The boys

Watching the bond form between the two boys may be my favorite aspect of having another child. Jack loves to watch EJ and much like his brother he is in a big ol hurry to grow up. At 11 weeks old he tries to sit up and quite frankly is better at exercising his core than I am. He wants to roll over so bad and boy does he get mad when he gets stuck on his side. EJ is dying for him to play with him and requests that Jack "sit" with him about a million times a day.

 I have a feeling I am going to get lots of this look from both them in the coming years. 

 Inside joke 

Jack siting in his chair at the toddler table. EJ can't wait for them to eat lunch together.   

EJ loves to kiss his brother. I am going to remind him of this when they get in to fights in the coming years. 

He's here

On July 28, 2011 at 12:36pm after the easiest delivery in the world. 

Yes, this confirmed our plans that we in fact are not done making and baking babies.

Jackson Robert Holman joined our family. 

Weighing in at 8 pounds 8 ounces and 22 inches long we were told that he was "large for his gestational age".
I wonder what another week of baking would have done to our already big man. It's good thing we decided it was in everyone's best interest to evict at 39 weeks and 1 day.

This child is a true joy and such an easy baby. Life for me is so much better this time. I think back to the struggles and baby blues of EJ's birth and thank God that I am not in that place this time.

We are rocking and rolling with the breast feeding. I already have tons of milk stashed and he is gaining weight like a rockstar. Pretty much everything is better this time around and I could not be more thankful.

More to come later. But I will leave you with this doll face. Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks?

July 27th it is!

Friday morning while trying to wrangle EJ in order to get a few hours of pool time in hopes for a long afternoon nap my phone rings. As I try to juggle digging it out of my purse and helping EJ up and into his seat. I notice that its my OB office. Not too sure what in the world they could be calling for since I have been there twice this week already so I hesitantly answer. I hear a familiar voice of one of the nurses that always seems to get the pleasure of calling me. She is, also, the nurse that side-eyed my weight gain at 6 months. She's a tough cookie but seems to be good at her job so I can respect that. She begins by telling me that since my induction is elective that I have been bumped for a medically needed one.

Fear creeps through me as I wonder what that means, she relaxes me a bit with the great news that I am now in for Wednesday instead of Thursday.

But, I am still holding my breathe. Who is the dr on call? I really like my OB. He's good. He listens. He pays attention. He doesn't waste your time.

Overwhelming the practice is full of dr's just like him but there is one that is just plain awful. Like makes me want to run away at thought of dealing with her. She's mean, she doesn't listen (aka spent half of a visit reading someone else's file and dismissing me when I was like umm I already had that test etc.) and quite frankly I just really do not want to deal with her.

Well the heavens parted and I was told that another one of the drs I really like was on call that day and would be doing it. Awesome. Sounds like plan see you then.

And my very favorite the final comment was I know your in prodromal labor and pretty dilated so we can all hope that you will have to come in before then... yes, we can all hope.

However, I am not too hopeful. My children are stubborn.

So countdown to baby day is T minus 5 days.

T minus 14 days until official eviction.

37 weeks, measuring 38 weeks.  

Back and thighs have hit their weight limit. If your missing me find a pool, I will probably be floating. Jack is stubborn and since I am showing no progress at this point. I suspect I will make it another 2 weeks. 

The final product

Jackson's Room is all done.

Momma can knock that off her list of things to do.

Now on the the 50 million other things I want/need to do.

PS

This room is an example of bargain shopping at it's best! You would be shocked to know just how little was spent.

Rocking the Bump

Since I have taken a few bump photos this time, I thought I would join in and rock my latest baby bump!

Here's baby Jack at 14 weeks starting to show a bit even through the massive amounts of throwing up that Momma was doing at the time. I was down quite a few pounds at that point so that's all baby pudge.


16 weeks down, still sick as a dog.


24 weeks down, finally starting to feel better and baby boy is really filling out.


26 weeks down. Momma's hiding a very swollen face.


BOOM!!
 3rd Trimester, 28 weeks.


30 weeks


33 weeks... Whoa 6 weeks or less to go. CRAZY!


Its so true that it goes by much quicker the 2nd time around! And I can not believe I am admitting this but I am actually glad that I am documenting the bump this time. It's fun to see the progression. However, I am getting to the "so over this pregnancy" point. Oh well soon enough!

This too shall pass

I have heard it a lot lately, "oh you are going to have your hands full" in response to my rather large belly and the crazy kid running around at my feet. It amazes me the freedom people feel in speaking their "truth" to you when it comes to opinions on children. I honestly believe that a good number of people really enjoy fear mongering expectant parents.  I can not for the life me figure out why.

Before EJ was born I was told I would never sleep again. That I should enjoy quiet because it's over soon. The array of other personal comments and opinions that was launched at me was mind boggling. I didn't  understand it then and still don't today. Primarily because of the obvious. It's not like I can do anything about it now. This baby is coming whether we like it or not. Get over it and get ready is my motto. I get excited. Some days I am scared but that's normal. Trust me I do not need you spilling your guts to me about how much work I am about to be in for. I will learn soon enough on my own.

And guess what there were sleepless nights, there were days when I wanted to pull every strand of my hair out and scream. I have been exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed but you know what?

It's worth it. And it passed. 

I love my kid so much it hurts. I love being his momma and even when he makes me crazy I can not imagine my life without him. I love my husband more each and every day because he loves our kid so much. We are committed to each other in a different way because we know and embrace the reality that we are the foundation of our family. This family of ours is so important to us that we work hard daily to make sure that there are no cracks in that foundation. That kind of commitment is amazing. That kind of love is worth it even if it means a few sleepless nights.

I don't doubt that two small children may make head spin some days and I will wonder if their is enough of me to go around. I will worry about dumb things and life will have its ups and downs. Yes, my hands are going to be full but they are big enough to juggle it. And my heart is going to grow that July day even bigger and life without my two little boys will be totally unimaginable.

So for me I try very hard to never say anything negative to new parents or parents-to-be. I know they hear enough junk and I always speak my truth which is "Just remember this too shall pass and focus on the reality that it is so worth it. There is nothing like having your own family, absolutely nothing like it".

Wordless Wednesday

30 weeks down, 9 to go! 

Please excuse the crazy eyes. I just noticed them. 

Wordless Wednesday

BOOM!

Hello 3rd Trimester. 

12 weeks or less to go. 

Please excuse me while my head explodes. The second time around as flown by.

26.5 weeks

It's gotten to point that my belly isn't the only thing showing. It's official my face as joined the preggo club which means I am back to avoiding mirrors. Yuck, I hate it when my face swells. But things here are moving along. Monday is the lovely glucose test blergh.

But here's the belly in all it's glory!

You know your pregnant when

You stand in front of an open fridge and freezer because you are that overheated

You sit down on the ground to watch your son play on his swing set only to realize that you may not be able to get back up. 

Your son sleeps with you and your husband and instead of loving the family time you contemplate moving rooms because you are not only being kicked from the inside, someone on the outside is kicking you too!

Life pisses you off. Seriously, life is on my sh*t list today. 

You are starving and nauseated at the same time. 

Don't you wish you pregnant?? 

Honestly, I am super thankful that I can not only make a baby with ease. I carry them with little issues but seriously y'all its hard work this business of baking a baby. 

Men have it way too easy, way too easy. 

24 weeks down, 16 weeks to go

I think little Jack is going to be big one. Kid is already moving and shaking my entire belly most evenings while proving that he is just as active as his big brother. The numb leg has returned and by the end of the day most days I walk with a touch of a limp. It's all worth tin the end I know but you just case you didn't realize it...
there is NOTHING glamourous about pregnancy.

Here's to hoping it's more like 15 weeks to go. I can't wait to meet my little man and indulge in a large margarita.

A reason why #2 is more fun

While preparing for the first baby life is consumed with learning all about baby gear and what is the best out there. Your life revolves around safety tests and some slight panic on how in the world are you ever going to acquire all this expensive stuff that babies need. Momma's everywhere share their best and worst products and you are left weeding through all this new found knowledge to select what you love the most for you and your little one.  If your like me you gather tons of goodies, ignore the advice from others who may know what they are talking about and basically realize 6 months down the line that you do not like all your stuff. I hated my infant car seat with a passion. I could have listened to my Grandmother. She promise me that I would hate it but instead I listen to the masses. I learned my lesson. It sucked. So far it took me 3 strollers to find one I loved and we are on infant seat #2.

When #2 comes around, you have so much of the stuff that you need already and suddenly preparing for this baby is a lot of fun. I know what I like and I know what I don't. I have been there already so I have an idea of what I used and what I didn't. I know baby brands and I know which ones work for us. It is great fun to know enough to just enjoy collecting sweet blankets, clothes, and such. This time I fret over so much less and spend more time just staring at my sweet baby boy's new clothes and goodies. Not that I have a lot of time to stare at anything with a crazy 2 year old under foot but honestly I can say all this time around is better.

I know that these baby kicks will one day be painful and that sooner than later I will swell and feel gross and be hot all the time. So today, I will enjoy feeling the babe flip and kick and remember that even if I am more tired than I feel I can handle and I hate the scale with a passion this is a blessing. A gift that not all get with ease or ever. So for me even through the sickness and exhaustion I find that pregnancy with number 2 is way more fun.

Preparing for another sweet boy

After much debate I decided that each of my boys will get their own "Coming Home" outfit. I opted to get EJ his own outfit instead of using mine because it has a lot of lace on it. In the South, we tend to save important occasion outfits and pass them down through generations. I have friend's that have multigenerational Christening gowns, with each new addition another set if initials is embroidered in it and it is truly a family heirloom. My husband is not Southern and really doesn't get things like day gowns and traditions. But he handles it well. Because I am well aware that sharing important things among cousins can get complicated and may not work. I decided that each child will get their own outfit and they will be able to pass it down to their family. EJ has sweet day gown with a sailboat on it, much more simple since I was weening my husband into my Southern ways. I found this sweet number at a consignment store still with the original tags and grabbed it. It is so sweet and I can not wait to put our baby in it and bring him to his family. And this time, I will get to go to my own house with my things and we will have proper celebration because the day you bring your baby home should be celebrated!

My parents got me the best christmas present! I am way too cheap to purchase all the appliqued and monogramed stuff I want. It is hard to justify the cost when really it is a cloth that gets thrown-up on. But now I can do it myself! No more 35 dollar tshirts just to get a monogramed one. I have been practicing on burp clothes because it does take some practive to get it right. These are some of my first attempts. Sweet little Jack and EJ will have thier name on everything. And Lord help me if a girl ever joins our house. The things that I am learning to make are just too much. Until then Lord help all of my friend's with girls cause Aunt LA is showering them with goodies.

Nursery Ideas

Little Jack's Nursey has been my focus since Sunday. I had already gathered and planned a perfectly girly shabby chique nursery since I was postive Jack was actually Amelia. Well, as usual my perfectly laid plans were wrong and I suddenly realized that I needed to get my head on straight and manly. I had major issues while pregnant with EJ. I felt most nursery decore was not manly but baby blue girly. And my little boy will have an all boy nursery. We have decided to do a woodlands theme with a focus on bears. The walls will be painted a green. I am thinking this shade.

 We will use EJ's crib because its a manly crib that Craig loves and I hate. I am holding out hope round three will bring a pink and I can buy that beautiful iron crib I have been lusting over for years. So for now we will use lovely item.

I found this crib set on Etsy and not only is she going to make it for me she promised to sell me some fabric to make valences and pillow covers for my window seats.

I am going to order this and frame it for over his bed.

I am thinking a minky slipcover for the most comfortable rocky chair ever and finding an awesome fluffy orange shag rug for the floor.

Of course, we will have the usual things that I gather here and there and buy the boy his fair share of bears. EJ was elephants and man that kid has a ton. I think this a good jumping off point though, don't you? What do you think?

My goal is that come May 19th, my birthday, the room will 100% completed. That means I can spend June celebrating my boys and their special days and the month of July floating, relaxing and waiting not so patiently for August 3rd to arrive.

16 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Size of Baby: The Wee One is the size of a avacado

Maternity Clothes: Yes, in that I am in all my "maternity" clothes from EJ which was a lot of reg. clothes in bigger sizes.
Gender: BOY... Jack!

Movement: starting to feel him pretty regularly, he proving to be just as active as his brother was
Sleep: Improving
What I Miss: Having the energy to make it through a busy day without a break
Cravings: doughnuts
Symptoms: The nerve pain is back, which means if I get on the floor I can't get up without help
Best Moment of the Week: Nausea has finally chilled out and I feel much better most days!

Have you heard yet?

The wee one is actually a BOY. I know, right?!?! Could I have any 2 more different pregnancies? My guess this one is going to be a little bugger and we better what out:)

Craig is estatic and I am slightly petrified by the thought of having 2 crazy little boys. My dreams of tea parties, reading books, ballet and such are tabled for now as we prepare for our little Jackson Robert "Jack".

Cute little boy who has profile similar to his big brother.

Showing off his good for us, after putting up quite a fight. It took almost 8 minutes to get him to uncross his legs.

I will say right now that this little boy will get his own little world of stuff. I have issues with making the 2nd child be the hand me down king. It's not their fault they were 2nd so I have to head back to the drawing board and get to working on masculine nursery for the next son. However, as much as I hate our crib (thank you husband who bought it without me there) its a boy crib so that may be his hand me down... the furniture. Especially since we have decided that EJ and Jack will be getting bunk beds in a few years and will share a room for awhile. And as far as clothes go EJ destroyed half of his clothes anyway with his projectile spit-up and mess ways. Good thing we have a Carter's store nearby, its their fantastic sales make this little Mommy quirk of mine be a reality.

Already Loved

We haven't gotten far enough along to learn the gender but this little one is already getting showered with love. My parents have been great and have already helped us get started on all the goodies we will need for our new bundle of joy. EJ thinks the new double stroller is great. And Momma's you should see this stroller... it folds in half FLAT. I have the single and it is pretty amazing. After "test" driving all the doubles out there I decided that it is the best single and double stroller on the market hands down.  I can not get into the ones that stack. I know some of ya'll love them but I can't get over the proximity to the floor. It's just me I am sure. Then we even got some clothes, a beautiful hand crafted day gown, the softest blanket in the world and some cute pjs. Oh sweet baby of mine, I can not wait to find out if you are a boy or a girl. I am chomping at the bit to get this nursery going.

Who needs a sibling when there is Elmo?

14 weeks

I swore that I would never ever do belly shots, but with so many family and friends so far away I decided to do it this time. I know how much I enjoy seeing my friends grow from a far so here I am belly and all.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 14 weeks

Size of Baby: The Wee One is the size of a peach

Maternity Clothes: Yep, its amazing how quickly you show the 2nd time around
Gender: 2 weeks to go!

Movement: the occasional thump...flipping over I assume from our few ultrasounds this child wiggles
Sleep: Awful.
What I Miss: A day without nausea
Cravings: salsa and ice cream
Symptoms: NAUSEA and a total lack of energy
Best Moment of the Week: Laying on the couch and feeling the baby move a few times.

When All Day Sickness gets scary

This pregnancy has made me hate life. Within days of happily watching a plus sign appear I have spent my days green with nausea. That coupled with my chronic UTIs and one kidney has proven to be a deadly combo.
I thought I was possibly getting a bit better. I actually craved something and successful ate it last weekend and was very hopeful that 12 weeks would bring some relief. I had been having mega issues for weeks drinking water. I just couldn't drink more than 8 ozs every few hours, the lack of taste made me gag and throwing up water is nasty.
Needless to say I got extremely, extremely dehydrated which is bad news for me pregnant or not. But, the scary thing is I did not realize just how dehydrated I was. My body was doing its job and taking care of the wee one and was sucking the rest of my body dry. Monday morning I woke with a UTI, not a big deal. I get them all.the.time. I know how to deal with them and 90% of the time I am able to get over them without meds. I was in a lot of pain Monday night but woke on Tuesday "thinking" I had gotten over it. I felt much better except a very dull, very low backache.
Anyone who has ever had kidney problems knows that a backache on either side of your body is a scary sign of a kidney infection but this time it was in a totally different place. So I called the OB we decided that since it was really low and I had no fever we would wait it out. I was due for my big 12 week appointment the next day so she order some additional labs and I figured I would be fine until the next morning.
Yeah, right. By midnight, I could not stand. I could not sit. All I could do was pace. I was in more pain than I had ever been in while in labor. And I had back labor and waited until 8 cms to get drugs. Thank god my Mom was in town so I woke her up and told her were going to the closest hospital right then. I figured I was over reacting I still had no fever and I wanted Craig to sleep so he would not die at work the next day.
Fast forward a few hours the Dr in the ER walks in on me on all fours in tears due the pain and quickly got me a shot of morphine. A shot that took 15 minutes to take effect and wore off within 2 hours. That means bad pain. After a few hours and few phone consults and some labs it became apparent the lack of fever was fake sign. I was in bad shape with one hell of UTI and Kidney infection. And inpatient I became. On a sidebar, you know you must really be sick when you look at your Dr when she says she is admitting you and you say that you think its a good idea.  I was a pitiful mess the next 48 hrs. I couldn't eat and I was totally out of it due to serious amounts of percocet. God bless the person who invented that drug. I spent the rest of the week on IV meds and fluids. It took me days to get re hydrated and all I can say is God was watching the wee one, he/she is perfect. I was petrified I was going to lose the baby, absolutely scared to death. And then I had the best ultrasound. The wee one was having a blast, arms and legs a going and wiggling all over the place. I got to see its sweet profile... eyes, nose and mouth.
I am home now after 5 days in the hospital and still feel pretty terrible. I am now faced with some serious Dr appointments. I am going to have to be monitored by a couple of specialists the remainder of this pregnancy and I am going to have to spend the next 6 months taking it easy. Not something I am very good at but I would rather take a step back now then push my luck and find myself on bed rest.