Poor, abandoned blog

Sorry it has been SO long since I've written. I try to keep photos, etc. up to date on facebook, but it's nice to have a place to record stories, day-to-day life, etc. Preston is now 2.5 and Nicholas is 10 months old. Nicholas is crawling and cruising around, and causing mayhem wherever he may roam! It's amazing how much faster the second child grows up. Nicholas needs to be quick on his feet (knees?) to avoid Preston's "hugs" which are more like tackles. Although he has gotten much better about not throwing his brother to the ground every opportunity he gets.

Preston is so grown up now! He is talking so fluently and is becoming quick an imaginiative, outgoing little guy. He cracks me up daily and I am amazed at how smart and observant he is. He loves his little brother so much and loves making him laugh. He also loves his "Mama" and likes to check in a few times a day with me by asking, "Mama, are you happy?". So cute. We have decided on a preschool, finally! What a process it is here! You have to apply and then many schools require that you come in for an observation. Crazy. We applied to four schools- two in downtown Boston and two in Charlestown. Amazingly, St. John School in the North End announced they were starting a preschool program starting next September and we have decided to send Preston there. It is only a few blocks away from where we live, and a few of his little friends from the neighborhood will also be going. I can't believe he will be three years old soon. And Nicholas will be 1 next month! This year has flown by.

Happy 4th of July!

Sick baby

On July 4th weekend, Nicholas was very sick with a high fever and vomiting. Between Thursday evening and Saturday morning, we had made three trips to the ER at MGH. By our third visit on Saturday morning, they decided to admit him because his fever was not going down. He was poked and prodded (blood test, inserted IV, catheder for urine test, spinal tap)and all the tests came back negative for any signs of a bacterial infection. It was just a nasty virus, apparently. Nicholas and I got to stay in our own private room overlooking the city for Saturday night, and by Sunday afternoon, his fever has disappeared and he was no vomiting, so we were allowed to go home. Since then, he has been improving greatly. Thank goodness the worst has passed, it's so scary when they are that sick at such a young age!

"Get me out of here!"



He managed to smile even though he was feeling bad...

Nicholas- One Month Old

Granny's visit

At the end of June, Granny came for a quick visit on her way back to New Zealand from London. It was great for her to be able to meet Nicholas when he was just a newborn. Preston was happy to see her and to show her all the new words he learned and new things he could do since she saw him last December.

Nicholas at Two Weeks Old

My little bean...

The Story of Nicholas

Tuesday, May 17, 2011
(Four days before due date)

2am- I wake up to slight cramping and convince myself that this couldn't possibly be "it". The baby isn't due for another four days!

5am- After being awake for a few hours with mild contractions, I think I feel my water break. Not sure if it really did, since this didn't happen with Preston. Call the doctor and they advise me to come into the hospital to be checked out. We call Mimi and Grampy in for reinforcements!

6am- Mimi and Grampy arrive. I am feeling fine, no contractions. Was it a false alarm

7:30am- Contractions are back! Alex and I head to the hospital with our bags packed. Mimi and Grampy take Preston back to Framingham

8:00am- Am examined by a midwife in the triage area of the maternity ward at MGH. I am four cm dialated, but they seem to think I am not ready to be admitted. They tell us to walk around, go get something to eat and come back in two hours. I am feeling OK, contractions are painful but bearable.

10:00am- I am re-examined and no change. The midwife sends us home as she thinks I'm not quite ready yet. I am discouraged, but exhuasted and just want to get home and go to bed.

11am-1pm- Home in bed and contractions are getting stronger. Then, POP! my water definitely breaks this time. Contractions are so painful I cannot speak. Back to MGH.

1:30pm- I am admitted and quickly given an epidural. The pain is intense. Nothing like I felt with preston, as I have been on the epidural overnight before I started pushing. As I am getting the epidural, I feel like I have to start pushing.



2:30pm- The epidural has been in for about 15 minutes and it is numbing the contractions, but they are still painful. I feel an intense urge to start pushing. The nurse tells me to try and wait until the Doctors can get scrubbed in. Easier said than done.

2:36pm- The doctors are ready and I start pushing.

2:42pm- Nicholas Patrick arrives into the world! Alex lets me know that we've had another boy, even though I knew it all along! Welcome, gorgeous baby! They put him on my chest and he starts nursing almost immediately. I am still kind of in shock at how quickly it all happened. An amazingly smooth, but painful, labor and delivery.

That afternoon, Bobby and Jen, Mom and Dad and Preston come to visit.




Uncle Ronnie and Auntie Kathy were coincidentally at MGH that day for a dr's appointment, so they were also able to come and meet the little guy. I am tired but feeling good. We stayed in the hospital until Thursday morning and then took baby Nicholas home to begin our life as a family of four!