Graham Leo- 5 months old!

Graham, you are getting so big! 5 months have flown by. Your sweet personality continues to develop and surprise us every day. You are so sweet and curious. You love to watch what everyone else is doing. On the border of nosey. Ha. 

Your brother is your most favorite thing to watch. You will sit by him and watch him all day. You've started to grab things (such as hair, face, etc.) which Henry hasn't been the most fond of but we know you just want to be close to him. 

You've started to give kisses this month. I just adore them and can't get enough. You will hold our faces with both your hands very intentionally and then give a big slobbery kiss. You also seem very satisfied and pleased with yourself when you have finished. Such a flirt. 

You are still our go with the flow/flexible baby. So thankful for that. Now that Nana is watching you during the day and brother will be at school hopefully more a nap schedule will begin to develop. 

Some 5 month stats:

-bedtime is around 8pm. You still wake up around 11 for a dreamfeed and then usually we hear you fussing around 3 or 4 in the morning. The night you finally sleep all the way through will be a wonderful one. Ha! It's a short lived thing, so I'm trying to have patience with it. (update as of 9/6- we tried cry it out this past week. After one day you got the hang of it and now you are sleeping 8-5:30 in your crib. You sleep longer after I feed you at 5:30 too. Why we waited so long to try that, I don't know. Ha!)
- You roll over front to back and are happy to play on your tummy. You are even scooting yourself in circles whenever we put you on the floor. I don't think crawling will be very far away.
-You've started solid foods. Sweet potatoes, squash, peas and carrots have been introduced so far. You are more interested in what we are eating though. Baby led weaning may be your thing. We tried apples and you have a big allergic reaction to it. So now we are kinda keeping an eye out when we give you fruits that were grown with skin (pears, peaches, etc.). Kind of stinks since all store made pouches have applesauce as the base ingredient. 

-Napping is still a work in progress. You do seem to enjoy napping after you've bounced yourself out!

-You weigh 16 lbs (45%), 27 inches (95%) and your sweet little head circumference is 5%.  Apparently you have a small head?! We think it's perfectly perfect. Maybe that nurse measured wrong. Ha! 

-You are daddy's snuggle buddy. You both LOVE sleeping in the mornings. Henry is my morning guy and you are daddy's night owl/sleep in partner.

-You smile and laugh at everything your big brother does! I don't think anyone could love you more. You and him both look for each other first thing in the morning. Henry calls you "Gah Gah" and it's the cutest thing. 

You are the best baby and we are so blessed to call you ours! We love you Graham Leo! 

Graham Leo Lindstedt

Our sweet boy finally decided to arrive! 

Graham Leo Lindstedt

April 5th, 2018 at 5:45pm

7 lbs 5ozs and 21 inches long

Graham's Birth Story (before I forget!)

This baby was in NO RUSH to come out at all. I had my regular 39 week OB appointment on Tuesday and they swept my membranes. That did nothing. I was starting to get anxious (silly, I know) so it was offered that we could be put on the elective induction list. Basically, if the hospital isn't super busy and there is a room available, they will call you to come in and begin the labor process. I figured it would take a few days before getting a call. Thursday morning I was playing with Henry and Josh had just left for work when the phone rang. They had space and told us to come on in. Oh, the excitement! I called Josh and then starting packing up Henry for going to Nana's house. Poor Henry. He could tell I was in a tizzy and was so whiny and clingy. He knew something was up. 

Once Josh arrived at home and we dropped off our precious first born at the grandparents we headed onto the hospital. We arrived around 11:30 and began the check- in process. The nurse started the pitocin drip around 12:30. I was having a few contractions here and there on my own, but the pitocin definitely got them started. I was happy and handling the pain well at this point. (See below photo.)

Fast forward to about 3-4 pm. I had come in around 4 centimeters and when they checked me, I was still 4 centimeters. They broke my water (which side note- glad that didn't happen out in public...that was a lot of water!!) and things got real after that. I think just the 30 minutes after my water broke, the contractions were so intense I was not prepared for it. I was asking for the epidural very quickly. The nurse told me that it could take up to 45 minutes for the anesthesiologist to arrive...thankfully it he wasn't busy and 10 minutes later he appeared! I did have to have it done three times. Not fun. First one didn't take, the second time only made my legs numb and third time was the charm. I was definitely not feeling any pain by that point. So it's about 5:00 at this point and the midwife comes in to check my progress. In just an hour I had gone from 4 cm to 10! She started chuckling and told me that we could start pushing if we wanted. Josh and I were in disbelief! I'd only been at the hospital in "real" labor for 5 hours! I kept asking if she was joking. She wasn't. 

The baby's heart rate started to dip down with each contraction so they decided it was time to push. 15 minutes later, sweet Graham arrived! He had a very short cord, which is why his heart rate was going down each time. Thankful he was born without any complications and that my pushing was effective enough to not need an emergency c section or anything like that. I was able to do skin to skin with him for about one and half hours before they even weighed him or did newborn assessments. So different then Henry who was whisked off to the NICU. 

I'm so thankful that he arrived healthy and that I had a relatively easy labor.  He was born with a head full of dark hair, blue eyes, two dimples (another one with dimples...lucky me) and looking just like his daddy and brother. 

I can't believe we are a family of four. I'm so blessed and thankful. Two years ago I thought I'd never be a mom and look how amazing God's plan has been. To those still struggling to start a family, Josh and I pray for you everyday. It's so hard to trust in his will and timing (still is for us too) but his plan for you is GOOD! I promise! 

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers for our sweet family! 

Life Lately and Henry 14 months

Hi everyone! I feel like a bad mama...Henry's baby book has no more space and there's so much I need to jot down to remember. 

Henry at 14 months:

-Sleeps 7pm- 6:30/7am 

-Working towards the one nap a day goal (doesn't work perfectly everyday but we are getting there)

-Eats everything and anything. Don't even think of trying to eat ANYTHING different then you've given him because he will whine until he's eating it too! Ha! 

-He has 12 (!!!!) teeth. 4 of those are currently breaking through. Poor kid. Two molars and two canines! 

-Loves to read. Favorites that are must haves every night are Bedtime for Batman, Llama Llama Misses Mama or Llama Llama Mad at Mama. He giggles and smiles at the exact perfect parts too. I love this kid. 

- Loves his new Mickey Mouse toy from his Uncle David and Aunt Brooke. Calls it "Mmm-maa". 

-Speaking of communication- here are words he knows:

Mama, Daddy, Nana, Papa, Di-Di (Danielle), Yes, Hi, All done, Again, Light

Signs- all done, more, thank you, please (we are working on teaching him the sign for help)

I think that's pretty good for 14 months! 

- Loves to go to the library for story time on Mondays.

-Has to wave goodbye from the door to Josh and I when we leave in the mornings. My mom says after that he goes upstairs and carries around a little canvas picture of the two of us and says our names over and over. (cue tears here....)

-Totally knows something is happening soon, is very interested in us setting up the new baby's nursery, putting up swing and pack-n-play, etc. 

-His two grandpas are definitely still the family favorites. Misses my dad (Grampy) when he's not home and has to face time Josh's dad (Papa) at least once a day! It's adorable. 

-Starting to show a stubborn streak. Definitely knows what he wants and will try his best to get it. Has no problem whining or shouting to let us know his displeasure. I said to Josh the other day that the real parenting is going to begin now. Any tips on beginning discipline for a toddler? Not against spanking (when necessary) but would love other effective ways too. 14 months is too little for time out? If you've read any great books- please pass along the titles! 

We just love each and every moment that God blesses us with! I don't think I've ever known such joy (or exhaustion! ha!). Babyhood was fun but I'm loving the personality and communication that's happening right now. He's such a fun little person to be around! 

 

 

Some life lately moments:

My sweet school family gave me a diaper shower this week. It is so appreciated- especially with having two in diapers! It was a little gentleman theme. Adorable. 

Making some nursery progress. I need to get out my actual camera and take some good pictures. G's room doesn't have the beautiful big windows that Henry has, so lighting isn't the best.

    We are still trying to pick our a nursery chair. Can't decide between another regular glider or a glider/recliner combo. The recliner sound heavenly for those middle of the night nursing sessions.  

Still adding some fun knick-knacks and art prints over the changing table. 

This is my view a lot lately. I'm just pooped and my hips hurt like a mother. I'm total penguin waddle at this point. Apparently, my blood work last appointment said I was deficient in protein and calcium numbers, so I've been doing my part to up that intake. You know, the random yummy Chick-fil-a milkshake of course! Ha! As much as I long and wish for this baby to arrive soon and have my body back, I need to quit being selfish and just pray for a healthy and happy baby that will arrive when he's good and ready. That being said, I do have an ultrasound next week to check size, since big brother was born over 7 lbs at just 37 weeks. So interested to see what that says. I think this kiddo is a pretty good size too. 

Happy hump day tomorrow!!

Friday Favorites

Ya'll. This kid. Josh sent me this picture yesterday and I swear I almost cried on the spot. How I'd get so blessed to be his mama?

I've been listening to a new song from Dave Barnes all week after Josh decided to play it on an errand run last Saturday. Not smart. I was ugly crying in the car and looked like someone punched me in the face the rest of the afternoon. Ha ha! But the song is great. What simple prayer we all have for our children. 

"May your life be long,

Your friendships deep,

May your heart be kind and true.

I pray you'll know the peace of God,

and how dearly I love you."

-Song for My Children by Dave Barnes

It's a beautiful song-just make sure you listen to it at home...with tissues. 

This cup. It was a Christmas gift from one of my kids and I just have to say how much I love it. I know there are super expensive versions, but this one is awesome. Ice will still literally be in the cup the next day!! With as much water as I'm drinking right now (and has to have lots of ice...cold, cold, cold) this cup is the bomb. I don't know if I should really be putting it in the dishwasher or not- but it seems to handle that just fine! 

It can be bought online and at Target! 

Well, the crib has been put together at least. I love how the bedding turned out. My talented mama made the crib skirt, the sheet is Pottery Barn Kids and bumper is from Amazon. 

Artwork needs to be hung and final touches added. We are close but yet so far away from being done. 

Yellow chair is going and will be replaced by a rocker. Still on the hunt for bow ties. Well actually, if we are being honest, I haven't been to one store to look. I don't know if it's just life with a toddler or preggo life with a toddler but once I get him in the car in the afternoon to go home, that's all we do. Go home. The idea of going to a store, lugging my 28 pound baby out of car, into stroller, walking around with my already swollen feet from working all day- no thanks. That's probably why I have nothing done and why I should really invest in Amazon prime! Yes..people tell me shopping gets even better with two! #momprobs

Sorry to my northern friends and family. You won't appreciate this favorite very much, so skip it if you want.

72 degrees in February? YES, PLEASE! It's so refreshing to be outside! I know Henry is loving it. Especially when he screams and cries about going inside when I need to start dinner. *sigh*

Is it here to stay? Probably not. We'll get a freaky March cold front. Probably an Easter snow storm. You know right when I go into labor or something. So we are enjoying it while it's here!

Loving these random sweet moments from my week. Might as well end with some pictures.

Totally going to need to get those safety door handle things. I thought we had some time before this stinker could reach them. 

Henry's taken an interest in coloring now. Thank heavens we've moved on from the eating crayon stage. Now we make little marks on the paper. I love watching his little mind make connections. At night we always read a Llama Llama book and in the one about Llama at school it ends with a picture he drew on the fridge. I put one of Henry's pictures on the fridge and now every time we read that page, he giggles and smiles at me like he knows his artwork is on the fridge too! 

Totally running out of lap space. Can't wait to be holding both my sweet boys in just a few short weeks! 

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend!