Friday, May 29, 2009

More of Chase...

So life goes on...and it's really good. Tonight we were sitting at the table eating dinner (an AWESOME casserole courtesy of Anne- THANKS =)) while Chase was in the swing next to the table and it just felt so normal and right. Jackson was excellent with Chase today. He talked to him and gave him kisses and would frequently check on him and ask "What's baby Chase doing?" "Where's baby Chase?", etc. Here are a few more pics of Chase. He may be dominating my blog for awhile. ;-)
From Spring 2009

Cuddle bug.
From Spring 2009

Trying out his paci. I still can't believe he has so much hair! Unheard of in our family.
From Spring 2009

So serious.
From Spring 2009

Looking a lot like Jackson did at this age.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

A Family of Four...

From Spring 2009

This picture is the result of everyone calling out things like "Smile!" "No, not like that." "Smile with your teeth!" Alan was about as bad as Jackson. My Dad said we're carrying on the family tradition of taking ridiculously difficult family pictures.
We're a family of four now! That seems so much bigger than a family of three. When people win family trips to Disney World, it's usually for "a family of four". It definitely means that we're going to be busier! Chase was AWESOME last night and today! I ended up getting about 6 hours of sleep all together which was more than I was hoping for. He is sleeping great and eating great and is just a sweet child so far (all two days I've known him). Jackson is still having SO much fun with his Gigi, Gpa, Aunties and his cousin Luke. Thanks for taking such GREAT care of him, guys! My mom said the first thing he said this morning was "Where is baby Chase!?" so at least he realizes he's here. He came to visit today with the rest of the family and immediately proceeded to push all the buttons on my bed. I was a good 4 feet off the ground and had my feet up in the air by the time he was done. It was great to see everyone, though! =) We're VERY ready to go home tomorrow! I asked Alan if he'd serve me all 3 of my meals on a tray at home like I get here and he said 'no'. Darn. =)

Monday, May 25, 2009

I'm off...

6:50- I'm off to the hospital to meet Baby Chase!! I've been up for an hour because I couldn't sleep because I'm SO excited!
9:53- Just chillin at the hospital! =) I'm having some nice contractions (they are just a little bit painful) and playing on my computer. It's so fun I have internet access here! I was 3 cm and 70% effaced when I got here.
12:05- My Doctor broke my water (finally) and I'm just contracting along. I'm 4 cm and 80%...come on, Baby Chase- let's DO this! =)
2:15- I got my epidural and it worked perfect. Not totally numb but SO comfortable. Contractions? What contractions? =)
3:47- My nurse, my sister Anne and I were just hanging out and talking and laughing while my little nephew Luke napped away! My Dr came in to check on me and was like "OH! You're 100% and 10 cm. Let's do a practice push. Oooookay. No more practicing. Let's have this baby." I pushed and he came out in less than 6 minutes! Whew! Baby Chase weighed 7 lbs 15 oz and 21 inches long. He has a little bit of hair and is SO cute! He's quiet so far and snuggles very well!
9:12- What a great day!! Labor was about as perfect as labor can be. All of my family was able to come and hold Chase. Jackson gave Chase a kiss and a hug and really enjoyed his "I'm a big brother" present we got him. He spent the day with Gigi and Gpa and went to the zoo with Auntie Liz and Becky. Alan and I just split a personal pizza and Chase is sleeping quietly next to me. We are relaxing and watching Jon & Kate- oh the drama!!
From Spring 2009

A NEWBORN baby Chase very mad!
From Spring 2009

Mommy, Daddy, and Chase.
From Spring 2009

Auntie Megan and Scott and Chase!
From Spring 2009

Auntie Becky, Auntie Annie, Chase, and Auntie Liz.
From Spring 2009

Daddy and Chase.
From Spring 2009

Jackson meeting Chase (with fruit roll ups from his big brother gift bag).
From Spring 2009

Chase and Nana.
From Spring 2009

Nana and Papa with their grandsons!
From Spring 2009

Gigi and Gpa and Chase and Luke and Jackson. All their grandboys.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Last Day of Preschool...

Hmm. I've discovered it's not too hard to keep up on my blog when I'm this pregnant because I don't want to go anywhere or do anything (except for clean- gotta love nesting!).
Yesterday was Jackson's end of the year preschool performance and it was precious! Alan and Debbie (Nana) were both able to come which he thought was pretty awesome! This is the preschool I've taught at for the majority of the school year until my recent maternity leave. Oh yeah. My sister Anne keeps informing me that it's not maternity leave when you're not planning on returning to work. So I guess I taught there until my recent retirement? =) Anyway, I have a few video of clips I took with my regular camera since my video camera didn't charge in time. It's currently hooked up and charging for MONDAY! ;-) Preschool has been such a blessing to both Jackson and I. He has learned a lot both academically and socially. And I had the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing women I've ever met! We will both miss it this summer and I'm sure Jackson will be very glad to start again in the fall.
Here are a few short video clips:
If you're happy and you know it...

Pledge Allegiance...my favorite part is the end where he is so obviously VERY proud of himself.

His class counting to 20:

Friday, May 22, 2009

It's my birthday and...CUTE!

It's my birthday! YAY! =) I love birthdays. My parents did an amazing job of making birthdays special when I was growing up. I believe my husband would say they did TOO good of a job! My Mom would go the whole 9 yards with decorating, a big pile of presents (which were also from my Dad, of course), an awesome home made cake, and a party. When I got married (at 21), I had come to expect such birthdays. Let's just say that my first married birthday was NOT a success. I am a teeeeny bit high maintenance on my birthdays. I couldn't understand why my husband (who comes from a family where birthdays are a little bit more low key) didn't decorate the house in streamers and balloons, fill a table with presents, make a cake for me, etc. It became a running joke that I haven't made it through a single married birthday with out crying. That may or may not still be the case (HEY- I'm SO pregnant, I'm ALLOWED to cry whenever I feel like it though!). I think Alan prefers me to be pregnant on my birthdays because I don't have the energy to be AS high maintenance as I can sometimes be. It was a WONDERFUL day and he did a great job of making me feel special. We have both come a long way. =) Jackson sang me happy birthday three times although two of the three times he said "Happy Birthday dear Jackson" instead of "dear Mommy" which he thought was hilarious. We had a nice dinner out just the two of us while our good friends Cory and Melynda baby-sat which was so relaxing! It was a great chance to enjoy it being just the two of us before the craziness ensues on Monday! A family of FOUR- that sounds so big!
I got a lot of great birthday cards and gifts and phone calls, but one of my FAVORITE things I got today was a gift for Jackson and baby Chase! My friend, Brenda whom I know through my 2006 online mommy board sent me some of her amazing creations! She's an incredible seamstress and made these absolutely adorable outfits for the boys!!
From Spring 2009

Jackson cheesin it up as usual. He immediately goes into weird smile mode when a camera appars! But check out that ADORABLE shirt. He especially loved it because he has recently seen "Wall-E" which is all about robots so he insisted on wearing the shirt as soon as I opened the package and walked around going "Wall-E! Eva! Wall-E" and he thought it was SO funny that Baby Chase ended up with a matching outfit. He is still very excited that they get to match so we'll have to get a picture of them together in their outfits very soon!!
From Spring 2009

It's crazy how huge Jackson's shirt looks next to that outfit! And it fits him perfectly! I guess my baby isn't a baby anymore!
From Spring 2009

Close up of Chase's outfit.
From Spring 2009

Close up of Jackson's shirt!
THANK YOU, Brenda!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Induction Date Set...

I just got a phone call from the hospital saying they had a cancellation for Monday and that I can now be induced Monday (my due date!) instead of Wednesday. I said something like "YES PLEASE. I LOVE YOU!" :) So, unless little Chase Andrew makes an appearance on his own (I have a Dr's appointment tomorrow) then I will be at at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. on Monday (Memorial Day) May the 25th to meet him! YAY! :) I'm SO excited! It's nice knowing I only have six days left at the MOST!
Jackson was also induced on his due date. I know that all labor experiences are different, but his was an easy and smooth 6 hour long experience that resulted in me saying "that was kind of fun!" at the conclusion of it. So you can see why I'm not opposed to inductions! =) Hopefully my next post will have pictures of Baby Chase!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Barefoot and Pregnant...

Okay, okay. People keep asking for a belly pic so I'm going to go ahead and post some pics Alan took. I'm 38 1/2 weeks preggo in these pics, pretty miserable, and these are some VERY fake smiles. =) Don't get me wrong, I am SO excited that I'm having another baby! I do NOT love pregnancy, though. I don't get it when people are like "I felt my most beautiful while pregnant!" or "It's such a magical time!" I just feel like I have a GIANT bowling ball in my stomach and lots of achey symptoms. The most magical thing about pregnancy to me is HAVING the baby and not being pregnant anymore! Although, there are times when it's pretty cool to feel Chase moving around and I love ultrasounds and hearing his heartbeat. Other than that, bring on Chase's Birthday! =)
From Spring 2009

From Spring 2009

From Spring 2009

From Spring 2009

Slumber Party...

Annie and Luke came to visit us and Jackson and Luke had their first slumber party.
From Spring 2009

Jackson is like "Luke, you're sleeping with ME!" and Luke is like "Seriously, guys?!"
From Spring 2009

Jackson getting sleepy and Luke checking out his paci.

The Duck Pond

I'm trying to have as many special days as possible with Jackson between now and when Chase arrives. We've done a lot of fun things and I definitely cherish the one on one time since I know things will be changing soon and it will be much harder to come by. These are a few shots from when we went to the duck pond with a loaf of bread after preschool a week or two ago. There were some adorable baby ducklings (that I didn't get any pictures of!) and lots of ducks, birds, and geese to feed. We had a great time!
From Spring 2009

From Spring 2009

From Spring 2009

Maymont Gardens...

Jackson and I made a day trip up to Richmond to see Anne and Baby Luke. We decided to go to Maymont and see the animals, the gardens, and just be together! It was a really nice day (VERY warm for spring) and we had a great time!
From Spring 2009

Anne and the boys in front of the pigs!
From Spring 2009

Anne and a very tired Luke.
From Spring 2009

Jackson riding a bear.
From Spring 2009

Two cousins TOTALLY wiped out from a fun day!
From Spring 2009

Visit to Gigi and Gpa's House...

My parents took the same amount of pictures during Jackson's trip to visit that I have taken in the last 6 months. Seriously. So there are a LOT!
Here we go:
From Spring 2009

Gpa and Jackson heading down to the lake.
From Spring 2009

Liz and Becky who were visiting for Easter.
From Spring 2009

Gpa and Jackson building a sand castle.
From Spring 2009

A very happy boy.
From Spring 2009

Love him.
From Spring 2009

Jackson telling Liz and Becky how to build a castle.
From Spring 2009

Testing out the water. Still a little chilly.
From Spring 2009

So beautiful!
From Spring 2009

Jackson and Gpa in the fort they built.
From Spring 2009

At Kid's Dominion.
From Spring 2009

Funny faces.
From Spring 2009

Laughing.
From Spring 2009

Dying Easter Eggs. Well, Jackson is actually eating one of Gigi's famous cookies.
From Spring 2009

Baby Luke (and Anne and Danny) came to visit
From Spring 2009

Gpa and his boys.
From Spring 2009

Playing with Gigi at Kid's Dominion.
From Spring 2009

Swinging high.
From Spring 2009

Hide and Seek with Gigi.
From Spring 2009

Uncle Danny putting a hat on Jackson while he blows bubbles.
From Spring 2009

VERY helpful.
From Spring 2009

Ha ha.
Jackson had the time of his life while he stayed with Gigi and Gpa. Was he SO excited to see Alan and I when we got there to pick him up? For about 10 seconds he smiled and waved and then he looked at Gpa and looked at us and started BAWLING.
"I NOT go home. I stay at Gigi and Gpa's house!" Apparently the cookies, chocolate milk, daily trips to the playground and the lake, and the endless amounts of love and attention that Gigi and Gpa lavished on him worked. =)