2 Months!

 Four Generations!

I am 2 months old today!
I like to:
-Be independent. I will usually only cuddle you when I'm tired.
-Have floor time. I love to kick and not be restrained!
-See the world! My head will never hold still. And don't you dare face my back against the action! 
-Fuss right when I see mom sit down to eat. Muhaha.
-Sometimes open my eyes while I'm dreaming...I kind of freak mom out sometimes.
-Take walks in my stroller with mom.
-Go anywhere in my car seat (for now). That's how mom and dad get me to sleep at night. They love their midnight drives together!

My favorite place to sleep is in mommy's arms. She loves rocking me.

I have a personal fussy time every night and sometimes if I start crying really loud, dad will cry back to be louder and we have a contest. I usually just stop and stare because dad, it's MY job to cry.

I will usually stop crying if you play Disney music or Michael Buble by my ear...I'm definitely like my mom!!

My family spoils me 

1 Month

My name is Blake and I am 1 month old today! 
I like to:
-Smile when I dream
-Lift my head by myself
-Play with my tongue
-Stare at lights
-Make cute noises while I eat
-Cuddle you on your chest
-Attempt to stand up and roll over even though I am definitely NOT old enough
-Take baths (but only if I am kept warm at all times--you can skip the lotion, I HATE it!)
-Grunt and squeak
I get mad when:
-Mom and Dad stop paying attention to me (even for 5 seconds)
-I'm trying to poop
-I'm naked
My mommy and daddy LOVE me to pieces!

Coming Home

Coming home from the hospital with you was a very weird experience.  I remember putting you in your car seat and thinking you are way to small for this thing!

Derek drove less speedy and took turns slower than I've ever seen him do before!  It has been fun to see him turn into your daddy.  He loves being a dad and it's the cutest thing to observe!

 Whenever we swaddle you, he calls you "Daddy's little burrito."

 We both fall in love with you a little more and more every day.  When we first brought you home, you did not want to sleep very well in the night so mommy went a little crazy at first!  We have now established a better routine for you and although sometimes you get fussy, you usually put yourself to sleep if you have been fed, changed and loved.  The first night arriving home, we found our laundry done, meals made and apartment cleaned!  Our sweet family has been doing so much for our new family.  Mommy still hasn't made a dinner and it's been over 3 weeks!  We are very blessed to have so much support.  Everyone just loves you so much that they can't get enough of you, especially the grandparents!  It's been hard adjusting because newborns are a lot of work but we never knew we could love a little human so much, you are 100 percent worth it little man!  Mommy spent a lot of her nights with you the first week in her "mommy chair," falling asleep with you in my arms because you LOVE to be held.

I spent a lot of hours staring at your perfect face.  Hearing you make cute little noises while you dream and cracking half smiles.

 I love holding your sweet hands through your mittens you constantly wear because you always scratch your face.  You hold on like you never want to let go. We got to spend Christmas with you and you had your first stocking and present on Christmas morning!

  You met Uncle Chris on Facetime.

 You had your first bath and you LOVE warm water.  You do the cutest thing when you sneeze, it's sometimes followed with a little yell like you are trying to yell out one last sneeze and it's my favorite sound you make!  You are SO strong!  From the minute you were born you were holding your head up and every day you get better and better at it.  We don't even have to help support your head.  You also have strong legs, you like to stand on them already!  When you get really hungry, you get so mad that you huff and puff...through your nose like little angry sniffles...it's adorable! While we have had you home you have gained healthy weight and maintained a bit of a gas problem.  We love to lift your legs and make you fart...aren't we cruel?  You make a funny face and play with your tongue whenever we give you your gas medicine.

You are literally the most adorable thing we have ever seen!  (You look just like your dad!)

Just last night, mommy could tell you were in a lot of pain (boy do you have gas!) so I picked you up and held you close, whispering how much I loved you and you looked up at me, calmed down, clutched my hand and just stared at me.  That was one of my favorite moments connecting with you (even though I was soooo sleep deprived).  Tears streamed down my face and for the first time, it hit me:  I'm your mom!!!! I'm responsible for soothing every tear you cry and kissing every bruise, sore or cut you get.  And there is no greater honor!  I live for you Blake! I'm so happy and grateful to be your mommy.  Coming home with you has been an adjustment (our mattress is out in the living room) but one that we will never forget!

Labor and Delivery!

BLAKE IS HERE!!!

All week, Derek and I were playing the "waiting game" and then things got real!  It started Thursday (December 18th) morning when I started having contractions I could actually time.  It was very early and they started out bearable but grew in pain with each one.  Derek went to work and I told him to just keep his phone on.  As soon as I sat down to let Netflix distract me, they got more mild and less countable.  So by the time Derek got home from work, we decided to go on a walk like we have been doing all week to make them come back.  That walk was the most intense walk I've ever taken!  It hurt so bad by the time I got home but my contractions still didn't return time-able.  It was time for my doctors appointment so we went in hoping my contractions were a sign that something (anything!) was happening.  Dr. Chalmers told me I was at a 2 and a half which is progress!  He suspected he would see us at the hospital sometime soon but to make sure I go when my contractions are five minutes apart.  So what do I do?  I go home, watch The Grinch with my family and my contractions become unbearable and 4 minutes apart so we throw the hospital bag in the car and head to Labor and  Delivery at around 8:30 pm!  Well...the nurse told me I was only dilated to a 1 (what the heck Dr. Chalmers!) and sent me home telling me to "take some Tylenol and try to get some rest."  Um...seriously!?  I was in the bed crying and screaming with pain from labor and I'm just supposed to "sleep it off?"  No.  I was in so much pain, when she told me we had to go home, I just started bawling!  I could barely walk back out to the car and I couldn't believe they were sending me away.  Well, we got home and the contractions got even stronger, I became more hysterical and Derek became more worried as I squeezed all the circulation out of his hands every two minutes.  After this one contraction that was accompanied with tears and screaming, Derek goes "were taking you back right now."  I didn't argue.  We went back to the hospital and a different nurse checked me.  I hadn't progressed at all so she offered me some drugs for the pain and told me I still can't be checked in under hospital terms.  By the time she returned with the drugs and could see how much pain I was in, she had a lot more compassion.  She suggested maybe I rest there for a bit to make sure the drugs work and when she came back 20 minutes later and I was moaning even louder, she goes "let's just get you in."  My favorite nurse at the hospital was definitely that sweet sweet soul! The drugs did nothing!  I knew I was in labor but it took that little bit of evidence to convince the hospital staff...apparently!  And of course soon after I was "checked in," I was progressing like crazy.  And then a life changing moment happened...I was given an epidural.  Then I was a happy camper!  By this time it was about two in the morning and we were wasted with exhaustion.  My mom came and we all slept in the delivery room with little comfort.  My in-laws showed up at about 8 am and thought there was still a long labor ahead because I was only dilated to a 5 plus.  Twenty minutes later I was ready to push!  It blew my mind...I wasn't mentally prepared!  And just like that I was pushing.  It lasted 16 minutes. 

 Derek was by my side every second saying "you're doing great babe." I love him.  

The rest of this experience is to Blake:

Blake, I was in labor with you for a shorter time than expected.  When I delivered you in that hospital room and heard you cry and tell me you're here, I never imagined it was possible to feel so much love for anything.  They instantly placed you on my chest and you calmed down and I held you for the very first time at 8:48 am, December 19th on a Friday winter morning.

  

All the grandparents were so excited, showing you off and taking pictures after.  It was so much fun to see your daddy instantly fall in love with you.

Everyone was so supportive and loving.  Grandpa Chip was so happy to meet you he started giggling!  

Needless to say you are very loved!  The whole time we were at the hospital we had so many visitors that couldn't wait to meet you.  The only two that couldn't be there were your Uncle Chris and Uncle Daniel but they were very excited in Nebraska and California!  Members were updating them with the news and they couldn't be happier you were born.  Your uncle Travis and Jon and aunt Katie and Amy (and of course Lexa!) were soon in to greet you with flowers, stuffed animals and chocolate!

So they transferred me to the recovery room and everything went smoothly.  

You were the nurses favorite baby that night in the nursery!  They all said you are just so easy going and cute!  I would never argue with that one.  I have so much love for you that it hurts.  It's a kind of love I never thought possible.  Your daddy and I were talking about how we never knew we could feel this way.  We love you so much and are so glad you finally decided to make an appearance and meet the world!  I promise to do my best to never let anything bad happen to you.  You are my WHOLE life now and you are very loved by your parents!