Wow. . .it's been awhile

I feel so horrible that I haven't blogged like every day since Ty's arrival. . .I practically did that with Abby. . .BUT with a two year old running around I just don't have as much time as I did when it was just a newborn SLEEPING all day. :)
Our little man is a month old and I'm starting to feel like I finally have a bit of sanity. I'm getting used to a little less sleep than usual and I feel like I am finally figuring out how to juggle two babies and a full time job. . .well, I've figured out how to juggle it while Zach is home---kinda scared for him to leave me alone to fend for myself. AAAAHHHH :)
These pictures are a little backwards so we'll start talking about now and work our way back. Last weekend we visited Alderbrook Resort & Spa to enjoy their Winter Wonderland and Santa. Seriously, anyone living in this area w/ kids--you need to start planning a night out there in December. The place is magical with tons of decorations, lights, an indoor swimming pool--a child's dream!! Us adults had a really fun time too. Ty's first visit with the big man in red. So far so good--we'll see how he does next year. :)
Abby didn't want anything to do with Santa. . .again. I thought she would maybe be okay with him this year since we've talked about him and she says his name whenever she sees pictures of him. . .well, her version of his name which sounds more like "peepee cock." tee hee hee, LOVE when she says it. She also calls anything Christmas related, "Christmas lights" and gets very excited.

Since Dad has been home he has taken Abby swimming once each week. She loves it and gets so excited to go. She couldn't wait to get in the pool w/ Daddy and her cousins. Now whenever we talk about going to the pool she says "Sophes?". . .I so wish we lived closer so Sophes could actually go swimming with her more often. Abigail LOVES her cousins and gets sooo excited to see them. When she walked into their hotel room she just stopped and screamed w/ excitement. It's so fun to watch and I hope they always stay this close.

Our little baby model walking to the pool-could this picture be any cuter?

On Friday when we got the resort I had to meet with a client so Dad was in charge! When I got back to the room they were all just waking up from a nap in our hotel room that was a sauna--Dad had turned the heat up!

Abby took the pillow off the bed and laid on the floor to fall asleep. . .with one boot on.

This is just a random pick of Ty looking so dang adorable. My mom got this sweater along with a Cougar one like it for Abigail but she never wore them. . .we didn't have a jacket for Ty so I tried this on him and it looks great. . .well besides the fact that its purple and gold. :) He is totally smiling already and really studies things when he is awake.

My little babies under the tree. Abigail LOVES her baby brother. I was so worried how she was going to react after his arrival but she has been so good with him. She has her 2 year old moments but they usually have nothing to do with Ty. She kisses him good night every night and is always worried about where he is. She helps burp him after he eats and she always asks "whats that" when he toots. She says "Hi Ty" in her own special voice. . .I think she is trying to say it in a grown up voice. . .it sounds really cute.

I wonder what he is dreaming about--seems to be making him really happy. This is Abs wearing my hat while hunting for the perfect Christmas tree. She had tons of fun walking through all the trees and puddles with her boots.

Daddy and Ty just like to watch and critique the tree decorating.

And the tree all decorated with Miss Abigail in her morning lounge spot.

Another cute shot of our little man. Gosh, I find myself just wanting to stare at him and kiss him all the time. He is just so cute and he's getting so chunky--I love it. I have some beautiful babies, that is for sure. Yes, I have to brag. :)

When we give Ty a bath Abigail is always right there to help and then she gets to bathe her baby too.

Ty right after his first bath--He loves the bath. . .wish he loved his carseat as much!!

So that was a quick recap of our month as a family of four. I will try to post more often!!

On The Day You Were Born. . .

. . .I had just planned on going in for my last doctor's appointment before your due date. It was at 4:30pm on Nov. 15th. That morning I told your Dad that if he didn't want to get off work early to watch Abby that it was no big deal because the appointment would be quick and she was really good when we went--she always knew she got chips when it was over and she got to play w/ all the Sesame Street stuffed animals in the gift shop. Abby was saying "doctor" the whole way there and was super excited. . .so was I--I was hoping the doctor would tell me that I had progressed a bunch and you would be making your arrival very soon. . .instead she told me your heart rate was lower than she liked. . .low 100's. The lowest you had ever been was in the 130's and they really don't like babies to go lower than the 120's. Dr. Stemmerman seemed calm but did want me to get hooked up to monitors to see if your heart rate would bounce back up or not. This meant my quick appointment w/ an impatient 2 year old was going to be longer than planned. We got Abby a doctor kit to play w/ and some chips in a cup (she likes them in the bag so that didn't last long--she dumped them in the garbage). I had to sit in a recliner and get the monitor's hooked up. . .all this while Dr. Abby was also checking me. She likes to put things on my tummy to act like she is also listening for a heart rate. She was starting to lose her patience and I felt horrible that I decided to bring her because the nurses were trying to entertain her. . .I called Zach and told him what was going on and to please come play w/ Abby as I didn't know how long I was going to be there. I was hoping that by the time he got there things would have improved and we would just be able to go to dinner together. . .not so fast! Your heart rate didn't go back up and Dr. Stemmerman wanted to deliver you right then--she just didn't want to risk it so she grabbed my stuff and I grabbed your sister and we walked over to triage (however you spell that!). Once I got there about 5 nurses took over and hooked me up to monitors, IV's and asked me questions all while a nurse student kept Abby entertained in the chair next to me. I wasn't that scared because I felt you move A TON during the day but I was very concerned about Abs--what the heck was I going to do with her and when was Daddy going to get there??? I had to call him and tell him we had moved and I was going into an emergency c-section. Thankfully he was in the parking lot so was only minutes away but wait--I was going to want him in the surgery w/ me so what are we going to do w/ Abby. . .I quickly called Carol, our neighbor, who knew she was on call for if I went in to labor. I had to tell her to please come to Evergreen Hospital ASAP blah, blah, blah and thankfully she was able to. I then called my mom and told her what was going on as they were taking my clothes off and getting me prepped for surgery. Unfortunately, I couldn't talk to her long so she had to have been very worried for me and for you as she drove up to see us. As they wheeled me away in my bed I could hear your sister screaming and crying and I was horrified. . .I just wanted to cry. To top it all off I wasn't sure Zach was going to be able to be in the operating room w/ me when I got my spinal or heck, the entire c-section and I knew I needed him there to hold my hand and be my support--I did not want to do it alone. Thankfully he showed up just in time. . .but said he had to leave Abby w/ the nurses and she was not happy. It's all I could think about--when was Carol going to get there, how was she going to know where to go etc. Finally one of the nurses told me she had arrived and sis was w/ her. . .that definitely gave me a little sense of ease.

The c-section got started very quickly as they did not want to waste any time--they wanted to get you out and make sure you were okay! They said they had to start even before the spinal had fully kicked in--this scared me to death but I knew they had to do it. Now, for the last 3 weeks you had been at a plus 1 with your head position meaning you were kinda trying to make your way out already so you were really wedged in there. . .it took a lot of pushing on my tum to get you out. It was so uncomfortable and did not feel good at all. Mama was definitely groaning--it felt like someone was sitting on me!! Daddy watched the whole thing but I only looked when they finally pulled you out and you were beautiful. Once I heard you cry I broke down--all the craziness of the day finally hit me and the tears just flowed. Thankfully doctor said your heart rate had gone up to 185 as soon as you were pulled out and they just don't know why it had dropped because you were perfect--you didn't even have to go to the NICU. Better to be safe than sorry so I am glad Dr. Stemmerman decided to do what she did--I wouldn't want anything to have happened to you!!! And, you truly are just perfect--just like your sister!!

It was so nice being able to have you in the room w/ me while they finished up surgery. Abby had to be taken to the NICU w/ daddy right after she was born so I was very thankful to have you both w/ me the entire time. We soon got to head to our room where Carol and Abby were waiting for us!! It was so good to see that Abs was okay although I couldn't do much since I was numb from the waste down. About 5 minutes after we got to our room my mom, Risa and Don showed up--they were already half way here visiting one of Risa's friends so they got here real quick. Abby was so thrilled to see them. . .and so was I! Grandpa showed up shortly after as well so they all took your sister to eat and go home for the night. She had to be starving. . .especially since she never got her chips. :) hee hee

Ty Alexander--you were born via c-section on Nov. 15th at 6:21pm weighing 7lbs 13oz and measuring 20 3/4in long. You are my perfect baby boy who just wanted to enter this world w/ a little excitement. . .I'm sure this is just the first of many more exciting moments!

Your sister is so great with you and calls you Baby Ty. She loves holding you and kissing your forehead. You guys are going to be the best of buds--always taking care of each other, I just know it.

Your proud Daddy! He is so excited to have a little girl and now a little boy too. . .and he didn't have to miss any football games--heehee. :)

After a few days in the hospital it was time to head home to reality. Mommy was kinda scared of this as the hospital was so calm and relaxing--what was it going to be like when we got home???

Well, it was/is a bit more chaotic than the hospital but its our life so we are adjusting. Mama has been a bit emotional this past week just dealing with all the changes. . .your sister is soooo good with you which makes me so happy but she is 2 and has definitely been acting like a 2 year old at times so that can be overwhelming and exhausting. Grandma stayed with us for a few days to help and now Daddy has lots of time off to take care of his family--thankfully! I'm trying to take it easy as much as possible so I heal properly but with a screaming 2 year old, it can be difficult at times. . .hence why I was hoping to have a VBAC. . .but that wasn't in God's plan so we just do the best we can and keep on, keep on truckin. :)

My little family of 4 right after we got home from the hospital. I am so blessed we are all healthy. . .life is good!

So Baby Ty, that is your story. . .I love you little guy!

Our 2 Year Old!

Our little baby girl turned 2 on Sunday!! I can't even believe it. We had a really nice birthday just the three (almost 4) of us. We went out to breakfast where Abby got to play w/ some other kids and toys, we walked around Target, had birthday cake and presents when she woke up from her nap and ended the day w/ a yummy dinner and play time at Redmond Town Center. Even though it was just our little fam, I still decorated like it was a big ol party and of course since Abs is infatuated w/ Elmo her party decor was Elmo! She loved it!!! She kept saying "Happy Day!" instead of "Happy Birthday" although by the next day she could say it all. It was soooo cute!I made the cake which isn't anything special--NO Amy cake, but it was perfect for her and I. We even got to eat right off the cake plate since no one else was here. :) Abigail loved the frosting and kept saying "cake", "cake". She was spoiled and got to have a little for breakfast the next day too. :) I mean, who doesn't want to have birthday cake for breakfast--I love it! :)

So, since Abs has turned 2 she has become quite the little hot shot. . .and sometimes terror. . .she definitely has her tantrums and has had to be put in time out a few times lately. :( Not my favorite thing to do and deal with, let me tell you. It is really exhausting to be a mama when your child is acting out. . .and then in a second, they turn and are complete angels again. Sheesh! Here is our hot shot shopping at the party store w/ sunglasses--seriously?? :)Abigail also thinks she is as small as her toys and will sit on or in everything. Here she is in her baby doll crib--my big giant baby!Our cutie-pa-tootie headed to Zach's bosses house to make apple cider. She was soooo excited because she wanted an "apple"--all she could say the whole way there. When we go grocery shopping I let her nibble on an apple so anytime we drive past Safeway she starts saying "apple". Any time we drive past Subway she starts saying "chips". My girl knows what she loves and doesn't forget a thing!Aunt Michelle got Abs these cute Elmo slippers. She makes me put them on every once in awhile too.Being goofy for Grandpa--boy does she love her Grandpa. . .and Grandma. They came to visit a few weeks ago and when she realized Grandpa was here too she started going crazy. I wish I had it on camera! It was so dang cute. I love hearing them play together. Our little entertainer, comedian loves to pretend like she just falls asleep. She especially likes to do this when we are trying to get her to do something. She thinks she is so funny. The little chair in the background was her birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa. It says her name on it and she loves to free fall backwards into it. Drives me nuts because she really has no fear and one of these days she is going to free fall into the ground!!! uggghhh I can't believe how much Abigail has grown even just in these past few months. Her vocabulary grows tons each day. She is so good w/ the alphabet and getting better and better w/ numbers too. She just amazes us more every day. Mama and Daddy love you little girl. . .even when you act like a pistol. :)

36 weeks and the Pumpkin Patch

Well I've officially lasted longer than I did w/ my pregnancy w/ Abigail. I'm 36 weeks along and had a check up today. My doctor did a cervical exam to see where I was at and seemed quite shocked at how low Ty's head was. . .I knew he was low because I've been uncomfortable and achey in that area lately and he always feels like he is going to come on out if I walk too fast or too much. She said I was 80-90% effaced and 1 centimeter dilated and that she'd be totally surprised if I went til my scheduled c-section date. With that being said she asked if I would want a VBAC if I went into labor before then. . .up until today I thought I was c-section all the way because it went well w/ Abs and I recovered great etc. etc. . .but all of a sudden I started to change my mind today with the idea that Ty could come early. I've now decided that if I go into labor on my own before Nov. 13th I will have a vaginal birth. . .with an epidural of course and anything else I might need to ease the pain. . .and now I'm actually really excited thinking about it. My next appointment is Nov. 1st. . .if I make it til then. :) We lucked out with nice weather on Sunday for a quick trip to the Pumpkin Patch. . ."quick" being the key word. . .Abby wasn't totally interested which I was surprised about. I thought she'd love touching all the pumpkins but all she wanted to do was be held by me or ride in the wheelbarrow. It was totally muddy there so walking around wasn't the greatest option and Abs really just wanted to walk in the puddles. . .which would have been fine if we had rain boots but all we had were regular ol leather boots. Hey, we got a few cute pics. . .but even then Abs was being a little poop head and wouldn't pose. We tried to get a family pic and she wasn't having any of it. Low and behold, we got in the car and she fell asleep so I guess she was a little tired. :)

34+ weeks

Well my 34 week pics were the last I got before Miss Abigail was born so I thought I better get some shots of Little Ty as well. I will actually be 35 weeks on Sunday. I keep thinking he is going to be born then since Abs was but he'll probably go a little longer. I am and have been much more comfortable w/ this pregnancy than I was with Abby but I have to admit that just this week I really started to feel waaaaaay pregers! With Abby I felt it all up high and couldn't breath but with Ty I feel pains low and sometimes feel like he is going to fall out or I am going to pee my pants. :) He is quite the mover but now that he is running out of room, the moving doesn't feel so great!! This last month is going to be interesting since I didn't experience it with Abigail. I actually NEED this last month to finalize things for Ty's arrival. We still have yet to get his room finished. :( I also need to wash up more of his clothes and get the sheets to the bassinet cleaned so we can move that into our room where he will sleep for at least a few months.
I was just looking at pictures of Abigail when she was born and I got all emotional--I'm definitely ready for another baby! My little girl is a stubborn poop head sometimes but gosh I love the heck out of her and can't wait to spread that love to her little brother. It's amazing how much your heart can swell with love for your family--I sometimes feel like mine is going to burst!!
Here are some belly shots Zach took for me last night at 34 weeks. The bottom two are me at 34 weeks w/ Abigail. I definitely think Ty is hanging lower than she was but for the most part the tum looks fairly similar. . .I think. 29 days til the scheduled C-Section--I know that time is going to fly!

I was going to add some pictures of our silly goose but there are sooo many that I love that I thought I'd just link you to my Kodak Gallery. Check out the most recent pics of our 23 month old. . . HERE

It's getting closer and closer. . .

Well I am 32 weeks (almost 33 weeks along)! I can't believe we are getting so close to delivery time. I keep thinking its even closer than it really is since Abigail was born at 35 weeks. . .I don't think Ty is going to come that early although I do have to admit I wouldn't be surprised if he did come a little earlier than the scheduled c-section. My belly is so hard and tight--I think he is really taking up all the space in there and most of the time feels like he is trying to get out!! :) It is sometimes hard to walk as he is sitting fairly low. I had my 32 week check up on Tuesday and Ty's heart rate was in the 140's. My cervix was apparently a little shorter or softer (can't remember which word doc used) than what she would expect but I'm not dilated and she thinks its okay. . .she's not putting me on bed rest, just told me not to take any long walks at the mall. . .ummm, okay?!?!?! So I guess I'll try to take it easy. :)
I thought with all the deck stain drama it would be a perfect opportunity to take a picture on it so you can all see the final product. We finally have a color we can live with. :) Now we just need to add our new outdoor furniture that has been sitting in boxes in the garage for months now! This was taken the day of my appointment at 32 weeks!This was taken the next day. I had to go work a tradeshow so am in some "work" clothes. :) I stood on my feet in heels for 3 1/2 hours straight. . .I was pretty pooped by the end of the day!Sooo, we finally did a few things in Ty's room. . .but not much. :) So funny how different it is with Baby #2. We did get the office furniture moved out and the changing table moved in. We need to paint the molding, put the door back on, put a closet organizer in and decorate. We will add a crib later (when hopefully we move Abby to a toddler bed but who knows--we may just have to get a 2nd crib) and we need to bring in the rocking chair which Abigail loves so I don't want to move it out of her room til we get her a new one. Kind of a lot to do still but I feel good that at least the office furniture is moved. Ty will sleep in the bassinet for 2-3 months in our room so I still have time. :) We even got some of his clothes all washed up!! I'm sooo excited to meet our little guy and still can't believe I'm going to have 2 children very soon. Since we moved the changing table out of Abigail's room, we moved in a new (old) dresser to her room. This has been at my parent's house for years and was at my great grandparent's house before that (I believe). I think it looks really cute in Abby's room.Our little reader. She loves books, books, and more books! Sometimes makes bedtime a little challenging because she wants to keep reading more. :) My next appointment is on Oct. 10th. My 34 week check up, the last appointment I had with Abs. . .hopefully this time I'll have at least one more! :)

22 months. . .where does time go?

I can't believe I have an almost 2 year old! Abigail is getting so big and doing the funniest things. She acts like she is sleeping when we are trying to get her to do something. She throws fits/tantrums when she wants her way (which is REALLY fun to deal with, let me tell you). She still LOVES me to death and wants me to carry her all the time. . .Little Brother Ty has been balancing his sis on his head for months now. . .hope he doesn't mind. :) Abigail is getting better and better with her alphabet too. It amazes me how quickly she learns something. She is saying more words all the time. . .chips (which she loves), a bite (when she wants to eat something we have), shoe shoes (for shoes or socks), bow (which we look for all the time cuz she pulls it out of her hair), all the Sesame Street character's names, all of her aunts and uncle's names. . .swimmin. . .the list could go on. :)
Last weekend my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary so we went out to the "Lake House" aka-the house my dad grew up in, to celebrate. It was a HOOOT day but we had so much fun. I love watching the little cousins play together. Abby just laughs and laughs at Griffin and Sophia. Griffin and Abs are so close in age and size--they look so cute when they are next to each other. Look how beautiful it is out there!A little photo shoot w/ all the cousins (as of right now) :) Abigail, Sophia, Don and Griffin. Marisa and Amy have better shots that they will hopefully post soon too. I thought this was a hilarious pic of the kids on a hot summer day. I think babes in their diaps is so dang cute that I let Abs run around like that for most of the day. It was great because she didn't stain any of her clothes from eating (without her bib which she refuses to wear). They had all just enjoyed some cake so are now drinking a little milk to wash it down with.I wonder why Abigail never wants to sit in her high chair at restaurants??? Hmmmn, maybe I shouldn't just let her eat wherever she wants at home. oopsShe eats so well and such big girl meals now! Subway kids meals are my fave for her. I get her a sammi and de-construct it so she gets olives, tomatoes, cheese, meat, bread and chips. A little bit of everything--she loves it!Here we are at the first Husky tailgate of the season w/ Daddy. . .we have to go to at least one. She did great and zonked out on the walk back to the car. It was another hot day!A fun Labor Day BBQ at Mike and Molly's--Abby enjoyed a little hammock swing from Daddy while we were there. She loves going to their house and acts like she owns the place, just walking around and doing whatever she wants. I love that she is so comfortable there because Zach and I love it there too! :)Ummm, sometimes Abby thinks she is smaller than she is. She likes to try to sit on her toys--her small toys like this little Sesame Street train. She has also tried sitting in a Barbie chair and on a plastic horse figurine. Makes Z and I crack up every time. . .she probably does it just because we do laugh so much. Ahhh, my little buddy. . .before you know it she will be 2 and her little brother will be here! Kind of scary to think about but I am so excited to meet him and see how they interact together. I really hope they are the best of friends like I am with my siblings.

My three hour glucose test came back A-Okay so everything is going well with the pregnancy. I am definitely starting to feel like the end is near--uncomfortable and achy much more and feeling CRAZY movements ALL. THE. TIME. We still haven't done anything to get Ty's room ready but hopefully we'll work on it this weekend. Sooo hard for Z to focus on anything aside from football on the weekends now though so I might have to have a tantrum like Abs to get him to start moving furniture. . .since obviously I can't do it alone. :)