4 Weeks...

It's almost 1:00 am, and I am sitting here typing this post to pass the time until Sayer falls asleep (I am rocking his bouncer with my foot!) He's almost there, so hopefully I will be in bed in a few minutes!!

Sayer is 4 weeks today (actually yesterday as it is now Monday I guess). I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. I've tried really hard to savour these weeks when Sayer is so tiny and cute, because they are gone so fast. But sometimes, it really is a struggle to not wish them away to a time weeks from now, when he will not be such a fussy eater, and when he will sleep longer. I totally forgot how challenging the first weeks of having a new baby are, when each feeding takes almost an hour with all the burping and changing, etc. Yesterday was the first time that I didn't have to feed Sayer, as Nate let me go out by myself. I went and saw Penelope (yes, by myself, it was great! A great movie too!) and then went to Costco. Just that little break from feeding, was very rejuvenating. It really is vital for my sanity to get out and be able to do something for myself.

I have also been thinking a lot about patience.  A few nights ago, Sayer was having some tummy troubles, and I found myself getting mad and frustrated.  I have realized that patience is pretty much one of THE MOST important parenting tools.  I've noticed in the last couple of days, since I have been trying really hard to be patient, that I am enjoying Sayer so much more, crying and all.  It is amazing the love you can feel for these little souls, if you just open up your heart and let yourself, instead of being angry that you can't be in bed sleeping.  I really do just want him to feel better, and find that I almost enjoy spending that time with him and being the one to make him feel better... ALMOST!  HAHA.  Just kidding, I really do.  Being a mom is the hardest, and best thing I have ever done!

I also just have to give a shout out to my amazing husband. I am lucky enough to have Nate home most mornings, and he has been kind enough to get up with Asher in the mornings so that I can go back to sleep after I feed Sayer around 6:00 or 7:00. It makes such a

 big difference. I'm already so tired, I can't imagine how I would feel if I didn't get those extra couple of hours in the morning. I can tell that Nate is really trying so hard to be sensitive to how I am feeling and what I need help with, and I appreciate it so much. It makes me realize what a sucky wife I am, I can be so selfish sometimes. I am trying to be better, Nate is definitely such an example to me of service. I love you Nate, thanks for all your help. I couldn't do any of this without you!!!

Sorry for the cheesey-ness! 

Ok, Sayer is asleep now, so I should get to sleep before he wakes up again.  Sorry if this post doesn't make sense at all!  I will post some 4 week pictures tomorrow sometime.

411 on the Amby bed

So, the unfortunate truth is that I don't love the Amby bed. Don't get me wrong, it is a really nice product, and I think it works for a lot of people, but I haven't really noticed a difference from any other bed that I have used... I think it's because I swaddle my babies, and the bed basically creates the same effect, and their arms are not free, so the bed doesn't move when they move... because they don't move.  I know you all think that I'm obsessed with swaddling, which I am, but I swear that's why!!  Plus, I don't have a colicky baby, but I don't think your baby has to be colicky to reap the intended benefits of this bed. I think the bed is definitely better than a bassinet though, as it is very soft and comfy, and has an incline. I'm sad to say, however, that I've reverted back to our $25 bouncer, as it has calming vibrations that help to rock Sayer to sleep, as I don't have the time/energy/desire, to rock him to sleep a million times a day (and night)!! The Amby bed does not have any such mechanism, so in order to place my baby in the bed, he needs to be sound asleep, which I am not really a fan of. If I had a bassinet, I know I still wouldn't be using it either. So, since I'm not really using the Amby so much, I think I am going to sell it. Which is fine, because that means that I will have a little extra money to put towards my dream stroller, which has changed from this:

to this... the Phil & Ted Vibe

...which is an upgraded version of the first picture.  Pretty sweet, huh?!  Normally I would never dream of buying such a pricey stroller, but since we will be moving to NYC, and selling our car, the stroller will be our main mode of transportation (for our kids anyway) so we are able to rationalize it! Hooray!! That has been the biggest thing that moms say about living in NYC with kids, get an awesome stroller... with a rain cover!

So anyway, back to the Amby bed... I am glad that I bought it though, as I would have always wondered about it and wanted it. Now I have tried it, and now I know that it is not something I need, so I won't have to obsess over it anymore! So, there you go, Morgan's review of the Amby bed.  Woo-hoo!

Happy Easter!

We had a very nice Easter yesterday. Asher woke up to his Easter basket: crocs (cheapy wal-mart brand), magna-doodle, his first coloring book and washable crayons, and I threw in the little car from his happy meal the previous night, which I'm pretty sure ended up being his favorite thing. Although, he has been enjoying all his loot, even today! I am happy to say that the washable crayons are indeed washable... happiness!!

Nate had to give a talk in church, which I was sad to miss, but since Nate couldn't really watch Asher during Sacrament meeting, he stayed home with me and Sayer. Which worked out better anyway, since church is exactly during his nap time. So he got a great nap, then had plenty of energy to expend up at Aunt Kacey and Uncle Andy's house in Sandy. He loves going up there as there are endless toys and he gets to play with his cousins. Nate and I love it too, as we don't have to entertain him at all. We are free to visit with the adults and have a fun time ourselves! Andy and Kacey made the most delicious flank steak (by the way Kacey, I still need that recipe!), and I of course brought a cake... a new recipe that proved to be a hit!! Even Nate had a second piece, which he never does. I think this was the first cake I made that he really liked. Way to go me! Even though Asher and Sayer didn't get to go to church, I still put them in their new Easter outfits, cause I'm retarded like that. I thought they looked adorable, like little golfers. Thanks Aunt Whitney for Sayer's outfit and telling me about the Gymboree sale! What would I do without you? Be forced to buy everything full price, that's what (she always knows about every sale everywhere... it's great!)

Asher did his first Easter egg hunt, which he didn't really do, as he was more interested in running around outside. He got one egg, then found the crackers inside (kacey put crackers and cereal in the eggs instead of candy... genius!) and was busy with those the rest of the time. After the kiddies were in bed, we watched Dan In Real Life, love that movie! All in all, I would say it was a great day!

Drew, Ashlyn, Ally, Maddie and Asher

Our sad attempt at a family picture.

2 1/2 Weeks...

Sad that the only time Asher will let me snuggle with him like this is when he's sick! This is a weird angle, but we are laying on the couch.

Well, our introduction into life with 2 kids has not been very kind. First with Asher's teething episode, then this last weekend he came down with, what I first thought was the flu as he threw up Saturday morning (Nate and I were still able to squeeze in a celebratory dinner to Tucanos after he went to bed). Then on Sunday he had a super high fever of 104. Monday brought no fever or vomiting, just a very whiney child who wouldn't eat or sleep. I finally took him in on Tuesday and found out he had an ear infection. Poor little guy! Today is the first day that he is semi-himself. This is the first day that he has played with his toys in 4 or 5 days, and this is the first day he is actually eating. He is so skinny, I can totally feel his backbone, and he doesn't have his usual pot-belly. I'm glad that he is feeling better, because it is always so sad to see your child miserable and in pain, it is definitely so much better when they are happy and smiley. But I am also glad because he has been driving me insane with his constant whining and needing to be held. I know, how horrible am I? I'm sure I'm not the only mom who has felt like that, so I don't feel too bad saying it. So we are all looking forward to Asher feeling better, and getting some decent sleep.

Sayer on the other hand, has been doing great. He is now 2.5 weeks old. We went to the Dr on Monday (and Tuesday) and he has already gained 1 pound. I haven't really noticed a huge difference between Asher as a baby and Sayer, except that Sayer has a much louder/piercing cry. I would also say that Sayer is a little bit more fussy (or maybe I just notice his cry more because it is much louder than Asher's ever was), but only during eating times. He acts like he is constantly trying to go to the bathroom, his little face will get bright red and it looks like he's going to pop a blood vessel. I've been trying that Gripe Water stuff, and it seems to be helping some. His tummy problems don't seem to be affecting his sleeping. He pretty much goes 3-4 hours between feedings both day and night, sleeping pretty much the whole time in-between. He does have his days and nights mixed up, but I don't really believe in waking babies up, so I will just wait til he sorts it out himself. It didn't take too long with Asher, so hopefully it won't with Sayer. Plus, it has been nice to have him sleep so much during the day so that I can take care of Asher. He really is a sweet little guy, I don't have any complaints!

This is my favorite little outfit (above). He wore it home from the hospital, which I don't have any pictures of as it was a stressful event... Asher was with us!!!

His whiney-ness!!

Tagged...

Michal tagged me, so here is goes...

A: Attached or single: Attached... forever!

B: Best Friend: Nate really is my best friend! My sister Whit is a close second!

C: Cake or Pie: Cake all the way! Preferably chocolate!!!!

D: Day of Choice: Fridays cuz Nate is home most of the day and Saturdays for the same reason.

E: Essential Item: Burt's bees chapstick, aveeno lotion, sweat pants and 500 thread count sheets! ...and chocolate!

F: Favorite Color: Green

G: Gummie Bears or Worms: I love both... love all things gummy!

H: Hometown: Sacramento, CA

I: Indulgence(s): Always chocolate, cookies, candy, and baths. I probably took one bath a day during my pregnancy, sometimes 2!!

J: January or July: July, it's my birthday and I love summer activities

K: Kids: 2, one crazy little boy and one tiny little boy

L: Life is incomplete without: My husband, chocolate, cafe rio salads, 

M: Marriage Date: November 7, 2003

N: Number of Siblings: 6, 5 sisters and 1 brother. I am 3rd (2nd girl, 3rd child)

O: Oranges or Apples: granny smith apples... YUM! the only apples I actually crave

P: Phobias or Fears: something happening to Nate or one of my kids, getting in a car accident

Q: Quote(s):  i'd have to go look it up, but it's a quote about change 

R: Reason To Smile: when Asher laughs and smiles

S: Season: spring

T: Tag Six: whoever wants to do this!

U: Unknown Fact about Me:  i've never broken a bone or had to have stitches (not counting having a baby)   

V: Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: uh??? i like meat?!

W: Worst Habit: interrupting people when they are talking

X: X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds, so cool to see inside the body like that, and of course to see the babies

Y: Your favorite food: baked popcorn, chips and salsa, cafe rio salads, broccoli,chocolate!

Z: Zodiac: Cancer

Why I ROCK at blogging...

I don't scrapbook. I never have, and I don't think I ever will. I am just not creative like that, and it would just be one more thing for me to be way behind on. I do however, have a blog. I have had many people comment to me on how "on top of posting" I am. Well... this is my scrapbook/baby book/journal, etc etc. I do of course have my own journal for more personal things, and I do have a baby book for each of my boys. But a couple of months ago, I went to go write a journal entry in Asher's baby book, and found that the last entry I had written was back on his 1st birthday... Sad! I felt like I had so much to catch up on, but then I remembered that I had it all on the blog. Sweet! A friend of a friend, Heidi, told me about this thing called the blurb. It is this website where you can download free software to make books. It is so genius! You can import all your blog posts, and of course choose which ones you want to include, and which ones you don't. It is so fun to play around with and set it up just the way you want it. I finished the first year of our blog a couple months ago, but keep forgetting to order it. I will let you all know how it turns out (quality, etc). I've decided that I am going to have a book made every year, as they are not too expensive, and I think it will be so awesome to have a hard copy of entries and pictures for our family. 

So I encourage you all to check it out if it sounds like something for you. I am also telling you this so that you are aware that there may be many posts that don't interest you at all, or you might think I talk an awful lot about my amazing family, or talk about boring stuff, or talk too much, or whatever, but now you know why... this is my scrapbook! So while it's true that I don't really have a life, and I admit that I love blogging and being able to keep in touch with friends, but the real reason I rock at blogging is so that we can have lots of fun memories!

Exciting, ExCiTinG, EXCITING news!!!

Today, Nate and I watched the mail man put the mail in our mailbox, and we saw a "big" envelope go in. Nate ran out to see if it was what he thought it was, and it was...

his acceptance letter into the Columbia University Teacher's College!!!!!!

We are of course very excited. You should have seen Nate. He still can't believe that "he" got in to COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY! I am so proud of him, he has worked so hard for 2 years, applying and re-applying, writing and editing his paper and letters of intent, etc etc, and for it to finally pay of is so wonderful. We are so grateful, and recognize it as a huge blessing from Heavenly Father. 

We are pretty sure that we will be going, which is totally weird to think that we would be living in nyc... US! Weird! There is still the matter of "how will we pay for this?!" and all that other good stuff, but I'm sure we'll figure it out. Nate is also a little concerned that it is an EDD (Doctor of Education) versus a PhD, but we also feel like he was accepted for a reason, and who knows what kinds of doors this opportunity will open for Nate in the future. 

We just wanted to share our super exciting news with everyone!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY SUPER AMAZING HUBBY!!!!

Update...

Just a quick little update...

Cute baby Sayer!!

My mom has gone, and we are now a family of 4, all on our own. We're doing alright though, especially considering that our ward is bringing dinners this whole week!! Love it! Thanks mom, for coming to help, and thanks ward!!

Grandma holding Sayer

The bili-blanket was successful. We have been off it since Sunday, and it is fabulous to not have to keep Sayer confined to the chair anymore.

Father-Son bonding

Today, I took Asher to Mother's Group, and he was sooo excited to actually be leaving the house. Nate told him we were going to the park, and he was all for getting dressed, and kept saying "bye-bye", "bye-bye"! He chattered away the whole car ride there. When we walked up to the playground, he could hardly contain his excitement, he was totally laughing and squealing. It was super cute, but also kind of sad, as that is a sign that he has been couped up way too long! Sorry bud!

Exciting side note to the mother's group outing... I had to actually get dressed in real clothes, in order to go somewhere other than wal-mart. So I was looking in my closet for my "fat pants" (AKA, pants that are one size bigger than my normal pants for post baby body) and couldn't find them anywhere. In tearing apart my closet, my favorite jeans caught my eye, and I thought... "no, they wouldn't fit". But I tried them on, and they did fit!! It seriously made my day, as I couldn't wear those same jeans for 8 months after I had Asher. So either running a marathon right before pregnancy really does help to keep that fat off (or at least starts things off smaller, or maybe helps you lose is faster... or something), or the fact that I gained 2 pounds less with this pregnancy was a bigger deal than I thought! Hmmmm?! ;) Either way, I'm thrilled!

Starring: The Olson Boys...

Don't send a lame eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

I got this from our friend Angela's blog. I am so lucky to have such talented boys... and who knew Nate was so flexible!! (By the way, I was able to waste 30 minutes doing this due to the fact that it is 10:34 am and Asher is still asleep! I love "spring forward" daylight savings!!)

Brothers...

Asher has been loving his new baby brother. Sayer has been camped out on this chair due to the bili-blanket cord, and yesterday, Asher wanted to sit up there with him. It was very sweet. He kept wanting to cuddle with him. He still tends to get a little too rough with him, so I am sad to say that Asher ended up in a time out shortly after these pictures were taken. But he still enjoyed his "brother" time.

So I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but I swear I left for the hospital on Sunday night, with a "little" boy, and when I came home, he is all of the sudden enormous. Not only does he weigh a ton and look so much bigger, he looks so much OLDER. He is a "big" boy!
Crazy little dude!
Sportin' his new pink and purple binky!!

Sayer's first bath

Sayer had his first bath on Wednesday... he was not a fan!

Sorry if this picture is inappropriate, I didn't think to cover him up.

Nice and warm in his towel

Look at those skinny little legs!

Asher's new doo

Asher got a much needed haircut last night by Aunt Ashley, who he was actually starting to grow quite attached to, but not so much anymore... at least until he forgets about the traumatic experience she put him through!

Before... combing his hair

this is only the beginning...

it even got much worse than this, but I was too busy comforting him to take any more pictures. He was pretty much hysterical! He did not like those clippers!

He was even too sad to enjoy his bath, so he was in and out in like 2 minutes, then finally calmed down with his e-i-e-i-o book.

This morning before church, with the final results... the spikey-doo. I think he looks so much like his cousins Joelie and Kadin now!

Home sweet home

Sayer, loving his new Amby bed so far!!

We are home from the hospital and doing great! Well, most of us that is! Asher's little body decided the week we all come home from the hospital would be the perfect time for him to start cutting a ba-jillion molars! Seriously, if you look inside this little guy's mouth, all you see is swollen gums with a bunch of little sharp teeth poking through. He has been an absolute basket case!!! I feel so sad for him, he won't even eat, which is an amazing thing for Asher. Then to top it all off, last night his binky mysteriously disappeared. I could not find it anywhere, still can't. I am not ready to deal with the wheaning yet, and obviously, neither is he, so I had Nate buy some more while he was out. But that was after Asher and I walked around the house for an hour searching and crying. Poor Asher was looking under the beds and under the couches. It was so sad! He just cried and cried like he'd lost his best friend. Then he had to cry himself to sleep, which didn't last too long, probably because he had used all his tears and energy the previous hour! Then he woke up an hour or two later, and Nate gave him the new binky, but he knew that it wasn't his real binky, but took it anyway. Sayer was a champ his first night home, waking at 1:30 am and 5:30 am. Asher on the other hand, was not. He too woke at these exact same times, only he kept crying for his binky, and tried to give Nate the new ones back. Both times he had to cry himself to sleep again. (Of course his marathon teething isn't helping matters) Today he seems to have adjusted to his new binkys, so that's good, and I've been pumping him with tylenol and motrin all day. Hopefully his teeth will come in soon, so he doesn't have to be in so much pain. 

On a happier note, Asher seems to really like Sayer, which is great. He gets all excited when he sees him and smiles and says "bee-bee", and then of course, tries to "love" him, in his own way... which is hitting his head! We are trying to teach him the definition of "soft". Maybe we should have done that before the baby came! Oh well. I had thought that he was misbehaving so badly because he was jealous, but now I really think that it has just been his teeth. 

We had to get Sayer's biliruben checked this morning, and the Dr's office called back to let us know his levels had gone up quite a bit and that he would have to go under the lights. Well... my experience with Asher and the lights were very traumatic, so I told her that I really wanted the bili-blanket (I could tell that she was not happy with me for putting my foot down) instead of the tanning bed set up, so she said we could do it for one night, but if they didn't start going down, then we had to do the bed. I agreed. Sayer is now all snuggled up with his "light paddle" on his back. It looks kind of funny, as you can see (he looks like a little alien baby or something). 

But I have to say, even though it is a little awkward, it is a million times better than having to watch him flail about in his diaper, on a hard surface, with a mask over his whole face. I am just praying that it will help and that we won't have to get the table. 

Here is Sayer today, basking in the sunlight. Our jaundice home remedy!

Sayer Joel Olson

Sayer Joel Olson 

(pronounced Say-er, just the way it looks!)

...was born on March 2 2008 at 9:13pm. 

He weighed in at 5 lbs 15 oz and 18 1/2 inches long. He is beautiful, with dark brown hair and sweet little eyes. He is so tiny, though not tiny enough to believe that he has been inside of me all this time! He was born one day shy of 37 weeks, so he is pretty much full term, although they are still treating him like he is under 37 weeks, doing some special car seat test, and other stuff along those lines. His lungs are fully developed, and he is very healthy. My Father in law says that he looks great, which is always great to hear!!

For those who like baby stories...

Those familiar with my last labor, know that I got to the hospital fully dilated and ready to go. So needless to say, I was very nervous about knowing when to go to the hospital for this little guy. On Sunday at about 2:30pm, I started noticing "regular" contractions, and a little more pressure, although no pain.  If I hadn't been paying attention, I wouldn't even notice them  So I started keeping an eye on their timing, and they remained about 2-3 minutes apart for about 4 hours. Still no pain. At about 6:30pm, we called all of the people that we had lined up to watch Asher, only to find virtually everyone out of town, gone to SLC, or just not answering their phones. Luckily some friends in our ward (who are due with their first baby one week before my original due date, so we felt a little guilty calling them) were willing to come over until Nate's dad could make it down from Sandy. 

I was still very skeptical about whether or not I was in labor, 'cause like I said, no pain. We got to the hospital and checked in, and they were so great about everything, which surprised me. I expected them to look at me and not believe that I was in labor and not really take me seriously, but they were on top of it. They got me checked and I was only about 4.5 cm dilated, so they decided to keep me for an hour to see if I progressed. When they checked me again, they said I was still about a 4.5, but my cervix was VERY soft, which I guess means that things move pretty quickly once things get underway. So my wonderful Dr, Dr. Thorpe, didn't feel comfortable sending me home, knowing my previous experience, so they decided to break my water. That was surprisingly painless, which is always good! When he broke my water, I was at a 6 and it was about 8:15 pm. After that, things started to intensify pretty quickly. My pain level was starting to increase, and the next time they checked me I was at a 9. My sweet nurse said that this was the time to get an epidural if I wanted one. I couldn't decide, as, if it was going to be as fast as last time, I thought it would be a waste, but it sure was sounding nice, and I was very nervous about the pain when pushing him out. I never really made a decision, and she didn't press me, and about 15 minutes later, I was ready to push.  (I just have to say as a side note, that the body is so amazing, how it just knows when things are ready to go.  Birth really is an amazing process, and I understand so much better this time around, when people say in response to the much asked question of how will I know... that you will just know!)  Now let me tell you, this is the worst part of the whole affair. Nate and I were by ourselves, and I felt it all of the sudden, so he called a nurse and she came in, but my Doc was downstairs, so I had to wait. Wow, that was torture! Finally he came in and I could push which was a relief, but then of course came more pain, and it seriously felt like he was never going to come out. I pushed a couple times, then he gave me an episiotomy, which I was grateful for, as it made him come out faster! After that, it was pretty much just one or two more pushes, then he was out. I have to say, that that was an amazing feeling. Don't get me wrong, it did not feel good, but it was so great to be so much more involved in the whole process, and to feel what was happening, and then to have this amazing sense of accomplishment once he was out. It was so much more emotional for me than last time, where I felt so distanced from everything, and really had no idea what was happening. My Dr was seriously so great, he talked me through everything and was so encouraging. I always had the feeling that Doctors didn't like it when women didn't have epidurals, as they clearly have to be more concerned about the mother and her pain level and what she is going to feel, etc. But Dr. Thorpe was so compassionate, which was so wonderful. It was overall, a much more pleasant experience than last time, as we were in the hospital a little longer and it wasn't as stressed, and we could relax and prepare ourselves.  I guess now we know that with my labors, we can't just wait for the pain to come before we act.  But I feel much more confident that I will know whether or not I am labor for the next time!

He came out crying and kept at it for quite some time, which was a good sign to all that his lungs were in good shape! Everything went really smoothly after that, they got him all cleaned up, I got to hold him, he nursed, my sister Jill and her boyfriend came to meet him, and I got to get up and walk around and get all cleaned up, etc. Then we came down to the mom and baby ward, where we are now! Thanks to wireless internet, I am able to write this post from my hospital bed while Sayer is getting some tests done, and Nate is with Asher at the park. Asher came in this morning to meet his little brother, and while he was very excited about the little baby, all he wanted to do was sit with me and Sayer and touch him, in a not so gentle manner. So we'll see how that goes when we get home! 

I've been feeling great... a little tired, and my back is killing me, but nothing a little ibuprofin won't fix! We will be home tomorrow afternoon, and then my mom will be flying in in the evening, which will be great! We don't have any great pictures yet. We took a picture with me, Nate and Sayer, but it is not on my camera anymore, which is very weird. So I will try to get some better ones and post some more. He looks a lot like Asher did when he was born actually. We'll have to do some comparisons in the next little while. But he is a cutie, that's for sure!