Friday, March 28, 2008

Playing Trains



Owen is doing great so far! He is a really happy and content baby. He has been sleeping well at night - just waking up to eat and passing right out again. He is starting to have some fun alert periods during the day. He is taking us all in; I think he likes us! Grandma Nancy got here on Thursday, and she is helping us get caught up around the house and snuggling with her favorite boys. Her voice is going hoarse from reading Max so many books! In other exciting news Owen's umbilical cord came off yesterday and he is getting over his mild jaundice!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Settling in

Finally a picture with his eyes open! As far as we can tell he looks almost exactly like Max when Max was a newborn. He's got brown hair and blue eyes, big hands, and very long and strong legs. He is strong in general - he is already holding his head up and positioning himself to nurse. He is *very* hungry. As can be expected, he is a professional at eating, sleeping and pooping!


Max is very excited about his big brother responsibilities and wants to hold and play with Owen constantly. Unfortunately, Max has a cold complete with the proverbial snotty nose. Learning to be a laid back parent the second time around comes rather quickly! We are basically settling into being parents x2. The 3-year-old is definitely our biggest challenge at this point. It is so hard to contain his energy and excitement! It is so hard for him to be "gentle." I have a feeling that Owen is going to be one tough guy! Fortunately, Max will be off at school for the next three days so he will get somewhat back on a schedule and give his poor parents some time to "rest."

I will try to post with labor details soon. Suffice it to say that it was very fast and intense. Hard labor started around 8:00 pm, my water broke completely at 10 pm, I pushed for a half and hour and that big chunker was out! Our doula was there from 8 on, the midwife apprentice was there from 7:30-8:30 and 10 on and our actual midwife only got there 10 minutes before he arrived! It felt very out of control, but I was so glad that it was quick. It was about as opposite from Max's birth as could be. As soon as it was over, my first thought was "Thank God I wasn't at the hospital." My first thoughts the next morning were, "I just got 4 hours of sleep. Thank God I am not still in labor!"

Saturday, March 22, 2008

My water broke!

It is just a trickle so far, and no real contractions to speak of. I gave the guys haircuts and we are just going to do some tidying up and resting.

False Alarm

I had contractions throughout the night, but things are pretty calm this morning.

Carry on...maybe tonight, maybe next week.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Possibly Something

Mild Contractions. Going to bed.

Happy Due Date to Me

There is not much action yet. I had some twinges and cramps last night, but it was hardly worth mentioning. Yesterday was the equinox and today is a full moon, Good Friday and a snow storm so I was hoping some forces would converge to encourage this guy to come out, but I guess not! Check out the large belly. If this guy stays in much longer I think he is going to be a 10-pounder!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Skateboarding

Nada

Well, I was really tired this morning, and I did take a big nap only two hours after having gotten up. So, if something should happen tonight, I'm prepared! For all of you sending me labor vibes, imagine this.

Open, cervix, open!

I'm off to clean the carpet!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Max's Rules

Max wasn't happy about something I said or did in his room last night (his "special place") so he decided to make some rules of his own, as follows.

  • Jumping
  • Dancing
  • Singing
  • Playing
  • Sleeping
  • Snuggling
So just in case you want to visit Max in his room, be sure to follow the rules. :)

Nothing so far

Same old, same old here. I've had some Braxton-Hicks but nothing spectacular. If I use my imagination really hard, there might possibly be some twinges here and there. It could be a while, folks.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Big News!

(Disclaimer: it is not about the baby!)

Adam got the Assistant Professor of Chemistry job at SDSU! It is specifically a Biophysics post and he'll be teaching a Biophysics class along with getting his research program up and running. There are still a lot of details left to be worked out, but things are looking up!

In other exciting news, little brother has a new friend! Alasdair James was born on March 13. Congratulations to his proud parents Katy and Will!

We have also made some fair progress on nesting. This weekend we cleaned our entire bedroom out, painted and got new furniture. It is almost totally assembled and we should be able to have everything put away by tomorrow. (I imagine myself like a wolf pacing in the woods and scratching up pine needles into my den to make a suitable birthing place. Only with Ikea furniture and low VOC paint.)

There have been no more signs of impending labor. That is good because I am looking forward to getting a lot of stuff done while Max is in school this Tues-Thurs, but I also wouldn't mind a few signs that little brother is thinking of making his way out soon! My sense in the last few days is that he is getting quite large!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Friday, March 14, 2008