Cole is Two Months Old!

Can't believe my baby is two months old already.....his smiles melt my heart. 

On the downside, that means I'm about to have to go back to work. Not looking forward to that at all.  I don't know how I'll be able to handle the housework, grocery shopping, cooking, getting up at 5 am to feed Cole, and getting both boys to daycare, while having a full day of work.  Guess we'll just have to figure everything out as it comes. 

Did a little photo editing to make a picture like I saw on Pinterest:

Wish my ring was a little more in focus, but I Love this idea! 

I've got a lot of crafting to do since I discovered Pinterest. Never know when I'll have time to do anything.  My first thing to make off the site was a pumpkin trifle for Thanksgiving.  It was just okay....a friend of mine had the idea to put cream cheese/sugar in a layer and it tasted like a pumpkin roll. 

I need to post about Christmas since it was two days before Cole was two months....but I guess I'll save that for another time.  Cole is about to wake up.....

6 Weeks

Cole is six weeks old today!....The time is going by fast, I'll be back at work way too soon.  I'm still sleep deprived so I don't know why I am writing right now instead of going to bed.  My husband is on his first night of the next five, and both boys are in their beds, finally. Yep, Cole is now in his crib.  He has done well in the bassinet, but it was time to move him to his room, so we could get better sleep.  It has gone way better than Chase's transition was.  Only about 3 minutes of crying with Cole vs. 3 1/2 hours with Chase.  Last night was Cole's first night.  He went to bed about 8:30pm and woke up at 1 and 5 and then woke for the morning at 8 am.  Not so bad, but wish that one of those early feedings would go away soon.  Two kids has definitely thrown me for a loop.  Chase and I watched Polar Express tonight while Cole ate then cried in my arms, then in the swing, and then back in my arms and then in his bed until he could get fed AGAIN! Man, I think he eats so much but I counted it up today.  He ate 8 times for about 25 oz.  The guidelines say 17-32 oz, so I guess he's right on track.  He seems to be getting so big.
We've decided to change daycares.  Chase's current daycare didn't have a full time slot for Cole, so I found Kid Stuff which could take both.  The change is bittersweet.  I think Chase truly likes Noah's Ark, but he continues to struggle with hitting and potty training.  Maybe a change is what he needs.  I still love the facility, but I have prayed about it and feel that is where God is leading us, having openings available for both kids right now.  They will both start January 3rd when I go back to work, and I know that will be a very hard day.
Chase is getting excited about Christmas.  Even though we try to teach him about Jesus and the true Reason for the Season; Christmas trees, presents, twinkling lights and Santa Claus are all around.  I always try to get a pic with Santa, and Chase has cried every year.  We tried to talk him up this year, and Chase even knew what he wanted for Christmas....Beyblades! Can't believe how he has learned how to use beyblades and how well they keep him busy for hours!  We went to the City Mall to meet Santa....I had the times confused so we were pretty early, but Santa arrived and guess what! Chase was scared again.  He finally got pushed onto Santa's lap but he didn't like it.  When we left, he wanted to go back and sit on Santa's lap.  I'm sure he would of been scared again if we had let him.  Oh well, Cole did great!
Other duties of the week: We got the tree up! Robert made some good gumbo and we had a couple
and their two girls over.  Their house was struck by lightning and caught fire so they are stuck in a hotel.  It was nice to meet another "nuclear plant" family.  The girls even liked the gumbo!  I'm almost done Christmas shopping! Thanks to Amazon.com!!

Mom, No More Pictures!! This is what Chase does now every time I try to take a pic

Another frightful day with Santa!

Camp Cutie!

At the RVT Christmas Party

RVT Family

6 weeks old and oh, so cute

What are you looking at?

Brothers!!

Cole is One Month Old!

 Cole turned one month old on Sunday! He's a big boy and growing fast.  I think he will be our football player.  He's sleeping anywhere from 4 hours at a time to 6 1/2 hours.  I like the latter, but getting up at 4 am is sure hard for me.  I am not a morning person!

Proud Big Brother, Loves his "Baby Cole"

Proud Big Brother

Cole is Here!

The Arrival

I had been having braxton hicks contractions for a few days, so when I started having more contractions in the wee hours of the morning of the 27th, I thought it was still just a fluke.  Cole couldn't arrive exactly on his due date, could he?  Contractions started about 3:30 am and I told Robert when he woke up at 4:30 to get ready for work.  After they still continued, he called in to work and called his mom to come watch Chase.  We headed to the hospital about 6am.  I was still unsure because I wasn't in that much pain......yet!
When we got to the hospital, I was dilated to a 5!! Woo,hoo!!  I was admitted and soon found out my doctor was off that day, so Dr. Josh Ward would be delivering Cole.  I was always a little modest, so I never would go to a guy OB/GYN, but at this point, I didn't care.  I just wanted to hold Cole as soon as I could.  Dr. Ward broke my water, and then came on the pain!  Contractions got much stronger and the anesthesiologist was called for my relief, an epidural.  I should have known what would happen next, but I thought it might be different this time.  He gave me a low dose, but I still got sick and lost my breakfast, and my blood pressure dropped.  They had to give me some oxygen and ephedrine, but soon I was feeling better.  I even tried to push the button once b/c I was feeling the contractions, and then got sick again. I guess epidurals and I just don't get along too well.  I progressed pretty quickly after that, but another scary thing kept happening.  Every time I had a contraction, Cole's heart rate would drop.  I later found out this was because the cord was around his neck and the contractions compressed it.  They gave me some sort of amnio-transfusion which lessened the pressure on the cord.  Around 11am, I knew I was pretty close.  I was having a lot of pain with the contractions and feeling that need to push.  They called the doctor in and prepped the room.  After about 3 contractions of pushing, Cole was out!!  All the pain was gone, and I had my little baby boy.  Robert cut the cord and let me see him.  They cleaned and weighed him and he came in at a whopping 9 lbs 1 oz!!  What! I just pushed a 9 lb baby out!  He beat Chase by over a pound and a half!
We then spent some time trying to get Cole to nurse and time to bond a little before the family came in.  Mimi, Maw-maw, Paw-paw, Great Uncle Bob and Chase were all there to meet him.

Still Waiting.....

Well, went to my last clinic appointment today.  Cole is still baking in the oven and we're anxiously waiting for any pains to start.  I am dilated to a 2-3 and 50% effaced, which is a lot farther than I was with Chase before I went into labor.  I hope he comes in the next couple of days, maybe he's just waiting for his due date which is Thursday, the 27th.  I'll be induced next Tuesday if he doesn't come out sooner.  The doc suggested Monday or Tuesday, but I just couldn't PLAN on having a Halloween baby, even though he may come then. 
We're praying for a healthy baby boy and so excited to see what Cole will look like.  I think he will have a lot of hair, and be a healthy size (hopefully not too big).  I'm also ready to go b/c I'm so tired of being prego.  I have not had fun this go round....extreme SI pain, insomnia, heartburn, fatigue.....I just really want some sleep, but I know I won't get much for a while.
I started my maternity leave on Monday.  I'm enjoying the extra rest and time to get things done.  Laundry is actually caught up and dishes are done!  Chase has continued to go to daycare.  I've been working on some projects for the nursery.  I sure have waited to the last minute, but trying to prepare for a new baby with a 2 1/2 year old at home, and working, is especially hard.  Hopefully I'll get it mostly together tomorrow.  It just needs some decor on the walls. 
Chase moved classes at school.  I think this will be much better for him.  I believe this teacher knows how two year olds are, and can adjust better than the other one he started having problems with.  He misses naps sometimes; his daddy quit taking naps at 10 months and he has a cousin that quit at 18 months.  That must be a Bradford thing; I still love naps!  He took one today, though, I just hope it continues to behave well in his new class. 
The girls from RVT and I went to the Race for the Cure on Saturday.  I left Friday while my mom, or Mimi, stayed with Chase.  He definitely has outgrown his separation anxiety when I leave now.  He just told me bye, and then he asked if I was going to go have Baby Cole now......it was so cute.  I'm pretty sure he knows what's coming.  When asked what his baby bro's name is, he hugs himself like he's cold and says "cold" shaking. 

The rest of the weekend went well, with food, games, cupcakes, no sleep, and enjoying the festivities at the race.  I didn't walk because I would have been in a lot of pain in my hips, but I stayed on the sidelines around Craig O'Neil cheering all the women on.  It's always fun to be part of such a great event for a cure to end breast cancer.

Well, off to bed and continued waiting......

We have a name.......

Cole Barrett Bradford!
I have always liked the name Cole.  Robert wasn't too sure at first, but he's come around.  Since my sister and I are the last Barrett's of our family, we don't have anyone else to carry on the name, so I wanted to use it for this baby.  I start going to the OB every week now.....it's getting closer. Four weeks from today is my actual due date but I'm hoping he decides to come early!  I've just been miserable in this pregnancy.  I can't sleep, I have heartburn and serious SI issues.  I just dread going to bed at night, b/c every time I get up I have stabbing pain and can't put weight through my right leg.  I've done some research and I'm managing my pain a little better.  The exercises have worked miracles during the day but nighttime is still trouble.  Just to go to the bathroom, which is becoming more frequent, is about a 30 minute process from the time I wake up to the time I can fall back asleep, so I lose a lot of sleep.  Without sleep and work being so crazy, I'm just exhausted.  This probably confirms that I won't get pregnant again on purpose!  I have also had the worst charlie horse cramps in my legs lately.  I just wake up screaming, but usually Robert is there to massage my legs.  He's been pretty patient with me during this pregnancy. 

Big Boy Bed

I searched around for a Big Boy Bed since we need the crib for the new guy on the block and finally found a good deal at Rackley's.  It's a captain's bed, so I wouldn't have to buy a separate dresser to save space and money.  It's a little tall, but I put a railing up and a stool at the end that he can use to crawl up and down.  I thought it would be a struggle getting him to stay in it, but it was probably Chase's easiest transition.  I tried to lay down with him the first night, but he woke up every time I moved.  Then, I left, he cried for a minute and thought about climbing out.....but changed his mind and fell asleep.  He's been sleeping great in it, and waits for us to come get him.   At least most of the time.  One Sunday morning, we slept in a little bit and he must of woke up and thought he could get down on his own.  Well, he got down, just not gracefully.  We woke up to screaming and he must of slid off the end, missing the stool and hitting his noggin.  He was a little shaken, but after a few minutes of cuddling, he was fine. 

the Bed ... all made up. I <3 Pottery Barn Kids

Not a morning person (like his mommy!)

Reading before bedtime

Rockin Out with MiMi

Although bedtime has been better, Chase is now getting trouble at school.  He's been saying "no" to the teacher and ends up slapping or kicking her.  We're not sure what really triggers this b/c he doesn't act like that at home.  Robert and I have both had to go up to the daycare to give spankings and talk to him.  I never liked getting into trouble as a kid, and I ended up crying as much as he did when I had to take him out to the bathroom for discipline.  I was afraid that my tears would mess everything up, but we didn't get a call today!  Hopefully, he's learned that he can't get away with it as easy as he thought, and that will be behind us. 

"I swim like a fish!"

In the beginning of the summer, Chase was a little reluctant to get in the pool.  A few times on the lake and at Maw-maw and Paw-paws changed all that.  He couldn't wait to get to their house to swim on Sundays.  His surgery had to put that on hold for a little bit, but he finally got to go back in.  He even started jumping off the ladder in the pool, and we didn't have to be right by him (I was on the edge of the pool ready to go in if needed).  After being about 4-5 months pregnant, I didn't want to put on another bathing suit!

 
Almost every swimming session ended with popsicle! Now, he pretty much has to have a popsicle every day!  I'll be glad to get him into swimming lessons next year. 

Another finished project....

Well, I finished my next sewing project.  The lines are a little crooked, but I'm not trying to sell it so I guess that's okay.  I hate dealing with pinning fabric.  I probably don't have the patience for sewing.  Found this pattern on someone else's blog and I just think it turned out pretty cute.  Chase just likes to pull out all the crayons and dump them on the floor.

My next project is a baby book for Chase and his new little brother.  I think it will take me a while though; it's been hard to gather different fabrics that coordinate with each other. I like the argyle and polka dot fabrics I used with my previous projects.  There's just not that many for boys.....

Look what I Made!

We've been cleaning up the house to get ready to sell and my husband found my sewing machine.  He said in the 6 years we've been together, he's never seen me use it.  So, I just had to start using it.  My first project included this tie onesie and burp cloth.  I've made two of the onesies, one for my nephew Bryson and one for our Baby B (no name yet).  The second was better than the first, but I think they are cute.

My next project is a travel color caddy for kids.  Now, if I can just find the material I had.  I just saw it recently but now I don't know where it is......

Just a few Pics of the past 11 days post-op

 Chase after his tonsilectomy....poor guy. Just have to get some juice down before we go home.

 Eating popsicles with Daddy

 Loving his Get Well Soon balloons

 Walking a mile in Daddy's shoes

 This is my bed now, right?

 Wouldn't wear much while he was at home....but tried a little potty training

 My boy is getting too, too skinny

Loves Stickers and Band-aids for invisible boo-boos

The Most Exhausting 10 Days of My Life

Well, the last 10 days have been rough. Not only for me and Robert, but especially Chase.  On July 29th, Chase had his tonsils and adnoids removed, along with getting a new set of tubes.  His old tubes just fell out and he had already started getting another ear infection the day before the surgery.  His tonsils were so large, doc said that if he ever got strep throat, it could be pretty serious, leading to blockage of his airway.  He also snored so loud; louder than his daddy at times. 

My mom went with us to the hospital.  She would have been worried sick otherwise.  Chase was first for surgery which was nice since he hadn't had anything to eat or drink since 9pm the night before.  He got a dose of the loopy medicine and went back for a surgery that lasted approximately an hour.  We got to go back to recovery and he was already drinking apple juice and drifting in and out of sleep.  After the sleep wore off a little, he enjoyed watching Little Nemo on the DVD player and drinking and eating two popsicles.  They said he was doing the best out of all the kids, and we finally got to go home around noon.  That day, he slept a lot, but he didn't drink as much as he had in the hospital.

Over the next few days, we worried so much b/c he wouldn't hardly drink anything.  He wouldn't even eat ice cream. What kid doesn't like ice cream?  Apparently, mine.  He just became terrified of taking medicine as well, and he needed Tylenol and Codiene every 4-6 hours.  He fought the medicine so much, screaming as we had to hold him down.  It was hard to know how much he got and if it was hurting him by screaming so much.  He started sleeping in our room that night and would wake up every few hours and then be wide awake at 1 or 2 in the morning, really antsy for a few hours before finally going back to sleep.  Then, it led to me trying to trick him into going to the doctor/hospital at 3am Sunday morning if he wouldn't drink.  I drove around in my pj's and he was just in a pull-up.  We drove for about 30 minutes before he called my bluff and I had to go back home.  Over the next few days, he started to drink a little, but definitely needed his meds.  We even tried to give him Tylenol suppositories, but they didn't work as much as the codeine.  Robert, his Maw-maw, and his Mimi all took turns watching him during the day when I had to go to work.  I know now that if I have to do this again for the next kid, I will be taking 1-2 weeks off work for sure.  During his time home, he has become increasingly dependent on TV, watching Dora or Bubble Guppies.  Sometimes DVR is a bad thing, b/c it has allowed us to watch those shows at any time.  I have now seen more Dora than I ever care to in a lifetime.  On the other had, Bubble Guppies is still tolerable to me b/c I like the songs much better.  They are pretty catchy, especially the recycling song!

The last weekend, he has steadily improved. He has started eating more. Poor guy is getting so skinny.  I even had to buy smaller pull-ups b/c the others were getting too big and leaking too much. Potty training has gone out the window for the time being.  Today, Monday, is his first day without meds, and he did GREAT, especially for his daddy who took care of him all day.  He started getting tired around bedtime, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to try to go back to his crib.  He'll be getting a big boy bed later this week, but I need some sleep in my bed NOW!  He cried a while during rocking/singing time, but settled down.  He then only cried about 3 minutes when I put him in the crib.  Much better than I had anticipated.  Now, if he sleeps through the night, that would be a miracle. 

We continue to thank all those who prayed for Chase during his surgery and recovery.  We'll go back to the doctor Thursday to make sure all is well, then back to day care on Friday.  I'm ready to get back into our routine for a little while, until Chase's little brother shows up in a couple of months. 

Kinkle, Kinkle

Chase's Song:

Kinkle, kinkle li'il stars (stars in a NY accent)
How I wonder ____ _____ RRRRRRR
Up above ba ba da world da HIGH
Like a diamond n da sky.
Kinkle, kinkle li'il stars,
how I wonder __ ___ RRRRRRRR

We sing this about 50 times before he goes to sleep. He still doesn't like the "thought" of going to bed, but after singing Twinkle, twinkle, he's ready.  This is now a song he will let me sing. Every time I would try to sing "Jesus Loves Me", he would yell "Stop, Mommy" but he would let Daddy sing.  Chase already knows I can't carry a tune in a bucket. 

I haven't even written since I found out I was prego. Now, I'm 19 weeks along and know we're having another little boy! It will be so fun to watch him and Chase grow up together and be able to be best buddies.  I've just been so exhausted with work, taking care of Chase, and being prego, I just can't be on the computer long.  I just wanted to document his song in case I forget later.  I forget a lot these days. He's just growing too fast. 

2 Years Old.....and counting

Chase's 2nd Birthday: February 23, 2011

*Loves to "Roar" like Rex and scare you....so fun to hear him giggle so much
*Beginning to come around with the dogs....gives them kisses, reads them books, but as long as they are on the blanket
*Still the cup police....making sure everyone has their "juice" including the dogs
*Bedtime routine improving dramatically, as well as drop off at daycare with no tears at either one. 
*Favorite foods include pizza, lasagna, spaghetti but starting to eat more chicken and other meat.  Maybe he has Italian in his blood.  Eating green beans again, finally. Loves fruit esp mandarin oranges, apples, pears, and bananas. Eats two cereal bars every morning; can't get him to eat anything else that early.
*Gives sweet hugs and kisses
*Favorite movie is still Toy Story.  I had to order another Toy Story one b/c the DVD is worn out.  Buzz is his favorite character. Also likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Dora the Explorer, Diego, Wonderpets.  I sure do get the Wonderpets song in my head a lot!

We had his party on Sunday, February 20th.  Of course, it had a Toy Story theme.  I made the invitations, candy bar wrappers, water bottle wrappers, and stuck to a blue, green, and white color scheme with decor and food.  His cake was three layers (2 chocolate/1 white) and was delicious.  He had lots of friends and family there.  I think there were about 11 kids in my small house! And their were no meltdowns!  I bought him a Buzz four wheeler for his big gift from us.

I had a funny story about that: you could buy it on Amazon for $30 MORE than Wal-mart so I went to check it out and Walmart only had ONE left.  I didn't bring a cart with me, and as I was looking around, two guys came up and I thought they were talking about another little boy that would like the same toy. Chase HAD to have that for HIS birthday!! They left and I thought they may be getting a cart, so I scooped up the HUGE box and rushed to the checkout, praying that they wouldn't see me.   (although a patient at the clinic did, and he had to make fun of me a little later) I got it and a nice family let me use their cart to get out of the store. 

Anyway, back to the party.  Chase was blessed with many good gifts and sat and played all night with his new toys.

His actual birthday is today and I took cupcakes to daycare and he had a little party there as well.  The teacher was kind enough to take pictures and email them to me.

 Happy Birthday, Chase!!!! We love you so much! You are such a joy and blessing each and every day!