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.

Update...

So there is an end in sight... I had my 39 week appointment today, and I'm scheduled to be induced Tuesday February 2nd (if he doesn't come on his own sooner). I can't help but feel happy to know I only have to "suffer" being pregnant for 6 more days (at the most). Naturally thinking about having little Boston actually here presents a whole new list of fears and worriments (if that is a word). I pray that everything goes well! If it runs as smooth as Reese's induction I've got absolutely nothing to fear, but as I watch a more and more episodes of A Baby Story on TLC I keep freaking myself out (a simple solution would be to not watch that show). I'm supposed to go in at 7:30 in morning. I also went in the morning when I had Reese and she was born by 5:42 that evening. There is always the possibility of Boston arriving before Tuesday but I highly doubt that is going to happen. I am so grateful to my Dr. who suggested the induction at today's appointment. He also asked how large Reese was when she was born and when I responded with 9lbs 10oz he told me to expect another 9 pounder. Oh joy! Really I am excited I like large sturdy babies, anything smaller would seem too fragile.

So I'll keep you posted. Expect some pics early next week!

Just a little update...

Sorry I haven't posted lately... there really hasn't been too much going on. The past month has been pretty unexciting. Todd did start back at school full time. So I'm back to feeling like a single mom since he's gone from morning til night with work and school. I am so grateful that he is able to take on this full load and that I am able to stay at home but sometimes it's a bummer! The bits and pieces of time he has in the day when he's not gone he's grabbing a bite to eat before heading somewhere else or doing homework. The only comforting thought is he's almost done! So it's not actually Todd's birthday until Tuesday (he'll turn the big 26)! Last Wednesday we met Todd's family and a few of our friends in Pocatello to have a birthday dinner at Golden Corral (one of Todd's favorite places to eat). We celebrated a little early so we wouldn't have to travel any closer to my due date and because Todd actually had the night off from work.

Today Todd's birthday present arrived so Reese and I wrapped it up. Todd couldn't wait and asked to open it tonight (his actual birthday is going to be very dull)! Reese helped a lot with the wrapping. We went to the store and I let her pick what kind of wrapping paper we were going to use. Well she actually only picked up the Spongebob Squarepants card and I picked out the coordinating paper and ribbon. She had fun decorating the paper and I even let her wrap the smaller gift. She needed a little help applying the tape but did awesome folding over the edges of the paper. Todd was very excited to get a travel Phase 10 handheld game (something to do when we're at the hospital) and a new CD player for his car (his other one is shorting out and a lot of the buttons stopped working). He also got a new pair of shoes last week but they were more of a necessity for school so it doesn't really count (he needed something fun)!

So I was a little bored tonight and made some T-shirts for Reese and soon to be Baby Boston (I don't think I've actually announced the name yet so there you go). The original plan was to keep it a secret (since I was so annoyed by peoples comments with Reese -- "Isn't that a boy's name?" was the most common one), but I was too curious about peoples comments with Boston that it slipped out a bit too often. Naturally nobody really likes it but too bad - that is going to be his name. Boston Todd actually. No we're not any sort of Boston Red Sox or Celtics fans and neither of us have ever been to Boston - it was just one of the names that we both actually agreed on. We also like that he could be called Boss for short. So there you have it.

An update... I'm 38 1/2 weeks! Physically: utterly miserable (mostly due to lack of sleep and a constantly aching body). I had an appointment on Wednesday and I was at 2cm already! Which sounds a little promising that it might be soon! With Reese even a week after her due date there was nothing going on (hence the induction).

So that's pretty much it -- probably the next post will be when Baby Boston is finally here! I would be ecstatic if it was this weekend - but that's just wishful thinking.

Happy New Year!

So we had some what of a New Years party at 9 P.M. Todd picked up some poppers (which were a little scary for Reese) and some noise makers (which she couldn't blow hard enough into - so she just yelled into them to make noise). Yes we were already in our PJ's -- what exciting lives we live.

Making a giant mess for Mom to pick up. Side note: those little streamers did not want to vacuum up - so most of them were picked up by hand -- after they had already been scattered all over the entire house. I should have taken a picture of the mess afterwards -- at least she had fun I suppose.

Hair accessories.

Throwing them at Daddy. That was pretty much the extent of our New Years party -- Reese went to bed shortly after and Todd and I indulged on way too much junk and went to bed ourselves. How unexciting!

We are looking forward to what 2010 has to offer -- #1 birth of Baby "B" (4 1/2 weeks left) and #2 Todd's Graduation!!! I don't know which is more exciting -- just kidding.

The Birthday Party

Reese's 2nd Birthday!Her birthday is only 3 days after Christmas (poor girl - I know poor planning on our part), so we try to make it special. This years theme: Little Mermaid. It actually was more Under the Sea themed because you can't find too much Little Mermaid stuff anywhere. Its all the Disney Princesses and not just The Little Mermaid -- yes, I know you can find it online but we didn't quite get anything ordered in time (and it can be quite expensive for a few party decorations)... oh well. So we tried to keep everything blue and green, threw in a few fish, and had an Ariel cake. Let me just tell you the cake was a nightmare! I bought just one of the Wilton shaped pans and thought I had all the right frosting tools -- well needless to say I didn't. I was decorating the cake last minute (I had to wait for Todd to bring the supplies from Rexburg that morning) and nothing was working our as planned. I scraped her face off a few times because it looked terrible! I bought some premade black icing to do the piping and I think it had sat on the shelf for years because it was so dry and impossible to work with. Ariel just ended up with a silly looking face since I didn't have a tip to do the fine details -- I was on the verge of tears numerous times! You know when you have an idea of how something is supposed to be in your head and it's just not working out like that -- very frustrating. I know Reese probably thought it was the best birthday ever, and I was stressing over stupid details - bbllllaaahh!

We had a nice little lunch while watching The Little Mermaid movie and then Reese got to open more presents! I swear it's been nothing but presents for this little girl -- with Christmas and all -- I'm sure she didn't know what to think.

Dylan was a big help. A new My Little Pony play set.

A new kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa -- which apparently was more fun to just beat on the box. Sorry I didn't take a picture of her opening every present -- for those of you that sent presents. Thanks Torben and Angela for the sweatshirt (I'm secretly jealous and want one in my size) and Tyler and Candi for the Elmo pillow (you can never go wrong with Elmo at our house)

Trying to take a picture of the Birthday girl with her cousins -- never give children balloons and expect cooperation!

This is the best one we got -- the only one that didn't have a balloon blocking someones face.

Blowing out the candle. I kind of missed the moment and didn't feel like re-lighting the candle just to get a picture. She kept trying to blow it out from a foot away, so I'm pretty sure it was Brooklynn's puff of air that put the flame out. I'm sure Reese will still get her wish it was her birthday after all.

Christmas Day

We were up bright and early 7:30 A.M. I must admit - Reese was waking up and probably would have went back to sleep for a while longer but my 8 month prego body could not take anymore! Reese always sleeps in our bed whenever we are out of town (she refuses to sleep in the pack and play). She is a snuggler -- and by that I mean she is practically laying on top of you, sleeping sideways and her head on my pillow. So all night I'm an inch or so from falling off the edge of the bed (and yes I push her over to her side NUMEROUS times during the night). So it was time to get up!! It only took a little convincing -- once we said "presents" the magic word apparently her little eye balls were wide awake and wanted to go find Grandma -- so she could open her presents. This year was very unlike last year -- she knew exactly what to do and didn't waste a second before tearing into her stocking.

She opened present after present - always eager for the next. Yes Santa gives little girls clothes too!

She had to have a new baby -- an obvious choice since there will be a new baby in our house shortly.

The madness of opening presents started to fade when she realized she wanted to play with her newly opened presents. Especially her new dollhouse.

Enjoying some pretend tea from her tea set Grandma and Grandpa gave her.

--After breakfast we got ready and headed down to Preston. Every year we gather up at my Grandma's for dinner and more chaotic present openings! It's getting more and more crowded every year. We used to all fit somewhat comfortably in Grandma Nan's front room -- now we are practically stacked floor to ceiling. We had a lovely turkey and ham dinner and then opened more presents.

My little nephew Dylan sampling some peppermint bark! I think he likes it!

The annual crumpled wrapping paper ball fight (usually started by my brother Justin). Note: I found 4-5 crumpled balls lodged in between branches of my Grandma's tree. Stay out of the crossfire.

Here we all are! All nice and cozy! All the little boys got new Lionel Train sets from my dad -- they were pretty excited. Reese was pretty jealous - she has to wait until baby brother is a here to get one -- so maybe next year (in all reality I told my dad we have absolutely no room to put a train that she'll destroy in a day) -- so we'll wait a little longer. I'm a mean mom I know!

There were plenty of helpers all around the room!

The waiting game! My Uncle Kent, Aunt LaDawn and Nan patiently waiting for the rest of the gang to arrive so we could start eating! My brother Chris' family is always late to everything!!

Securing a spot on couches before we start opening presents. You wouldn't want to risk being lost amongst present debris by sitting on the floor.

Ah -- what could be better than bubble wrap!

All the little kids got matching red snowman jammies from my mom.

It was pure madness that night but it's so great to have everyone there together.

Christmas Eve

Once again it's taking like a million years to upload pictures on our laptop -- even after reducing the file size drastically (you'll notice the pictures are quite pixelated) -- it's sooo annoying. Anyways... I'll have to figure something else out for the rest of the holiday pictures because the current method is taking way too long.

So here we are in Downey on Christmas Eve. Currently it's the way we are doing things -- spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in Downey and spending the rest of Christmas in Preston.

We had a nice dinner Christmas Eve, gathered around after and read a few Christmas stories, played some Bingo and of course read the nativity story. Check our Reese's Bingo card -- I'm pretty sure she won that round.

Reese had a set of nativity stickers that Grandma Z gave her. She was able to put each character on the paper when it came up in the story.

The finished product! Don't you remember the part in Luke 2 where the wise men float around upside down?

Naturally Reese was very excited for Santa to come so she could finally open presents in the morning. I don't think we got her to bed until like 10 or 11! When I put her to bed I kept having to remind her that she needs to go to sleep in order for Santa to come and leave her some presents.