Life as I know it

All ready to go home from the hospital.

I need to get more pictures with Isabella, I think this is the only one I have.

Proof to my Dad that she does have ears. And check out that hair.

Love her.

Notice how good Spencer already is about sharing his toys with Isabella.

Our little glow worm.

Okay, so not the best quality of pictures and I look awful, but Spencer really enjoyed taking them and loves to look at them, so here they are for the world to see!

Nap/bed time is turning into a constant fight with Spencer. Bribery seems to be the only way. As long as he doesn't bang and kick his bedroom door, I can keep most of my sanity.

Isabella is jaundice. Bili lights for her. She hates the bili bed. Hates it. But as long as I don't velcro her in, she tolerates it. Her bilirubin got pretty high and it was quite concerning how lethargic and unresponsive she was, but we seem to be on the mend. She is getting more and more alert again, will wake up to eat and our nerves are getting calmer. So grateful that Jean was able to give her a blessing and we avoided having to take her back to the hospital. hopefully only one more day of the bili bed.

Jean has been so good to me. He is amazing. It is cute to see how much he loves being a father. He loves to play with Spencer and adore Isabella. This is quite a year of changes for us (Jean starting a new job, starting his Master's, us moving twice, building a home, Isabella, etc) and I would not want to do it with anyone else.

My house is slightly stressing me out. We are moving in twoish weeks (I already know that I am crazy...) and trying to slowly get things ready everyday so it is not so overwhelming. But that leaves me with a garage that is slowly being overcome with boxes, no pictures on the walls so we can patch holes, and the items that are not essentials slowly disappearing from shelves, closets and cupboards. If you know me, I like things in their proper place and out of sight hidden, so basically I can only enter the garage if necessary and avoid seeing how much stuff we have. Gone are the days when I can fit all my belongings in a vehicle at any given time. Oh well, life is good and I am blessed, I just need to remember that.

Yesterday while I took Isabella to the doctor, my Mom was watching Spencer. He was supposed to be napping (see above) but was playing so my Mom went to check on him. She noticed the room smelled weird, Spencer was undressed and both he and the room looked a little greasy. Upon asking what he was playing with, Spencer said he would show her and climbed under the bed and pulled out a bottle of A&D ointment (ps, the only acceptable/truly effective thing to put on diaper rashes). He found it in his closet and decided to smear it on everything. My mom asked if there was anything else and he then produced an open bottle of supositories that he had been using to "draw" on his chalkboard. Glad my mom is so patient! =) Glad she is here too. She has been so helpful and good to have around.

Breastfeeding takes forever. And hurts. Post pregnancy weight is disappointing. Moving in the right direction, but seriously disappointing. Not cool to still look prego. Also, this darn swelling could go away. Oh well. Speaking of breastfeeding, Isabella is ready to go, so I gotta go.

Welcome baby Isabella!!

Oh we love little Isabella. And isn't my little family so cute!!

Spencer really likes Isabella and wants to constantly hold her and take pictures of her!

Daddy's little girl

Big yawn

Grandma Davidson with Isabella

She is so sweet and even tempered. She has this little half of a cry, that you don't get to hear much because she seems so content.

She was born April 13, 2012 (Friday the 13th) at 11:10 pm. She weighs 7 lbs 13 oz and is 19.5 inches long. I got to the hospital in the morning to start my induction.  The pitocin was running by 8:30, penicillan by 9:00, and my water was broken at 12:30.  I was not sure when I should get the epidural, but the doctor recommended after they break my water as that usually helps things progress, so I got it at about 1:30.  But after a long day of waiting for the pitocin to really work wonders on my cervix, I was finally dilated and ready to start pushing right before 11 pm. So grateful that I only had to push for 10 minutes! And she was even posterior. The doctor was able to turn her pretty quickly and she came right out. I was also grateful that the epidural went in without any complications. I was a lucky girl! I was a little discouraged that my cervix was taking forever and showing little to no progess throughout the day, but glad once I got to a seven finally it was no time before I was ready to push. Anyway, we were so glad to meet this precious little girl and are really enjoying her quite a bit!

Goodbye mother of one...

Tomorrow (if all goes as planned) I will become a mother of two. I guess technically I already am, but it doesn't really feel like it since I have yet to meet Isabella face to face. Hopefully, I don't get sent home from my induction tomorrow like I did last time. Hopefully having my membranes stripped this morning gets things rolling. Hopefully, my cervix cooperates and stops acting as the pro fortress it has been and allows things to move right on along. Hopefully, things don't take as long as they did with Spencer. Like for example, it would be nice if the anesthesiologist can get the epidural to work before attempting six times. Because now I know that it is not normal to have to stick the needle in six times before it works, however, first time around I was blissfully ignorant. And it would be nice to not have to push for two hours and fifty five minutes this time. It would be nice to avoid another episiotomy too. But really, I guess I am getting demanding (blame it on being nine months prego). I just want to meet Isabella and have her be healthy. I can't wait to meet her with Jean and then get to introduce her to Spencer. How fun to turn a family of three into four. Stay tuned for pictures soon (hopefully)!!

Two babies??

So ever since my belly has been obviously growing with child, Spencer has been convinced that he too has a baby growing in his belly. He will stick out his belly and talk about how the baby is getting bigger. He also even put a blanket in his zip up jammies to look like a baby belly. Well today at the doctor, Spencer became even more convinced. My doctors have always been really good to involve Spencer and let him turn machines on and stuff. Well after listening to Isabella's heart beat, the doctor listened to Spencer's belly too and said, "I hear your cheerios from breakfast" and Spencer's reply was, "no, it's my baby!" So he now even more convinced that we will have two babies. One from me and one from him! =)

28 weeks with baby girl Isabella

And for comparison sake...this was me at 28 weeks with Spencer

Another nap mishap....

Not sure how he managed the drawings on his back...

He even had green up his nose...The green came off his face really easily, but there are still faint marks on his belly and sides from the dry erase markers. It looks like he has all these weird horizontal veins now...

I didn't think he would color himself again since it has been so long since the last time. The markers are now out of reach...Needless to say, said child got no nap today. Sad.

Busy time of year...

So, the holidays are very busy for most but our little family gets lots of extra things to celebrate this time of year. After Thanksgiving, we get to celebrate our Anniversary. 2011 marked five years of marriage! It has been a great five years and I am so grateful for my decision to marry Jean!

Spencer and I also have our birthdays. Jean spoils me too much and since I took the weekend before my birthday off, we got to celebrate for several days! (Which is only fair as Spencer got to celebrate on his birthday and then another day with a party for some friends. haha) Jean took me out to an awesome dinner at Tucanos and then we stayed at the Zermatt. I have to say turning 30 was a lot of fun!

Spencer enjoyed turning 3 too and kept thinking that I was stealing his birthday when it came time to celebrate mine. He still loves his balloons and it only took him two days to master holding up three fingers instead of two. =)

Here are the friends that came to celebrate Spencer's birthday and I swear they had fun, even though their faces don't show it. I have decided the delay on my camera is not appropriate for capturing three year old boys smiling. Oh well.

These boys missed the party but came over another day to shower Spencer with gifts of nerf guns. Spencer is so spoiled!!! Spencer got some pretty awesome birthday/Christmas toys. He loves his Buzz and we have videos that show his excitement over his other toys, but they take too long to download.

Uncle Spencer gave us a gingerbread kit that this picture is evident little Spencer enjoyed doing immensely!!

Wish I had more pictures to show our holiday fun, but this is it. Hope you guys had as much fun as we did this time of year!!! Happy New Year!

nerf gun fun!!

He won't wear pants, but misses having pockets. Below is how Spencer improvises.

I think I need to find a holster for Christmas....

Who knew cars underwear could be so useful and hold so much?!?

Sure, he won't wear pants or a shirt, but the kid will wear mittens....

Boys will be boys!

Constant entertainment around here!!!

Happy Thanksgiving, Vegas style!

We drove down to Vegas to celebrate Thanksgiving with my parents and brother, Spencer, last week. We had a great time, especially Spencer (my little guy) who had so many people to play with. He was in heaven!

So we didn't see Blue Man Group, but did go to Mystere by Cirque du Soleil. It was so entertaining and amazing to me what people can do with their bodies!!
Didn't know there was a toy story 3, but Spencer was loving this poster!!
Such a better experience with Santa this year than it was two years ago... (http://jeanandmichelle.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html). We just happened upon this Santa at one of the outdoor malls in Vegas. When Santa asked Spencer what he wanted for Christmas, Spencer replied, "A Christmas tree!" Santa acted like he had never gotten that response before, imagine that!! =) Town Square (that outdoor mall south of the strip) has an awesome little playground in the middle for little kiddos. Spencer sure loved it. They even have little bathrooms that have a regular size toilet and a toddler toilet in the same stall. Once Spencer saw the toilet just his size, he stopped arguing that he didn't have to go potty!!
The first time I went through this maze with Spencer I could see other kids approaching but Spencer obviously couldn't see over the hedges, so everytime he turned a corner and a kid was there Spencer would get so startled. It was pretty funny for me to watch. But he quickly gained confidence and not sure where he learned this from (cough, cough) started trying to scare everyone else....maybe I should tone down the scaring wars he and I have at home!!
First time on a merry-go-round...he was happy for about six turns, then totally done with it!

A little house just right for his size!
Can you guess which casino we are in?? If you know me at all, you know it is the Bellagio!!! =) This picture captures his fascination with flashlights...much to his dismay, we had to eventually confiscate it as he was blinding everyone outside by the fountains...,.
So happy to be with Grandma and Grandpa.
He wanted to hang out with Woody all night, but don't worry, I didn't let him.

My brother, Spencer, pretended to start to climb the wall to jump into the Bellagio fountains, but little Spencer grabbed onto my brother's leg and wouldn't let him. Little Spencer then gave big Spencer a little lecture with finger pointing and all about not jumping in the water. It was hilarious to watch, especially since little Spencer was so convinced that he was really saving my brother. This video is from my brother trying it a second time and little Spencer saving the day again but with no lecture this time unfortunately.

And lastly, Spencer kept walking in funny ways whenever we were out and about, so this is one video to show that.

One other funny moment and learning experience I want to remember is regarding Spencer's obsession with money right now. My brother kept giving Spencer little coins to play with and he would keep them safely tucked in his fist (even throughout a whole night of sleeping) and pockets. He kept talking about his money and needing more. While on the strip we passed a lady that was begging for money. Spencer immediately said hi to her and waved, but then saw her cup of money and yelled excitedly, "You have money too!!!" Jean and I just pulled him along, chuckling to ourselves. Gratefully she was not offended and mentioned how cute he was. Funny moment, but also a great reminder to us how innocent Spencer is. Everyone, regardless of cleanliness and state in life, is worthy of being his friend. He is consistently calling everyone, stranger or not, his friends. I need to be better about not being so judgemental...

I had a great Thanksgiving and am grateful for my family!! Hope yours was wonderful too!

Today's musings

Thrilled that I get to spend this entire weekend in the waking presence of Jean. Yup, not working. It is going to be wonderful to be awake when Jean is awake and asleep when he is asleep and actually get to spend time together and have conversations. I can hardly wait!!!

Spencer is such a sweet boy. Last night I shut my finger in the car door. Embarrassingly enough, I burst into tears as it hurt so much and suddenly. Spencer (and Jean, too) was quite concerned about my welfare and had such a worried look on his face. At one point during my tears, I cracked a joke which caused Jean and I to both laugh. You would have thought it was Christmas morning. Spencer started jumping up and down, with a huge smile while exclaiming, "You are all better!!! I am so happy!!" He then ran over to hug me as he was so relieved. Well, not quite all better, but it sure helped that he was so excited that he thought I was better.

It is amazing how many things I use my right forefinger for. Some tasks have proven either impossible or at least quite slow with my swollen, bruised finger that I cannot straighten. Typing is not that fun....

And one more thought, I love my Christmas present. I have been disappointed in my pillow lately and the quality of sleep I have felt I have missed out on due to it. We stayed at a hotel in California that had these AWESOME down pillows that I have been dreaming about and added to my Christmas wish list....well, that is my list, can't think of anything else actually. Anyway, costco to the rescue. The other day I saw they were selling down pillows for less than I was preparing to pay for them, so Christmas came early for me and I am in sleeping heaven. I love my new pillow. And when I saw love, I mean love.

'til later.

Nap time and Grandmas....

Those two don't usually correlate, but let me explain....

Thank you Grandma Davidson for getting Spencer a dry erase board that we can keep in his room to entertain while he is supposed to be napping....=)

Looks like he takes after Grandma Rocha for being artistic!