Our Life

Well it's been just over 4 months with our little guy, and boy has it gone fast, It's true; when you have children time sure does fly. I often catch myself saying things like, oh when he's this age, or when she's in school, I realize STOP IT, it goes by fast enough and since this is our last child I need to cherish this stage with both my babes!
Things are going great, and I couldn't be a happier, prouder Mama. Those two light up my life, they are truly the most believable blessings! At 2 weeks old Marc developed Thrush, therefore completely stopped breast feeding, and would not nurse. This frustrated me and I tried my best to continue, but along with the first few weeks of it being hard, I also had to deal with the Thrush, which was just to hard for me, so we switched him to formula :(. By 3 weeks he became Colic, and was quite the handful. He was very very cranky and hard to console. We tried everything, Gripe Water, Oval, Bouncing around, singing, shhhing, and rocking, but he just needed to cry it out.
At 17 almost 18 weeks old, he's still a pretty fussy guy, but has changed IMMENSELY, and gives big smiles which just light up the room. I feel like he is now a pretty happy baby (AT HOME) he does not like his car seat/car; therefore we are home a lot more often than I was at home - which is ok with me, because Arianna and I get lots of crafts done, and Marc is much happier.
He is growing like a chubby little weed, weighing in at 13.5 pounds and around 23.5 inches long! He's such a joy!
Arianna is doing great. She truly is my little beauty. She is coming out of her shell (slowly but surely) and starting to play with her friends, and not being attached at Mommy's hip. Although she usually has to come out and make sure I'm still there, she'll head back to what she was doing. Her words are getting MUCH clearer, and other people are now able to understand what she is saying - and not just Mommy and Daddy.
She says some pretty funny things, and has quite the attitude. If she wants something and doesn't get it, she will have a (Toddler Sara) sized tantrum. She will run in her room, throw herself on the floor and roll around (while stopping, looking up to see if I'm still there - all while not crying) and then in that split second while she see's I'm still there, goes right back into that tantrum. This can happen for 10-15 minutes until she calms herself down. I've come to the point that when she's that worked up, it's too hard to try to work things out. I wait until she is done, and sit down with her, and explain why she couldn't have what she wanted, and ask for an apology and big hugs and kisses. Then my little raccoon eyed sweetheart will come out, and usually be in a better mood.
For instance, the other night we had Shepherds Pie for dinner, and she was doing great, and eating everything, until I MIXED HER KETCHUP IN WITH THE PIE! Well, you don't do that, she then proceeded to throw the whole plate on the ground and throw a huge fit. Really, all because I mixed the ketchup :)
AND, its the hardest thing to be mad/serious because Michael and I are usually trying to contain our laughter or stomachs from exploding because it's just so funny - which sounds so mean, but if you have a toddler this must be something that happens with you as well. (They do too many funny things, and when there so mad, and so cute at the same time, it's just too funny) BUT, don't let them see you laugh cause then, OH BOY it's over!

Michael and I are both adapting pretty well now, and seem to be finding the right ways to understand what Marc wants, and I'm feeling much more confident during the day and getting things done with both kiddies!
That's all for now!

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