On the Night You Were Born- From Your Brother

Mom got to have a chance to write about the night my sister was born.  Let me just say things were a lot different on my end.  I should've known something was going on.  We went to bed like a typical Tuesday night, only mom didn't make it to bed.  She had me a little worried.  She kept moaning and pacing and bending over the bed.  I didn't know what to do so I just laid there and kept an eye on her.  If things got out of hand I would wake dad... but she beat me to it.  She woke dad and said "it's time to go".  Go?  For a walk?  We already did that!  Go?  In the car?  It's sure late but I'm up for wherever.  Dad got up, took a shower, and mom started putting some of her things in a bag.  I couldn't wait to see where we were going!

Something was up when I realized mom was crying.  She kept hugging and kissing me and had lots of tears.  Why so sad!?

I know why she was so sad...because SHE was going and I was NOT!  Rude.  It's late and they just left.  I slept on the couch the whole night waiting for them to come home.  But to my surprise Aunt Jodi came instead!  She's one of my top fav people.  

She and I went for a long walk in the morning.  She tried really hard to follow mom's 2 pages of How to Take Care of Nelson directions.  She did go some weird walking routes but I let her just figure it out on her own.  I wasn't going to complain when she drove all this way to walk and hang with me.  We took some pictures and video and sent them to mom, wherever she was.    

Later  my Aunt Nikki came over too!  Dang, this is turning out to be my lucky day!  You see, days before my sister was born my mom was having a little meltdown on who was going to take care of me.  She didn't want someone to just stop-in... she wanted someone who would stay and keep me company.  Well, Aunt Jodi and Aunt Nikki were on the ball and they were not going to disappoint mom.  (She's so lucky...oh and so am I).  So, here I was with these two beauts.  They got board and thought it would be fun to send mom some funny pictures of me.  

They came and went throughout the day and then we spent the evening on the patio drinking some wine.  It was quite peaceful.  Later, my Grammie showed up!  Get out!  Having these three here made missing my mom and dad not so hard.  

The next day when the Aunts came back they brought me something to wear.

Turns out, this was the hat that they put on my sister right when she was born!  Dang she has a small head.  I guess they wanted me to smell her before she came home.  She didn't stink.  

Well, after two days of missing mom and dad I heard their car pull up.  I was so excited I couldn't hardly stand it.  My mom came running up (or at least what she called a run at the time) and we hugged and kissed for so long.  Then came by dad.  Oh boy I missed him too.  But he had a big thing he was carrying.  Oh, I recognized it.  It's the thing that was in the living room for so long.  But this time, it had something in it.  They put it on the floor, and guess what!?  It was this tiny little thing they called my sister.  We sniffed her out.  Sheesh she's small!  

She was a little noisy, a little squirmy, but she won me over with her outfit.  It said "My Best Friend Was Rescued".  That's ME!  I was rescued!  We were best friends already!  

Over the next few days we were getting used to each other.  She scares me sometimes because she is so small but yet so loud!  I don't want to do anything to hurt or upset her so I'm just getting used to her sounds and movements.  

So this is me, with my new, larger family.  

We walk, we sleep, we get up at all hours of the night, and we nap.  She poops, she burps, and she yells like crazy sometimes.  One thing I do is make sure mom never feels lonely.  When she and my sister get up, I come to keep her company.  I try my hardest to tell my sister not to cry.  I lick her pretty hair and sometimes I sneak a lick on her face too.  

Overall I think she likes me.  I go and check on her throughout the day just to let her know I'm here for her.  I remember what it was like being the new kid in the family and I want her to feel right at home.  One thing is for sure though, this brothering thing is TIRING.  

Charlotte- I'm so happy you are here.  Mom and I tried to do our very best to make sure you were safe and healthy for 10 months and I promise I will keep doing that now that you are here.  Although you have completely disrupted my life, I love you to pieces and will always watch out for you.  (just promise to never pull my tail).  

Love,

Nelson

On the Night You Were Born- from your mommy

Nelson oh-so-kindly let me take over for a blog entry since he was unable to be there during the birth of his sister, a day I will never ever forget.

Dear Sweet Charlotte,

Bringing you into this world was something I thought I had prepared for, but boy was I oh so wrong.  On the morning of June 10, 2014 I woke up at 3AM with minor contractions.  I started to time them while laying in bed with your dad fast asleep next to me.  Was this the real deal or just a false alarm?  At 5AM dad got up to go to the bathroom.  I told him what had been going on, and he asked what that felt like.  As I explained, I noticed he had fallen back asleep.  He's really not an alarmist. :)  I finally fell asleep early morning so I thought maybe it was just a false alarm.  Nope.  Woke back up and bam! They were back!  Throughout the day I tried to go out my normal routine.  I decided I'd go to the grocery store.  Bad idea.  Could hardly walk!  So, Nelson and I went home and I thought I should definitely keep track of these contractions.  Man they were closer together than I thought.  I called dad and gave him the heads up.  As the evening came I knew this was the real deal.  When would we meet you??  It had to be soon.  While we were waiting, dad and I decided to take on Sears.  I think this actually helped my labor progress from the rage of furry I had for this company who was supposed to deliver my new appliances today!  Nicole came over to see how I was doing and she snuck in some pictures of the yelling madness that was occurring.  She was mortified.

After this we decided it was time to get some sleep, or at least your dad was able to get some.  I tried, but instead, spent the time kneeling over the side of the bed. How about a bath?  Didn't really help, but Nelson sure kept me company.  He did not like to see his mommy in pain.

 Once you started getting serious, we packed our bags, and headed out.  It was getting real...fast.  I was so sad to leave Nelson in the middle of the night.  We were so excited to meet you but I was really struggling with leaving him for the last time when it would just be us.  This is the very last picture with you in my belly.

On our way to the hospital dad really encouraged me.  Before this day he said he would always drive the speed limit when it was "Go Time"... guess he wasn't prepared for what I would sound and look like through this pain because we sped there.  

At this point it was hard to walk or sit (what's left!).  We got checked in and I was at 4 cm.  I figured, "okay, we are almost halfway there so she should be here in no time!".  We got settled in the delivery room just in time for our sweet doula, Vanessa to arrive.  Vanessa was a Godsend during this day.  She helped me through every contraction, encouraging me that I COULD in fact do this.  She also helped dad too.  She explained things and gave him the right words to do everything he could.  The next 7 hours were some of the hardest hours of my life.  I never imagined I would feel such pain and you were in NO hurry to meet me.  After doing 12 solid hours of intense contractions I decided to throw in the towel and get an epidural.  This was not part of my plan one bit.  I was determined to deliver you naturally but you had other plans.  I was stuck at 7 cm for 3 hours, which was telling us that you were not in the mood to move your positioning.  I hope this isn't an indication of your future stubbornness?!  Vanessa reminded me that I was simply using a tool to get you here.  Throughout the last 12 hours your dad looked utterly stressed.  Seeing me in pain is not something he liked to do.  He described it as I went another world and he lost me during this time.  I hardly opened my eyes for half a day.  He was a mess.  When I finally got the epidural he said I came back to him.  I talked and was actually able to enjoy a little bit of the laboring.  Dad finally relaxed...and so did I.  You'd think he was the one that had been doing all the work!!

The end was in sight and it was finally time to start pushing.  You were ready to make your grand entrance in the world!  Pushing began!  Dad was soooo excited to see what you looked like and if you had hair.  In the middle of pushing he dropped my leg and yelled "she has hair!"... thanks dad.  Two hours later, with lots of practice pushing, you were finally here. I COULD NOT believe it.  Your dads eyes were so big and proud and filled with tears.  You were wiggling, pooping on me, screaming and all mine.  

This is our very first picture together.  You were absolutely perfect.  7 pounds 7 ounces and 19 3/4 inches long of perfection.  

Daddy is in love.  You had your first bath and were such a champ.  

You laid on my chest for a couple of hours and we just soaked you in.  We loved your perfect ears, your long fingers, your big feet, and your hairy arms and back (like a monkey).  You even got the gift of a long second toe!  You're welcome.  

While we loved this time with you, we were also so excited to show your grandparents how perfect you truly were.  They had been waiting right outside the delivery room all morning, along with Nicole and Jodi...two very eager ladies.  Dad went out an announced the news!  He was so proud (and relieved!)

We finally got settled in to our new room and the visitors came pouring in.  

Grandpa was so excited.

Your gram was on her way to see you all the way from Washington!  She had planned to come in on June 11th...not knowing that this was also the day you had planned too.  She showed up just in time!  

 Jodi has been waiting to long to smell a baby.

 Nicole could not wait to meet you!

Then the non-stop pictures began.  We were just so proud to call you our daughter.  

The first night with you was busy.  We didn't sleep much...dad did.  I just stayed up and starred at you, still in disbelief.  You cooed and moaned and made the most delicious noises.  Therefore, I got zero sleep and could hardly see straight.  

The next day was your dad and my 4th anniversary.  We could not have wished for a better gift to give one another than your sweet face.  

Laster that night dad felt so bad that I was exhausted that he decided to take you to the nursery when you were needing me to eat.  We both couldn't stand the thought of you being in there crying without us, so he hung with you.  Apparently he made some friends too.  He came back to the room several hours later with you.  He said he had a blind date set up for a friend, showed all the nurses pictures of your brother, Nelson, and learned some sweet dad tricks on how to calm a baby.  I told him we will change his name to Mack Daddy.  

Although we loved having all the help at the hospital, we were so eager to get you home to meet your brother.  He is our first kid and we knew you two would hit it off.  (I'll give the keyboard back to Nelson soon so he can tell you all about the night you were born from his perspective).  So we bundled you up and proudly brought you home.   

Can you tell we are a little tired?!

Charlotte, this was a week your dad and I will hold so dear to our hearts.  Being pregnant with you was the best thing I thought I had ever done.  I enjoyed every single second of it.  I thought I would miss being pregnant.  I loved feeling your little feet push on my belly.  But the first night I held you while you slept in my arms and those perfect little feet were now in my hands made me realize that having you as my daughter was now the best thing I had ever done.  I've described how I feel about you as absolutely intoxicating.  The amount of love that your dad and I have for you is almost debilitating.  I cannot wait to watch you grow, see you smile, hear you laugh, and hold you close at night.  Thank you for making our life so full.  

Love,

Your Mommy

 

The Final Countdown....Maybe?

With only 2 weeks left until Charlotte's supposed arrival we have been busy in the Myers house.

First, mom decided to surprise dad at work by asking him to play hookie and go to the movies.  That was a rather big deal because mom HATES the movies.  The smell, the sounds, the teens...everything.  Dad said he wasn't going to pass up this opportunity, so they had a fun day date.  He said he needed documentation of this rare event.

Since then, they've gone on several dates.  Enjoying their "free" time before my sister gets here.  What am I??

Also, remember how good my dad is at swaddling?  Well he came home and saw that Ben the bear had come out of his blanket.  First thing the guy did when he walked in the door was swaddle the guy.  He's so weird.  Hope he's this hands on right when he comes home when there is a live person in that contraption.

Then that leads us to today....

Today has been quite an exhausting day for me.  It started at 3am when mom got up to go to the bathroom.  That was normal.  Then a couple minutes later she got up again, then again, and I thought we need to figure something out here because I'm not sleeping.  So, we got up and had an early morning snack.  Turns out, mom was having some belly pain and just could not sleep.  It wasn't that bad of belly pain, but enough to make her not sleep.  So we snacked and went back to bed.  Or at least I did.  Mom got on Facebook, email, Instagram, and then finally decided to download a contraction counter app.  Dad got up at 5 AM and went to the bathroom.  When he came back, mom told him she's had 6 contractions.  His response was "hmmm, contractions, what are those like?" and while she was telling him, he fell back asleep.  He's really not an alarmist as you can tell.  Morning came, Sears didn't, and mom and I decided to go run errands.  Her contractions have only been about 15-20 min apart.  Turns out errand running was NOT a good idea.  We made it to Hy-Vee and mom walked so damn slow I had to wait in the car forever.  Wore me out.

Mom used her good judgement and we came home.  We've been on the couch ever since.  The contractions have gotten a little closer together at this point.  

I've been sleeping with one eye open because she keeps breathing heavy and getting squirmy.  I sure hope we sleep better tonight.  I don't like seeing her in pain but I hope it's all working out like it's supposed to.  All I know is my Grammie is not here yet and I'm pretty sure we are supposed to wait until we have ALL parents in the same city before a baby comes.  This could be a long night.  Wish me luck....

Love,

Nelson

Things My Mom Can No Longer Do

During these last few days and weeks with my sister in mom's belly, things are getting rather difficult for my mom to do.  I've noticed we are moving at a slower pace and with a lot of added sound effects.  Here are some things my mom can no longer do in weeks 36-37.

1.  The "Bend and Snap"... you know, like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde?  It's now more like the "Spread Your Legs to the Side and Hope Your Arms Grew a Little" or "Use Your Feet" method.

2.  Paint her toenails

3.  Dry any part of her body below her knees when getting out of the shower.

4.  Effectively look behind her while backing out of a parking spot.  Fingers crossed.

5.  Lift weights (oh wait, she could never do this...)

6.  Stop laughing

7.  Stop crying

8.  Stop eating.  We eat all day long.  This is when mom and I were running errands.  She got herself lunch while we were out one day and we couldn't even make it home before she had to eat it.   Luckily she had snacks for me too so we could both eat in the Hy-Vee parking lot.  

9.  Sit in a bag chair at my dad's games.  She really does look like a bloated tick.

10.  Clean a car.  Grandpaw had to do this for mom because of how messy I've made it.  Of course she asked the poor guy to help her with this at noon on a sunny 90 degree day.  He also installed the car seat too.  That's because mom can't following a manual.  

11.  Wash her face at the bathroom sink unless she stands on her tip toes.

12.  Go a day without a nap.

13.  Clean the floors...when does Grammie get here??

14.  Effectively listen to a video on how to swaddle AND actually swaddle.  Dad nailed it.  

15.  Refrain from awkwardly passing gas around other people.  This is very uncomfortable for everyone involved.   

Despite these minor and brief disadvantages, we still LOVE having my sister grow bigger each day.  We just can't wait to meet her!  

Love,

Nelson