Birthday week continues

Today we had the family over for "Happy Cake" (as Ethan calls it) and a nice lunch. Ethan received more presents and was so happy to see everyone and to have a party in his honor. Here are a few pics of the cake and the lunch spread. Some funny things.... I wouldn't let him drink out of the Elmo cups we had since they didn't have a lid so he put his sippy cup in the Elmo cup.

Ethan turns 2

So this b-day is all about Bob the Builder and Elmo. We have a book he insists we read at least 3 times every night to him. It is "one more time" he says when you get to the last page. And if you hesitate for just a second on any page, he can tell you what it says. So we got him some books, Barney and Elmo videos and a Bob the Builder remote bulldozer. We are having a very special cake on Saturday with construction equipment on it.

To celebrate the day, Mommy brought cupackes, cheese cubes and colored fish crackers to daycare. For each child, we made up great goodie bags with Sesame street characters, Cars stickers, playdoh, bubbles and more.







After the party at daycare, we went sandal shopping and for a haircut. Ethan had been saying all week that he wanted one. He is too funny how much he hates mess. For dinner, we went to Red Robin with Chad, Tracey and Nina. Ethan had a corn dog and melon and an ice cream sundae for desert. He loved his tractor and dump truck from Nina and I had the hardest time getting him to go to bed. We gave up and let him play until 9:30 after his bath.







He has started climbing the gate to his room so Daddy used his Bob the Builder tools to screw in plexigless panels to the wooden gate so he can no longer scale it. They are ingeneous at this age. And terrible for sure. He has some incredible temper tantrums and it was getting dangerous to even put him in time out in his room since he could climb out. Now Mommy and Daddy can get a time out. :-)

Weekend of bliss

This weekend Dad and Joyce came up and spoiled us all rotten. The brought all the fixings for a great steak dinner on the grill and lent us quite a few hands. Jeff and I were able to then take a nice break. I even got to take a nap. Susan came over as well to join us and we really had a great time.

Maw Maw and Paw Paw gave Ethan a lawn mower which he just adores and spoiled Jason and us with a new stroller and some lots of other things as well. They really saved me since I hadn't slept in 3 days for more than 2 hours and was starting to act like a sleep deprived torture victim (translation = unstable and emotional with Jeff about to start hiding). And with Ethan still not sleeping well from surgery, the extra help and love for him was greatly appreciated. We were so sorry on Sunday when they had to leave us and go back home. Thanks to you both for everything!

Week 3

It has been a hard week with Ethan's surgery but things are slowly getting better. Jason is on a great 3 hour eating schedule and is more alert when awake. He is gaining weight and is already out of the newborn sized clothes and diapers. I am thankful to have 3 weeks left of maternity leave to spend with them but I do miss my friends and the stimulation of work.

Here are some pics of Jason in his bouncy chair and allowing us to get some zzzs with him. I have the perpetual black circles of a new Mom and look forward to the days that Jeff takes some paternity time to get some much needed rest. I wouldn't change anything though.

Bye-bye Tonsils

Ethan had his tonsils and adenoids removed today and got a new set of ear tubes while he was under as well. We are really hoping this puts an end to the constant antibiotic use, ear infections, and snoring/sleep apnia. You know it gets bad when your son walks into the house after his day at preschool and walks to the counter and says, "Med-cin". We could have stock in Motrin and Tylenol too.

The entire procedure took only an hour but we had to be there at 5:30 am and he needs to stay overnight. You have no idea how stressful it is to watch your little man walk down the hall in a hospital gown as he goes off for surgery. He so did not like the socks! We did treat him with some other drugs too to avoid the repeat of the terrors when he awakens in recovery.

When it was over, I got to ride up to the room with him on the stretcher and hold him. H really seems to be doing okay today but we were warned that the 4-7 day mark will be the hardest so we shall see. He really doesn't want to drink. I am so torn between the two kids. How could I stay overnight with E when breastfeeding Jason? It was so hard to leave him home during the day but they won't let newborns at the hospital and all Ethan kept asking for was "Baby Jason". Jeff stayed with Ethan overnight and brought him ice cream and popsicles and they really bonded. Ethan was very quiet and never even tried to get out of the hospital bed. Not at all like him. He will have to be home all week and hope we can keep him hydrated. Stay tuned.

8 pounds and counting

We had our two week checkup today and tipped the scales at 8.1 pounds. Phew...guess this entire feeding thing is finally working although, he is always hungry it seems. :-) He was in the 50% for height and weight and the jaundice seemed to be gone as well. Jeff and I were both off today and had a nice time bonding with the boys. Ethan loves baby Jason and tries to put all his toys in the bassinet with Jason and rubs his head and kisses him.

Here are some grest pics taken by our friend and photographer, SC Adams for us.

The one week milestone

It has been a good week but a long one. Why do all babies come out and sleep all day and party all night? What is about those times when all you want to do is sleep for an hour that clues them and tells them to start acting like a college freshman?

We also had a bit of medical excitement. Jason decided to get a bit jaundiced after we left the hospital and we had to do daily pediatrician appointments until his levels came under 13. He has been hooked up to a lighted mat wrapped around his body and powered by a vacuum cable. We have been living for 4 days in one room of the house and it was awkward to feed and hold him. We were as high as 18.5 and almost ready to be admitted back to the hospital but today we were at 12 and back up to 7.8 pounds after bottoming at 7.0 pounds. We get a reprieve until Monday and can send the hideous machine back.

On a brighter note, Ethan adores his big brother and comes running in from daycare calling his name sand having to kiss him hello. He even bypasses Grandma for his brother (and that is something). Trying to ensure both kids get quality time has been a challenge that requires Jeff and I to be ships that pass in the night. I can't wait for the weekend and to have a little more time with the 4 of us together.








Becca and Trey came over to visit the wee little one. Soon he will have a buddy to play with as the adoption of their little boy should be taking place very soon! Congrats guys!

Day 2 - At the hospital

Some additional pics from today. Mary came to see us and brought us much needed chocolates. We also had a visit from Jeff's Dad and stepmother who came all the way from Charlotte to check out our new addition. Thanks to you all for everything!

On a sadder note, this has been a bit of a stressful day as well. Dad had a bad car accident with Grandpa in the car when he was coming to see us. In addition, Russ's mom passed away in a tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are with you guys today as I mourn for you.