Life with Two Littles

Well, I figured life with two little people would be busy--and I was right!! I'm so thankful that Lauren joined us when she did so that Tim could be home to help out. Soon enough, though it was planting time. Corbin went to daycare every day while I was on maternity leave and I'm so thankful for that. He got to keep his schedule, and I got to spend time with my baby. It was the best! Eventually when I went back to work we started getting into a routine, and thankfully that hasn't changed too much!

Corbin

• Almost 3!!!! How is that possible?! He is having a Super Why birthday party, and it really excited about it! Of course, if I would've known of his love for Paw Patrols, we probably could've gone that route, too. Oh well, he's excited either way!
• Talks nonstop. He has always been a talker, but now it's fun because you can really understand what he's saying and he's been talking really clearly. We recently tried learning knock knock jokes, so that's our new trick. He hasn't quite mastered it yet ;)
• He still loves to watch Mickey, but now Paw Patrols has seemed to be a front runner, as well as Super Why.
• He LOVES to be farming....all the time. Whether it's with his tractors and combines at home, or out in the field riding with Dad and Grandpa. The kid just goes crazy when he sees tractors and combines!
• We have his 3 year well child check on August 23rd and I can hardly wait to see where he fits in the percentiles for height and weight. He's a solid kid, but skinny and tall.
• He has really been a great big brother! He didn't care much for his sister (aka Baby Sister) when she was first home, but now that she can laugh at him and smile at him, he thinks she's pretty great! He loves to tell her we're "almost home" or "mom's coming" if she starts to get fussy. He's also the first one to grab her "nookers" or "paci" when she's crying. He's a big helper!!
• His personality is SO much like mine as a child....I'll take full responsibility for that part. He is sensitive, caring, helpful, and hates getting in trouble.
• HOWEVER, he takes after his Dad in that he is a chicken about being in water and doesn't care for heights. He's certainly not going to be my daring child!! :)
• I better save some updates for his 3rd birthday post coming soon!

Lauren

• Baby Sister was 14lb 13oz (57th%) and 22.75" (1%!) long at her 4 month well child check!! We went through the "short kid" thing with Corbin, so I figured we wouldn't have much luck with her! :)
• She loves to hear herself talk and squeal!
• She is attempting to try roll over, but still needs some help. She's been doing great with tummy time once she gets rolled over, though!
• She loves her Fisher Price "Sit Me Up" so she can see what's going on, and we have recently brought her bouncer upstairs, so she's really enjoying that new toy! Corbin also really loves it, so that's helpful :)
• She has been a great sleeper until recently! Not sure if it's a growth spurt/4 month sleep regression, or because of the rash and raw neck she acquired lately. Mom really hopes it's short-lived so we can get our good sleeper back!
• She really loves Jersey, and thinks that Corbin is the funniest guy in the world!
• She has been such a good and content baby. We're pretty lucky!!!

Lauren's birth story!

To keep this short and sweet, here's Lauren's birth story that I put in her baby book!! :)

Due to Mom's pre eclampsia restricting your growth, it was decided to deliver you at 37 weeks 2 days. I couldn't eat for 8 hours before surgery, so woke up at 3:30 am to have some oatmeal and boiled eggs! We woke up that morning and got Corbin ready and to daycare and we headed to the hospital at 10am. We got into our room and changed into a gown. We were hoping for a VBAC, but Dr Andreson came to check and I wasn't dilated enough. It was c section time! The nurse struggled to find a good vein for my IV, but eventually got one! Then we sat and waited and answered a bunch of questions.

Shortly after noon, they came and got us to walk down to the OR so I could get my spinal. Once that was done, Dad came in to join us, as well as a room full of people. Surgery started and about 15 minutes later, you were ready to come out! At first I heard a little cry, but you also had swallowed some fluid before you came out. They let Dad stand up and see what you were, but nobody told me!! Finally they showed me that you were a girl! We were SO happy that you were finally here!!! The NICU team helped you clear out your lungs and then you were put skin to skin on my chest while they stitched me up. It was the best feeling ever! You were a perfect, tiny little princess!

4lb 14 oz 18.25" long born at 12:52pm!

35 weeks-37.2 weeks!

Yep, it's been what feels like years since I've updated this!!! Ok, before I forget, I'm going to go back to where I left off, then Lauren's birth story, then a recent update! :)

Shortly after my last post, I went in for my 35 week appointment on a Friday. My blood pressure was elevated. Great. THEN, we discovered that baby was breech. Even more great. Of course I bawled my eyes out because I so badly wanted to try for a VBAC. Well, I had to go back on Monday at 36w and have my blood pressure checked.

Tim came with me to this appointment to get his Tdap shot. So, I'm sitting on the little table undressed from the waist down with a little tiny sheet over me while the nurse comes in to give him his shot. He did just fine, and she left. Pretty soon he starts looking really pale....then tells me he's probably going to pass out. He manages to get himself sat on the floor and just as I rush down from the table to help him, he tips over and passes out. SO, I open the door and thankfully my nurse was right there so she grabbed a bunch of people who came rushing in to help. They got him sat up and talking, trying to cool him off, giving him orange juice (which later led to canker sores!), and meanwhile, I'm shoved in the back corner of the room trying to hold my little tiny sheet over myself!!!! Looking back now it's really funny, but in that moment, not so much! So, after all that was done, my doctor came in and I told her there was no way I was getting my blood pressure checked again. It had been elevated when we first got there. Well, she told me that I now met criteria for gestational hypertension.......and said, we're taking your baby next week, so how about Monday? Well, how about Wednesday? So, I was scheduled to go back on Thursday for an ultrasound and NST, and if that was ok, we'll come back again on Monday for another, and if that's ok, Wednesday is our day. I was told to prepare for them to take the baby any of those days in case things didn't look good.

Thursday: Ultrasound. BABY ISN'T BREECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, baby is tiny...and thankfully healthy from what we can see. Had our NST, and baby was a wild child, so that was great. Had to see a different doctor because mine was gone. He said something about baby being small, but didn't go into detail. He said VBAC was still an option now that baby wasn't breech. My blood pressure was what it had been, so no cause for a baby that day. Bags were packed, but back home we go.

Monday: Quick ultrasound, baby still looks healthy. When it was time for NST, of course I had to drink a huge glass of juice, and ice water, and still wasn't getting much movement. BUT, we had just seen baby on ultrasound, so they were ok with it. Still only maybe a fingertip dilated, so not even enough to do a minimal induction. I was super bummed about this, so we decided to give it one last ditch effort on Wednesday when I came in to check and see if I had dilated anymore. Bags were packed again, but home we go, now with the inevitable Wednesday baby day.

We shared with our parents and siblings and I shared with my supervisor at work, but otherwise we decided to keep the fact that we were going in a secret. If I couldn't get my VBAC, I at least wanted the element of surprise!!

5 weeks!

Life in General

      We were able to go on a "babymoon" to Fargo this past weekend! It was so much fun to just spend time together as a couple, finish up baby shopping, and just relax! When we got home on Sunday, we sanitized bottles, finished washing things, and got quite a bit accomplished around the house. I have to say, looking back at blog posts from Corbin's birth, we weren't this prepared until around 38 weeks! Feeling good about where we're at with everything this time. It will most likely be an early spring, so Tim can focus on what he needs to do on the farm knowing that we're as ready as we'll be for baby's arrival. Corbin is also starting to take some interest in helping, so we've really tried to play up the "big brother" role for him so he can get excited about that--not that he knows what that means really... :)

Pregnancy Symptoms

FINALLY got over whatever was ailing me--thanks to the zpack! I have been feeling pretty great for the most part still. I am starting to get sore feeling, especially getting up after sitting down, or if I've been standing for a while. I get sudden bursts of energy as well, so trying to take advantage of those!

Baby Updates

Baby C is now about the size of a honeydew melon. Weighing in at 5-5.5lb, 18-19" approximately. Crazy!

Weekly Questions

Exact Weeks/Days Pregnant:  35 weeks 1 day
What size is the baby right now?  Approximately the size of a honeydew
Weight gain/loss:  up 2lb this week--growth spurt?!; up 16 lb total
Maternity clothes? Yep. Leggings and yoga pants all the way!
Stretch marks?  Nothing new still!
Sleep? Not bad, but it takes a lot of work to switch sides

Best moment this week? Babymoon!
Symptoms: Heartburn, pelvis feeling sore
Food cravings: Raisin Bran Crunch is my go to....
Food aversions: Salty fast food...no thanks.
Gender: Going team pink this week, but keep finding myself looking at baby boy stuff.
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? Lots of pushing and stretching
What I miss? Walking up the stairs without feeling the need for an oxygen mask! haha.
What I'm looking forward to:  Quick little "Babymoon" this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Milestones: Will hopefully finish baby shopping this weekend!

6 weeks?! What?!

I can't believe we have 6 weeks left!!!!!!!! Officially "next month"!

Pregnancy Symptoms

As far as pregnancy goes, I've been feeling really great. I had a massage yesterday and boy do my hips and lower back love me for it today! I'm so thankful to have a skilled MT who knows exactly what my body seems to need! I was given a zpack for my cold/bronchitis, and I think we're finally on the upswing!!! I'm coughing much less than I was a few days ago, and just dealing with a little bit of congestion in the mornings mostly.

I've been soaking in Epsom salt baths pretty much nightly the last few weeks. It's really felt amazing to help me relax in the evenings, manage swelling, and aches and pains. Wish I would've started them a long time ago!

Baby Updates

Baby C is now about the size of a butternut squash. Approximately 4.5-5.5 lb, and 17-19" long! Baby's lungs are almost fully developed, and baby is still working on packing on the pounds!

Weekly Questions

Exact Weeks/Days Pregnant:  34 weeks 1 day
What size is the baby right now?  Approximately the size of a pineapple
Weight gain/loss:  up 3lb this week--growth spurt?!; up 14 lb total
Maternity clothes? Yep. Leggings and yoga pants all the way!
Stretch marks?  Nothing new still!
Sleep? Not bad lately!

Best moment this week? Yesterday's massage, for sure!
Symptoms: Heartburn!
Food cravings: Raisin Bran Crunch is my go to....
Food aversions: Salty fast food...no thanks.
Gender: Going team pink this week, but keep finding myself looking at baby boy stuff.
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? Lots of pushing and stretching
What I miss? Walking up the stairs without feeling the need for an oxygen mask! haha.
What I'm looking forward to:  Quick little "Babymoon" this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Milestones: Will hopefully finish baby shopping this weekend!

Corbin--2.5 update!

I can't believe my big boy is already 2.5!!! He has changed so much in the last 6 months and it has been incredible to watch! He is talking all the time, and you're actually able to understand most of what he's saying! Of course, he still likes to whine plenty and I'm also convinced that the "terrible twos" start at 2.5!

Corbin is very confident in counting to 10, and knows all the numbers to 20, but they get out of order sometimes. He also is great at his ABC's, and does a good job at picking out letters. He's a big fan of "wheel" and hollers out the letters as the contestants shout them out! His favorite evening activity is doing puzzles and hanging out in his big boy room. We're so lucky that he loves being downstairs and love his big bed! He's most recently become interested in my belly, and likes to pull up my shirt and his shirt and put his bare belly against mine. Of course his is MUCH cuter! :) We're working on encouraging potty training, but still not pushing it because he has no interest. We talk about it quite a bit and hope that one day it will just click! I can't wait to see those cute buns in some Mickey underwear!!!! :)

Here are the same questions from his 2 year update (New answers in Red!):

Nicknames: Corbie, Corbie D, Monk

Clothes size: 2T, 3T shirts mostly, still some 2T pants, but they're short and 3T are crazy long...

Shoe size: 7, 8 going on 9

Diaper size: 5, 6

Birthday Party Theme: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Loves to Play: Tractors, Puzzles!!

Likes to help with: Laundry, Unloading the Dishwasher, Vacuuming

Always talks about: Tractors and Jersey, Kim's house, skating

Favorite Toy: All of the tractors, Puzzles and remote control tractor

Favorite Food: Hot dogs and Mac and Cheese, Pretty much anything--especially pizza

Favorite Animal: Jersey

Favorite Book: Moo, Baa, LaLaLa, Not the Hippopotamus, The Goodnight Book, any Mickey Mouse book or book that makes noise, Goodnight Moon.

Favorite TV show/Movie: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Finding Nemo (Meemo), Rudolph--the classic version (Rudo), Ice Age Christmas Special

Best Friend: Harper Hann and Elsie Mathews, and Axel!

Favorite snack: Apples or Olives, Oranges, Yogurt

Favorite things to do: Play outside, FaceTime, "Driving" anything, Seeing the pickup, Go on the pontoon, Play Elmo on the iPad, Pretend cooking/grilling, Getting the "meal" (mail), Riding in the combine/tractor, Going down the slide, Going to Kim's, Talking on the phone--particularly to his Grandparents!Skating, drawing on his chalkboard (chalk bork), doing puzzles

7 weeks!!

Life in General

This Mama got a girl's weekend getaway this weekend! It was so fun spending a relaxing weekend shopping, getting pedicures, swimming (which feels aaaamazing when you're pregnant), and just hanging out! Now, Tim is gone for the week snowmobiling, so hopefully we can get everywhere we need to on time this week!

Pregnancy Symptoms

Remember the awful cold from last week? Well, it's now bronchitis. My lungs feel like I just ran a marathon in -30 temps....which I've obviously never done, but I'm only assuming that's what my lungs would feel like. The coughing has really done a number on increasing the BH this week. My stomach muscles are sore from coughing, so that's led to a decrease in appetite. I just want this to go away so I can go back to feeling like a normal 3rd trimester pregnant person!!! :)

Baby Updates

Baby C is now about the size of a pineapple! Measuring 16-19", and 4.5lb approximately. It's still so crazy to me that baby is almost full length, and just a few pounds away from birth weight! Baby's eyes are open when awake and closed when sleeping. So far it seems like this baby has days and nights figured out--until I wake up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break!!

Weekly Questions

Exact Weeks/Days Pregnant:  33 weeks
What size is the baby right now?  Approximately the size of a pineapple
Weight gain/loss:  down 1lb this week; up 11 lb total
Maternity clothes? Yep. Leggings and yoga pants all the way!
Stretch marks?  Nothing new still!
Sleep? Would be better if this cough went away!

Best moment this week? Swimming!
Symptoms: Heartburn, bronchitis, feeling sore all over
Food cravings: Not much, actually....food is blah right now.
Food aversions: Nothing in particular
Gender: Going team pink this week.
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? Lots of pushing and stretching
What I miss? Laughing without coughing!!!
What I'm looking forward to: Finding out if this is a boy or girl!
Milestones: Names have been solidified!!