time in a few years we actually made it past midnight to ring in the new year. Our friends Jim & Allison and their son Tyler, along with Dave & Sarah and their daughters Elise & Kate were kind enough to spend the evening with us at our house. The kids had a great time playing together, while the adults had fun catching up and after they were nestled into bed - the Wii was turned on and we played Guitar Hero, some bowling and boxing. I think Steve is still sore from his boxing experience! We had a great time...thank you dear friends for ringing in the new year with us!