The sling...

When I had Taegan I didn't get a sling to carry her around in, we did get a front carrier for her-but didn't use it a lot. I used it when we went on a trip, but that was really about it. This time I wanted to get a sling and be able to use it around the house so I could have my hands free, still be taking care of him, and be able to play with Taegan as well. The first one we bought was the Moby-and after trying and trying it I gave up. We returned it because I was pretty overwhelmed with it. There was so much fabric and I had a really hard time getting it to do what it was supposed to. I researched online and found the Baby K'Tan and decided I would try that one.

He LOVES it.

This wrap/sling is SOOO easy!!! It is just two loops of fabric and I had it figured out the first time. All I have to do is put Laekan in it and he is out for good. I actually went to a training for work yesterday and they let me take him with me(thank goodness) and I just put him in this and he slept the whole training. We went out to dinner last night and he was starting to get fussy, I put him in this and he crashed. I was able to eat dinner, hold him, and have no fussy baby. What a blessing!!!

I would highly suggest looking into a sling/wrap if you are pregnant or are a new mom. I plan on using this for as long as I can with him:)

Laekan Two Weeks Old...

Yes Laekan-you are now two weeks old!!! Mommy, Daddy, and Taegan are falling more in love with you everyday. We are in awe of how much you have changed since the day you entered our lives and we can't wait for the next day to see what you do.

Here is what you are up to at 2 weeks:
* You are eating 3.5-4 oz every 3-4 hours during the day.
* You are eating 3.5-4 oz every 4-5 hours at night-even one night you went 6 hours:)
* You are turning your head from side to side when on your belly-you did this at one week.
* You love tummy time and will sleep like a rock on it when we leave you there.
* You sleep in your own room every night in this little bed thing.
* You are back to your birth weight.
* You had your first "sick" visit to the Dr. for a terrible diaper rash-got meds.
* You continue to be laid back and love cuddling while you sleep.
* We swaddle you at night, but not during the day.
* You have a fussy time every night between 5:30-6:00
* You spend about 1.5-2 hours of awake time in the morning and in the evening with us.
* Taegan loves to help with everything with you...she is a GREAT sister.

We LOVE you Laekan Harper!!!

The iPad...

As I have mentioned Taegan has been doing a great job since Laekan entered our lives and she continues to amaze us with how grown up she can be. With that being said she has had her days where she wants more attention and will act out until one of us realizes that is what she is wanting. She loves for all of us to be together and do things. She also really likes it to just be about her sometimes and not have to worry about little brother being in the way. This is easier when Justin gets home in the evenings then it is for me during the day. I do my best to be with her when he doesn't need my attention, but somedays are hard! She is doing great with finding things to play with on her own and likes to show us what she can do by herself. Her new love right now is the iPad. My Dad bought one a year ago and I had been bugging him to give it to me and he could get the new one. Well, about 3 weeks before Laekan was born he finally gave in, and I don't think he has regretted it. He is shocked at what Taegan can do on it and that she can do it all alone. She gets to play with it when she has been good and she knows how to turn it on, find her games, and play away. She also really likes watching music videos on it as well that we have downloaded-she is a cutie!!!

Here she is getting some play time before nap while I fed Laekan!!!

Dr visit and sister time

Taegan is doing such an amazing job of being a big sister. She continues to care about what Laekan is doing and what is going on. She is doing a great job of helping me with him and if she could carry him around she would be all over it. Taegan is doing great playing by herself when I am feeding him or needing to take care of him. We are so blessed to have two great kiddos!!!

Hanging out giving him hugs.

Working on some tummy time...together.

On Tuesday, I took Laekan in for his one week check-up. He had gained weight and was looking good. The Dr. was pleased with how his color was and how much/often he was eating. I felt better with the reassurance from him and will just keep doing what we have been doing!

All done at the Dr. and pretty mad about being awake!

Reading books with Daddy.

Can't give him enough kisses!

Hanging out at home...

We have had a great first week with Laekan! We love being home and just being a family. It is so surreal to me that I am now a Mommy of 2 and they depend on me for everything. There are moments that I have to just step back and take it all in. What a blessing Taegan and Laekan are to Justin and I. Taegan ADORES him and loves on him every chance she can. I am shocked at how well(knock on wood) she is doing with all of this. She continues to nap and sleep at night well, helps me get things for Laekan, loves on him whenever she thinks about him, is very concerned and worried when he cries, and is overall just doing great. I have had a few times where I just break down crying about how lucky I am and how awesome things are going so far. The love I have for both of them just can't be put into words...just tears!

Cutie.
Daddy and Laekan taking a nap.

Tummy time-he loves it!

Oh the love in this picture...melts my heart.

Going home...

Friday morning we got up and we eager to get things wrapped up and head home with Laekan. We were so excited that this time we actually were getting to take him home with us-this was so good for my soul!!! The Dr came in to see me and discharge me. We got everything else done, then it was hurry up and wait for KU Med to call with the heart echo results. We waited, and waited. Finally we heard from them and then we had to wait on a call back to set up an appointment to get him back in. By this point we are all packed up, Laekan is ready, and we are getting impatient. It was 5:15 before I asked them to just call us with the appointment time! And we were out the door-YES!!!

Waiting and cuddling.
Mr. Handsome ready to go.

We made it home-he looks so small!

Big Sister showed him his room. (Geez I look tired!)

Our Time in the Hospital

While we were in the hospital we had lots of visitors and lots of events that happened! It was nice to have someone to take care of me and of Laekan. We sent him to the nursery at night so that we could get a good nights sleep for the two nights we were there! The first night I was in quite a bit of pain so I didn't sleep much. I was also worried about Laekan. About 2 hours after birth I was trying to feed him a bottle and he turned blue all up and down his arms and legs. This caused him to be taken to the nursery and be monitored closely. He continued to be very lethargic and never really cried that night. I checked on him throughout the night and he wasn't really changing-not getting worse or better. By morning they said he had started to get a bit more active and they brought him to our room.

I was getting a bit worried though because he was spitting up a lot-or it seemed to me. He still wasn't really crying and his color did seem to be improving a bit. I fed him throughout the day and then at 1 he threw up his whole feeding. I sent him to the nursery so they could feed him and see what I was talking about. I wanted someone else to see the spitting and gagging. The attending doctor returned an hour later saying he had another blue episode and had spit up again. They ordered blood work and a heart echo. I was drained!!! He was gone from us the rest of the day and into the evening for all his work and to be monitored more. This was hard because we had visitors and all they could do was look through the window. This wasn't what I had envisioned.

The blood came back fine and the echo showed no immediate concern. We would have to wait until Friday morning for it to be read. Friday morning came and went and we didn't hear anything. I was done with my paperwork for discharge and we were waiting on Laekan. He was in the room with us though and seemed to be doing MUCH better to us. His color was better and he was eating with very little spit up. We finally got the results around 2 that there is a small PFO(hole) in his top chambers of his heart. This wasn't something life threatening, but it is something we go back for on June 16 to have repeated and results again. I was relieved that I would in fact be going home with a baby that day:)

Big Sister holding Laekan with Grandma Tina.
Getting his heart echo done.

Resting with Dad on our last day there.

Too cute for words!!!

Taegan meeting Laekan

Once Laekan was cleaned and things were calming down, my Dad brought Taegan up to the hospital to meet him. We had Justin go to the waiting room and get her and Laekan was laying in his crib. Taegan was VERY shy and wouldn't have much to do with him at all. Just clung to Justin and was apprehensive about it all.

Walking in.
Hiding in Justin.
Kind of scared to see Mommy like this.
Opening her big sister gift.
Getting her first real look with Daddy.
Deciding two hours later that he might be okay.
SO Sweet!!! I love my kiddos.
Taegan taking a picture of Laekan.

He's Here...

Laekan Harper was born at 4:36 pm on Wednesday, May 11!!! He weighed 8lbs, 7oz and was 21 and 3/4 inch long. I was scheduled to be there at 7:15 and they got stuff going at 11. Things were pretty boring until about 3. I got my epidural at noon and didn't feel a thing until 3 when part of it stopped working!!! I started feeling contractions and that seemed to slow things down. I could only feel it on half, but I was tensing quite a bit. At about 3:50 I was pretty miserable and then at 4 was complete. They got everything setup and ready and I started pushing at 4:15. I didn't feel anything once I started pushing and he was out very fast. He did get stuck coming out and his nosed bruised some.

Right as we were leaving home.
He is here!

Welcome Laekan.

8lbs, 7 oz

Waiting to hold my SON!

And we meet:)

Happy tears...we love you.

Happy Parents.

Nurse Heather giving him his first bath.

Cleaned up and awake.

Meeting Big Sister coming up next!

Baby update...

I know I didn't do a weekly update last week-but I was miserable and busy and had my fingers crossed he was gonna come anyday so I didn't need to do one:( Well, Laekan hasn't graced our home yet!!! I am headed to the Dr this morning and am hoping to convince the Dr. to let me go on in and have him. I guess we will see. Last Thursday we did head up to the hospital because I was having contractions, but were sent home bc I wasn't having them close enough together and wasn't progressing after walking for an hour. As of Thursday I was at a 4 plus and 90% effaced...SO CLOSE! Fingers crossed I have progressed a bit more as of today and can meet this boy soon.

I will update when I know more!!

Birthday part-take 2

We had Taegan's family birthday party on Sunday afternoon! She was so excited for it all day and kept talking about everyone that was coming. We worked all day outside to get the yard and house ready. (It was also a way to try and put myself into labor...no go!) Her menu of choice for the party was: Mac and Cheese, Cheese Dip, Little Smokies, and Fruit. Gotta love letting a 3 year old pick it out!!! She ate well though, and no one seemed to complain.

Here is our princess ready for her party.
And not wanting to take pictures for Mom.

Maybe Daddy is okay!!

So is Mom.

The princess cake.

Shocked to find a whole box of chalk for her!

Being silly.

Mom finally had to get down and help because she had a breakdown. Look at that belly.

Taegan had such a fun birthday and enjoyed being around the whole family. Her big present from her grandparents was a trampoline(not a full sized one) and I will have another post all about that!!! Thanks to all of our family for making the birthday a success!!!

3rd Birthday party-take 1

Taegan's birthday was last Thursday and Justin had been gone all week. She had a pretty good week, but was super ready for him to get home that night. He usually gets home around 7:30 on Thursday and then Taegan is headed to bed shortly after that. This time we decided to do her presents and cupcake with us that night when he got home. She was beside herself with excitement waiting on him to get home!!!

Posing with her presents.
Modeling her new jammies for us.

Cheese!!!!

Opening a present with Daddy-she couldn't get enough of him that night.

Cupcake time-and she wanted to share with Daddy.

A lick for you...

And a lick for me!!!

She loved all her presents and had such a great time with Justin that night. It melted my heart how much she wanted to be with him and do everything with him! Her real party was on Sunday...and I will do that post soon!!