7 weeks - Great Grandmother Hodges

My grandma came out and met Jake when he was 7 weeks old... and it just worked out the same with Asher. In fact, my mother in law is coming into town next week when Jake is 8/9 weeks old... and that is the exact time she came out to meet Jake as well. :)

Grandma and I had a blast! We went to dinners, breakfast, and went and played outside with the boys. I was able to run errands and leave the boys home with her as well. The last 5 days flew by, and she's back home. I can't wait until my family is back!

Great Grandma Hodges

My grandma was so much help! She's still got it. In fact, I think she just gets better with babies/children every year. Asher is a little less fussy than Jake was (at least for now), so there are more stretches of sleep here. Every week gets better. It's still hard waking up 2 - 3 times a night... but, it is what it is. Right now, Asher's fussiest time is around 7pm/8pm. I usually bathe him right after dinner, and get him ready for bed... during this time. I bring him into bed around 9pm, and he sleeps until about 11pm. I feed him, and he's been usually waking up around 3am/4am for a feeding. Then I put him back to bed, and he wakes up around 6am/7am. Jake wakes up around 6:30am/7am, so its all kind of working out. 

I'm still trying to figure out how much he's eating. I'm thinking he's somewhere in the 4oz range? I try and keep the feedings every 3 hours if I can... but, he's anywhere between 2-3 hours. I try not to keep them so close together if he's been gassy. Knowing I'm hyperlacting means he's getting a lot in one feeding... and that brings on the gas. I like to give his belly a little break. I know the lactation specialist has said a bottle every 4-5 days... but, with how busy we are it's looking like a bottle every few days... It doesn't seem to make him all that fussier?

Here is our little Ash... He started to smile in the last week (6 weeks). I haven't been quick enough with the camera to catch them. He's such a happy little rascal! 

 His sleeping schedule continues to improve. He has been rejecting (waking up when I lay him down in it) the bassinet next to the bed... and I like to keep the munchkins close to grab for late night feedings. So, my grandma saw the bassinet that goes to the stroller and told me to try that. She said... if he likes to be in the bed... just put it in between Grant and you. Well, she was right! That is what he likes to sleep in. We have a big bed... so we all fit and there is no chance of rolling on him! 

The latest and greatest with Jake, is that he loves to color/paint. I was changing Asher and left Jake to color by himself... When I came back into the room, I found the following:

All works of art, right? Hmm. It's a good thing Crayola is washable... They came right off with a baby wipe. I should put that on Pinterest, huh? ha!

Jake loves soccer. He loves basketball and football, but I mainly find him kicking the balls around. Here is my little man running and kicking the ball in the backyard!

Easter 2012

The majority of holidays we're traveling to visit family... But, I have to admit... It's nice to just be home. Of course we miss our families... but, there is something to NOT traveling. It's relaxing.

On Saturday morning, we went to The Krusics home and had a nice brunch. We ate, the kids played outside, had an Easter egg hunt, and then we went to their park were the kids met the Easter bunny. And yes folks... he was scary! Jake was a little frightened of him... but, he held it together for a picture! He wouldn't let go of me though... Do you blame him? An oversized bunny trying to hold you? ha! We had so much fun! Jake was so tired after, that he passed out in the car on the way home. Asher was fast asleep the majority of the time and I didn't want to wake him for a picture... and now I'm having photography withdrawals. Not kidding. boo!

The hunt begins... Jake gathered a few... mainly put them in Victoria's basket. He was more interested in opening and closing them... or just playing with other things in the backyard! ha!

Isn't she the cutest? 

I love them! Best Friends since they were 2 months old!

Dads playing with the kids

I bent down with him quickly... we at least got one! 

Victoria wasn't having it at all! 

My little muffin sleeping on his tummy... His favorite position! 

Sunday, I got up, and made breakfast. Jake opened up his gift from the Easter bunny, and we relaxed. Then after all of our naps I made a picnic in our backyard. Grant and Jake played, and I held Asher. It was a beautiful day yesterday. Then after a few hours we came back inside and relaxed some more! Grant and I made a delish dinner... filet's, fresh veggies, and au gratin potatoes. First Easter as a family of 4. 

I'm thankful for more every year. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for where I am. I hope everyone had a great day as well!

Oh! And I started walking/jogging! I have decided to make this my morning routine. I put the kids in the stroller early this morning. Jake was still in PJ's, and eating his breakfast on the go! ;) Today was my second day... I jog and then walk, over and over. Good interval training. Let's see how this goes. I'm not much of a runner. But, until I can spin... this will be my new exercise. 

He has risen!

I posted this song last year... And it remains one of my favorite songs... since I was a kid.

Jesus conquered the grave! Amen!
Happy Easter friends, and family!

Jake: 19 months

19 months... over the 1 1/2 mark... next stop... 2!! He's just getting so big. I love watching him play and figure things out. He's a smart little cookie, and he keeps me on my toes!

He LOVES LOVES LOVES puzzles. I mean... ask anyone that comes to our house. He can't get enough of them. He organizes his toys and puts things away as well. And if he goes to someones house to play the first thing he'll pick up is a puzzle if there's one there. He likes to play basketball and soccer in our backyard, and swing on the swing set. He's a pretty happy little man.

I have noticed then Asher has been around that Jake will sometimes act like a little monkey until you sit down and play with him only. So, when Asher is napping, this is when I have my alone time with Jake. When Grant is home we each take a kiddo and play... and we switch it up. Our routine has been going so well.

I'm enrolling Jake into swimming classes for the spring, and I'm looking into a hip hop toddler class... ever heard of one? He loves dancing, so I thought that would be cool! :)

Jake doesn't go back for a baby well appointment until he's 2, so I don't know any new stats. He's growing and healthy... that's all that matters, right?! He has really big feet. He has a size 7 - 7 1/2 shoe and an 8 in pedipeds, he's wearing size 3T for tops, and 2T for pants.

The only thing I need to change is the bottle. I haven't made the total transition to sippy cups for milk. He loves his cups, and straws... but, I need to say bye bye to the bottle completely. He never got into pacifiers, or his thumb, so I consider myself pretty lucky! He's been eating with a spoon and fork for a few months now. In fact, that's how he prefers to eat! ;)

He's still trying new foods. I always give him a bite of what I'm eating... right now, he loves turkey lasagna! He loves bananas, and strawberries. He isn't a huge fan of veggies unless they are in his squeezy tubes. But, Cine (Larry's wife), said her little ones loved frozen peas... so, I'm going to try that tonight! You never know. :)

Jake with his pops

 Cool CA boy with his car and shades.

He's a big deal! 

Asher: 5-6 weeks

Asher is 6 weeks today. And since I'm making this his baby book, I want to make sure I'm keeping this as updated as Jake's was. Jake's baby book (my blog to book) came in the mail last week. It's great! I can't wait to give it to his wife one day... :)

I have already used Jake's as reference to see where he was at Asher's age. So helpful! I'm so glad I took the time to blog all of this! 

So, what's been going on the last few weeks...

1. He lifts his head VERY high. He's lifted his head up since I gave birth... just like Jake, but I have to tell people to be careful or he might bang is head against yours, etc.

2. He's about 12 lbs or more (he gets weighed next week). At 4.5 weeks he was 11 lbs, 2oz. 

3. He's still in size 1 diapers. However, I'm looking into 1-2 or 2.

4. He's wearing size 3-6 month clothes.

5. He's sleeping 3 - 4 hour stretches at night. Mainly 3 so he can eat though! 

6. He eats every 2-3 hours during the day.

7. I'm starting to give him more bottles since he's hit the 1 month mark. I always gave him bottles here and there... but, as busy as we are over here... I have no choice. I don't think it has made him more gassy.

8. He's still ONLY breastfed.

9. He's one gassy little dude. I notice his gas and fussiness is a little worse at night (lucky us). he he

10. I'm still hyperlactating... hoping that gets better soon. I'm assuming it will... just like with Jake. It started getting better around week 8. I can do it! ;)

11. He's very alert when he's awake. Less sleeping during the day over here. I've figured new ways of keeping him awake. Swing, tummy time on his play mat, laying on his tummy (on a blanket while I'm in the room), etc. 

12. He sleeps in his bassinet next to us at night.

That's all I can recall as of now. He's starting to like the bath... he's isn't the biggest fan of diaper changes, and sometimes spits up during them. I make sure to change him before or an hour after feeding. I wish I would have had this particular layout for Jake's book. That way I could have skimmed it rather than re-read the entire blog looking for info. :)

Here are some pics from weeks 5-6:
Pops and Cine came into town last Saturday and left on Wednesday. It was nice having them here. Cine gave Asher's his baths and loved on him. She even grabbed him one night when he was REALLY fussy! It was nice to sleep while she held him. Grant and I both got a few more hours of sleep! Thank you for all of our help and the kiddos presents! Come back soon! :)

Ash relaxing while Jake and the big kids play outside. Mommy play dates are the best! Love having this group of women to talk to... and for our kids to play together!

6 week doctor check up.

This doctor check up was mine this time...

I went in for my 6 week postpartum appointment. Looks like all is well. I have healed nicely. Since I went into labor before my doctor could get to the hospital, another doctor in her practice delivered Asher. Everything went so fast that evening, that I was left with some questions. I really didn't know why they used the vacuum extraction to delivery Ash. That was one of the questions I wanted an answer for.

Turns out Asher's heart rate dropped while I was pushing so they decided to use the vacuum rather than jump to a c section... especially since I was a VBAC. Asher was NOT in danger, but they didn't want his heart rate to drop any further. He was face up (occiput posterior) which was a little more challenging for a quick delivery. If he would have been face down, he probably would have come out a lot quicker, and they wouldn't have had to use the vacuum. Funny to say he would have come quicker when I had him within 4 hours of getting admitted! ha! They only allow 3 "pop offs" as well. That means that the vacuum pops off of the babies head while pushing. I was on my 3rd pop off and then they were going to look into the c section. I wasn't going to go through all of that to end in a c section! He came right in time! :)

Anyhow, I'm glad I asked the questions that were on my mind. I still believe a vaginal birth is the way to go if you can help it. I also encourage any woman that wants a VBAC to talk to their doctor to see if they are a candidate, and if they are... try!

I'm excited to start exercising! I am going to be entering two 5k's to support two of my closest friends. Looks like I better start picking up the running bug! I LOVE to spin... but, need to start running... any advice?

I will post blogs on the boys this week. Jake is 19 months now (April 1), and Asher is 6 weeks tomorrow!

Asher's Sprinkle

I have the best friends. So many thoughtful women that support and love me. They are truly like my sisters. Most of them are actually my sorority sisters. Friendships for over 12 years! I'm lucky.

My friend Liz, Danielle, and Kristy decided to throw me a "Sprinkle" to celebrate baby Asher. I didn't want to have a shower since this was my second boy. I didn't need a shower. I have all that I need from Jake. I barely had just put Jake's stuff away... But, my girlfriends came to me and said they wanted to celebrate amongst my best friends. Just to celebrate another beautiful life! So, I of course agreed. How nice is that?

The girls put together such a wonderful afternoon! Good food, yummy dessert, my closest girlfriends, and my grandma was even in town... how perfect was that? I had so much fun! I'm so glad my girlfriends all got together to celebrate Asher! Asher is very lucky to have such wonderful aunties!

 Grant and I were almost going to name Asher, Duke. I actually had some stuff made in that name... But, then... we made a decision on Asher the week before my sprinkle.

 Kristy wasn't able to attend. She was VERY sick. Poor thing! She was missed!

 My grandma! She's tiny... but mighty! I missed my momma though! At least I had one of them there! :)