Oodles of stuff

Man, do I have a bunch of stuff to blog about tonight! Thank goodness both the boys are snoozing so I have the time. ;-)

First off, happy birthday to my big 4 year old! You read right, my little 2 pound, 14 ounce shrimp is 4 years old today. That sounds too old, but I guess every mother must feel like that when her kid gains another year. I'm sure my poor father and mother are just cringing that I'll be 27 on my next birthday (golly, when did I get so old???).

I have a hard time believing that my spunky little guy has been around for 4 whole years. What a nightmare it was to get him here! The situation surrounding his birth affected my life in such a profound way that I cannot even put it into words. He is sure worth every bit of it though.

Pics from his little preschool party and video of his birthday song:



In other news, the wee one (that would be Jack) is cracking Jake and me up with his giggling. He's started belly laughing which is just about the cutest thing ever. I managed to get it on video tonight. PLEASE ignore my baby talking. If it wasn't for that I couldn't get him to do it and entertain the masses. I'd claim that the sound of my voice makes him laugh, but you should see Jack giggling for Jake. I can't decide who is cuter sometimes, Jack or Jake!




Baby woke up, so I must go nurse him back down. Think I'll join him in sleeping this time. LOL

Healing and Other Musings

I always thought that a second pregnancy would make or break me mentally. Even though I didn't show it too much, the time after Spencer's birth was very hard for me. And, like many mothers of premature babies, I had the desire to have another baby as soon as possible. A chance, perhaps, to do things the "right" way. To not feel so broken or like a failure.

Well, my "as soon as possible" wasn't until over 3 years later. It turns out you need a willing partner for baby making. Who would've thought? LOL

My pregnancy with Jack was one of many emotions.

The first I found myself feeling was terrified. All I could do was run the complications I had with Spencer through my head. And what would I do this time when it wasn't possible for me to curl up in a hospital bed for 10 weeks? I had a 3 year old to take care of! The middle of my pregnancy was the worst since that's when the complications hit with Spencer.

And then something wonderful happened: nothing. And with every week I made it past the 20th, I felt more and more relaxed. I felt better able to enjoy the pregnancy for what it was. After the passage of the 24th week, I took a deep, deep breath and knew my baby would have a fighting chance. After the 28th week, I was elated because I knew my baby would not only live, but have a good life. After the 30th week, I knew what to expect if he was born, but at the same time I finally had the confidence to say I thought I would go the distance.

My pregnancy with Jack healed me in so many ways. I no longer feel like my body failed Spencer. For so long, people told me that it was a fluke, but I didn't truly believe them. I felt flawed, like I couldn't do the one thing women's bodies are supposed to do.

I know now that my body is strong. Not only did it carry my beautiful, 9 pound boy to exactly the right time, but it birthed him without problem or complication. I would easily say it was one of the most memorable moments of my life. His birth left me feeling strong, like I could do anything.

So thank you Jack for healing me. Thank you Jake for being there through the craziness and always having faith that things were going to be just fine. And thank you Spencer for doing your best to keep my mind off of it!

Lookit that belly!

I'm not used to having a kiddo with a tummy so round and squishy!

Better late than never.

Baby Jack is here!

Born 3.5 @ 9:51 pm after a 28 hour drug free labor

9 pounds, 21.25 inches

VBAC homebirth!

It was seriously one of the most empowering things I've ever experienced, and I would bet all the money in my checking account that I could never have done it at the hospital. Being tethered to the bed would've been absolutely miserable.

Jake is calling me to nurse the baby, so I'll be back with pics soon.

T-H-O-M-A-S

Jake posted the video with no commentary, so I felt the urge to add some.

I took Spencer to the doctor today and they were discussing Spencer's Thomas train. The doctor made a comment that Thomas' name was on the bottom and Spencer flipped it over and nonchalantly did what you see in the video. My eyes almost popped out of my head. I had no idea he could identify all those letters!

I'm a proud mommy today. :-)

37 weeks

Just sharing a recent pic. Jake is never home to take it when I'm all freshly showered and stuff, so you'll just have to put up with the dirty mirror and no face. :)