He's Here!

Alec was born Wednesday weighing in at 8 lbs even, just 2 ounces shy of his big sister. We came home Saturday while my parents had Kate at the beach, giving us 2 days at home without a toddler running around which helped get used to Alec's sleep and eat 'schedule'.
I am already so in love with him, no baby blues this time.
Here's hoping sleep deprivation and a crazy toddler don't drive me insane :)

Packing For a C-Section

I've tried remembering what I packed for the hospital with Kate and have been searching lists online to get my hospital bag packed. What's different this time around is I'm going in for a scheduled c-section. So I don't feel the rush to get things packed, and I won't need all the extras for the (possible) day of labor confined to a hospital bed.

Currently my bag contains:

• Going home clothes for me and baby. I stayed in the hospital gowns and Kate was in their wrap shirts and blankets the entire stay.
• Toiletries. Just some deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, hairbrush, and travel shampoo. 
• Lansinoh. I didn't need it last time, Kate latched right away with no problem, but you never know- all babies are different.
• Baby blanket. Kate was swaddled with the hospital's receiving blankets, but those rooms can get cold so we also used the knitted blanket Adam's grandmother made. This time we have one made by my mom.
• Boppy. I remember using it to prop Kate in my hospital bed, but will definitely be using it for nursing as well this time around.
• My folder of maternity leave paperwork. A lot has been done already, but there's still a lot to do after baby is born that I can get done while in the hospital.

Things I'll grab the morning of:

• iPad, phone, camera, and chargers. 
• Gift for Kate from Alec. I've heard that having the baby give a present to the older sibling when they come to visit at the hospital helps with some of the jealousy they may feel. Alec got Kate a stuffed Mickey Mouse to go with her Minnie.

So that's what I'm packing for my planned delivery. I hope I didn't forget anything, and baby stays put until the scheduled date!

37 Weeks

It's almost here. In just two weeks we will meet our little nugget.

This is me at 37 weeks.

I kind of regret not taking bump pics like I did with Kate, but honestly there just wasn't the time and I didn't have the energy. 

The c-section has been scheduled. As soon as I put that on my calendar it felt real. We are going to have two kids. A two year old monster and a little new born nugget. How are we going to manage? How is Kate going to react? I guess we'll figure it out in 2 weeks.

Big Sister Practice

While I don't know what is going on in Kate's head, I do know she is becoming more aware of the baby growing in mommy's belly.

She had been taking care of her doll and giving it kisses and blankets and toys. She has also become more interested in other babies. Recently she started giving kisses to my belly.

giving kisses to the baby who is covered by violet and, sleep giraffe, and a blanket

If you ask her what is in my belly she will say 'Alec', or if you ask where Alec is she will point to my belly and say 'right there!'. I don't think she really gets that Alec will one day be out of my belly and will be coming home with us, but I'll keep trying to tell her.

way back at 21 weeks

Here's hoping Kate will be a great big sister!