Letter to Baby

Dear Baby Owen,

You are two months old now and I can't believe how fast time is going.  You're too little to be two months old!  I need time to slow down, but I think instead it passes faster with each day.  That's why I write these letters, to preserve these moments, to pause time.

You and I have started back to work (yes, at two months old you 'work').  Actually, you get to join me at the office and have all the people who come in and out of our door fuss all over you, touch your sweet feet, admire your long toes and if they're lucky, hold you for a bit.  You sure do know how to let them know to give you back - you can go from 0 to 60 in a blink of an eye.  And you snort when you're mad, too.  It's one of the things I love most about you. 

We've been staying at M and Pa's house a couple nights a week so we don't have to be in the car all.the.time and you seem to do just fine.  Luke absolutely loves all the attention M and Pa gives him, so you and I have some quiet time to bond.  When we got home last week, daddy was trying to get you to calm down and you were just screaming and snorting like a mad little man.  Finally daddy couldn't take it anymore and handed you to me, and you promptly took a deep breath and calmed down.

We have finally settled into a good routine and for the most part you stick to it, especially at night.  During the day you're a little bit more of a 'feed on demand' kid.  You demand it, I feed you.  It doesn't matter if you were just fed an hour before...if you feel you need a little bit more, you'll let it be known.  And it doesn't matter what time I try to eat my lunch because the minute you smell food, you're ready to eat.

You rolled over for the very first time!  I was taking a picture of your cute little onesie you had on at the office, rolled you over to your tummy to take one of the backside, and you rolled over!  And I didn't help, you actually rolled over...just ask Cheryl, she witnessed it!  And I know it wasn't a fluke because when we got home you did it again!!  You're going to be into Luke's toys and pulling Baxter's hair before I know it :)

You are cooing and smiling like a champ.  I love that big gummy smile of yours.  It's perfect and your eyes light up.  You're just a happy little guy!  You love when anyone talks to you, you smile and coo and grin and eat it up.

We love you to the moon and back,
Mom and Dad

Being a Toddler

Oh goodness, I think Luke has officially realized that he's two and therefore the terrible two's are among us.  Here are a few examples:

Example 1:
Me: Luke, it's time for lunch, why don't you come sit down in your big boy chair and eat.

Luke:  throws his hands to his side, rolls his eyes and yells 'no!' in the most defiant two year old voice ever.

Me:  Fine, you'll eat when you're hungry - it's not worth the fight.

Example 2:
Me:  Luke, Owen is sleeping, we need to try to be quiet and let him rest.

Luke:  throws his hands to his side, rolls his eyes and yells 'no!' in the most defiant two year old voice ever.

Me:  That's fine, I'll put the iPad in time out.  (he responds to the iPad being in time out.  he could care less if HE is put in time out)

Example 3:
Me:  Luke, it's time for bed, let's go to your room and read our books and then I'll rub your back and we can sing a few songs.

Luke:  throws his hands to his side, rolls his eyes, yells 'no!' in the most defiant two year old voice ever and flings himself on the floor.

I think this helps really drive the point home so that I know that in no uncertain terms is he going to go to bed willingly.

I hear there's a possibility that this could last into the three's.  Pray for me.

Letter to Baby

Dear Owen,

Well, you're 4 weeks old now! I cannot believe how fast the time is going. I just want the time to slow down - I love holding you and you fit so perfectly in my arms. I know that when you're able, you'll be too busy to let me hold you like that.

I like to call you my little piggy - you love to eat! I'm hoping that in the next month or two we can start getting a little bit longer period of sleep at night, but as it is right now, you eat every 2 to 3 hours. And sometimes you like to snack in between that. With all this eating, you sure are growing and having longer periods of being awake. That's all fine and grand, but if I could just get you, your brother, and me to go down for a nap all at the same time, then I think I could do just about anything. But for now, as soon as you two are down, and I finally get to lay down, one of you wakes up. It's not very nice. 

You are not afraid to use your voice and declare that you're wet, hungry or just generally unhappy about something. You have the absolute most pitiful cry and if you're not tended to right away, that pitiful cry turns into something that sounds like you're being beaten. I'm sure the neighbors wander what exactly we're doing to you. I wander how this will progress when you start talking.

Your big brother absolutely adores you and is constantly coming over and giving you kisses, touching your hands or feet, rubbing your hair or saying 'Check on Owen?' I hope you two become the best of friends.

You've already had a trip to mommy's office where all of my patients were so excited to see you. You were really great, but you did blow out a diaper...twice. Once on Pa. You were wonderful in the car and so I hope you're a good car rider like your brother - that will make my life so much easier!!

Little one, I just can't believe you're 4 weeks old. Can't wait to see what the next month brings - just slow it down a little, okay? Okay.

 Love you so much.
 Mom and Dad

Owen's Announcement

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Birth Day

On Friday, August 3, 2012, Chris and I loaded our bags into the car and headed to the hospital for a scheduled c-section.  We got to the hospital a little before 7 and were let into the labor and delivery unit for registration.  We gave them our names and explained why we were there, and as they checked their schedules, they got eerily quiet.  After a few seconds, they told us that we were not on their schedule and they were going to check into it.  We waited patiently and knew we were not leaving that hospital without having our baby.  After reading through some of our notes, they realized that we have some connections in the hospital and informed us they were going to work us in.  

We were sent to the waiting room while they prepared a room for us.  I called my parents, who were on their way to the hospital, and explained what our situation was.  They could only laugh.  We were still in the waiting room when they arrived.  We also called Chris' parents to fill them in because they were at our house taking care of Luke.  While waiting, our physician walked by and asked what was going on, we explained what had happened.  She turned right around to make sure we were going to be taken care of.  At about 8:30 a.m., they led us to our room.  The nurse instructed me to strip down and put on the oh so lovely hospital gown.  I did as I was instructed and then crawled into the hospital bed.  Our nurses name was Shelle, and she was so kind!  When the anesthesiologist came in and asked if I was Mrs. Bishop, she said no and told him to go check the board to learn my name.  

We knew we were being worked in, and our doctor performing the surgery came in to tell us she was trying to get us in by 11 that morning, but there was a high risk patient on the floor as well and we may be later than that.  Sure enough, the high risk patient was taken back first and it pushed us back quite a few hours.  Around 3:00 that afternoon, Shelle came back in and started prepping me for surgery.  I was rolled back into the operating room shortly after and the anesthesiologists started prepping me for the spinal.  I had such a terrible experience with the spinal when I had Luke, I was so nervous about this.  I grabbed the nurses hand and she talked very calmly to me while the anesthesiologist explained everything he was going to do.  This wasn't the same guy that was instructed to go learn my name, but the resident.  He was spectacular.  And while getting a spinal done is not something I would want to do often, he made it much better than my previous experience.  

When anesthesia was done, they called Chris in and they started surgery!  It took 22 minutes from start to finish to deliver our healthy 7 lb 11 oz, 21" long baby boy at 3:55 p.m.  Once Owen was out and suctioned, he cried and cried and cried!  He cried from the moment he came out until he made it to the warming table in recovery, and even then it never let up for very long.  Chris was able to cut the umbilical cord and take a bunch of pictures while he was still in the O.R.   The pediatric resident was a little over zealous and tried to take him out before letting me see him, but the main pediatrician promptly instructed her to give him to Chris so I could check him out.  Chris brought him over and I was able to reach out and touch him before he was taken to recovery where Chris, Owen and my parents were waiting for me.  

Daddy and Owen's first picture together

As soon as I got settled in recovery, they asked if I wanted to nurse Owen, and of course I said yes!  I didn't get that opportunity with Luke, so it was so special to have that with Owen.  He latched right on and immediately calmed down.  It was awesome!  Chris' parents brought Luke up to the hospital and Luke climbed right into the bed with me, where we gave him his big brother gift that Owen brought.  He was thrilled to get a surprise!  He leaned over and gave Owen a kiss and I knew that they are going to be best buds.  My Aunt Susan and Uncle Robert and older brother, Jon, came to the recovery room to meet baby Owen for the first time.  After a couple hours in recovery, it was time to be transported to the postpartum floor. Chris and his mom carried our stuff to the room while Luke stayed in bed with me while transport moved us up to our room and Chris' dad rolled baby Owen with us.

We got settled in our room, and it was time for Luke to go home and get to bed.  He didn't want to leave, but I reassured him that he would see me the next day.  He accepted that and Chris walked down with him and his parents to say goodnight.  We had a pretty great night (the morphine helped) and spent the next 2 days in the hospital before being released on Sunday.  My mom came and stayed with me while Chris met Luke for lunch and went home to shower on Saturday.  Chris' parents brought Luke to see us a few times - but after a while you know when it's time to go home, hospital rooms are a little confining to a 2 year old.  Our dear friends Kristin and Otto came to visit as well as Owen's Uncle Jon and Aunt Emily.  It was wonderful to have so many people come by and see us!  

We are settling into life as a family of four.  We look at our boys and realize how incredibly blessed we are.  Owen is such an amazing addition to our family and we just adore every precious moment with him.

The things you say

I realized I hadn't documented some of the funny things Luke says lately, so humor me, ok?  OK.

We cannot mention going swimming or going to the pool without you yelling 'POOOOOL' and directing us to immediately getting your swim clothes on.

Whenever we try to put your sunscreen/lotion on, or attempt to brush your teeth/hair or do anything for that matter, you always say 'I try, I try!'  You are becoming quite independent.

While at the pool yesterday, your daddy and I were tossing you back and forth saying 'My Luke!'.  After a few times of that you said 'No!  My Yuke!'  We both cracked up :)

You love going down the slide and as soon as you hit the water you immediately say 'Again, Again!'  You have energy flowing out your ears.

You've been saying things that we say lately, so we're being really careful and choosing our words wisely.  One day you asked for a treat and I said 'hmmm...let's see'.  You have repeated that over and over.  When we ask you to clean up, you say 'hmmm...let's see'.  Or if we ask if you want to watch Cars or Cars 2, you say 'hmmm...let's see'.  Too funny :)

You love to say 'Jude did it!' 'Grant did it!' 'Daddy did it!' 'Mama did it!' and now you've started blaming your toys 'hewicopper did it!' 'monkey did it!' etc, etc. 

One day your daddy came home from work and it had been especially hot and humid that day.  He came in, put Baxter on the leash and took him for a walk.  After he left, you looked at me and said 'Daddy need bath'.  I laughed so hard!  You are so observant :)

You are learning the art of 'mine' and constantly declare the iPad or phone or one of your baby brother's toys 'my iPad' 'my phone' 'my new book'.  And even though it's quite cute, I still remind you that, no, that's mommy's iPad.  Or no, that's baby's book.  And typically you're fine with that.  We'll see what happens when you actually have to start sharing.  :)

And at night, when I'm putting you to bed, after stalling getting into bed as long as you can, you climb in, pull up your shirt and pat your belly.  This means you want your belly rubbed before going to bed.  You don't have to say a word, that gesture speaks for itself.  And as you're drifting off, I kiss your foreheas and tell you I love you and sweet dreams.  You always reply, 'seet deams'. 

I love the things you say.

Letter to Mister

Dear Luke,

I'm writing your 2 1/2 year letter a week and a half early because your baby brother is scheduled to come the same day you actually turn 2 1/2.  You are going to be such a great big brother!  Every time we see a baby, you say 'baby' and lean over to give them a kiss.  I'm confident you're going to be such a big helper and great buddies with your brother.

We put you in a daycare/dayschool a couple of months ago and it's amazing how much you have flourished, especially with your language.  I love how much you talk!  Most of it is jibberish, but more and more is becoming so intelligible.  You are constantly saying new things, and thank goodness you don't scream and yell at us until we figure it out. 

And I do believe you have entered the 'terrible two' stage.  If we ask you to help clean up your toys, you yell 'NO!' and then ask to put yourself in time out.  When we say no to timeout, you roll your eyes up, slap your hands to your side, and throw yourself flat on the floor.  Normally that's the extent of the fit, but M said you threw your typical fit but then kicked and screamed at her yesterday when it was time to leave the library.  Apparently you weren't happy about leaving the Thomas trains behind. 

We've been taking you to the neighborhood pool and you love going!  At the beginning of the summer, you weren't to sure about floating without floaties, a pool noodle and hanging on for dear life onto me or your dad.  Now you just kick those little feet and float with just your arm floaties all around the pool.  And you love going down the slide with dad - but refuse to do it by yourself.  I love that you're such a little water baby!

We love you so much, little mister.
Mom and Dad