2 1/2 weeks

We've survived 2 1/2 weeks so far! I consider that quite an accomplishment! It's been an adjustment - my previous day-to-day routine, before adding another child, has completely flown out the window. I used to be able to get all my housework done before lunch and now I'm lucky to even get a few things accomplished before the days end. It's not that it's really hard having another child at home - it's just more difficult meeting every one's needs throughout the day. Reese has a hard time with this -- she was used to being able to get whatever she needed right away and now I find myself constantly telling her: "just a minute, hold on a sec, or after I finish feeding baby brother." She's still taking it all pretty well - minus the few tantrums tossed into my day, but I can't tell if that's out of frustration with the new baby gobbling up all her attention or just Reese being a 2 year old. It's not too bad though.

Todd and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary this week. Well not so much celebrated but our 4 year anniversary was this week (the 16th). We just sat at home the whole night and pretty much told each other Happy Anniversary! We'll actually do something for it in April when Todd is off from school and we can go stay a night or two in SLC and go to a jazz game (like we do most every year).

Not much else going on... next Wednesday Todd goes back to work. Ugh! Not looking forward to that at all. I don't remember if I posted this yet, but we did find out Todd will be doing his student teaching in Pocatello this fall! Yeah we get to move back -- I kind of miss Pocatello. It will be nice being surrounded by the familiar again and all our old friends. It will be nice being that much closer to family.

Well that's about it... no upcoming events that I can think of. I still need to take some more pictures of Boston. I tried to take a bunch the other day but he was being way to grumpy and wiggly -- so only the one posted above worked out. I need to be working on his birth announcement so I better get pictures done soon. I also really need to re-vamp my blog layout -- it's been the same for way too long! We need a new family picture and more recent pictures of Reese. I just need to get it done!

First week for the family of four...

Hard to believe we've already been home for a whole week. Boston is such a good little baby. I had my doubts the first few hours of his life when all he did was scream at the top of his lungs. He spends most of the day sleeping and snuggling. He also has a man's appetite -- almost like clock work every two hours he is ready to eat, actually it's more like he demands to eat! When he's hungry he's hungry. I enjoy those precious times during the day when he's awake and alert... not so precious when it's at 3 AM (which is usually every night-hopefully he'll get his days and nights figured out soon).

I've already been initiated into the "Mother of a boy" club! It's quite the accomplishment to change his diaper and neither of us needing a change of clothes afterwards. It just catches you by surprise every time!

Reese has done really well with the new addition. She loves to help mom by fetching diapers, and making sure brother's bottle and binkie are within arms reach. She has been a little wilder than usual, no doubt to snag a little extra attention, but overall she's handling the change pretty well. She loves to kiss little brother (who she calls buddy) wave little toys in front of his face and tickle him.

My mom was here the last few days which was a wonderful blessing. It was nice to have an extra set of hands. Especially when we decided to take a little shopping trip to Idaho Falls to wander around the mall and pick up some groceries. Oh my is all I can say. I don't know when I'll dare venture a shopping trip by myself. Reese has a problem with taking off running at any chance her feet hit the ground and what they heck are you supposed to do when you have a baby in tow? She is so FAST! It actually makes me really nervous - especially in parking lots and large stores. So I'll be holding off on solo trips until that is under more control. Thanks mom for doing all the chasing!

So that pretty much sums up the excitement of our first week. My to do list for the remainder of the week includes taking some more pictures of him and getting them posted. I already feel like a bad mom for not being as camera happy this time around -- so I need to get on that.

A few pics...

First bath.

Reese carrying her baby in the sling mommy made for her. She found mine and wanted one too.

Getting all cleaned up.

Boston and Mom.

Clean boy.

Relaxing at home.

He's Here...

So I was trying to upload a couple pics but it wasn't working... the WI-FI here at the hospital has a few things blocked.

So Boston Todd Welch was born this afternoon at 3:25 P.M. 8lbs 11oz and 20 1/2 inches long. Everything went really smooth today. We arrived at the hospital around 7:30 this morning and by 8:30 we were in our room and hooked up to the IV. They started a very low dose of Pitocin shortly there after to get my contractions going. Everything went really well as we progressed to each stage. They broke my water around 11:30 and got my epidural a little after one. I don't care about being empowered as a woman by doing it all natural, I would rather be comfortable and relax. My epidural worked wonderfully! The whole time today I was just hoping things would go as well as Reese's labor and delivery, and everything was actually even better. Around 3 in the afternoon I was at an 8 and I figured I still had an hour or two. Literally like less than 10 minutes later I was feeling a lot of pressure and it felt like this kid was going to pop right out of me. So I was ready to go and pushed 3-4 times and he was here within like 5-10 minutes. It was a very easy, pain free, and wonderful delivery. He came out screaming and continues to be very vocal! His face was a little black and blue from dropping so fast within those last few minutes but he looks great! Todd and I are doing well and slowly remembering how to do all these newborn things. Reese has been staying with Grandma and Grandpa Welch. It's going to be interesting when she finally meets baby brother. I'll get some pics posted when I get home -- but that is where we are at.