Tis the season for thanks, and I’ve most recently caught myself being thankful for time-out. I’ve been using Supernanny Jo Frost’s technique and it works sooo well! It’s also comforting to watch the show and realize my child is really not abnormally wild. Doug even enjoys the show now, even though he previously insisted he could never watch it (although he may deny this if confronted).
I wish I could add sound to this picture. It would be much more profound!
I never would have guessed foam letters and numbers could provide endless entertainment. Mason loves letters and numbers. A few weeks ago Grandma Bowen was over playing with Mason and his collection. Mason was trying to tell her something, but she didn’t understand what he was saying, and turned to me for my interpretation. Turns out he was playing with two number ones and was trying to tell Grandma that it was the number 11. He’s a little smarty pants…
On this particular Sunday we had a little bit of time before church. I decided it was a good opportunity to do a little photo-shoot of Myles. Myles has been changing faster than I can take pictures. He’s going to be grown before I know it and wonder why he doesn’t have any baby pictures.
Lately Mason has had an aversion to pictures, so I wasn’t even planning on trying to get his picture. I was pleasantly surprised when Mason and George jumped right in and wanted their pictures taken too. I’m so glad they did!
Since Myles came to our family Mason has had some times where the change has been difficult. Mason still has his moments, but seems to be a little better adjusted. He has also become very good friends with his stuffed animals, including one of his favorites Curious George. George has been fed, watered, napped, sent to time-out, danced, “Gone fast!”, as Mason would say, and worn a diaper.
George also helps me keep Mason reigned in out in public. When we are out and about Mason refuses to hold my hand (must be a two-year-old thing). But if we both hold George’s hands, Mason wouldn’t think of letting go. Thanks George!
Wow it’s seems like forever since my last post. Myles is now almost 11 weeks old. He is such a sweetheart! He now regularly delights us with his smiles, giggles and his crazy hair. It’s been fun to note the differences and similarities between Myles and Mason.
We have been adjusting to two kids a little better now. It was sooo hard at first. I have never been so tired. I can’t believe I ever thought having one kid was hard! I think Mason has had the hardest time adjusting. Mason loves his little brother, but doesn’t really enjoy sharing Myles with Mommy or anyone else for that matter. Here’s one scenario that happens frequently…
Myles: “Whaaaaa!”
Mason: “Baby crying!?!”
Mommy: “Oh, should we help him?”
Mason: “Nooo.” (he says this so matter of fact)
Mommy: (picks up Myles)
Mason: (reaction which will vary from a short whine to the dramatic)
Fortunately it seems we have moved on from Mason sucking my arm while I’m nursing Myles, Mason spitting when Myles spits up, or Mason crying when Myles cries. Well the last one still happens sometimes… Thankfully most of the time I can find humor in these antics.
Even with all the challenges I wouldn’t change being a Mommy to my little guys for anything. They bring so much purpose and joy into my life. There is nothing that could be more fulfilling for me! I just hope I do a good job!
While Nicole and Kade were here for Myles’ blessing we got a family picture. Nicole headed up the photography operation and my dad helped with editing. Both Nicole and I have interests in photography and we just got new cameras. I think it turned out quite well, considering there were four children under four in the picture. While Nicole was here she took some awesome engagement shots of Seth and Keli! I’m taking my first photo shoot this week if the weather cooperates. I’m really nervous…
We tried to get a family picture with just Doug, Mason, Myles, and I, but Mason had had enough.
I just love this! Myles is so smiley! He smiled and giggled in his sleep right from the beginning.
Myles’ maternal grandparents after the being blessed in church.
Doug gave a beautiful blessing, and we were very grateful for all of the Priesthood holders who stood in the circle. We also had a blast with many of our family members, some from far away, who shared in our special event. We are so lucky to have such an awesome family! Love you all!
Myles’ maternal great-grandparents.
Myles’ paternal grandparents.
Part of the Jones side of the family who made a long quick trip for us. We miss you!
A few months ago we debated on whether or not to convert Mason’s crib to a toddler bed. Everyone I knew had their kids sleeping in a bed at this age. His pediatrician said he was okay staying in the crib as long as he didn’t climb out. He never has tried that. In fact Mason loves his bed so much that he even asks to get in sometimes. This is even more surprising considering we still use the crib for time-out (I’ve never gotten around to changing time-out to a chair).
I was kind of excited to see how he would like the change, but not excited for him to be able to get out when ever he wanted. We decided with the Myles coming it would be better for us to always know where Mason is, especially when we are sleeping. I’m so glad we didn’t make the change. Also, now that we’ve entered the terrible twos there have been some crazy tantrums. If we didn’t have the crib I would be worried about Mason hurting himself during some of those times. Ahh, the simple joys of parenting.
Cheese! He looks so big here!
The latest activity in the crib this little boy loves is putting all of his balls in the crib and bouncing with them.
Well, our new little guy is here… And I’m very tired, so we will catch up on the details and many more pics after we are a little more rested.
Now that it’s been almost 3 weeks I’m back in the blogging world. I am amazed at how fast time is flying by already. I can’t believe I ever thought having one kid was time consuming. I really should be getting in my shower right now, but I wanted to finish this post. Now on to our memorable experience…
It was my last appointment with my midwife before the official due date of Myles. I was pretty excited, because I had been having lots of contractions, and I was continually progressing each time I went to my appointments. This was totally different experience from the first pregnancy. With Mason I didn’t even know what a contraction was, I was 8 days over due, and finally had to get induced.
I was dilated to 3cm. and my midwife asked if I wanted her to strip my membranes. “Sure, why not?,” I said. As I was pondering as to what my midwife meant when she said, “Go ahead and cry UNCLE if you have too!” I realized everyone I’ve talked too, who have had their membranes stripped, never warned me as to how this goes.
IT HURTS!
After that I was having pretty intense regular contractions, and as I was walking to my car I was wondering if I was if I was just going to turn around and come back once I got home. Despite my contractions being anywhere from 2-8 minutes apart I still actually felt pretty good. My mom and my sister were a little freaked out at how frequent the contractions were coming on, and kept saying they thought I should go to the hospital. I just thought I felt a little too good to be going there so soon, and I wanted to stay there for the least amount of time possible. When I was being induced with Mason I stayed at the hospital a whole 24hrs before he was even born with nothing happening. The worst part was I had to sleep in the awful delivery bed (so uncomfortable).
Once Doug got home from work, we were all packed, and there really wasn’t anything else to do, we ventured to the hospital. We left our house at 7pm. By this time the contractions were much more intense, and just walking from the car to the Maternity Ward was pretty taxing. I was pretty sure things had progressed. In my head I was going to get settled in my room, get put on fluids, and then get my epidural. Piece of cake…
This wasn’t exactly how it went. I got there and they said that I wasn’t really dilated much more than at my appointment, and the didn’t want to admit me unless they were sure labor wasn’t going to stop. I REALLY didn’t like the idea of getting sent home. To make sure labor didn’t stop I was suppose to walk around for and hour! This was agonizing… My legs were cramping so bad and my back was killing me! The walking helped to dilated me a little more and I felt lucky that I didn’t have to go walking again. Instead I got to get in a jacuzzi where I spent another hour. The jacuzzi was much more preferable to walking.
Finally they said I was ready to actually be admitted to the hospital. What a relief! By this time I was so ready for my epidural, and wondered why in my right mind I ever wanted to give birth naturally (that was the plan with my first).
Getting my epidural this time was such a breeze compare to the last time. The anesthesiologist was sooo fast. I was way more numb this time around. I couldn’t feel my right leg at all! It kept sliding off the bed. I thought being so numb would’ve bothered me, and it did a little. I was more worried I wouldn’t be able to feel enough to push, but it was so nice not to feel anything at all!
After that it was just a waiting game. I was exhausted, so I tried to sleep as much as I could. It was hard to catch some zzz’s when I was interrupted by my people coming in and checking things, or telling me it was time to turn over on the other side, yada, yada.
Wouldn’t you now, when at last I feel like I’m in a deep sleep my midwife comes in and says it’s time to have the baby. Doug and my mom were sleeping and had to be roused too. I was in such a deep sleep I really wished I could have slept a little longer. In my mind I was dreading the hard work of pushing after the long day I had (there were 45 min. of pushing with Mason).
Once again things went a little differently than I had envisioned. This time for the better… Like I said before I didn’t really know if I could feel enough to push, but I tried and a baby appeared in less than a minute. I think we were all a little stunned. The baby nurse wasn’t even in the room yet, my mom didn’t have her camera ready, and Doug wasn’t even fully awake. Neither was I, and I didn’t feel a thing.
The end… or the beginning…
Just leaving for the hospital…
Last shot of da bump!
Before there was a little baby int that warmer. Does anyone else freeze their buns off when they go to the hospital? I almost wish they would put me in a warmer. I bet I had like 6 or 7 blankets on me here. Warm blankets were my number one request!
Myles Clifton Jones, 7lbs. 10oz., 20in.
Check out his hair!
Proud Daddy!
Mason came to visit us at the hospital and met his new little brother. I missed him sooo much! It was interesting how instantly Mason wasn’t my baby anymore. It has been kind of bittersweet. This is the first time Doug and I have both left for a couple of days, so we wondered how things would go. Mason loves spending time with his Grandma Bowen and he didn’t really even notice our absense. He actually ignored us a little when he visited.
Myles and his Grandma Bowen.
This is a really good shot of the hair with Grandpa Bowen. So different from Mason at that age (Mason had very little hair).
Myles was constantly checking things out. I think he was wondering what is on his Uncle Seth’s face. He, he…
We were so happy to be going home. We had a great experience and felt totally taken care of, but we missed our bed. I wish I could have taken the room service with me though.
Mason holding Myles for the the first time. He was pretty excited and pointed out many of Myle’s body parts for us.
