Big brother and Big Sister

Just a quick look at the other two kids. Jackson loves his new brother and is so proud to be a big brother to Christian. Elizabeth loves Christian and hates all the attention he is getting. She has been throwing giant tantrums about everything even the smallest issues and seems to be out to cause trouble. We had a short discussion today about how she needs to change her attitude, because she is now a big sister and needs to be a good example.

Here are some quick comments I have heard lately from both of the kids.

Elizabeth came up to me the other day and I asked why she is being so whiny and mean. Her response:
"I'm just not acting like myself lately mom."

Jackson and Elizabeth were playing outside:
Elizabeth: "We have bare feet on"
Jackson: "I don't have bear feet, I have people feet."

These two really are two peas in a pod and bringing a third to the mix has shaken up their lives. Life is an adjustment, and it goes on.

 

He's Here!!

On Friday, October 5th we welcomed our newest addition. Christian Philip Stoker was born at 9:20am via c-section. He weighed 6lbs 12oz and was 19 3/4 inches long.

Almost a week has passed and here is what we have learned about little Christian.

-He LOVES to cuddle. He spent the first 3 nights of life snuggled in my arms.
-He is a great eater. He likes to nurse and takes bottles.
-He loves his pacifier.
-He already has his nights and days down. He sleeps 3-4 hours a night, wakes up and eats, and goes right back to sleep.
-He rarely ever cries, mainly just when he is naked. I think that goes back to the snuggling aspect.
-He hates the swing. I am hoping he will realize how nice it is, and change his mind.
-He is tiny. 14% for both weight and head circumference. 49% for height. None of his newborn clothes fit him.
-He has steal grey eyes and light brown hair.
-He likes to nuzzle into my neck
-He is strong. Sometimes he rolls onto his side and he has pretty good head support for a newborn.

He is just the best baby. I love him so much. He has such a sweet temperament to him and even when he cries is it a soft baby cry. I love that he wants me to hold him and that he likes to be with me all the time. It may get old later but for now my little snuggle bug is just what I need. God knew he would fit in perfectly with our little family.

I am recovering quickly this time. I was really nervous about the c-section and kept having dreams that everything would go wrong. Fortunately everything went very well, thanks in part to a blessing from Brandon the night before. His presence through the whole thing was amazingly calming and I felt safe, even wide open on the operating table. We arrived at the hospital at 5:30am for a scheduled c-section at 7:30am. Unfortunately 10 min before we were suppose to go in there was an emergency c-section so we were pushed back to 9:00am. Talk about nerves, just waiting around, anxious for when it was going to happen. Especially after 3 changed delivery dates I was ready to have this baby. 

Everything went very smooth with the delivery. The doctor said I have a little bit of scaring but not too much and she did her best to minimize any further scaring. Thankfully I am a quick healer and should be fine to have more children in the future.

My mom is visiting right now for two weeks and it has been such a blessing to have her around. She gets up with Christian sometimes during the night to give me a few more hours of shut eye. Right now I am feeling pretty refreshed and not like I am going to pull my hair out with two kids and a baby around. Everyone is getting along nicely for the most part. Jackson adores the baby. He always comes by to check on him and give him kisses on his head. Elizabeth is a bit jealous. I pointed out that she was being particularly whiny yesterday and she informed me that, "I'm not acting like myself mom." Seriously cracks me up. I am sure when he is a little more active she will like him more.

September 2012 in Review

September is such a busy month in our family. So many birthdays (Lizzy, my dad, my mom, Brandon, and Kailey) and all our life changes the month flew by. Thankfully we didn't add another birthday to the mix (the baby is still in my belly until Friday, more on that later). First we celebrated Elizabeth's birthday. It was very low key this year. Just our family, presents, and her choice of pink cupcakes. She was really proud that she turned 3 and enjoyed all the birthday attention. Some of her favorite gifts this year were a pink ballerina dress from Grandma Stoker, and pretend hair equipment that includes a hair dryer that turns on with batteries, a fake curling iron and straightener, and some fake lipstick. She has played beauty parlor with me nearly every day since she received the gift.

 

And she is finally on the road to being fully potty trained. She pees in the toilet nearly all the time but has yet to poop. I am hoping that will follow soon.

Jackson is really adjusting to preschool. His teachers are amazing, helping me every morning to make sure he feels safe and he rarely cries anymore when I drop him off. I hope it continues when the baby comes but you never know with new changes.

We have been doing our best to spend a lot of family time and enjoying the cooler weather. This last weekend we went to the children's museum Explora. The kids love it there and I am so thankful I have a membership because we can never see the whole thing in one trip. This time we focused on our favorite exhibits below like the PVC pipes and the air blowers. 

Elizabeth loves the cave that changes color, I think she would stay in there the whole time if I let her. I really enjoy watching them create a fort out of the PVC pipes. Jackson is such a thinker and loves trying to figure out a puzzle. I think he might be an engineer some day.

Then we went upstairs to check out the sound area. On the patio they have big satellite dishes that you can whisper in and talk to each other. The kids thought that was AMAZING! And then we played with the bubbles which I think is the highlight of the trip. Elizabeth was so excited that we found them, she came running up to me waving her arms and yelling in her sweet little voice, "we found them mom we found the bubbles."

It was a great day together and I think the kids actually learned a lot.

Yesterday we celebrated Brandon's 32nd birthday. The kids were so excited to help make the cake and put the candles on. They even sang Happy Birthday to him, I think it was the best present he could have asked for.

I am so grateful for my family. They keep me sane and support me, even when I am going through a tough time. This pregnancy has been a nightmare. Not because of my actually body or the baby but the doctor drama is really getting to me. I switched from my original doctor because I didn't like her bedside manner. The doctor that I switched to was amazing. Sweet, knowledgeable, and I felt like she actually cared about me and my health needs. Then she informed me 2 weeks before my due date that she was moving out of the state and I had to find a new doctor. After calling a few recommended doctors and not being able to get an appointment I finally found a doctor that I like and think will be a good fit for my situation. Everything was scheduled for my c-section (the second time I had to schedule it because I was originally scheduled with the doctor that left me). Babysitters all set up, work leave put in, and mom is flying in a few days after so she can help when I get home from the hospital. Then I get a call last week informing me that they have to push my surgery from Wednesday to Friday, just 2 days before my due date. Not to mention I didn't find out the actual time of the surgery until this morning when I asked the doctor at my weekly appointment (no call to inform me of a time before then). Next I am scheduled to go to the anesthesiologist for blood draws and she informs me that they can't use my blood samples because it has to be within 72 hours of the surgery.

 So many changes in such a little time period is not good for a pregnant women in her 39th week. Also my surgery is scheduled for 7:30am which means I need to be at the hospital by 5:30am and I was freaking out because I don't know who can watch my kids so early in the morning and how they are going to react when I am not there when they wake up. So I came home this morning and cried my eyes out. I think I had been holding all my frustrations and anxiety in for so long that I just exploded. Probably scared Brandon to death that something had happened but I just couldn't take the emotional drama any more.

Thankfully the ward is so amazing and has stepped up to offer to help us out. It is so hard being away from family in a situation like this. I am really nervous about the operation. I hope all these changes and inconsistencies are just business issues and not a reflection of the doctor's actual medical skills. I need Brandon in that operating room to help me through it, hold my hand, and make sure everything goes okay. Let's just pray I make it to Friday without going into labor before then. That is the last thing I need to go into labor and have more complications.

Here is a picture of me 5 days before delivery. I cannot wait to get rid of the big belly and meet our new addition.

It's the Cowboy Way

The count down is on. I have been running around getting lots of last minute things done like fixing the baby's bedding, making blankets/car seat covers/changing pad covers/etc, and above all my nesting compulsion has hit a new high. The other day I was looking for the Halloween decorations and ended up going through all the binds in the garage and organizing the entire garage. I also made Brandon clean out the office closet and go through all those boxes as well. (Trust me you do not want to be around an A personality in the last trimester of pregnancy. Cleaning and organizing galore).

My c-section is scheduled for 2 weeks from today. In just two weeks I will be holding my beautiful little boy in my arms. I just can't wait. I feel closer to this baby than either of the first two. Maybe because I am so in tune with my body and what he is doing this time, or maybe because we have a special connection. I'm not sure but I can't wait to meet the little guy and learn more about his sweet personality.

The kids are really excited for him to make his debut as well. They keep pretending they are a mom and dad taking care of Elizabeth's little babies. It is really cute. And the other day Jackson asked how the baby is going to get out of the belly. I showed him my c-section scar and told him how the doctors are going to use a knife and cut me along that line, then pull the baby out, and finish by sewing me up. His response, "Mom that is going to hurt, do you want me to be there with you?" He is so sweet. I told him no kids are allowed in the operating room but dad will be there with me so he doesn't have to worry. He then said, "Make sure they put you to sleep after so you can feel better." It is really amazing how intuitive he can be. He also said that he will come and visit as soon as he can.

And while we are on the Jackson is so cute wagon, the other day he had cowboy day at preschool. And you know the kid cannot pass up a chance to wear a costume to school. So I whipped up a quick cowboy outfit. I used a plaid shirt of his and tight jeans. Then I made a vest with a star, and boots that slid over his shoes. We finished it off with a foam hat from Hobby Lobby. When he was putting it on in the morning he looked at me and said, "Mom this costume looks great, good job." I was so happy to create something that he totally loved and he has been wearing it for the past 3 days so I know he loves it.

It has been beautiful weather here lately so we took advantage this past weekend to go to the zoo. The zoo was empty and it felt so good to stretch my legs and enjoy a breezy sunny day. I think I have been neglecting the kids in regards to pictures lately because they both volunteered (without me asking) to take a picture together by the polar bears. Then Jack wanted to pretend he was a cobra by the reptile house.

 

 

Guess it is time to bust out the camera and take a few fall pictures before we go from 4-5.

Baby Progress, The Last 4 Weeks

Today was all about the baby. I met my new doc this morning and am so thankful to have found someone who will 1. take me with only 4 weeks left and 2. is competant.

It is such a relief. I know she is going to do a great job and the office was very organized and friendly. We set a date for the c-section, OCT 3rd!! That is exactly 4 weeks from today. AHHHH.

Then I had an ultrasound this afternoon just to check on development. The little boy looks great. Growing exactly on schedule at 5lbs 12oz right now and there appears to be no problems. Unfortunately I don't have an ultrasound photo to show you because he was moving so fast she couldn't get a good shot and his hand was blocking his face. "No pictures please," well that will change when you come out buddy. I am feeling really good. It has been such an easy pregnancy other than the big belly, I am just so grateful to be healthy. We still haven't decided on a name, narrowed it down to two but we probably won't decide until I see the little buddy's face. I change my mind each day so it will probably be picked depending on how I am feeling on that day, haha.

Jackson started preschool this week. His first official day is tomorrow. I will post pictures and recap then but the orientation was great. I think he will learn a lot and really enjoy school. We can only hope.

Elizabeth is still not potty trained. She refuses to use the toilet and keeps going in her undies. The other day she came into the kitchen to tell me she was going to change her undies. I asked her why and her response was that they were wet because she peed in them. (As I am writing this I am shaking my head.) For some reason she thinks it is okay to continually pee in her panties and then just change them when she does. Oh and she goes #2 as well in her undies which is just a delight to clean up. I have given up and am hoping that Joy School will motivate her to take the time to go on the potty. She can't attend until she uses the potty all the time, hopefully it will be the wake up call she needs. Until then I am going with the flow.

The other day I was looking for Liz and I went to check the backyard. Low and behold there she was passed out on the grass. Cracked me up.

Other than that we are getting into a fall routine, waking up early, going to bed at a decent time, and prepping for the new bundle of joy who will be joining us soon. Life seems simple right now, the calm before the storm.

The Pirate Princess

It has been a whirlwind two weeks. Lots of preparations, schedule changes, and moving/shifting things around. I cleaned out my craft room moving most of my supplies into the closet and my sewing machine into the family room. It is a good thing there is such a big closet in that room. I've also been going through all Jackson's old clothes, washing blankets and sheets, and setting up the nursery.

We are so excited to meet are new little bug in just a few weeks. So far the pregnancy and baby are perfectly healthy (although I feel much more exauhsted this time around).

I haven't really had a nesting feeling yet but I have been inspired to sew lately. I haven't gotten around to my baby stuff list yet but I did make a few dresses for Elizabeth per her request (PINK) of course.

 Pretending to be Pirates in her Pirate Princess Dress

 So sad Lizzy didn't want to take a picture with him.

 Beautiful girl.

We are still working on the potty training issues with Elizabeth. It really has been a give and take process. Some days she goes all day in the potty other days it is accident after accident. I have been thinking about it a lot lately and have come to the conclusion that I need to go with the flow and let her make the moves and decisions. From past experience I can tell you forcing potty training is not the answer and just leads to frustration on both parts. I am sticking to my guns and keep telling her she doesn't get to go to Joy School until she is completely potty trained. It starts in 2 weeks so we will see how she responds.

I do have to say I have been incredibly grateful lately of their relationship with each other. They have been playing together so well lately it makes me excited to bring a new little person into our lives.

Let's Get Brave

We are a little costume crazy in our house. At first it was only Jackson but lately Elizabeth has really gotten into it as well. I love watching their little imaginations run wild, with all the dress up clothes and the adventures they take in them. Jackson really likes to label his clothing for specific purposes. For instance the other day I was wearing my BYU t-shirt (one of the only shirts that will still fit over my belly). He went to his room and made Elizabeth put her BYU shirt on and then he put his on. He then told me that he was also wearing his BYU shorts and BYU flip flops (they don't say BYU anywhere on them BTW). He really cracks me up.

 We started gymnastics classes last week. I thought it would be a good way for Jackson to learn to spend time away from me and explore some activities outside his box of comfort. I knew Elizabeth would love it right from the start and it would be great for her to get her energy out.

She walked right in and joined the group from the first moment. Learning to hula hoop, balanced walking across the balance bean, and following instructions. NO FEAR!

 Jackson was much more hesitant. It took me 20 min of a 45 min class just to get him to try what the kids were doing. Once he got started he loved it of course. Bear crawling across the planks and jumping by himself along the huge trampoline into the foam block pit.

 It will be a work in progress but I think once we have gone a few times he will get better. I know they both enjoyed it once the class got started. They were running around the house doing somersaults and balancing on everything all day after we got home.