Baby Evan has Arrived!!!

Evan arrived and is now a week old--its much harder to be timely with posts with a newborn and a toddler:). He was born Monday September 22 @ 9:02 pm weighing 7 lbs 5 oz, and 21 inches long. I was so thankful that he arrived 13 days early, I was beginning to be very uncomfortable--no wonder he was a lb heavier and a few inches longer than Aiden!!!! My labor and delivery story is pretty short, I had a Dr's appt at 2:30 and was having consistent contractions(but not real painful), my Dr stripped my membranes saying that in 50% of cases it brings on labor within 24-48 hours. After getting home my contractions got a bit stronger and I called Nathen saying it was the real thing. We got to the hospital at 5:30pm and was admitted at 7:30pm when they broke my water. Got into the hottub around 8:30, was again carried out by Nathen around 9 pm, and pushed for 2 minutes before Evan made his appearance. I'm so thankful that God blessed me with 2 quick labors and I was able to go with my plan of no medication and/or epidurals. Evan's first 24 hours were quite normal, but around 5 Tuesday his breathing became quite rapid and the hospital needed to observe him and administer antibiotics for possible infections. He also had quite a bit of fluid in his lungs--which they contributed to his quick delivery and him swallowing alot of fluid when I pushed him out. Evan had to stay in the nursery from Tuesday to Thursday which was really hard for me as his mommy because I wanted him in my room with me at all times; but fortuanately we could go and hold and sit with him anytime we wanted to. The diagnosis was TTN--which I can't remember what it stands for but basically its when infants have difficulty with the transition from the womb to outside the womb. Since his breathing was so rapid I was unable to nurse him until Thursday late morning, but fortuantely he remembered what to do as I nursed him Monday evening and part of Tuesday. We had his 1 week appointment this morning, and he continues to weigh 6 lbs 14 oz, what he weighed at discharge. I was a bit concerned about him not being up to his birth weight but the Dr reassured us that he was a healthy and he would be up to birth weight in a week or so. We are adjusting to having two little ones and I'm sure it will take us time but we are enjoying every minute of it. Aiden has adjusted relatively well I think for being 17 months. He gives Evan gentle touches, and appears quite concerned when Evan is upset (usually at diaper changes). Well here are a few pictures from the past week.

Evan with Nana and enjoying a gentle touch by Big Brother Aiden on our first night home from the hospital.

Evan with mommy enjoying the great outdoors.

Evan with Daddy in the hospital.

Aiden checks out his new baby brother. We were not going to have him come up immediately after delivery but since he was still awake (my mother in law was watching him) we decided to have them come up, it was very special to have both sets of parents and Aiden there with us.

Aunt Sheldi holds Evan as I catch her off guard with the camera.

Aiden is 17 months old!!

Aiden turned 17 months old Thursday. He didn't have a Dr's appointment so I don't have any updates regarding his height and weight. But he really seems to be growing into a little boy and no longer a baby everyday. In the last few weeks we've tried using Baby Signs with him more, and he has really caught on. I started when he was really young 3-5 months and kind of got out of the habit, but decided to try it again to reduce tantrums and frustration on both of our parts. So far he knows please, thank you, more, milk, eat, all done and he's even started combining to sign sentences such as more milk, and more please. The next one on our list is help. Along with signing he's also really into making animal noises, and he knows many body parts to include nose, eyes, ears, mouth, arm, feet, toes, and head. It's amazing to Nathen and I how smart our little boy is becoming. I don't mean to sound like one of those bragging mommies but we are just so proud of him and figured most of you reading would like to join us in this excitement as we continue to see our little boy grow up.

There are a few new activities Aiden enjoys as well such as helping me wash dishes, he becomes quite upset when I drain the water. He also has become quite the artist, enjoying finger paint and markers. He continues to enjoy taking walks, playing at the park, and reading his books. We were excited to find some Daddy books last week. Nathen enjoys reading those to him. Here are some pictures from a visit to the park last weekend.

Aiden climbed a rock wall at the park while Daddy spotted him. It looks as though he's saying "Dad let go, I can do it myself" Nathen did let go despite my nervousness, and he was right Aiden knew what to do, and of course Nathen was right there in case he let go.

Aiden enjoys a ride down the slide with Daddy.

Aiden loves running down this hill to the tennis courts, and is so cautious that he doesn't want to do it alone so I get my excersise too climbing up and down the hill:)

Aiden loves running around the Old Dutch Mill in the park and hiding in this doorway. Here lately he seems to enjoy climbing hills, chasing squirrels, and climbing up to the dutch mill more than any of the equipment at the park.

Some updates and pictures

This month (well I guess last month now) has been so busy that I've neglected to post very many pictures of Aiden so thought I'd do that now. Aiden's interest seem to have really changed in the last few weeks. He loves taking me on walks...I'm not kidding he practically pulls me along the sidewalk with him. Yesterday evening we ended up at Grandma and Grandpa Ecksteins'. We started out just going around the block, but he wanted to walk down Main street and smell all the flowers. Eventhough I was pretty worn out it was a great time for him, and me as well---I'm so thankful that Nathen's parents live in town because it would have been a long walk home (by that time Aiden was tired and wanted to be carried). Anyways, if we are not outside walking the streets of Wamego Aiden has developed quite the puzzle putting together skill in the last few days, and continues to love being read to.

As for pregnancy updates nothing really to update I'm still dilated to 2 cm and 50% effaced, and still trying to be taking it easy. I went to the Dr again this past Friday because of some lower back pain and mild contractions, and was agained informed that my uterus was "irritable" and the baby was healthy and happy! I wanted to tell the Dr each time that my uterus was not the only thing irritable...this is has been a much more uncomfortable pregnancy than Aiden's was, but I know its all worth it. I continue to be a bit nervous about how big this baby will be since I've already gained 30 lbs, and we can see such distinct movements. But Nathen thinks he'll be less than 7 lbs, he told me last night that I still look so small---what a wonderful husband! I'm going to try to remember that conversation in these last weeks as I feel like a blimp.

Well that is all for now here are a few pictures from last month.

Aiden got to meet his Aunt Sara (Nathen's sister) and Uncle Chad who live in Virginia the first weekend of August.

Aiden contemplates kicking the soccer ball. He's still perfecting this skill, he can do it but has not shown anyone else besides me and Daddy. I really think he's a perfectionist, he seems to not want to display his talents until he feels they are perfect and he's very confident with it. I guess there are worse traits that a toddler could have.

We take a break from soccer. Aiden climbs into our lawn chairs and seems to think he's just a little adult:)

Aiden has just started in the last few weeks or so doing this half crawl walking thing (one leg he'll walk w/ the other he'll crawl w/)when he plays with toys. Here it looks like he's telling someone why he's doing it.