One Week

Today was Lucas' one week baby well visit. He's back to his birth weight and doing great. I've been having to wake him up every two hours to nurse, such a sleepy guy. (Probably because he had a little bit of jaundice coming home from the hospital). We are waiting to hear back from the lab about whether we will need to do some home treatment for it. He was a champ at the Dr's though! Slept almost the whole time, and then woke up for the ride home, but was as quiet as a church mouse. It is funny how different my two boys are already. Caleb was always such a loud eater. Nursing and slurping and sucking with lots of noise and spunk. He was pretty fussy right from the start and had a ton of gas issues, poor guy. He was never a good sleeper and just loved to suckle and nurse. Lucas has been so laid back. When he is awake he just lays there and looks around. He seems at peace with life and is a quiet little guy. Even his cries aren't that loud. I know with Caleb Dave and I were both way more nervous and had not a clue what we were doing with Caleb, this time around we're much more confident! If only I had been this relaxed with Caleb. It is funny how he still causes more stress and worry for me than Lucas. My sweet firstborn, I guess that's just how it goes. I love both my boys so much. Caleb, such a sweet sensitive big brother. He is so fascinated with Lucas, and so helpful. He has to make sure Lucas is wherever we are, and loves touching Lucas' toes and rubbing his head. When I nurse Lucas, Caleb makes a little slurping sound and tries to imitate by giving kisses to Dave and I. For now we're taking each day as it comes. Taking advantage of Dave having the whole week off and enjoying this time as a family of four :)


Caleb's been all about Daddy lately, and really into wearing Dad's shoes! Reality will hit when Daddy goes back to work Tuesday! Thank goodness Grandma and Grandpa are coming!!

Lucas. Your birth story

Lucas,
When you came into the world...this is what I remember.

12 hrs of waiting for the cytotech to start working (induction medicine, 4 doses) nothing happening but some contractions every now and then. Lots of waiting...

8:30 pm. Laura came and brought me a medicine ball to bounce on to help speed things along.

Walking the halls with Laura and all of sudden doubling over and having to kneel on all fours on the floor, glad no one was around but me and Laura. Intense contractions starting up

Going back to the room and them telling me to lay on the bed so they can check me. All of a sudden things started happening fast. Dilated to a 5, 2 minutes apart the contractions are going...

Looking up and in walks Jenny. A complete surprise since I thought she had to work during the weekend

Both my sisters quietly waiting.

Holding Dave's hand, squeezing it, drawing strength from it, remembering to breathe.

My mom's hand beneath my hand. Warm and reassuring.

Intense pain, then complete relaxation between the contractions, listening to music from the ipod, listening to the words to help me through

Transition begins...pure torture

Feeling the presence of my husband, my mom, my sisters. A quiet, patient waiting in the room. A quiet night, waiting for our precious baby to be born

10:10, the pushing begins, I feel like I'm being ripped apart (your shoulder gets stuck a little bit)

ten minutes later

10:27...sweet Lucas. You make your arrival.

Tears of happiness. My sweet baby. You are here. When they place you in my arms for the first time, I am complete. You open your mouth to nurse right away. You are awake and alert. And we are all completely in love.

Welcome to the world our precious Lucas Gregory

8/25/11 9lbs 7oz 10:27pm.

Lucas' first days at home

My sweet little Lucas-
What a calm and content little guy you are. Your first few days at home and you seem completly at peace with your surroundings. It is as though you've been here all along. When you are awake, you look around checking out your world. You don't mind being on your tummy or your back, or squeezed between brother and mama. You sleep so well, sometimes too well. I've been having to wake you up every couple hours to make sure you nurse. After you get your fill and we change your diaper we can lay you down in your co-sleep and you just look around the room till you drift off to sleep. I know it has only been the first few days, but we'll soak it up as long as we can Lucas! We love you sweet Lucas.

Brothers

Didn't know how much my heart could swell with pride as I watch you two together. Caleb, so tender and gentle with your little brother. Lucas, just chill as can be as the world goes on around you. You two make your mama and dada so proud and full of love. Having many heart squeeze moments these days.

Completly in love

We are all so completly in love with you Lucas.

Welcome Lucas Gregory Giles

We are home sweet home with our newest addition to the family, Lucas Gregory. Born August 25th, 2011 at 10:30pm weighing in at 9lbs 7 ozs and 20.5 in long! It was a long day being induced at eight am and taking 4 doses of cytotech (spelled right?) and nothing but some contractions and a little dialating from 8-830pm! Lots of waiting. Nothing was really happening and then at 8:30pm (12 hrs after they started my induction) Laura came in with a bouncing ball and I just bounced like crazy, went for a walk and boom those contractions came on so fast every 2 minutes apart, they didn't have to give me Pitocin, and two hours later, with 10 brutal minutes of pushing little Lucas was here with a loud cry! Happy Tears all around. Both my sisters were able to be there the last two hours, along with my two coaches (Dave and my mom). It was special that my sisters were able to witness Lucas's birth, even though I think they won't be thinking about having babies anytime soon!

Caleb got to meet his brother at the hospital and was so excited to see us and 'brotur LuLu'

We are feeling so blessed with our two sweet boys!! SO thankful for the tons of help and support we have had from family and friends!!!

The final countdown has begun

I had my 40 week Dr. apt this afternoon and (big surprise) nothing is happening-still. My Dr. wants to induce me tomorrow morning at 8am because he doesn't want the baby to get too big. This time around I was hoping I would go into labor on my own, but was more prepared for a possible induction. I thought I'd be calmer going into it this time, but ha, that's a laugh. I can't believe 9 months have come and gone and if all goes well we'll be meeting lil l tomorrow. I'm excited, nervous, scared, and hopeful. We will meet you soon little one!

I do

When we said those words three years ago, I couldn't have even begun to imagine the journey we would embark on together. For all the joy, happiness, sadness, challenges, and love we've had already and for the many more to come. Life is sweeter by your side. I love you Dave. Thank you for making me such a lucky girl. Blessed to be your wife. Happy Anniversary to us!

40 Weeks!

1 anniversary dinner and date planned for Tuesday
6 walks around the neighborhood
3 solid naps
1 toddler with an ear infection
2 aunties up to help mama with the toddler this week
1 mani and pedi planned to pamper before baby gets here
0 contractions
0 dropping of belly
0 progress toward labor

I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.”

--Anna Quindlen

http://www.71toes.com/2011/08/friday-q-the-early-years.html
Just a little inspiration for the week from one of my favorite blogs :)

on motherhood

some days...

every single part of me is overcome with such love and happiness that i think my heart might burst.

going to the bathroom in private, is a luxury

taking a long hot shower can make. my. day.

carrying 30 lbs in my belly and 30 lbs on my hip make me feel like i'm strong, but doing it for more than 5 minutes and i'm sweating like a pig and looking like i'm crazy

having a toddler fall asleep on my prego belly and a baby kicking my rib cage and bladder at the same time is the most uncomfortable thing, but the look on that toddler's face while he's asleep and the feel of the baby's kicks in my belly. pure heart melt.

i feel like i'm breaking and can't hold it together

i'm overwhelmed with stress and worry and pure. exhaustion.

i'm filled with love and gratitud

i wonder how i'll ever manage with two

i look back and am proud of how much more patient and loving i've become

i cry

i laugh

i think, life doesn't get much better than this

i wonder what the heck was i thinking getting married and having two babies in three years

i wonder, how did i ever get so blessed?

motherhood. no one can prepare you for the biggest, most challenging job in the world. But, it comes with the best benefits ever.

No matter what, for all the good and bad, I wouldn't change a thing.

Ready and Waiting

Bags are packed. Nursury is ready. Sleep has been treasured and bottled up. Baby clothes are cleaned and ready to be worn. We can't wait to meet you Little L! Your mama, dada, and brother are counting down the days till your arrival...

39 Weeks!

3 cravings for mexican food
3 baking sprees
5 days of nesting
6 evenings spent walking around the neighborhood trying to bring on labor
5 days spent watching hubby and toddler build a gate for the porch
2 outside projects remain to be done before baby gets here
1 nap a day for toddler
1 nap a day for prego mama
1 dr visit
0 progress made toward labor
Down to the final two weeks! Yay :)

Happy Friday :)

Excited for a relaxing weekend with my boys :)

Dreamland

I love quietly walking into Caleb's room before I go to sleep and hearing his sweet breathing, feeling his warm skin, and catching a glimpse of him in peaceful sleep. When we say good-night to him he is sitting up in bed and waving and happily saying 'bye bye', and when I return, I find this. Such a sweet scene. All curled up on his blanket and holding on to monkey. I can't get enough of his sweetness while he sleeps. The way his little feet stick out at the end of the bed and he lays on his tummy, just like his mama (when she's not prego). I love you sweet Caleb.

Trying to relish these last few days or couple weeks (I'm betting on weeks) before baby comes and our sleep days are no longer for awhile. Caleb is in such a good sleep rhythm again and for that I am grateful. He's sleeping 11-12 hours at night. Going down so good. Happily waving, blowing kisses, and saying 'bye-bye' to us as we leave. And napping 2 hrs during the day. Which means we are all sleeping good (and I'm enjoying all the naps I can get in before baby comes) I know these sleep days will be no longer and this time around, I'm savoring them! And I'm hoping Caleb's sleep isn't thrown off too much by brother.

Daddy's Helper

You know those moments. Where time stops. And your heart just does a little squeeze. Yeah, I'm having one of those again. A heart squeeze. Over these two who I love so much. Over my wonderful hubby. Never could I have imagined on the day I married him that he would be such an amazing father. He teaches me everyday with his gentle and patient ways. The pure adoration on Caleb's face and his squeals of delight when he sees Daddy, put me over the moon with love for these two. I couldn't ask for more.




This little scene is what I stumbled upon after my little prego power walk around the town