Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sunshine and Fresh Air

Last week was beautiful (here. Those poor families along the path of Irene will tell a different story, I'm sure.) and Jared and the boys were playing and working outside a lot.

And I was inside.

Not for any real reason - I'm tired, but really do feel fine - but I guess just because there's not much Graham and I can actually do outside yet.

So by Friday, I was really wanting to be outside and play too and get some fresh air. So we took the boys to the park for the afternoon.

It was so nice out. And while Baby Graham and I spent much of our time hanging out on the bench, nursing, it still was really nice to just get to be outside with Jared and the "big boys" - together.




Swinging






Under Doggie!
(It's way more fun when Daddy pushes than Mommy)







Enjoying the beautiful day in the shade







Sweet baby







The Climber






Playing in the mulch







The "Big Boys" making some music







Stinker





More climbing....






He loves this thing.







And wants to do it all by himself.






So big.







And Bridger would have climbed up and down this thing all day, I think.






Weeee! :)






Up and down, up and down....






He thinks he's so big, too.













Our first play day out as a family of five ♥




Friday, August 26, 2011

"A parent's love is whole no matter how many times divided." - Robert Brault

It is such a wonderful and amazing thing to me, as a parent, how quickly - and deeply - we just fall in love again.

Whether they've been in our lives for a year, 2 1/2 years, or only 6 days....

It's just indescribable how much they own my heart.







Sweet Baby Graham






Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Welcome, Baby Graham ♥




He's here :)





A Birthday Story:

On Saturday, August 20th, I went for a walk with Mom in the morning, and after I got home, I noticed some contractions. I have been walking a lot lately and it really wasn't unusual for it to cause some contractions, so I didn't think too much of it. Around noon I was still feeling them, so I went on about my day as usual - I even went to the store for a few things - but started to kind of keep track of them. By dinner, they still didn't feel too strong, but were averaging about 5-6 minutes apart. I took a shower and laid down a bit to see if it would effect them at all, and there was really no change.

We started making plans to take the boys over to Grandma and Grandpa's for the night just in case it did turn into real labor, so we wouldn't have to wake anyone up in the middle of the night.But honestly, neither one of us was really convinced it was real yet. (With Bridger labor was off and on for almost 3 days, so we just kept figuring it would kind of fizzle out.) But just in case, around 7:45, Jared took Holden out to put a few things in the car and I laid down on the couch.

All of a sudden, just as Jared was coming back inside: Pop! GUSH. My water had definitely broken. (And Jared grabbed a towel just in time!)

So, ok then.... It was the real thing after all!

Anyway, pretty much right away, my contractions were stronger. So he finished loading the car and we were off to Grandma and Grandpa's. After the boys were all settled, we got to the hospital and all checked in around 9pm or so. I was checked and was "a good 4cm" dilated.

Mom came over so both she and Jared were there to help. I worked through contractions for probably a little over an hour and a half and then told someone to get the nurse because my body was starting to push. The doctor came in, I had a few more contractions, and Graham Arnold was born at 11:05pm. He weighed 7.0 pounds and was 19 inches long. And he was just absolutely perfect and pink.

The whole thing was just so smooth and quick. I still can hardly believe it's over and he's here already. This was my second natural VBAC, and I thought Bridger's birth went really perfect just how I envisioned it. I honestly never thought we would get so lucky to have another birth experience that was as good as his. And now... it just amazes me how blessed I am. I feel like Graham's labor and birth really could not have gone any better. It was incredible and I feel very lucky to have had the experiences I did.

And now we're all home and (a little tired, but) doing really good. Just learning to be a family of five ♥





I was one happy Momma.





It's so funny how fast you forget how itty bitty they are at first....






Daddy and his youngest boy (Think they'll share a special bond? :) )







Graham and his Mimi






Good morning!












Snuggle bug





Beautiful baby
















So sweet







It's amazing how fast you fall in love again.







Visitors! Meeting Uncle Kevin and his cousins





Aunt Jen







Aunt Shanti and Uncle Tyler








Grandma and Grandpa










And finally meeting his big brothers ♥






Holden asked to hold him right away :)







Daddy and the big brothers







Ornery little visitors







Checking out the baby






But Mommy's water was much more fun :)






Beyond blessed.







Getting ready to go leave






Time to go home!










Friday, August 19, 2011

Some Snuggly Bedtime Boys


I was thinking the other day, that the nights having just 2 little bedtime boys are quickly coming to an end. So after bath time, once everyone was all clean and snuggly - with their blankies and drinks - I decided to snap a few photos.




Snuggly, sweet boys






Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks? :)





Holden sure did ♥



One Lazy Summer Day

These were just one day when Meg and the kids came over to play. We got the wagon out and it was a big hit! (And Aunt Meg got a big workout... all around the yard :) )




Everybody going for a ride!









It was such a beautiful day






Giving her mom a break - Joss pulling Holden







Sweet Summertime Kids♥