My Little Artist

Cedric went to Isabel's 3rd birthday party last Saturday the 15th and he had lots of fun getting to paint for the first time. He was having so much fun spreading the paint around the canvas with the paint brush. Of course, he had fun spending time with his friend, Izzy. My friend for ten years, Amanda is Isabel's mom. I can't believe how fast our babies are growing. I was still in my first trimester with Cedric when Isabel was born. Time flies!

Sebastian is 4 Months Old

Sebastian is growing by leaps and bounds. He has rolled over a few times mostly back to front but a couple of times front to back. As you can see from the picture above he is getting very close to sitting up without slouching. He does a lot of cooing, smiling, and laughing. I know I'm bias, but he is so cute!

I took Sebastian to the doctor today for his four month check-up. He weighed 17 lbs. 14 oz. which puts him in the 95th percentile, and his height was 26 in. which puts him in the 90th percentile. His head was 41.4 cm. which puts him in the 25th percentile. Dr. Bob said Sebastian looked healthy! However, Sobe doesn't like having the light shined in his face to have his eyes checked...he cried! My poor, sweet baby! He also had to get a couple of shots, which made him cry even more but a hug from mommy made it all go away.

I'm 37 Today!

John bought me this baby carrier for my birthday. He also bought me a little, black lab stuffed animal puppy. John, Cedric, Sebastian, and I are going to Cheesecake Factory in a little bit to celebrate my birthday. Of course, my favorite of all my birthday presents are my family; my two sweet boys, and my snuggle bunny husband.

In other news, Sebastian rolled over today from back to stomach. He is growing up so much, and he is only three and a half months old. I weighed him on our scale on Monday, and he weighed 18lbs. I'm not sure how accurate it is, so I would say he is probably 17lbs. I love my babies even when they pull on me and want my undivided attention at the same time.

Happy Birthday to me!!!! 37 years old! Only three years away from 40! :p

Three Months Old

Sebastian is three months old today. He is smiling a lot and laughing. He likes to watch Cedric play, and he loves to be with his mommy & daddy. He is getting stronger every day...here he is sitting up in his Bumbo chair. He is such a sweet boy, and I love him so much.

Here is Cedric & Sebastian...best of friends! Both of my babies are getting so big!

I just want to kiss those cheeks...my sweet boy!

One Year Ago Today

One year ago Michael died of Brain Cancer. It's still hard to think that he is really gone. I wish Sebastian could have met his Uncle, and I wish Cedric got to know his Uncle better. Goodbyes are so sad!

Here is a butterfly that didn't make it on the releasing of the butterflies. He is the Michael butterfly.

Cedric with a butterfly of his own to make a wish on. I hope his wish comes true. :-)

The Native American Legend about the Butterflies:

If anyone desires a wish to come true, they must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.

Since they make no sound, they can't tell the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit.

So by making a wish and releasing the butterfly, it will be taken to the heavens and be granted.

I used this poem before for Michael on his birthday, but it's such a fitting poem I had to use it again.

A Poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle Autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush.
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there;
I did not die.

Two Months Old Today

Sebastian is two months old today. He had to have his two month check-up, and he is doing great. He weighs 14 lbs. 3 oz. and 24 inches long. He is in the 90th percentile for weight, and 85th percentile for height. His head is in the 30th percentile which is measuring at 39 cm. Everything is great so far, and he is where he should be for his development.

Unfortunately, my sweet baby had to get his shots today. He cried a little bit, but he seems to be doing fine now. I just want to hug his pain away. He is so cute and I love him so much. Cedric loves his little brother, too. He loves to give him kisses and hugs. It's amazing how much Sebastian has changed in just a short amount of time. He had his first laser treatment on May 29th, and his next appointment is on June 29th. It's too early yet to really see a difference, but I know it is working.

Just a quick note....everybody that meets Sebastian all say the same thing. They love his hair and say he has so much of it. They also say he is very cute. What can I say, John and I make cute babies. :-)

Mother's Day & Sebastian turns One Month

Cedric and Sebastian are best brothers and best of friends.

On Sunday, May 10, 2009, I celebrated my third Mother's Day with my two, sweet boys. This was Cedric's third and Sebastian's first Mother's Day. We went to the Littleton Historical Museum and then to Cinzzetti's for dinner. John, Cedric, and Sebastian got me a massage, a cute teddy bear holding flowers, and a funny book about being a women. I loved my presents! Of course, the best gift of all is my two little guys and my wonderful husband. I can't think of a way to top that.

Sebastian was weighed on Friday, May 8th and he weighed 11 lbs. 1oz. I can't believe how big he is after only a month. His two months appointment should be interesting to hear how much he has grown.

Sebastian Mikhael is Finally Here!

Sebastian Mikhael was born on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 11:35am. He weighed 9lbs. and 9oz., and his length was 21 3/4 inches long. He is such a sweet baby, and I love him so much. His big brother, Cedric is still trying to come to terms to having this new person living in our house, but he is slowly starting to warm up to him. I'm still amazed that I have two little ones to love on all day. My struggles with getting pregnant for almost two years seems like a very distant memory. I'm so grateful that I was able to get pregnant and not end up with the struggles that so many women suffer from.

Anyway, here is my birth story. On Friday evening around 8 pm I was watching tv and I got up to go to the bathroom. When I stood up, I felt like I was leaking. I was pretty sure it wasn't pee, because I had no control over the situation. I called the Midwife, and she told me to wait it out for awhile. I wasn't having painful contractions just occasional pressure, and she knew that I wanted to give birth without pain meds. They would have put me on Pitocin, and she knew that would make it a lot harder to go without drugs. I went to sleep that night, and I woke up around 1:50am to go to the bathroom. I moved to get up, and my water broke. It's a good thing I decided to put a towel under me while I was sleeping...otherwise our bed would have been drenched. I told John, and he started making sure we had everything we needed to go to the hospital. I called the Midwife, and she agreed with me that it was a good time for me to come in. We had to wait for my parents to come over to our house to watch Cedric. They arrived around 2:15am. I wasn't too panicked, because I was having no pain only occasional pressure.

John and I headed off to Saint Joseph's Hospital in Downtown Denver. It's a good thing my body decides to go into labor during the time of the night when the roads are pretty empty. We got to the hospital around 3:30am, and we first went to Triage before they could admit me. When I was hooked up to the monitors, I was having pretty regular contractions, but I was having no pain. I was only having pressure. Baby's heartbeat sounds great, and it was positive that my water broke. They had to wait until a room opened up before checking me in. We finally got to our room around 4:30am. The Midwife didn't want to check me since the more they check after your water breaks the chances of infection goes up. They hooked me up to the monitors. The nurse told me I would probably have to go on Pitocin to help my contractions become more regular and stronger. John and I rested for awhile.

At 8am the Midwife checked me, and I was at 5cm. I was amazed that I was half way there without any pain. They started Pitocin around 9am, and we waited to see my contractions progress. I was definitely feeling it more, but the pain was still manageable. Around 10am, the Midwife checked me again, but I was only 6cm. I still had some bag of water to break. I was still feeling good although getting uncomfortable. I would say that around 10:30am, I was starting to get really uncomfortable, so I had my mom leave the room and to take Cedric with her. By 11am, I wasn't speaking much to anyone and I was questioning my decision to do this without pain meds. At 11:20am I was ready to push and before the Midwife could check me to see if I was complete I was instinctively pushing. I couldn't help it...my muscles automatically started pushing through the pain. Thankfully, I was complete. I only pushed for 15 minutes before Sebastian made his entrance into the world. It got scary at one point, because his head was out but the Midwife was having trouble with the rest of his body. I think his shoulders got stuck. They were calling for an extra pair of hands to help out and the nurse was pushing on my belly to get him out. They were also telling me to push harder. He came out, and I felt so much better. I've never screamed louder in my life...I'm not a person who gets like that. I had no idea that Sebastian was going to be such a big baby. I was thinking he was going to be in the 8 pound range not 9 pounds almost 10. I still can't believe I delivered a 9lb. 9oz. baby with no pain meds, and I was receiving Pitocin.

I had an external tear...no cervix tear this time. It doesn't feel good to have to sit through the placenta coming out and getting stitches in a very tender area. Of course, the pain doesn't compare to what I just went through. I just wanted everyone to stop messing with me, and I wanted to hold my baby.

Sebastian latched onto the breast with no troubles. I think it helps that I've been breastfeeding Cedric for so long that I feel completely comfortable with breastfeeding. Sebastian is continuing to do well with the breastfeeding, which is great. We got to go home Sunday afternoon, and I was so glad to leave. Cedric couldn't stay with us in the hospital, and I was really sad about that. I didn't want to leave him more than a night with my parents. I didn't want him to feel abandoned. Thankfully, Cedric did well, but I still wanted to be with my little guy. We went home about 2:30pm, and it was so nice to finally be a family of four.

Sebastian is continuing to do well, although he has jaundice and he is receiving photolight therapy. Thankfully, he is receiving that in the comfort of our home, because his levels aren't high enough to need the high powered machines from the hospital. He is going to the bathroom more, so that helps bring the bilirubin levels down. It's a pain, because I just want to hold my baby. I'm so glad John is here to help me these first couple of weeks. :-)

Now the question is how did we come up with his name. We both liked the name Sebastian, and it was a name we both could agree on. Mikhael is more of a story. My brother Michael died from Brain Cancer on June 23, 2008. We spread his ashes on July 18, 2008. This is also the day I conceived, and I know this because I've been tracking my temperature and my temp spiked. When your temperature rises, it means ovulation has occured and if sperm is present you're chances of conception goes up. Anyway, I knew if I got pregnant again and if it was a boy, I wanted to use my brother's name for his middle name. I chose the different spelling, because Michael had his name spelled Mikhael in his e-mail address. It made it more special and unique to him to go with that spelling. Unfortunately, Sebastian will never get to meet his Uncle, but he will forever have a special bond to him because of his name.

Sebastian Mikhael is finally here, and I'm over the moon in love with him. I love my babies so much, and I'm completely in love with John with helping me bring these sweet babies into the world.

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Our Backyard

Last night I got up around 4am to use the bathroom, and I saw a cute, little critter roaming around our backyard. It was a fox! I woke John up, so he could see the fox, too. Our backyard has become a little wildlife experience. We see bunnies, hummingbirds, owls, and lots of other birds. We also get the neighbor's cats in our yard, too. That's the first time I saw a fox in our yard. We live in a neighborhood surrounded by fences and houses, so I was surprised to see such wildlife close up.

In other news, I'm still pregnant. I went to the Midwife on Friday, and she said my cervix is softening. Also that I was 2cm at the front of my cervix, but closer to the baby's head I was 1cm. The baby's head is still high, too. I haven't been feeling too much except for the occasional contraction. John, Cedric, and I are just waiting for our new addition to our family to make an appearance. Baby you can come at anytime...we are so ready, especially me. :)

Still Pregnant!

Okay baby, I know I'm only 39 weeks today, but I think it is time for you to make an appearance. I'm having trouble walking and your big brother Cedric wants me to hold him a lot. It's hard to hold him for long, because it adds to my Sciatic Nerve pain. I want to meet you....however some challenges are coming our way. There are some snow storms in the near future that can interfere, so I hope you can navigate through those days and come when the roads are clear and the sky is calm. We all love you and can't wait to meet you. Love, Mommy.

Questioning Myself

I woke up around 1:25am this morning with a lot of discomfort. I was feeling uncomfortable right before going to bed, but now I'm feeling more discomfort. I've been timing what I think are contractions, but I'm not entirely sure. You would think after having a baby I would know what contractions are, but it is so hard to tell. They just feel like pressure that keeps coming in waves. They haven't taken my breath away yet. John and Cedric are sleeping, and I don't want to wake them unless I really feel like this is it. Plus we had a lot of snow fall earlier and the roads are pretty icy. I would hate to have to drive all the way to the hospital for a false alarm. On the other hand Cedric came very quickly, and I don't want to have this baby at home....Ugh, I just don't know what to do.

I'm tired and I just want to go to sleep. I was also having discomfort last night, but it eventually went away. If history repeats itself, than I won't be in full labor tonight, but tomorrow I will go and that will be the birth of our second child. You see with Cedric, I woke up the two nights prior to his birth with discomfort. On the third night of this, I gave birth to him.

I'm excited to meet our new baby, but I don't want it to be tonight. I really want to avoid having my parents and John driving in this icy mess. The temps are suppose to be better later on this morning, and I want the roads to become clear before having to drive on them. Just hang-on a little bit longer Baby Boo #2. Please, just give it one more day.

Elmo Cuteness

38 Weeks Pregnant Today

This is me a week ago when I was 37 weeks pregnant. I'm ready for Baby Boo #2 to come. I can wait until April! I prefer that he is born in April, so he can have his own birthday month separate from Cedric. Each day I get more and more uncomfortable. I barely get much sleep anymore, and everything is getting on my last nerve. John doesn't always understand, because he is a man and he is not pregnant. Plus, I love Cedric dearly and I love the closeness of breastfeeding, but lately I can't stand it. It hurts too much and it is causing too much over stimulation. Hopefully, that feeling will change after I'm pregnant. I think the hormones are going haywire, and my uncomfortable body is causing me to go insane. The picture below is how I'm feeling right now.

Cedric's 2nd Birthday

Cedric turned 2 years old on March 19, 2009. I can't believe my baby is already 2. They grow up so fast...Cedric's next big milestone is becoming a big brother very soon. Cedric started off his birthday by going to one of his favorite places, My Gym. I take him there every week, and he was doing a make-up class that happened to fall on his actual birthday.

Later on, we took Cedric to the Downtown Aquarium for some birthday celebration. He loved looking at all the fish, and we ate dinner next to a giant fish tank. The food wasn't that great, but the experience made it all worth it. Here are some pictures from the aquarium below.

Cedric had a caricature picture done of him.

I loved the area where the tanks with the sharks were. I could have stayed there all day just watching all the different fish swim back and forth.

"Can I have one of these, please?"

"Fish!"

"Um, these fish are a lot bigger than Elmo's Dorothy!"

Me eating some bread in front of the fish tank...look at all of those fish. Cedric loved it.

Cedric giving his winning smile while he eats some dinner.

Cedric and I in front of some aquarium decor.

John and Cedric caught in a bubble.

A different perspective of John, Cedric, and me. Look at my very round belly.

Cedric wandering through the aquarium mesmerized by all the fish tanks that surrounded him.

On March 21st, we had a birthday party for Cedric with his friends and family there to celebrate with him. We had pizza and cake. It was an Elmo themed party with an Elmo cake that I made.

"I have cake!"

Cedric enjoying his birthday cake with his cousin, James in the background.


The Elmo cake I made.


Cedric with one of his girlfriends named Bella.


Pizza and chatting: (l to r) Grandma, Me, Johanna, Arthur, and Jackie


Cedric got his tricycle from his grandparents, and he loves it. Although, his little feet don't reach the pedals completely yet.

Baby Boo #2's Room

The furniture is bought and the murals are on the wall...Baby Boo #2's nursery is complete, well except for a couple of minor touches here and there. I think the walls need more decorations, but that will all come in good time. He also needs his name up on the wall and door, but his name is a secret until he is born. John, Cedric, and I along with Grandma and Grandpa are going to the Kid's Expo downtown today. Hopefully, we can find some cute stuff there that we can add to the room decor.

I'm excited that I have less than six weeks to go. Last time I went to the midwife, she told me the baby is laying in a transverse position, which means he is lying across my belly instead of being head down. The baby still has time to turn, but it makes me nervous because I do not want a C-Section. I need to be able to take care of two kids and major surgery puts a huge kink in that. I'm going to see the Chiropractor on Thursday...hopefully he can do an adjustment that will encourage the baby to go head down. I also have my next prenatal appointment on Friday, so they might due an ultrasound to see exactly how the baby is laying.

Pictures of the nursery are below. We found the furniture set at Babies R' Us...we liked it. We did shop around to see what else was out there, but that furniture was more pricey although it looked nice. I think this furniture not only looks nice but it was more reasonably priced. I call this theme, "Monkey by the Sea". More pictures will soon follow, especially if we have another ultrasound...I will post those pictures of the baby.

Less than Two Months to Go

Cedric on Valentine's Day letting everyone know what a Ladies Man he is. He is so cute, and he is growing up way too fast. His birthday is a little over a month away, and he's turning two. Cedric loves to sing and dance. His favorite show is Elmo's World...he loves that Elmo, but he still loves his mommy and daddy. :)

A picture of Cedric and I over the holidays. Cedric admiring how big mommy's belly is getting. Of course, it is a lot bigger now.

Baby Boo #2 at 20 weeks gestation. I'm now 32 and a half weeks pregnant. Only 53 more days to go until our new, sweet baby boo is here.