My Children Won't Stop Growing

Everyday I feel more and more overwhelmed with the apparent lack of time now that I have with two children and the pursuit of finding a new career.  I can never be on time and I miss every deadline that is given to me.  Anyway, just wanted to give a rundown of the last two months.

My Sister Got Married
SORRY NO PICTURES YET!

Hunter is TWO MONTHS

He was able to hold his head up at fairly early on.  He started socially smiling around 4.5 weeks (just in time to be the cutest baby for all the family back home)  He was sleeping regularly from 830 pm to 200 am and then again until 630 am (thanks to having to take big brother to school)

Trevor gets his first report card-and it was a little better than expected.  Most of you know that I plan on keeping him back a year anyway, but just to see him in the little successes has made me one happy mama.  Being a mom to a child that has any kinda of special needs is challenging, and I thank God that my sons problems will not prevent him from living a normal life.  He is going to struggle more than most kids, but my little man is strong so I know he will make it through it.

HALLOWEEN

How cute are my kiddos?

Hunter is 3 MONTHS.

I am sorry but what happened to my newborn?  He is so big and so strong.  He loves to babble.  He always wants to sit up.  He thinks that everything is funny.  He is obsessed with his hands and loves looking at his feet in the bath.  I love this little man.  He is sleeping better (830-300 and then until 630).  I just wish time would slow down a little bit!

Trevor's "religious"education

The things that Trevor comes up with!!!  Before I start this brief post I have to say that I am completely satisfied with our decision to send Trevor to a Catholic school despite his learning disabilities.  The classroom and the teacher have been a great fit for him.  Though I am not super religious, I wanted Trevor to be able to learn and talk about God at school.  Here is the religious education I receive at home from my funny little man:

1) In context of me doing something he doesn't like "Mom, you are not listening to God."
2) Adam and Eve ate an apple and then they were kicked out!
3) Sometimes when I puke God doesn't like it and he says ewww.
4) Mom, God made me and Hunter and then gave us to you to grow in your belly!
5) God made the sky!

The list goes on and on, but I am happy to hear that my son is learning important lessons in school though I am not sure I like his ability to call me out in front of God when I am doing something wrong :)
 

One Month

Hunter Browning is officially one month old.  He is doing great and growing like a weed (just like his big brother).  Adjusting to life as a family of four has been an overall smooth transition.  Not every day is easy but somehow we pull through.  Trevor is a great big brother and really loves pushing him in a stroller and showing him off at school.  He hates when Hunter cries but we are working on that one.  At his week appointment, Hunter was already over ten pounds and had grown over an inch.  Our attempts to weigh him at home have him weighing in at close to 12 pounds now.  I love my life right now (even though I am a bit sleep deprived).

Hunter William Browning

I am in love yet again. I am so happy to finally be able to write this post...almost like I have been waiting all these months just to do so. So here is goes...the Hunter William Browning birth story.

 August 28th 2012:
 I had my 39 week doctor appointment. I was dilated to 2-3 cm and had not been having any contractions. I was miserable. I was in pain. My legs were throbbing at night. My pelvis felt like...well I'll just say pain!! I knew he was getting big and I was fearing pushing out this nine pound baby! I begged my doctor to induce me...he had been so hesitant before. Finally he agreed and told me he would schedule an out patient induction on August 30th. I had no idea it would entail but I was so relieved I did not care!

 August 29th 2012:
Still no signs of labor which was fine at this point because I was anxiously awaiting the late night arrival of my mom (no way I wanted to have a baby without her there).

 August 30th 2012:
I sent Trevor to school in the morning because I wanted very little to interrupt his new schedule. Matt went to work in the morning and my mom and I cleaned the house. Around 2:30 pm Matt and I went to Chandler Regional Hospital. When we arrived we were taken to triage to begin the process. I was told that I was already 4 cm dialated but I still was not having contractions (that I could really feel). The nurse told me that I was a good candidate for this form of induction and I would most likely come back the next day to actually be induced with pitocin. Apparently, out patient induction is more just like prep work for a later induction. So the nurse gave me the first cervical gel to help ripen the cervix. I remained on the monitors for an hour and then I was allowed to get up and walk around. I had a few contractions while I was walking so Matt and I went back to triage to be put back on the monitor. Once the monitors were back on the contractions were coming strong, fast, and close together. I told the nurse I do not think I could go home in this condition. She then informed me that I was at five cm and the computer had me listed in active labor (All of this was only about 20 minutes). I was getting admitted :) The contractions were getting crazy strong and I told the nurse they better hurry and get me into a room because I wanted that epidural (Yes...I use the drugs and I love them). Shortly after, my l&d nurse told me I was already at 7 cm (still not in a room). The next hour was a blur because I was intense pain. During that time, I managed to make it to the room, my mom arrived, and I was able to get an epidural. I was in heaven once the epidural kicked in (especially because I almost couldn't get it). The next time the nurse checked me I was at 10 cm but Hunter had not really dropped. She asked me if I was comfortable staying at 10 without pushing for a couple hours since he was tolerating the labor well...this way he could drop and I wouldn't have to push for hours on end. My water had not broken yet and would not break until 1130 pm when the doctor came in. He broke my water, got dressed for the delivery, and told me a few pushes and he would be out. I was in shock but ready to go :) Three contractions and a few pushes later Hunter William Browning made his appearance into the world. He was 8lbs 14 oz, 21 inches long and born just before midnight at 11:54 pm.

After a longer stay in the hospital than I wanted, we were released on my 30th birthday (sept. 1st). Could you ask for a better birthday present?! We went home, had a mini birthday party and began to settle in as a family of four.

We are pregnant!

I know can you believe it...well probably! The challenge for us was not getting pregnant, but rather just growing the actual baby! And while we are very excited, this pregnancy has been anything but smooth.

We found out on December 23rd because I just wanted to be reassured one way or the other before I engaged in some holiday drinking. The 23rd was a bit too soon so I wasn't actually expecting anything (no symptoms yet). We (along with Jen because I was at her house) were cautiously excited when there was a positive. The next morning I woke up spotting and was crushed. Two of my previous miscarriages started this way so I chalked it up to a chemical pregnancy and enjoyed Christmas.

When we came home a couple days later the spotting had stopped so I got a little bit excited again. After a couple days I started spotting again...and crushed again. As a cruel joke it stopped the next day. I had four days of no spotting just to start again on the day of my first doctor appointment.

When I explained to the doctor what had been happening be prepared me by saying you know what the risks and chances are so we will just get you information one way or the other. Therefore I was sent for an ultrasound and blood work. The ultrasound showed a gestational sac and a yolk sac but no baby (too soon perhaps but certainly not reassuring). The blood test showed an increase in hcg levels but they did not double. Needless to say I had pretty much prepared myself for another disappointment.

I had a follow up ultrasound 8 days later to make a decision about what to do. And to our surprise there was a little peanut with a strong heartbeat measuring at 7 weeks and 5days. RELIEF!

So my doctor put me on bed rest until I got close to eleven weeks. That meant I could not workout at all...super annoying. To add the fun I had been feeling like total crap. I still have zero energy, I was nauseous all day long. I puked every once in awhile. One time I couldn't even make it back into my house and I spent a good ten minutes kneeling over the rocks in my driveway (I am sure the neighbors loved that). I couldn't eat anything paleo because all I can manage to get into my body is bread and pasta. I tried to look at all of it as a positive...being sick is bliss, but this pregnancy started off so much harder than Trevor.

Well we are now officially at 16 weeks. We found out that we are going to be expecting baby boy #2. I always knew that I would be a mom of boys and I am happy to be ending our family after this little man. I am starting to feel better (other than the occasional illness). I still lack any energy and motivation, but that's life. Heartbeat is still strong and I am starting to actually get excited about having this little man. Now...I have to actually start preparing for baby number #2.