How much trouble can a crawler get into?

Isaac is loving his ability to crawl and he is all over the place so needless to say I am chasing him everywhere and trying to care for a newborn too. Just wait until he's walking. I find Isaac in the funniest places, he is one curious boy!!!

Attempt at 9 month photo shoot

Well we haven't gotten Isaac into a professional photo studio since his Easter photos at Walmart. I tried a few shots just to get us by a little longer. Not sure if we're going to have his 9 month photos taken or just wait until he's 1. However we need to figure out where to go with Caleb. At this point something cheap and simple is all I'm looking at so it might be Walmart again!!! Anyway here's my little man!!!

Cousins...Isaac and Norah!

My parents, sister in law Michelle and niece Norah came over yesterday so Michelle and Norah could meet baby Caleb. Isaac and Norah have so much fun together. It is so cute to watch them. It almost seems as if Norah is tackling Isaac but he seems to love every minute of it. It should be interesting once he's a little older and can tackle back!!! I think these two might be partners in crime! Norah will be 2 years old in a few days!!!!



Looks like a headlock doesn't it??? Isaac loved it!


Honestly he's laughing not crying!!!

Brotherly love!

I caught a few good pictures of the boys together in their matching outfits. Buying them clothes is going to be so much fun and I just know it won't be long before we get asked "are they twins".

Here's our adorable boys!

9 months old!

Isaac had his 9 month check up today. He is 18 lbs 10 oz. and 29 inches long. I know he's in the 50th percentile for the length but I'm not sure about the weight. They tested his hemoglobin and he was a little low so we need to get him on vitamins containing iron. Other than that he's doing great and growing well. He's getting more mobile every day and jabbering up a storm. He says "Ma Ma, Da Da and Ba ba" quite frequently. I tried to get some pictures but it was nap time so they didn't turn out the best. Will try again next week.

Looking like blood brothers?

I have had so many people comment on how much Caleb looks like Isaac and how they have very similar features. I see it too. I think it's amazing how when you adopt a child and have biological children, they sometimes end up looking so much alike. I'm sure I will soon be getting the "are they twins" in public. Not sure how I'm going to answer that just yet but we'll figure it out. So you be the judge, do they look alike?

First 4 pictures are Isaac in his Pooh sleeper and hat when he was 4 days old!









The next 4 pictures are of Caleb in the same outfit at 11 days old!

Random pictures of the boys!

This weekend was a busy weekend. Aunt Erin came home to meet Caleb and see Isaac which was nice. We also got to spend a lot of time with cousin Caden and Aunt Gina and both sets of Grandparents. Aunt Erin brought the boys some Hawkeye clothing which is very cute on them. It's hard to get a good picture with both of the boys. Isaac likes to try and grab Caleb's hair if we're not watching. It's just the beginning I am sure!







Hawkeye boys!




Aunt Erin and Caleb


Adorable Caleb!


Aunt Erin and her nephews!!!

Teething, Sinus infection, new brother... Oh My!

Isaac has been acting so different since we brought Caleb home. I know he's too young to be jealous but he definitely knows he's not the center of attention anymore. I try my hardest to spend equal time with Isaac and Caleb. I know he misses his time with me and I miss my time with him but on another hand I need time with Caleb too. Every time I would leave the room Isaac would throw a tantrum. I soon figured out he wasn't feeling good. He ran a fever for about 5 days or so. I did take him into the doctor last week to be sure he didn't have something Caleb could catch. He had a sinus infection so we had him put on antibiotics right away which has helped quite a bit. He's still been running low grade fevers off and on but that is due to his teething. His bottom right tooth finally popped through and I am sure the one right next to it will be coming through soon as well. Once the tooth popped through it was like he was back to himself. He still has his fussy moments but he's definitely a happier boy! This week I am taking Isaac into the doctor for his 9 month checkup. That will give him some one on one time with Mommy which he really needs!!!

Caleb's 1 week check up

I took Caleb into the doctor today. The doctor wanted to see him at one week to see if he was gaining sufficient amount of weight. Caleb didn't eat well in the hospital so that was a little bit of a concern. I'm happy to say he's 7 lbs 14 oz. which is very close to his birth weight. He is still 21 inches long. The doctor showed me on the chart and he is in the 75th percentile for length and 50th for weight. I think Caleb is going to be a tall boy!!! He'll probably pass his brother up in no time!!! Next appointment is at one month!

Caleb is 1 week old!

Well the first week we have had our ups and downs. Caleb didn't do so great sleep wise our 2nd night home. Ross ended up bringing him downstairs to let me sleep which was nice. But now we have figured out that if we put the boppy pillow in his bassinet and lay him on it he will sleep really good. Last night he was only up twice. I have had intentions to fully nurse him but we have had a rough start. He would not nurse at the hospital or at home so I ended up going to a clinic to get a little help which has seemed to help a little. I haven't had to supplement formula so I'm happy about that. We're going to see how the next few weeks go. Caleb is growing and changing by the day. He looks a lot like Ross from the front but I do think he looks like me from the side. Isaac has had a rough couple of days too. Sunday night he came down with a fever of 102.8. He was pretty sick on Monday and I was concerned about Caleb getting sick so I called the doctor and we got in at 6:15 Monday night. Turns out he has a sinus infection and is on antibiotics. He is doing better but extra clingy and will not nap at all. I'm not sure if his clingyness has to do with him not feeling well or Caleb. I can't even take a nap because he is not a good napper. At least he sleeps 10 hours at night except for these last couple nights. I am so thankful that my Mom has been able to be with us for a few days to help out. These first few days are awfully rough. Well I suppose you are waiting for some more pictures so here you go!!!!!

INTRODUCING CALEB BENJAMIN

INTRODUCING CALEB BENJAMIN

JULY 2, 2008

6:23 A.M.

8 lbs 3 oz.

21 inches long

He's finally here and we are now a happy family of 4!

The Birth Story!

At about 10:00 pm on July 1st I started having some stronger contractions but nothing consistent. The contractions were anywhere from 6-15 minutes apart lasting anywhere from 45-60 seconds. At about 10:45 I went to bed. I woke from a deep sleep with some painful contractions at 12:15 am. I then stood up and it felt like my water could have broken, but I wasn’t sure. The contractions kept coming about every 6-7 minutes lasting about 30-45 seconds. I finally called the hospital around 12:30 and told the nurse I wasn’t sure if I was in labor or not. The nurse said she would have the doctor call me and we could then decide if I should come in or not. Dr. Springer called me within 5 minutes and I told him I wasn’t sure if my water broke and about the contractions. He felt I should come in and be checked and that it was very possible I was in active labor.

Ross called his parents to come over so they could stay with Isaac while we went to the hospital. While I waited for them Ross loaded the car. By the time Ross’ parents got to our house the contractions were very strong and exactly 3 minutes apart. We then drove to the hospital which took about 15 minutes. I was pretty sure this was the real thing by the time we got to the hospital. We got there around 1:15 and the nurses hooked me up to the monitors so they could monitor contractions and the baby’s heart rate. Dr. Springer came in about 1:30 and checked me. I had only dilated to 4 which was only 1 centimeter more than 2 days ago, but the Dr. said I was not leaving the hospital without a baby. The doctor estimated that the baby would be ready around 7:30 or 8:00 am. The doctor left me in the room and went and slept in the next room. He asked the nurses to wake him around 4:30 so he could check me again.

At about 3:00 or so they started administering iv and then shortly after the epidural. It took a very long time to get the epidural in and they aren’t sure why it wouldn’t stay in. But once it was in I felt immediate relief from the contractions. Doctor came back in and checked me and I was soon dilated to 9. He then broke my water and kept checking me. It wasn’t long and the doctor told us it was time to have a baby. I pushed for approximately 1 ½ hours. It was a long tiring process but oh so worth it. They got the vacuum out because I was having trouble getting Caleb’s head out but I pushed one more time and his head came through all by itself so the vacuum wasn’t needed. Doctor Springer told me he had lots of hair. I then pushed a few more times and the doctor announced “they were right it’s a boy”. Caleb Benjamin was born at 6:23 am. Ross got to cut the cord and they cleaned the baby up and brought him to me. It was amazing. The doctor told me he for sure was not a 10 lb baby like Ross which I was grateful for. After both Ross and I had time to spend with Caleb, they took him to the nursery to weigh and measure him. Caleb was 8 lbs. 3 oz. and 21 inches long. He did not look that big, he’s skinny and long like Ross and beautiful.

All in all the labor and delivery went good. It was not as bad as I had expected and went fairly quickly. I even had my own doctor deliver the baby which I was even more grateful for. The doctor and staff were all wonderful in helping manage the pain and pushing. Ross was great and by my side the whole time. I did tear quite a bit so had to be stitched up but it was all worth it!!!!