Brady Meets Grant

The Dr. allowed me to go home a day earlier than expected, so we were able to surprise Brady by being home when he got home. (For those of you might not know, the hospital has enforced a strict new policy of 18 and under not allowed through flu season.) It was so exciting to see his face! This is his first time seeing his baby brother! It was so sweet.
And his first time holding his baby brother. Does he look happy or what?
One of the first things he said to him was, "You are my new #1 best friend forever."
Grandma Holland was there to help out with the surprise as well.
Brady shared his baby brother with her for just a little while and then immediately wanted to hold him again. So far, things have continued in this manner. He is still so in love with baby Grant and has adjusted better than we could ever have hoped for.

Coming Home Day

Well, this isn't actually from coming home day but I did want to share it. Brady wore his special t-shirt to school on the day Grant was born. Grant has a matching one too! I can't wait to get there pictures made together in them!
Grant wore the same outfit Brady wore on his coming home day.
All buckled in and ready to go home.
Only wish Brady could have been there too.
Holding onto Mommy and Daddy!

Baby Grant is here!

First diaper change...Blake and his brother, Jeff! What a team they made!

Mimi and Poppy
Brand new! 7 lbs 11.5 oz, 21 inches long!
Look at those long feet and legs!
Love at first sight!

Proud Daddy!

Baby Grant's Nursery

We used the Carter's Forest Friends collection.

All his little clothes and supplies! They are separated into Newborn, 0-3 Months, 3-6 Months, and 6-12 Months.
We didn't really like the sheet that came with the bedding set, so we ordered one from a similar set. Works pretty well!
I fought hard for this piece from Target. It was a display piece and apparently those are not for sale. After asking for the manager and then her supervisor and 30 minutes of begging, I GOT IT! It was the last one and the perfect height for the glider and the wood color matched our crib and changing table. So worth it!
Glider and Ottoman
Letters from AC Moore
Tree decal...part of the Carter's collection

Birth Story

Brady's- That is! His birth story has been fresh in my mind these past few weeks so I thought I would take this extra time before little one comes to share it.
Brady was due July 13. I went in for my 38 week appointment and was pretty much miserable. I had developed gallstones during my pregnancy that were pretty painful and caused horrible heartburn and indigestion. There really was no comfortable way to sit or sleep. There was nothing to be done for the gallstones during pregnancy. I also knew my Dr. was headed out of town and I had never met the other Dr. so I was pretty nervous about that as well. I told Dr. Green all my concerns and he asked if I wanted to be induced on the 5th (Mom's birthday) since I had already dilated 1 cm. I said "Of Course!" That was two days away. So I went home and cleaned and packed and enjoyed some fireworks on the 4th.
I headed to the hospital early on the 5th, checked in, settled in the room, and got hooked up to all the monitors. To my surprise, I was already having regular contractions but I just couldn't feel them. Because they were so regular, they couldn't give me any medicine to speed things along. So they told me to walk around the hospital... so I did.
The Dr. and nurse checked me around lunch time and that was when they noticed that Brady had his little hand on top of his head. Instead of feeling the top of his head like they were supposed to, they were feeling little fingers. At that point, they felt like he might move it. So we continued on although I was making little progress and still not feeling anything. Around 5:00, the Dr. decided to break my water and that was when I started feeling things. I remember putting a cold wash cloth over my entire face because for some reason it made me feel better. Brady's heart rate started dropping though and they gave me an oxygen mask. Dr. Green asked if I was ready for my epidural and I said sure even though the pain was not unbearable.
I'm not sure what time I got the epidural but it made things so much easier. I think maybe the whole night I dilated 3-5 cm and Brady still had his hand on his head, so the Dr. began to lay out my options. He said that the risk of continuing on with labor with the hand presentation was that Brady's arm could be paralyzed. When I heard that, I decided c-section it would be although I desperately hadn't wanted to go that route. The rest is a blur from that point. It was late and I was tired. The next thing I really remember is being rolled down the hallway in my bed and then being strapped to a table. I was awake for Brady's birth...it didn't hurt but I could feel the tugging and pulling and lots of pressure. I remember feeling overwhelmed by it all and sick to my stomach from the thought of what they were doing to my body and telling them to get that baby out of me! A few seconds later, I heard Brady's cry and was again overwhelmed but by joy and happiness this time. I just couldn't believe that was my baby that was actually here and crying. He was born at 12:18 am on July 6...18 minutes away from sharing a birthday with his Mimi.

My Last Pregnancy Post- 39 Weeks

How far along? 39 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Still not sharing but I actually had lost weight this week
Maternity clothes? Definitely! Some of my shirts are even getting a little short.
Stretch marks? Yikes!
Sleep: Not so great... I have to flip sides about every 30-45 min. due to hip pain or some extremity falling asleep. Combined with 3-4 bathroom visits, sleep is not my friend right now. Plus I've been waking up super early.
Best moment this week: My last day of work was Tuesday! I made it! And seeing the reaction people give when they ask when I'm due and I told them Tuesday! It was quite funny! Blake enjoyed this one too!
Movement: He lets me know when I need to eat by moving around. He squirmed around A LOT on Thanksgiving after all the yummy food!
Food cravings: Nothing in particular
Gender: Boy!!! No doubt about it after two ultrasounds!
Name: We finally agreed on a name but will not be sharing it on the blog.
Labor Signs: Still nothing...
Belly Button in or out? Flat and ugly
What I miss: Sleep, Unswollen feet and ankles, regular clothes, being cold occasionally
What I am looking forward to: Meeting our baby on TUESDAY!!!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't talk to a pregnant woman who gets up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Milestones: I made it!

Am I ready for Baby Holland? I am prepared for the arrival of Baby Holland in the sense that we have everything we need, we've taken some classes, I finished my exam and mailed it in, his clothes are washed and ready, his diapers and wipes are waiting (and Blake and Brady practiced on teddy bears this week), and I finished my last day of work. But am I ready? Not really. In a perfect world, the stork would bring him to us and leave him on the doorstep. =) I am very nervous about having another c-section. I've had one before and I know what to expect and it's not a walk in the park. People have told me it is easier the second time around and this is what I am really hoping and praying. As eager as I am to meet our little baby and be done with pregnancy, I keep thinking maybe I could postpone it for a few more days...but I know it will all be worth it when I hear his little cry and see his little face and when he wraps his little finger around mine...it will definitely be worth it!

38 Weeks

How far along? 38 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss:I'm done with this part. No longer sharing.
Maternity clothes? Definitely! Some of my shirts are even getting a little short.
Stretch marks? Yikes!
Sleep: A little better this week...I guess maybe I've learned how to make myself go back to sleep after flipping over 100 times and using the bathroom 3-4 times a night!
Best moment this week: Finishing my very first grad class! I still have to complete the exam and mail it in but finishing the class was one of the final to-do's before baby comes marked off!
Movement: My belly makes the weirdest shapes and movements now. He must be getting big!
Food cravings: None really although Blake's homemade German Chocolate b-day cake was delicious! I paid a lady to make it for him this year because I didn't have the time or energy. Good call on my part...it was sooo good!
Gender: Boy!!! No doubt about it after two ultrasounds!
Name: We finally agreed on a name but will not be sharing it on the blog.
Labor Signs: One small contraction one morning at school but other than that...the baby has not dropped and everything is still closed up. My Dr. is happy with this but I am sooo ready to get this show on the road.
Belly Button in or out? Flat and ugly
What I miss: Putting my shoes on by myself, Having real ankles and seeing veins on the tops of my feet.
What I am looking forward to: Maternity Leave...Two more days!, Thanksgiving and getting to see family, Getting our Christmas stuff ready before baby, leaving the hospital with a baby and getting to be a mommy to my boys
Weekly Wisdom: Try to enjoy these last few weeks of being pregnant and feeling Baby Holland move around inside. (Still trying to convince myself of this )
Milestones: We are down to single digits until Baby Holland's arrival!