2 week with Asher

This little guy is such a good baby.  We are loving him.  Liam is learning new ways to help with him.  His favorite thing is to give him the pacifier.  After he touches it and maybe sticks it in his mouth first though.  I have sanitized the pacifiers so much.  Today he has figured out that he can help me carry the car seat…such a big help.

He eats like a champ, which hopefully he will continue to do (unlike his brother did). Liam loves to help feed Asher.  Asher has already tried Blue Berry Muffins and Popcorn.  Liam also helps me nurse…figure that one out?

Asher has peed or pooped on me more times in his short life than Liam has in his almost 2 years.  Liam thinks Asher’s poopy diapers are gross, but doesn’t think his own are.  On the bathroom note Liam is starting to enjoy sitting on the toilet.  I see potty training in the near future.

At Asher’s 2 (and a half) week Dr. appointment he weighed 7lbs 1oz.  This is almost half a pound over his birth weight.  He’s in the 30% for weight, 50% for height, which is still 20”.  He makes Liam look huge.  (Liam’s 2 year stat’s coming soon.)

From the beginning Asher smiled tons.  Gas you say…probably, but come on, can all those smiles be because of gas?  I like to think that only part of it is gas and the other part is because he is so happy to be here.  Oh and by the way Asher’s name means “Happy, Blessed.” They go together perfectly.

He’s here… Andelin Boy #2

So here’s the story:

First I have to start by telling all the craziness that lead up to the actual birth.  My Awesome little sister decided that June 2nd (also Jamon’s Birthday) was the day that she wanted to get married (more on the wedding craziness later…I hope).  A whole week before I was due to give birth.  My other sister, from Texas was going to be in town and really wanted to be here for when the baby was born without having to drive a ton since they had already driven for days to get here. Jamon was going to be on his crazy12+ hours work schedule, and my mom, who I knew I would desperately need to help out with Liam, was planning a wedding.  So when do I give birth.  I really wanted to let him come naturally, but with all the above craziness  we knew it would be better to pick a day to have him.  We chose June 6th.  It seemed the best day for every situation, except that I wanted to have started labor before actually having the c-section. 

We were scheduled to be at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning and deliver around 7:30.  While sleeping my wish came true.  I started having some mild contractions.  The nurse told me they weren’t serious contractions but it was a good start.  Well that was good enough for me.  When we got to the hospital the nurses started getting me all ready with the gown and IV, which ended up being the worst pain I felt all day. 

I walked myself to the operating room where the anesthesiologist (who was awesome) gave me the spinal tap. It was very fast acting.  I almost didn’t make it laying down before it took full effect.  Just in case you were wondering, an epidural numbs everything and a spinal just takes away the pain.  I felt every pull and push the doctors were doing. It actually felt like the baby was doing some serious moving in the belly.

Jamon came into the operating room in his sterile get-up.  This was when the emotions actually started.  I just LOVE him so much. When the moment came the anesthesiologist asked if I wanted to see when he came out.  I decided I did.  Don’t worry I did not see my insides on the table or inside of me.  I only saw my belly and Asher being pulled out.  It was just as emotional as it was when Liam was born.  An AMAZING miracle. 

He was taken over to be weighed and measured and yes he did cry the whole time.  When he was done they gave him to Jamon and he brought him to me.  I couldn’t hold him, but it was nice to spend some time with him.  More time than I got with Liam when he was born. 

Yup, still crying.

I felt very relaxed, calm and SO very happy, as I waited patiently for them to stitch me back up.  I’m pretty sure the pain meds helped with that whole feeling.

As I was being wheeled to my room I noticed Jamon still in the nursery with Asher. He swallowed some fluid on his way out so they were monitoring him.  His breathing was faster than it should’ve been so they had to keep testing and monitoring that, along with having his blood sugar tested because he was small. His poor feet were poked every couple hours. After a few minutes they brought him into me so I could FINALLY hold him.  It was love. (I refuse to show my first picture with Asher.  Don’t worry, I’m still going to show an awful hospital picture of me.)

Jamon and I couldn’t wait for Liam to come in.  We had my sister and her girls wait outside so that we could have some time with just our family.  It was great.  Liam was excited to see a baby, but then that was over and he just wanted to explore the awesome room with all the wires and buttons.

See…horrible hospital picture.

Well I spent the next couple of days waking up at every sound or movement and falling asleep within seconds.  The drugs were so great, but made me SO tired.  It was a good hospital stay, but Jamon was ready to go home.  I could’ve stayed the rest of the day with the nurse I had.  I had her for two days when Liam was born and I really like her. Plus I was feeling a little nervous to go home and start doing things for myself again. 

We left Saturday afternoon, and I have been recovering so well.  I can’t pick up Liam so that has been HARD on him and even HARDER on me.  Liam has spent tons of time with my mom, either at our house or her house.  Thank goodness for moms, and sisters, and cousins.  Liam has been taken care of very well.

So here he is

Asher Mark Andelin

Born June 6th at 7:44 a.m.

weighing in at 6lbs 8 oz

measuring 21 inches in length

 

3…THREE

3 years ago

Him

 

and Her

Got Married

One and a Half Years

Beware: more that usual thoughts by Staci

I can’t decide how to start this blog (other than how I just did).  I have been so full of different emotions at Liam’s turning 18 months, Joy, Sadness, Anxiety, Excitement and so on.  The only real milestones for this age are Nursery and more shots, but so much more is changing.  Sunday Jamon and I took Liam into the far too small designated nursery room for the first time.  Going in I was pretty excited.  When we got there were kids crying (who have been in nursery for at least 6 months-what the heck), parents standing around, puzzles on the table and I had no idea who the leaders were.  We sat Liam down at the table and he immediately started playing with the puzzle.  He then got off his chair and tried to climb on another kids chair and then back to his chair and the puzzle, typical Liam.  Then one of the Primary counselors came in, talked to us for a minute and then we said our goodbyes.  I am not going to be the Mom that sneaks out when my child isn’t looking, although our departure probably would’ve been easier for him if we had.  He started to cry, but the counselor took him and we just kept on walking.  The emotion hit that I didn’t think would.  How can he be big enough for me to leave him for 2 hours. Yes, we have left him with babysitters but he is usually asleep most of the time.  I pushed the emotion away.  People stared, with smiles, at us as we walked into Sunday School with no child.  They knew it was a good day.  And it was, but I was BORED.  I’m used to entertaining or containing Liam and I didn’t realize I loved it.  I MISSED HIM.  Maybe I’m the one who needs Liam to sneak away from me so I don’t know he’s gone.  I’ve spent 18 months weening him from nursing, bottles, pacifiers, being rocked to sleep, etc., I now need someone to ween me from him.  I’m good through.  Just need to get used to it, and let him grow up.  Is this how it’s going to be all the time not wanting him to grow up…I’m in trouble.

As for shots…his 18 month well-baby checkup for some reason has me concerned for reasons I KNOW are not logical.  Working in a Preschool for kids who have Autism you hear all the stories of how kids got Autism.  There is Theory out there that 18 month shots have been the cause of Autism.  I’m not going to get into a debate, but I don’t believe it.  I do believe that the shots could be a trigger, just not the cause.  Anyway Parents of most kids who have been diagnosed with Austism say that they started noticing digression in their child around 18 months.  I didn’t want to be the Mom who worried about this, but I am.  I am only because I know.  If I didn’t know I probably wouldn’t worry.  Since birth I have looked for developmental milestones,  Liam has hit them all so far, I’ve even tried pushing milestones. So why the worry.  Either way Life will go on and I know I can handle it. (Admitting that almost makes me feel like now he will get it…I’m ridiculous I know).  I really try not to think about it, but I just felt like sharing it.

Now on to the fun part.  The part where I tell you all all the fun things Liam does.  We have not been to the DR yet so those stats will have to wait.  Some of the things will be obvious that he can do, but it’s been 6 months since I have documented.

18 Month Stats:

• Weight:
• Height:
• He now walks.  Yes, I know my child’s amazing
• He runs…fast
• He is starting to eat really well with a spoon almost no spilling…almost
• Stacks blocks
• Can and will climb everything and anything
• Loves to sit on the counter while I cook or clean the kitchen
• When the TV is on he’ll turn look at it and laugh like something funny was just said or shown.
• If he could would walk up the stairs.  One day he even tried it.  He only cried a little.
• Says  Thank you, please, dad, dog, shoes
• He is very good at cleaning up.  Usually cleaning up his own mess
• Will help empty the dish washer. The silverware drawer looks awesome when he’s done.
• Closes everything….obsessively
• Likes anything with a Lid (see above).
• Has his own Idea of where things should go.  Example:  Shoes in the measuring cup drawer
• Wants to help us with everything…hope this never goes away
  • taking out trash,
  • building the fire
  • putting clothes away
  • putting groceries away
  • sweeping
  • opening and closing lids for us…obsessive
  • Laundry
• Went through a garbage can phase.  Throwing things away, taking things out.  I’m pretty sure he threw his croc away, Jamon’s wallet (which we saved just in time), and many other things.
• Loves to jump onto the Love sac from the couch
• Is still scared of the vacuum
• Has become a horrible traveler
• Loves Music.  He always wants it turned on whenever we are in the kitchen.
• Is becoming a very good dancer.
• Gives incredible kisses

Now for pictures.  Liam has a new smile…

Ridiculous.  Where on earth did this come from?  Every time I point the camera at him I get a variation of this exact face. 

I wanted to Document his turning of 18 months, but not only does Liam pull weird faces, he won’t look at the camera, or won’t smile when he is looking at the camera.  Taking pictures was frustrating.  I did get a few good ones.

      

Best Picture of the Day

Love this guy!

It’s a Jolly Holiday

Christmas was fantastic.  It all started at my Parents house the Friday before Christmas and ended at my Parents house New Years Day.

My ENTIRE family consisting of 9 nieces, 8 nephews (that’s 17 total), 7 siblings, 7 in-law siblings, me, and a set of parents, all 34 of us, were all at one point during the Holidays in the same place.  It was AWESOME!  Christmas was spent with my Sister and her family and my Brother and his wife.  It was so much fun opening presents with so many little kids around. 

Christmas Eve we decided to actually act out the Nativity scene instead of just reading it.  We haven’t done that in a long time.

 

Mary and Joseph played by brother Daniel and his actual pregnant Wife, Mattie

 

The Angel, played by Sis-in-law Kelly

King Herod and the Narrator played by Dad

Shepherds played by Mom, sister Jodee, Jamon and Liam.

One of the 3 Wiseman played by Bridgette

     Other 2 Wiseman played by brother Mark and his son Nash.

Christmas morning happened early as it always does no matter how old we get.  We were up by 6, including Liam, which we paid for later. We had so much fun with Liam.  He actually seemed interested in everything he got.

 

  

One of his favorite toys…stacking cups.  Something I wish I would’ve gotten him a long time ago.

 

His absolute Favorite present.  He has enjoyed it since he’s laid eyes on it.

I wish I had taken more pictures, but Jamon spoiled me so much this year I didn’t have time between all the unwrapping, and it was just fun watching my nieces open up presents.

Other memorable moments:

• visiting Grandma and Grandpa Twitchell and helping take down Christmas Decorations
• Jamon not having to go home to work because there was an office in Cedar City
• Jamon and I getting away to St. George for a night, by ourselves. Wonderful!
• Playing in the Office building were Jamon worked in Cedar (more on that later)
• Playing card game after card game
• Eating DELICIOUS food
• Finally not feeling nauseous…at all!!

Now for New Years. 

First thing New Years Eve day my ENTIRE family, all 34 of us, dressed all fancy and went to the field behind my parents house were my cousin took our family pictures.  She is editing them so I don’t have a lot to show off.  Here is one she has finished.

The place Jamon went to work in Cedar was previously a fitness center.  Most of it had been converted, but there was still a Basketball court and a Racket ball court.  There was also a kitchen, two rooms with big TV’s and projectors, a room with ping pong tables and pool tables and 7 or 8 huge Love Sacs.  We had so much fun playing there on Friday with everyone that we thought we would ask if we could use it for New Years Eve.  The guy didn’t care so we packed up all our food, dressed in our comfy playing around clothes and went to the old fitness center. 

The fun that took place:

• Racket ball

• Basketball

• Eating

• Watching football

• playing all kinds of board and card games
• Jumping from high places onto the Love Sacs
• XBOX Kinnect: Just Dance

• Ping Pong
• Socializing
• Pool
• Corn Hole

          

All I can say is that it was a BLAST!