Noodle and Z

Our Noodle just adores Baby Z, as you can see. She is also a very tempermental three-year-old who alternates between ecstasy and tantrum. Luckily her little bro tolerates it all very well. Here she is in a moment of bliss:



And here is a funny contrast. Baby toes:



And Noodle toes:

Just the Three of 'Em

I had no idea how hard it would be to get a picture of my three children looking at the camera. But here they are.

So far, adjusting to life with baby has been relatively smooth. Noodle, who is three, has taken it, predictably, the hardest. She loves loves LOVES the baby, but she doesn't exactly love the fact that I am always feeding him. She asked the other day "How long will you have to take care of the baby?" Ummm... I told her that in August, the baby will start school, just like her, and that seemed to make her happy. She does, however, want to do everything for the baby...push his stroller, pick his outfits, help with diaper changes, etc. On the down side, she has been waking up more at night and wanting someone (me) to come sit with her, and she has had a few more accidents than is usual for her (she has been potty trained since last fall).

Squash has taken the baby in stride. His main concerns are (1) whether he is allowed to play Wii and (2) whether someone is available to play Monopoly with him. He occasionally says hi to the baby. Other than that, he's not really into it. But that's cool; he's six and a half. There are far more pressing concerns.

Ah, the Wii. It is both the bane of my existence and Squash's favorite thing in the world. It serves as both babysitter/companion and ever-ready potential punishment. The problem with it is that Squash just gets so OBSESSED with playing it. It makes me nuts when it is all he can talk about at dinner. We have taken it away as a punishment more times than I can count. Right now, he is allowed to play Wii three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday), and not in the morning before school, and not after dinner, and not until his homework is finished. This has been the policy for a couple months and it seems to be working out. He doesn't even ask to play on the other days now, just grabs his basketball/baseball mitt/etc. and heads in to the backyard. I wish he would do that every day, but oh well. The Wii is VERY helpful when I am feeding Z; his sister is watching "Berenstain Bears"; and his dad is getting dinner on the table!

Wow, this was a long post. I have fully squandered sleeping Z time!

What We Do For Fun In Kansas

Z and I took our first walk today!



It is neighborhood garage sale weekend and our subdivision has over 50 sales going on. I had fun strolling around and seeing all my friends after being cooped up for 2 weeks with this darn c-section recovery. I purposefully did not take my wallet, or I would have bought tons of stuff that I do not need! I swear, every house had piles of clothes, baby toys, baby gear... This place is kid central.

At his two-week check-up this week, little Z weighed in at 9 lbs., 7 oz. -- almost a pound more than his birth weight. He is a chow hound. His weight is 75th percentile and height (21.5 inches) is 80th percentile. Sounds like he will be a big guy, just like his big brother (and opposite of his (very short) big sister!).

They are calling for storms this afternoon but as of now, it is clear, blue skies with big puffy white clouds and 72 perfect degrees. I just fed the baby and am contemplating walk #3 for the day. It is too nice not to go outside! Glad it is almost the weekend so the rest of the family will be home to enjoy it with me soon.

Baby Z Has Arrived

Apologies for the delay, but we have a baby! Here he is at nine days old...



I was induced on April 7. I was so nervous about getting pitocin...and in the end, I didn't have to have it. They broke my water at 2:45 PM and by 7:30, I was dilated to 5 cm. I could have cried when they told me that, I was so happy, because it meant NO pitocin. At that point, they hooked me up to the IV drugs (ahhh...) and an hour later, I was 10 cm and ready to push. I made it to 10 cm with no epidural and was feeling great.

And then -- as I prepared for push number 1 -- the doctor announced to the room: "Um...this baby is breech."

The next 15 minutes are a bit of a whirlwind, but I was put under general anaesthetic and had an emergency c-section. Baby Z arrived with no problems at all at 9:05 PM. I woke up an hour later and met him for the first time. He has been a model baby ever since, so I have forgiven him for the 8 weeks of bed rest; the 2 weeks of waiting and waiting and waiting after bed rest; and the dramatic half hour before he was born.

He was 8 lbs., 8 oz. and 20.5 inches tall. At his one-week checkup, he had already regained to his birth weight (65th percentile) and grown a half an inch (80th percentile). He eats like a champ, slept for a four-hour stretch last night, and patiently snoozes in his swing or bouncy seat while I pay attention to his big bro and sis. In short, he is perfect. We could not be happier!

I Could Not Be Any Bigger

At my doctor's appointment last Thursday, I had gained another 2 lbs., bringing my total to 45 for this pregnancy. I seriously could not get any bigger. It is time for this baby to COME OUT already.

This picture from Sunday cracks me up. It requires the three of them to balance me out; otherwise, the fire truck would tip over. After having a big backyard egg hunt in the morning, we took the kids over to the elementary school to run around. Weather was perfect. My poor parents have been here on Baby Watch for a week now. This little stinker is just keeping himself hidden for a few more days. At least the weather has been heavenly and I've been able to get out and enjoy it a little after the 8 weeks of bed rest.

I am getting induced on Wednesday morning (my first time to be induced! A little nervous...). So, pretty soon, the pregnancy will be over and the adventure will really begin...

I Did Not Have a March Baby

As I have said about 1,000,000 times in the past few days, yep, I am still pregnant. I can tell you that there is almost nothing more annoying when you are 9+ months along than people asking you (IN PERSON), "Are you still pregnant?" Um, yeah, still pregnant. Thanks for asking.

But my parents are here and we have been having lots of fun hanging out and waiting. As you can see in this picture, pregnant women can still take little munchkins to soccer practice and participate!:



The highlight of soccer practice this week was the Noodle "heading" the ball. Dad would throw it up in the air and she would attempt to make contact. It happened once or twice. Too cute!