We're Alive (Beware: Pic Overload)

Connor and I decided to take the hospital up on its offer to stay the full 48 hours. Recovery this time has been much easier than with Brooke but it was still nice to be able to send Connor to the nursery in the evening so I could get some sleep. Brooke and Troy came to visit both days and I think Brooke warmed up to Connor.We left the hospital on Saturday. Connor wasn't a fan of being changed out of hospital clothes but quickly settled into the car seat.Anybody else notice the similarities????Never mind the gut. I just think Brooke looks pretty cute. She's probably just glad to get out of the hospital. I know that I was definitely ready.Once we got home, the cats definitely needed to check things out. Lexie just walked up to the carseat, took a sniff, and walked on. Squishy on the other hand was very curious. After taking Connor out of his seat, Squishy immediately made herself at home in it.Same with the swing.This is after a few days of adjusting to having a baby around. Poor Squishy has a rough life.Like Troy mentioned, Thursday we got a healthy dose of snow in the morning. The Denver area only got rain but the news people mentioned that had it been snow, we would have seen 16 inches. Thankfully we're into May and the snow doesn't stick around for long. Saturday, after we got home, it decided to snow some more. Within minutes, the grass was covered with big, fat flakes. It was pretty cool to watch.Grandma Ware and Grandma Burt arrived Saturday to spend the week with us. They have been a huge help and I know that Brooke is glad to have them around. Not sure what I'm going to do when they head home this Saturday.Connor wasn't a fan of his first bath. I'm not sure there are any newborns that really enjoy being bathed.But once it was over, he was a happy camper. I love how fuzzy their hair gets after a bath.Brooke wanted in on the action too.Connor had his first doctor's visit yesterday. Leaving the hospital, he weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. His weight hasn't changed but the doc wasn't too concerned about it. He was concerned about his bilirubin count and suggested that Connor should get himself his first tan. We go back in tomorrow to get his blood tested again to make sure that his count is going down instead of up.

It seems that within this last week, we have only seen Connor's eyes a small handful of times. He spends most of his days sleeping and pooping.

Although I was able to catch a rare moment where Connor was wide awake and alert...at 1:00 in the morning.

All in all, I think we're adjusting fairly well to being a family of four. Obviously, Brooke has taken a little longer to come around but I think she'll do fine. We love having Connor in our family and I'm excited to see what new adventures he'll bring.

Connor Edward Ware

Wednesday night we dropped Brooke off at a friend's house in anticipation of Tracie's scheduled induction the next morning. Here are the events of Thursday, May 12.
Here's Tracie before taking off to the hospital (brief detour at IHOP on the way).

Second week of May, so why wouldn't it be snowing? And it snowed pretty much all morning at our house and the hospital. It did stop at about noon, only to rain all afternoon. We'll take the two inches of precipitation.

Water broken at 9, pitocin at 11, epidural at noon. How do you fill the down time while we wait? Words with friends. (Pregnant brain is gone, Tracie has dominated the last couple of days)

It was all pretty chill until about 3:45, when they were concerned about his heart rate on the contractions. They put a monitor on the top of his head, added some more amniotic fluid, and called for the doctor shortly there after. When the doctor got up there at about 4:15, she said, let's have a baby. Three sets of pushes later, he was out.

He was born at 4:25 pm, 7 pounds 12 ounces, 20 inches tall, 13 3/4 inch head. He was apparently sucking his tongue on the way out and it got a little tight on the way out and the bottom of his tongue was bruised. Good to know it doesn't affect his smile.

Getting his first bath, loved the head scrub.

Brooke came over later in the evening. She walked in the front doors of the hospital and asked, "Where's my baby brother?" Once she got to the room she was a little shy.

Maybe I'll just touch him lightly...

... and an hour later she's finally ready to hold him.

I think she will be a great older sister.

Mother's Day Surprise?

Instead of focusing on what didn't happen today, let us reflect on how many blessings we currently have, namely a loving mother and wife who heads this great family.

Mom and Dad are anxious to meet our son, but I think Brooke is enjoying her last few days of being the sole focus of our attention. She is tapping her creativity.

and she is preparing to sleep where she can once her brother starts waking up at all hours of the night!

On Saturday we went to Dim Sum, and it was really nice. That was really the last thing that we had scheduled, so anytime now little buddy...

Now a couple of close-ups of Brooke and her singing. Between choir practice at our house, church, and Tangled, Brooke is really starting to sing a lot more. I think she is pretty decent.

T minus 11 days (or less)

The light at the end of the tunnel is finally almost here and I'm so ready for it to be!!! Before our little guy decides to come, I've been trying to get in as much Brooke time as possible. Last week, the weather went from one extreme to another but luckily we were able to go out and enjoy the 2 days of niceness before the cold came back.Going to the park is a win/win for the both of us. It starts some contractions for me and uses Brooke's energy so she'll take a good nap in the afternoon. She is getting more brave and independent about climbing things. Now if only I could teach her how to swing herself.

Lastly, the kitties have been soaking up this big 'ol belly of mine. Lexie seems like she can't get enough and would definitely prefer to lay on the belly as opposed to the side or on my legs like Squishy. I'm sure they'll be so sad once the buddha belly is gone.
Here's to hoping that this time next week you'll be seeing pics of our new addition.

Look at what the Easter Bunny brought

A lovely hospital gown from Aunt Kristin. It will be nice for Tracie to receive guests post baby in style. Thanks Kristin!

Tracie's parents came out on Wednesday night and left Saturday morning. We had a lot of fun with then, and Brooke especially loved all of the extra attention. We had so much fun in fact, that the only picture we took was the one of Joanna receiving a lot of help from Brooke and Squishy.

Brooke got her first hair cut (besides her bangs).

We were getting ready to do Little Jimmer's first load of laundry. Squishy had other plans for the pile.

Apparently, Glendale, where my office is, has a rugby club. A few of us from work went to a game on Saturday night. It was pretty entertaining. Brooke enjoyed the pizza, lemonade, and the cowbell that she rang incessantly.

Naturally on Easter morning, we woke up to snow. This time of year it melts by 10 am, but the moisture was needed.

After naptime on Sunday, came the Easter Egg hunt.

She liked it so much that she's hid her eggs herself the rest of the night. And all day today...

By this morning she also learned how to open the eggs, so while Mom was taking a shower, she enjoyed a delicious and nutritious breakfast of jelly beans.

We also dyed eggs. Brooke's favorite part was playing with the small metal egg holder.

Happy Birthday Uncle Taylor

I know that I'm a day early but hey, it's better to be a day early than day late, right?! Anyway, Troy's brother, Taylor, and mom came up for the weekend so we could hang out with Taylor before he leaves in a few weeks. Given my current state, I'm glad that they were willing to make the trip out here because I know for sure I won't be going anywhere. Since Brooke found out that Uncle Taylor would be coming and that his birthday was right around the corner, for 2 days straight she sang this:
Some other things that we did while Uncle Taylor and grandma were here were: Dust off the good 'ol Wii Fit and burned some calories.Good thing Brooke doesn't understand age or she might just have been offended that her Wii Fit age was 32. I also decided that it probably isn't a good thing for me to play competitive video games while 9 months pregnant. The baby wasn't too happy with me and definitely let it be known. Troy, Taylor, and I were also able to hit up a Rockies game. We went to dinner beforehand at a place called the D Bar. It was muy delicioso and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Thanks Stephanie for the telling us about it. Afterwards we headed to Coors Field. Besides the really obnoxious loud group behind us and the loss it was a fun night and makes me look forward to games in the summer.

Lastly, my friend, Kristin, who is an ultrasound tech was so kind to do a 4D ultrasound on our little guy. As you can tell, he's got quite the chubby cheeks already. She guesstimated that he's already 6 lbs. 1 oz. and I've still got 4 1/2 weeks left. Yowza!!!!! I'm really, really hoping that I'm not going to be birthing a 8 lb baby. I might just have to convince my doctor that I need to have the baby a lot sooner than later.

Date Night

We decided to get out for a final night on the town before kid #2 comes. First was dinner at India House. The food was good, the service was a little slow. Their loss in the end, since we didn't have time for dessert.

Next we caught a show at the performing arts center. We'd never been in this particular theater, but we bought the cheapest tickets in the place. We were pleasantly surprised when our seats turned out to be this close.

Traces was the name of the show and it was very, very cool. Definitely worth the $18 bucks a ticket, especially if you get to sit that close to the stage.

Happy Spring!!!!

Spring has officially started. Well, I guess it started a couple weeks ago but what's spring without temperatures soaring to a new record of 84 then the next day dropping back to remind us that Jack Frost still likes to show his face every now and then. Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous day. So gorgeous that we decided to head to the zoo. All Brooke could talk about were the animals that she would see. The zoo did not disappoint at all and we got to soak in some much needed sun.

Taking a much needed break because mom was walking way too fast for everyone...Sunday, we awoke to what looked like would be another beautiful day but the winds had a different plan in mind. We decided to celebrate conference weekend, nonetheless, with a delicious breakfast.I love having Troy home on Sundays and not having a church at 8 am!!!!!

Earlier in the week, Brooke had her very first dentist appointment. I had gone the previous week and was able to prep her for what would happen. I even let her play with the water squirter thing. Anywho, she was a rockstar through the whole thing and even allowed the hygienist clean her teeth. She passed with flying colors!!!

Our library has a fantastic program that lets you go to local places for free. A few months ago we went to place called The Wildlife Experience and this last week we decided to hit up the Denver Art Museum with Robyn and Taylor.

I realized a long time ago that I don't have much appreciation for modern art and some of the exhibits that we saw only confirmed that feeling. Brooke, on the other hand, enjoyed all the kid activities they had throughout...the 2nd floor. We never made it past the 2nd floor and I believe there were at least 2 or more floors more. Anyway, I'm glad that the museum was free and I might just have to go back and see what the other floors may offer.