Monday, June 28, 2010

Andi & baby Connor visit



It was so great to meet little baby Connor today. Andi is one of my good friends from South Dakota. It is funny to know the entire story of our friendship, but keeping it simple: We meet when I was an RA at NDSU and she was one of my floor residents. We began to be friends, then roommates for over 2 years and share South Dakota as our 'HOME'. I moved to the Chicago area and Andi moved here about 2 years later. Andi was a true Chicago city girl until she meet her husband, Steve, and now they have their own house in the suburbs only 30 minutes from our home in Romoeoville. It is fun to have a friend that understands how it is to be so far from home and now to have kids. Connor was due on June 21st, while Maxwell was due June 24th. Both of us had our kiddos a few weeks early, Connor May 31st and Maxwell June 9th. We had a fun day hanging out and sharing our birthing stories, which neither were boring at all! We plan to get together as much as possible this summer during our maternity leaves, as it is great to share baby stories and mommy time with someone who is going through the same daily routines as me! Thanks Andi and Connor for the visit!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Maternity Leave week 2






Whoever thinks being at home with a toddler and a newborn is easy work, has never been home with a toddler and a newborn. Although both Abby and Max are great (and pretty easy kids) the weeks are full of activity.

Abby has taken off in her signing ABCs and Twinkle, Twinkle which never seem to have an ending. She is a true chatter box and doesn't seem to need much of a nap these days. Max is eating every 2-3 hours during the day and 3-4 hours at night. I forgot how tired a person can be at a 4am feeding (yes, mommy not Max LOL). Max had his 2 week doctor appointment with Dr. B and gained 11 oz. in his first week. What a good eater! Dr. B says mommy has 'Whole' milk, too funny! He is doing well; had a little irritated spot on his cheek so we did take him to the pediatric dermatologist, but Dr. N didn't seem too concerned at this time. Just part of being a summer baby. A few days since the appointment and at least it isn't getting worse. Max doesn't seem to even know. Layton finished another Graduate class for his MPA with an "A" in the books. Way to go! My doctor appointment with Dr. TS went well and don't have to go back for another month. All in all, great and busy week for us all.

"Busy but we did it" is the conclusion of week #2 of Maternity leave.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day




It was Layton's 2nd Father's Day this year. He is a wonderful father to his two children and truely gives all to his family. We are blessed to have such a provider and loving father and husband.

This year we celebrated in our home with the Cooper family including mom and dad Cooper and Jo-Lynne. We had our favorite Pagoda House Chinese Food (the best egg rolls ever!) and gifts for the great dads. With Max only being 10 days old, it was a great way to celebrate. Layton and dad opened a few gifts from the family and we enjoyed some Apple pie after for a treat. We thank the Lord for the great fathers in our lives and appreciate all that He provides being our Father!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A Day in the Pool







Today the whole family spent the afternoon together enjoying the sunshine. Layton set up Abby's pool outside on the beautiful campus and out we went. The sun and breeze were a perfect combo for all of us to enjoy a fun afternoon. Abby played in her pool and even got to have her very own waterslide, made by her daddy. Maxwell enjoyed some sunshine and the breeze that flowed through the air. He did have a little hat on his head and hid under his little blanket tent to ensure he didn't get too much sun. After a fun afternoon in the sun, Abby had a good nap in her big girl bed, Max enjoyed some time in his swing, I relaxed and Layton made a trip to the grocery store for dinner and completed some errands. It was a very wonderful summer day. I even got a little teary-eyed before bedtime because I would love to have Layton home with us for the rest of the summer...but we know he has to return to work on Friday :(

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Welcome to the family Maxwell





On Tuesday, June 8th, Layton and I made our way to St. James hospital to be induced at 6am. Through all the waiting to get into a room, we ended up in the VIP suite in the Lulliby Center. Layton took this picture of us while we waited for the medicine to kick in. As we waited for the medicine to take its course, the director of the Lulliby Center asked us if we would be interested in being their department family for their Gala Fundraiser in October; sure why not, right? Now there will be a table called "Karlie & Layton" at the fundraiser with a picture of him and I waiting to deliever our little man. They took professional pictures (yes of me in my pretty hospital gown with Layton) and took a bio of our journey. So off to a good start at the hospital!

At midnight I was only 4cm dialated, so another induction medicine was needed. Dr. Scott-Terry came to see me at 6am on June 9th and broke my water. Immediatly I experienced the lovely heavy contractions. Needless to stay the Epidural was ordered! At 3pm that afternoon we still waited! Dr. Scott-Terry arrived again at 5pm and we were only at 7cm dialated. So guess what, magical Dr. Scott-Terry told me to start pushing, oh gosh, the pain! By 5:30pm I was 9cm dialated, but little mans heart rate would drop really low during each contraction. Dr. said it was due to the umblical cord. She gave her best experience information and thought it was most likely wrapped around the babies neck. Because of the drop in heart rate and length of the drop she recommended a c-section. After much prayer and consideration of the pros and cons, we decided to go ahead and do the c-section to ensure both baby and mommy would not experience any ER situations. By 6pm we were preped for the c-section and 6:31pm, little Maxwell Tomblen (b is silent) had joined our family safe and sound. See the pictures of Daddy and Max in the surgery room, and of course one of the 3 of us. Max weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz and was 20 inches long. What a healthy baby boy!