Happy 3rd Birthday, Chloe!

Oh, my sweet firstborn, how you've changed my life in so many ways.
When we first found out we were pregnant, let's just say we were very surprised and very excited! After a very uneventful pregnancy (thank you, God) you finally made your arrival after 54 hours of labor squeaking in a September birthday. Yes, 54 hours. But you came out perfect and beautiful with full cheeks a fuzzy hair. I didn't think I could love you more than I did the moment Dr. Jaegger put you on my squishy belly.
But then you looked up at me and I was hooked. And I've come to love you even more and marvel at the little person you're becoming.
I studied your little squeaks, noises and movements. Everything was new and amazing and we had a fun time figuring out how to do life as a family of three.



Now, let's reflect on what this past year has brought.
The day before your 2nd birthday Mommy went back to work for the first time in your life.
Two weeks later, you started daycare (or preschool as we called it) at Loving Shepherd. Your first day you were a little sad, but after that, you loved going to school. You talked about your friends and your teachers. I think you got bit once, but you're a survivor.
We were amazed at the expanse of your vocabulary. You've always been a talker, but this was the year you went from saying 2 or 3 word sentences to full on conversations. It's so much fun. Even if Daddy and I can't have a conversation anymore because you're too busy asking questions.
In early 2010, you moved from your crib to a new room with a big girl bed. You helped pick out the paint color and your only request for your new room is that you wanted a heart pillow. You fell out of bed the first night (despite the guard rail - still not sure how you managed that) so I put you back to sleep in your crib for the night. That was your last time in the crib.
Mommy's tummy continued to grow and you accompanied us to the ultrasound when we found out you were going to have a little sister. You enjoyed looking at the pictures; however, you started to get a bit nervous as Mommy's tummy got really big. You obviously understood what was happening because we got a report from school saying that you and Bella had put pillows up your shirts and told the teachers you had "tummies like Mommy" and that you were going to have babies.
In the spring, you took an interest in using the potty. Since Bella and the other kids at school were getting treats at school for peeing in the potty, you wanted a treat too. So we began doing some potty training which was quite funny. At first, we let you run around in the nude so you could tell when you had to pee. This worked great and we did this for a few weeks. Then we put on big girl undies. You picked out blue underwear with cars and trucks and were so proud to wear them. After some accidents, you mastered wearing undies and still making it to the potty. So then we stopped entirely with the diapers and you did marvelous! Your favorite place to eat is Jimmy John's so Daddy created a sticker chart with JJ logos and everytime you went on the potty, you earned a sticker. Once the chart was full, you got to go the the sandwich shop for your favorite lunch - cheese sandwiches with salt and vinegar chips. And now when we go on walks and for playdates at the park, we bring along what has been termed "the pee bucket." You're great at squatting and peeing on your little blue bucket and really enjoy pouring out the contents near a tree.


You definitely hit the terrible twos. Thankfully it didn't last very long but we had a few days when I wanted to send you to Grandma's!!!
You learned how to ride your trike and are very eager to put on your Sesame Street helmet "so I don't fall off and break my head open." Pretty sure Daddy taught that phrase to you.
One of the most exciting things about your year as a 2 year old was the arrival of your baby sister, Annie. You've been amazed at her arrival (and still need reassurance that she did indeed come from Mommy's tummy) and have nothing but love for her. Except when you dinosaur roar at her and she cries. I know when you're trying to pick her up that you just want to cuddle, but just give her a hug, please.


And now you're 3 years old. And starting preschool in a few days. I can't believe how fast you're growing. You have opinions about almost everything. You're probably the loudest toddler ever - besides Auntie Becca when she was little. You love to swim and play in water. You love to laugh. You love the park. You love being outside. You love your best friend Bella. And you love Mommy, Daddy and Annie.
We're so grateful to have you as our daughter. You have brought spunkiness and loads of laughter into our lives. I love you more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you, God for such a blessing.


Happy 3rd Birthday, my sweet Chloe.

Who Knew?

High school is a conglomeration of many different people that we, as teenagers, felt the need to label and belong to. Although I was never associated with the "hippie" group, I've always had an appreciation for the lifestyle they chose to display. They always seemed so free and unburdened, attempting to be one with the universe, accepting they are a part of nature and living with such a style that resisted the consumer culture we live in.
The reason I could never be a part of this group is because the women didn't shave and they all smelled like patchouli (yuck!).
Now, as a mother, I have realized that I have become a bit of a hippie (minus the hairy legs, well, sometimes, and stinky perfume) and I love it.
I exclusively breastfeed my baby. Nope, no chemically-engineered breastmilk-wannabe formula for us!
I cloth diaper. The thought that disposable diapers remain in the environment for 500 years makes me wretch. Arguably, we use a lot of water washing the diapers, but I wash the diapers everyday filling the washer half full.
I wear my baby. This is how mamas around the world get stuff done. We wear our babies in slings! You either do it with one hand or you put the babe in the babybjorn and clean/cook/walk/push a toddler on the swing/read stories/blog while baby sleeps peacefully nestled with mommy. Among other benefits, studies show that babies who are "worn" are calmer and are more securely attached to their caregiver. Click on this wikipedia article for more information on babywearing.
While I didn't embrace the life of a hippie as a high schooler, who knew it would fit my style as an adult?

2 months!

Happy 2 month Birthday, Annie!
In the last month, you have perfected smiling and it melts our hearts. You smile whenever someone talks with you. You smile when you are done eating and have a satisfied tummy. You smile after you wake up and are glad Mommy came to pick you up. You sometimes even smile after a bout of crying. You are sooo stinkin' cute!


You like baths now! Mommy puts you in the big bath tub and sets you on your sponge to bathe you. Chloe even joined you this morning.

You're still a stinker to get to sleep. Especially at night. The whole putting baby down while drowsy but not asleep has only worked once. For 15 minutes. On your two month birthday, you have had very little daytime sleep. Does that mean you'll sleep great tonight or does that mean you're very overtired and we're in for a long evening of soothing you to sleep? Grandma told me that babies will fall asleep if they're tired but that hasn't been the case with either you or your sister. You just get crankier and will scream until Mommy soothes you to dreamland. Maybe Daddy and I just make super-alert children. If so, that's okay, because I love interacting with you!

We have also mastered cloth diapering. We have an assortment of cloth diapers ranging from gDiapers (which is what Chloe wears at bedtime), Thirsties (Fab fitted and the duo diaper, both which I love), and GroBaby. I'm loving the cloth and am so glad I made the effort to switch.

We have gone on a lot of outings. We go for a walk everyday and that is usually when you have your morning nap in the babybjorn. We've been to the splash pad, the Children's Museum, the library several times for storytime and also to get new books, the beach, many many parks

You took your first trip to see Mommy's hometown. We had a baby shower for Great Grandma's 16th great grandchild. Chloe is great grandchild number 12 and Annie is 15.

Here are some more pictures from this month:

What we've learned about Annie

She Loves:
Eating! She's a very efficient eater - it takes her about 15 minutes per meal and she eats every 3-4 hours.
Being snuggled in the BabyBjorn and going on walks with Mommy (Daddy and Chloe too).
The sound of the bathroom fan or the dryer will calm her down when she gets upset.
Sleeping in the bouncy seat outside the bathroom listening to the fan - this is where she is all night.
Watching the mobile go round and round while she sits in the swing.
Clearing her throat and making grunting-like noises.


She Hates:
Getting wet - baths are no fun yet.
Getting naked - diaper changes and getting dressed are included in this territory.
She's not a big fan of riding in the car although she's getting better.

It's so much fun watching her grow and change. The more we get to know her, the more we fall in love. She's the perfect addition to our family and we all adore her so much!

1 Month Old!

Sisterly Love!


Sweet little Annie is already one month old! When I was pregnant with Chloe and when she was just a tiny infant, every mom told me, "Enjoy this time as it goes way too fast!" And now my firstborn will soon be 3 and my second babe is already a month. It does go way too fast. I think Will and I are appreciating the littleness and the beginning few months even more now that we know how quickly time passes.
In Annie's first month, we have marveled at her ability to sleep. Sometimes it takes a considerable amount of effort to get her off to dreamland, but once she's there, she'll sleep for some long stretches of time. In the first 3 weeks, I had to wake her up during the day to feed her every 2.5-3 hours. After that, my milk supply was more than sufficient and she was growing and gaining so I allowed her to let me know when she needed food. At night she's waking up every 4-4.5 hours and she's to the point now where she'll semi-easily go right back to sleep. We are so grateful and appreciate this stage as we know it can quickly change! At Annie's one month appointment, she weighed 9 pounds 14 ounces and is 22.5 inches long. That means she has gained almost 3 pounds and has grown 3 inches since her birthday!! Mama's got some good milk :)

Annie sitting in her bouncy seat


Happy 1 Month Birthday!


Despite the cold and rain, we have been enjoying our summer so far. Chloe goes to preschool on Mondays and Tuesdays, which is when I do my baking and resting! Wednesdays we go to storytime at the local library and Thursdays Chloe is in a dance class through community education. We've gotten together with some friends for playdates and BBQs and have enjoyed lots of outdoor time. Chloe loves to ride her trike around the neighborhood and of course, take walks to the park. Because of the rain we've had recently, she has done a lot of splashing in puddles! I love experiencing life through the eyes of my toddler. Everything is an adventure and the world from ants to dinosaurs is met with curiosity.

Chloe on her trike



Splash!!

Annie's Birth Story - 27 hours of back labor, meconium in the fluid, and a drug-free labor and delivery

It wasn't until 35 weeks of pregnancy that the reality hit me that I was having another baby. With the busyness of working full time, chasing after a two-year-old, loving up my husband, and trying to keep the house in working condition, I just hadn't thought about it. I had given birth before and sort of knew what to expect but I wanted this birth to be different. With my firstborn, I wanted to do a natural delivery, free of any drugs or medical interference. Unfortunately, after being in labor for 48 hours, making it to 8 cm in dilation, my body shut down on me. I was too tired. In the end, I had to get pitocin and because that made my body contract almost violently, I ended up with an epidural. And 6 hours after that, my first daughter was born.
So this time, reasoning that because it's my second child and second deliveries tend to be shorter than the first, I decided I was going natural. I did a bit of searching online and found a great book with accompanying CD called HypnoBirthing The Mongan Method: A Natural Approach to a Safe, Easier, More Comfortable Birthing by Marie Mongan. The basis of this approach to childbirth is that delivering a baby is natural and is nothing we should fear. If our body is in a relaxed state during labor then it can work in the way nature intended: without pain. This method is more about a mindset and along with relaxation, breathing and visualization techniques, the bottom line is that birth without fear is birth without pain. Sound too good to be true? Well, it's not. This is the real thing and Annie and I are proof of it's success.
Around midnight in the wee hours of Thursday, May 13, I began having semi-regular surges that were felt mostly in my hips and my back. They were coming and going throughout the night and into the morning anywhere from every 10 - 15 minutes. I woke up Will around 3am just to let him know what was going on so he came out to join me in the living room - each of us resting/sleeping on a sofa. Some of the surges were quite uncomfortable and I had to use my deep breathing techniques to help me through them. By morning, they were still coming but I distracted myself by getting Chloe ready for school and cleaning up the house. Since I hadn't slept too much that night I decided to have a nap/rest as this could be a long night.
By one in the afternoon, I was getting a bit restless so I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. Contractions were every 4-7 minutes and were coming with regularity. My dad called to check in and I told him what had been happening so far. He advised me to call my mom, who was on stand-by to look after Chloe, and tell her to come to our house after work. By the time my mom arrived, contractions were 3-4 minutes apart but, still not believing I was in real labor because of where the surges were coming from, we waited until 6pm to head to the hospital.
We checked in labor and delivery and at my initial assessment, the nurse told me I was dilated to "a good 4." She also confirmed that I was in real labor and should stay at the hospital. So we walked the halls, called my mom to update her, and let my body and the baby do their thing. As labor progressed, I found different positions to help me stay comfortable. I swayed on the birthing ball while Will massaged my back, rocked on my hands and knees hoping to move the baby - she was sunny-side up and that was why I was feeling all the contractions in my back and hips! I rested on my side in the bed and Will rubbed aromatherapy spearmint scented lotion on my legs. And towards the final stages of labor, I stood in the shower with warm water pouring on my back and hips. During all of these positions, I was using deep breathing during each contraction and visualizing the baby moving downward.
Around 10pm my water broke with a pop and a gush (on the toilet!) and when the nurse checked my dilation, I think I was around 7cm. She noticed a bit of meconium in the fluid, meaning the baby had pooped in utero, and went to alert the NICU staff. Around midnight, my water broke again and this time we could see the color of the fluid. It looked like the color of diarrhea. The nurse explained what would happen after the baby came out; the doctor would swiftly hand her to the NICU nurses and they would suction out any meconium that got into the baby's lungs.
Around 1am, I started to get really uncomfortable. I was about 9cm dilated and feeling very tired. I was starting to get the shakes so Will put the hypnobirthing relaxation CD on in the room and immediately, my body relaxed. There were some very strong surges and Will talked me through each one - reminding me that my body was made to do this. I knew she was coming soon and so with each contraction, I would remind myself that we were closer to meeting our little girl. Soon I felt the urge to push. The nurse told me I was at 9.5cm but it seemed like the baby's head couldn't quite get through the cervix (because of her position). The doctor came in around 2am and during a contraction, I pushed and she was able to stretch the cervix over baby's head (not gonna lie, that was not pleasant). Shortly after this, I became fully dilated and what felt like only a few pushes later, our sweet baby girl arrived at 3:10am. The NICU staff cleaned her off and were suctioning stuff out of her mouth. She was having a difficult time breathing.
I got to say a quick hello to my newborn and then they took her to the NICU. Because she couldn't breathe very well on her own, they thought she might need an IV of antibiotics. Thankfully Will was able to be with her the whole time! One of the nurses took and printed out a picture of the baby (she still had no name at this point) and brought it to me - that was so thoughtful!
At 4:30am I was able to transfer from L & D to the Mother/Baby rooms which meant I could finally go visit my new daughter! She was doing really well in the NICU and the staff said they would keep her there until 8am just to watch her and make sure her oxygen levels stayed at 100%. Nursing her was so easy. She took to me right away and started eating. After her first nursing session, I went back to my room to sleep for a bit while Will stayed with Annie. By 7:30am I went back to see Will and Annie and nurse her again and the NICU staff said that when she was finished eating, we were released!

That was a long trip!


Annie and Mommy


Proud Daddy and amazing birthing companion!

Happy Mother's Day!

It was so fun to celebrate my third Mother's day with my lovely family. Chloe is such a treat and I'm so proud to be her mama. Here's what we did:
I received a VERY fun surprise at 7am! Chloe bought me a delicious fruit bouquet from Edible Arrangements. Chloe and I enjoyed our fruit breakfast in bed.



Chloe enjoyed the melon...


While Mommy enjoyed the chocolate-covered strawberries!


After our yummy breakfast, we headed toward the Children's Museum for some fun!
Daddy teaching Chloe about the Great Wall of China


Mommy and Chloe tracing the outline of a brachiosaurus


Chloe "reassuring" Mommy the dinosaurs aren't scary


Taking Mommy for a ride on the city bus


A picture of me - 9 months pregnant!


And to finish off our afternoon, Chloe earned a trip to Jimmy Johns - her favorite sandwich shop. She filled up her potty sticker chart and got to enjoy the deliciousness of a cheese sandwich, salt and vinegar chips, and a chocolate chip cookie. She was so excited about earning her trip to the sandwich shop, she went potty on the toilet 6 times yesterday and is enthusiastic about being fully potty-trained! YEAH, Chloe!!!