First Days

Aside from some nursing issues on Saturday--that thankfully for the most part have subsided--we have had a wonderful first few days at home with both Preston and John Cole! I did get a taste of my new life this morning as BOTH sets of cradle/bed sheets had to be changed this morning, but you know, I can handle it. John Cole continues to be a very easy baby, letting out a little YELP! when he needs some attention, and Preston is just the best at being big brother. Of course, it helps that he gets a present almost DAILY for being a big brother...but if spoiling him a little bit gets us through then I am ok with that :) I am so grateful for Jeff's help this week--couldn't have done it without him that's for sure--but I think he was READY to go to work this morning.....

This cool weather is kind of nice if you ask me...perfect to be snuggled up at home with my boys...more later....

John Cole Parker is BORN!

John Cole Parker was born on Tuesday November 22, 2011 at 4:47 pm weighing in at 7 pounds 1 ounce and measuring 19 inches!

My labor story is quite long and involved--it would be one for me to tell you in person--but the synopsis is that I started the early processes of labor on Monday night, went to the hospital in the wee hours Tuesday morning, almost had them send me home, started progressing, had some amniotic fluid leak (water breaking) then Dr. LeBleu said "Let's have a baby today!" The only real pain I experienced was after my water was broken before I had the epidural. After the drugs, it was a very moving and wonderful experience that I will never forget!

John Cole is absolutely perfect! Now, I am not naive enough to believe he is not going to find his lungs, but right now he is an absolute DREAM of a newborn. He nursed vigorously right out of the womb, and aside from a long stretch of sleep right after he was circumcised, he continues to be a CHAMP at feeding. It's funny--he won't EVEN let me help him latch on--he has to do it HIMSELF. Too cute! We are not sure who he looks like just yet...a little like his big brother...but then yet not. All I know for sure is that I am completely in LOVE with him :)

Many thanks to Aunt K-K for coming over in the middle of the night so we wouldn't have to wake Preston when we went to the hospital AND for keeping him all day while I was in labor. And also thanks to Nana and Pop who still have Preston--kept him during our entire hospital stay and are bringing him back sometime this weekend--so Jeff and I can establish some sense of normalcy before brining an ACTIVE toddler back into the mix :)

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I am sure I will be blogging a lot about John Cole's first days so stay tuned.....

Polar Express!

In hindsight, scheduling a trip to the middle of nowhere Texas 4+ hours away from St. Francis 37 1/2 weeks pregnant was NOT the smartest decision I have ever made. But, if you have spent any time with Preston, you know riding on a real train is just about the greatest thing he can imagine so I booked a ride on the Polar Express for November 19th. Well, shortly thereafter Jeff said he was going hunting that weekend, so Nana volunteered to be my companion for the trip. After seeing the OB Tuesday, no one would hear of me making a go of it so Nana and K-K were going to take him....UNTIL....

Preston doesn't eat much. He hasn't gained weight in over a year--just gets taller. So, when he didn't eat Friday I didn't put two and two together and realize he had the beginnings of the stomach bug going around Trinity. Well, sure enough, the morning of the Polar Express, poor little man had a round of the bug :( It was over pretty quickly but he could not travel that day. So, Nana and K-K really stepped up to the plate to change their plans to take him on Sunday. Mind you, when I called first thing Sat. AM to cancel there were no seats on Sundays train--but when the super sweet girl heard P in the background crying "I want to go to the Polar Express!" low and behold seats appeared :)

Preston says his favorite part of the trip to the North Pole was "dancing with the hot chocolate girl." I think we have a little charmer on our hands, folks! Another observation I can't help but make is that I ought to get a good picture with John Cole AND Preston with Santa this year...because he is obviously NOT afraid of him anymore. YAY!! You can tell his little coloring is not like it normally is--he looks pale--but the wonder in his eyes is what Christmas is all about....

THANKS again to Nana and K-K for taking him!!!! I love you both--and Preston does too!!!

Thanksgiving Feast

It is a definite certainty that Nana and I were looking much more forward to Preston's Thanksgiving Feast today than he was, but I think he had a pretty great time! It was very special to see him in what was really his first "production" and to see all of the other precious children joining in the fun. By the time Nana and I left him at 11:30 or so he was already EXHAUSTED, and he did NOT take a nap, but tired (i.e. unpleasant) mood and all I was so proud of him....more later...

***Pregnancy Update**
This may be TMI but I am assuming that you are a friend if you are reading this blog, so hopefully you won't mind :) Went to OB yesterday and I am 2cm dilated and 60% effaced...which makes the constant contractions I was having this weekend make SENSE! Still having them..and feeling like John Cole will be here literally any day now. Please keep baby and me in your prayers--especially baby!!

Priceless!

Although I realize Jeff is NOT going to be happy that Preston is the only boy in a smocked outfit, I think this sweet little PreK-3 picture will go down as one of my favorites :) So grateful for Mrs. Tory and this precious little class--what memories!!

35 weeks

It seems like time has flown by, and at the same time it feels like it has taken forever, but John Cole is 35 weeks today and I think this last picture of him just may get me through these last four (gasp!) weeks. Aren't his chubby little cheeks just THE CUTEST? He is weighing in at a whopping 5.5 lbs, and measures right on track except for an exceptionally long femur. Looks like he is going to be right around 7.5 lbs and be long just like his big brother. (Preston was 21 3/4 inches at birth!) John Cole is the picture of health, and so am I with the ONLY thing even mentioned that is not just ideal is that he is sunny side up. I am really hoping he decides to turn, but if you could have seen (or could feel) how tightly he is squished way down low I don't know how that would be possible. BUT, Dr. LeBleu assures me she can flip him....TMI for some of you out there possibly..sorry!

I am looking forward to the cold front coming in tommorrow, except for the fact that my maternity winter options are VERY limited!! And I REFUSE to buy one more article of clothing that is "maternity" so you may just see me wrapped up in a scarf :) Hope all is well with you and yours and enjoy your extra hour of sleep this weekend!!