Rough and Tumble

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:48:29 -0400

When Michael and I talked about having two boys and he informed me that “if their antics didn't involve a trip to the emergency room then it really wasn't a bad incident” I should have known I was in trouble. I imagine my life as the sole female in a house full of males (even the cat was once male) as a little rough around the edges. I know the only one to appreciate my girly touches like fresh flowers and new fluffy bathroom towels will be me. I know there will be times in the future where I will call my girlfriends and beg for a night out with other estrogen producing humans. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

In a mother of the year moment, I left Nolan on our bed for 30 seconds with a pillow between him and the edge of the bed. When I came back into the room he and the pillow were laying on the floor. I almost threw up. He stopped crying as soon as I picked him up and I did a thorough exam (as thorough as a non-medical professional can) and determined that he did not have a concussion. I spent the rest of the afternoon holding him and beating my self up for being so dumb. Who let's their 5 week old fall on the floor? To make matters worse when I picked up Caden in the afternoon he had a bout with a teeter totter and lost. He had a scraped up chin and matching scrapes on both knees from falling in the mulch.

When I thought about all this later I decided that both incidents were God's way of telling me that try as I might to protect my two little boys, I'm not going to be able to do it on my own. I'm going to need lots and lots of his help.

Post-a-Rama

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 15:36:28 -0400

So I'm borrowing this numerous posts all stuck in one idea from MamaDuck and I am JELLO. Since Nolan arrived on the scene we've been busy 24/7. And I mean literally busy all 24 hours in every 7 day week. But here are some of the highlights we've managed to squeeze in between feedings:

Michael had a week long photoshoot out of town, so my parents came and stayed with me and the boys. They were such a help to me. In addition to helping with Caden and the baby, we got the garage door and front door painted which was a huge project off the list. Even Caden ewwws and ahhhs at the garage door when we pull up in the drive now.

Tyler and Diana came over to play and visit. The kids enjoyed playing in the basement and we were able to squeeze in a mini-photo shoot of all three boys. It made a great b-day gift for my Dad. It was the first photo of all three of his grandkids.

Madyson and Elizabeth came over and we went to West Park where the kids could play in the water feature while we talked. It was great to get caught up with them.

The boys and I went to Ft. Wayne and spent a couple of days with my parents which was fun. I sold the majority of my maternity clothes to this great franchise called www.clothesmentor.com which was a phycological boost if nothing else. We also checked out this fantastic garage sale at Grace church in Ft. Fun. I got a little halloween costume for Nolan for $3.00 that still had the tags on it!

Caden and I have spent lots of time in the sandbox and just being outside since the weather has been sooooo nice. Nolan has been busy growing and sleeping. Until next time…

Big Brother Caden

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:08:11 -0400

Caden is adjusting to being a big brother although I won't go so far as to say he's adjusted well. He likes Nolan just fine and is happy to show him off wherever we go but he's having a rough time learning to share Mom and Dad. Michael and I are trying extra hard to spend quality time with him but luckily our friends and family have been overly nice to Caden which has helped soften the blow of Nolan's arrival.

Lyndsay, Cheryl and Bill came down to see the new baby and then they took Caden to the Children's Museum. He LOVED it! I think he thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with them without Mom and Dad and especially without Nolan tagging along. Apparently he could have stayed in the train exhibit the entire time, but with a little prodding was able to move on to see a few of the other sights. The trip also gave Lyndsay, Cheryl and Bill a dry run at parenting/grand parenting. Apparently Caden must have passed as Lyndsay said when the time comes it might be ok to have a boy. It was touch and go there for awhile, especially when Caden had a little accident in his big boy underwear which required Lyndsay to do damage control. It was really sweet of them to make the effort and both Caden and I appreciated their trip to the museum.

Lucky 7's and Bili Blankets

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:05:13 -0400

I can't believe Nolan is a week old already. Time really flies when you're having fun. (I'm snickering slightly as I write that through my baby induced sleep deprived state.) Anyway, we're adjusting to Nolan and he's adjusting to us. I'm sure hoping I don't regret writing this, but the second one really does seem easier. I guess we just know more what to expect.

Labor and delivery got off to a rough start when the nurse couldn't get my veins. I had been at the hospital less than an hour and had five stick wounds and the bandages to prove she wasn't quite a great shot. Other than that, things moved along fine although overall it took longer than I expected. I had thought since sometimes 2nds come faster that maybe we'd have Nolan sometime before lunch on Monday. At one point I was thinking I might be lucky to have him by lunch on Tuesday! It was just taking such a long time. Luckily my cervix cooperated and things moved along and Nolan arrived on the scene at 7:07pm on 7/7. Weighing just over 7lbs. In my semi out of it state, and the fact they use military time, it didn't dawn on me about all the 7's until later when friends started asking if they could take Nolan to Vegas. We might need to nickname him lucky or something.

Unfortunately, just like his brother, Nolan didn't kick in the eating, pooping, peeing thing right off the bat and required a biliruben blanket to jump start things. Apparently high billi levels are pretty normal and especially normal in kids that are induced. Once we got him on this electric paddle (they call it a blanket because it sounds all warm and fuzzy but really it's this glowing paddle thing that you duct tape them into that emits light much like a tanning bed) he started to eat better and pee although as of now he still needs to be pooping more to really move the biliruben out of his system. Hopefully by tomorrow his levels will be low enough we can take him off the blanket.

Overall Nolan seems to have a very good disposition and, with the exception of when he's hungry, he's quite content to be held and just look around at everything. Michael and I agree it's simply amazing how much you love them in such a short amount of time.

Nolan Reed is here!!

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 23:14:45 -0400

With only a minimum amount of fanfare, Nolan burst onto the scene at 7:07 this evening, weighing in at 7lbs and 1/2 ounce and a whopping 20 inches long. Mom and he are doing very well and from what he told me, he’s absolutely dying to meet everyone. He’s just got a little paperwork to get straightened out here at the hospital first.

He also mentioned trying to be up and around by this Colts’ season, so that together, he and Caden can root the team on to many, many victories. Kathy and I both thought that a little ambitious, and neither of us had the heart to tell him that it will be a year or so before can actually attend a game.

There will obviously be more info and pictures to come, but check out what we have posted so far. Also, please feel free to add your own to the group.

Love,
The Sunsdahls