Family of four

Well, after 38 weeks and 6 days we finally have our newest addition to our family.
Marc David William Baird! He is here and he is beautiful.
My Birth Story,

August 15th at 4:30am, I woke up to some "cramping" I soon realized that it wasn't just cramping after about half an hour of them coming every 10-minutes. They slowly got stronger and somewhat closer together. By 5:15 they'd reached every 5 minutes apart. Since I was going to be laboring in Abbotsford we decided to call the family. Since David (Michael's Dad) was going to watch Arianna, we woke him up bright and early, and since my mom was going to be with us, we too woke her up.
At about 6 am, we started our journey out to Abbotsford. The contractions were not any closer together - still 5 minutes apart but I was definitely starting to remember what this felt like last time.
By the time we arrived at the hospital I was 3 cm dilated - I absolutely DID NOT want to be sent home, and lucky enough for me, I wasn't. I was admitted right away and sent to my own private (HUGE) room. I enjoyed a nice shower, which was helping with the pain - and by 9:00 I was still 3 - 3.5 cms, I was none to impressed about this.So, my wonderful doctor came in and broke my water. HELLO! After another shower I was in full blown labour - nothing was making me happy.
By 10:30 there was no breaks - I couldn't talk (unless the gas made me think I was cher and I busted out a tune) but really was in to much pain to talk. The contractions were SO intense, far worse than I found being in labour for 12 hours with Arianna - and I wasn't even induced this time. They were SO strong, and I felt so much pressure like I constantly needed to push. By 11:30, little Marc's heart rate was decreasing - in which they had to put an internal heart monitor on him to keep an eye on things - the monitor didn't last long - as little rolly polly Marc was not co-operating. Not only was his heart rate decreasing but his body hadn't settled into a "pushing" position and kept moving the whole time all the while being face up.
As he was turning himself around and after 1.5 pushes he was out, and quickly taken from me as his heart rate dropped to approx. 70bpm. I was panic stricken and so freaked out and was constantly asking if he was ok - in which the nurse wouldn't answer me. After about 10 minutes they finally brought my handsome little guy to Michael and myself, and was a happy crying little boy! He was perfect, weighing 7 pounds 7 oz, and 20.5 inches long, with lots of dark hair.

By 6:30 that evening Arianna and Daddy came to visit, and being a little hesitant at first Arianna warmed right up. She didn't even look at my belly thinking he was still in there, he knew where her new baby brother Marc was, and instantly wanted to hold him.
Love at first sight - such a great big sister.

That's it for now, as I should go "pump" to feed my 10 day old little man.

33 Weeks

Officially I have 7 weeks left. Yes I know, and understand that it will be more like 9, but it's easier to say 7 :) Much easier.
I have recently become more agitated, stressed, and uncomfortable. I know this is all apart of being pregnant, but sometimes it's too much stress for a person to handle. I have my days of UPS and DOWNS, somedays I feel like I'm the only mother who has felt this way, who's raised her a voice a little too loud, cried a little too much, and snapped at people for no reason. Please tell me this is not true, this is also you???
I'm growing day by day, and feeling more and more like a big house, but with that I am also feeling the wonderful little kicks/pushes and jabs of our little boy. He's quite the active guy - moving more early in the morning and around 8 at night! His kicks and movement are so much different from what I remember with Arianna. Her's were enjoyable, and fun with little pressure, this little guy loves to make himself known, and in all the wrong places, but either way it's totally fun, except when I'm grocery shopping by myself and let out a OUCH, and people think I'm nuts!
At my pre-natal appointment 4 weeks ago, I was told that I was having a large baby, and to expect him to be around 9-10 pounds, but at my appointment this week, I measured 34 weeks (only a week ahead) and was told he felt completely normal/average - so here's hoping he's not humongous, and this second doc is right!
I've now put on a total of 15 pounds, which feels like a lot for me, and may not be a lot to anyone else, but I still have 7 weeks, and feel as if there is no room for him to grow, in fact I know there is no room, he'd be FAR to uncomfortable!

The below pics are from a Wedding at 31 Weeks - and at home at 32 weeks!







Arianna -
She's doing great! She is truly a joy to have in our lives.
She has become quite the stinker though, and LOVES to push our buttons. She's become less and less involved in sleep. Although she sleeps through the night, getting her to that point is quite the task. We have a routine that we do everynight, which involves dinner, bath, brush teeth, and reading 3 books, then off to her room for bed, or screaming whichever she decides she feels like doing - which is most often screaming.
I'm not too sure why she is doing this, as we both know (including Arianna) how tired she is but she just hates to give in. She'll stand at the door and SCREAM, and SCREAM and SCREAM some more, she will do this for almost 2 hours, non stop - and then will FINALLY fall asleep. ON THE FLOOR! She'll either be at the foot of her bed with her bear as a pillow and housecoat as a blanket, or will be in the middle of the room - same position, in her chair or as recently as yesterday buckled into her wagon completely passed out on bear. Although it's CUTE, it's frustrating at the same time.
I'm thinking of maybe putting her mattress back on the floor - and eliminating the bed for the time being - but that for now is just a thought!
I don't want to sound like I'm complaining - because (well I am) but there is so much more great stuff that she is doing.
She amazes us with her memory! She is "reading" us her book called Alaska 123, and it is amazingly cute! She will sit and draw in her coloring book for 45 minutes at a time, and will "occasionally" and most often remember certain colors, or correspond her colors with different things.
EX, If we ask her what color Elmo is, she will say Elmo Red, or Grover Blue, or Big Bird Yellow, or will point out a color if we ask what it is, this is exciting for us, and makes us so proud. She LOVES her family - and will make it known to everyone.
Although, she's quite hesitant, even around people she sees all the time, and takes time to open up, once out of her cage she's a chatterbox, FULL of personality!

30 Weeks & 26 Months

30 Weeks

Today we finally had Arianna's second year checkup with the doctor, and we've got a thumbs up.
She is 23 3/4 pounds, and 34.5 inches tall. She was VERY cooperative with all the staff today, and didn't even cry for the doctor. We had a pretty big high five when we left the office :)
We're so proud of her, she's doing so well and growing so fast. It seems to be a common thing for most parents to say, but it's oh so true, where does the time go? In 2 more months we'll have another little baby joining this family of three, to make it even more wonderful.
Arianna has a dance recital tonight that we're all very excited about, and am hoping Arianna is JUST as excited.
At our rehearsal on Wednesday, she said she was a little scared, and quite hesitant to leaving the gymnasium on her own or even going all together. Although she's always excited and geared up to go dancing, I think that day (from a lack of sleep) was just a little too overwhelming. We know she'll do great tonight.
Her class is doing a dance "number" to the song Little Bunny Fou-Fou, and it's SO adorable to watch the 6 girls up on the stage.
I'll post a video and pictures later.

Pregnancy:
Things are going, ok.
As of right now, I've put on 12 pounds, and am apparently ALL BABY! (meaning the doc told me, he's BIG)
I'm very uncomfortable - as most 30 week pregnant woman are, and am finding it very difficult to even sit for 10 minutes without being in pain.
And the best part of the whole thing is that you of course - gain the most and get the most uncomfortable in the last 1.5 month, so that's some pretty exciting news :)
But, with all the complaining, I can't wait to meet this new member of our family - although I don't seem at all ready or organized nor is the house EVER clean enough, I'm SO excited for his arrival.
That's news for now!

25 Weeks and Arianna

Our 2 year old, and the 22 Week Preggo

Well,

Arianna had her second birthday, and it went fabulously - for the most part. The day started off with quite the ruckus as I was not fully prepared as I thought I was. The cake wasn't finished, the cupcakes hadn't been started, the balloons yet to be blown and I (to say the very least) was a total wreck.
I warn anyone hosting a birthday party for children and family to be FULLY prepared at least a week in advance.
After running around, Michael and I worked together in the kitchen for about 2 - 1/2 hours making the cupcakes and cake. I pretty much have to give full credit to that wonderful husband of mine, because he pretty much did everything without even batting an eyelash, even when I was (shhhh,bitching) in his ear the whole time. He had made the cake the night before, so it would be ready in the morning to be iced. Well, that night, (as he did was he was supposed to) the cake however did not, it came out in crumbs, he was quite ticked that it was like that, and I however went and had a nice sleep and told him we'd figure it out in the morning.
Morning came, I quickly made the icing (yes I actually made it) and Michael pieced together the cake. It looks a little like a mountain, but once I started the icing it was starting to look a lot more like the ballet slippers they were supposed to be.
While I was doing all the icing, Michael was busy making all the cupcakes - from scratch.
They turned out WONDERFUL, and he even iced them with all the pretty pink icing they could hold.
While this was all dome, I was trying to keep Arianna busy as she wanted our FULL attention this morning, so we "watched" the tv for about 2.4 seconds and I blew up all the balloons.
10 minutes later all the kids started coming - 3 friends in total. They seemed to have fun playing and horsing around. (and even clogging out toilet filled with toilet paper - but that's besides the point) They had fun, Arianna was spoiled by her friends, and all seemed to enjoy the yummy cupcakes. Once, the friends all left to go home. Arianna was put down for a nap until family showed up.
Family started arriving about about 2:45, and it went swimmingly, it was crowded, but FUN. Again, she was spoiled, and even opened a card that had money in it, shouting OHHH MONEY! Might have been her favorite gift. We had hamburgers, and hot dogs for dinner, which Michael Barbiecooked(which Arianna likes to say) and were delicious. The came the "mountainous" cake. It seemed to turn out a lot better than hoped, and tasted WAY better than it looked - (a lot like the Bunny Cake from an old episode of friends)
We had a great day, and I was so very happy to have shared our baby girls Second Birthday with all the people she loves.
All the stress was worth it.

Pregnancy:
Things are going well. I'm not 22 Weeks and 2 days. I had my pre-natal appointment yesterday and things seem to be going as planned. I'm measuring around 20, and I've managed to put on some weight. (9.5 pounds to be exact) yes that may seem like a lot - but as a friend put it last night, it makes up for all the weight I haven't put on in the last 20 weeks, so it was due!
I'm starting to feel baby a lot more now, and even Michael is able to feel him kick a little.
I'm ready for him to join the world now, although I know it is much to soon, so lets just say I'm excited for August.

That's all for now,
I will add all the birthday pics later on, as I need to go get some cleaning done :):):):)