2nd grade

5 days after we came home from the hospital, Boston had his FIRST day of SECOND grade.

Talk about jumping RIGHT into the swing of things.  It seemed like we hardly had anytime to breathe but it is what it is. 

Kent and Boston had gone to his meet the teacher and found out he also had switch teachers--2 other teachers, Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Marshall.  His homeroom teacher, Mrs. Boutwell, teaches math and science and Mrs. Holmes/Marshall teach language arts and social studies.  We will see how we feel about this as the year goes on. 

Boston was excited to start second grade and woke up to his favorite breakfast, mountain pancakes (aka German pancakes).  Kent and I took him to school while my mom stayed back with the younger boys (its times like this having extra help was very nice).  For whatever DUMB reason on the way to school Kent told Boston it's not cool to hold my hand any more.  I was quite furious ESPECIALLY when we got out of the car and as I was holding his hand, he pulled away once we reached the school building.  Thanks Kent for putting the idea in his head that kids would make fun of him for holding my hand.  He said he was just trying to save him from embarrassment and harassment.  I say, let the kid have good self confidence and not worry about it!  I'm still upset about it.  Regardless, we survived the drop off and it really hit me how much he's growing up.

  Boston has officially started SECOND grade and I can't get over that I have a second grader.  It's bizarre how fast time flies because I SWEAR he was just in preschool. 

Here's to a new school year that is already showing to be much busier and more involved than last year (I know that it is typical but I'm just trying to get used to it).

nolan's first week

We bailed on the hospital early.  I hate being in the hospital forever.  Nurses always bugging you, being away from the boys...I'm just ready to get home and try to get back into the swing of life. 

I think Nolan preferred being home too.

 He got his first bath which was a love/hate relationship.

 He did pretty well with his eating/sleeping schedule but of course just like all newborns, prefers to sleep more than be awake.

 His brothers are very concerned any time he starts to cry.  Whether its offering him his binky or trying to comfort him with stuff animals, they do what they can to get him to stop.

 Mimi of course is the lifesaver when the shock of another baby in the house hits.  We love her for all her help.

 He also went to the doctor for his one week a little earlier than the one week mark.  The doctors at the hospital were concerned about a little heart murmur they heard and wanted us to get him to our pedi 2 days after we left the hospital. 

One week stats:

Weight: 8 lbs 6 oz (72%)

Height: 20 inches (56%)

 

Dr. Rahman heard his heart and felt everything would close up on its own but wanted to take extra precaution and referred us to a pediatric cardiologist.  For whatever reason Kent and I weren't TOO worried.  I guess we felt strongly that the hole would close up on it's own.  After meeting with the cardiologist, having an echocardiogram and ultrasound done on his heart, they found 2 holes both of which the doctor isn't concerned about at ALL.  She told us to forget that we had even come and to not to worry about it one bit.  We will keep an eye on it but they should both close up on their own. We were grateful for that.

We survived our first week with three but mainly with the help of my mom.  We are so grateful to have this little man here and I'm even MORE grateful to NOT be pregnant any more.  It feels SO nice to sleep on my belly again!

baby #3

 I had been counting down the days for August 18th to arrive.  I had very mixed emotions about this day.  I remember that with Hudson, I had been watching TOO much Grey's Anatomy and freaking myself out about my C-section delivery.  This time I took my doctor's advice and didn't watch anything like that.  I told him at my last appointment that I was a tad nervous to which he said, "You should be.  You're having surgery.  That's normal.  But just know that I am VERY good at what I do!"  Thanks McGuirk for your confidence.  I love my doctor.

The night before we were supposed to go in, I started having some MAJOR pains.  At first I thought, "Is this what contractions feel like?"  Then after doing a bit of research, learned that it was just pains from the baby.  So, still 0-3 in feeling a contraction with my pregnancies... 

I wasn't scheduled to go in until 10:30 am.  We got checked in, prepped and ready and were anxiously awaiting my doctor....he came a little late.  Doctor's can never be reliable.

Once Dr. McGuirk arrived, talked to us and calmed my nerves, they wheeled me back into the FREEZING (even for a pregnant chick in August) operating room. 

My nurse was SO sweet as they prepped me for surgery.  The anesthesiologist was a gem and was awesome at taking care of me.  The spinal block went great AND she was on top of it all surgery.  I don't react well to anesthesia so I'm grateful for those doctors!  Dr. McGuirk seemed extra calm and sensitive.  He's usually very relaxed and funny (which he still was during it all) but he just seemed EXTRA caring.  I appreciated that.

 Kent and I sat holding hands and chatting away while we sat waiting for the little man's arrival.  I don't think Kent did too much watching this go around until it was time for the baby to make his debut.  It probably took about 15 minutes of very little pain.  I only felt tons of pressure when they were pulling the little man out.  After all the pressure, at 1:17 pm I heard the sweetest cry!  I always just wait for that cry...and then I cry.  Dr. McGuirk showed me this little man over the curtain and I was instantly in love!

This little chunk weighed in at 8 lbs 13 oz and 20.5 inches long. 

My babies keep getting bigger.

This was the first time they have actually let me HOLD my baby on the operating table. 

 I took him all in! 

Shortly after, they whisked him away with daddy. 

This is probably one of my favorite pictures of him holding Kent's finger.

After I was all stitched up, they took me into recovering which was MUCH better than last time.  I didn't throw up a single time and didn't even get the chills!  I was amazed and grateful because for whatever reason I was SO not looking forward to that part.  All went well until they were taking me to my room...then the nausea came.  I survived it and was just anxiously waiting for Kent to get to the room with the baby. 

I look a little drugged because I was.....

It took us 24 hours to name this little man.

 But finally decided on little

NOLAN DEE HOOPER

His middle name is my mom's father's middle name

The boy's LOVED him at first sight.  They were obsessing over him instantly and are so thrilled to have another brother.

 Mimi got to meet her 6th grandson.

 We are officially a family of FIVE!

 

I'm not sure what brings you closer to your spouse then bringing a baby into this world.  I love Kent so much and I love him as a father even more!  He loves our boys.  Like, he really has a VERY tender spot in his heart for little kids.  He's always so wonderful and supportive during the WHOLE process of pregnancy, birth and life with a new baby.  He's the best and I'm so happy that he's mine and my kids' father!

Welcome to the world baby Nolan!

We are SO grateful you're here.