Festivities...

With a handsome little man that has been snoozing for a good 3 hours now, I'm risking breastmilk engorgement explosion in order to blog some more photos instead of pumping!  You're welcome!

Here's what we've been up to in the past few days.

Friday night was Papa's Super Hero party!  With Connor as the party planner, are you surprised a 55 year old had a Super Hero characters on his cake?!

Connor got some much needed attention while Noah did as well, too :).

Papa got a view of his cake for the first time!

Perfect!

Papa & his little guys

Noah's view

Quick bath

Then Saturday was our first 'outing' to Nana & Papa's house for the FSU game!  When I had Connor, the FSU game was our first outing at Nana & Papa's house too.

Noah enjoyed some Daddy snuggle time.

Auntie Katie got in on the action as well.

Somebody sleeps best on his Auntie Katie (we learned over the few days she was here!).

Noah & I celebrated the big FSU win with a little snooze together.

Then this morning, the boys decked out in the 49ers wear for the game tonight!

I love how excited he gets to hold his brother!

Photographing more than one child is quite difficult!

Goob!

Ok...I'm off to figure out my new breast pump.  Exciting stuff!

Without further adieu...

Last Monday changed our lives forever.

I learned that my heart could grow to love another more than I ever thought it could.

Matt became an official "Dad."

 *While he never fully understood the absolute love I had for Connor, he definitely knows the feeling now!

The fun journey began about 8:00am Monday morning.  My goal was to keep Connor's routine as normal as possible.  We had to have Connor to school at 8:00am as well as be at the hospital at 8:00am.  We woke up a little bit earlier that day (who am I kidding...I never slept that night), headed to Connor's school about 20 minutes early to meet up with Nana in the parking lot for a doughnut picnic in her car (so we could get to the hospital on time).  From Nana's reports, Connor was very excited to announce to his teachers that today was baby brother day!  So while C was at school, Matt & I were checking in at Health Park.

They had me shower (again) and gowned up in the Pre-Op area.

The whole process was pretty smooth & went by so incredibly fast!  We had a few family visits from parents before they wheeled me back into the 'exciting room.'  I got a spinal (which was probably the most painful part of the whole C-section day), they moved me quickly into place, Dr. Fleishman was in, I believe they started the procedure, then Matt was brought in.  There was barely any pressure/movement felt during the whole process & within minutes, precious Noah was out!  From that point on, it was a little blurry.  They took Noah into the next room to clean him up & check him up, where Matt was right there with him.  I could hear his lungs at work from the surgical table--he was squawking away in there!  It didn't seem long before they brought him out to me for the remainder of the procedure.  We just stared at him.  I remember thinking he was perfect.  He didn't seem as big as the nurses/Dr. made him seem when the pulled him out.  He resembled Connor, weighed more than Connor, but looked smaller to me.  Not small--just right!  It was all so easy, relatively painless, and here he was---we were so in love.  I was so relieved he was ok.

Matt went out with Noah back to my Pre-op room (that was obviously now our Post-op room).  From what I hear, there were lots of family awaiting his arrival in the room!  While they finished my final stitchings, Noah graced everyone with his presence!

Our little Noah Matthew Sears

Born 9/30/2013 at 10:48am

8 lbs, 12 oz

20.5 inches long

He was absolutely perfect!

(I patted myself on the back...I make some beautiful babies!)

Within minutes, I was wheeled in & ready for my babe!

He was content & quiet.  I was in Heaven.

While we waited in our Post-op room until a room became available upstairs for us, we tried to have it all sink in.

Before long, while I was still pretty numb (could start feeling my legs a bit), we were moved to our final room.  I couldn't get enough of him!

It wasn't long before family were in the visit!  I couldn't wait to see my Connor!

Mr. Big Brother arrived after school with Nana!

The boys that hold my heart!

There was love all around...

The next day was a little emotionally overwhelming for me.  There was hospital staff in often interrupting Noah's feedings and sleeping.  We were recommended to have an ultrasound of Noah's head to check for extra fluid (since his head was measuring at the top of the charts).  I reassured the Dr. that Noah was fine, since his big brother had an equally large head :).  We went ahead with the test anyway.  I walked Noah down to ultrasound (where walking was not a friend to my incision, but there was no way I was sending him on his own).  The results came back normal (as we figured), but we knew for sure now.  Noah also had a routine hearing test done, where he failed in both ears.  I'm sorry, but that freaks a Mom out!!  The hearing tech reassured me that it was normal for C-section babies to not pass the hearing test the first time, since they may have remaining fluid in their ears (that vaginally delivered babies get 'pushed' out when being squeezed through the birth canal).  She said she'd come back in the morning to do another one.  Another woman came in to do the PKU test (where they poke your baby's foot to collect drops of blood for testing).  I forgot the pain of hearing your completely content baby cry in the arms of a stranger at Dr's visits.  I cry more than my babies.  So after all the testing, seeing Noah upset, and chaos of the day, I was grateful to have my Connor come to visit.

He's one proud big brother.

He loves to give kisses, touch Noah's cheeks, and rub his feet.

Fast forward to the next day...

Noah passed his hearing test (yay yay!) and we were home & settled around 4:00pm that day.

He was home!  Reality started to sink in.  All the baby gear now had a baby.  I loved the feeling of having him home.

This was after being in the car to take big brother to school.  He's this content in the car for our 45 minutes in the car!  We decided to get some fresh air when we got home & this was the precious pose I got.  Couldn't you just eat him up.

Wash cloth bathes are an exciting evening to-do.  This little guy enjoys being on his belly as well as naked & towel swaddled!

My two favorite little boys!!!

More to come!

It's Time!!!!

I've been on & off the phone with the Dr's office & Health Park...and I am officially that obnoxious patient that keeps calling...BUT you can't tell a patient that she needs to be scheduled to get her giant baby out, promise a date of next Monday, then take it back saying the hospital is full & I just have to be patient until another patient goes into labor before their scheduled C-section date so I can have their room.  I mean, REALLY?!?! You can't do that to a pregnant lady!!

With the date unknown, I began going crazy at home today!

Our bags are packed...

Connor's big brother gift is wrapped 

(big sorry in advance to Nana & Papa who will get to help C put together a Batman Lego set that he begged for at Target a few weeks ago).  I can guarantee he'll want to do it as soon as he opens the gift :).

While I don't think the picture makes my puffy feet look as scary, the foot discomfort has definitely set in.  Going up and down the stairs at home is pretty brutal.  Nothing like waddling from a bowling ball head between your legs AND trying not to bend your feet all that the same time.

I snapped a picture last week while I was half presentable.  I seriously can't get any larger.  My sister was sweet to point out that my giant belly helps make my bum appear smaller! 

I just got a call back from the surgery scheduler at my Dr's office and its now official--

In 3 days, on Monday, September 30th, I'm scheduled for a 10:30am C-section!

Let the crazy, emotional, baby preparation begin!

What's going on

Update: We've been busy.  I'm still pregnant.  I have the cutest kid ever.

I haven't made time to sit down & stay up to date on my blogging, so here is a giant spew of photos & stories to go along with them.  My pregnancy brain is pure mush, so bare with me!

Last week, Connor's school had a Bookfair as well as a Pre-K story night.  My little Batman fan scoped out the Bookfair on library day at school, so he came home asking if he could, "Bring coins to school soon, so he can get the Lego Batman book"  Nana caught wind of Peewee's request & wahhh-lahhh-- I have one excited little boy with a new Superhero book that we've read a good 6x already! 

The Pre-K story night was wonderful!  We got to go around the school & had different stories read to us in places like the art room, music room, and computer room.  It was a great way to entertain the kids as well as educate the parents on where the kids go each day at school.  Connor had a great time showing me around his school & his very, very favorite part is "Chapel."  Connor volunteered to help with "Chapel dance" on stage.  This hormonal Mama fought back tears as I watched my big boy dance and sing on stage.  I got a good 5 videos as well as somewhat blurry photos!  It was a proud Mama moment!!

"Get down...and Listen up!"

*Have I mentioned I love his school?!?!

Papa came home from work last week during lunch time to hang with Peewee for a bit.  These two are overly excited about this darn bird feeder and the blue jays/cardinals/squirrels that come out because of it!  Nana snapped a cute pic of the boys refilling their fancy feeder.

When I go to pick up C on Tuesdays & Thursdays after work, we could not be more grateful for our afternoon/evenings with Nana.  As I'm running low on energy lately, she does a great job entertaining Peewee & feeding us supper before we hit the road to go home.  I love watching these two together!

Last Saturday, I was beyond excited to have the entire day with C.  I contacted Lowes & we were lucky to catch another one of the "Build & Grow" sessions for kids.  Matt had to go into work that morning & Papa was working too, so I ventured out to take on the handyman project with C.  I should never be trusted to use a hammer on my own.  Our project to make the firetruck had a few blemishes and my perfectionist munchkin asked me a few times, "Why does that side look a little funny, Mom?!"  I just reassured him it looked great & we left with one cool firetruck toy!  I don't think I've ever sweat so much in my life between trying to hammer hard while pregnant, perfect C's truck, all while acting like I knew what I was doing while C watched overhead.  All totally worth my happy guy with his new firetruck! 

In the past week, I have transformed into Fiona from Shrek!  My feet are 'bloated' at any given time during the day.  I didn't really understand why everyone was surprised I was going to try to work up until I deliver...all until my feet have blown up.  You will find me wearing Matt's socks and my sneakers completely unlaced & untied at work and in slippers toward the end of the day!  Dr says to not worry as long as my blood pressure is still low.  Thank goodness I can wear sandals most of the time!  Count down is on until I slowly get my body back!  

P.S. This is officially the longest I've ever been pregnant (37 weeks, 3 days).  

After our Lowes trip last Saturday, we headed on over to Aunt Debbie's for a family party to celebrate baby Noah!  I jumped through quite a few hoops to get to bring Connor, but was so thrilled he was finally able to go.  My precious big brother had so much fun playing with the kids & even had a few Big Brother gifts to open!

Could he be any cuter?!?!

My pruney boy spent a good 3+ hours in the pool, but we were finally able to lure him out for some food!

Mr. Big Brother was oh.so.excited. to open his new Lego Batman Movie!  All the kids cuddled up to watch the new flick!

If the fun from Saturday wasn't enough, I arranged to have Connor's very very best bud, Coen, come home with us after school on Monday.  They both hopped in the car together, buckled in, and my adorable child leaned over to Coen and said, 

"Coen, I am so so excited you're coming home with me!"

Oh the happy smiles!

I tried to strategically plan the afternoon with two active boys to help avoid any issues.  First stop--McDonald's for lunch & play!

They were so pumped to play toys together, so we headed back to our house after lunch.  I had hoped for a pool day to stay outside, but the rain had other plans for us!

I found myself playing referee at times.  Just when I thought Connor was a busy guy, Coen topped that, for sure.  He was so so so active & I think 4 hours of having the boys together may have been just a little too long.  Needless to say, Connor slept all through the night that night!

The boys still declared they were best friends by the end of their playdate!

The rain continued the next day at Nana's.  My Batman boy was decked out with his new umbrella & Batman attire!  Can you guess who we're planning to be for Halloween this year?!?!

Sidenote:

Pregnancy update.  No photos to post lately---it's either because I've been in lounge clothes & no makeup lately, so I'm not quite photo happy...or its because I feel larger than an elephant!

Here's the latest from the Dr:

Baby Noah is measuring right on track for 37 weeks.  He's head down, but not yet settled into the birth canal.  My cervix is soft, but not dilated yet.  I've been having contractions randomly, but nothing to call the Dr about.  I go back to the Dr next Wednesday where I'm scheduled for an ultrasound to check on the baby's size (since my last Baby Connor was a giant).  Dr states that as long as all looks well for baby and me, he won't induce until we reach 39 weeks (for adequate lung/brain development).  I just plan to do lots of walking now (as much as my ginormous feet will allow) to help bring this little guy into 'position.'