Conjunctivitis and the battle of the drops

I noticed on Monday that Mason's eye looked a little pink. I went ahead and had Tim take him over to Walgreens' clinic that night to see if it was pink eye. Sure enough it was and the battle of the drops began. The directions say to put 1 drop in each eye 4 times a day. Who would have thought that Mason would fight us so much that we would have to practically sit on him to administer the drops. Oh well, just a few more days of this torture. Anyhow, Mason keeps going around and saying "I have conjunctivitis." I had said it once and it is now his favorite word to say. Too funny!
On Wednesday, we went and visited another preschool. I really liked this one and it is only about 10 minutes from the house. Unfortunately, we are put into a lottery system, so there are no guarantees that he will get in. My fingers are crossed that we will get a phone call on January 30th saying that there is a spot for him. We have to keep our options open, too, because I still don't know yet what I am doing next fall (staying home or going back to work). We have to weigh the cost of it all. We'll see.
Today Spencer turns 4 weeks old. He is much more alert now when he is awake. He likes to look at lights and small toys that you hold in front of him. He is starting to smile some, but not sure that it is in response to us yet (probably in the next couple of weeks, we'll get some good smiles). He still sleeps well at night (although, I hate to admit that he is still in bed with us). I do try and put him in his pack 'n play, it just doesn't last very long. I know I need to break him of this soon or I will regret it. Right now the sleep for all of us is nice though. I can't believe that he will be a month old on Monday. I will take him for his 1 month check up then. My guess is that he's gained another pound and grown some in length. I stood on the scale with him and it looks like he may be about 10lbs. He's growing way too fast for my likings. You'll notice that I didn't take as many pictures this week, especially of Mason (he's not always cooperative for the camera, he would rather take a picture then be in one these days). So enjoy the few that I do have. It was nice that my parents finally made it up here last weekend. I love the pictures I have of them with Spencer. They take such nice pictures. Take care and stay warm this weekend. Baby it's cold outside.

2 New Additions to the Family

I'm so excited to announce that our family has 2 new additions. Both of my cousins delivered healthy baby boys this week. On Tuesday, January 8th, Jeremy and Kenzia welcomed Jack D. He was 7lbs 13oz and 20in long. And today, January 11th, Martha and Steve welcomed Noah T. He was 9lbs 3oz and 21in long. I couldn't be happier to know that all of our boys will grow up together. I am fortunate that all of us cousins have stayed close as we've grown up and now the next generation will also get the pleasure of growing up together. How cool is that. Family reunions will be soooo much fun!
On another note, Spencer is 3 weeks old today. How is that possible? We've had a good week. We started looking at preschools this week for Mason for next fall and will continue to look over the next couple of weeks. Mason had fun getting outdoors this week and "bird watching" with the binoculars that I made him. He also enjoyed painting a Valentine's Day picture with some of his new art supplies that he got for Christmas.





Spencer enjoyed trying out his activity mat and bouncy seat (with the assistance of his big brother). He is still sleeping pretty well at night although the past couple of days his naps have been tricky. He won't stay asleep for long unless he's in my arms or we've ran an errand and he's fallen asleep in the car. Definitely flashbacks of Mason when he was this age.















This past weekend, we enjoyed a visit from Aunt Jen and Becky. They came to meet Spencer and see Mason. Mason loved playing with them and is already asking when they will come back.



















This weekend, we look forward to introducing Spencer to my parents. They had been suffering colds and kindly waited until they felt better before coming to see us. We can't wait to spend some time with them this weekend. Enjoy the many pictures and take care.

2 week check up

How is it that 2 weeks have already gone by? And how is it that my baby is already growing so fast? Spencer had his 2 week check up today and has gained a whole pound since birth (8lbs 12oz). I don't think he was listening when I told him I wanted him to stay little for a long time.

Our peditrician was happy to let me take pictures, she too is a fellow scrapbooker.
These past two weeks have been wonderful. He is such a good baby. He obviously eats well, he is a good sleeper (typically only getting up 1, sometimes 2 times a night; although he does sleep right next to me in bed), and he has no problems in the potty department (his 1st week of life he went through 81 diapers, this past week 70 diapers). Mason is an awesome BIG brother and helper for Mommy. I couldn't be prouder of him. He loves to hold his brother and talk to him. He does ask me to put Spencer down sometimes so that I can hold him and still likes Mommy to put him to bed at night. I sure love my boys. I hope that they grow up to be good friends and also to know that Mommy and Daddy are always here for both of them.
I have posted a lot of pictures from the past week. I hope you enjoy.
Spencer's 1st bath. He didn't like being cold, but liked having his hair washed.

The boys dressed to watch the Bears game.

Happy New Year! We had a fun evening playing BINGO with Mason and eating pizza and other snacks. Spencer thought we were supposed to party all night (this probably our roughest night thus far b/c he was wide awake for a couple of hours during the night).


My cousin, Martha, came to visit before her baby is arrives.


Our good friend, Lyndsay, and her girls came over to meet Spencer for the 1st time.

On another note, Tim met with the kidney specialist today and everything looks good. She wants to continue to see him every 6 months for now. I think 2008 is going to be a good year.

1 week old

I sure wish time could stand still b/c I would keep Spencer my little baby 4ever. I don't ever want to forget this time with him as a newborn. I love holding him close to me and being able to provide for him. He is just so precious.
Well, I took this picture of him yesterday and realized that a picture I have of Mason at 3.5 weeks shows a lot of similarities between the 2 of them. Don't you think?
Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas. I will try and update often.



Mason



Spencer

WORTH THE WAIT

For those of you not aware, I was scheduled to be induced on Wednesday, December 19th, but unfortunately there was no room at the inn for us. I was very disappointed that my well planned out delivery was not going to go my way. I try so hard to be organized and have everything in order, that I set myself up for disappointment when things don't go as planned. So on Thursday, December 20th I went and saw my doctor so that she could hopefully move things along for us. I was pleased to know that I was already between 2 and 3cm. She scheduled me to be the first induction on Friday, December 21st at 5:30 am. So finally, after what seemed like a forever wait, Friday came. Tim, myself, and my sister, Dawn took off for the hospital. We got settled in and by 6:45 am I had my IV, pitocin, and penicillin G. The penicillin G was because I test positive for Group B strep. And honestly, the penicillin G was the worst part of my whole labor and delivery. As it enters your blood stream it causes a lot of pain in that arm (OUCH). By 8:45 am I had my epidural and the doctor broke my water. By 10 am, I had gone from 3cm and 50% to 7cm and 80%. By 11:45 or so, I was completely dilated. We waited until Spencer was a +2 (a little before 1pm) and then with 2 contractions, our beautiful baby boy was born. It was the most amazing birth and definitely WORTH THE WAIT.
I was so fortunate to have my sister there to capture every part of this amazing child's birth. It you haven't checked out her blog or website, please do. I have emailed everyone with the links and if for some reason you didn't get them, please email me and I will forward them onto you.
For now, here are a few pictures from the past 6 days.

6 DAYS AND ANTICIPATING

It's hard to believe that just 6 days from now we will welcome Spencer to our family. This pregnancy has gone by so fast. Mason is very excited about all that is to come: Aunt Barb and Aunt Dawn, baby brother, Nana and Grandpa, and, of course, Santa Claus. It will be a great Christmas.
I had my weekly appointment today and have progressed a little from last week. I am still at 1cm but my cervix has thinned to 50%. Hopefully, I will have progressed a little more by the time I go in for my induction to help speed the labor along. There are a couple of things I would still like to get done this weekend, so I am satisfied with waiting until Wednesday to meet Spencer (but only time will tell). I probably won't update the blog again until I get home from the hospital (next Friday), so be sure to check back to see pictures of our new addition.

St. Nick came and update from appointment

Last night, Mason put his shoes by the front door in hopes that St. Nick would come. He was so excited this morning to find Thomas and Percy ornaments and some M&Ms in his shoes.

Today, I am 37 weeks and had my weekly visit to the doctor. I actually lost almost 3 pounds but my doctor wasn't overly concerned. She said as long as I was feeling OK then there was nothing to worry about. I am dilating about 1cm and the baby appears to have descended some. As of right now, I will probably be back to see her at next weeks appointment, but you just never know. I decided that I would share a belly picture from today.

Hope everyone is well. Can't wait to update everyone on our new arrival.