One more for today....Liam

Wanted to put Liam's measurements on here, I have them saved on my phone but in case something happens I want it here too. :)

Hospital measurements:
July 16, 2012 - 7lb 10oz, 22.5"
July 17, 2012 - 7lb 3oz
Doctor Office Measurements:
July 26, 2012 - 7lb 3oz, 21" - nurse said they stretch them out more to measure at hospital so he didn't shrink. Haha.  They said they never get as long as hospital does.
August 15, 2012 - 8lb 10oz, 21.5"
August 30, 2012 - 9lb 12oz
September 18, 2012 - 10lb 12oz, 24.25"
October 18 - 11lb 14oz
November 13, 2012 - 12lb 14oz, 25"

I will probably take him in next week and have him weighed, his next check up is not until January but J has allergy shots every week so I will ask them to weigh him then so I can see how much he has grown.  He is getting too big too fast.

We started on cereal a couple weeks ago.  The doctor said I could start anytime but there was no rush.  If he was satisfied with just liquid I could wait.  Well, I wanted to see if maybe it would help get him to sleep ALL night...  We have been teething I do believe - chewing and drooling like CRAZY, getting up a couple times a night when he was just getting up once.  So, I thought we would see if cereal helped...  At first, it wasn't helping at all. He would still get up twice and I was about to give up.  Then the past 2 nights - I have mixed it a little thicker and made a little more and guess what???  We go to bed at 9 and sleep until 530-630.  Yesterday morning I had to wake him up to leave.  Today he woke up at 530 - time i was getting up anyways.  So, we are hoping this is a start of a new thing.  However, he may have slept all night the last two nights but I have been up more than normal...  Checking on him to make sure he is ok.. Haha.  Im hoping once I get use to him not getting up I will be able to sleep through the night.  I have a video monitor (best investment I made, I LOVE IT) so when I wake up and wonder why he hasn't woke up and if he is ok, I just zoom in and I can actually see his chest rise and fall with his breathing so I know he is ok.  I dont have to get out of bed, go in his room and risk waking him.  And its always nice to be able to always see him if you want. :)

I think I am caught up for a while...  I will leave you with a few pictures.

Love this pic.  Haha.  Poor kid.

This was the day after he turned 4months.  Love him!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! 

Catch up....

Trying to get myself caught up to the present...

July:
Liam was born, baseball season was well under way, lots of time in the sun (don't worry, I was away from public during this).  Haha.  My poor dad and stepmom had to deal with seeing me in a bathing suit, they said it didn't bother them but I am not so sure...  :)  Love them!  Cookouts with so much good food, I can't believe I didn't gain a TON of weight during my pregnancy - between all the family cookouts and the ice cream cravings.  I did to a lot of work out at my dad's cabin so Im sure that helped keep the pounds off. 

This picture is part of what I worked on out at my dads.  And before you think I am totally crazy, most of this was already there, we just weeded, planted some new stuff and mulched.  But I was very proud of it and it was a LOT of hard work.  I got scolded many times for being out there working on it but I promised them if i got tired I would stop and I wouldn't do more than I knew I could handle...

August:
All Star Baseball, Maternity leave, more baseball, school started.  I still can't believe my baby is in 6th grade.  I know, he isn't a baby anymore but he will always be my baby.  I love him so much!!

Pciture of my boys on the first day of school.  Im not sure how I ever got so lucky....

We also took a last minute/spontaneous trip to Florida the week before school started.  DH called me from work on a Wednesday morning and said he really want to get away for a long weekend.  I told him he was crazy, we can't pack up and just go, we have a baby that is less than a month old!!  BUT, it would be a great time - I was already off work.  Haha.  So, as crazy as I thought it was after hearing my DH tell me just how bad he really needed some time away with us I decided to start packing.  How I ever got everything packed and didn't forget something REALLY important I dont know but about 3 hours later we were on the road to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida...  I LOVE that place.  Liam did awesome on the ride down! Once there, that was a bit of a different story.  We stayed in a hotel since everything was so last minute and we were only there 4 nights.  Liam did not sleep so great - I knew he wouldn't after being in a car for 10 hours.  The weather was cool and rainy.  It was boat week so it was so crowded - I HATED IT!  If I could go back and do it again, I would have stayed home. Haha.  But we did have some quality family time and Liam had his first trip to the beach. 

 Liam at the beach in Ft. Walton, I think he likes it... :)

J swimming at the pool at the hotel...  Even though it was first part of August it was only about 80 degrees while we were down there so it was pretty cold in the pool!  I sat on the edge with my feet in the water and about froze, I dont know how he was in there...

September:
Back to work, new job, and sending my baby to daycare....
My baby turned 2 months.
While I was off on maternity leave I got a phone call asking me if i was interested in a job.  Before I had Liam I had the opportunity to apply for this job (it was the same job I was doing but they were moving the people to a central location instead of spread out at different buildings).  Basically, my job was going away and being streamlined to a higher level.  Applying for the job was not a promotion, it was just a security matter if you want to call it that but since i was in the middle of my pregnancy the thought of leaving the company i worked for to go to a new one was not a good option.  I had leave saved with my current company, I had met my deductible with my current insurance so it was hard to start over on all that.  So, I passed up the oportunity and hoped once my job moved the current place I was at would find SOMETHING/ANYTHING for me to do.  Well, while I was off the other company called me and offered me the job.  At this point I had already gotten passed the major thing holding me back - starting over on my deductible while still pregnant.  All my major expenses were over and starting over wouldn't be so bad.  If I would have something come up I would probably kick myself in the @$$ but with the uncertainty of what I would be doing at my current job when I came back I decided to go for it.  I figured up when I would be returning to work and told them I would like to give a 2 week notice when I got back so my start date was Sept 11.  Once I had signed all the papers and everything I emailed my boss my resignation letter and stated i was to return to work on such and such date but would like to use the remaining leave I had during my 2 week notice.  They responded and told me my notice was effective immediately...I was shocked - hated that I had been with a company for almost 5 years and this was how it was ending.  Anyways - I got an extra 2 weeks off work with my little man so I didn't get too upset.  And I like the new company I am with - they have been great!
September 11 came WAY to fast!! That morning I dropped my baby off to a very special person and headed to work.  One of my biggest anxieties when I found out I was pregnant was where I was going to take my baby when I went back to work.  When I had J I worked part-time evenings/weekends and family or friends always watched him.  He didn't go to daycare until he was already in K, maybe even first grade!!  Actually, I think he was in first grade anyways, the thought of dropping my baby off to someone with a bunch of other kids running around where he wouldnt get attention and was just another baby stressed me out.  Staying home was not an option, for a few reasons.  So, where do I go??  And then I saw a post on facebook a friend was going to start babysitting in her home for a small number of kids!  PERFECT!!  Still I had anxiety about leaving him, you know no one can take care of your baby like you. Haha.  Now, when I drop him off I have no anxiety.  I see the love and attention he gets every day!  The other kids there - love him and he loves them.  You can see how happy he is and that makes going back to work so much easier.  Now don't get me wrong, I would love to be home cuddling him everyday but since I can't I couldn't have picked a better place for my little man. 

 One of the many pictures I have received while I am at work letting me know my baby is happy....  :)

Liam and Grace (one of the kids at daycare) - you can see in his face how much he loves her and how much she loves him.  All the kids at daycare love him.  I have been told when he is not there they ask about him and he is missed.  <3

October:
For some reason October is a blur of what went on. I know we had soccer, baseball clinic, and basketball practice started I think....  It may have started in Nov.
My baby turned 3 months...

November:
I turned 31... 
Basketball in full swing!!!  If its not practice its a game. 
We celebrated Thanksgiving - a few times!! 
J got contacts!  He is growing so much!!  Before too long he is going to be taller than me.  He has about 2-3 inches before he catches me and will pass me in no time after that.

December:
So far December has been busy with basketball, getting ready for Christmas and trying to take time to spend some quality time with my boys.

PS - I did not proof read this so if something doesnt make sense sorry... :)

Birth Story.....I know, its about time.

I can't believe that its getting close to 5 months since my little man made his appearance into this world but I am finally going to sit down and tell you all about that day....  More so for my memory than anything else - so be prepared for a long post.  I dont blame you if you dont read it...

Monday July 16 - This day started out as a normal day, I got up and went to work.  I was 38 weeks along so I was trying to get everything organized and ready for my time off.  I had a lot of stuff left to take care of, we were in the middle of upgrading computers at work and I was the lead on getting that taken care of along with my normal functions.  But I thought I have 2 weeks, plenty of time to get everything taken care of, brief the people that would be taking care of things while I was gone, no worries.  At the end of the day, I went home - everything was going along normal - no contractions.   I got home and told my hubby that I wanted to clean the car - inside and out so I could get the car seat installed and ready to go. My plans for the evening - clean car, pack bags for hospital and install carseat.  I should have known since I planned to do all this and be ready to go he would decide if I was ready so was he.  Haha. 
We got the car cleaned, car seat & base installed, and bags pretty much packed.... I had been having a few contractions during all this but nothing different from what i had been having the previous couple of weeks. About 6:30 I went to Dairy Queen to get some food, I was too tired after cleaning the car to mess with fixing supper.  While I was in the drive thru I noticed that my contractions were a little bit stronger and thought to myself - you over did it and need to get home and relax.  After I ate I took a shower and decided I would finish packing my bags - I got a phone call from my mom and I told her I was having some contractions but nothing major, I was going to go to bed soon and I would talk to her tomorrow.  My stepmom text me not too long after that and asked if I had that baby....  I told her no, I was getting ready to go to bed.  At about 9 I went and laid down and the contractions were getting stronger - still I thought I had just over done it and that was my body telling me to stop.  Haha.  I laid there for a while and poor hubby kept asking, do we need to go to the hospital???  I kept telling him no but they kept getting stronger so finally I said, I think we need to go to the hospital.  His response - "ARE YOU SERIOUS??"  Haha.  So, I get out of bed - change, I had on shorts and a tank top(It was July after all).  About 9:45 I text my mom and told her I was going to the hospital.  She said she would meet us there. I got some clothes out of the dryer that I wanted to take with me, put on some make-up. I figured since I was at the hospital for 18 hours before I had my first son, I have PLENTY of time..  My husband didn't think so, he couldn't believe I was putting on make-up.  Haha.  We woke up my son.  As we were leaving I text my dad and in-laws, told them I was going to the hospital and they could come whenever - no need to rush, I figured I would be there for a while but they insisted on coming right away.  I can't remember who all else we text, I know my best friend and sister were there.
So, we are in the car driving through town and get stuck behind a REALLY slow driver - contractions are getting stronger - hubby is driving/panicking - so he passes a car in the MIDDLE of town!!!  Haha.  I told him he didn't have to drive like a crazy person we were ok.  Well, about half way to the hospital - "Babe, I think my water just broke"  Hubby - "Do I need to drive faster?" Haha.  Driving through the middle of Jasper, we pass 2 vehicles!  I can't believe we didn't get pulled over. I told him he was going to get pulled over, he said he would stop when we got to the hospital...  Once we pulled up to the hospital he jumps out of the car and runs in and tells them his wife is in labor - soon I follow behind him. 
At this point my contractions are REALLY strong.....and seem to be REALLY close together.  The lady at the front desk in the ER has me sit in a wheelchair and says they will be with me shortly.  After a few minutes - seeing the pain on my face she says she is going to see if they are about ready.  Finally - they wheel me back to a room where they have to ask me all the questions to get me checked in.....  UGH!!  Trying to answer questions during an intense contraction - really???  Please just get me to a room I am thinking.  Finally the other lady in there said she was going to take me up we could finish it later, THANK YOU!! Haha.  Once we get up to the room they ask me if I want to go to the restroom and change into my gown - I think to myself, do they really want to know if I want privacy considering what they are getting ready to see??  :)  I tell the nurse I am fine changing right here - although changing during a contraction, not so easy. 
They get me in the bed and start hooking me up and asking questions - seeing how much pain I was in she decided to go ahead and check me - I was 5cm...  Holy COW!!  At this point I was scare to death I waited too long and wasn't going to be able to get an epidural - all you women out there that go thru this with nothing you are AMAZING!!  I dont know that I could do it, I guess if i had to I wouldnt' really have a choice but if I have a choice, please give me something!!  The nurse put in the orders but had to get blood drawn and paperworks done before epidural... :( PLEASE HURRY is all I kept thinking.  This was say - 1030-1045??  Only an hour after I had told my mom I was getting ready to head to hospital... 
The lab came to draw blood and right on her heels was anthesiology to do the epidural!  As soon as the epidural was in the nurse checked me - 9cm!!  5 more minutes and i probably wouldn't have gotten my epidural!  The doctor came in, have I mentioned how much I love my doctor, the nurse (which was a girl I know from Loogootee) told her I was 9cm so she checked me too and said I was ready to push.  There was a girl next door as well that was about ready to push so it was a toss up who to stay with, my doctor was doctor for both.  After she checked me she decided we would start pushing.  I have no clue what time it is at this point, I am guessing 1120-1130??  Did I mention my wonderful mommy met us in the room a few minutes after we had gotten in there - I dont know how i would have done it without her.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my husband but there were a few times I thought he was going to pass out.  Haha. And she has been there with me during delivery of both my boys - she is always there when I need her...
 So, we start pushing....almost there, little man's heart rate is falling a little bit.  Dr tells me I have one more push and if I dont get him out she is going to use the vaccuum becuase she didn't like his heart rate going down...  I push and it wasn't quite enough so out came the vaccuum - which afterwards she said she didn't really need it but better safe than sorry, I agree.  So,  July 16, 2012 at 11:51 PM William Keith Strange AKA Liam joined our family.  He was 22 1/2 in, 7lbs 10oz of perfection.   I fell in love with him the day I saw a postive pregnancy test but the moment they put him on my chest - he had me....  It is so hard to explain the love a mother has for her baby... 
Everything happened so fast!!  From the time I text my mom to the time Liam was here was 2hrs 6 min - I know they say your second one is faster but I was not expecting that.  Haha. 

My son, all of our parents, my sister and her girls, my sister-in-law, and best friend were all there to help us welcome this special little man into the world - although everything happened so fast the only people I saw once we got to the hospital were my mom and hubby.