9 months.

9 months old is officially my favorite. I remember enjoying this stage with G... In fact, I'm almost positive this is when my baby fever went into high gear. L is following suit, except for the whole baby fever thing - pretty sure he knocked that out of me for good...

At 9 months old, L is cruising furniture, standing on occasion without support, speed crawling, and babbling about just about everything. He knows who "Dada" is and when he's upset he'll call for "Mama"... He's got the sweetest personality ever. He gives kisses and the best baby hugs of all time in the history of ever.

And best of all? He adores his big brother. Adores.

John and I talk about it quite often how it feels like he is rewarding us for not throwing the towel in during the early days. He's fun, he's sleeping well and the smiles will about melt you to nothingness.

L's 9 month well baby was a good one. He's moving along right on track. He's 23lbs 4oz {70th percentile} and 29 inches long {70th percentile}... He also busted his two bottom teeth through this month... and did I mention he's happy? Because whoa, this kid is bubbling over with happy. I get excited to see him every morning, but he is always looking for G. He will go and sit by G's door if he isn't up yet. Their budding relationship makes it all worth it.

G and L both are super fun right now... G is in a stubborn and challenging toddler phase, but watching him be gentle and loving with his brother {most days, he IS two.} and have little conversations with him... Ugh, turns this mama into mush.

Yep, 9 months is a good age. I'm happy we're past the colicky newborn days, and the not quite mobile enough to be interesting to G days. I'm gonna be a little sad to see this month go... But! If he's anything like his big brother... 10 months is set to be a pretty radical month as well...

9/52

A snapshot of my kiddos - once a week, every week in 2013

L - Sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. Doesn't he have the best smile? I just love him.

G - Cuddling up to Nana, who got to visit for my birthday. Was the best birthday I've had in a very long time. I've missed her so much. {She's my grandma. My kids' great grandma!}

8/52

A Snapshot of my kiddos once a week, every week... in 2013

 

 

I'm a little late with these this week. Our house was hit with illness once again this week. We've started calling this winter, the winter of the plague because it feels like we just cannot get a break... We've caught every virus out there! Looking forward to a healthy Spring! Hopefully, the pollen won't be as killer as predicted because his household has some gnarly seasonal allergies. Hooray for all of that!

 

Grayson - G has been camera shy this week. Probably because he hasn't been feeling good. But I did manage to get a shot of him with his handsome Daddy fixing his train table. {and yes, most days? My living room looks like a bomb went off.}

 

Lucas - I cannot get enough of pics of this kid in the sink. I just love them! And him! {He started rocking back and forth on all fours this week! Was a big week for the little dude!}

7/52

A Snapshot of my kiddos, once a week... Every week... in 2013...

Grayson - John made this kids WEEK by bringing home a balloon for him on Valentine's Day. I will never forget the excitement in G's voice when he threw his arms around John and yelled, "DADDY BRING ME A BALLOOOOOOON!" Best. Valentines Day. Ever. 

Lucas - Gave this kid his first sink bath this week. It was amazing. And adorable. And he loved it. 

Sidenote - L's six month pics are tomorrow and I can hardly contain my excitement! He's really coming into his own little personality and smiling a lot... Hoping there will be a lot of smiles tomorrow as well... When it comes to G and photos, it's hit or miss... We'll see if Baby Brother follows suit :) 

Lucas Ryan {6 months old!}

What in the world happened to my baby? He's SIX months old! And he's changing much more rapidly than G did. I feel like he's doing many things already that G wasn't doing until he was 9-10 months old! My baby doesn't want to stay that way apparently!

Took L to his six month well baby this morning. He is growing right on track. His percentiles have stayed steady since birth. Long story short, he's a healthy little bubs!

Stats for six month old L...
Weight: 19lbs 2oz {75th percentile}
Length: 27 inches {50th percentile}

The doc was shocked he was sitting so well without support. No hunch or wobble with this little man. He just sat there babbling at her! He even said, "Dada" for the first time while we were in the appointment! It wasn't his first word though, this kid said, "Mama" a couple of weeks ago and has been saying it off and on ever since. Oh my heart. Kills me every time.

He's grabbing for things. He reaches for us when he wants to be picked up... But the most precious thing that he does is he cups my face with his hand... Straight up Renesme style on Twilight. It is so sweet. I need to get a photo of him doing it because I tell you. I could be in the worst mood ever and he does that? Mush. All is forgotten. In that moment? I am all his. He's going to be a little lady killer. I tell you what.

He is OBSESSED with all things G related. If G has a toy? L wants it. If G is talking? L is looking in his direction. L has even figured out how to drag himself with his hands and where does he go? You got it. Where G is. He is absolutely taken with his brother and I LOVE it. G, however, is a different story... What are you going to do? Kids.

L loves petting the dog already. Bax is so tolerant. I just love that little furry turkey. It's really crazy how much I can tell G really couldn't see... Because L is so much more interactive. He's into everything already and he recognizes people. He loves one nursery worker at church in particular. It's so sweet.

Basically, if I could sum L up right now... He's a lovey little ball of energy. His favorite thing in the whole wide world is to cuddle... But he also loves to play {with paper especially! This kid is going to be a blast at Christmas!}... He is doing so well that I don't even stress about milestones. I'm just enjoying him so much!

Now if he would sleep consistently... I know, I know... A girl can dream!

6/52

I like to do these posts on Saturdays, but this past Saturday was hectic... So, it's a bit delayed, but certainly worth the wait. This exchange cracked me up... Happy Monday!

L - ooooh, paper.
G - OMG. I'm stuck in a box next to him.

L - Yes, victory is mine!
G - oooh, is that Little Einsteins I hear?

L - What the? MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He took the paper!
G - Remember who the BIG brother is here homeslice.

Mama - G, be a good big brother and share.
G - Okay mama, I share!
L - Ha! Just as I planned. Mission accomplished.

Brothers. I was happy I had my camera for this... Because I've only gotten a handful of pictures of them together... Hope this is a sign that I can get G in some professional brother pics soon!

Lucas Ryan. A Birth Story.

L is about to turn six months old. I got to thinking about this and realized I haven't written his birth story. I should probably get on that. Considering it won't be fresh in my already frazzled mind forever. Here goes nothing...

L's pregnancy was a long one. Five weeks longer than G's to be exact. I had hyperemesis gravidarum for the second time, but this time it was so severe I needed to be on a pump, that continuously pumped Zofran {an anti-nausea medication} into my system via IV. It was interesting to say the least. Not to mention caring for a toddler when you can barely peel yourself off the bathroom floor? Joyful. So when 37 weeks hit? I was done. DONE.

37 weeks pregnant, exactly. Smiling because the end is in sight!

I begged and begged my doctor to let me be induced. She wouldn't do it. Because she's a good doctor, obviously... And I knew in my heart that this baby wasn't ready to be born yet either... But I was so tired and so uncomfortable and SO ready to stop puking.

Well, thirty nine weeks rolled around and my doctor finally agreed to induce me... I had a date! This was going to happen! Well, 5am on the day I was set to be induced {8/8/12 - how cool would that have been considering G was 10/10/10?} the nurses from the hospital called and let me know they didn't have a bed for me. OK. Fine. I cried. There, I said it. I was so done with the pregnancy and I needed a plan to make sure G was taken care of. It was too much for my pregnant brain to handle.

They called me after a few hours and told me to come in the next morning. So,we did. John and I packed a bag and headed to the hospital. Since I wasn't having any contractions... It was a sort of surreal drive, but since we live nearly an hour away from the hospital... I was glad everything was going so smoothly.

Not to mention, I was lucky enough to have my dear friend Lindsay watch G for me while I was in labor. She also brought my Mom to the hospital so my mom could be with me and John. I was extremely grateful to not have to worry about G with all of the crazy that was about to happen.

By the time my mom had gotten to the hospital, they had hooked me up with fluids and pitocin. It wasn't my first birth with pitocin, so I wasn't scared... But I wasn't exactly thrilled either. The first half of the day, from about 7am when they hooked me up to about noon... The contractions were smooth, steady and completely bearable. Easy even. I was proud of myself for not screaming for the epidural right away.

I got to sit in the glider and rock the contractions out. Which was a nice contrast from G's birth, where I barely moved at all. My doctor came in and checked me at 11am and told me by noon I would probably be asking for an epidural. I knew I definitely would be getting one, but I wanted to at least last an hour longer than she said.

I was dilated to 5cm at 11am. My doctor decided it was time to break my water. By noon I was a 6 and she was right. I was in PAIN. I screamed the F word in front of my mother. I will never forget the thought of, I don't want to say it... I don't want to say it. Ah, crap, I'm gonna say it! No regrets either because that was the kind of pain that deserved the F word.

But I was determined. So, when my nurse came to check me at 1pm and saw that I was crying? She decided it was time to call the anesthesiologist. But guess what? I made it past noon. I was proud.

I finally got an epidural at 2:30. I was in lala land for a bit after that. I was comfortable. Everything was easy again.

Then the scary happened.

My nurse flung open the door and came running in. Looked at me. Looked at my monitor. Looked back at me.

Sara, Can you turn on your side for me? Your left side?

So, I turned over. She didn't tell us what was going on. The next thing I knew she was calling for more personnel and five other nurses and my anesthesiologist came running in.

Oxygen mask on.

Sara, Can you get up on all fours for me?

Now my doctor is in the room. Still not one word from anyone as to what is going on. I look over at John and my mom, both standing there with worried eyes.

My doctor finally speaks, Sara, your blood pressure is really low. Your baby's heartrate is dropping fast. We may need to rush you in for a c section. I know that's not what you want, but the cord could be wrapped around his neck. I'm not really sure.

I keep sitting on all fours. Praying to God to get this baby out. Naturally.

Let me check you. Can you roll back over? That's a really good epidural if you're able to move that much...

She checks me. I'm dilated to 9.5cm and he's sunny side up. She tells us that can lead to a complicated delivery and that she's going to give me another 30-45 minutes to see what happens. Otherwise? C section. Period.

Yikes.

All I could think to do was pray. So, I did. For the entire time. Lord, PLEASE get this baby out. Please let him be okay. Please let me deliver him naturally. PLEASE!

My doctor comes back at 6pm and checks me.

Alright, Sara! Good job! Baby has flipped and your fully dilated, can you give me a quick push?

I push.

Okay! Stop! Stop pushing! I need to get suited up.

My doctor gets suited up. Within ten minutes of pushing... At 6:14pm on August 9, 2012... Lucas Ryan is placed on my chest. And he's perfect. He doesn't need to be whisked away to the NICU. I looked down at him and just could not believe my eyes.

He was here. Perfect. Mine.

The nurse took him and checked him out. All 9's on the APGAR and he was 8lbs 7oz and 22.5 inches long. He latched right away. He was everything I had hoped for.

Us. Right after he was born.

Sick to death that we only took our phones... DO NOT FORGET YOUR CAMERA! You will regret it!

After four long months of nonstop crying and two months adjusting to a new schedule where he's not crying all the time. I am more in love than ever. G seems to have finally realized that L's here to stay... Being a family of four feels good... Feels complete most days... Some days I wonder though... Could there be a third for us? Who knows... For now? I feel extremely grateful for my two healthy happy boys.