Wow!

Well, I took Micah in for his 2 month check up yesterday. He is a HEALTHY boy! I am amazed how different his stats look from Claire's. (My Aunt gave me a journal to write in each month, and I am so glad I kept it up, because it is sooo fun to look back and also reminds me of things I would have otherwise forgotten) He is so much bigger than she was at this age! He is 13lbs 15oz and 25 1/2 inches long! I am so thankful to be able to nurse him and know he's getting enough. More than enough probably! :)
He is all around a healthy and happy boy. I LOVE when he will just look at me and smile, coo or "say" something to me. He is super sweet! He is getting more and more night sleep, which means I am too! YAY! Knowing he is getting plenty to eat lets me rest easy, not worried whether he still needs a late night feeding. He is past needing that! He loves to suck his thumb, so if he wakes up, he can most always get himself back to sleep. Now, we just need to get the rooms converted so Claire has her new room, and Micah can move into the nursery. That will be exciting!

2 months already!

Our Micah is already 2 months old today! I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. He is doing so well, growing like crazy and already giving me some extra sleep at night. (Thanks for that!) He is such a happy boy and is pretty easy going. Most of the time, you can predict within a few minutes when he is ready to eat or nap. He loves to be on his belly and as soon as he finds his thumb, he is usually out! We don't let him sleep on his tummy at night, so he tends to have a harder time falling asleep that way. He loves to talk and coo, smile at you and watch ceiling fans!
As much as big sister tends to be a little rough with him, he doesn't seem to mind. I just figure, he'll get payback when he is a little bigger! :)
Here he is at 1 month and 2 months. Thanks to Aunt Jennifer for the blanket we can keep using to see his growth!

I love my life...

As I sit here this morning, sipping my coffee, with two sleeping kids, and the clock reminding me our day is soon to begin, I can't help but smile at how much I love my life. I know there are days, situations and circumstances that aren't perfect, but I couldn't be more blessed. I have so much more than I need, I am incredibly grateful to be home with my kids, and I have an amazing husband. There are so many moments in a day when I think about being a mom and wife. It is amazing to me how God created life in such a way that in order to find complete fulfillment, we must rely on him. When I look at my sleeping babies, I see how much they rely on me for so many things. One can share her wants, but I still have to fulfill them. The other can't even tell me what he wants or needs, yet he always has everything. God does the same for me.
I remember how badly I wanted to be a stay at home mom. I can honestly say before I had kids, I just figured I would teach forever. As much as I LOVE teaching, being home is so much better for me right now. I want to be the one to love and nurture my kids, all day long, every single day, knowing they are surrounded by love. God feels the same way about me! He wants to love and nurture me, all day long, every single day, surrounding me with His love. So many things have come "full circle" since I have had children. I see God's love in a whole new light. I am ready to live today, being loved by Him, loving others and loving this life I have...

Newborn Pictures

We were so fortunate to be able to have newborn pictures taken of Micah. He is such a handsome boy, I have to say! He did great during the photos and they turned out so well! It's amazing how quickly they grow and start to change. We have compared hospital pictures of Claire and Micah and they have a lot of similarities. It will be interesting to see what Micah looks like as he starts to change too. Either way, we have a beautiful girl and a handsome boy!

Micah Cole

Micah arrived on May 17th, 2011 at 1:47 am.
He was 8lbs, 8 oz, and 21.5 inches.
He is absolutely perfect!



He is loved by Big Sister!


Ready to go home!

Micah Cole

Well, our Micah Cole finally arrived! I have to write a few things about his birth story, then pictures will follow. I was actually due May 19th. Mom had been here all weekend and left May 16th in the evening. Chad's brother was home on leave and would be flying out the 19th. No pressure to have the baby while they were here, right? I tried the tricks, walking a bunch, bouncing on the exercise ball, Mexican food...nothing! My appointment at 39 weeks left me at a 1-2 and 50% effaced. Good news! Well, I was that way with Claire for 2 weeks! So, we just kept waiting. My mom was flying out Monday evening, so I kept hoping for his arrival. Monday around lunch time, I began having some contractions. They weren't close together, so I didn't make too big of a deal. Chad had to work so he took a nap. I needed a tire repaired, so I took the car in to get fixed. (All the while, contractions continue) I got home and continued our normal routine. Snack, play, dinner, Chad goes to work (All the while, contractions are getting stronger). Our neighbor was on call in case we needed to bring Claire over. I went ahead and got Claire all set to go and she headed to the neighbor's house. I called Chad because my contractions were about 5 minutes apart. He came home (after being at work for an hour) and we headed to the hospital around 8:30pm. I had labored at home for about 8 hours and was ready for the epidural! This whole process was much shorter than when Claire was born. (20 hours of labor for her, while this was only about 13) My water broke at the hospital, I pushed and he came! (Unfortunately, Mom was already safely back at home, so she didn't get to see him, but she will! Uncle Chip was still here and got to spend some time with us) Cool thing is, Micah shares a birthday (May 17) with my brother, Uncle Travis!

Waiting

Well, we were hoping and praying Micah would make his arrival this weekend while Mom was visiting. He decided not to show up. :( I have always prayed he would come at just the right time, and God knows when that is. I am excited and anxious to see when he will be here, but I am not worried. It would have been super cool if Mom could have held him soon after his birth. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I had with family this weekend, and at least I wasn't stuck in the hospital. We celebrated my brother's graduation and his official title of Dr! We also celebrated my niece's birthday, so we had an exciting weekend. Now back to waiting...come on Micah!!

Getting Ready

Well, we are approaching our due date! I am 38 weeks now. I can't believe we will meet our Little Man so soon. I had an ultrasound yesterday and everything looks great! My doctor said I am at a 2 and about 50% effaced. I was that way with Claire for a week or 2, so we'll see what happens. I have been praying he comes at just the right time. We have family who will be in town from both sides of our family, so it would be really neat if he came a week early, but I am not at all opposed to whatever day he decides he is ready. I can't wait to meet him! I look forward to seeing Claire meet her brother too. She says his name and gives him kisses, so I hope when he is actually here she realizes who he is. Either way, I am anxious and excited to see our healthy and happy boy!