Smiling Through the Rain

July 30th, I woke up with the worst head cold ever.  I couldn't breathe out of my nose, my sinuses felt like they would burst open at any minute, and I was groggy feeling like I'd taken WAY too much benadryl.  And I never handle being sick well, but this day it made me even angrier than usual for 2 reasons.  1.) I was scheduled to deliver my baby in 2 short days.  2.) It was my birthday. So, I pretty much pouted myself through the day while trying my hardest to get some important things done off my list of crap-that-needs-accomplished-before-baby-2-arrives.  But I went to bed that night feeling pretty rotten and didn't even go anywhere for dinner.  The next morning I woke up feeling about 80% better thankfully and headed to the clinic to get some things done since it was supposed to be my last day before delivery.  I'd been having contractions all day on the 30th and they were picking up steam this day.  They were every 3-4 minutes but I could...

We had a party for Paisley tonight with her grandparents and a friend her age. We had to postpone her actual party since Graham can't be around lots of kids or people. It was great though and she loved it! I can't believe my girl is 2!!!!

Jazz Hands!!! He looks just like Paisley here How loveable!!! The only picture our very stubborn little girl chose to be in No idea how he got this shot, but I love it!!!! My beautiful baby boy!!! Someone commented on my last post about Graham looking chunkier and he is!  He is up to 9 pounds, 3 ounces after a 13 ounce weight gain in a week following hospitalization!!!!  I'm so proud of my great nurser.  :)

Yep, today I discovered that I am indeed "that mom". You know the one you never want to be. The one other moms judge because you just aren't like them. I knew I'd never be a PTA-leading, cookie-baking, apron-wearing kinda mom. Just not my style. It shocks people that I feel overwhelmed by and uninterested in Pinterest. Crazy, I know! But as I picked Paisley up from her 1st day of mother's day out for the fall, I realized that all of the other kids carry really adorable backpacks with their names embroidered on them. My child carried this "fancy" black bag with her name taped to the strap. How sad. I am on a hunt to buy her a cute bag tonight. Or else she will be the kid they feel sorry for. And I also sent her a Lunchable to eat. I bet the other moms sent homemade delicacies with extra love mixed in...

Let me start by retracting an earlier made statement about not liking the "newborn phase".  Turns out, I actually love it this time around.  Not only because I have experience, but because I got an awesomely good baby.  Like the majorly Type B, calm, sweet, easily soothed baby that makes everyone jealous.  Yep, lucky me.  He seriously has made life so much better.  He sleeps at least 4 hours at night and even went 6 hours last night before eating and then returning to sleep.  In his bassinett.  Did you hear that, people?!?  He isn't even co-sleeping.  Well, most of the time.  But he's doing it then because I need to snuggle him, not because he cares!   Just goes to show that you can't control what type of baby you have!!! Breastfeeding is going well and I'm already having to pump to get the excess milk off in the mornings which I'm hoping I can donate again to the NICU.  He's a good little eater which I'm tha...

I know I still have lots to talk about and I've honestly had the time to do so while sitting around in hospital rooms waiting for something to happen.  But I just haven't done it.  Instead, I've spent a lot of time loving on my sweet baby boy and praying that he'd be okay.  Which now, he is. We got to come home after a 2 day stay for stupid meningitis which is incredibly unlikely to happen.  The pediatrician at the hospital described our situation as "the perfect storm" meaning that a series of unlikely events all had to happen to lead to such a crapfest.  I happened to get enterovirus days before delivery, he happened to catch it, and it happened to turn into meningitis.  Awesome. But as for all of the good news, he is obviously doing well!  And he is an incredibly peaceful, calm baby.  Which I'm totally not used to so I'm not sure what to do with myself.  I just want to hold him all the time, but also need him to be okay with being...

Well, poor Graham has been in the hospital since early Tuesday morning due to a fever. We woke up that morning and he was running a fever so we went to the ER where he was admitted. We've had two lumbar punctures, bloodwork, IV fluids, a chest x ray, IV antibiotics, etc. Today he was diagnosed with viral meningitis. Paisley and I were sick the day before he was born which is likely where he got it. Unfortunately, his turned into meningitis. This will pass like any virus and he'll be fine. We just pray to go home soon because I miss Paisley!!!! My emotions have been out of control with this. Having major surgery, meeting your newborn, leaving your older child, etc takes a major toll quickly! I had a complete breakdown today when I learned that we could be here at least 48 more hours if not more! We are just so glad he'll be okay. What a terrifying experience.

We are recovering well and should go home today to start living under one roof as a family of 4! Paisley seems to love him so far which has been great. She wants to love on him and talks to him a lot. She says "it's okay" if he cries and gently caresses his leg. She hasn't been jealous of me with him at all which I'm thrilled about! Little man is a champion nurser so now I just need milk to come in. He sleeps a ton which is bizarre since P never slept at all. In fact, I had trouble getting him to wake up after 5 hours to nurse last night. He hardly ever cries at all and seems to love his mama! We are already co-sleeping (que the controversy). Love it!!! He is an excellent snuggler. I'm feeling really good which is such a great surprise! I have been up an around. And I've only had one Percocet and my pain is controlled with ibuprofen. So, life with two may be quite simple if this baby will keep being easy!!!