The Brothers

My boys frequently refer to themselves as "the brothers" and Hudson almost exclusively calls Chase "bro-ver" instead of his given name. I love that they are such cute brothers, and I'm sure they'll be the best big brothers to this new little guy!

I wanted to record several of the cute and fun things that have happened over the last several months that have warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face.

The night we told the boys- and everyone else- about the baby I went to bed feeling happy, thankful and excited about having another little boy. And then panic set it. I don't really know why, but the thought of three little boys seemed entirely overwhelming, and I was completely doubting myself and if I even really wanted to do this (pregnancy is not always rational). I hardly slept all night and just generally felt terrible. I got up early to go the gym, but after working out for about 15 minutes I gave up and left. By the time I got home I was in tears. (Talk about an emotional roller-coaster!) I crawled back in bed by Ben, woke him up, and he tried to console me and reassure me that we would love this baby and everything would be great. Shortly afterwards the boys came into our room and Ben said, "Guys, mommy is having a rough morning, can you give her and the baby some hugs?" Immediately both boys were all over me, hugging and kissing my belly (that wasn't showing at all yet), and talking in baby voices to their baby brother, who they had only known about for less than a day. I immediately felt so much better, knowing how loved and wanted this little boy is in our family. Their excitement about the baby hasn't diminished in the slightest since then.

(picture taken at 35.5 weeks)

At about 30 weeks, the boys were finally able to feel him kick! They were both so excited and it made me so happy to see! When I was pregnant with Chase, my mom gave me a book called "Baby Oh Baby, the places you'll go" which was a Dr. Suess book meant to be read to babies in utero. We found it and Chase reads it to his baby brother now! It's the sweetest thing.

The boys loved helping me get all his little clothes washed and put away. They pulled out every single outfit and wanted to know where we got it from, whose it was first, and then claimed it was their "favorite" when they were a baby. I have to say, getting to use all those tiny clothes again is pretty exciting and nostalgic for me too.

Hudson drew this picture the other day- it's baby brother! I think it's so adorable, and it's the first time I've ever seen him draw something that actually looked like something! Chase said it looks like a walking egg.

Hudson has attended several of my doctors appointments with me, and now frequently wants to play doctor and check on the baby. He has me lay down, measures my belly and "finds the heartbeat". It's pretty cute! He also likes to boss around the doctor at each appointment, frequently asking, "What took you so long!" (when we've been waiting all of three minutes in the office).

Hudson likes to sit on top of the baby and then laugh about how he's "baby-sitting". (picture taken at 32 weeks)

And a little update on the pregnancy:

This pregnancy has been a little rough, just like my others,  but we are both healthy so I can't complain too much. I finally weaned off the Diclegis around 30 weeks and have done okay without it since. I feel much more achy and tired this time around, or maybe I just don't remember being this tired and achy. Sleeping at night was getting to be a big struggle- so I finally went out and got some unisom (one of the two ingredients in Diclegis) and it helps me sleep much better at night. The little guy is extremely active (which reminds me of Chase's pregnancy) and I feel like he moves all day and all night long.

Emotionally, I am super ready to have this little guy. I can't wait to hold him in my arms and get to know him and the amazing little guy he will turn into. I am so excited to see my boys with their new, much anticipated little brother. And of course, I'm a little nervous because I still remember all too well how hard a newborn/recovering from delivery/sleep deprivation/helping older siblings adjust is. I am trying to remember that even though that first month with a new baby is hard, it's also one of the most wonderful parts of life.

We are ready to meet you little one! Feel free to come any time now!

February Stuff

February started a month of a lot of travel for Ben. During the month he visited Toronto, Boston, Austina and San Jose. Mostly, things went pretty smoothly at home. One night over FaceTime Ben asked Hudson if he'd been good that day, to which Hudson responded, "Well, today I was a little bad." So at least this cutie is self-aware and honest.

One day we made Valentines. Chase was thrilled that I let them use glitter. It's nice every now and then to say "yes" to messy projects and see how happy it makes my boys!

Last summer Hudson started telling us stories about "a snake named grapes" and then this past month he made a snake at preschool and immediately told us it was Grapes! Here he is telling us another "tall tale" about "a snake named Grapes."

For Valentine's Day we decided to do a celebration at home with the boys. At breakfast we did pink waffles and had little gifts for the boys. Then they got to open their valentines from their aunt Heidi (once their jobs were done- they've never finished them so quickly before!). After dinner we planned to do our chocolate fountain again. Ben sent me out for a pedicure (which was heavenly) and he got the chocolate fountain all set up, we had fruit (my favorite), pretzels, crackers and marshmallows (the boys favorite). My parents came to join us, bringing along Valentines for us and we were all spoiled. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday!

 My mom gave the boys new playdoh sets and then we spent a LOT of time the rest of the month playing with playdoh- which is perfect when it's cold outside! Hudson's new set was a breakfast making kit and he's made me many delicious breakfast dishes since. The boys will sit and play with these for hours!

 Luckily for us, the weather during February was mostly fairly warm and pleasant (for February). That meant an almost daily bike ride! The boys were thrilled to be outside getting some fresh air- and so was their mom. My super pregnant state, and Hudson's improved balance bike skills, meant that I was frequently waddling as fast as I could trying to keep up! Also- Hudson frequently pulls out the "chick socks" to wear, and frequently puts them on over his pants (he thinks they are like soccer socks) and we think it's hilarious.

Ben turned 32! And we didn't take a single picture to document the occasion. Ben was given an awesome birthday gift of waking up with strep throat on his birthday! This was the only full week that Ben was home all month, and that dang illness kind of threw a kink in the plan! Luckily, when he's working from home it isn't too bad for him to keep up on emails and stuff from his bed and not have to take a day off work. Ben and I did go out the next night to one of our favorite restaurants, Mazza and had an amazingly delicious dinner, and then did a little shopping for the birthday boy. The boys spent the night with Papa and protested when we showed up three hours later to pick them back up. 

Ben left town again, for the final time until the baby comes. During that week it was the last free day at the zoo of the winter. I have been meaning to take the boys to all of them, but it was way to cold and snowy and I chickened out. I was determined to go to this one! Even though it was a cold day, with a forecast for a storm, Hudson and I dropped Chase off at school and headed straight to the zoo. It did not disappoint! I loved being there with just my Hudson. He is the best kid to take to the zoo- he's so excited about every animal, he names them all (mostly names like Liony, Elephanty and Trunky, Mr. Rhino and Rhino-ey, Polar Beary) and talks about the animals as if they are his friends. I love holding hands with my little guy, listening to him talk non-stop and just soaking up his sweetness and cute personality. I was glad that I got to do a fun date with him before he's not my baby anymore and my time because much more limited and divided. 

I feel like I've got to document some of the bad, along with the good. When I look back on this record someday I don't want to think life was all parties and fun outings- there is plenty of real life going on here. After our fun day at the zoo, and dinner at my parents house that night, Hudson seemed fine through it all. Then around midnight I heard the worst sound- him screaming frantically. Whenever that happens I always hope it's a nightmare and not sickness, but no luck! Puke was everywhere! His sheets, the carpet, a library book, the bathroom towels, rug and floor and walls. It was so messy and I was so tired and Hudson was so upset! Usually Ben and I divide and conquer in these situations with clean-up and child-consoling. It took awhile, but I got everything cleaned up and finally got Hudson back to sleep(ish). It was a long night! The single parenting thing has been mostly manageable, but has definitely had it's hard moments, which makes me appreciate having a partner in this parenting job even more! Luckily, the bug seemed mostly self-contained and after a down day at home, Hudson was back to his happy self.  Then the next morning I woke up with strep throat! We have had plenty of sickness around here this month (Chase has avoided all of it, which doesn't really surprise anyone, he has the best immune system).

This winter hasn't been terrible, but I'm definitely happy to see Spring come. Having a baby due at the beginning of Spring might have something to do with that...