Fredrick: Two Weeks!

Here is our cute, chubby Fredrick boy at two weeks. His check-up isn't until next Friday so I won't have his stats until then, but from the rolls accumulating on his body I think he's thriving! Wesley still thinks he's pretty cool--I have been lucky so far that Wes will let me read stories to him while I nurse Fredrick so he doesn't feel ignored. That boy loves his books!

My recovery is going better than it did last time. I sometimes overdo it because I am feeling well, but other than that no complaints. My mom has been an amazing help, coming over every day and making sure I am getting enough rest and helping out with Wesley and the house. We have been slowly settling into our new apartment, which we love by the way. One of these days I will take some pictures of our new place.

On Wednesday we took an outing to the library for story time. I loved the library growing up, and I am excited for Wesley to enjoy reading and learning as well. The librarian who led the story time did an amazing job-- she sang songs with the kids and did finger plays as well, and it was a blast. I think it will have to be a regular outing for the boys! It was a good excuse to get Mommy out of the house as well :o)

We are getting excited for the change in seasons and for the approaching holidays. Due to the fact that I just gave birth, there will be no repeat of the monkey costume sewing of last year (I'm not that crazy). Considering Wesley's obsession with baseball (EVERYTHING is baseball around here. According to Wesley, the only thing that should appear on a television screen should be a baseball game. He also turns everything he can either throw or hit with into a baseball/bat.) I think there will be some kind of baseball theme this year for the boys.

Wesley helped Grandma decorate for Halloween, which meant he either wore the decorations on his head or grouped them together in one spot on the ground. He has a great aesthetic sense already!
He also helped pick horse chestnuts at the park to use in decorations. Anything he can do out of doors is very popular. Did I mention that the mini pumpkin Grandma bought him at the store is also apparently a baseball? Luckily I saved it before it got thrown across the room :o). The kid has a pretty good arm.
Fredrick did his part in all of this by just being sweet and cute and sleeping through the whole thing! What a guy.

Big Brother

As I was preparing to give birth to Fredrick, I happened across a section in a child development/pediatrician book my sister in law gave me when I had Wesley. It was in the section dedicated to children Wesley's age, the "almost-two-ers," and talked about how to handle a new addition to the family. It gave some really good advice, but also gave this council: a child who is almost two is just figuring out who he/she is and what is going on--don't expect too much out of them. Don't expect them to love the baby, give them time. So when we showed Fredrick to Wesley in the hospital and then eventually brought this new little guy home with us, I wasn't expecting much. I was basically hoping that Wes would tolerate Fredrick until he was old enough to understand more of what was going on. But Wesley has far surpassed my expectations. He loves having Fredrick riding with him in the back seat of the car. He loves to give him kisses. He is so concerned if he ever hears Fredrick cry, and has to find him in the morning when he wakes up. This guy has all the makings of the best big brother ever. Fredrick is a lucky boy.

These are the flowers he brought Mommy and Fredrick in the hospital. Grandma is teaching him to be such a gentleman already!

Getting to know each other in the hospital. Tiny stinky feet! (to Wes, all feet are stinky and he waves his hand in front of his nose.)

Should say, #1 Big Brother!

Excited for Mommy and Fredrick to come home from the hospital! The kid is quite an artist by the way.

A little Grandma movie time while Mommy is away.

Future Best Friends.

Happy One Week Fredrick!

Fredrick has been a very easy baby so far. He eats great, sleeps well (I wake him up to feed at night) and is just as sweet as any baby has a right to be. Maybe even a little bit more :o). We are just loving this new little spirit that has come to our family. I am especially in love with his dimples--I think they are the cutest things ever.

Welcome Little Fredrick Andrew

To be honest, we never thought this day would come. We planned on my going early, like with Wesley. I contracted, and contracted, had some fluid leak, spent lots of time on bed rest, took anti-contraction drugs that bottomed out my blood pressure,sat hooked up to monitors . . . and still no baby. So by the time 39 weeks rolled around with my scheduled c-section, I was ready.

This is my ready face.

I was scheduled for a 12:00 surgery so I got to the hospital at 10:00. 12:00 rolls around, and someone else ruptures and takes my spot in the OR. 2:00 comes and goes, and another woman failed to progress in labor, so she took my new spot.


Here is my patient face.

Wesley was a trooper throughout the delay. He missed his nap, but was happy to read books with "Pa-Pa"


and help Daddy "suit up" when our turn finally came.


I will spare you the photographic evidence of what lies on the other side of the "happy curtain" (Mandi is probably the only one who would find the pictures of my insides interesting instead of disturbing) and proceed directly to the good stuff: the newest man to enter my life.


I am definitely in love.


with all 8 chubby pounds of him. I finally got a baby with rolls!


Randy got another future little-leaguer


and Wes became a big brother.


Welcome *Fredrick!


*We chose the name Fredrick because that is Randy's middle name, his grandfather's name, and my grandpa goes by the nickname "Freddy." Andrew is a name that Randy likes and that I chose because of my cousin Andrea who I love and who introduced me to my husband.

35 Weeks . . . we made it!

Well, we've made it to a pretty safe point in the pregnancy, so we're breathing (tired, sore) sighs of relief. This picture, taken especially for my curious sis-in-law, was taken today after my check-up. I'm effaced and according to my doctor, could go any time. So I could keep having contractions right up until my scheduled c-section September 22, or I could pop tonight. Who knows. Wagers anyone?

Here is a look at how I was with Wesley, same number of weeks, oddly enough same outfit. I think I look about the same . . . but I'll let you judge.



We are excited to meet this new little guy. I'm just glad we haven't met him too soon!

Happy Half-Birthday to Randy!

Yes, Randy finally has a birthday stocking. Maybe one of the reasons that I have rationalized putting off that project for so long is that Randy thinks that birthdays, let alone half-birthdays, are kind of silly. A holiday celebrating the fact that you didn't die is usually the kind of comment I get out of him in relation to his special day. (He knows better than to bring things like this up in regards to my birthdays, smart man.)

But I think I've finally broken him. After getting pampered with special meals and presents an extra day of the year, I think he might be getting the idea why most of us like birthday holidays. In any case, we love him very much, and think that he is a very special dad/husband worth celebrating.



These two have a very special friendship. Full of love . . .



. . . and block building . . .



. . . and giggles . . .



. . . and BASEBALL!



I think he's pretty okay too. My snuggle partner (yes Ben, in the middle of summer we still share a blanket--it's cozy!) . . .



. . . My love. Have a happy day!

Baby Brother has a Blanket . . .

. . . And a theme (elephants) . . .



. . . And blessing booties . . .



. . . but no name yet. Hey, ask Randy if he has looked over the list of names I have oh so carefully compiled for his review on the convenience of his ipod!