Our house

I meant to post this when we first moved in, but then I didn't have internet and got busy and distracted with lots of other things. There is still lots of stuff to do (including a kitchen to finish) but I wanted to share some before and after pictures of our house. This is all before we moved in, minus the second living room shot, and I haven't updated any of them because most of the rooms are pretty messy and not quite done yet. So i'll share those later.

Front of the house before

After (Green grass and cleared out weeds and dead plants--but still lots we want to do)

Before

After

This picture probably shows the best example of the changes. Tim restored the original fireplace (took sooo much longer than he thought), took out the tile floors and put down hard wood and new baseboards, and painted. Makes a huge difference and he did such a good job--i'm so pleased with how it turned out!

Family room before

After

Fixed the broken window, had new carpet installed and painted.

Master bedroom before

After

New carpet and paint; Tim also fixed the creaky floorboards after he ripped up the carpet so that it wouldn't be so noisy when walked on. (The carpet was the worst in this room--tons of stains and smelled really bad.)

So i'll share pictures of the kitchen when it's not such a mess and closer to being done.

Gotta run--Dylan's fussing!

Happenings

Getting dressed up for church's trunk or treat as Cinderella

First real bath

Doesn't like it so much

So Dylan hit three weeks today. He still hasn't had his two week checkup so I don't know what his stats are; his appointment is tomorrow. I can't believe it has almost been a month since he was born--it really is going fast. I need to enjoy this newborn time; it's going to be over before I know it. I'm starting to get the hang of things a little better now, but I still haven't ventured out on my own with both of them yet.

Kaylin's still adjusting but she loves her brother. (When she notices that he's there.) She only has problems when she's tired--then she can really throw a fit! I'm still getting used to that side of her, she never used to be all that fussy or temperamental, but with all the changes she's had to adjust to, I guess she's actually doing pretty well. It's just hard when he's crying because he's hungry and she's screaming and crying (usually down on the floor) and wants me to pick her up because she needs me too. That's tough because there's only one of me. I'm hoping that she'll be back to herself in the next few months. Of course we have one more major change ahead and that's moving into our house (hopefully this weekend! Yay!) so I hope she handles that okay.

And one last thing: Happy Birthday Tim! (A few days late.) We were able to go out for a late dinner and dessert without the kids, which was really nice. We don't get to see each other much these days, so that was really nice to reconnect a bit. Dylan did okay, but didn't like to take the bottle, which I hope changes so we can go out once in awhile. It's definitely needed every once in awhile!

Two

Okay, for those of you who have two or more children, how do you do it? How do you balance a newborn's needs and an active two-year-old's needs? (As well as some of your own, like taking a shower or running errands?)

Today is the last day that I will have someone around to help me. My sister is leaving around 3 to head back to Los Angeles, and she has spent the last several days tending to Kaylin while I have Dylan. I have to say, I'm a little scared to be alone with both of the kids. Luckily, Dylan sleeps a lot and doesn't really cry much, but he does like to eat a lot, so I'm on the couch with him much of the day. This leaves plenty of opportunity for Kaylin to get into things. Part of the concern is that we're at my parents, so there's more for Kaylin to get into that she shouldn't (they never really baby-proofed) and the house is bigger, so I don't always know where she is like I did in our last place. Another issue is that we were not planning on staying at my parents this long--we thought maybe a few weeks, but it's turned into almost three months. I didn't pack a lot of Kaylin's toys, so I think she's getting bored and i'm not the most creative with organizing things for her to do (and again, we're at my parents, so I can't just put her in front of paints and let her go at it). I find myself putting in videos way too often to keep her close by and out of trouble, but I hate doing that. And unfortunately there's no parks nearby because at least that would be an option.

I am awaiting a sling I bought online, so I know that will help a bit. I guess this is just a time of adjustment for everyone, more complicated because we're not at our own house. I just want to make sure that Kaylin doesn't feel left out and that she's getting enough stimulation/attention, but I also don't want to sacrifice Dylan's care and attention. Anyone have any suggestions, tips or advice to share?

Another complication that I have no idea how to deal with is naps. Unfortunately, Kaylin never learned to nap or fall asleep by herself. I made the mistake of always holding her, rocking her, nursing her to sleep, and even up until the last few days, someone has to go into the room with her and lay with her in bed until she falls asleep. This is definitely not going to work with having Dylan. So i'm worried that her naps are just going to be dropped, and she definitely still needs them (as do I). Again, anyone have any suggestions? Okay, i'll stop sounding freaked and go get working on stuff.

Birth story

Since I've added pictures of Dylan to the blog, I figured I should probably share how he was born. I'll try to keep it brief.

As you know (those who read from earlier posts) the little guy was taking his time in making an appearance, and I had several days of braxton hicks and then mild to moderately painful contractions before I went into real labor early Monday morning. I woke up around 2 am on Monday with a painful contraction and waited until I had my third somewhat regular contraction before waking up Tim. From there things started moving quickly, my contractions were getting stronger and closer together so we packed the rest of our bag and left for the hospital. My mom stayed with Kaylin, who slept through all of it, and my dad followed behind us. We got to the hospital around 2:30, went up to check in, meanwhile my contractions are getting stronger and stronger and I'm having to really concentrate through them, walking and almost fainting a few times. They finally got me in to check me and I was 5 cm. They put me in my labor room where I really started to struggle with the contractions. They were coming right on top of each other, some only giving me 30 seconds to rest in between. I requested an epidural at that point (I had been there maybe half an hour) and they told me they had to do blood work first and it would probably be an hour before I'd be able to get one. I was a little frustrated about that, so the nurse offered some pain medication to take the edge off, which I of course took. The nurse checked me again a few minutes later telling me I was about the same--still about 5 cm (of course I was thinking, how could I be the same when those contractions were so strong?!). I was really starting to feel the pressure down low and at that point the midwife came in to check on me, asking if I felt the urge to push. I told her that I was just starting to, so she decided to check me and I was 9cm, fully effaced and his head was completely down there. (I don't know about the other nurse, hmm.) At that point I looked at her and asked if that meant I wouldn't be able to get an epidural. She said probably not. This scared me because of what I had experienced with Kaylin. (Her very large head, two hours of pushing and forceps to get her out, not to mention the bad tearing.) So the midwife told me to go ahead and push when I got the urge. Right when she said that, I got the urge and just started pushing. The contractions weren't as bad (the little bit of medication really helped) and they were coming a little further apart, giving me more of a break. I pushed for half an hour, even with him facing up. (I was surprised when I found out about this because I didn't have bad back labor at all.) He came out after the half hour, a big and healthy boy. I got to hold him right away and Tim cut his cord. (We didn't get to do either with Kaylin, so that was a really neat experience that I was hoping for this time.)

Overall this was a much better experience, even without the epidural. I still can't believe that I did this naturally--I'm such a wimp and don't have much of a pain tolerance. God definitely got me through this, that's all I can say! I am recovering really quickly too and have to keep reminding myself that I am still recovering and to take it easy.

All the changes have been easier too because so far Dylan has been a really easy baby. He hardly cries (only when hungry or getting his diaper changed) and has been nursing really well. (It seems that's all he wants to do!) Sleeping at night is a somewhat different story though. He sleeps fine but really doesn't seem to like laying flat on his back, or by himself. So either Tim or I hold him through the night (we take turns). Not an ideal situation at all, but he just doesn't like his bassinet. Anyone have any suggestions? I've been putting him in his boppy during the day, even though they tell you not to let babies sleep in it. He does really well in that.

Okay have to go warm up dinner (thank goodness for leftovers!) Guess I really didn't keep this brief, did I?

Pics from the hospital

Right after little Dylan was born. I was able to hold him right away--well after he was cleaned.

Big boy

Not liking his bath.

Kaylin meeting her little brother.

Kisses

Our family

Leaving the hospital

Cute! And too bad it's not a real smile!

He finally came!

Our little boy finally decided to greet the world and made his appearance early Monday morning. I'm a bit sleep deprived so more details and pics to come later. For now i'll just give his stats:

Dylan James
born 10/20/08 at 5:18 am
9lbs 3oz
21 inches

He's healthy and things went well. Just got home a few hours ago. Going to try to take a nap and later i'll add the story and a few pictures of our new little man.

No baby

So still at home waiting. No baby. I thought things were starting last night because I began having what I thought were regular contractions, but when I laid down, they stopped. So now today i'm just sitting on the couch waiting. I'm still getting contractions, but they are in no way regular. I think things are starting, but that it's going to be slow going and still may be a few days out. Of course, according to when I think i'm due (not the doctors) i'm not really late, so it still may be awhile.