Brothers!

I have blogged about Becker's entrance to this world here if you would like to read.  Be forewarned there is talk of dilation and pushing and such, so if that gets to you, just stick to reading this post about how the boys are adjusting!
Many people have asked me how Emrick is doing with Becker.  At first he seemed okay, just a little stand-offish maybe.  But in the last day or two, has really started to come around.  Yesterday, he kissed him a couple of times (which weren't initiated by me).  He is starting to talk to and about him more and more.  And just today, he asked if he could hold him...so I took the opportunity to snap a few shots!  So stinkin cute!

Becker's Arrival

Warning:  I plan to be open about Becker's delivery, which may come across to some as graphic!  FYI!

     As Becker's due date got closer and closer, and my body seemed more prepared for labor this go around (meaning I had actually dilated and softened some on my own), we decided that if Becker hadn't shown up by July 6, we would induce.  So, early Wednesday morning I called the hospital, told them I had an induction scheduled for 7:30am.  They said that there was a small "bed crunch" and to come in at 8 instead.  By the time I got there, got a room, got all the forms and waivers signed, we started pitocin by about 9.  My doctor stuck her head in, and checked on me.  She said that she would come back around lunch to break my water.  Then, we waited.  Jonathan even "facebooked"that the waiting was similar to two years ago referring to Emrick's 36 hour long induction.  At lunch I think I may have been at 5cm.  We had started the day at 3cm, so this wasn't very hopeful that things were moving much quicker.  Jonathan is also now convinced that my body doesn't respond to pitocin because the nurse was pumping that stuff up just as fast as she could and I was barely feeling any contractions.  Finally, my doctor returned, broke my water and said things would intensify.  And they did quickly!  Luckily, the nurse went ahead and put in for my epidural.
     All was good, until I could start feeling "break through" contractions on my left side, and they were very uncomfortable.  My nurse checked me and said that I was 8 or 9cm, so I was really nervous they wouldn't be able to give me any more medicine before I needed to push.  BUT, luckily they were able to!  Just about as soon as it began to work, the doctor came in and said, we were going to check and hopefully try to start pushing.  And that's what we did.  I remember looking at the clock and the granddaddies leaving at 5.  We pushed a total of four times, and Becker was here.  I looked back at the clock and it said 5:05.  The actual time on all of his paperwork says 5:04.  QUICK!  It was good, and can I just say that I LOVE my doctor...she's so calm and collective, and just all around great!
    
      Becker was 8lbs, 11oz, 21 and 3/4 inches long, and was delivered at 5:04.
    
       **Sidenotes:  The scariest thing about Becker's delivery is the news we got after he was born...not only did Becker's cord get wrapped around his neck (a couple of times I think), but when the doctor pulled his cord out, there was a knot in it.  The nurse mentioned how scary that could have been.  My mom or Jonathan's mom (can't remember) asked the nurse how we would have known he had done this, and what the result could've been.  She responded that there wouldn't have been a way to know other than his heart rate decreasing rapidly.  The realization hit me, that we could've lost him, and how very fortunate we are that he is here and that he is safe!  We are loving this little guy.

Dinner and Goodies

The last week of the month can sometime be a challenge on our budget, especially when I'm not working, running the roads, and eating lunch out constantly!!!  So, this week, I've been trying to come up with dinner solutions that we didn't have to buy many ingredients for, and found some crawfish tails in our freezer.  I decided, that I would attempt my hand at Crawfish Pies (empanadas really).  Tonight, Jonathan helped me as we sauteed onions, green peppers, and a little garlic...we added some dirty rice we had left over from last night's dinner, and I stuffed them in circles made out of pre-made pie crusts.  We baked them at 425 for about 12 min...YUMMO!  I also had Jonathan help me by boiling corn and potatoes in crab boil and water.  I really enjoyed it, and it was what I had pictured...hopefully he liked it too!  Here is a picture of our delish and easy dinner:

 A couple of days ago (maybe a week by now), I mentioned on Facebook that my aunt sent us some fun goodies for the boys.  This aunt's brother is the man that Emrick is named after, which means that she is an "Emrick" too!  She has constantly made us feel so incredibly loved, especially since Emrick was born, with special handmade, personalized gifts.  It all came at the perfect time too, cause I was missing my Nana knowing that had she still been here and herself, she would be making goodies for my babies.  Having Aunt Jeanne selfishly give to us in a way similar to what I know Nana would want swells my heart!  Thank you again, Aunt Jeanne, for loving us sooooo well!

She made both boys pillows with their names, a sweet monkey diaper bag that has Becker's name on the back, monkey lovies (we have had Emrick's for a while-the blue one, but upon seeing Becker's, we had to grab Emrick's), and two other soft and cuddly little blankets.  It is very possible that I left out something, cause she's just that good!

 Emrick has learned to be quite the ham...NO IDEA where that comes from.  He loves the camera, and anytime we get it out, he starts..."CHEESE, CHEESE MOMMY, CHEESE"  and this is his latest cheese face...it cracks me up!

 And, this is us cheesing in the kitchen tonight while daddy was trying to take the picture of our dinner.  My face is actually more "cheesy" than his...ummm....wonder what that means?

We are patiently waiting for Becker to make his debut.  Doctor thinks it could go faster (please) this time, and so I am basically just wanting the contractions to start-she seemed to think it would go fairly quickly once they started!  Which all boils down to, it could be tonight, or we could stay at a holding pattern for who knows how long!  

It's Time!

     No, not for the baby...YET!  But, it is getting closer...I actually can't believe we're (hopefully) less than a month away from being a family of four.  Are we ready?  Probably partly, but definitely not completely!  I'm not sure I know how to be until he's here!
    
     SO...it's time to start making some predictions!!!  Jonathan and I started a little poll between the two of us, and I wanted to open it up to everyone else.  When do you think Becker will join us, and what do you think he'll weigh?

Jonathan - July 3, 9lb 4oz
Bailey - July 9, 9lb 9oz (no I'm not hoping for this, but my first baby weighed the same as my mom's first, and her second was 9lb 15oz, so I'm just wishful hoping for a grace of 6oz!! And, no, I wasn't the ten pound fatso...that would be my sister - haha - LOVE YOU)!

*We are thinking that he could be 9lbs because I'm a little larger this go around (for those of you that can't see me).  Emrick was July 12 and 8lb 1oz (just so you know)!

Leave a comment here, or on the link on Facebook...If I can think of something fun, that my husband will agree to...I would love to give a prize to the closest guess!

Before and Afters

      We've been up to alot around here, so this post promises to be a ton of before and after pictures, plus some others for those too far away to see us for themselves!  Have fun!

The Living Room (BEFORE):

 The Living Room (AFTER):

The Hair (BEFORE) - Sorry its blurry!:

 The Hair (AFTER):

The Boys' Room (AFTER) - 

Because I don't have a before...I referenced this project on Facebook...this is the project that Grammie and Poppy helped us get accomplished in one weekend:

 LOVE these cubbies...and Emrick is really learning to put everything on the shelves!

PS-He is totally cheesing here, he HAD to be in the pictures

 We are planning on removing the dresser to the left and changing table (they make getting into the bathroom difficult to say the least)...anyone want/need them...first to come get them can have them!

The dresser in the back is a new purchase and fits clothes for both boys and serves as a changing table too!

      As far as the boys' room goes, there are still a few things I would love to do...shelves for one, and pictures of this sweet boy in my belly, two; but I guess I'll have to wait on the second one!  

      The next several pictures aren't before and afters, but just show what we've been up to!

This is what happens when you try to repeat a picture two years later...such a mess:

Two years ago:

This picture isn't really great, but my belly cracks me up in this picture!  No wonder I can't ever breathe!

This is from my shower at work-it was pretty much AWESOME!

 One of my co-workers made this cake...isn't it precious!  And, it's a shame you can't taste it...YUMMO!

 This picture does our reality no justice.  The green thing in the bottom left corner is a pack-n-play standing upright.  After our two showers, mainly my school shower, the amount of diapers is just as tall. In front of the diapers are all the wipes we were given.  I think we're set for a little while, and we are quite blessed-Thank you sweet co-workers...you AMAZE me!

Oh, and PS - the small blue area you see in the bottom right?  YEP, my belly!!!

AND...

because he's so darn cute!

Our Life Lately

So a little bit of what goes on at our house any given afternoon or night!  We're loving life!

Playing with my Daddy:

Singing & Dancing with Mommy:

*I must give credit where credit is due...Emrick learned this song, and these moves at school!  He absolutely loves school, and he comes home all the time with new stuff they have taught him!

A Friend's Passion

     Last fall, Jonathan and I started hanging out with a couple of college kids (Heather and Michael) that have quickly become some of our favorite people.  In many ways they remind us of ourselves, and for some reason, they don't mind hanging out with us from time to time.  Heather even watches Emrick for me, as I'm sure that Michael would too if I were in a bind (only Heather might have to come change the poopy diapers for him-but he's a college kid, and I'm not sure many college boys have or would be willing to change a dirty diaper, so we'll let him slide)-but I digress!
     We admire their passion for ministry (both of them have it), and its exciting to see them ready to move toward whatever mission God has for each them.  One of Heather's first conversations with me was about her passion to help bring awareness to the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation industry in the United States.  She made the point that while most people aren't terribly surprised that this industry exists in other countries, few know or at least want to admit that it is in America.  It exist in your neighborhood.  We've talked here and there about it since that conversation.  I know that her desire is to start a group of interested individuals that would help her bring awareness to the issue.  So, when she recently handed me a book called Renting Lacy by Linda Smith, and asked me to read it.  I wasn't surprised, and I knew it would mean alot to her if I actually read it.  I am not a big reader for those of you that don't know...or a reader at all.  I mean my goal for this year was to finish three books!  That's it - 3!  I told her I would.  Little did I know that this would be the first book of the year that I finished.
     It's hard to describe this book.  I can't say it's a good book...it's terribly heart-breaking, and uses terrible language from time to time.  I can't say its not a good book, I couldn't stop reading it (and again, for a non-reader like myself that's huge).  But, its real.  It uses the language and the scenes that actually exist in the world that these girls live in.  It is incredibly insightful, and humbling.  There are times that it will make you sad, and others that will make you insanely angry.  Would I recommend it?  Yes, but be forewarned...it's graphic (to use Heather's words)!  Then as it says at the end of the book, tell someone else to read it too!  If you ever want to talk about it, I'm willing, and I'm sure Heather would be too!