Fight the Faux?

I'm personally not a fan of the faux hawk. (pictured above for the old people who read this blog) I don't care for them on grown men, and I knew that I wasn't going to style my child's hair that way.

However.

This kid was born with a faux hawk. Not kidding. The bulk of his hair is on the very top of his head. The hair on the right side grows left, and the hair on the left side grows right. When it meets in the middle, it explodes upwards.

We've tried combing it in all sorts of directions - forward, back, parted right, parted left, and even tried just a random messy look, but to no avail. He has a faux hawk.

Do I embrace it? Cause he sure is cute. Or does anyone have any other styling suggestions.

Sophie & Sam

Sophie meeting her baby brother a couple hours after he was born

Sophie loves her "Baby Am". She was so proud to hold him the first time she saw him in the hospital last Tuesday. Every time she sees him, she gets excited, runs over, pats his head, and exclaims "CUUUUTE BAAAY-Beeeeeeee!"

This picture (above) was taken the first time Sophie saw Sam after we got released from the hospital. She asked to hold him, and just kept him on her lap for several minutes. She was really proud at that moment to be a big sister.











She likes that he's around all the time now, and is still figuring out how to touch him softly. Frequently used phrases at our house this past week include "Don't push on his face" "No twisting his arm" and "Use your quiet voice, please."

Our Hospital Stay

I was at the hospital from early Tuesday morning until Friday morning. My c-section was at 8:15 am on Tuesday, and everything went according to plan. My delivery experience was a million times better than my previous experience, and I'm really glad I had the doctor, hospital, lactation consultant, and nursing staff that I did.

Here's Sam only a few moments old. He inhaled some fluid on his way out, and had to spend the first few minutes of life clearing out his lungs. His first cries were a little gargley, but he quickly recovered.

He was then given a standard-issue beanie, wrapped up, walked over to his Mama for a kiss, and then sent off to the recovery room with his Papa and nurse to be weighed and cleaned up while my surgery was being completed.















When I was all put back together, I was taken back to recovery and reunited with Jake and Samuel. It was there that I really got to see my baby for the first time. After a while, we were taken to my room where we remained for the next few days.

That afternoon & the next day, we were visited by every one of Sam's grandparents, aunts, & uncles that lives near by. It was nice to have visitors and to have everyone meet the newest member of our family. It was also very nice for Cathy & my mom to bring Jake some food and me some peanut butter M&Ms when they came (side note: have you ever eaten an entire bag of M&Ms and lost 20 pounds in the same week? I have.).


Sam didn't have any problems passing his newborn tests while we were there, and was even a fashion-forward baby in the nursery, as I overheard the nurses talking about his oh-so-stylish green & yellow beanie.

(I'll have to post a better picture of his little PJs from the 1980's. They were adorable)

We were both released late Friday morning, and headed for home. I'm now focused on recovering and snuggling. Sam's focused on eating and sleeping. Jake has played the role of Super Dad/Husband and has spent the weekend cleaning, cooking, entertaining 2-year-olds, and making sure I can get up off the couch without too much pain.


We're all glad to be home.

Pure Heaven

One week old babies are pure heaven.

Did you know that?

This is how I try to spend most of my waking hours. Even if it is harder to type or eat or stand up (difficulty standing has more to do with the major abdominal surgery 5 days ago than the baby).

The deliciousness of a (my) one-week-old includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• He squeaks like a dolphin sporadically throughout the day
• His cry is a tiny, high-pitched hoarse squeal, which, unfortunately for him, we find to be absolutely darling
• His favorite place to sleep happens to also be my favorite place for him to sleep (see above picture)
• He's squishy
• It's fun to find different features of ourselves in him every day
• Every once in a while his fingers find his mouth, which he loves
• Newborn baby smell
  
• When his eyes are open, they are looking at your eyes
• Sleep, eat, squeal, repeat
  

This bliss is something I didn't appreciate with Sophie. I'm glad I have the opportunity to enjoy it now.

Baby Sam

We're pleased to welcome Samuel Jay to the world. He arrived at 8:37 am on Tuesday after a smooth delivery. He was 8 lbs. 5 oz., 20 inches, and completely healthy in every way. Abbie is doing well, trying to catch up on some much-needed sleep today. Everyone should be home tomorrow.

We named him after relatives from each side of the family. Samuel is from dad's side (little brother and great, great...grandfather Samuel Banner). Jay is from mom's side (Grandpa Jay). Like the name, we think his face has a little from each side.

It's the Final Countdown

We're counting down the days with ONE HAND now.

Foe Moe Gays!
(just ask Sophie)

Home Tour Part V: Pool

BEFORE:

During our very first visit to our new house, this is what the pool looked like:

After much heartache and even more money spent, we finally decided that major surgery was in order. So we disconnected it's cords, sucked the life out of it, and then brought it back to its glory.

And now we love it.

AFTER:

Home Tour Part IV: Nursery

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Finally, the nursery is complete.

I decided to go with a brown, green, & white nature theme. We traded out Sophie's old white crib for this new brown one, and bought leafy-patterned crib sheets to go in it. And then to accent with more brown, I spray painted the diaper baskets and recovered the changing table mat and a valance in a brown striped fabric. I also made new liners for the diaper baskets and the dirty clothes basket (not shown) with a cute bird & branch fabric.

The mural on the wall was painted by me. I followed Robin's lead and projected an image I liked onto the wall to trace & paint, and then hand-painted the grass and bird by myself. The whole thing was surprisingly easy to do.

The mobile is made of felt and a tree branch from our back yard. And the shadow boxes (there are 4 on the wall next to the closet, only one is shown up close) are filled with various branches & leaves from around the neighborhood.

I'm very happy with how everything turned out. Now we just need something soft and squishy to come sleep in the crib.

Pregnancy Update

So, I haven't posted a lot about this pregnancy. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's cause it's not as novel as the first time, or maybe it's because I'm busy with a new house and a 2-year-old, or maybe it's because we didn't have reliable internet for a while in the middle there, or maybe it's because our camera battery charger has gone missing, or maybe it's because I'm lazy and hot right now.

Take your pick.


Anyway, here's the update:

• My official due date is August 19th

• I have one shirt, one skirt, and one pair of pants that fit. Today I'm wearing one of Jake's shirts and a pair of PJ bottoms.

• I have no concept of "cold". As I sat for over 2 hours in our church's chapel yesterday, perfectly comfortable, I looked around and noticed women with blankets over their legs, and my husband trying to warm his icy fingers on my neck. I also sleep with 3 fans blowing on me.
  

• Due to my previous c-section, I have a scheduled c-section on Tuesday August 18th, bright & early.

• If I happen to go into labor before then, I will try for a V-BAC, but will not use ANYTHING to artificially promote labor (pitocin, stripped membranes, etc.) If it doesn't progress, I'll move on to a c-section. This is my own personal choice due to my previous experience, and the advice from my doctor regarding the safety of V-BACs.

So, in summary, I will have a baby sometime within the next 8 days. His nursery is 99% complete. I just have to get our drill out and hang up the valance, and then pictures will follow.