Adjusting to the Brotherhood

Case has been adjusting to big brotherhood very well. We have moved most of the good toys into Cole’s room so Case has things to play with while I am feeding Cole, which is a very time consuming part of the day. Case asks to “kiss sweet baby head” and often introduces himself to the baby, “I’m Super Case.” This is followed by shaking Cole’s hand and saying, “pleased to meet you baby.” Case will inform us that, “the baby is crying” or “baby’s sad” whenever Cole makes a peep. And sometimes he will tell us to, “change the baby” because the “baby is dirty.” There have been a few more tears in the house, a bit more whining and a couple toys thrown, but overall I would say Case had done remarkably well with such a huge transition.

Okay, so maybe Case has had a few throwbacks to babyland. Here is Case feeling nostalgic and reminiscing about the old days while relaxing in his swing.

But can you blame him? Afterall, it was his swing first as evidenced by this photograph of Case enjoying the swing shortly after arriving home from the hospital 2 years ago. My what a big boy he has become!

First Weeks Home

Cole has been a part of our family for a little over 2 weeks now and his personality is showing through which I find hilarious. First of all Cole is a little spit fire. I can tell Cole is his father’s child because of his attitude already. For example, Cole doesn’t really cry, he just gets mad. His cries consist of short bursts or yelps accompanied by a red face and shaking fists. He really just looks pissed instead of crying. He is a proficient pooper and doesn’t like baths. Cole is a great eater but hasn’t shown any interest in a bottle. Apparently all our children will be cursed with colic because Cole starts crying or yelping around 8 pm and goes on till around 1 am (Cody is also a late night owl). Despite this rough patch in the evening, Cole is really a good sleeper and sleeps the rest of the day and night. He is already in his own crib and out of our room whereas Case bunked in our room for months. Cole is also a cuddler who loves to lie on my chest curled up under my chin. He prefers me to hold him over anyone else, ahhhhh, a mama’s boy! Here are some pics from his first weeks at home.

Tonsils are in good shape.

I look so small in my crib.

Can anyone say, I'm beautiful?

Baths are not my favorite thing.

Thank goodness that is over!

What kind of face is that?!

Just me and my brother.

Giant Case

Case’s imagination is in full swing and it’s adorable. Recently he has been taking on different personas. For example, sometimes he becomes “SUPER CASE to the rescue.” He calls himself Super Case and even has a Super Case pose that he strikes just before taking off to rescue whatever needs rescuing.

“Little Case” shrinks up and walks with his head down.

There is also “Giant Case” who stands on his tippy toes and reaches for the sky.

Speaking of Giant Case, I think one of the biggest surprises about bringing home baby Cole was suddenly how big Case became. Before, Case was my little 23 lb 2 year old baby boy. He cuddled on my lap and I carried him upstairs for bedtime at night. Now he seems huge. Every time I help him in his jammies I think, your legs are huge! When I give him a kiss on his beautiful head, I think, your noggin is ginormous! There is a big difference between 23 lbs and 6 lbs and suddenly Case seems like a grown man. Although at the rate Cole is growing he won’t be small for long. Case was born 6.7 lbs and 1 week after his birth weighted 6.13 lbs. The boy is defiantly getting enough to eat! At this rate I need to start saving for groceries for the teenage years now.

Similarities

Does anyone else see the similarities in these pics? The first pic is of Case after he was born. The second pic is of Cole after he was born. The third pic is of both the boys. I'd say we made a little Case clone.

Cole Jack Gray

Cole Jack Gray came into this world 10-14-10 at 12:16 pm weighing in at 6.7 oz and 19 1/2” long. We had been scheduled to go into the hospital first thing in the morning for an induced labor but the hospital called and canceled the induction. Apparently everyone except me decided to go into labor the night before and there were no more rooms available. To say we were disappointed was an understatement. With no place to go, we came home, took a nap, ate a late breakfast and Cole decided to arrive whether he was induced or not. I started having contractions around 10:30 am and immediately headed to the hospital. Since my last delivery was so short we knew time was against us, however we had no idea just how quickly this little guy would arrive. By the time we drove to the hospital, were checked out by triage and placed in a room I was ready to deliver. However, there was one big problem. I hadn’t received my epidural! My Dr was telling me I could have this baby before the epidural person would even be available but I did not believe that nonsense. After all, Case came quick but there was a lot, a lot, a lot of hard pushing involved. The epidural person arrived about 5 minutes later but I just couldn’t hold out any longer. Cole was born before they even had time to put meds in me. From start to finish the entire labor and delivery took about 1.45 hrs. Cole’s new nickname might have to be changed from Capt to Bullet.

Cole has only been around a few days but we can already tell a huge difference between him and Case. The main one being that Cole is QUIET! He hardly ever makes a peep. I can see where the term the forgotten child may have come from because it would be easy to forget he is even in the room with as quiet as he is. Case was never ever quiet. Cole is a wonderful baby who looks just like Case when he was born. Case is adjusting well to being a big brother and the rest of the family is remembering just how hard it can be to be sleep deprived. I think the most amazing thing is just how seamless my heart expanded to make room for the 3 great loves of my life, all my men. I feel like I have won the lottery, twice! Our family has expanded and we couldn’t be luckier. I love you Cole!

Fresh on the scene.

My first bath.

Mommy loves you!

Daddy checking out his boy.

Lele and Papa were here for Cole's arrival.

Meeting big brother for the first time.

How thoughtful. Cole even bought Case a present.

24 hours later we are headed home.

Sweet little baby feet.

Big brother Case is very good at taking care of me and loves holding me.

Final Days

As the days and hours tick by and the time I have with Case alone dwindles quickly, we have been spending a lot of quality time together. For example, I am enjoying our quite time sitting together in the recliner cuddling and watching some of his favorite shows (currently Mickey Mouse). We have been enjoying the beautiful outside weather by walking, swinging in the back yard and taking trips to the park. Since Cody is not traveling anymore until after the baby is born, we have even all been able to sneak in a few family days together. Our trip to the apple farm apparently made a big impression because Case is still talking about picking apples. And last weekend we went to a Fall Festival at Rock Ledge Ranch where Case got to check out lots of animals, enjoy another hay ride and participate in a candy scramble. Our time together is so precious.



Tootsie Rolls! My favorite!



Checking out the horses, chickens, huge muddy pigs, sheep and ducks.



I love tractor rides. Just look at that cheesy grin!



I love our son so much and am in continual awe at how fast he is developing. For example, Case is able to say just about any word you want him to say. His communication skills are amazing and he is speaking in sentences. He knows all his shapes, colors, a couple letters in the alphabet and can count to 13. He can also count backwards from 3. Can anyone tell I am a proud mama? I hope the family is ready for our newest addition and the time and memories just keep getting better.

Remember

Remember how much fun it was to play in the pillows on your parent’s bed? I do. And now bed wrecking is part of our morning fun. Even though I end up making the bed twice I still can't help but smile every time I see Case jumping on the bed yelling "crash!" as he throws himself onto a heap of pillows.

Finished

I never thought it would happen but it did. Capt Jacks room is finished! His crib was finally delivered after being back ordered forever. Cody’s been traveling so much with work but he was able to stain the furniture and my grandfather put on the finishing lacquer. Cody and Frank did an amazing job on redoing the pieces to match and the entire set of furniture looks great together! The spare bedroom was broken down and moved into the basement. The carpets have been cleaned and the furniture was moved upstairs. The baby’s clothes have been washed and everything is put away. The pictures are hung and the entire room is done! I am so glad this project is finished! Now we can have a baby hopefully soon. Even though I still technically have 2 more weeks left, according to the doc I am 2 cent dilated, 50% effaced and could go at any time. Sleeping is miserable, walking is miserable, just moving is miserable. Needless to say I am ready to meet this little guy. Hooray! Now, if we only had a name.