Christmas and my Boys

So, here is our very first family picture! It was Christmas Eve so we decided to dress up a little for the Christmas Eve service at church. We had a wonderful Christmas! It was pretty relaxing for once! My whole family came to our house Christmas morning. They made it even in the blizzard, but just barely- my Dad and brother had to take their 4 wheel drive vehicles to pick up all of my grandparents first! Then we enjoyed a nice breakfast (which I made all by myself! But it wasn't anything too difficult... I did most of it the night before) and opened presents and visited. The nice thing was Isaac woke up at 7 and stayed awake until 11 and then took a 4 hour nap in the bassinet! Everyone arrived at about 10:30 so I got to enjoy myself while he was asleep. I kinda feel bad because I know people want to see and hold him, but I didn't want him to be too overstimulated either. Tyler had a great Christmas... it was so fun because he understood so much more this year. The look on his face when he first woke up and saw his presents was priceless.

Here is my cute little Isaac on his first Christmas! He is just so adorable. I wish everyone could see him in person because I really don't think pictures do him justice. Dean and I wondered what little nickname he would get because Tyler has always been "punkin head." I know it's probably silly but so far I've been calling Isaac "peepers" because I just love his eyes and he makes the cutest little noises (peeps). He has his daddy's eyes and he makes the cutest expressions. He is such a good baby. Tyler would never sleep unless we were holding him it seemed like, but Isaac will sleep anywhere and for good lengths of time. And Tyler LOVES him, still! People keep asking me how Tyler is handling things and he's just fine, like nothing has even changed. He still loves to hold him and gives him kisses all the time. He's even protective of him! When I was giving Isaac a bath Tyler was watching and said "don't get water in my baby brother's eyes, mom." Then when the nurse had him at his 2 week appt. Tyler told her to be careful and not to hurt him. SO SWEET! I love my boys......

He's Here!!!!

Isaac Dean was born Dec. 14 at 11:46 pm! He was 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. He is absolutely perfect! If you can't tell from the pictures he has red hair!! So cute!!! Everything went really well and I feel great. Can I just say, this boy did NOT want to be born on his due date (the 13th). I had contractions on friday that kinda hurt and then nothing on Saturday. Sunday they were back, but I figured it was false labor again. WRONG. It was early labor! When they got pretty close together around dinner time we decided I should go get checked... that way I would be sure to get those antibiotics in time if I needed them. We ate dinner, showered, got some stuff together just in case, and left. I was dead sure we'd be sent home. My midwife just happened to be there with another patient when we arrived so she checked me and said I was at 3-4 cm. She went ahead an stripped my membranes and said, there, now you're at a 4-5! Needless to say, I wasn't sent home after that. We arrived at the hospital at about 8:30 and Isaac was born at 11:46! It was really fast! Good thing too, cuz this time I didn't have an epidural :-).

Tyler absolutely adores him already. He wants to help us all the time and he'll sit and hold Isaac for as long as we'll let him (someone helps him, of course). He kisses him a ton and loves on him. It's just so sweet. He is such a good big brother already!

As for me, I feel great! I really do. I felt pretty good after I had Tyler but this time I feel even better. I hardly have any pain at all. I can't believe it. I just feel like I went and worked out... my muscles are a little sore. And I'm tired. Praise the Lord! I'm so glad he's finally here!


This is the outfit Dean went and chose for him to come home in.... a little Christmas suit!

Baby Update...

Well, I had (hopefully) my last appointment tonight. I am 1 cm dilated (whoop-dee-doo) and he is really, really low. She said she'd be surprised if I made it to Monday!!! Yay, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! She couldn't help me out by stripping my membranes yet, something about my cervix being up around his head or something? Sorry if that's too much info. However, if I hadn't had him by Monday I'm going in and they're going to do it first thing in the morning. Dean and I are thinking it will happen Saturday. There is a full moon (which actually starts tomorrow) and there is supposed to be a big winter storm. Dean really wants us to have him while there's a blizzard for some reason... something about it adding to the excitement :-). Not to mention that's my actual due date anyway. We'll keep you updated!

God is Awesome

I just had to write and tell you of an amazing thing that happened last night. Reading a devotion yesterday morning, the Lord really tugged at my heart to give to those who are truly in need instead of keeping my "riches" to myself. This was especially appropriate since Christmas is upon us! We have been struggling over knowing how much we are able to give to help others have a blessed Christmas this year. After reading the devotion a realized that even if we don't have a lot, we still have more than a lot of people out there.

Anyway, Dean (who is a cable tech) installed cable for an older man that was pretty sick and depressed yesterday. The man's clothes didn't fit because he had lost so much weight from being ill. His pants would fall down to his ankles if he let go of them. My husband got home and told me about this man and we decided to go buy him some pants and shorts that might fit and take them and leave them on his doorstep anonymously. Upon our arrival to his house last night, Dean discovered him in his backyard, curled up on the sidewalk with blood everywhere (and really, it was EVERYWHERE) and severe head lacerations. He was conscious but had lost a lot of blood. Dean called 911 and tried to keep the man still until help arrived. I was in the van with Tyler and I still didn't know what was going on. I was worried because Dean was taking a long time, and then I saw the ambulance and fire truck lights. I got out to see what was going on and I thought I was looking at a crime scene.

Had we not gone back when we did this man probably would have died. He told Dean earlier that nobody was around to help him, he was completely on his own. Who knows how long it would have taken someone to find him! It looked to me like someone beat up this man but after the police investigated a little they think he had too much to drink (he also told my husband he was an alcoholic) and he fell down his cement stairs and badly injured himself. I don't know how someone could injure themselves that badly but I guess the police know what to look for. The Lord definitely had is hand in the situation and put us there for a reason. It just amazes me how He orchestrated the whole thing. Oh, and while Dean was there earlier he was able to share the gospel with him a little and encourage him. Praise God ! He is truly awesome!

Please pray for this man and his healing from his illness, injuries, and addiction. I feel that from now on, even if we never see him again, he will hold a special place in our hearts.

Just ONE more thing...

.... To worry about, that is! Nothing too major, I don't think, but annoying if nothing else! I tested positive for group B strep. I know it's fairly common and I probably should worry too much, but I am anyway. Here's the thing. If my water breaks, Isaac is at risk. I have to get my behind to the hospital FAST. If it doesn't break, he is fine, but I have to have antibiotics in my system for at least 4 hours before I deliver. My worry here? My labor with Tyler was 9 hours. This one will probably be shorter, and I was hoping I could stay home for a while. Now I will be too freaked out! My mom's labor with my oldest brother was 9 hours and her second was only 4 1/2. If I follow her pattern... well, you can see my concern.

So, today I call our family Dr. to ask his policy on the whole thing as far as Isaac is concerned. I had been told before that they only keep the baby longer in the hospital if the mom hasn't had the antibiotics in her system long enough before the birth. Come to find out, our Dr. keeps the baby longer no matter what. I'm not sure how much longer,but I know how much I hated being in the hospital when we had Tyler and I was only there for a day and a half! Ugh.

I am thankful that they are going to make sure Isaac is ok, of course that is number one priority! I'm just annoyed with the whole situation and hoping everything works out ok. After researching it on the internet I'm a little more freaked out. Isaac could come down with some serious stuff if he gets it, but I guess the chances are slim. I'll just have to pray alot and hope the Lord takes care of him!

On a more positive note, only about 10 days till my due date! My midwife doesn't think he'll come early at all since Tyler didn't, so I'm trying to prepare myself for possibly being overdue! I hope not.... but nonetheless he'll be here soon!