Why?

Why does my child thinks it's a good idea to put his PJs in the freezer?

I don't get it...Someone please explain.

And he's so proud of himself too!

"Look Mom! Isn't this a great idea?"

My Little Peanut

I'm in love with our new little man! Despite my best guess (and the doctor's), baby Owen was born on February 20th weighing a measly 8 lbs, 4 oz. Compared to big brother who weighed 10lbs, 7 oz at birth, he is a little peanut...an adorable one! :) I am a proud mama!

My c-section was scheduled for 7:30am at Scripps Hospital in LaJolla. That meant getting to the hospital at 5:30, leaving the house by 4:15, and waking up at 3:15. My doctor assured me this would be a "good" thing because I wasn't allowed to eat before my surgery. Hogwash...I was still hungry. I digress... This is us looking bright eyed walking into the hospital. We were full of excitement and very anxious. My first c-section had gone so smoothly. This time around, I had nine months to read how scary c-sections could be....I was a mess the few days before, but I had finally gotten most of my nerves under control.

We were checked into the hospital, I was hooked up to all the machines, and we had visitors arrive shortly. Nana and Papa Whalen had come into town the day before from AZ, Nana and Papa Gaebel drove down that morning, and Aunt Lissy and Ashleigh brought big brother Colin down as well. It was a full house and my nurse was awesome in letting everyone hang out. Having a scheduled c-section is definitely a different experience than other birthing options.

The last picture of my big belly.

In what felt like two minutes rather than two hours, I was prepped and ready for my surgery. Nerves and anxiety started to kick in, but I smiled for the cameras and felt silly and embarrassed as we were wheeled down the hallway and everyone took our picture.

While I initially felt short of breath during the surgery, the anesthesiologist must have adjusted my meds because after a few minutes, I felt so much better and ready to meet Baby! With the sheet separating me from the action (which is mainly a good thing because I am so squeamish) and being completely numb, it's impossible to know what's going on. I received a play-by-play from the anesthesiologist, but I remember just wanted the doctors to hurry up already. I needed to know that my baby was alright! Even after they held him up and I heard him crying, still kept wondering if he was ok. Kevin assured me that he was perfect, but I didn't feel like I truly relaxed until they handed him to me and I could see, hold, and breath him for myself. He really was perfect!

After a few minutes, Kevin and Owen left to go to the well baby nursery. Unfortunately, I was still stuck in the operating room. :( Empowered with the knowledge that Owen was healthy and well, I felt much calmer the second half of my surgery. The anesthesiologist started talking about his residency program at UCLA and how he was there when Richard Greer was admitted for the "gerbil incident." Although he didn't know if it was true or not, it made for a funny few minutes of conversation. We covered it all...What? Where? How? And most importantly WHY the heck????

Meanwhile in the hall, our family was able to meet Owen for the first time. We had a similar picture taken with everyone when Colin was born, and I love it!!! I am so thankful that our family was there to celebrate with us!

Owen was weighed and checked out and we met back up in the labor and delivery room room. I stayed in that room for an hour or so before being wheeled upstairs to recovery.

I was lucky enough to be assigned the same room again as I was when Colin was born. The private room was huge with two large windows that allowed tons of sunlight and plenty of room for Kevin's bed. That was our home for the next three nights. After I got settled, Colin came up to meet Owen for the first time. I don't think he really understood what was going on, but he was a trooper in the waiting room that day with his Aunties and had a fun few days hanging out with Papa & Nana Gaebel. We are SO thankful for their help!

Although I was nauseous (and sick) post-surgery, my recovery and Owen's time at the hospital was easy and uneventful. I was up and moving later that evening and felt ready to be home by day two. We stayed the three nights to ensure everyone and everything was perfect, but it really wasn't necessary. Kevin and I were both a bit more calm this time around, and Kevin even slept some! (Unlike last time where we slept in shifts so one of us was always awake to make sure Colin was always breathing!) That last morning, I was up and and quick to tell everyone to we were anxious to go home, so please get our discharge paperwork completed. I wanted to go home and see my other baby and settle in as a family of four! (Typing that still makes me smile!)

These last few weeks have been really fun! Kevin was off for two and a half weeks (Owen's "birth"day was timed perfectly with his winter break-- C-sections really are nice!) and that really helped with our adjustment and Colin's. So far Owen is a relatively mellow little guy and loves to be held and snuggled. I am so thankful for him...at times I feel overwhelmed by how much I already love him! He feels like a perfect fit; I can't imagine our family without him! My heart is very, very happy!

Love My Boys!

February 20, 2012

Thirty-Seven Weeks

My weekly BabyCenter email tells me that I am now 37 weeks weeks pregnant, which is considered full-term. According to them, my baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds. I don't think Owen read the email. Four weeks ago, my doctor guessed he weighed 5 lbs, 15 oz. And yesterday, at the doctor's office, my doctor said my uterus (where they use the tape to measure your belly) was measuring 42 weeks. Yikes! She originally thought he would weigh in the high eights or low nines. Yesterday, she said he might be bigger than she expected. You think?!? With another c-section planned, his size isn't really a big deal, however, I'm really curious! No one guessed Colin would have weighed 10 lbs at birth. I wonder what Owen will weigh?!?? Only another week and a half, and I'll know for sure! I can't wait to meet him :)

Colin's New Room

Our goal for our holiday break was to put together Colin's new room. We've been VERY busy! Luckily, we've had lots of help.

First up...Painting!

Kevin, the master painter, painted the entire room a gray blue color.

My mom was a big help with the ceiling trim.

Second, Ashleigh, my dad, and I taped off the room so we could add a darker blue stripe.

After taping off the stripe, Kevin painted a darker blue color, being careful to keep the paint between the tape.

The following day came the big reveal... And lots of touch ups! :)

Next on the list...Putting the crib together!

And finally....The new IKEA dresser.

Thanks Mom & Dad for our early Christmas present!

(Note: The directions did say drinking was required while assembling...hence the wine in the picture below!)

It's been a LONG three days, but we're 75% done setting up Colin's new room! Besides anchoring the furniture to the wall, putting up the ceiling fan/ light fixture, and adding the closest organizer, the only thing left is the decor and fun stuff! (And luckily for me, I have some extremely talented help!) We're really excited about how it's coming together!

Here's a sneak peek of the color scheme/ decor.

2 + 2 = 4

Baby Owen is on his way! Set to arrive February 28!

We're very excited! :)

Puppy Love

Happy Halloween!

BRRRUUUUCCE

A daily routine in our home...Watching Bruce Springsteen in concert. One of Kev's favorite bands, Colin has become a huge fan! Everyday he'll stand at the t.v. and whine until we turn on the concert. It's special Dada and Colin time....It's really cute!

"Come on Dada. Turn on Bruce!"

"I love listening to Bruce!"

"And signing and dancing with Dada!"

"And when Dada gets tired, I sit and watch even more Bruce!"

The Tradition Continues...

I'm big on traditions and the holidays are full of them. Love, love, love going to Oak Glen every fall. Third year in a row. Our group has grown from six adults and one baby (Gourleys, Merkeys, and us) to six adults and four babies. Next fall, we'll be evened up...six adults and six babies. Picnics in the park, pumpkins, lots of dirt, and apple sampling. Each year is better than the last! This first picture is my newest favorite.