Baby Bo - 2 weeks old

 Because I have been so slow to get out my baby announcements, here are the pictures. I'm still working on the cards. I may just have to combine family Christmas cards with his birth announcement. Things are crazy busy right now. Either way, I think he's pretty adorable and deserves announcing. :)

Baby Bo - 1 week old

One week after Boden was born, I had a small case of Mastitis. I had a high fever that could not be dropped and just wanted to sleep all day. So Boden and I did just that. I pawned Lucas off where I could and baby and I rested. I snapped a few pictures right in my room because I was afraid he was getting too big for newborn photos already! I wanted to catch him at his sleepy times. So, being sick - I did what I could.

Boden's Blessing

 Today Boden received his first Father's Blessing. It was so special to have our loved ones come to church with us and celebrate this new little man. The spirit was present and that's all I could ask for. Boden is so lucky to have such wonderful family surrounding him. The men who stood in the circle were Bishop Walker, Daddy, Grandpa, Jeramy, Joe, Peter and James.

 Thanks to all our family who came to support and show continuous love for Jimmy and I as well as our little men. What a beautiful day.

Snuggle Time

 

The first thing Lucas wants when he wakes up is to see his brother. Here they are sharing some adorable snuggle time.

 Lucas even made sure Boden got to try out his FAVORITE monkey blanket. Bitter sweet because it is NASTY. That blanket has seen more places than I have - I'm sure of it.

 ...and yes - often times Lucas sleeps in his whitey tighteys.

 ...and nothing's quite like a good sibling bath. with poop.

Lucas is always willing to help out and loves to take care of his baby "brudder".

Happy Halloween!

We looked forward to this holiday for 9 months! I would tell Lucas that after we have Halloween, the baby will come. We have talked pirate talk for months, we even found a parrot that Lucas named "olly" as opposed to the classic "polly". Unfortunately, once Halloween came, this pirate wanted no part of it. Here is my unhappy Pirate:

 Once he got to the party, he had fun. He went with Daddy and cousins and ended up having a blast.

On the day of Halloween, we had our first big outing. (All because we ran out of milk.) We ventured off to Fred Meyer - just the three of us. It was quite a production. Normally, we're out the door no later than 9am. This was more like 11 once I got Boden fed, dressed and happy. I'm getting better now. :) 

 Both boys trying to flee the scene...

 I hadn't planned on having Boden around yet, so we borrowed an adorable pumpkin costume from Tammy. (Ethan wore this one when he was a newbie) Thanks, Tammy! She always comes to the rescue with adorable costumes to share!

Lucas made the rounds with Daddy while Boden and I stayed cozy by the fire with the Grandparents. 

Happy Halloween!

Fall

I feel like I'm completely missing fall.

 I've been inside, sipping warm cider and eating ginger-pumpkin bread with my favorite Boden in my arms trying to make up for it. No trick-or-treating or partying here. Just laying low with the new one.

The average size of our pumpkins this year is shown below... maybe it's because we bought starters instead of planting seeds. Either way, it's fun to watch them grow (or not grow) and pick them when Halloween comes.

What makes this picture a classic? His boots are on the wrong feet. Love him.

 Lucas loves chores. Especially ones he can do outdoors. He raked and raked and raked.

 ...and what's the point of raking if you can't jump in?

Boden Jeramy Miller

I had plans for the weekend. Like pumpkin patching, hanging curtains, laundry catch-up and birthday parties. None of that happened. Unless you count the unexpected birthday that was celebrated at Valley Medical Center on Sunday afternoon.

I was 37 1/2 weeks along. It was a peaceful Saturday morning. We cooked a big family breakfast and lined up our plans for the day. Meanwhile, I had been having contractions 3-4 minutes apart. This wasn't rare. I have had them a ton throughout the pregnancy, but they started to get more and more uncomfortable. I couldn't discount them because with Lucas I felt no pain until my water broke - and he came in just 2 short hours. I'm not a fan of highway deliveries, so we packed our things and headed to the hospital.

I met my midwife in Triage where she checked and I was 4cm dilated and 80% effaced. This could mean anything, so she sent me on a walk to see what my body would do within the hour. I dilated some more and contractions were now right on top of each other, so she checked me into a room. After which, everything slowed down. Here I was dilated to a 7, still constant contractions - but less painful and checked into the hospital. Was I wasting time? I had things to do today!

This is where I start to cry. Not because of anything labor related. I had this image in my head of Lucas standing at the door, rain boots on, emergency over-night-back-pack strapped on his back, ready to come with us to get the baby. -Which is exactly how we left him. I started to feel like we were doing something wrong to Lucas by having another. I worried that he felt left out. He missed out on the pumpkin patch that he had so looked forward to which didn't help matters. My midwife is probably excited to deal with me now in tears, hubby confused with my emotions and I'm ready to go home and cancel this whole have-a-baby thing so I can hug my son and make him happy.

After much struggle, *emotions were in check*

back to the matter at hand...

Because I was still 2 1/2 weeks early, they hesitated to "help" the labor process. So, I went to bed. Jimmy and I slept beautifully. I woke up angry that I had slept in until 7:30 and that there was no progress. I walked that hospital like never before. Jimmy and I did stairs where we even almost got locked in the stairwell! There may have been a jumping jack or 2 somewhere in there as well. ;)

...Still contracting, but pain was minimal and no water breaking... Midwife takes matters into her own hands and strips my membranes. ...More walking... more nothing...

I thought back to the words from the blessing Jimmy gave me before we left. "WHEN THE TIME COMES, you will have a smooth delivery."
ANNOYED.

I was fine if the baby wasn't ready to come. I just didn't want to go home being dilated to a 7/8, completely thinned and wait for my water to break so I could rush back to the hospital. We debated, we waited and by 1pm Sunday we came to the decision to break my water. 

Just like Lucas, after the water broke the active labor only took about 2 hours. The pain was unmistakable and so intense. There's nothing that can describe it. No drugs this time-but I had Jimmy! He really helped me through the pain, as did my 2 Moms right by my side. I was not very responsive at the time, but I am so grateful for them! Jimmy was able to be very hands-on and he liked that. When it was time to push, the midwife let him jump right in, catching and handing me the baby. He delivered the placenta and even proceeded to dissect it. (Sounds disgusting - but that's my Biology major husband - and somehow to me it was cute.) We talked about how some people eat it in foreign countries or save it to plant a tree in... I know - I'm taking this afterbirth thing a little far. Jimmy thought it was pretty cool. 

What came from that complex little bag was life. I was so glad to be able to take my time with him after he was born to snuggle him and meet him for the first time. He didn't cry much. His eyes were wide with wonder as he stared into mine. He was completely calm and limp laying on my chest. This was the moment I realized that blessings come through sacrifice. That this immense pain that I just went through was to bring forth a blessing. A blessing that was LONG awaited and prayed for. I remember several times during hard labor, looking to my Mom and Mother-in-law in between contractions and asking, "why does it have to be this way?" or "why would anyone want to go through this?" My Mother-in-law came by my bedside and said something like, "we wouldn't know true blessings if we didn't know the pain." Our Father in Heaven made things this way. Life is one of the greatest blessings of all. Women carry babies for 9 months, some with agonizing pain and sacrifice. Labor is not supposed to be easy. Nor is any trial we go through. In this case the reward was so great, so the pain had to match it, I guess.

After over 24 hours at the hospital, 2 hours of intense pain and much anticipation, Boden is here.

We are so grateful for this addition to our family. He is perfect in every way. Here are some of his stats:

Born: 10/23/11 at 3:11pm

Size: 7lbs, 7oz  18 1/2" long  34cm head circumference

Appearance: Fair skin/hair - he looks strawberry blonde right now :) 

Interests: He's nursing like a champ and LOVES to sleep!

When Lucas met him he asked, "Is your name Santa Claus?" and Boden shot him a scowl. Lucas thought that was pretty funny. Boden has a brother who is head over heels for him and wants to be part of everything. Lucas even took the "first bath" with Boden. (Boden pooped in the water which made the moment *extra* special)

Faye and Mom

 Lucas: not sure what's going on

Welcome to the family, little Boden. We sure do love you!