Firsts

Firsts are coming quick this time around and it is hard to remember to take out the camera to get some pictures to remember the moment. We missed the first official bath at home (sponge) but got the first time in a tub. I also got the first hair tirm before and after but they are not quality picture taking so I did not post them. (the kid's hair was hanging over his ears. All of Van's fell out so I wanted to make sure I got a lock of Casey's before it had a chance to go away.)

Casey didn't mind his first dip in the pool. The water was warm enough that he stayed a sleep for the first part.

Happy Birthday Babe

I had big plans to scan in pictures and do a great post about Mike's 30th birthday which is today. But life with an infant impeded those thoughts. One thought was to come up with the 30 great things about Mike, well I got this far before the need for a nap overtook me.

1. He gave me Van
2. He gave me Casey
3. He gave me the life and home that I love

Multiply that tenfold and you have 30. Anyway those are the most important ones.

So far we have celebrated with dinner at home with his mom (who flew in yesterday) and cupcakes from a local bakery that we swear that has a pack with the devil since they are so good.

Happy Birthday Babe.

Meeting Casey

My parents come up the Sunday before Casey was born to get use to the area and the tornado that Van can create sometimes. Van had 4 days left of being the only child and was living them up with Grandma and Poppop. ( the Poppop name came from Van, the child has 3 Grandmas but gives the only Grandpa going by Grandpa a nickname) He snookered them into playing in his room whenever he wanted and swimming and multiple books being read. He painted a ice cream bowl for Poppop and made a build a bear dog named Ruff for Casey. When Casey came home Van did have a bit of trouble sharing attention but not too bad. They left last Tuesday to go back to lives that are not controlled by a 2 1/2 year old. They have admitted missing Van parroting them, like my Dad mistakenly teaching Van to spit on walks which ended up with Van spitting every few feet.

Late Tuesday Heather flew in. She just got back from a week of charity work in Honduras and she flew out Monday to start her year in an orphanage in Haiti. She got a reminder course on changing and infant and tips on potty training. Van got to show off all his toys again and his swimming skills.

We have had a few days as just the 4 of us. Mike's Mom comes in Wednesday to meet Casey and celebrate Mike's 30th birthday. Mike and I are figuring out how make it through the day with less sleep as Casey has a bit of acid reflux and likes making big messy diapers at 3AM. 2 oz of formula each feeding does not let us sleep much. We went to his 2 week doctor appointment and he is now 8lbs 11 oz (7lbs 12 oz at birth 6lbs 14oz when we left the hospital) and 21 1/2 inches (20 1/2 inches at birth). All I could say is good grief little piggy, at the hospital they were worried he was losing too much weight. But he's cute so we will keep going, but I have said that if gypsies come to the door Van might be donated. The Why? phase has kicked in big time.

Letting the cat out of the bag

Many of you know but a few still don't, Mike and I were married 5 years ago today. Yes, we had the family ceremony 4 years ago on May 24th but got legally married before then. On that Saturday we stood outside our apartment in Warner Robins under a gazebo with the minister (Brother Otis) who would marry us later in front of family and friends and said the least amount you need to to be married so it would still be new later. It was quiet and calm with Brother Otis's wife being the witness and photographer (pictures went missing in the move) and 3 neighbor kids hiding in the bushes watching and giggling.

If you are asking why, well I didn't have health insurance through my job and decided that it was better to speed things up so if anything would come along it wouldn't be bad. And that got tested that Christmas when Mike developed a bleeding ulcer and I could make decisions about his care because I was his wife. I was very thankful that I did not have to stand by and only see him during visiting hours.

5 years, 2 kids, 2 houses later I believe we made the right decision. We had the lovely ceremony almost a year later (outside wedding in GA at the end of July just to keep the same date was not a good idea). We celebrated with friends and family. But I love my elopement with BBQ party thrown by Mike's work just as much.

I love you Mike.

My Genes are Recessive

I learned in my forensic anthropology class that there dominate and recessive genes and you line them up in a box and you can predict what genes will overrule. Well, my genes lost. Van looks like Mike and Casey looks like Van. But they both make the same facial movements like my Dad, the same rooster pout my Dad uses as a smile the boys use to show that they are a bit upset.

Van has been adjusting fairly well. He has an interest in Casey and I think understands that there are some boundaries. He has been pretty occupied with my parents being here to lend a hand and Mike just started back at work today.

Casey has been doing the baby thing sleeping, eating and pooping. The first night at home was a bit hard, the last two night he's been better at letting us sleep a bit better between feedings.

I am doing better, dreading a bit the day I do not have any help and I have to figure out things on my own. Van has been proud of being a big boy and being able to help and do big boy things, I hope this keeps up.

Welcome Casey

Hi All,

Casey and I were released from the hospital this afternoon and are home adjusting to all the different noises. As Mike said I had a much better time delivering Casey than Van. We went in at 3AM and by 7 AM he had become very serious about being delivered. Yet again I had to wait for my doctor to arrive (Casey would have been born earlier if she had not been in surgery) and 2 short pushes later we had Casey at 9:24AM. He's a healthy 7lbs 12 oz and 20 1/2 inches. He looks very much like Van but with thicker hair. He has long fingers and long monkey toes. Van is so excited to have him home, we get verbal reports on what Casey is doing.

Kaylee

4th of July