Two doctor's appointments and a goodbye

Today was a big day for the kids and me. Sarah had her 2 year checkup and baby Aaron had his 2 week well baby check at the same time. This was nice for me because it was only one co-pay and I didn't have to make two trips on Hwy. 280. But the whole trip was quite hectic... starting with yesterday, Wednesday. I woke up in a start because baby Aaron slept 7 hours straight and my body is not used to it yet. (Nursing mothers will understand what I'm talking about) Then I remembered we had a doctor's appointment and it was already 10am! It takes us a while to get out of the door now, so I started my routine right away. Get Sarah fed, check. Fix hair..., brush teeth..., wash face and hands..., put on both kids outfits..., feed the baby..., brush MY teeth..., put on MY clothes..., attempt to look normal..., CHECK. About this time it's 11:45am, our appointment is at 12:30pm and we need to get in the car and GO! I got them in the car, made sure I had everything I needed in my diaper bag, and away we go. Only to figure out half way to the doctor's office that their appointments were on Thursday. STINK! I called Aaron to be consoled and he told me he was sorry for the confusion and that he thought it was on Thursday also, but didn't want to say anything. (NEXT TIME SAY SOMETHING!) So we went home, and I put Sarah down for her nap and we had a relaxing afternoon before Bible Class and Worship.

Take #2... Baby Aaron slept all night again, so I woke up hurting again. But I am pleased that he is sleeping through the night so quickly. We went through the same routine, a little slower. Got everybody in the car and off we went... again.

The appointments went well for both kids. Sarah is highly advanced in her speech and her knowledge of colors, letters, and numbers. She is tall and slender according to her doctor. She acted very well for her. They did have to do a finger prick to make sure she wasn't anemic (this is routine for 2 year check-up). She told the nurse "ow" when she pricked her finger, but didn't cry at all. I was surprised. Baby Aaron is also advanced with his head control and strength. He now weighs 10lbs. 10oz.! Within a week he's put on 10oz., he's growing fast!

After we left the doctor's office we headed to Wal-Mart where I had to pick up a couple of pictures I sent in to be printed. When we arrived, I couldn't find my check book anywhere. OH NO... I had left it at the doc's office. Sigh... So I called to make sure it was there. Then we all got back in the car (which is a task with two small children in car seats), and headed back. It's pushing 2pm by now, which is nap time and we hadn't eaten any lunch yet, so everyone is getting cranky (including me). We ran through the McDonald's drive through and Sarah ate french fries while in Wal-Mart. By the time we got home, baby Aaron was very hungry and Sarah was ready for her nap. I just wanted to collapse! All was well, at least we all were safe and healthy.

Now the goodbye part...

Mom and Dad were here from Saturday to Wednesday (too short of a visit if you ask me). We had a lot of fun except for the tropical storm dumping buckets of rain on us the whole time. I had plans for us to go to the zoo and maybe the park so they could play with Sarah. It didn't work out that way. The only day it was nice and sunny was Sunday... as most of us know, Sundays are a hectic day (especially with kids), they don't leave room for a trip to the park. Sunday was fun though because we got to go out to lunch with my Mom's brother and sister. My Uncle Roger and his wife, Aunt Barbara and my Aunt Janice. We went to Cracker Barrell and had some "good home cookin". I enjoyed the visit. They don't live very far away from us, but it's hard to get together with day to day life.

This is my Aunt Janice holding baby Aaron for the first time.

Uncle Roger not wanting his picture taken.

My Dad and Sarah. The first time she drank coffee. She loved it, how funny! Aunt Barbara is sitting next to them.

My Uncle Roger, Mom (Myra), and Aunt Janice. Rockin away...

So after a good visit, we had to say goodbye. It was hard, but with me just having a c-section I was tired and needed a good rest. I miss them dearly when they go back home. Being so far away makes me sad, but I know they miss us too. It's funny, you look back and remember when you thought your parent knew nothing. I've come to realize, my parents knew a lot. We don't tell them we love them enough, nor how much we respect them. I hope they know this, but if they don't... thanks Dad and Mom, for holding on to me when I pushed away. For never giving up, even though I gave up on myself. For always making an effort to be part of my life. And most of all, thank you for caring enough to put God into my life. Without Him, I am nothing. Someday, I hope my kids look back and feel half of the love and admiration I feel for both of you. I love you.

Too smart!

Sarah has been keeping us tickled pink the last couple of days with her sayings. I thought I would share a couple of stories with you...

While out and about with Daddy and me doing some chores, Sarah asked to go to the potty. Right as her booty touched the seat she announced she was done. Aaron told her it wasn't okay to say you need to go to the potty when you really don't. (Sometimes she uses the potty to get out of boring situations, like sitting at the table.) He asked her, "do you understand?" She didn't reply back so he said, "you don't understand." As he said that Sarah looked up at him and said, "uh-huh! and I'm serious."

Another time Aaron was playing around with Sarah and asked if she would like to ride in the trunk of the car. Sarah thought that idea was pretty neat and got very excited. Aaron realized she didn't understand that it wasn't safe so he told her it was too dangerous for her to ride back there. She looked at him and said, "it's not dangerous, I'm not scared!"

For such a little girl, she will be 2 next month, she has a great imagination and knows just how to express it. She keeps us on our toes!

Introducing...

AARON JOSEPH OLIVER, JR.

After so much time waiting for him, he's finally here! And boy, did he arrive with a bang. We went in last Friday (8-8-08) for a scheduled c-section because I did not go into labor naturally. Come to find out it was the best thing because he was too big for me to have. The doctor, while I was on the operating table, told us that he would probably be about eight and a half pounds. As they pulled him out, everyone gasped. One of the nurses yelled out, "are you ready for some football?". His cry was deep for a newborn, kind of like a growl. We were all waiting for them to weigh him. When they announced that he was 9lbs, 12oz. I thought I was going to pass out! He did well until we got up in our room. His breathing was a little fast and because of that, they didn't want me to nurse him right away. They did allow me to nurse him one time and then decided that he needed to go to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) to have everything checked out. By that time, his blood sugar level was at 41, which is considered low. They did a chest x-ray and found that he had a little bit of fluid in his lungs, so it was decided he would stay up there and get a course of antibiotics and an IV to give him glucose through. He did not eat by mouth for a day and a half. This was hard on Aaron and I, but we knew that he was in the best hands and that he would be alright. Thank you to everyone who said a prayer for him, I know that was the best medicine of all! Here's a picture of the first time we were able to see him in the NICU.While in the NICU, I was pumping and taking milk up to him so that he would still get all the good stuff he needed to help him. He did get a little formula because he needed a greater volume. By Sunday, they allowed me to start nursing him every 4 hours. I was so thankful that it didn't interfere with my desire to nurse him. I nursed Sarah until she was 12 months old and it was such a wonderful experience, for both of us. I really believe that's the reason she's such a healthy little girl. We have had no major illnesses and she rarely even gets the sniffles.

Monday around 5pm he came back to us in our room. I was so happy! Before he came I was cleaning the room and reorganizing, as if the President was coming for a visit. I just couldn't sit still!! (Aaron took a nap in my bed... hahaha) He had his circumcision done right before they brought him to me, so I was worried he would be in a foul mood and not want to nurse, but he was a dream. He slept well that night and we were both discharged the next morning.

Sarah has done wonderfully with her new little brother. She's his protector. When he cries, she gets emotional and asks what's wrong. She tells him, "it's okay, baby broder". She has sung to him and kissed and hugged him about to death, but it makes me feel so good to see her motherly instinct come out. Since we've come home, she's been Mommy's little helper. She loves to put the laundry in the basket and take things to the trash for me. I couldn't ask for a better little girl.

Life is a little more hectic, but we welcome all the changes with open arms. We couldn't ask for a better family and know who we give the credit to. God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams. With all of our doubts, we know that He takes care of us and guides us through the hard times and the good times. Praise God!


"CHILDREN ARE A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD"... Psalms 127:3

Let the waiting begin!

Hey all! We went to out ultrasound appointment yesterday. It went really well. It's always neat to see your baby before they are even born. He weighed in at a hefty 8lbs, 4oz. Which means, by the time he is born he will probably be over 9lbs! The ultrasound tech showed us some neat things. We got to see his chubby little cheeks and he has big lips like his Momma! haha... She also could tell that he has some hair! I wonder what color it will be?

After our ultrasound appointment, we met with my doctor. She told us that he has a big head and large shoulders. This will make delivery difficult for me. I'm still not dialated or effaced, even though I've been contracting every night. This leads her to believe that I will not be able to have him "naturally". So, we have scheduled a c-section for Friday, the 8th of August with the hopes of maybe I will go into labor before that. She will let me try if I do go into labor on my own. If it doesn't happen by Friday, then I have my answer. In a way I feel relieved to have some kind of plan. The surgery is scheduled for noon, but we have to be there at 10am.

After telling my Mom about the plan, she called back and told me that he would be born on 8-8-08! How funny is that? Maybe he'll be 8lbs, 8oz. Surely we'd get on the news for that one! Hahaha!

Everyone please say a little prayer that all goes well and we have our healthy baby boy in our arms, safe and sound. I'm so excited to meet this little bundle. I know our lives will change, but I also know it will be for the better.

Sarah's getting excited about "baby broder", but has no idea what's really about to happen. I know she'll do great! She's very nurturing and gentle. BIG SISTER!!!

Oh, and by the way... we are using big girl panties now and no accidents in 4 days! YEAH!!! She's so excited everytime we have success. I thought you would enjoy her potty picture, what a character!