And now back to Bridger's Adventures

Hello Everybody!
You might have been wondering where Me has been lately. All you have been hearing about is my new baby sister. Well I have been very busy too this whole Spring. It has been so busy that I haven't even written about all my adventures this Winter. I went sledding and skiing, and I went to California and Florida. It was so fun to do all those things. My Mommy says she will help me to put up some posts about all those things soon. But in the meantime I want to tell you what fun I have been having these past few weeks. Before I forget though...I am almost three. I love to say lots and lots of things. My Mommy and Daddy can't believe I know words like fragile and similar, but I am a big boy so I know these things. Also I am wearing big boy pants all the time. Even at night! I do forget sometimes and pee on my big boy pants but that's ok. It happens. Also I have discovered how good sweets are and I am always trying to find a way to get some candy (I love MMM treats...cause that is what I got when I stayed dry in my big boy pants in the beginning of potty training and now I think I need them all the time.) or cupcakes or cookies. Those are my favorites (also a word that my parents can't believe I use all the time).

In this picture I am at the zoo with Grandma and Grandpa DeCamp. We saw lots of things at the zoo including lions, chimpanzees, giraffes, and a polar bear.

Oh we saw elephants too. They were eating a snack, just like me. They eat straw and I was eating cranberries and animal crackers.

The chimpanzees were my favorite. This was the biggest one and she kept beating on the glass and the drum you see in this picture.

Me and Grandma with Baby Larsen

I am not in this picture but it is a nice picture of Grandpa and Larsen so I let Mommy put it up in my post.

For Easter I went on a hunt for Easter eggs. It was very fun, but it was my favorite that there was candy and money in the Easter eggs. I am saving my money to buy Thomas trains.

I also had fun getting ready for Easter by decorating Easter eggs. Daddy was my helper. He did a good job too, but I am the best decorator.

This picture is before Baby Larsen was born, but I want to show you my friend Tommy. We went to his house for a very yummy lunch. I had a good time with him. He is 3, but he is much bigger than me. He is very good at hockey!

Tommy's Mommy gave me my first ice cream cone to eat. It even had sprinkles on it. It really was my favorite. I could eat those everyday. One days I will have something like that again.

Three Wonderful Weeks!

Larsen is 3 weeks old today. Her official due date is tomorrow. Hard to believe I could still be pregnant...that would not be fun. It is so much more fun to have her here. Larsen had a doctor's appointment yesterday, just a quick check to make sure things were going well. We knew she was eating a lot and plumping up nicely, but we were still quite surprised to find our she weighed 8pounds 13ounces. That is up 2 pounds 1 ounce from her first visit two weeks ago. Larsen is still pretty sleepy, but seems to be more alert each day. She loves lights and seems to especially enjoy enjoy when her Daddy and Big Brother talk to her. Bridger loves to give Larsen hugs and kisses and continues to handle the change rather well though we can't seem to get rid of his 5:30am wake-up call which is not so fun. We have been getting out so much more than we did with Bridger, but you can't just sit around with a 2 year old. We have been hitting all the local playgrounds and went as a family to Easter service. Last week we even went to the zoo (with a lot of help from the GranDeCamps with Bridger.) Larsen generally hangs out in the Moby and we don't hear a peep from her until it is time to eat.

Before she gets too big I better write out her birth story so I don't forget-here goes. Tuesday night April 5th we had Chipotle with my parents and talked about how nice it would be if the baby would arrive soon so they could meet her while they were visiting for Spring Break. However, I was still feeling tons of movement and I didn't feel like she was settled down in so I wasn't expecting anything. Everyone felt that it was so uncommon to have a 37 weeker last time, that for sure I would go closer to my due date. My OB, however, really wanted the baby to come early so I could try for a VBAC. She felt like with a smaller baby I would have a greater chance for success. Well it turns out Miss Larsen was listening to the OB. At 4:30am on Wednesday April 6th I woke up and went to the bathroom and felt what I thought was a strong Braxton-Hicks contraction. When I got back into bed I started having regular contractions that were somewhat painful but not so bad. I thought that they would eventually pass. When we all got up around 6:30am I warned Matt that I was having some contractions, but that I thought it would pass or I would have this sort of thing for a long time since it took over 24 hours to fully dilate with Bridger. Matt had to go into work for an hour to pass off patients since he was both in clinic and on service in the hospital that day (what timing!). The contractions got stronger and stronger as he was getting ready to leave, but we still both thought it would be a long time and there was no rush. I did call the doula and told her no rush also. It turns out she couldn't be there that day but would have a back-up come in her place. While we were sorting all of this out I did shower which was helpful, but things were getting bad enough I decided to try the tub. I was clearly in a lot of distress, which was worrying my mom and making it apparent Matt should not dawdle at the hospital. I was starting to become a bit frantic, and then I felt the baby drop and quite a bit of pressure and then I was really frantic and I was in a ton of pain. I had thought about maybe doing things naturally, but at home with no Matt and no doula and poor Bridger asking why Mommy was "singing" was not exactly what I had planned. Matt did come home, right before we were going to have to have my parents drive me. We got in the car (after I scared the neighbors sitting outside as I was screaming in pain on the way to the car). The ride to the hospital was the most miserable 20 minutes ever. We had trouble finding parking as we were going to research exactly where the L&D parking was that weekend and had no idea. We managed to find a wheelchair after exiting the parking deck elevator (again after totally scaring the elevator crowd as well!) I kept thinking I was a total wimp since at that point I had only been in labor 5 hours and couldn't possibly have made much progress. When we got close to the lobby I was in a miserable state and VERY LOUD per Matt. This attracted the attention of a security guard who was going to point us in the right direction, until my water broke in the midst of a contraction. That caused the security guard to take the wheelchair and run with me to an elevator to get me to L&D while Matt got his badge. Apparently my vocalization even caused a priest (we were at a Catholic hospital to come out of his office to see what was the matter). When I got upstairs I was immediately swarmed by everyone on duty and had an IV, vitals taken, and checked in a matter of minutes. I am sure they all thought I was crazy. It turns out though that I was 9.5cm and the baby was coming down nicely. I literally begged for an epidural, and never even opened my eyes to look at the anesthesiologist. However, he had it in in 2 minutes once he arrived. That took enough of the edge off that I could get to pushing and actually appreciate that Matt was there and we were going to have a baby girl without the need for a c-section. After about 20-30 minutes of pushing Larsen made her grand entrance at 11:50am. She was put immediately on my chest and Matt and I were in shock how quickly we went from maybe labor to a baby. She was beautiful and quite petite at 6lbs 14oz, but perfect.

Trying to do a photo shoot on the quilt made by Aunt Jen

Thinking about lifting up her headNope just going to lie here with a sleepy grin instead

Happy Two Weeks Larsen!

It is hard to believe that Larsen is two weeks old already. It is so busy around here that time flies. We had a wonderful time with Grandma Ross. We ate lots of yummy food and lots of laundry and the like were done. She is ready for us to have a one story house as the three flights of stairs wore her out. Round two of grandparents has started. The GranDeCamps arrived on Monday and are enjoying hanging out with sleepy Larsen and keeping up with busy as a bee Bridger. We have had lots of April showers, but had some nice weather today and all could go to the park. It was a much needed trip outside. We have been trying to savor this time with a newborn and Larsen has been helpful in the that regard as she has been sleeping well and isn't fussy. To be able to capture this special time we decided to do newborn pictures with a photographer that came to the house. We had our newborn photo shoot this past Sunday. It was tons of fun and we just got the proofs today. The pictures are great and it will be so hard just to choose a few. I am so excited to do birth announcements though with some of the pictures.

Larsen is still a pretty sleepy newborn, but is really eating like a champ. We have a weight check next week and I am wondering if we are going to be close to eight pounds. She unlike Bridger is not a big fan of swaddling. She loves to cuddle up on Matt's chest in a little ball, but in her bassinet she much prefers to have a loose blanket. She loves her pretty muslin wraps at night and I love how soft and cozy they are without being too warm.

Rare Larsen awake time...she was watching us eat.

Hard at work making some chocolate chip cookies

Grandma is loving life with her two grandkids!

Welcome Larsen Adelaide!

Happy Birthday-April 6, 2011
We welcomed Larsen Adelaide on Wednesday April 6 at 11:50am. She weighed 6lbs 14oz and was 19 inches long. She came after a labor that started at 4:30am and we were quite surprised that she came so quickly. She was 3 weeks and 1 day early. Her birth story is quite exciting...we really got to the hospital in the nick of time and we will share that at another time. However, it was so special to be able to have a VBAC and have her put on my chest right after birth. We also felt so much better since we had gotten some sleep overnight and had a new baby by lunchtime. Grandma and GrandDad Ross were in Baltimore visiting for their Spring Break so it worked out perfectly as they could keep Bridger and come see Larsen on her birthday. It was a very special day and we could not have planned a better time for her to come (except that Daddy did have to miss some clinic but that's ok). I will have a full 12 weeks to enjoy her at home before going back to work. Hopefully the weather will turn warmer and sunny soon and we can enjoy lots of walks outside and adventures with her big brother.

First pics of the family of four

Bridger loving on his baby sister

Meeting GrandDad and Grandma for the first time...they were so excited Larsen came while they were here visiting...and so were we as it meant Bridger was well taken care of

1 day old: April 7
Today was spent hanging out in the hospital. Larsen had most of her tests done the days she was born so we just sat around getting to know each other. Bridger visited again and brought cupcakes he and Grandma Ross made. They were a fun treat. It is so busy at home with Bridger Matt and I commented how it was too quiet and almost a little boring once our visitors left. It was nice to have the quiet time though as it will be busy once we are home. Matt and I had an impromptu celebratory "date" that night. He found a fun pizza place nearby (pear, balsamic, gorgonzola pizza anyone??) and brought back a bottle of wine. The food was so yummy and the company was even better.

She looks a lot like Bridger here...it seems like just yesterday we were taking this kind of picture of him.

Contraband in the hospital room, but we wanted to have a little welcome celebration.

2 days old: April 8--Discharge Day
Larsen came home from the hospital today. It was a rainy cold, day but we still wanted her to wear her fancy coming home outfit. It was so fun to dress her up...lots more of that to come I am sure. We were really ready to get home. We really didn't get much sleep with all the interruptions overnight. We were also looking forward to some real food (yum...homemade spaghetti gravy was on the menu Friday night). She is a little jaundiced, but hopefully with some good eating over the weekend she will be just fine. We had quite a welcoming committee at home. Bridger was especially happy to have Mommy and Daddy back and loved that his baby sister was finally home.


3 days old: April 9
Well all good things must come to an end. GrandDad and Grandma Ross left today (don't worry Grandma Ross will be back soon!). It was such a blessing that Larsen decided to come when they were here already on Spring Break. It took away all the stress of worrying about Bridger. Also there were a lot of things that still needed to be done to get ready for the new baby and they were able to do a lot of chores to help out with that. They left in the AM and we hung in there the rest of the day. Matt left to get the car seats installed so I was on my own for two hours. The house was a disaster when he got back but all three of us were fed and in one piece.
4 days old: April 10
This was our first full 24 hours at home as a family of four. There were some rough spots and it was busy so we didn't take too many pictures. However, we did manage to take a picture of Larsen's present to Bridger. She got him this block set which he loves. It came at just the right time when Bridger seemed to be overwhelmed with his new baby sister and two tired parents, but building some block boats helped him to perk up right away. We had a quiet afternoon, and Bridger and I took a walk to the park for some Mommy and Bridger time. It was a bit of a stretch for me to do the park even though I am feeling really great compared to having a c-section, but worth it to spend some alone time with my little man.


5 days old: April 11
Bridger went to school today for the first time since Larsen arrived. I think he was happy to be back in his routine. We love having him around and he is so funny about everything. However, it is a lot of work and he seems to want to do his big kid things. However, we are trying to pick him up early and do something special each afternoon. Today we enjoyed the super warm weather and played with sidewalk chalk. It was a lot of fun, though Bridger felt like once each piece of chalk had been used a little bit it wasn't "perfect" and he needed a new one. Therefore each piece was used. Hopefully next time we play with the chalk he will be ok with the less than perfect pieces and use them again. In the morning while Bridger was at school Larsen had her first doctor's appointment. She weighed 6lb 12oz, a 3 oz weight gain over the weekend (maybe more if she lost any more weight after we left the hospital.) I had a nice walk with Larsen in the Moby to the appointment and Matt met us there from work. Matt and I enjoyed a nice lunch at Panera after the appointment. Larsen snoozed the whole time and it was so nice to have a few minutes to chat. Matt doesn't really get time off so we try to take advantage of the times he is home.

6 days old: April 12
Grandma Ross arrived back in Baltimore today to help out. We are excited for the extra pair of hands. Hard to believe two little ones are an easy match for three adults. Larsen actually sleeps pretty well at night...lots of eating but not too much fussing but we love having some help with the cooking and laundry. Larsen continues to be pretty sleep during the day. She is content to be wrapped and sleeping on someone or in her boppy or swing. Her big accomplishment today was that her umbilical stump fell off so that means she can have a real bath tomorrow. (Don't tell her we have been remiss at even giving her a sponge bath to date. Now that we have a child that actually gets dirty it is hard to find a good reason to give her a bath.)


1 week old: April 13
Happy 1 Week! Hard to believe that it has been one week already. Time is flying by. We had a big outing to Safeway to get some groceries, but the main event for the day was Larsen's first bath. Bridger was a big help, she screamed for most of it but she came out smelling so clean. Also we get to see her blondy, blonde hair again nice and soft after a good wash. I wonder if it will stick around. Even though Matt was a blonde growing up, I still didn't think we would ever have a blonde child. It is fun though.

In her very own monster towel
All dolled up in a new outfit from Lynn

Well that's the recap of the first week. More to come about our new adventures as a family of four.