Gabie Updates

Just thought I'd post a few pics of Gabie, since most of the posts have been about Caleb lately! Here are a few pics of him eating a big boy sandwich at Jimmy John's, showing off his new bike helmet (for the bike trailer Dan got), finger painting, and one of him napping on the couch (that's how I got him down for his nap while Caleb was sleeping). He is such a sweet boy and we realized the other day he just talks now - no longer just certain words or imitating us or things he's heard - he just talks to us now using his own language skills. It's crazy how quickly he's grown! Sometimes when he wants to say something but isn't sure of the word, he'll look off into the distance and squint his eyes and say "ummm, I don't know how to say it...." He's doing great as a big brother and whenever he talks to Caleb he uses a really high pitched voice and draws out his words like "hiiiiii, caaaweeeebbb.."

By popular demand...

Here are a few pics....Caleb's first bottle, bright-eyed, big brother is watching, looking for some more yummies, and cuddling with daddy.

5 Hours and Growth Spurt?

Last night and Wednesday night Caleb slept a five hour stretch during the night, which has been great. I feel like a new woman and I think I actually had some dreams! However, last night he was fussier than he's been so far and this morning, too, staying awake for almost 4 hours and nursing constantly. I'm wondering if he's having the three-week growth spurt? I read under "cluster feeding" in the What to Expect the First Year book that this can happen at three weeks (he's three weeks today) and that it's only supposed to last a day or two, so we'll see.

I know I say this every time, but I will try to post some pics soon (I just need to download them). In other news, we got a new chimney today. Not the most exciting thing to spend money on, but it had to be done since you could see straight though our old one! Maybe Dan will post some pics on his blog (I think he's been blogging again, but don't tell him I told you).

Life at Two Weeks

Things are still going really well. Caleb is doing great and Gabe seems to have grown a lot older in the last couple of weeks. I am doing fine, too. I feel good, other than I think I had mastitis, or at the very least a clogged duct, which I am taking an antibiotic for (had a fever one day last week of 103?!). That has me discouraged a bit, but I really can't complain. Caleb is still eating a lot, but I am learning his hungry cries from his tired cries, so now there are times when I can get him to sleep without feeding him. :-)

He also had his first bottle yesterday, which is great news for me because it means a little bit more freedom to get out or sleep! I still think he is sleeping his longest stretches during the day, but he sleeps pretty well at night. I think he had a four hour stretch last night, but it was from about 8:30 to 12:30 and then he was awake until about 2. In general, though, he usually eats and then goes back to sleep (I'd say 2 to 3 hours is average). It's all a little bit of a blur.....

We had our first outing last Thursday. We went to Oak Park and went to Jimmy John's for dinner. It felt really good to get out! Then Gabe and I went to McD's for a milkshake on Friday, just to spend some time together. I think that's been one of the hardest things - not getting to spend as much time with him or give him my undivided attention. It seems like everytime he wants me to do something I am nursing the baby or something, but I know we'll all adjust in time. He is doing really well as a big brother - I just miss our one-on-one time together.

Dan went back to work today after taking two weeks off. He was a great help with Gabe and they got to spend lots of quality time together. This morning was my first extended period "alone" with both boys, and then my mom came out around lunch to help for the afternoon. I know that being home alone with both boys will definitely be an adjustment!

In some ways I look forward to more predictability with baby and longer sleeping at night, but at the same time I don't want to wish these early days away because I know they are so brief and they are not this little for very long!

I'll try to post some more pics soon. Hope you are all doing well.

More Pics

Sorry for the delay in getting more pics up. Life is busy with a newborn AND a toddler. :-) Things are going well, though, and Caleb is starting to sleep longer stretches at night, so we are feeling more rested. He is doing really well and seems to only cry when he's hungry. The pics above are big brother giving "baby kk" a kiss, at our first doctor's appointment, family photo, close-up and first sponge bath.

Hope everyone is well and we'll try to get more pics up soon or maybe send out a yahoo album or something. Take care!

Day 6

Hi, All! Things are going well here. I just wanted to post this link to Caleb's hospital photos. For some reason it won't let me go in to add a message, but you should still be able to view it using our last name as the password.

Caleb had a check-up today (weight and color) and did really well. Normally they are below birth weight at this point, but he is already back to birth weight and then some - 9 lb. 4 oz.!! His color is great, no jaundice at all, so we are just grateful for a healthy baby boy (and a healthy big brother). I can't say I was super surprised about the weight - he is eating a LOT. :-) Because of his weight, we don't have to take him in for the two-week check-up.

I'll try to post more pics soon. Thanks to all for your well wishes, thoughts, prayers, gifts, meals....we feel very blessed!

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage.asp?UrlID=9Y1U3Y0J5W

Baby Caleb is Here!

Caleb was born on Saturday at 3:45 pm. He was 8 lbs, 14 oz, and almost 21 inches long. We're so thankful that he was born in good health, without any serious complications. So far, he's a pretty quiet guy, and he's doing really well eating. Sara's doing well, just understandably tired. Gabe is very proud of baby brother...any time we walk by someone in the hospital who makes eye contact with him, he tells them, "I'm have a baby brova."

Sara and I came in to the hospital Friday night around 4 AM and he was born less than 12 hours later.

Sara did great; I have such tremendous respect for my girl...we're all pretty tired now...I (Dan) will post more later when I feel less sleepy, but we wanted to get some pics out for those of you who haven't gotten to meet "Kay-Dub" yet.

Thanks for your prayer and support. We look forward to having him meet lots of you soon!

Surprise!

Well, it's been a long night, but our new baby is finally here. Everybody agrees that Gabe looks just like dad, but this guy looks a lot like his mom. Here's our first pic!


Dan

Look at those eyes.....

I love this close-up of Gabe and his big brown eyes. It's always hard to get a good close-up and this is probably the best one I've gotten. These pics are from Sunday when he and Dan were washing the van in their sleeveless Ts and Crocs.

Due Date

Just a quick note for anyone wondering...still no baby, though he is/was technically due today. So much for the theory of not being past due with your second baby! This guy is proving to be a little like his brother was - in no particular rush to get here! So, we'll keep you posted...

Waiting

I am absolutely loving this weather. It's making these last few days waiting for baby enjoyable. I think things are about as ready as they are going to be...though I keep thinking of random things like, maybe we should clean and straighten the basement?? Crazy, I know.

So, we're just passing time and hanging out with Gabie. He and Dan are out washing the cars and Dan has some ribs on the grill that are smoking and smell delicious.

I definitely can't complain. I'm feeling pretty good other than my back is hurting and I'm tired of course. I have actually slept pretty well the last couple nights and Dan got up with Gabe this morning so I could sleep in. I must have fallen back asleep pretty fast and when I woke up it was to Dan and Gabe coming up the stairs bringing me a sausage biscuit meal from McDonald's (my favorite unhealthy meal!). So sweet of them (Gabe also wanted to bring me back a few bites of his hotcakes - Dan said he said "I bring them to her.").

We'll keep everyone posted if there are any developments!