Ready or Not...

I'll eventually get to the birth story, but for now I'll write as things come or as I have time. Anyway, I can't believe we've been home with a newborn for almost a week now. Things are going much easier the second time around (with previous references to go off of). It also helped that Gavin is a lot more content and laid back than Ethan ever was. He seemed to be falling into a natural rhythm where I don't have to do much. Breastfeeding is also going pretty well although they're having me monitor his weight closely. (It turned out my hemorrhaging after Ethan's delivery affected my milk supply. But we didn't know about it until 6 weeks later). It also probably helped that I'm not bawling my eyes out at every feeding.  Talk about stress!

-at delivery -> 8 lb 13 oz
-at discharge -> 8 lb 4 oz
-at the dr's visit on Friday -> 7 lb 10 oz
-at the dr's visit on Sunday -> 7 lb 9 oz

So we're now supplementing with formula which seems to make him fuller and sleep longer.  Hopefully we'll get his weight up at his 2 weeks check up. I'm just more flexible with less expectations this time around of how everything's going to go.

Physically, I'm also recovering a lot faster although I think I overdid it on Saturday. Brian's family was in town and apparently, I didn't realize I was on my feet more than I should be. Definitely felt it that night. So today with Brian going back to work (pray for me!) I'll have to try to not be vertical as much. Although is that possible now with two boys?!  Emotionally, they're bouncing off the wall!!! Still trying to process through the postpartum stuff and on top of that the emotions of moving and what's ahead, which is still surreal to me. A while back, I made a mental checklist of the things that needed to happen and not let myself get carried away emotionally: Brian's job - ✔, sell the house - ✔, have a baby - ✔ and then it hit me...HARD! All there is left is packing and moving with exactly 20 days to go and I had a break down/panic attack. I really wish this is happening under different circumstances where I bring Gavin home, relax and enjoy the time. Instead I feel like we have to leave right in the middle and missing out on everything (wtih mom's group, MOPS, small group and Women's bible study). Anyway, all these doubts and fears about moving started to surface for both of us when we realized that it's Satan's attack! Of course he doesn't want us to accomplish God's will and plan, especially when it's for the Kingdom. So now more than ever we need to be spending time in His words and prayers to stay focus on what's ahead.

Other than that, a lot of people have asked me how Ethan's taking everything. And I have to say surprisingly well. He got to come to the hospital twice and was just so excited to see/hold Gavin. However, he has been super attached to Brian like 24/7 and got a little jealous when Brian has Gavin. We have moments of whining and crying throughout the week which is understandable considering it's a big change for him, too. But for the most part, he has been super helpful around the house and just getting things for me.  We did our first family outing to Monkey Joe's, after getting home from the hospital, and you could tell that it just made his day. Of course that helped with his energy level, too =0)  Then this morning we ventured out to the library, just the three of us.  It was fairly successful although it definitely took a lot longer to get out of the house.  I guess something I'll have to get use to.

Gavin Kalani

So much to share but so much going on right now. Just wanted to get on here real quick with a preview of our photo session yesterday with Jennifer Jayne. Enjoy!

2 Days to Go...

and nothing yet. I'm feeling super impatient, anxious and ready to get this party started. But was reminded in church this morning by a verse in a song that says, "O my God, he will not delay..." His plan/timing is perfect and this baby will come when it's time. I'm just hoping sooner than later. Waiting is never my strong suit.

"Twittering" on Blog

My poor husband can't keep up with the nightly back massage requests. Tennis ball = back saver! Thankfully it has been the only thing that helped me get to sleep.

"We Go Together"

This past weekend, the Deerings came down from WI just to hang out and see us before our big move. I thought it was so sweet! We ended up celebrated Valentine's Day early and went to see Grease together at Circa 21. It was a lot of fun although sitting there for 4 hours (dinner & show) got to be kind of long. Anyway, nothing much going on tonight other than exchanging cards and taking Ethan to AWANA...unless of course the baby decides to come =0)

Here We Go Again

Well, I spent another morning stressed out at the midwife's office. I swear every time I go in there, she is a bearer of the "possible" bad news. Today, the baby's heart beats were low so I had to do a fetal non-stress test (NST). While doing that, I had contractions which followed by variable deceleration of the heart rate (once). Although everything else looked absolutely perfect, she still had minor concerned about the umbilical cord being wrapped around and low amniotic fluids. So then I got sent to do an ultrasound and everything turned out just fine. I know she was trying to be on the cautious side about EVERYTHING, but my goodness. My 30 minutes appointment turned into a 3-hour ordeal, which thankfully our neighbor was able to watch Ethan longer. Then she wanted me to come back tomorrow for another NST which I finally put my foot down and said no. I'm seriously ready to have this baby, not necessarily because of the uncomfortableness, but so I don't have to go in for anymore appointments/check ups. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful that nothing is wrong and for the technology available but sometimes too much information about every single little thing is just...too much!

Only My God

Talk about the longest week of my life considering it was only a week ago that we decided to put Kaika on craigslist. Anyway, we ended up with 9 people who were interested (including a truck driver looking for a companion) but only a couple with the most potential. This is where our God-story continued...

So we have been in contact with this lady who lives out on a farm in Dixon, IL. She grew up with Boxers, loves Boxers and we thought it was a great scenario for Kaika with all that space to roam/run, etc. We agreed on a meeting time today and we left with Kaika's fate up in the air. As we headed out, we realized we didn't have her address and couldn't get a hold of her. So we prayed that she would hopefully get our message, but also that God would make it clear to us what we're supposed to do. Then within 5 minutes, she called us back saying that she and her fiance had decided to look into adopting a shelter dog instead and don't bother coming. Brian and I couldn't get over how bizarre it was considering she was originally super excited about it and was even willing to pay for him.  But then suddenly have a change of heart but didn't bother calling us?!  Anyway, we ended up turning the car around and went home...confused but relieved! Whatever it may be, I don't think it could've been any clearer.  I guess the doggie is here to stay! =0)  He'll get to see the ocean after all.

We said "decision" day about Kaika needed to be today in order to get other things in order like buying my parents plane tickets. As it turned out, tonight there were only 3 tickets left (at the cheaper price) and then it went up AFTER we made the purchase. Is God good or what???

39 Weeks Pregnant...

with Ethan (the day before he was born) 

with #2  I'm less comfortable this time around, but definitely bigger last time. Must have been the Brewer's diet with the whole protein count thing. I should be doing that, but I'm not. Instead I find myself randomly grazing on sweets throughout the day, which I'm not even a sweet tooth person in the first place. Sleep this past week has been rapidly depleting and I ended up being less and less patient with Ethan. Am I going to be able to do this again sanely...with no sleep? I hope so. Claiming 2 Timothy 7.

Just For Laughs

Saw this on Pinterest last night when I couldn't sleep AGAIN. Too funny!

Discovery of the Week

Ever since we got back from Marshalltown, Ethan has decided that he's a big boy and is now done with pull ups at nap time.  I was a little hesitant at first but surprisingly he has been staying dry.  Nap down, night time to go!  That one will probably take a while since he has always been a soaker.
--------------------------  He's now dressing himself almost completely and MUST pick out his own clothes. Some days it makes me cringe, but I try to let him do it himself as long as it's not something super crazy.

-------------------------- Lately, Ethan's REALLY into wanting to know how to spell and write his own name.  He's doing quite well actually.

Emotional Wreck

We've often joked about Kaika needing to shape up or we're going to ship him out. But yesterday Brian and I really talked and contemplated about the possibility of giving him away before moving to VA. There are so many factors including another baby on the way which means he'll be even more neglected, trying to find housing out there that would accommodate a dog, cost of boarding, etc. Anyway, Brian decided to put him on craigslist just to see what happened and by this morning, there were 3 inquiries (as of tonight 5). The thought of it actually happening made us both sick to our stomach. I mean he's our dog, a family member really and I just feel so irresponsible for not being able to take care of his needs.  Anyway, we're not 100% yet on what to do, but it had been a harder process that I thought it would be.

Then our neighbor called (2 hours early) wondering where Ethan and I were since she was supposed to watch him for my OB appointment. This is the 3rd time she has been "confused" with what day and what time we had talked about. Anyway, we think that she has an early stages of dementia and decided it's best not to have her come over anymore...let alone be our go-to, in-the-middle-of-the-night person when the baby comes.

On top of that, I also have this sudden and unexplained toothache that has gotten worse and worse. It's not cavity or nerves, which kinda stumped the dentist a little bit.  Pregnancy related?  Who knows!

So with all of that on my mind, I headed to my OB appointment only to have the baby's heart rates spiked high. My midwife was supposed to recheck the nurse's measurement, but she didn't and so I left not thinking much about it. I went to pick up Ethan at a friend's house, got home for lunch and then got a phone call from the midwife's office that I needed to come back in TODAY for a recheck. I thought you gotta be kidding, right?! By that point, I had a major break down and thankfully, Brian's afternoon meeting was cancelled so he could come home to take care of Ethan. The second measurements turned out just fine. Not sure because of anxiety that morning or because that first nurse was new. But oh did I let them know I was not pleased about having to drive across the river again and Brian having to take off from work! I ended up taking a nice, long bath tonight just to relax and clear my head from all that is happening. Don't think I can handle anymore...so baby don't come just yet!

Play Dates Weekend

Busy, busy weekend! Friday: play date with Kyle at our house so his parents can go on a date for the very first time in 2-1/2 year. Saturday: dinner at the Lemos and play date with Matthew. Sunday: Aaden's birthday/super bowl party at the Velasquezs. Ethan had a blast, but we're all tired!

You Get What You Pay For

I don't think this is always the case but today it was. I took Ethan in to Cookie Cutters, a kids special hair cut place and $17 later he walked out of there with the best hair cut EVER! She actually did what I asked her to do! Now I can't justified paying that every single time considering he's a boy, but with #2 on his way I'm hoping to get a nice professional family pic.

Anyway, I hyped it up all week saying that we're going somewhere different and it was going to be fun. So the first thing Ethan told the lady was that he doesn't like the blow drying. Check. But unfortunately, I forgot about the water spritzer thing and it F-REAKED him out. Opps. This kid doesn't like water over his head, in his eyes or anything like that. So he cried and cried and wanted to go home. Not exactly what I had in mind. Luckily with distractions of a sucker and some toys, he eventually calmed down and let the lady finished.

My handsome 'lil man