Smart boy

Silas looked at the ketchup bottle tonight that has a picture of a tomato on it and said "do you crush up tomatoes and then have ketchup?" Jake and I were a little surprised and I asked him where he learned that. He responded, "I just think about it."  I thought that was pretty amazing...so smart for 3 and looking, acting, and sounding more and more like a 4 year old every day! 

Whining

I have to whine! "I don't wanna go back to work!!!!" My Stella snuggles are so precious - almost daily we nap together. I sleep a good part of it, but then spend the rest of the time she sleeps just staring at her and taking pictures of her sleeping. You think I post a lot if pictures? You should see all of them on my phone! 

I'm so worried she won't get to snuggle during the day, which she loves to do. No one will kiss her as much to let her know how loved she is. No one will appreciate the intoxicating scent of her delicious baby breath like I do. They won't admire and appreciate her long, delicate eyelashes the way her Mama does. They won't pick off the straggly nail or dry flake of skin so she looks "just perfect". No one will tell her as many times as her Mama does just how beautiful she is. They won't stare at her and realize which features look like someone in the family. They won't appreciate her arm rolls and chubby, squishy thighs like her Mama does. And they certainly won't plant as many kisses on those big, delicious, rosy cheeks like her Mama does. 

My heart strings are being tugged. So I take pictures. And capture my precious babe sleeping while in my arms. 

And look at these two together. Ridiculous the amount of cuteness they exude! 

Nursing

Nursing is so hard for me at first - up every 2-3 hours, getting the hang of things, latching issues, soreness...blah blah blah. But my favorite is when they reach the age where they can make eye contact with you while nursing and sometimes smile. It melts my heart every time!! Stella is doing that now and I LOVE it!

Maternity leave

I can't believe my maternity leave is almost over. Stella will be 10 weeks on Thursday and I go back to work next Monday. I don't have nearly the feeling of "dread" that I had with Silas, probably because I know two of Stella's teachers at the daycare center and she's going to be in the same building as Silas. 

I remember in a way being somewhat excited to go back to being "normal" after Silas and looking forward to adult interaction and being back doing what I love, despite the tears and feelings of dread. With Stella though, I have no desire what-so-ever to go back. Maybe because I've gotten together with friends every week...or that Jake keeps telling me this is our last baby. Or maybe because she is just such a great baby and snuggler...whatever it is, I don't want to go. 

Stella is so interactive right now, especially with me. She coos, sometimes almost squeals, and is full of smiles. She is generally happy when awake (except when we're trying to keep her awake before bedtime), and loves, loves, LOVES to snuggle on my shoulder or chest. This girl could sleep for hours in my arms...and sometimes she does. :) She loves her baths and enjoys her bouncy seat. Sometimes when she's fussy, I just lay her down and she'll calm down, almost as if she just needed to stretch out. 

Mom, Kellee and I went Black Friday shopping yesterday and took Stella, who was a trooper! Such a good little shopper. We were there for 8 hours and I stopped to feed her twice. She spent most of her time in the Baby Bjorn against me and was perfectly content there. 

I'll leave you with some pictures:

And here's my little tool man, all set to go to Papa's house for 5 days and "do work with my work boots". 

Mommy's first night out: FAIL

So last night I had a going away party to attend for a friend from work. I was going to take Stella but Jake offered last minute to watch her...so I bolted. As in, literally grabbed my black pump bag and ran...as in, forgot to kiss my family and say goodbye. I bolted. Not my best Mommy moment. 😁 

Anyway, wouldn't you know I had everything I needed....except the bottles and breast attachments so I had to come all the home, pump, (kiss everyone goodbye this time) and return. 😊 Big fail on my first attempts out but oh well. 

The funny part in all this is when Jake told Silas he was going to feed Stella, Silas looked at Jake and said, "how are going to feed Stella, you don't have big things like Mommy! You're kidding, right?" Ha! What a smart boy!!

Miss Stella is doing amazing. She has me wrapped so tightly around her finger...and her brother's. 😊 She is smiling and cooing and very interactive. I am head over heels!!

Here are Silas and Stella snuggling in Silas' bed

Love my babies!!!

Silas moment

Funny Silas moment that made Facebook but hasn't made the blog yet. Last week Jake found Silas squeezing his nipple and asked what he was doing. Silas replied, "trying to get milk for Stella 'cause she's crying."  Ha!! This kid cracks me up! Always so thoughtful and sweet to his sister, I pray it always continues!!

1 month old Stella

Oh, little Stella is sooooo sweet and delicious! She is so snuggly and loves to be on my shoulder/chest so much that that's where she spends most of her days. I am absolutely savoring as much time with her as I can and delighting in her squishiness and sweet baby smell. She definitely loves her Mama! 

Above is Silas and Stella, Stella at 4 weeks ready for her first Sunday at church. How sweet is this??

And today is Stella's first Halloween - last night was Beggar's Night (trick-or-tricking) so here are pictures from that. 

Not completely indicative of our night, but too funny not to share!!

Silas was a great Superman...our only complaint was that he talked too much...to everyone! He talked to people about their kids ("do you have kids? Can I see them?") and about their pets and about random things. We had to keep saying, "c'mon Silas!" I think he gets the social aspect from his father... ;)

Funny story

So Silas often wants to see Stella's poop and watch me change her diaper. I don't know, I don't find it odd since he's a 3 year old boy and many of his jokes involve poop. Anyway, Stella has had diarrhea and usually when I change her, more poop comes out and it's a huge process sometimes involving 3 diapers at one change because she fills up another one. Or it ends up all over because it just keeps coming as I change her. 

Yesterday I went to change her and sure enough, more keeps coming as I took one diaper away and before I could get the other one there, getting all over her changing pad. Not much I can do besides let her finish. Silas was watching all this happen and immediately started gagging. Jake and I laughed...a 3 year old gagging because he looked at poop??? Well then Stella started pooping and peeing, creating a huge mess which made Silas gag more....and then, you guessed it...he threw up!!! Jake and I laughed so hard we had tears rolling down our cheeks. Which kid to help first?

Poor Silas, he has his mother's weak stomach when it comes to poop. :) He told me later, "Mommy, I'm sorry I went 'bleh' all over." :) 

2 week update

Stella's 2 week stats:

9 pounds (78th percentile) & 21 1/4 inches (90th percentile). Her color looked better so no need for a bilirubin check!

And here are a couple of her newborn pictures that my Mom and I took.

Stella Mae

As I sit down to write this, I have a beautiful 5 day old baby girl snuggled against my chest in her Moby wrap (why didn't I know about this with Silas??). She is so content being close to me and I have the best view of her sweet little face...and she's within kissing distance so I can love all over her big cheeks as often as I want.

Miss Stella Mae Soll arrived 4 days early on Thursday, September 26th, 2013 at 3:08am weighing 8 pounds, 8.9 ounces (0.1 ounces bigger than Silas!) and 20.5 inches long.

39 weeks, about 14 hours before Stella was born

I had my 39 week OB appt on Wednesday at 3pm where Dr. Belsheim stripped my membranes and told me she'd be surprised if I last until the following weekend. Yeah, yeah, I'd heard all that with Silas so I wasn't getting my hopes up. I was dilated 3-4 but just felt too good that day to be having a baby. Two days before hand, I had woken up with pretty regular contractions and was sure I was in labor, but they subsided. Anyway, I went home and around 5:30pm noticed bloody show and had cramping, nausea and diarrhea. I just felt awful. I called Dr. Belsheim and she told me to come on in and stated "we'll probably have a baby tonight!"  Of course Jake and I were in mid-cleaning/mid-dinner preparations so everything was put on hold and we packed up, and arranged for Silas to go to Jake and Katie Bonner's for the night (he was thrilled!).

We arrived at the hospital around 7:30pm and met my nurse, Tami who said I was already dilated 5-6cm!! Kellee arrived shortly after. Around 10pm, Dr. Belsheim broke my water and we waited...and waited...and waited...my contractions weren't much stronger and I was feeling pretty good despite being tired from getting up at 6:30 that morning. Somewhere between 11-midnight Tami brought up starting Pitocin after I'd made the statement "this is going to be a loooong night". I declined but she brought it up again later, stating we could start on the lowest dose and see how it went. I told her at that point I didn't care, she knew what she was doing more than I did so she went ahead and started it. My contractions still didn't get too bad and I was able to get up to the bathroom and move around easily without being in a lot of pain. Finally around 2:30-2:45am my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and I was a hurtin' woman. I was dilated 7-8cm then and finally asked for my epidural. The anesthesiologist arrived within 5-10 minutes and with the epidural in place, it took a few minutes for it to work but I was on my way to relaxing...or so I thought. Within 10-15 minutes, I was dilated to 9cm and feeling lots of pressure. I kept telling Tami, "something is going on, I think you need to check me". And just like that, I was dilated to 10 and feeling like I had to push NOW. I gave two good pushes before Tami was telling me I had to wait for Dr. Belsheim. I remember thinking, "wait!?! No, she's coming NOW!" and telling Tami (and the room full of everyone except the doctor) that I felt like I was being torn in half (to which Kellee lost her cool and started bawling). Tami kept encouraging me to wait and finally said, "Christy, I don't have the degree to deliver a baby" to which I immediately (and maybe not so nicely) yelled, "I don't either, Tami, but I've delivered babies! Now catch her! You can do it!" I remember her laughing as I was screaming. Not long after I remember seeing her put on sterile gloves and thinking "Oh thank you, God she's gonna do it!" And with one more burning, excruciating push, Miss Stella Mae entered the world.  Dr. Belsheim did arrive after Stella, in time to deliver the placenta and tell me no sutures were needed, but kudos to Tami for an AMAZING job!



What I didn't realize at the time:
-I only pushed for 7 minutes
-My labor with Miss Stella was only and hour and half
-I got my epidural so close to push time, that it didn't get to take full effect
-Stella was Tami's first time delivering a baby (heck, even I had more under my belt than an OB RN!?)
-I would so much rather have a quick delivery like I did with Stella than pushing off and on for an hour with Silas and being in labor for 6 hours as I did with him.

My Mom and Kellee were able to be in the delivery room with Jake and I which made it extra special. Mom took some great pictures and Kellee got the best birth control of her life! ;)

Silas is an amazing big brother, as I knew he would be. He is so sweet to her, so quick to comfort her when she cries. A couple days ago she was crying and he said to her, "you're here and I'm here. I know, I know, it's okay." He's very interested in breast feeding and pumping. He told me the other night, "your armpits are really big" (he calls breasts armpits since we don't allow him to say nipple and I haven't even introduced the words "breast" or "boobs" to him....you can thank Jake for naming nipples on boys). Silas has been more tearful lately...heck, so have I! and been more argumentative and difficult to listen to instruction. It's been frustrating, but I have to keep reminding myself that his little world is completely upside down right now.

I think that's all for now...I'm going to try and edit some pictures while I still have a sweet, sleeping baby on my chest. :)

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Stella's delivery:

Fall is in the air!!

Oh, my beloved summer is beginning to fade away. My beloved summer that for 4 weeks or so betrayed me, at my most pregnant time with 95-115 degree temps and made me miserable, moody, and HOT. I have welcomed this cooler weather with open arms as Silas and I have been ale to get outside more and just my mood in general has improved since I no longer feel like I am literally dying from heat. :)

Friday evening Jake and I took Silas to our favorite pumpkin patch in Cambridge. I was so thankful to have Jake with us since I didn't have the energy or ability to keep up with Silas. The boys LOVED the new slide....I even went down once and got in on a few jumps on the massive in-ground pillow. Silas loved every second and I also had a blast getting in some quality time with my guys. 

Saturday we took Silas on a trail here in Johnston to practice riding his bike on a flat surface. Is kid needed no practice...he took off!! This summer he was almost too scared to ride, being afraid of going down hills too fast but something clicked with him a few weeks ago and he has discovered a passion for riding. He rode, we walked and went two miles...and could've kept going except we had to turn around to get a drink. Silas seemed to love the freedom of the trail and greeted everyone he passed with a wave and a "hi!" My sweet, little social butterfly. My heart was just about bursting with joy that cool morning as I savored what precious time I have left with just my guys. While I am so excited to meet our newest addition, I have some guilt knowing our world (especially Silas') will be turned upside down and some fear of adjusting to life with a 3.5 year old and a newborn. 

 37 weeks

I woke up this morning at 1am with sharp, stabbing pains to my abdomen that subsided quickly but then noticed a dull backache, which is how my labor with Silas started. Of course then I was awake, just sure "this is it!" At 3am, I finally went downstairs for toast and OJ (my pregnancy obsession) and did the dishes and straightened out a few things in baby girl's room. I finally was able to sleep for a little more around 4:30, but not much longer. I woke up with contractions and of course became so excited. Well....here we are at 7:15pm and no progression. Nothing. Still a backache, lots of contractions today and some are strong, but nothing regular. Pooey. 

I have to work tomorrow and then Wednesday is my OB appt so we'll see how things are then I suppose. Oh, I forgot to mention last week at my 37 week appt that I was dilated to a full 3cm. Baby wasn't as active and her heart rate was low so they hooked me up to a monitor and ended p sending me in for an ultrasound. Everything looked good...she is still a girl (Jake had them double check!), and they estimated her to be 7 pounds, 9 ounces. Awesome....another big baby. :-/ She looked great, though with some chubby cheeks and hair and was practicing her breathing. She loved having her hands by her face too. 

37 weeks

Ok, hopefully next update will be exciting news!!? 

36 weeks

Here we are at 36 weeks! I had my appointment today and the doctor said I am 2-3cm dilated!! Now I know better than to get my hopes up, but it's so hard not to! I made it to 36 weeks still running...I got 20 minutes of running in today with lots of walking and weight lifting so I'm feeling good about that.

I came across this sweet little poem on Pinterest the other day and have to share -- these are my exact thoughts at this moment of my pregnancy:

I AM NOT ALONE

Running errands and talking on the phone,

I am pleasantly reminded that I am not alone. 

Little tiny hands, a precious rounded knee

Pushing and twisting that no one can see.

Oh sweet child kicking up your heels,

It is our little secret that only I can feel.

I look forward to your birth,

When I can kiss your skin,

But for now I will smile,

As I feel you play within.

In other news, today is Kellee's 18th birthday! We're taking her to Cheesecake Factory tonight for her birthday!  

Dog days of summer

Good heavens. This weather is ridiculous. It was gorgeous beginning of August - 70s and 80s...almost too chilly for the pool! And now that the schools have started and the pools are closed, it's 95+ degrees (over 100* this week) with the heat index well above 100. This very preggo lady is not a happy camper. If it was just me, I'd be fine...but what do you do with a three year old that doesn't just want to stay inside? Is is the first time this summer I've had to say no to going outside and it breaks my heart. And poor Kellee started classes this week at ISU and her dorm room doesn't have air. I can't imagine. I've been in daily communication with her, offering our house for her to sleep if she needs to. I hope, for her sake, that she takes me up on it. 

This week I have big plans for packing my hospital bag and getting some last minute things done like washing breast pump accessories (bottles are washed and in place!), putting items in the baby's dresser (we finally moved it from Silas' room into the baby room), etc. 

So a funny story about my 34 week appointment that I didn't share before...it took me a good week to be able to laugh about it and I think you'll find it funny too. When I first walked into my appointment, the (very pretty) nurse had me weigh in. My weight was up way more than what I thought was acceptable and it hit me hard. My mood immediately changed and I just wanted to be left alone, not talk to this (very pretty...and did I mention thin?) nurse. She took my blood pressure, asked some basic questions and left. The tears started right away while I tried to keep Silas entertained and out of the drawers and in one spot. I finally composed myself right before the doctor came in, my the red-rimmed  and puffy eyes must have clued her in...as well as my short responses. Why can't anyone read body language? Leave me alone! She asked a few times, "are you sure there isn't anything else you want to talk about?" "Nope, I'm good!" I kept telling her I tried to chase Silas around the room. He jumped up in a chair to turn up the music in the room and that was it. I put my head down and the tears came, not and fast. I kept my head down while crying and said "ok, thanks! That's all, thank you..." Se didn't get a clue. I looked up and then the tears came faster.  "Oh! Oh! What's wrong? Oh!" Seriously, lady...go away. I assured her several times I was fine, just emotional that day and practically ran out of the office with her trailing me still trying to talk. I finally made it with Silas to the car,  him asking me why I was crying ("I don't know, buddy. Sometimes Mommies just cry") and drove off. The crying became so hard on the way home that I had to reach into my glove compartment for a throw up bag and literally threw up. Silas went the whole car ride home not saying a word (and probably thinking, "my Mom's a nut!"). Poor kid. I got home, put him down for a nap and continued to sob. Really? All this over a measly weigh in, that in all honesty really wasn't that crazy???? I'm telling you, hormones!!  I read something last night that talked [jokingly] about pregnancy-induced multiple personality disorder. Jake and I laughed, and yet I think maybe it's a real thing. :)  I don't remember being this emotional with Silas as often as I have been this time around.  Oh, and just a warning....don't even think about touching the AC setting or you will see true multiple personality disorder come unleashed. ;) 

One more last thought before you get the impression that I going crazy. I read somewhere last week that a pre-schooler laughs 300 times a day. This has really stuck with me and has given me new joy watching Silas laugh. Why don't we laugh as much the older we get? It's a rhetorical question because I know why - life complications, stress, responsibilities, etc. But let that soak in a while. Laughing 300 times a day. It makes me saddened for children whose childhood is robbed of such joy because of abuse, neglect, angry parents, poverty, rape, etc.  I don't want Silas' childhood to revolve around making her he's happy, because that will lead to one very spoiled and unhappy teen/adult. But I want to relish his giggles and tickle him a little more and see if I can be the cause for some of those 300 laughs a day. 

34 weeks with Baby Girl

So last week was the State Fair! We took Silas to the fair on a gorgeous afternoon/evening and he had a blast! He enjoyed all the animals, including the baby animals and loved Little Hands on the Farm where he got to plant "seeds", water them, grow them and harvest them.

Tough guy gets a tattoo

My Little Hands on the Farm helper!

My little farmer milking a cow

This summer has been so much fun with Silas. We've had a blast at the pool each week and he has become quite the little swimmer with his trusty floaty.  :) The past few times at my parent's house, he's jumped off the diving board without any fear and gone under water without it phasing him at all. I love watching him do "big boy" things and then seeing how proud he is when we all cheer him on. The summer has been filled with playing baseball in the yard, swimming, going to the parks and just enjoying being outside. Silas is the most delightful child and while 3 1/2 is sometimes very challenging, it is also the best! He'll hit a ball really far and say something like "how awesome was that!?" He loves (maybe more than anywhere else) going to "Papa's houf (house)".  Silas is very excited for Baby Sister to come and talks about her often. I told him recently that sometimes he might be sad or mad if I need to spend time extra time holding her and he said "No Mommy, you'll be mad because I will hold her."  :)  

So 34 weeks is here and my OB told me today that if I were to go into labor, they wouldn't stop try to stop it. Wow, what a reality check! Baby girl (no name yet) seems to be in position and has been for about six weeks now. Head is down, butt is up, and legs are under my right ribs. I felt today like she was a lot lower than she has been. She is an active lady and I am LOVING her movements and feeling her little feet. My friend, Tonya, is 38 weeks and in complete baby mode, ready to have her baby and I feel like I've been in that mindset too. I'm trying to get myself out of that mindset and just enjoy feeling this lady move and savoring time with Silas. I know Jake only wants two children and the thought of this being my last pregnancy makes me so sad....I can't help but love each movement baby girl makes. I saw a quote on Pinterest that said something about instead of wishing away 9 months, I would have cherished each moment (of pregnancy), knowing it was my one chance to assist God in a miracle. What a great thought!

Let me leave you with some pictures from the summer that I haven't yet posted...

Daddy and Silas' first camping trip in July at my parent's house

Painting baby's room at 30 weeks

Silas' first camel ride, August 2013

34 weeks at the zoo!

 

The end is drawing near...

Wow, I can't believe I will be 30 weeks tomorrow!! Time FLIES! And here I thought at the beginning this pregnancy was dragging on...maybe because I felt so awful. I figured it would go fast with summer being here since summer always seems to go too fast. We are loving these warm days outside and at the pool. The only way I've been able to stay cool is inside with a fan directly on me and the AC on, or at the pool with Silas on my days off. We all have amazing tans - Silas and I from being at the pool and Jake from paddle boarding.

My boys paddle boarding on the lake one evening

My sweet, selfless parents came this weekend to help us paint the baby's room. It didn't take nearly as long as Silas' room did, but I appreciate their help just as much. I'll post a picture when we get things on the wall - the walls are pretty bare right now except for a fresh coat of paint. It was even Mom's birthday today, which my preggo brain nearly forgot (you know I'm pregnant if I nearly forget someone's birthday because I remember almost EVERYone's birthday...even kids from Elementary!). We did a little shopping to celebrate and had lunch at Cheesecake Factory. It wasn't a nearly enough celebrating for someone as amazing as she is. Mom deserves all the bells and whistles for her birthday because she is one outstanding woman. I think anyone who knows her would agree.

Silas got in on the painting action

The most recent picture I have to post of my baby belly (have I posted even one yet??) is at 28 weeks:

 I am weighing in 3 pounds less at 28 weeks than I did with Silas and hope to continue in that direction. I'm still running and in fact this past week at 29 weeks, got in 5.5 miles. I run 10 minutes, walk 5, and rotate that until I've hit whatever goal I'm aiming for. I'm still lifting weights too and feeling great staying so active.

 We had a fun weekend in IC over the 4th of July. We spent all 4 days in the pool and Silas continued to impress us with his love for his floatie and being in the water.

The shirt says it all - Mr. Independent

My sweet family (27 weeks)

Anyway, I'll try to keep you updated more frequently (yes, I know, I say this all the time). Thank you, Gramma, for reminding me I was way overdue for an update! :)