Tuesday, May 31, 2011

A Week of Brotherly Love

It's been a week since Big Brother met Little Brother. Colton is so in love.
And is always watching over his little brother.



He loves to hold him.





He's never too far away from him.



And always checks on him first thing in the morning.

He likes to cuddle him.

Watch him.

Snuggle him.

And talk to him.

Yesterday, he even showed him all of his toys.

You know it's love

because he let Chase sleep with his favorite camo pillow that no ones allowed to use but Colton.

I already know these two are going to grow up to be the best of friends. Colton is doing amazingly well with Chase. He doesn't miss an opportunity to kiss, hug, hold, check on , or tell him "I love you". It melts my heart to see the two of them together.


Today we also went in for Chases 1 week check up.

Here he is with Dr. Leonardo. We love her!

Weight-7lbs 2 oz-22%

Height-19 3/4 inch-32%

Head-13 3/4-43%


Things went really well. Our one concern was that he seems to get very choked up during feeds. He cant catch his breath and even sometimes turns purple around the mouth. I think he just drinks too quickly. He chokes 4 or 5 times a day when feeding. Last night Zak was giving him a bottle and he choked very badly. It was scary. Really really scary. The Dr. assured us he was just learning and he would catch his breath. Its nice to hear her reassurance but we still hate that this happens and are praying he gets the hang of it very quickly. Its not a fun situation for anyone. The Dr. thought he was still a little yellow so she ran another test for Jandice. She said she was pretty sure it would come back fine since he was already a week old and eating really well. We will hear about those results later today. Aside from that she thought things were going really well and we don't have to go back for 2 more months.

This time last week Chase was one hour old.

We are so happy to have him home and healthy.

What a blessing!


Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day from our family to yours! I guess you could say that today is Chases 1st holiday. I can't say its been filled with much excitement but it's been a really nice day. We've spent the day hanging out at home as a family.



The past week has been wonderful. Colton is doing so well as a big brother. He loves Chase so much and never walks by him without stopping to give him a kiss and say I love you.



Chase is doing really well. He's pretty laid back. The only time you hear him fuss is when you change his clothes or diaper. When he gets hungry he doesn't cry, he just opens his mouth like a little bird. As far as eating he is a champ and nursing has been 100% easier than I remember. I fed him about 30 minutes to and hour after he was born and hes been eating well ever since. The first few days he was really on schedule, he'd eat every 2. 5 to 3 hours on the dot. Now he's eating at pretty random times. When we first got home he had a tough time sleeping at night. He would eat then stay awake for an hour or two falling back asleep for about 30 minutes before a feed and between about 12 and 4am he was wide awake falling asleep for a large chunk of time at about 5 am, right before Colton got up and woke us for the day. Needless to say we didn't sleep much. Last night, the 4th night home, he did really well. I hope I'm not jinxing anything, and I know he'll change each night until he gets the hang of it, but lastnight was good. I fed him at about 11:30 and he went to sleep for about an hour and a half. Then, I fed him again and he slept afterwards for 2.5 hours. Then, I fed him one last time around 5. We both fell asleep about 5:45 and I had to wake him up at 9:30 to eat. I got up about 8:30, got myself ready and got a chance to hang out with Zak and Colt for a while. After 7 hours of broken sleep, but 7 hours none the less, I felt great. They say you should wake a sleeping baby to eat but I'm not sure how I feel about that. Chase has been eating so well. I know he won't miss a meal.



Zak and I are doing great. Last night went so well Zak even slept all night. Just getting up to help me with one diaper change. He deserved a night of sleep because Colton's keeping him on his toes while Chase and I eat and rock. I'm really feeling so good so there was no point in us both being awake. Zak goes back to work on Wednesday and I'm a little nervous about that but I know Colt, Chase and I have lots of adventures ahead of us together at home. I love them both so much and I love being with them both. I already can't imagine life with out our newest addition.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

The day you were born...

Dear Chase,
The day you were born, May 24, 2011, will forever hold one of the most special places in my heart as one of my all time favorite days. You're daddy and I decided that I would be induced when we found out Dr. Kirkman would be out of town around your due date. Dr. Kirkman assured us you and I would both be ready for delivery around May 23rd or 24th. When I heard the date of May 24th come up I got very excited. From the day we found out your due date was June 3rd I thought about how much I'd like you to be a May baby. I didn't want you and your big brother to have to share a birthday month. Birthdays are a big deal around here and we wanted you guys to both have as much birthday to yourself as possible. The more I thought about the month of May, I thought about how cool it would be for you to be born on May 24th since your brothers birthday was June 24th. I figured that would be pretty impossible until the day I was sitting in Dr. Ks office and she said that would be a great day to have you. I agreed and the date was set.
For a week or two before you were born I had trouble sleeping. I would wake up in the middle of the night ready to go, excited about what was to come. I knew the night before induction would be no different. I went straight to sleep pretty early but woke up at 3 am. I layed in bed and prayed about the day. I prayed mostly that you'd be healthy and that all would go smoothly. At 4 am, I got up and took a little time to myself. I wasn't sure if I should eat but I had peanut butter toast and a banana. Turns out I made a good choice. I woke your dad up at 5:15 or so and we both got ready to head up to the hospital. If they didn't have room for us they would have called by about 5 so I was sure things were a go and I was so anxious. At around 6 your brother woke up and I was so excited that I got to see him before we left. We talked about you and when you would be coming out of Mommy's belly. Colton was so excited to meet you. At about 6:15 Nanny and Grandad came over to stay with Colton and we headed off to the hospital. Your dad wanted to stop at Bucces for a drink and I was a nervous wreck. I just wanted to get to the hospital and get checked in so we could know you would for sure be here that day. When we arrived at the hospital we unpacked our bags and headed up to Labor and Delivery. The ride up one floor was a long ride, I felt sick I was so anxious. We checked in at the front and they said they had no paper work on me. I started to panic that they wouldn't let me stay. The lady was so sweet. She found me a nurse and we were sent back to get ready. A weight was lifted off my shoulders because I knew there was no turning back now. Next time I walked out if that hospital you'd be in my arms. Out nurse, Shaw, was not the friendliest talkative nurse. We wanted her to share in our excitement for the day. Our first impression of her was not good but she turned out to be an amazing nurse who knew all the tricks to get you here as fast as you would come. I got changed and got into bed. At 7:20 nurse Shaw started an IV and at 8 she checked me and told me I was still at the same point as I was when I was in Dr. Ks office a week ago. At 8:05 Oxytocin was started and right away I started to feel my contractions. They weren't too bad definitely something I could handle. The nurse said Dr. K was on her way to break my water and I was a little scared. It was all happening so much faster then I remembered with your brother. At 8:45 my water was broken and by 9:45 I was 4-5 CM and they wanted to give me the epidural. I was a little hesitant because I wasn't sure if it was too early and I didn't want it to wear off. The pain of the contractions was getting a little worse but was still very manageable. At 10 am nurse Shaw said it was the perfect time to have the epidural, so I did. The epidural hurt and I was scared but the anesthesiologist was wonderful. Although I had thought the pain wasn't too bad from the contractions, I felt a million times better. I had been a bit on edge til the epidural. Through out the morning all of our family started to arrive and by the time the epidural was given most every one had arrived. Everyone came in and hung out for a little bit but I started to feel sick. They gave me some medicine and oxygen and I tried to nap. At 11:30 they checked me again and I had only progressed a little bit. I thought for sure I'd be in labor for quite some time at this point and everyone started taking dibs on what time youd be here. @, 3:30, 6, and 8 pm were just a few of the numbers I heard. I didn't like the sound of any of these the morning had gone so quickly I was ready to have you in my arms and I was getting really hungry. I was a little let down. I started to feel a little different within the next hour. I could feel pressure and a little pain from the contractions. At 12:30 they checked me again and I knew I had progressed but was thinking I still had some time. I was thinking I might even be able to get a little nap before I had to push. A nap was not going to happen for me. I was 10 cm and you were on your way. Everyone came in with lots of excitement and said their goodbyes and it was time to push. I pushed three times and Nurse Shaw told me to stop and called the Dr. (She also called the cafeteria and told them to hold me a lunch trey. I told you she turned out to be a good nurse!) We waited for Dr. Kirkman for about 10 or 15 minutes, even though it felt like a lifetime. She came in and I started pushing. 7 pushes later, at 12:53 pm, you were here in my arms and I was in love. I have to admit, it all happened so quickly I couldn't believe it and I was in a little bit of shock. I just held you and stared at you.
They took you to a small bed right next to me and cleaned you up. I watched you. You were so perfect. Your cry was so sweet. I watched your daddy too. He was so in love. He just stood over you and smiled. You were here and our family was complete.
They got you all cleaned up and I fed you then we invited all of the family back in to meet you. You have no idea how lucky you are to have so many people love you so much. So many of our loved ones were able to be there the day you were born to hold you and love you. After Nanny, Grandad and Baa met you they rushed off to get your big brother at Cousin Kellys house. We were all so excited for the two of you to meet. We didn't know if Colton would understand just how small you were because earlier in the day when he was talking to Grandad he told him he wanted to come get you and go outside to play. When Colton arrived it was just the 4 of us. He came right up too you and gently touched your head and in the sweetest voice said "HI." I could tell he was in love and he understood just how fragile and small you were. I knew right then that you'd be best buds for life. While I was pregnant you and I took a trip to ToysRUs and picked out a ton of goodies we knew Colton would love. Mommy wrapped it up in a bag with Coltons name on one side and "Big Brother" on the other. We gave Colton his gift from you and he gave you a stuffed orange and yellow giraffe that he picked out just for you. We spent some time as a family alone then let everyone come back in to love on you some more. We got to spend most of the evening in the big Labor and Delivery room with everyone coming and going and late that night they moved the three of us to a small cozy room where we would be til we brought you home.
Chase, you are so special to us. We loved you before you were even in our arms but now that you're here we can imagine life without you.
Love, Mommy

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Chase is Here and We're Home!





Welcome to the world sweet
CHASE ZAKARY DAY

May 24, 2011

12:53 PM

6lb 15 oz

19 1/2 inches Here is the last two days in pictures...



38 weeks and 4 days About to head to the hospital.


Last family picture with the three of us.

Ready to get started at about 8 AM. Daddy and Mommy


Mommy chatting with Kellie. :)


He's HERE!













Nurse Shaw.
Big Brother in Charge!

Colton talks so sweetly to his little brother. Daddy and his "Wolf Pack".







Chases first photo shoot.



Dr. KirkmanBig Bro saying Bye Bye.





One of our favorite nurses, Regine.

Going home day.








After picking up Big Bro.

Colton was so excited to hold Chase. Sweet baby boy.




We love you so much already. You complete our family.

Welcome to the world!!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Today is the day...

Today we will meet our sweet little Chase, Zak and I will become the parents of TWO BOYS, and Colton will officially become a big brother!

We were told that if the induction had to be pushed back we would get a call around 4 am and it's 5 am right now. I hope I'm not jinxing anything but I feel like its okay to say "It's time!" The past couple of weeks I've had a really hard time sleeping. Not necessarily because I'm uncomfortable just because I wake up at all of hours of the night ready to start the day completely unable to fall back asleep. Today was no different. I knew I'd be able to fall asleep but I didn't think I'd be able to stay asleep. The anticipation is just too much! I was right. I got up last night at 1:45 for about 15 minutes and then woke up for the day at about 3 this morning. I wouldn't let myself get out of bed 'til 4 and I tried everything to get back to sleep but I was just too excited.

I'm off to wake up daddy and in about an hour my parents will be here to watch Colton until about 9 when they'll drop him off with my cousin and head up to the hospital with my sister. Zak's family will join us shortly after since his mom and sister both have to work for a couple hours this morning.

We can not wait to hold Chase in our arms and introduce him to his big brother.

I'll post pictures as soon as I can, probably when we get home.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

38 weeks

Yesterday I started my 38th week of pregnancy.


My last week of pregnancy!!!


So here they are, the last belly pics of Chase.


(Well, maybe. Tuesday, I'll probably take one more shot before we go into the hospital).

I cant believe Chase will be here in 3 DAYS!
Some days I thought I'd never get through this pregnancy but for the most part its gone so quickly. I have been blessed with a healthy pregnancy and I am so thankful for that.
There are just a couple minor things I need to do before we leave for the hospital. The bags are packed, nursery and baby stuff is ready, and the house is about as clean as its gonna get. And, thanks to our amazing family we have everything planned out and in order for Colton to be taken care of. Now, it's time to relax and enjoy my family of three before we become a family of 4.
We're off to a good start because we enjoyed the morning at the Truck and Jeep Show and are going for a family dinner at Don Julios tonight. On tomorrows schedule, playing and hanging out (and a couple chores)!

We'd love it if you'd...
Please pray that we are admitted on Tuesday.
Please pray that things go smoothly with the delivery.
And, most importantly, pray that our sweet Chase is healthy.