Isaac vs Jed at 5 weeks

Isaac

Jed

Isaac

Jed

Finally, the double stroller...Halloween

Finally, after some convincing telling Dan that I cannot juggle two kids with one stroller...and after visiting several stores and talking to random strangers, we found the double stroller! Its lite and compact! Its the Joovy sit and stand, I saw it on Jackie's blog and tried it out at the store...and we are loving it!

Below are also some pictures of Isaac bonding with his brother. He is getting better in terms of being gentle..every morning, he would run into our room looking thru playpens and blankets for the baby..."where baby go?" he would ask...then, I had to remind him that the baby is sleeping with him in his room now. Its amazing that after a few weeks of sharing a room, Isaac dosen't even wake up to Jed's cries..thank GOd!

Today is Halloween..and Isaac is the fierce tiger..as you can see..he loved this outfit. We already had a dress rehearsal over the weekend..he even said "mommy, color Isaac" so I can paint his face:) He is so sweet! We are thinking of going to our church's Fall Harvest Carnival....more to come..

Jed at 1 month

At one month, Jed is still sleeping about Q3 Hours..what is interesting is that by 7pm he is ready for bed. He would sleep till 9:30pm and go back to bed and basically start his night routine. The interesting part is that every day around 4:30am he is up for his feeding, but would wake up at 5:30am and then finally go back to bed at 6:30am. So, Dan is basically up from 4:30am on...we are wondering since its not until later that we would try to give the baby an earlier bedtime, but that with the earlier bed time Jed set for himself is causing him to wake up earlier. He is not hungrey at 5:30am..just wanted to move..so typically, I would move him to bed with him and he would sleep till about 7:30am...boy, this kid is awake a lot more than I remembered about Isaac. Isaac was always sleeping...

On her way out the door to a dinner party, Jo poses for the camera.




Isaac actually smiled for this year's school pictures.

Jed is 4 weeks old

I am a bit lazy on downloading pictures..so more to come on that...Its been 4 weeks since Jed's born and boy, what a significant different from overwhelming, emotionally rollercoaster to now, enjoying my KIDS. Isaac is doing better in adjusting to his new brother that is not going anywhere anytime soon. He still wakes up periodiaclly, but has been really good for the past few days. He is talking up a storm..yesterday, we asked him what he learned at school, he mumbled something I didn't understand so I kinda brushed it off. I could tell Isaac knew that I had no idea what he was saying so he kept repeating it...finally dan goes, "Astranut!" I was like, no way...well, we looked at his daily progress sheet and yes, they learned about Astronut and Isaac was so excited that we finally understood him!

Jed is sleeping 2.5 to 3 hours...haven't hit that 4 hour stretch like Isaac did, but from pumping breastmilk, he is already chowing down 4 oz at a time...overall, his schedule has been somewhat predictable and boy does he get mad when food is not getting to him fast enough. Last night was a bit rough, I think he's got a cold of some sort--nose was all stuffed up, which was hard for him to breath thru his nose...He is smiling--don't know if its just gas, but I say he is smiling.

As for Dan and I, we found a great college babysitter...first time was over the weekend as a trial...so we can go on regular date night...this is how sad we are, we left the house and didn't even know what to do...we finally decided to go to Borders to sit, read, and chat. we both got a coffee..after about 10 min. Dan was like, are you done with your mocha? I looked down, and I was probably 1/4 left. We laughed and realize that we've been on kids mode, everything was in a hurry...

As for me recovering from my c-section---I am so much better...I started running/ slow jog..at 2 weeks. I know I wasn't suppose to, but the exercise really boost my energy dispite the sleepless nights. I've been taking Jed with my to the Y and have him in the carrier, while I do cardio or wts. I am still craving sweets, mainly chocolate--I thought that part of the pregnancy was over already..oh, well...

Mo visit, Pumpkin Patch, & Sleep Update

Maureen was nice enough to come out on a short notice to help out. In fact, she had the baby with her for three nights doing the feedings and changing diapers so Dan and I can get some uninterrupted sleep! That was a God-send, I didn't realize how much more human I feel to get some sleep! She also helped cleaned our house and organized the the kids clothes and added some new fun shoes for Isaac!

Over the weekend, we went to a Pumpkin patch just outside of Tacoma. Isaac really enjoyed the hayride and looking at the chicken. The Pumpkins were a bit big and dirty, which he refused to touch, but did manage to find a school bus in the patch.

Sleep update....When Jed was with Mo, he was doing really well, fairly spaced out. Last night we had him, we put him down at 7pm sound asleep, woke up at 10 for feeding and slept till 1am...from 1 to 2:30am, he was sleeping, but grunts all night. Dan and I were going crazy! By 4am he was up for another feeding, the grunting stopped when we put him in our bed, wondering if anyone elses baby is like that? Last night was Isaac's first night sleeping thru the night in two weeks. I hope its a sign that he is adjusting. It has been hard going between one baby to another...

Baby Jed Video

Isaac video

So Isaac's newest words are "breast pump" and "nipple." He's been marching around the house with the nozzle of the pump attached to his stomach.

Sleep PLEASE!!!

I don't know if I should pray for sleep for Isaac or Jed? I've started bottle feeding breastmilk on Jed during the day because I've notices that he tend to nibble less, which I am going to try for night time. He will almost always sleep 3-4 hours on the first nightly feeding waking up around 1am, but after that, its nursing for 40 min and then up again in an other hour an a half. He maybe going through a growth spurt..in two weeks he went from 8 lbs 40zs to 9 lbs 6 ozs., but I am finding that it's easier for him to eat from a bottle than nursing...so we'll see...as for the other sleeping situation...Isaac has been up every night since Jed got home, which has been hard for us. Last night, he was up at 1 am and I walked him back to his room at least 10 times before Dan went in to lay down with him. Needless to say, none of us got any sleep...where is the light at the end of the tunnel? I am tired!

2 weeks after birth....

Well, to say having two kids is easy is an UNDERSTATEMENT! Today marks two weeks since we had Jed....overall, I feel great physically surprisingly not horribly sleep deprived. The hardest part would have to be the emotional aspect of having two kids. I am incrediably overwhelmed with emotions when is comes to two kids. I've been struggling to feel adquate as mother. I know I will never be perfect, but by God's grace I am here for my kids. I've been struggling with feeling guilty not being able to spend as much time as I would like with Isaac. Its hard for me to see him struggle to adjust as well. He has been very nice to his brother, but has his moments of tantrums where you don't know where it comes from. He has not been sleeping the past week, waking up twice a night and basically wide awake at 4:30am. Last week, I basically cried every day just feeling sad that 1.) I can't pick Isaac up because of my c-section (no lifting for 6 weeks) when he askes me to "hold you." 2.) wondering how am I going to juggle two kids and be equal in love and attention 3.) amongst all these is adjusting to the new baby schedule. I think Dan and I forget what it was like to have a baby. We figured since we got Isaac all figured out this one should be easy.

All in all, God is faithful and He will not give us anything we can't handle. We've had so many friends and family coming in to help out as well as dinners made for us. We are just blessed in friendship, its amazing. Dan and I have learned greatly through the birth of our second child that there is enough love to go around, by human standard there are limitations, but by God's is never ending and unconditional. I have to give props to Dan for being a great husband and father. I've never known anyone so willing to jumping and help meanwhile, making sure I'm doing okay. Whats interesting is that our church focus this month in on family. Pastor had spoken about how as parents we forget that our first commitment other than God is our spouse and then our kids. This was also a good reminder for Dan and I to get back in the Lord together.

I will conclude with this....you will never be ready enough for kids, but God is here so that there are enough love, patience, kindness, and grace to go around....praise Him for that!
Jed has been sleeping 3-4 hours nightly. There are even times where I would only get up twice a night, so that has been nice...It's been two weeks and he is already getting bigger. At one week, he went from 8lbs 4 ozs to 8lbs 11 ozs. We'll see how he is doing at 2 weeks coming up Wed. Maureen is also coming out Wed. to help out, which will be nice. Thanks Mo!

Grandma and Grandpa Yang plus May

My parents came on my due date for a week. Thank God that they were here to take care of Isaac while we were in labor and cooking up a storm for us. I swear they brought the entire stock of groceries in their suitecases. My dad was also able to celebrate his birthday with us.

My sister, May came for a short visit. Isaac was on cloud nine with someone just hanging out with him. It was nice to have her lifting the kids around and being my shopping slave as we hit the mall:)

Jumping and counting video

Baby Jed Video

The Labor Story

SO, here I am three days later...recounting my second labor experience for those who are interested....

Sunday afternoon on my due date, I was desperate to deliver this baby. I went out and got some castor oil. The cocktail of orange juice and castor oil wasn't as bad as what others have told me. I went ahead and called Estall wondering if I had done something wrong. She then told me I needed to drink a little more for the full effect. So, here I am chugging it down in like two shots. Within two hours, I was cramping and having liquid diarrhea. That subsided around 9:30pm with no regular contractions. At 12:10am, I woke up with really bad cramping, ran to the bathroom, no much going on there. So I thought I could just try to let it go and go back to bed. After about twenty minutes, I woke Dan up and told him, I really don't feel good. Dan said "no, you are not going to labor." So I laid back down and waited. No change, the contractions are getting worse and going to my back. Finally, we woke everybody up and left for Madigan.

When we got to L & D, I was only still 2 cm dilated with hard contractions the doctors were even considering letting me go home and walk and then come back, at least that was their plan until the baby's heart rate went down. Once that happened, I became a full admit. For the next 12 hours, Dan and I slept and waited for more dilation until about 11 AM we decided our best bet to augment the labor, which wasn't progressing was with Pitocin. I was a bit reluctant about starting because of what happened with Isaac last time and ending up with a c-section. But thank God, everything worked out okay. It helped dilate me up to 6 cm, but the baby was still at -3 station, which is way high up in my pelvis. In a last ditch effort, my doctor thought maybe we should try and rupture the membranes...well, within minutes of my water breaking, the heart rate when down for a third time. I had people coming in left and right and the doctor literally stuck his hand up my cervix to hold the baby up so that baby's head would be off the cord. It was at that time, I gave up on a VBAC and decided to go ahead with the c-section. As much as I wanted to be natural, I felt that my baby would be in more danger the longer I wait. So we went ahead and started on the c-section.

By the time we got to the OR, I already have had the epidural on board for over 10 hours and it had started to wear off. Everything was going great until they started sewing me up. For some reason, I felt more pain than anything. Not wanting more pain meds, I kept refusing. I was in so much pain, I even asked Dan to not talk me (sorry, honey). I was feeling every pull and stitch. I was screaming and swearing...at one point, I was holding on to the surgeons legs so tight, one doctor was like "Ms. Solverson can you put your arm back on the board." Finally, the surgery ended. Jed was healthy and I was put out for the final stitches. Thank God everything worked out. I was a bit bummed about not being able to do a VBAC, but I was reassured to know that the surgeons evaluated my pelvis during the operation and concluded that there was no way I was going to fit an 8-lb baby out of my pelvis. I'm just thankful I have a great doctor that listened and really cared about what was going on the whole way through.

Now, life with two kids..we'll see.....more to come...

Please help us welcome Jed

Jedidiah Daniel Yang Solverson
8 lbs 4 oz, 19 3/4 inches
24 Sept 2007, 1753

On top of Cadillac mountain

Almost 40 weeks and still pregnant

The anticipation of this baby is making me very impatient. I just had my 39th week appointment and once again not much change. The good thing is that the baby and I are healthy. But, I find myself wonder or even wake up in the middle of the night, wondering if I will ever deliver...???

Anyways..onward, Isaac has been what seems to be nightmares. Last night, he start crying really hard for no reason. I ran into his room and he was totally asleep, but still crying. Once, I put my hands on him, he woke up and stopped crying. I've heard that kids around the age of two starts to get nightmares. I am praying that God will keep him safe and clear his mind as he sleeps. Below are some pictures of Isaac "the reader". We got a lot of cool books from my shower at work and Isaac is enjoying every one of those books...

More updates of baby when he decides to come....

Passing 38 weeks

My 38 week appointment was uneventful other than my son begging to lay down on the exam table and riped half of my paper gown they gave me during the exam and this is while Dan is around to "help out." The doctor said i'm still about 1-2 cm dilated and somewhat effaced. I was so anxious about delivering, I haven't been able to sleep, which after seeing the doctor I gave up hope for an early arrival of the baby--thus slept like a baby last night!

My work gave me a baby shower after work on Wed. It was quite fun to watch my boss, one of the guys other than Dan, playing baby shower games. We had fresh home made veggie salsa, pasta salad, fresh pickled cucumbers and of course CAKE!

Well, until next time..i'll keep posting!

Playdate

Isaac's playdate with Hana and Camden. They were watching animated firecrackers go off on the laptop. Watch how Isaac cracks up.