Happy Birthday Griffin Nicholas!!

Griffin Nicholas arrived Monday September 27th at 7:11 pm.  He weighed 8lbs 4oz, and was 20 inches long.  He has quite a bit of brown hair and those dark blue newborn baby eyes.  He has big feet, long toes, long fingers and really long fingernails!!  Chubby cheeks, and little ears, HE IS PERFECT!!


We arrived at the hospital for a scheduled induction at 7am Monday morning.  Paperwork took forever.  We finally made it upstairs and started a medication that might help get labor going.  It was a simple pill to swallow!  That got contractions going pretty strong and coming every 2 minutes.  But by 2pm and lots of walking to help progress things, much to my surprise I hadn't progressed at all.  I was still only dilated at a 2.  I was bummed to say the least!  I thought for sure it would once again be the wee hours of the morning.  So the Dr. suggested getting and epidural and she would break my water.  So that's what we did.  We also started pitocin to help get things moving.  By 5pm contractions were coming pretty strong...yes, I could still feel all of them.  The epidural did a great job of numbing my legs, but NOT my belly.  It was unsuccessful!! :(  I asked the Anesthesiologist to "replace" it, and he told me just to keep using the pump.  Well the pump only made my legs numb-er.  And I was STILL only a 2.  Around 6:15 or so, the pain was getting really intense and the nurse thought it would be a good time to check me, as I was clinging to the bed rail and clenching every muscle in my body, she thought things might be moving along nicely.  But I was still only a 3.  I was seriously devastated.  I wanted to cry out in pain.  I wanted to loose it.  But I held my composure and continued "breathing".
About 15 minutes later the pain had tripled.  The nurse was for sure I was progressing, and I sure had.  I was a 7 and baby's head was right there.  So they got the room set up for a birthday party!!  Nick was so excited at this point as we both had just thought it was going to be much later before meeting our baby.  Just a few minutes later, I was complete and he was making his appearance!!  I didn't know how I was going to find the strength to actually "push" through the pain.  I mean I did want an epidural for a reason!!  But I knew the sooner and harder I pushed, the sooner it would be OVER with.  So 1 push and the head was out, and he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck TWICE!!  One more push and I was holding my baby.  I couldn't believe it.  He was finally here.  And he was GORGEOUS.  And the pain.....was GONE.  I got to cut the cord!  Nick wanted no part of that, and knowing this is our last baby, I thought it would be so cool to have done that.  It was weird.  Like rubbery, and like cutting through about 20 slippery rubber bands!!  Very cool though.
The nurse took him to the warmer to get his weight and she shouted 8, 9!  I was like holy cow!  I had a HUGE baby, and then she laughed and said no honey those were his apgars!  But then to find out he was 8lbs 4oz...I just knew he was 8 something.  I could feel his "bigness" during the last few weeks of pregnancy!


Just in the last 2 days, I have learned so much about Griffin.  He really, REALLY like to EAT.  Especially at night time!  He loves to be held, and really enjoys being swaddled (my first baby who likes to be swaddled!)  He knows when Mama's got him, he likes to cuddle on my chest, he hates diaper changes, and smacks his lips a lot. :)  And he's SUPER cute!! :)

The boys met Griffin Tuesday morning.  Sam was very curious, and didn't like to see me in this environment.  Ethan was totally excited.  He admired how tiny his fingers and toes are, and wanted to touch him, and even said he would hold him while I showered because "I am a strong boy Mommy".  What sweethearts!!  Daddy is already wondering how he is going to manage when I go back to work!!  Luckily that's not until December!  It will be so nice to have 2 whole months off and be home with my boys!


I am so thankful Griffin arrived safely and we are headed HOME today!!! :) 

Updates!!

As you may already know, the induction for today was rescheduled!  Nick was sick yesterday and Sam and I have colds.  I didn't think it was the right time to bring a baby into the world when we are all sick!!  Keep the baby in my belly for a few more days and keep the baby HEALTHY!!  So since Monday is my due date, she thought it would be good to go then.  7am, Monday morning....September 27th.  Who gets lucky enough to have a baby on their due date!??! :)  Hopefully the induction goes quick!  Unless I go this weekend, which I doubt I will, still only dilated to a 2....YES...even after ALL those contractions!!  And just not really feeling like I am going to go into labor...feeling pretty good.  So I'm sure we will be there on Monday for an induction!

My Way.

Sam and Ethan really enjoy playing out front on their "bikes".  Sam ALWAYS wants to ride the biggest one, that he totally can't control or turn around.  So he will get about 1/2 way down the street and keep going because he either can't turn it around or doesn't want to turn it around!

Ethan got this earth (or eahs as Ethan would pronounce) key chain from school.  It's his new favorite thing.  It's already been super glued back together TWICE!

**Baby Update**
Induction is set for Friday morning at 9am!

My Sweet Baby...

Dear Sammer ~

As I cuddle with you tonight at your bedtime, I think about the day I held you in my arms for the first time.  What a joyous and special moment for me.  I miss that moment.  And soon I will be experiencing that with your baby brother.  I nuzzle my nose into your soft neck and you smell of the sweetest baby smell.  I wish I could bottle that to have FOREVER.  I am going to miss that smell as you get older.  I love you so much, it hurts.  You are my baby, and will always be my baby no matter what.  You are the sweetest little boy.  It's really beginning to hit me that your not going to be "the baby" anymore.  I can't believe it.  I can't believe your going to be 2 in 3 short months!!  You have grown into a beautiful little boy.  I can't wait to cuddle tomorrow night!  I love you!

Love xoxo,
Mama

Walking for Baby G.

For the last 3 nights, I have had false labor.  It's exciting and disappointing all at the same time.  Exciting that it's actually becoming closer to a birthday party, and disappointing that nothing comes of it.  Last night was by far the "realist".  Contractions were every 3-5 minutes for about 4 hours.  So we have been walking.  A LOT.  Like 2 walks a day!  The boys are sure LOVING IT.  I also officially started my maternity leave.  I had mixed emotions about taking off BEFORE the baby is here...but contracting at work is just NOT FUN.  So hopefully our little Baby G has his party soon!! :)

{Mr. Independent doesn't want to be pushed anymore,

he wants to ride and do all the work himself!}

Hope you are enjoying this BEAUTIFUL fall weather too!!

Sewing for a GIRL!

No, not us!  I had my first customer the other day!  She asked me to make her a cute baby blanket and onesie for her brand new baby girl.  Boy I tell ya, it was pretty AWESOME buying cute pink fabric and using pink thread... {shh, don't tell Nick how much fun I had, he might freak out that I am getting ideas already}

This is how it turned out:

I just LOVE this fabric.  So cute with the pink pears and apples, then with the pink minky dot on the backside!

I embellished the onesie with some cut out pears and apples, then stitched around so it wouldn't fray.

I added a burp cloth too!  The fabric was so cute, I wouldn't imagine it just sitting around my house...I mean what in the world would I do with girl fabric!?

Thanks Lauren!  And congrats on your baby girl!! 

38 weeks.

Yes.  That's my HUGE belly as of today!

38 week appointment highlights:

• weight: 1 lb weight gain in the last week
• Blood Pressure:  106/72, good
• fetal heart rate:  150's to 160's perfect!
• belly measurement:  39 weeks!! {maybe he's huge?!}
• I am dilated to a 2, and have had very random contractions.  Nothing worth counting! :(

I am ready to be done being pregnant.  Sleeping is very hard between all the bathroom breaks and trying to get cozy.  I mean, can you imagine trying to sleep with that BIG belly!?  Bending over is virtually impossible, along with tying my shoes.  Getting up from our very deep couch...that sucks too.  I told Baby G I was ready for him any day now!  I hope he heard me! :)

Thought this was pretty fitting:

A Pumpkin Treat!!

Mix and chill the following:

• 8oz. cream cheese (softened)
• 1 can (14oz.) pumpkin
• 2 c. confectioner's sugar
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

Serve with some ginger snaps and enjoy!!  I LOVE pumpkin, this is so yummy!!  I might need another box of ginger snaps!  I think Sam loves pumpkin too, he licked the spoon clean and asked for "mo" {more}.  Too cute!  Hope you enjoy!

{photo and recipe courtesy of http://threepixielane.blogspot.com}

First Day of Pre-School!!

I can't believe my big boy is 4 1/2, let alone attending Pre-School again this year!  Next year he will be in school all day!!! :(  He was SO EXCITED to go this afternoon.  He got a new backpack that he picked out all by himself.  He didn't like that shark one I picked out and chose a burnt orange lizard one from LL Bean.  It's cute...made just for little kids!  Then Grandma took him to get a new pair of shoes yesterday.  He feels like such a big boy!

{in front of the school - ready to go}

{in his classroom...a little nervous}

Sam really missed his brother and playmate.  I tried to tell Sam that this was "Mommy and Sammie time" {especially before baby comes} but soon I found him playing by himself with his trash truck and blocks!