Reece's Rainbow

I encourage you to visit my friend Carin's blog to read more about World Down Syndrome Day (which was actually yesterday) and learn more about an amazing program called Reece's Rainbow.  Carin does a much better job of explaining what it's about (and you'll also see she's a very talented writer and photographer!)  Now, after you've read her great blog try not to compare it to mine.  =) 

Learning As I Go

My Knight In Shining Armor

This week I ventured out with Liam to get groceries.  You wouldn't think this would be a big deal, but I was very nervous.  Liam is very hit and miss with his carseat.  At times he will fall asleep peacefully in it, but most times he screams and turns beet red.  It would obviously be difficult to get grocery shopping done if he chose the latter.

I packed the diaper bag with my tools for defense:  a mini formula sample we got from the hospital and a baby backpack/carrier.  Remember when I asked for a snuggler?  This one loves to snuggle so much he doesn't like to be put down and has taken to being carried around the house in the carrier when I'm trying to get things done.  So I packed it thinking if he started screaming I could strap him in the carrier and continue shopping.  I grabbed my list (which I put in order of the layout of the store to make my trip quicker) and coupons and set off.

Liam did great!  He looked around for a little bit in the beginning, but the bright lights of the store soon had him sleeping peacefully.  I got everything on my list and went to check out. 

Crap.  In all of my preparations I forgot my billfold. Not in the van. At home. Instead of Liam being in tears I was going to be soon.  Should I just leave all my groceries and try again later?  Should I ask if I can put them on hold and return with the money and hope that Liam will still be peacefully sleeping? 

Thankfully I didn't panic too much and I thought to call Chad, who happened to be at home grabbing a bite to eat for lunch.  He cut his lunch short and drove to the grocery store with his wallet to pay for the groceries.

Crisis averted thanks to my knight in shining armor. 

Kids Say...

I need to post a couple of cute stories about Beckett -- mainly for me because his bedtime behavior this past week has been anything but cute and I am at my wits end. 

I'm sure most mothers that have nursed can share a story like the following. I was pumping last night and as usual Beckett was very interested in what I was doing.

"What you doing mommy?"
"Making milk for Liam to drink."

At this Beckett smiled and then started to poke at various places on my tummy and laugh. He then poked my belly button, asked what it was and looked at me in disbelief when I said it was my belly button (good grief, my stomach must look really bad!!)

He ran off to play and came back a little later with his shirt lifted all the way up.
"Mommy, I want to do my milks too!"

---------------------------
This afternoon I heard grunting from the living room and rushed in.

"Beckett!  Are you going poop?"
(grunting and red faced) "No."
"Are you sure?  Remember, if you go poop on the big boy potty you can get a sucker!!!"
(more grunting) "No."
(Hmmmm, maybe I need to up the ante here.)  "Beckett!  If you go poop on the big boy potty we'll go and get ice cream!!!"
(some final grunts as he finishes filling his diaper) "No mommy." 

I guess potty training will not be as easy as giving up the Nuk.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  (photo from daycare today)

Uncle Ryan

Uncle Ryan was back in town for work and able to meet Liam this weekend.  I told Beckett that Uncle Ryan was coming over (with Aunt Christa) and the first thing he asked was if he was bringing a present for him (can you tell Beckett's gotten a few presents with the arrival of his little brother?)  Well, Ryan didn't disappoint because Beckett scored a bag of Jelly Belly jelly beans along with getting to hang out with Uncle Ryan. 

Liam and Uncle Ryan.

Beckett sharing his jelly beans.

Growing Up

It has been a lot of fun to watch Beckett interact with Liam - those two could not love each other more and Beckett has relished his role of Big Brother.  I've also seen that Beckett is growing up way too fast!  He's always been fiercely independent (hmmmm, I have no idea where he gets that??!!) but lately it seems like he's way older than 2.  It's fun to watch him learn and do new things but also bittersweet.

There's obviously been a lot of picture taking at our house lately and Beckett loves to have his turn with the camera too.  Not too bad (and at least he got the cuter of the two of us in the frame!)

Chad and I were making our bed Saturday morning and Beckett had asked to go downstairs (his new favorite place to hang out now that we've got a carpet piece and all of his riding toys down there).  We said in a little bit and continued making the bed.  We've got a baby gate blocking the stairs so imagine my surprise when I walked out of my bedroom to find this:

Apparently he knows how to use the baby gate.  I can barely operate the thing and my 2-year-old has taken it down with ease.  I'm hoping this was just a fluke.

Last night before bed I suggested to Beckett that he bring Baby Jess back to his room because she was looking tired (and it was time to clean up).  He wheeled her stroller away and later I found her in Liam's crib.

I should have had Beckett put Liam down as well, because Baby Jess slept way better than Liam did last night! 

On Saturday I taught Beckett how to make his bed.  This is kind of comical because Chad and I are not the best at making ours, but I figure he can start early with good habits.  This morning Chad said Beckett asked him for help in making his bed.

His bed looks better than mine does today.

And lastly, Beckett has gone 2 days without his Nuk during naps or bedtime.  I tried to give it to him on Saturday for his nap and he said he didn't want it, and hasn't asked for it since.  I'm hoping getting rid of the pacifier for good is really this easy -- it seems too good to be true.   You're getting to be a very big boy Beckett Russell! 

This and That

Well it didn't take me long to fall behind on the blogging, did it?  I must admit this second week home was not as blissful as the first.  I'm learning to figure out Liam's different cries and what soothes him, my two-year-old found it entertaining to be naughty (understandable considering the big change, but still frustrating) and whoever said "sleep when the baby sleeps" must be better at guessing which nap will be longer than 20 minutes!

The week was not really that bad.  We were lucky to have several visitors and Liam had a few "firsts" including losing his umbilical cord.  Chad called it a tail and Beckett was sure that Liam was pooping.  I took a picture of the stump and thought about posting it, but I think Beckett's observation was fairly accurate - those things are gross looking. 

Liam's first nap in his crib.

First bath, which Liam was not a fan of!

Great Grandma Marilyn gets to meet Liam.

Man these two are cute, aren't they?!

Beckett and Prince Harry hiding in the laundry basket. 

Beckett joins in on the Kleinhans cuddle. 

Great Grandma Ardis meets Liam.  He really is that bright-eyed during his awake time!

Kentucky Derby

Beckett has a horse named Sonny that he got for his birthday from grandma and grandpa.  He loves to ride on Sonny, and last time he was riding he added a little flair with one of his dress up hats.  It made me think of the Kentucky Derby.

I don't think many little boys could pull off this look like Beckett can.

Brothers

I wasn't sure how Beckett was going to react to having a baby in the house.  When he'd visit us at the hospital he would come into the room with this nervous laugh, look at Liam for a little bit, and then get on to the business of asking for ice cream or ice chips.

We came home from the hospital on a Sunday afternoon.  My parents had Beckett, who happened to be napping when we got home.  Imagine his surprise when he woke up and there on the couch was mommy, daddy, and a new little baby! 

Daddy got a hug right away, but it took Beckett awhile to come near me.  And later when we asked Beckett if he wanted to hold Liam I don't remember him taking us up on the offer right away, but once he did it was clear that it was love at first sight. 

One Week Old

Wow, a week has already passed!  I'm trying really hard to savor every minute but it's hard when the time seems to be flying by.  A couple of years ago we were on vacation in Idaho with some friends and one of those friends had invited the foreign exchange student they'd had in high school to come with.  They were a neat family from Denmark, and I remember the mom saying that in Denmark maternity leave is one year.  Wouldn't that be the best?   They also had mandatory paternity leave (not a year's worth, but it was a substantial chunk of time).  I bet Denmark is a happy place to live. 

And speaking of happy I was reflecting last night on how happy I've been this week and how lucky I am to have 2 healthy, happy children and such a wonderful partner in Chad.  What a wonderful example my boys will have as they grow up of just an all around good guy.  I could go in to detail but I'm thinking Chad will already be embarassed by what I've written.  I'm just pretty darn lucky.

Alright.  Enough of my hormonal, sappy diatribe.  Liam had his one week checkup today and the doctor confirmed he is a healthy little boy.  His weight is up to 8lb 7oz, so he gained 5 oz from when we were discharged on Sunday, which tells me he's getting this nursing thing down.  Liam is in the 50th percentile for his length, just above the 50th for his weight, and the 75th for his head circumference. Just your average boy!

This is the face Liam makes when he is full.  I couldn't catch it right away, but he purses his lips just a little more to let me know he is done. 

Introducing Liam Dean Paulson

Liam Dean Paulson has arrived.  As Beckett loves to say - tah dah!  Liam made his debut on Thursday morning, February 25.  He weighed 8lb 12 oz and is 19.5 inches long and we love every single inch and pound of him!

We ended up having a c-section because things were not progressing (well, I'm not sure why I said we there as I am the only one who was in surgery and is now recovering!)  It ended up being a good thing because the umbilical cord was wrapped around Liam's neck.  That little bugger was still moving like crazy right up until the end! 

We came home from the hospital on Sunday.  Beckett was able to stay with grandpa, grandma, Christa, Nana and the Kleinhans boys while we were at the hospital so we knew he was enjoying himself and was in good hands.  When he would visit us he would enter the room with this nervous little laugh and would look at Liam a little bit. And now that we're home Beckett wants to hold him all the time and just this morning rubbed granola bar crumbs all over his hair.   =)  And Beckett has taken to calling him Liam Dean. 

Liam has his first doctor's appointment tomorrow and we are anxious to see how much he weighs. He lost some weight while we were at the hospital because he tends to snuggle and fall asleep instead of eating, but since we've been home he has gotten better at nursing and is a good sleeper too.

Chad has taken the week off to help me get around and Beckett is going to daycare so he can still run around with his buddies.  When he gets home the four of us have so much fun hanging out.  This has been the best.week.ever.

My first snuggle with Liam.

The hospital picture of Liam.  It shows his cute fuzzy hair that shot straight up when the put him under the warmer after his first bath.

Already contemplating things.

Awww, my boys.

Clearly Liam is not as excited about his going home outfit as we were.

Beckett was ready to share his Toby train with Liam - that is love.