Kari's Visit

So I'm kind of behind.  Sometime between Easter and the start of May, Kari came to visit us!  Her annual visit is something we look forward to every Spring.  This year she came on the first week of official nice weather here in upstate NY.  It was great.

Kari kind of treats the few days with us as a mini-vacation..which means she doesn't mind sleeping in and watching a show in the evening.  She's also a really great aunt who doesn't mind doing things like going to the zoo on her so-called vacation.  Our time with her was fairly uneventful but we made it to Trader Joe's and our second-annual tradition of dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  Unfortunately, we couldn't play any spy games this year because of Crew's small size and Clay having to work more.

The elephants were our first point of interest!  Levi was thrilled!

One of the first outings with the double stroller..a beast to push uphill!

Although hard to tell, I'm not sure Levi knew the difference between the statues and the real animals.

Aside from our outings, Levi loved getting to have a different playmate than who he normally has.  Even just taking a walk is different when a visitor is in town.  And I of course loved having someone to talk with during the day and getting to have an extra set of hands around.  Thanks Kari for giving of your time and energy to come visit us!  Visitors are one of the greatest encouragements when living far from home..we loved having you!

Easter

Easter weekend was spent down in Delaware this year with Clay's family.  It was a fairly relaxing weekend (except for Crew not sleeping well).  Up in New York, we still had snow on the ground, so the more mild temperatures were very welcome.

Aside from celebrating Easter, we got to meet our new nephew, and of course spend time with family.  Between being pregnant, having a baby, and starting a new job, our trips down to Delaware have been fewer over the past 6 to 9 months than what they had been previously.  Having a low-key weekend of seeing family and friends was really nice.

I had fun making matching bow ties for the boys and getting them all dressed up.  I know Easter isn't about matching church outfits, but they sure are cute.  When I was packing up the bow ties to take with us, Levi made clear he knew the bigger bow tie was for him and the little bow tie was for Crew.  He's very assertive like that.

I have to be honest, even on Easter morning, in this season of life, its tough to get much out of a Sunday morning church service.  Although corporate worship and fellowship with other Believers is important, knowing that Christ meets us in the every day mundane activities of life is so very sweet.  How thankful I am to have a Savior who sees me in the small moments of life as well as the big moments.  

my mom came and my baby grew

Back in February, my mom came to visit.  It was great.  Really really great.  Clay had to travel overnight for some work so I had asked my mom if she would be willing to come out to stay with us for a few days.  

My mom is a servant and one of my love languages is being served (is that a love language?  I think its called laziness..or being normal).  I don't know if it's because she's a mom and I'm her daughter or if it's just because it's in her nature, but whenever she visits, it is such a refreshing time for me.  I get to feel like the pressure of being a grown up is just slightly eased.  I can be goofy and of course she thinks I'm funny.  Or I can be serious and she'll be encouraging.  Or I can be whiney and she'll be my mom and deal with it.  Or I can be normal and she'll be my friend.  It's fun when my mom comes to visit.

Anyway, we had a really good visit and it was so fun getting to work on stuff with her and just spend some time together.  Thanks Mom - for everything from holding the straight edge to handling the raw chicken for me!

And now for more recent news: my baby keeps growing.  He has officially lost his newborn look and is the sweetest little puddle of chub.  Crew turned 5 months and life is beginning to feel normal again.  

Clay sometimes jokes that Crew is the forgotten one.  He generally just sits patiently in his little bouncy chair until we acknowledge him; Levi however is full throttle these days. Spring-like days can not come soon enough up here as we are beyond anxious to let that little boy run and run outside.

Crew is almost ready to sit up; we can balance him in the sitting position for a few moments but then he generally bends in half.  He rolls side to side but hasn't done any complete rolling to front or back.  He is generally a good sleeper, but his naps are still hit or miss.  I've had to learn that this is normal for him compared to Levi who was consistently a long napper.  Crew still seems to smile the biggest for Levi.  I think I'm still his favorite but apparently Levi is funnier.

big boy(s)

Levi moved into a big boy bed last weekend.  Fingers crossed, but all is going well!  The week up to the move, I was on a hunt for cute sheets for him.  Levi is rather particular about some things (that can't possibly come from his mother) and can be detail-oriented at times..so I knew fun sheets would be something exciting to him for his new big bed.  I suppose I should be honest and say that I was actually on a hunt for sheets that fit the vision I had in my head for his room (read: as seen on Pottery Barn Kids).  Target had some tractor sheets but I was holding out for what I knew could be cuter.

One day we went to three different stores looking for "tractor sheets."  Each store Levi would ask me repeatedly where the tractor sheets were.  Sadly, there were none to be found at those stores.  A couple days later we drove across town to a HomeGoods, and I excitedly saw firetruck, ambulance, and helicopter sheets.

I enthusiastically said something like, "Wow Levi!  Aren't these great?!  They have firetrucks!!"

Levi very matter of factly replied, "No. Tractor sheets."

Despite him wanting me to put them back, I got them anyway..little stinker.  All that to say, it's been almost a week of him napping and sleeping overnight in his new room and bed!  It was bittersweet to take him out of a crib, but the new things are exciting.  I love hearing what's going on in his head so I can only imagine that it will continue as he gets older (..I guess until he hits that weird boy phase when its all about boogers and poop and such..).

In other news, Crew recently turned 4 months.  He is a happy little guy.  I know its early to make a statement about his personality, but I'll risk it and say it anyway.  So originally I thought he might be slightly anti-social and a bit solemn (especially when his older bro is super social and barely knows a stranger).  It would make sense for Crew to be quiet and inquisitive and shy.  However, I would say at this point, Crew doesn't demand attention but he loves when he gets it.  He will gladly chat and smile with you if you chat and smile with him.  Levi was more the type that let you know if you weren't talking to him enough or if he wanted you to laugh with him or at him.  Crew is more the type to wait for you to look at him, and then he performs.  We'll see if he changes, but that's what I've picked up on so far.  I'm a little nervous these two could be quite the mischievous pair in another year or so..

With Levi moving to the twin bed, Crew is moving into the nursery and into the crib.  He's been napping in the crib for a few days and just started sleeping overnight in there..yay for not having to tip toe around in the dark at night in our bedroom!

I've tried to make an effort for Levi not to feel as though he is being kicked out of the nursery/crib.  The other day I asked him if he thought it would be ok if Crew started sleeping in the crib.  I could see him thinking about it and then his whole face lit up and he said, "Dah!!!!  Levi Crew sleep together!!!"  What a sweet little guy :)

Well, we only have about a foot of snow left on the ground.  With Spring officially here, the snow is a bit frustrating, but we're still holding out hope for warm temperatures and green grass..

belly laughs

My boys were giggling at each other earlier.  My heart is full.

Levi was disobediently blowing bubbles on his lips at the dinner table..you know how you can make noises with your lips and little bubbles come out.  He's not allowed to do that while eating and was getting a warning when Crew started belly laughing at him.  Levi played through his nap today so was running on a short fuse.  He kept choosing to do things that he knew he wasn't supposed to do and I was getting tired..but then my baby wouldn't stop giggling at him.  God's grace is so good and unexpected.

Thank you Jesus for the small moments when you remind us of your goodness.  After a tiring day with lots of emotions, those little baby belly laughs were just what I needed to hear.

Life Lately

I'm not going to lie..life lately has been tough.  Not a bad tough, just a time of learning new roles and routines.  I recently listened to a recording of convocation at Liberty where Jerry Jr was commenting on change and progress - everyone hates change but loves progress.  Change is inevitable, but we don't always handle it well.

I'll start by saying I have been blessed by two sweet little boys..three boys really..but two little ones.  Crew turned three months old a couple weeks ago and I'm beginning to fear that we'll be closing in on his first birthday before I know it!  This whole two kids thing seems to have sped up time.

 

To summarize the boys: Crew has found his hands; he likes to either hold them together or have them up near his face or mouth.  I find it adorable when I find him laying there with his arms making a big O shape as his hands are tightly clasped out in front of him.  He always seems so pleased with himself and entertained.  He is letting me in on his sleep patterns and we've come to a mutual understanding regarding those patterns.  If I'm allowed to say so, Crew seems rather smitten with me.  I often find him following me with his big puppy eyes.  He seems to be a bit more solemn than Levi ever was, but he does smile for us and is giggling more as well.  As long as he isn't tired, he also gives his big brother lots of smiles - which makes this mama's heart happy.

Levi's talking has taken off.  I love getting to hear what is going on inside his little head - often still regarding trucks or tractors.  Sometimes he counts things (sometimes accurately, sometimes not).  Sometimes his trucks move things.  Sometimes he's a firetruck (he has a signature siren sound).  Sometimes he's giving someone (like cousin Casen) a play by play of what he's doing: "Keiko, going down stairs!  Keiko, going up stairs!  Keiko, tractor worker!"  I don't know if it's because he is a little boy or because he is a toddler, but his energy level (and volume level) seem to be increasing.  I'm not sure how many more increases I can handle..ha!

Levi tried on Crew's hat..

Levi loves Crew and loves to help.  We still have to watch him as he gives snuggles to be sure he doesn't squish Crew.  Almost any time we lay Crew on his tummy, Levi likes to get down next to him on his own tummy, as close as possible, and giggle at Crew's face.  He alerts me whenever he hears Crew wake up after a nap.  Crew is also included now in his random singing: "Mommyyyyyyy, Daddyyyyyyyy, Crewwwww, Levi, Mommyyyyyyy, Daddyyyyyy, Crewww, Levi..."

Basically, both boys are doing well and seem to genuinely enjoy the other's company (for the most part).  I think I have found my groove with caring for 2 kids and although I very much prefer to have Clay around home to help, I know that I am capable.

Pink breakfast on Valentine's Day

Clay started his new job on January 12th.  I am so thankful that it didn't start any sooner (for my own sake of adjusting to life with Crew).  He is enjoying what he is doing and thinks that it will be a good fit.  However, as with starting just about any new job, it has been rather overwhelming.  Not only is he learning management skills, but he also has to get up to speed with knowing the company and its technology.  The poor guy has been in the car nonstop for training with people all over the state.  And if I may add, his poor wife has been left home in the middle of winter (90 inches so far, folks!).

As I stated earlier, its been tough.  The Lord has been so good in allowing me to find joy at home with the boys.  Don't get me wrong, I want to stay home with them, but I used to have my husband around more to talk with, and a job to give me involvement with a community of people who appreciated my contributions.  However, our family is my priority and I'm learning what that means as a wife and mom.  The travel will slow down with Clay's job and I will continue to find my groove at home.

Brothers on Valentine's Day

Thankfully, Levi brings me lots of laughter and just today was acting out an episode of Little Einsteins (its a Disney Junior show).  I guess that little brain of his is remembering a lot more than we realize..

Here's to hoping Spring comes soon..

crew james

Another sweet little  boy joined our family in November.

My pregnancy this time was very similar to the first..no complications and fairly comfortable.  I was sleeping well all the way up until the last couple days and only had some belly pain after my long walks.  I didn't have a (realistic) checklist of things I wanted to get done before the baby arrived.  We had already decided that the baby would stay in our room so that Levi could stay in the nursery until he (or we) was ready for a big bed.  So really my only pressing to-do item was a pedicure that I think can easily be justified prior to labor :).

Thankfully, I got together with some girlfriends on a random Wednesday evening, over a week before my due date, for an evening of Target, Panera, and pedicures.  I say it was a random evening, but it was the night before my birthday and although it wasn't a planned birthday celebration, its always fun to do something out of the ordinary around your birthday. 

Well, maybe it's true that those little leg massages they do at the salon can put you into labor.  As one of my friends put it, my toes couldn't have been any fresher..  I woke up the next morning around 6:30 with some all too familiar back pain.  I had mostly all back labor with Levi and apparently this baby was going to be the same.  I tried to wait a little bit to make sure this was the real deal (I mean, it was my birthday, and although the end result would be absolutely wonderful, who really wants to go through labor on their birthday?!).  However, I decided this was probably it when the back cramps weren't stopping.  I calmly told Clay that he should probably text or call his mom to give her a head's up to take her packed bag to work with her (our plan was for her to come up as soon as we knew it was baby time to stay with Levi).

Although the pain wasn't all too intense, it was consistent.  I really didn't want to call the doctor too early but I had been warned repeatedly not to wait too long.  I called the doctor shortly after 7..it was a very pleasant conversation where we talked about my contractions, our plan for Levi, how far from the hospital we were, and how my hospital bag wasn't fully packed.  I like my doctor a lot but he is a bit odd, and I felt the conversation was a bit chatty for someone in labor.  Anyway, we decided that I would eventually head to the hospital and I told him it would probably be about an hour or so.  During this time, Clay was making phone calls to 3, yes 3 different people, to take care of Levi.  None of them worked out that morning.  Ha.  So, we ended up taking Levi to our friends' house (one of the girls from the night before), even though she had her own toddler and baby to tend to (thanks Katie!).  

Sometime after 8, we all left to take Levi and then head on to the hospital.  Compared to my labor with Levi, this was a very calm ride..almost too calm to the point that I was wondering if we were heading in too early.  When we arrived at the hospital, Clay asked if he should drop me off or if I wanted to walk in from the parking lot.  Still feeling good, I told him I would walk in.  About the time we were circling the parking garage up to the very top, I decided that it was a good idea we were at the hospital after all.  As we parked, I got a phone call from my doctor asking where I was (I felt slightly guilty about him having to call me but also thought it was amusing).  He called at 8:39.

We went in (the correct entrance this time..), waited for the elevator that always seems to take so long at this hospital, got a room, and things moved quickly from there.  Thankfully, Mary came into my room shortly after we did.  Mary, who I had never met before, was the sweetest midwife on staff with the hospital.  She was soft spoken and gentle, and spoke in a heavy accent which was comforting for some reason.  I had no experience of working with a midwife and I sincerely believe that she had a huge impact on the way my labor and delivery went from here.  Mary let us know that I was 6 centimeters dilated, which made me wonder if we came too soon, but also told us the baby was right in position for birth.

Well, obviously we know how this story ends.. My doctor was there for much of my labor, but almost all of my interaction was with Mary; I had told her that she couldn't leave so the nurses had jokingly told my doctor that he had been replaced.  Mary was so helpful in giving me techniques to manage the pain.  We attempted to get through the rest of the check-in paperwork in between contractions but eventually that was put aside and would be finished later.  Clay was great at doing what he could; still not a lot of time for texts, tissues, or pictures, but I think he was more prepared for that this time.

At 9:37AM, Crew James made his appearance.  Unlike with Levi, I only remember pushing about 3 or 4 times and Crew was there.  I loved having his warm little body on my belly, and his sweet little head, covered with dark hair, smelled so good.  Those first few moments when the baby that was just inside of you minutes earlier, is now in your arms - unreal.  

I remember thinking how he seemed much smaller than when Levi was born and he would not. stop. screaming!  He had this high-pitched squeaky cry that was awful to listen to..immediately the mommy instincts kicked in, and I just wanted to make him happy and content.  

I hadn't put much thought into what these first moments would look like for our little family, but gosh the feelings of how-in-the-world-are-we-going-to-know-how-to-take-care-of-this-little-guy collided with feelings of overwhelming and abundant love.  Lord, give us wisdom and direction as we parent these two little boys..

Levi got to come in and meet Crew later that evening.  I loved that he got to come in the same day and meet Crew when he was brand new.  I know Levi won't remember it, but I will, and they were some sweet moments.  

  

All in all, it really was a great day and I couldn't have asked for a better labor and delivery.  I think it's safe to say that I won't ever have another birthday quite like this one.  I hope Crew is ok with sharing his birthday with his mom..  

     

We thank Jesus for the safe and healthy arrival of Crew..prayers are appreciated as we raise our boys!!