10 days in

Max is 10 days old already! Liam is still a little over-emotional and needy...but he's getting better. He is very helpful and seems to really like his little brother. He did need some cuddle time with Mom last night though, so thankfully Daddy was there to hold Max while we cuddled before bed. Liam seems so grown up now. I'm sure it's because Max is so small that he makes Liam seem bigger, but he really is starting to look like a little boy. A BIG little boy! He is all arms and legs and has such a grown up looking face now.

Max is sleeping for two hour stretches at night, which isn't bad, but hasn't quite gotten the hang of eating and then returning to sleep in a timely manner. He is very alert during the day now, though, so hopefully he has the idea that night is for sleeping. He loves to lie on our bed and look at all the black and white pictures on the walls. Liam loved to look at our wedding picture when he was a baby, so it's neat to see Max do the same thing.

I know you've been waiting for them, so here are some new pictures!

Liam's breastpump

That's right. Liam has his "own" breastpump. What? You didn't know they made children's breast pumps? Specifically for toddler boys? Neither did I.

Liam is very interested in my breastpump and likes to keep me company while I'm busy pumping. He doesn't quite gather that only mommy's can pump milk for babies, and HAVE babies for that matter. I'm pretty sure that baby girl he had in his belly is still there. I got a manual pump along with my electric one, but I never really use the manual one. It is just sitting in my room right now. Liam found it and decided that he could use that for his pumping needs. He sits by me on the bed, lifts his shirt up, and "pumps" his belly in and out very dramatically. It is HILARIOUS.

I was cleaning up some books in Liam's room today, and saw the pump on the floor. I asked Aaron if he could "please take Liam's breastpump back into our room." We both laughed hysterically after that...and made a mental note to blog about that ASAP.

New belly button!

Max's umbilical cord fell off this morning! I was changing him and noticed it hanging by just a little string. He now has a cute little belly button! Liam was very curious about the cord, and was waiting for Max to "grow a belly button!" He was excited to see the brand new button this morning! Max turned one week old yesterday, and the cord usually falls off between 2 and 3 weeks old. I'd be concerned, but Liam's cord fell off pretty early, too.

Yesterday was my official due date! I really can't imagine being pregnant for an extra week now that Max is here. It's nice to already be home and in somewhat of a routine instead of just getting to the hospital!

Max is sleeping for about 2 hours from 10-midnight, and sometimes 2 hour blocks after that. Last night we were up every hour after midnight, though. I put him back in his bed after every feeding until 4:30 when I just gave in and slept with him in the rocker. I can tell that he's going to be in a good nighttime routine soon...I just hope it happens soon!

Grandma and Grandpa are coming over tonight to hang out with the boys while Aaron and I go to dinner! I'm excited to get out of the house. It should be a fun night!

Maybe it was me!

Liam and I were singing "Jesus Loves Me" before bed tonight. The last verse goes:

Jesus loves me he will stay
Close beside me all the way.
He will wash away my sin
Let his little child come in.

We sang the last line and Liam said, "Maybe it was me!"

Back in the swing of things

Max had his first doctor's appointment today, and behaved very well! He is really easy going so far, and was awake and alert for his exam. He's back up to 9 lbs. 5 oz. already! He was 8 lbs. 15 oz. when we left the hospital. He's a hungry kid!

Liam went back to daycare today, and was super excited to see his friends. He told Miss Jodee and his friend Lily all about how his baby "was squeaking!" He was excited to tell his teacher all about the baby as well. We don't have any pictures printed up yet, but I want to try and get one for him to take in with him tomorrow. I was anticipating that he might have a hard time when I had to leave today, but he was fine and waved bye to me! Aaron picked him up this afternoon and is taking him to the library and sanctuary. I'm sure he'll have a great time.

It's been so great having Aaron home with me. I had a really hard time after Liam was born, but it makes a huge difference knowing that he's going to be here for these first few weeks. I've been able to nap if I need to, and having an extra set of hands is really reassuring for me. Max is sleeping pretty well for only being 6 days old, though. He slept from midnight until around 4am and then again from about 5am-7am. I felt great this morning, but took a nap this afternoon just because I could!

5 days old!

Our first few days at home with Max have gone pretty well! I feel much less anxious this time around, and it has made things that much easier I think. Liam is doing really well, and we're just settling in and getting used to things.

We had lots of visitors on Saturday when we got home from the hospital. My parents, my sister and Dane, my grandparents, my Aunt Brenda, Aaron's brother Justin, and Aaron's friend Greg all spent the afternoon with us! Max slept for a LONG time that day...probably too long. We're waking him up every few hours during the day now. He definitely has his days and nights mixed up, so hopefully that gets figured out soon! He is so content during the day, but around 10pm he is just wide awake, sometimes content and sometimes fussy, eating ravenously and NOT SLEEPING. Oh, well. He's only 5 days old right now...I'll give him a break.

Liam loves his little brother. Every morning he comes out of his room and asks about Baby Max. This morning he wanted to give the sleeping baby kisses first thing. Of course we let him. Then he said, "I want to hold my baby now." How adorable. He really seems to love him. It's so fun to watch the two of them together.

I'm feeling great. I'll have to post a more detailed post of the labor and delivery soon. It went so well. I know not everyone has a very positive birth experience, so for me to have two very positive experiences makes me feel pretty fortunate!

Off to check on the kids. Have a great Memorial Day!

Full House!

Maxwell Everett Renquin

9 lbs. 6 oz.

21 inches long

May 21, 2009

4:54pm

Same blog, new author . . . .

Aaron here! Jen has been writing this blog for the last two and a half years, and she does a far better job than I ever could. However, she has asked me to take over blogging duties for her while she is in her bed here at Bellin Hospital. Jen is preparing to deliver the new addition to our family, and I will be sitting dutifully by her side. I will likely be in the way more than anything else, but there is no other place that I would rather be. The next post will (hopefully) come later this afternoon after Max arrives!

Thundercats are GO!

We're expected at the hospital bright and early tomorrow morning! I will be induced at 7am! Wish us luck!

Hmmm...

Is it weird that I don't even feel pregnant when I'm just sitting here and Max isn't moving?

Is it weird that I don't even feel pregnant when I'm just sitting here and Max IS moving?

Because I kind of don't! If I stand up, I can definitely feel how much baby I'm carrying around...but I think I've gotten so used to things that it's going to be really weird when I am actually NOT pregnant!

Last Day!

I'm excited for my appointment today, but a little sad that Aaron won't be able to come. I'm hoping that it will be quick and that I'll be in good shape for an induction tomorrow. Then we can just work all the details of that out and I can let everyone know the plan! My appointment is at 2:15 and then we'll be heading over to Ron and Meg's for a cookout. It should be a nice relaxing night...our last for awhile!

Liam is having a hard time talking about Baby Max. I think he understands that we really are going to have a baby, and he isn't sure how he feels about it. He is very excited, but you can tell he is also a little sad and doesn't know quite how this is going to work! He told Aaron that he didn't want Daddy to sing the same bedtime songs to Max when he is born, and then snuggled up to him with a really sad face. Poor kid. I know he'll be ok...but it's still hard to know he's so sad!

We're heading to the store tonight to get a present for Liam from Max. I'm thinking Legos. Sounds like a good big brother gift.

We have been getting some awesome gifts from very generous people! It's so nice to have so many people excited for us and wishing us well!

The place the truck crashed

Liam is fixated on a certain embankment we pass on our drive to work. One day about two months ago we got caught in a traffic jam because of an accident. A semi had run up the embankment and flipped over. We finally got to the scene of the crash, after inching along behind cars for 15 minutes, and Liam couldn't stop asking questions.

"Why did the truck crash?"

"Did the man get owies?"

"Is it yucky?"

I explained that sometimes cars can crash if we aren't careful or if it is icy. I also explained that we wear our seatbelts to keep us safe just in case our car crashes. It was a good learning opportunity, and I figured that was about all we'd say about it.

Nope. It's two months later and every day we drive to AND from work we have to look for "the place the truck crashed." I happen to know that the driver of that truck died soon after the crash, and there are crosses and flowers out on the spot now. We drive by and Liam says "Ewwwww...!" I have no idea why. There are just skid marks in the grass mostly. He's started noticing the crosses now, and told me yesterday that the truck crashed "by that church." He knows that crosses are at churches, so I guess he put two and two together! I told him that those were called crosses, and that Jesus helped the man who got owies.

"Yeah!" he said, "And Jesus drove the truck to the truck store to get it fixed!"

Interesting take on divine intervention there...

;)

T minus 4 days!

We had a great weekend just getting things crossed off our to-do list before Max gets here. Daddy and Liam spent the day together on Saturday while I cleaned the house. We went out to dinner, just the three of us, later that night. We went to church on Sunday, stayed for a picnic, and then mulched our flowerbeds for the afternoon. Well, Aaron mulched. I supervised and Liam dug holes.

I had the best night of sleep in a long time last night...even though I woke up once with Aaron's palm on my forehead. He says he was "just checking my temperature"...sure, while snoring. :)

Liam has a few adventures planned with Grandma Meg and Grandpa Ron while I'm in the hospital! He's sleeping over for TWO NIGHTS (his new favorite thing) and even gets to go to the zoo on Friday! I can't wait for him to come to the hospital to visit! It's going to be so adorable.

Liam felt Max hiccup last night! He wouldn't hold his hand still on my belly for long, but he kept putting it back on to feel the little jumps. I think I saw something click in his head that a baby really IS in there...!

T Minus 8 days...

And we have progress!

My appointment went very well today! I'm 1 cm dilated and everything is looking good! I'm not measuring big at all, but I didn't with Liam either, so my doctor is watching me closely! I have another appointment next Wednesday for one final check, and then the plan is to induce me on Thursday!

So, Max's birthday will be May 21st! (unless he decides he wants to come earlier!) We're very excited and can't wait for you all to meet our new little guy!

38 weeks...

I have my 38 week doctor's appointment this afternoon. Dr. Chun will check me for dilation and/or effacement...and there'd better be something to report! I know my due date isn't for two weeks yet...but this kid could easily be like 10 lbs. already...if he seems ready, he's coming out! My vote is for next Friday, May 22nd. We'll see.

I'll keep you posted.

Mountains

Liam has been keeping me updated on the baby girl in his belly. Yesterday he informed me that both he and I have "mountains" in our bellies! I had to take a minute and visualize what it must be like for a little kid to watch a belly get bigger as the baby grows! It probably DOES look like a mountain to him!

Vocab with Liam

Liam has an Elmo's "Great Outdoors" DVD that teaches kids where animals live, in between singing songs with redundant lyrics to the tune of "Jingle Bells." Elmo asks the kids where elephants live and then gives three options to choose from. The correct answer is "grassland" of course, and Liam has really latched on to that. He refers to our yard as the "grassland" and asks "is this the grassland, Mom?" Sure it's the grassland, Buddy! That is too cute!

Liam is also interested in what the wind does, and how it can blow things around. He gets very upset if the wind moves something that he is playing with. He was telling me the other day that he was going to play with his ball, but he will hold on tight so it "doesn't wind away." Ahahaha. "Wind away." There is also an action verb that can be used - "winded," as in "Mama! My ball just winded away!"

Liam's class is learning about how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly (or "a BEAUTIFUL butterfly" according to Liam). He was trying to tell me about caterpillars in the car this morning, but couldn't quite get the word out.

"Ha-kip-ter...Kap-a-tiller...Ha-kip-ter...Mama, do it for me!"

I said "Cat-er-pillar?" and he was finally able to do it. Once. Before reverting back to "Ha-kip-ter." So cute.

Baby Buddies

My friend Kelsey and I are about 4 weeks apart in our pregnancies. It's been fun to be pregnant together, and we're excited to have our kids so close in age! Here we are with our bellies at her baby shower this past weekend!

She is beautiful

Liam says things are "beautiful" quite often, and it's so adorable when he does. Yesterday we played outside after we got home and he drove his truck around the yard. He headed across the yard and around our garden shed where I heard him talking with the little girl next door over the fence. She was dressed up in a blue satin gown and tiara. He'd yell "Hi!" and she'd yell "Bye!" and then they'd switch. Not very stimulating conversation, but I guess it worked for them! I finally told him to come back where I could see him, which he did, reluctantly. He kept asking to go back over there, but I told him he had to stay by me so I could see him. He said,

"But I want to go and see that girl with the blue shirt! She is beautiful!"

Such a charmer.

Spicy Chicken

Liam was chatting with me in the car on the way to daycare this morning. He started talking about spicy chicken and how he doesn't like it. He ate a piece with a little too much spice about a month and a half ago. He hasn't mentioned it until this morning!

He said "And then Auntie Kimmy gave me some of her chicken! And it was NOT spicy!"

He also told me that "when Baby Max comes out, I will TOUCH HIM!"

I told him that he could even hold Baby Max, and he thought about that for a little while.

"I will play on the swings with him and then we will hide!"

I think I'll have to keep a close eye on those two!

He's a REAL BOY!

Liam just recently watched Pinocchio for the first time. His taste in films has always been a little advanced for his age, so I thought we'd see what he thought of this one. Even though all the lying and crazy lesson-learning is a little over his head. He LOVES it.

He loves Jiminy Cricket and the scene with all the cuckoo clocks. He gets so excited waiting for the Blue Fairy to come, and yells "He's a REAL BOY!" after she makes Pinocchio come to life! It's so cute. I could do without the kids smoking cigars and drinking foaming glasses of beer on "Pleasure Island", but it's an old movie and we've just used it as an opportunity to start explaining how smoking is bad. Good segue I guess!

Liam always picks up on the emotions in the film, and he feels such genuine concern for Pinnochio as his dad is looking for him. He is such a sweet kid. Always so happy when the child finally finds his mom and dad again. By the way, Geppetto is Pinocchio's dad and the Blue Fairy is his mom. Who knew?!