Baby Mac and a Pumpkin Truck

Only the coolest Dad in the world hauls 100 pumpkins around in the back of his truck!

And only the coolest cousins hang out in the back of the truck with the pumpkins.

Baby Date

My handsome date to a Life Group Baby Shower 

Sweet guy is going through some major separation anxiety

and screams when I am within sight but not holding him.

I was happy to have him with me at his godparent's baby shower

where he got love from some sweet friends...

and rocked a pretty awesome bow-tie and argyle socks in honor of Austin!

Baby Skeleton

Secrets and Kisses

My sweet boy doesn't have much of a choice right now,

but I'd say he's going to be another mama's boy. 

It absolutely melts my heart when he smiles and coos at me 

and calms, almost instantly, when I pick him up.

 

We share some secrets - and kisses -

and laugh together when his big brother gets in trouble

and is sent to time out for some silly shenanigan. 

The other day we were sitting together

after Alekzander was sent to his room,

and in a rare quiet moment,

Anderson looked right at me, smiled his big gummy grin 

and stuck out his tongue as if to say, "Haha big bro just got in trouble!" 

 

What he really meant to say was,

"I will never act like that.  I will always listen to my mommy the first time."

 

And of course,

"I will love you forever, Mommy."

 

You know ... if 10 week olds could talk ... that is surely what he would say. 

 

9 Weeks Ago

Exactly 9 weeks ago, we were getting out of the car to treat Mia to a thank you dinner at Sweet Tea's when Anderson decided he wanted to play ... three weeks early.

:: A Birth Story ::

Mia had come down to hang out with Alekzander while our nanny was on vacation at the beach.  I worked three hours that morning tutoring, then came home to see if anyone wanted to run errands with me.  Both Mia and Alekzander were having too much fun, so I went by my{pregnant}self to Target and JoAnn's Fabric.  I wandered around Target and picked out some "big brother" gifts as well as checked other essentials off my imaginary, never ending mental list.  After a rough encounter and nearly crying at JoAnn's, I walked the aisles thinking ... I hope my water doesn't break here ... it would be a sucky place/situation for that to happen. By the time I got home, I had to turn around and head out for an in-home tutoring session with a new 9 year old friend.  We played and learned math, and then I chatted with her mom for ten minutes afterward while swatting at mosquitoes in front of her house ...

I left, planning on seeing them the next morning, and rushed home to meet the family for dinner.  I left my car running, but ran inside to change out of my too-tight maternity capris ...  a few minutes later, we were on our merry way to dinner and I was anticipating fried green tomato goodness.

When we got out of the car and started walking towards the front of the restaurant in the strip of commercial stores, I felt wetness... half joking, I called out to Andrew, "Um ... either I am peeing myself or my water just broke."  A little bit of suppressed panic exchanged between my mom, Andrew, and me.  Andrew calmly suggested that I go clean up in the restroom while he ordered food to go for everyone.  Since that was obviously not truly an option, we loaded back into the car. My voice wavered and cracked as I tried to assure everyone {and myself} that everything was fine... we were just going to have a baby much earlier than expected! 

Poor Alekzander starting crying because our family date night ended abruptly and he briefly thought he wasn't going to get to eat. Luckily home was less than 5 minutes away, so Andrew dropped off my mom and me at the house to pack bags and clean up while he and Alekzander went back to Sweet Tea's to order food for my "last meal" before delivering a baby. We figured we had {at most} 24 hours before we met Anderson... ready or not.

The next 40 minutes was the most anxiety-filled time warp of my life. It was a flurry of activity that both dragged and rushed by at the same time. I stood in the shower talking to the nurse who asked me questions about gushes{that I was afraid she could hear!}, contractions, and body parts presenting. I laughed about the presenting body parts because I wasn't going to check and told her I didn't think I had any contractions all day, but I did mention that my jeans felt too tight and that made me uncomfortable {and apparently kind of vain}. She advised me to go to the hospital as quickly and safely as possible and reminded me not to eat anything. 

I started to shower when the phone rang 3 times with a "336" number that I didn't recognize. I finally answered, and it was the same after-hours nurse reiterating "hurry"... as in don't dilly dally or do unnecessary things like wash your hair, pick out your going home outfit, pack your husband's bag, or clean out the front seat of the car.  I did the bare minimum but was still waiting for Andrew to get home with food that I could not eat. 

After what felt like forever, the boys came home... we took a hurried family photo and rushed off. Sweet Alekzander was so calm and content to have a dinner date with Mia. He sent us off with a wave.  On the way to the hospital, we both made 2 phone calls to family, and I sent a text to 3 friends letting them know it was "go time," but we weren't ready to make it public news.  I also cancelled my first 2 tutoring sessions for the next day.

We realized that we weren't mentally ready and had not even taken one class this time since we were having a planned C-section. In fact, Alekzander's 'big brother' hospital tour and class was supposed to be the following Saturday. 

One hour after my water broke in a parking lot in Pineville, we were in the parking garage at our hospital Uptown. Fifteen minutes later,we were in triage hooked up to a machine to monitor Anderson's heartbeat. The nurse asked us if we had considered a V-BAC, but we truly hadn't given a second thought to anything other than a C-section on July 26. Her advice was to continue with our plan and go with the C-section, and Andrew prayed for a clear answer... which we got a few minutes later. After an internal "check" and a double-check by a second nurse, we learned that I was fully dilated and both nurses felt a body part... Anderson's hand they thought. The OB came flying in and told me I didn't have a choice: the C-section-was happening now!! Thankfully Anderson's heartbeat was strong and stable, so they began to prep me for a spinal... and 45 minutes after arriving at the hospital, I was on my way to the OR with a bit of urgency. 

However, a strange overwhelming calmness took over despite my uncontrollable shaking/shivering from pure adrenaline, fear, and the cold temperature in the OR. Everyone was amazing and perfect...and I was at peace while trying to process everything going on. I was face-to-face with a surgical mask and kind eyes framed by long lashes and was surrounded by strangers chatting and laughing.  We talked about Alekzander, home brew beers, and my belly position was described as "Kadywompus" by one male anesthesiologist while the other, a woman, wore shiny, sparkly Dorothy Crocs. I must have asked for Andrew 3 times...afraid they would forget to invite him into the OR. Of course they did not! 

Once he was in the room, it was "go time". Everything went perfectly even though the limb presenting itself was determined to be a leg, not an arm, which required a bit more tugging and dislodging. And 2 hours and 12 minutes after my water broke, a little panic, and a lot of peace, we had our perfect little boy.

  And 9 weeks later, here we stand - in the same spot this crazy story began.

Chunky Monkey :: 9 weeks/2 months

Reading before dinner while Anderson snoozed

A Late Announcement

We've been a little busy these past 8 weeks, but incredibly blessed on a daily basis.

We are so happy to celebrate Anderson's birth with our family and friends 

and are so thankful for the outpouring of love and care we have received from everyone.

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

This is the day that the Lord has made; 

let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

Psalm 118:24

Surprised by his early arrival, we were immediately blessed 

by the pure love and joy Anderson added to our family.  

Daddy and Mommy are so proud to be parents of another perfect little boy, 

and Alekzander is the most affectionate, adoring, and helpful big brother.

A Sleepy Babe

 "Newborn" Photoshoot with Laura 

{Almost 3 weeks old}

Faces of Anderson

Newly Born

You know those adorable sleepy, posed newborn pictures?

Apparently my newborn didn't want to play nice

... or sleep ... or get his picture taken.

But my sweet, talented friend did capture these 

{during an impromptu photoshoot when she graciously 

delivered a delicious dinner when Anderson was 11-ish days old?!}

that make me smile. And laugh.

This.was.awesome.

Anderson and Xander :: Battle Cry

CW Parade 2013

Something we look forward to every year :: the CW 4th of July parade.  

Pre-kids, we would sit and have breakfast in our neighbor's driveway and watch all the red, white, and blue clad children chase after the firetruck, but now that we all have {multiple} children, we are part of the craziness.

Nine months pregnant and threatening rain clouds couldn't stop us 

from taking part in this annual tradition.

The firemen leading the parade suggested to Andrew {parade 'director'} 

that he cut the parade route short because of the weather 

and all the pregnant people in our neighborhood... 

he was sure to tell them I was one of the pregos and altered the route for all of us.

I jokingly asked the firemen for a ride, 

but we only walked a little over 1/2 mile instead of the normal 1 mile... 

Keeping up with my crazy boy has me well trained!

Summer Nights

Summer nights.

Family time.

Live music.

Late bedtimes.

Perfect memories.

Running.  Always running!

Sweet kiss from my favorite little guy.

 Hello 34 week belly ...

 Love.

Zoo's View

Big Bro + Lil Bro

Can't wait for the boys to wear these shirts...

Two of my favorite gifts from one of my favorite friends {Caitlin}.

So blessed that my boys are so loved.

One Month Left

In one month, we will be celebrating a birthday.

In one month, we will be eating blueberry cake {per Alekzander's wish}.

In one month, we will have balloons on our mailbox and a stork in our yard.

In one month, we will go from 3 to 4 A's

In one month, we will go from 6 to 8 feet to chase, run, and play.

In one month, we will go from 30 to 40 fingers to hold, tickle, and help.

 

In one month, we will get to meet our little guy.

And in one month, our hearts will fall in love. Again.

Countdown to Baby Anderson

With a three and a half year old,

its hard to explain that the baby is coming ... 

just not yet!

We decided to do a calendar countdown beginning in June,

and now Alekzander understands a little better

that we have to fill up all of the days for almost 2 whole months!

He gets to color/draw in each day when he wakes up.

So far it is a big hit thanks to new markers Daddy brought home, 

and he no longer asks me if Anderson is coming tonight - 

or if I will be at the "hopstible" when he wakes up.

{I HOPE NOT!!!}

The days are going by quickly!

31 weeks + 6 days

June 6, 2013

Arriving 7.26.13

Anderson :: Manly, Brave, Son of Andrew

Maddox ::  Good, Generous, Child of the Lord

Understanding

I hate using my growing belly as an excuse, but more often than not, I am telling Alekzander I cannot easily/comfortably {feasibly} sit on the floor and play for long periods of time, or drive trucks on the driveway because my belly gets in the way.  I often say, "Remember, Mommy can't run fast right now..." I wish I could, and I hope he doesn't resent me for my lack of hard play, but I think he gets it, and is developing empathy in the most amazing 3 year old way!

He and Daddy are having a camp out tonight in the backyard.  Unprompted, he told Daddy that I could not join their sleepover because I had to sleep in the house so me and the baby could be "comfy".  I did lay with them for a while to read books, look at stars, and listen to excited chatter, but eventually told Alekzander that I was going to have to go inside in a few minutes.  He said "Go now, Mommy!"  I guess I wasn't needed or wanted ... but he did initially have my {and baby's} well-being in mind.

I don't know how much he understands about the reality of his world changing in 3-ish short/fast months, but he has given me much confidence about the transition.  The other day when I was cleaning his room, I asked him if he wanted to pick out some books that the baby could have.  To my surprise, he wanted to clear out an entire shelf of baby board books.  He told me he didn't need them anymore because he likes reading big boy books because he is a big boy.  I was a little sad to realize that he has outgrown all of his Sandra Boynton books, but I love his willingness to share!

Alekzander constantly tries to figure out and process everything.  We have had multiple discussions about how the baby gets food...  at first he was afraid that I would get the baby messy whenever I ate, but now he will tell you that the baby eats my food through a rope {umbilical cord}!  He knows where the baby will live and tries to figure out how the baby will fit into our lives.  On a walk the other day, he was talking about going on a walk with Syra after the baby came.  He assigned me to push his blue stroller and Daddy to walk Syra {the opposite of our current roles} and allocated the baby to stay home.  He stopped himself and said, "Silly Alekzander.  The baby can't stay home alone."  Luckily we already have a double-stroller, so the whole family will be able to walk together ... and no one will get left behind!

Precious boy is obsessed with my belly...  he has to say good morning and good night to it every day!  It is so sweet.  I cannot wait to see him as a big brother when the baby actually gets here.  Already he takes his role seriously.   We were talking about having to buy pacis for the baby and I told Alekzander that he could be the 'Paci Hunter' and rescue dropped pacis from under the crib and wash them.  He was willing to do the job, but got hung up on the logistics.  "But Mommy, I can't reach the sink to wash the pacis..."  I promised him that we would get him another stool for the upstairs bathroom so that he could help like a big brother.  {Thanks to Mia, my promise has been fulfilled, and Alekzander will be able to do his job.}

I so love watching his understanding increase - as well as his heart get bigger and bigger {and full of Jesus' love} - as my belly grows at a seemingly exponential rate!

A Planned Birthday

 We received a letter a few weeks ago informing us of our

scheduled c-section...

Baby A has a planned birthday...

{if he decides to cooperate}

...now he just needs a name!

 

Scrambled "soup" letters of Baby A's first and middle name...