A snowy 2 month birthday

To warn you--there are a lot of pictures because I just couldn't limit myself. There were so many cute ones! This pic got deleted and I couldn't put it in the same spot it was originally but I just had to share still.On Sunday our little "buddy" turned 2 months old! I can't even believe that it's been 2 months since he was born. . .time goes so fast and babies are what really help us see that. Ty is getting so chunky. I just want to squeeze his little leggers every time I change him. ..which is pretty much all day long! We go thru so many diapers at the Wyckoff home. Ty's toots are so loud that I always think he has blown out his diaper but so far he is a pretty clean little pooper. . .unlike his sis who blew out her diaper and clothes all. the. time! :) Ty loves to smile and is now talking to us quite often. I love his coos and caas. He is a very easy going little guy most of the time. The only time he seems to get upset is in his carseat at times. I have to really time when we put him in it because if he gets upset in the car, it is very hard to soothe him and it makes for a very joyous car ride--NOT!At first Ty just wanted to be snuggled and held but we have gotten him a little used to the swing--thank goodness! He will sit in that for a while and even sometimes falls asleep in it. His favorite spot is still in mama or daddy's arms though. :) Speaking of sleep, Ty is starting to sleep thru the night--last night he slept from midnight to 9:30am. . .wow!! I was definitely ready for him to wake up so I could feed him, yikes!I think Ty looks like such a little boy, not baby, in this picture. He is so strong and will already stand and push off of us when we are holding him.Abigail is seriously the best big sister we could have asked for. She is so nurturing already! She loves to hold Ty and is always checking on his where abouts. She'll say "Hi Ty, Ty. . .Hi Buddy" I guess she hears me say that quite often. :)Going out to eat has gotten a little easier now that we have the Kindle Fire. It keeps Abby pretty entertained most of the time which is nice since Zach and I like to dine out here and again. Abby also loves to sing and dance--this restaurant had a little band playing and she kept trying to sing her ABC's louder than their music. It was hilarious.Abby also LOVES to cook/bake w/ us. She is very in to cracking eggs so we make an egg every morning and its a MUST that both she and I put our aprons on. She is Grammy's Grandaughter for sure. :)Ahh, our little man again looking ever so old. There are times when I think he looks so much like Zach and other times when I think he is definitely a mix of both of us. His head is longer and skinnier than his sister's but they both got the shorter legs and longer torsos much like both their parent's have. HAAs I mentioned earlier, Ty loves to smile at us. He is just really starting to enjoy his activity mat, as you can see! Last night he smiled and had a full on convo with Daddy for the longest time--it is so cute to watch. I just wish I knew what those two boys were saying to each other. . .their little secrets and special bonding time though. :)

We got Ty snow for his 2 month birthday which was so much fun. It's dumping again right now so it looks like we'll be nestled at home for a few days! Abby had her first go at trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue. She LOVED the snow and stayed out in it much longer than I thought she would. . .maybe because we had such a great snow outfit for her courtesy of Sophia's hand me down closet. :) Thanks Sophes.

Abby's first snowman. . .just a little guy--perfect for Mr. Potato Head's hat!Ty didn't seem quite as excited as his sister about the snow. HA The Wyckoff Family on Snowed-In Sunday. . .what a fun day for us all! Happy 2 Month Birthday Buddy. We have Ty's 2 month check up on Thursday and I can't wait to hear how he's grown.

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. :)