Reward: Happy Feet!

As a reward for being so good since Kade has arrived, Reagan got to join mom, Aunt Heidi, and Grandma Judy for a pedicure. (Don't remember if you can recall my post from Mother's Day 2 years ago when I took her with us and she screamed the entire time???...different scenerio round 2). She was so excited and you can tell by her face she felt like such a big girl. Pedicure a success and we all have happy feet.

Lucky

I'm a little behind...in a lot of things. I have unfinished projects that were supposed to get worked on the week I had Kade. I have unfinished Thank You cards and unfinished rooms. I feel disheveled and unorganized, and that's really hard for me. However, I am so grateful for the help that we have had the past few weeks. Of course, first was my parents. Dropping everything in their life to drive in the middle of the night to be with us. My dad said "you know, I've never driven in the middle of the night before". Hey, glad I could give you a "first" daddy-o! They stayed a few days, went home to rest, then came back down. I'm so grateful that my parents are close and were able to be here for my little family. My mom cooked, cleaned, brought frozen meals, delivered many diapers, and even braved staying up with Kade so I could get some sleep. My brother and sister also dropped everything to be here that day and of course continue to offer great moral support. Heidi has helped with Reagan a ton. Mike's mom was able to come down and help for a few days and his sister cooked us yummy dinners. We had wonderful meals brought in by the ward and friends and family who have done as much. Thank you Thank you Thank you to all of you for being so supportive, giving, and caring at this time. Family is wonderful and so are friends!! How lucky we are!

Of note, the most rewarding thing in all of this is watching big sister with little brother. She has been absolutely awesome with him. The day she walked into the hospital room was so fulfilling for me. Her eyes just wide with wondering as she stared at her baby brother. She had waited for that day for so many months. The night we brought him home she was sitting next to my dad on the couch and was holding him and she said "I'm so proud of my baby brother". She's so caring and gentle with him. Her eyes continue to light up and she wants to see him first thing in the morning. She holds him well and has been such a big helper in retrieving things and helping care for him. She's definately trying to be a great big sister. Bringing him home was surreal thinking "wow, someone entrusted us with TWO of these munchins, please don't let us screw up!". However, now it feels like our little family is so complete and I love every day of watching the two of them together :)

Pics

Numerous pictures :) It's been almost 2 weeks of fog! You forget how a newborn takes away most degrees of sanity at first! Kade is definately following in Reagan's sleep pattern...which is nothing at all! I would call him a night owl but I'm not sure that's exactly the reason. At first it was the jaundice thing and now it's just a matter or trying to get him into a sleep pattern. Can you really do that when your baby is 2 weeks old? Many say it can be done. Not sure what's going to happen when Mike returns to work this week and I can't get my 4 hours of sleep from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. in!! I have taken more naps in the past 2 weeks than I have my entire life. Which is not a bad thing by any means! I cringe when people tell me their babies sleep all night long. Not fair :( But then again...he's only 2 weeks old.... we did successfully get him to take a bottle so that will eventually help. (And in case you are wondering about one of the pics of Rea and Kade...yes, it is pretty much still winter, yes, still 30 degrees outside, and yes, she pretty much is in heaven being home so much and having zero clothes on. My family is rolling their eyes thinking like mother like daughter. She, however, it hot-blooded like her father and can tolerate running around. Grandpa Dick is saying "no socks = getting sick!". I do what I can and I try to pick battles I can win.)

First Bottle

Sweet!

Kade & Papa

Proud Big sister - she loves to lay on the ground and have him lay across her


Kade meets some cousins

Really??

Yes, really...the #1 choice of hospitals is the following baby straight jacket!! We had taken Kade into the dr the Saturday after he was born and he was in the high-risk level for jaundice. So follows the below contraption. It was awful. The first night I just sat there all night soothing him. It was 2 hours on then 1 hour off. Insane. You put a "blanket" on his belly then he layed on the baby tanning bed. After a few days of this, and daily checks with the doctor, he was healthy enough to come off. Thank goodness!!!

A pleasant (and unexpected) visitor

I say it like we weren't exactly expecting this little guy....HOWEVER, it was definately unexpected!! A story for the books which most of you already know...however, let me refresh you with our exciting week!

Tuesday, February 9th turned out to be the beginning of an eventful 24 hours. I had an awesome shower thrown by my friends at work. We ate, laughed and opened gifts. All the while I'm telling everyone "I'm done being pregnant but he can't come until this weekend". (I technically had just under 3 weeks left) I picked up Reagan from daycare and met a friend for dinner (Mimi's cafe, steak and garlic mashed potatos in case anyone is pregnant and wants to be thrown into labor) After dinner and arriving home I wasn't feeling that great so with the house a disaster, and the usual suspects checking on me for the night (OH YES....did I mention Mike would be working in California????) I went to bed. Only to be awoken an hour later with a "UH, I'm pretty sure that was my water breaking". This threw us into the adventure that we call baby. I called my sister Heidi who heading over to stay w/Reagan, text Mike and told him of course not to panic but I think my water broke. He immediately called me and then called Delta checking on flights out, my sister arrived, my contractions began, and I headed to the hospital (yes, I drove myself...but literally it takes a minute to drive there so THANKFULLY that was uneventful), call my parents on the way (who happened to still be awake at this time visiting with friends, and found out Mike couldn't get a flight home until 8:45 a.m. the next day. I cried, he worried, and my wonderful family kicked it into gear. Heidi stayed w/Reagan while my brother Matt who lives in Spanish Fork drove up. Heidi then came to the hospital to be with my while my parents dropped everything and left in the MIDDLE of the night to come be w/me. It was all so surreal as I walked into the women's center. Here I am, slippers on, bag in hand, a tear streaked face, and I could just FEEL the empathy from these nurses radiating in the waiting area.

So to make a long story short, they tried to pump me full of fluid to see if that would stop any of the contractions and everyone hoped it would be long enough for the daddy to arrive. I won't lie, that was one of the hardest things to endure. I was laying in that bed just anxious as can be...not for myself but for Mike who had to do all his worrying from miles away. My parents arrived and my dad gave me a blessing and it definately helped calm me some. Although I was unable to actually sleep during any of this, my time to push came way too fast. Mike was in the air and there was no way this little man was waiting any longer!! I am so grateful for my mom for being there with me. I know she felt like she was "making up" for being on their mission in the Ukraine while Reagan was born but it was so comforting having her there and I think helped Mike feel a little better about it as well.

So after 10 minutes of pushing, the little guy was out, healthy, beautiful and screaming. Mike arrived a few hours later and the family was reunited!!

So here he is....Kade Alexander Young. Born February 10th at 7:21 a.m. weighing in at 7 pounds 5 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. He's beautiful and big sister Reagan is as proud as they come.

1st time for everything & 4 weeks left

Today we had a "first". Reagan's FIRST trip to the dentist! I've only rescheduled the appt 3 times because I kept chickening out thinking it was going to be a nightmare of a visit. I had visions of holding her down while she was screaming and kicking. I've been preparing her for a few weeks now and the event went wonderful! She didn't make a fuss about getting up and going. She watched me get my teeth cleaned first and sat there patiently. When it was her turn, she hopped right up and opened wide. Wasn't a big fan of the "polishing" but did great, got a new Sleeping Beauty toothbrush, and shiny, clean teeth. So proud of her :)







I also realized a few weeks ago that I have not taken ONE picture of my pregnant belly!! I did a whole scrap layout of the "weeks" with Reagan. The "second" child's being ignored already :) I'll work on that and try to get at least one or two. I officially have 5 weeks left. Last week, however, when I was at my weekly visit, Dr. Smith said "So do you want to schedule your voluntary induction?". (very casual like) Here I am staring at him dumbfounded...."uhhhhhh, um, sure", I said, totally confused and not really understanding his suggestion. It usually isn't an option for first babies but apparently very common (in Utah) for any remaining babies apparently. Obviously, per convenience of the doctor. Go in early, get started, deliver and then they can head home for dinner and not have to come back at 2 in the morning as was the case with Reagan. SOOOO.....if Baby Young hasn't made his appearance by Monday, February 22nd, I am scheduled for an induction! Hard to believe that is JUST FOUR weeks from today. It was a little bit of panic after that visit on my part. I made Mike work hard all weekend trying to get some "little" things moved, changed, painted, etc. We are all so excited for this little guy to join our family. A whole new world awaits us I'm sure. For several weeks I have tried not to freak out about what this means for Reagan. ALthough she is very excited, I'm a little nervous about the attention and time it takes for a newborn. Not that she will "suffer" in any way, but that little girl has had every ounce of attention for the past 3 1/2 years. I'm nervous that she will feel left out or ignored :( I'm sure it's normal for every mom to worry about this. I know she will be a huge help and she will love this baby so much. I can't wait to see her finally hold him and hug him and kiss him. She really will be the best big sis a little guy could want. Along those lines, I too cannot wait to hold/hug/kiss his sweet little cheeks.

Saturday night fun

While I stayed home and scrapped with the girls, dad and Reagan went to the Jazz game. She LOVES the games. Mostly she thinks it's about the Bear of course. Although she still remains absolutely terrified of him and his "silly string".

Hello 2010!

We rang in the new year in style....bed way before midnight!! It was a movie and popcorn, followed by bedtime stories and dream land. Awoken at midnight by firecrackers and hollering, I'm glad someone enjoyed the hour in style. New Year's Day we had friends/family over; did a little sledding, eating yummy food, and playing games. We are grateful we have the opportunity to celebrate with wonderful people and for our friends and family.

I have yet to make New Year's resolutions.....I admit, it never crossed my mind until Mike asked....ok, well I'll try to think of something (insert smile) in the mean time...Here's to a New Year!

Coop & Rea

Rea & Zoe

Teamwork!

Beth & Breann


Kinlee LOVES cookies

Playing Elefun

Would U Rather??

Rea & Baby Megan

Katie huffin it up the hill

Christmas Fun...

Christmas came with full anticipation this year. We spent the weekend in Idaho with our family. It was a fun weekend. It was more fun as Reagan understood more but also less fun as she was considerably grumpy that day. She did, however, get her Santa "wish" presents. When you spend a few days opening presents, for some reason, kids think that a day without is disappointing :) The day after, we went to a local ski resort and went tubing. It was fun to see lots of cousins and family, play games and eat good food. Let's spend a year not talking about Santa!

Dreams of sugarplums...


Her coveted Princess Castle


Swim To Me Puppy....the only other Santa wish list


Grandma Judy and Grandpa Dick gave Kennedy and Reagan these "hair salon stations". You can imagine that Reagan loves it...involving hair and all



After opening the trunk of dress up Princess clothes, it was all she wrote and all she wanted to dress up...her cousin Savana got the same trunk of clothes and little Emmett (who is just a few months younger) had to join in the fun. SO reminded us of our childhood, and my poor brother who was stuck admist 7 girls got pigtails, barbies, dresses, etc....




Christmas Breakfast and Lunch

30 weeks and counting....

So lack of pictures on the blog lately, are due to a lost camera :( Reagan had a dance recital on December 3rd at the Festival of Trees. It was a crazy day and I was carrying loads of stuff amidst shuffling her back and forth between Mike and I. I had some really cute pictures on there of her and her buddies afterwards too so I'm sick about it. Makes me mad at myself and kind of mad that whomever found it wasn't honest enough to turn it in. I guess I'd like to think people were still caring enough to see this cute little girl on camera and know her parents wanted it back.

Anyway....we've had a fun month. Fun Christmas crafts, activities, parties, etc. None captured on film! We did buy another small digital so now watch out pictures....

Pregnancy update: We (or I) have 10 weeks left. I had another ultrasound this past week to check placenta placement. All looks great, it's moved, and Junior (for lack of any name) is growing like a weed. Reagan still insists his name is Foofy (not even sure how you would spell it, just know we have a few months to convince her that's not a great name for a boy, a dog maybe, but a boy, no). She measured him about a week ahead and he is weighing in at 3 1/2 pounds. We got a new computer and I can't figure out our "scanning" on the printer so I can't get pictures to upload either!! Looks like he has lots of "fuzz" on his head (which anyone who saw Reagan would remember the mass amounts of hair and if you attribute the old wives tale of heartburn, it would definately apply in both pregnancies). His lips were nice and "kissable" according to the sonographer. I thought they looked unusually large - or the weirdness of a 3D :O) We are so excited for him to arrive (not too soon of course)!!

Excellent Book!!

If you haven't read this book it's a must read. I probably wouldn't have ever just picked it up to "read", but I was lacking books to read, and usually have to read every night. Probably one of the best books I have read in a very long time. However, before that I read Three Cups of Tea about Greg Mortensen building schools in Pakistan and this too, was excellent. A great few weeks of reading makes me very happy :)

A perfect day

Big, fluffy white snowflakes are falling. It's a Sunday and the quiet outside is wonderful! I've got comfy p.j.'s on at 11 a.m., cup of Chai Tea by my side, the house is super cozy, clean, and smells like cloves and cinnamon...thanks to Scentsy. Christmas tree lights are on and holiday music is in the background...my house is otherwise quiet with Mike at work and Reagan at her cousins. They will be here soon and the silence will turn to chaos. So I'll enjoy it for a minute. I'm thoroughly enjoying the holiday season this year. My shopping is 99% done and 2 weeks to go!! It was simple this year, which I loved. Anticipation from Santa is felt everywhere and Reagan's elf has visited her "nearly" every day. The days he didn't she can tell you why! I saw swimsuits in Target yesterday...yes, and WHY?? Can't we just enjoy a holiday without anticipating something else? There will be no swimsuit buying for me anytime soon....I'll relish in the holiday spirit, the magic of winter, and each day with my excited child. How bout for you?