Welcome Little Leo

Big Sister

Bottle for Brother

After a longer day out than intended (Wal-Mart for misc. kid/baby stuff & Monika's fabric store) I ended up having to feed the little guy with a bottle, since I'm nursing and the opportunities are far & few between I let Lulu feed her brother. She was excited and did a wonderful job making sure she didn't pull it out and making sure the milk was in the nipple.

New Bed

With Lulu's recent interest to napping on the floor we were discussing a toddler bed for her 2nd Birthday. Then a woman Gerry works with offered us a free bed, so of course we took it even though it isn't a car be like Mathew's, which she likes so much! We brought it in put on new sheets, and a couple blankets... thought she'd play on it and take some naps there at first. Then later we'd move to try some night sleeping.

As you can see she loaded up the bed with all her night time sleeping pals and crawled into the toddler bed. That is Lulu plus 8 animals/dolls and a night light. I checked on her several times throughout the night (I am up nursing anyhow and I worried about her falling out)... but she never once got up and slept through the night until about 8 am. She's getting so BIG (boohoo).

She's talking so much these days. She knows more and more words every day it seems.

What's Happening at Home

Our Beautiful Babies!

Taking a nap on his Daddy's lap, curled up under a wonderfully warm, thick crocheted blanket.

Lulu's favorite things right now are the Elmo Ah-choo book and 12 minute DVD. Personally I am not a fan of Elmo... why does he talk about himself in the 3rd person? But Lulu loves to pretend to sneeze.

Daisies, Tulips, Carnations & More

Thank You! We received these lovely flowers from Grandma Betty (Leo & Lulu's Grandma).



7 Days Old. We are so glad he's a part of our family.

Reverting Backward? Taking up the pacifier that she never liked as an infant now she likes because Baby Brother likes his... and playing with rattles I took out for Leo too.

Bouncing Baby Boy. Literally bouncing by Big Sister's hand, we had to make sure he wasn't being catapulted.

Felted Hat. Made this hat in almost 3 days for my mom... but then Leo arrived and I ran out of red yarn.

My Son Leo

Like Father Like Son

He eats, and sleeps like his Daddy did when he was a little baby. Seems we have a Mini-Me for each Momma & Daddy.

Brotherly Love

Little Kisses

Little Gazes

Pretty Dress & Hair Pretties

Juggling

It's the cutest thing ever to watch her juggle. Initially she started trying to juggle the super balls that she loves so much because dad juggles them... but then at the dinner table she started calling her peas "balls" and juggling them... then at the breakfast table she started calling the cereal "balls" and juggling them.

So fun to see life through the eyes of a child.

Going Home - Day 2

Day 1 - photos (continued)

Hospital Bath

Nana's First Visit

Big Sister - Day 1

Lulu & LeoSince she was born she's always known exactly what she wanted! On the day she walked into the hospital room she put her baby doll at the foot of my bed and reached her arms out to hold her new baby brother, Leo.

Lulu says his name and it sounds like "Low"

As any good mother, I made her sit on a the bed, propping pillows around her and put Little Leo on her lap. Once there on her little lap there was no way anyone else was going to hold him! It must have been 30 - 45 minutes later when my mom said, "Can I hold him now?" and without missing a beat Lulu said, "No." Later as I was showering I heard a lot of screaming as they tried to pick up Leo to hold him, it seems the screaming was accompanied by crocodile tears too.

Eventually we got her up when the nurses were coming to change the bedding.

Welcome Little Leo

The play by play leading to the birth of a wonderful baby boy.

WARNING: Could be boring if you don't really want to know all the details!

On was Sunday I was having contractions. Albeit less painful than the braxton hicks, and about 10-15 minutes apart, but not consistent for the most part, and not all over, but I had a weird sensation in my abdomen all night so was thinking this could be the night, and at the same time hoping to hold out until Wednesday so that I could take my last booked clients and get a manicure & massage! Ha, ha, ha... you know the joke: "How do you make God laugh? ..... Make plans!" I went to bed when I ran out of the red yarn I was knitting mom's hat out of.




I woke several times in the night to pee (as usual for a 9 month pregnant woman), the last visit I made was at 3:00 am. Then just before 4am on Monday, February 7th I felt my water break... so glad I wasn't out and about, it's just the worst feeling to have water running between your legs out of your control! Anyhow, diapered myself up with a towel and went to wake Gerry who's been sleeping on the couch. I digress for a minute... he's been in a lot of pain with his neck/back pinched nerve, and I feel bad for him but I LOVE A BED TO MYSELF! Ok, back to the story: I woke Gerry, who went to pull the car around and get his things together, then I woke my mom. I had just started packing my "hospital bag" a few days before, I had a list but only a few of the items in it... so as I waddled around with my diaper towel being held by one hand, I gathered the things on the list as mom checked them off and put them in the bag. Gerry loaded the stuff in the care and we were off to our 45 minute drive to DL at 4:30am.






Thank goodness the car ride wasn't bad, and Gerry drove with gusto so we arrived, checked in and and were in our hospital labor room by 5:30am. I guess it's only in the movies that they rush you a wheel chair when you enter the hospital in labor! I never thought that I would wish for that option, but standing and walking around in public with a bath towel around between my legs is far less dignified!



I changed into the hospital garb and the digital swag was hooked up to me and baby boy to check and keep us tied down to a 3 foot radius around the birthing bed. They say it's procedure to ensure the safety and well being of mom and baby, but IDK.



We sat around for what seemed like forever, but it wasn't until my Doctor was on duty at 6am before we were giving pictocin to help labor progress. I was 2 cm dilated when I went into the hospital, I was also 2 cm dilated at my doctor appointment Thursday. Doctor came in around 9 or 10 am, I was 3 cm... not much progress, and he wanted me to be 4-5 cm before starting an epidural. I wimped out, 7 hours of back labor with Lulu was just too much to want to even go through that again... and yes, 'every birth is different' but Lulu was fine after having an epi, and I was great after that... and she's as smart as sharp as a tack so it didn't affect her in any way.



Labored until 1:30 pm with the nurse(s) upping the dose of pictocin a total of 3 times, at which time I started having back labor. All I could think was "NO NOT AGAIN!" Surely panic sat in, and as I labored for the next 30-40 minutes and the back labor worsened, I told Gerry to call the nurse to start making calls to the doctor and anesthesiologist because I know it takes time to get all the people needed lined up and in my hospital room... and I wasn't planning on suffering through any more back labor than needed. Truth be told, I honestly feel like there is no way I could deliver a baby while having back labor... I couldn't sit much less lay down on my back. I labored mostly standing, attempting to breath, but ultimately leaning on a wall and pushing my head so hard into it that I had a bruise on it for 3 days, slapping the wall, crying, breathing, etc... it wasn't pretty.



It was about 2:30pm when the anaesthesiologist and nurses came into the room. They had to check my dilation before the epi... so between contractions they checked me, I went from 3 cm to 8 cm in 30-40 minutes. OUCH! No wonder I felt like I was being ripped in half! Through 2 more back labor contractions I sat at the foot of the bed in the cat position with Gerry coaching me through contractions and supporting my feet and holding my hand. The epi was in and within 5 minutes I was comfortable. Contraction started picking up again and became regular again a bit after the epidural was in (it slows things down)... I started pushing for Little Leo at 3:50 pm and he was born at 4:20 pm.



I am so glad we finally decided on naming him after Gerry's daddy! It's very special... and fitting for his little personality.



Immediately after he was delivered, they put him on my chest, he was covered in vernix because he was born at 38 weeks... well a day shy of 39 weeks. The vernix absorbs into his skin and acts as a moisturizer. Gerry cut the umbilical cord, then the doctors took care of me while Gerry watched the nurses do all the tests to Leo. Eventually it was dinner time, I got a bath, Gerry went home to be with Lulu, and I tried to get some rest.



Later that evening my friend Tracey came to watch Leo while I slept since Gerry couldn't stay. It was really a relief... I got 3+ solid hours of sleep and she took care of him through his first bath and those first mucus coughs that I know would have kept me awake all night.

Naps & Baths

Napping

Lulu started napping on a mat at daycare, so now at home she wants to nap on the floor. This was the first day she wanted to (2/5/11), but because her fear of the vacuum and the dog and cat hair on the floor now I pull out a mattress for her to lay on. She's funny, stays on the mattress and plays with her doggies and talks to herself before she falls asleep and after she wakes up.

Bath Time Toys

The new toy sprays like a fountain with a flashing blue light.

Oh it looks so fun, I can put my hands and face in it.

Not so sure I like my face getting sprayed...

Definitely don't like my face sprayed. Lulu made me take the star fountain and put it in the bin of 'unapproved' toys that are not allowed in the bathtub. I finally started giving her baths in the big tub because she likes to stand up, and having in the sink standing just isn't a safe option at 9 mos pregnant.