Xander Two Week Check Up

Today Xander is 2 weeks old! I can't believe how fast time is going and how fast he is growing!

At 2 Weeks He:

Weighs 7lbs. 8oz. (18%)

is 22 3/4 inches long (over 97%)

and his head is 14.8 inches around. (60%)

He is just a bit littler than Kyler was at two weeks, but you wouldn't know it with how he eats! He eats between 3.5-5 ounces depending on the feeding and is up every 2.5-3 hours to eat with maybe an extra hour in between at night. He is starting to wear some of his 0-3 month clothing...even though they look like they drowned him because he is so skinny he actually feels them out length wise. He likes to make all sorts of noises when he is awake, and he loves to look at windows. I forgot a few things about newborn babies, I think the biggest one being how much they poop!! He is doing so well though and is still a really good baby. He also refuses to take a binki! 

Kyler is starting to get use to having him around more. He always has loved the baby which I've been thankful over! But like I've said in a post before he wouldn't have anything to do with me...this is starting to change. Yesterday he just ran up and hugged me for no reason and has a few times since which has made me so happy! We also measured him today and the doctors and he is now 36 3/4 inches, and 39.7pounds!! He is a monster! I can't tell if he looks bigger to me because he has actually grown or if its just because I see Xander which seems so much smaller. 

I'm also doing pretty good. I don't have pain anymore unless I over do it during the day. And I am actually feeling alot more energized than I did while being pregnant, thank goodness! My postpartum is still kinda like a roller coaster. The move was hard on me due to the fact I couldn't really do anything to help and then if I tried to I would start to hurt, so I just felt useless for a few days. But thankfully JJ helped with that and kept telling me he knew I couldn't do it and that I needed to take care of myself, which made me feel alittle better even though I would still cry over it. I'm hoping it will kind of mellow out once we get everything moved into our new place.

Yes that is right....WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!! We close on Monday and then get to start moving things in! We are all pretty excited. We got the call while we were in the car after the doctors today and I started to scream and cry, I was just so happy! I've been keeping my hopes down and now I can't wipe a smile off my face!! Kyler even kept saying "Yay!" and clapping, even though I don't think he really knew why we were so excited. I just can't wait to be able to get into it and start setting things up! 

Well I think that is all the news for now, I'll of course close with some pictures!!

Newborn Sneak Peek

Thursday we had Xander's newborn pictures done and lets just say it was a tough day! Both boys didn't really want to cooperate with the photographer. I really had wanted to get some of the two boys together but that didn't happen due to the fact Kyler would be fine and then Xander would act up or the other way around. I was kinda nervous we weren't going to get any good shots because Xander was acting up so much, but she posted these ones yesterday and I am in love with them!! I can't wait to see the rest of them:)

**A big thank you to my mom who made the hats and diaper covers we used!!!

Saying Goodbye

In the past when I have thought about moving the thought has just excited me. And it will be extremly nice to be in a different place. We have been moving out of our apartment this week, and  I just can't help but be a little sad over leaving. There has been so many wonderful memories that have taken place here. I can't count the times I have said I hate the apartment and so badly wanted to move. Well moving has actually made me love it. I'm so grateful to have all the memories we have here. Kyler learned to crawl, walk, kinda talk, play, have his first owie, threw his first fit and so many other things here and we will remember them all being in the apartment.We had all our first holidays with Kyler here too, which were so much fun. I think thats what I'm kinda sad about is that we are leaving the place that has been our HOME for the past few years. To me the other places we lived haven't meant much because it was mostly me and JJ. Now having kids and having them grow and learn so much in a place and then having to leave it is kinda hard. And hopefully we won't have to be doing this again for awhile!
Its amazing how much can happen in just a few short years...and how much junk you can acquire! We all have grown so much living here in the past few years. There have been hard times along with the good times, but those are also things we look on that have made us stronger and really get us to the point we are at now.
We still aren't 100% sure we have the house yet, even though everyone is really positive over it. It's weird to think that we could end up with an address that doesn't end with an apartment number, or having the neighbors get our mail on accident because the mail lady didn't read the number right, and actually having our own backyard. There are a number of reasons having the house would be very nice.
I am looking forward to being where ever we end up and getting to watch Xander grow like Kyler did in the apartment and make new memories in a new place. Both boys will grow up so much in the time we are at a new place. This also makes me sad to think about. I love watching them grow but I so wish they could just stay small and be my little boys forever!!
I guess all said and done I'm very grateful to have had the past few years we have had in our apartment and even though I have hated it at times, I'm sure there will be things about it I miss  . I'm very excited for whatever is in our future though and to be able to get into our new place, whether that a house or another apartment, so we can start making memories there!

I also just have to say how awesome JJ is. I haven't been able to do much since having a c-section a little over a weeks ago. So he has pretty much moved and cleaned everything himself!! I have felt so bad not being able to do anything, and have even cried over it to him. Him being the amazing guy he is just tells me "You just gave me this handsome boy and went through a tough pregnancy with him, I can do this for you!" I sure do love him!!

Pioneer Day and Xander Is A Week Old!

Yesterday was Pioneer Day! I was kinda bummed on Saturday when Tremonton does their celebration because Kyler fell asleep before the fireworks so we didn't get to enjoy them. But we did get to enjoy some yesterday. We also started moving so that was our first part of the day. We then headed over to J.J.'s parents house. They had grilled some hamburgers and hot dogs and had a ton of food for us all to eat. Kyler had a blast eating and being able to play with all his cousins. It started to rain on us but that didn't stop the kids from playing. Once we got the kids inside we were able to just sit down and visit for awhile, and then headed off to go to the SnoShack in garland!! We love that place! We then headed back to my moms to pick up the babies bed, we actually braved going back to the apartment and dealing with both boys on our own. When we got to my moms there were fireworks going off in every direction, and Kyler was in heaven! When one set got done another one would start in a different direction and he was just so happy and giddy...which is an unusual thing these days! Once the fireworks started to die down we headed back to the apartment. We didn't really have to deal with both boys for to long since Kyler fell asleep on the way home and Xander did right after he ate. It was very nice being back there even though it felt a bit empty with a lot of our stuff moved out.

 Also Yesterday marked Xander being a week old!! It has went by super fast. But he is doing great so far! He hasn't dealt with any jaundice and is still such a good baby. He even slept for 7 hours straight the other night! He now sleeps around 4-5 hours at night and still 3 hours between feedings during the day. He has been such a good baby I just feel spoiled and am hoping it will last! He has the longest little arms, I have never seen such long arms on a baby. It makes me laugh when I undress him and he stretches them out, but he actually has long everything it seems like. He is starting to out grow his newborn clothing length wise already but the 0-3 month stuff looks so baggy on him, this is also something we dealt with Kyler but I think even Kyler filled them out just a bit more.
 I sure love this little guy though!

We are getting his newborn pictures taken tomorrow and I'm so excited to see how they turn out!

Too Cute Not To Share!

I am just so in love with my little boys! I already don't know how we lived without Xander. He is just the cutest little thing and has been such an amazingly good baby. Like I said in the last post he is eating 3 ounces  about every 3 hours and mostly just sleeps in between feedings. At night he will sleep anywhere between 3-5 hours at a time! It has sure made it nice. He also hasn't dealt with an reflux and doesn't spit up at all, this again is something I'm very grateful for! (I'm thinking it maybe due to the Dr. Brown bottles we are using)

Kyler loves to hold him, and will a few times a day. He is mostly pretty good with him, but there are times we have to remind him he needs to be soft. 

My postpartum has kick in a little. I usually cry once a day for no known reason. Makes me feel crazy sometimes. Some of it is also due to the fact Kyler a lot of the time seems not to like me very much. He was defiant with me before the baby, and since having the baby he is even more so. While we were in the hospital he would give me hugs and kisses goodbye, but since being home I hadn't gotten any until this morning but again this afternoon he won't give me any. It makes me sad and I feel like I've made him mad which was something I was nervous about. Another thing with it is I hate the fact I can't pick Kyler up. He has had a few times he has fallen or hit into things and starts to cry and I hate that I can't pick him up and comfort him, I so can't wait to be healed up enough to be able too. I hope this thing with Kyler will pass and he will get back to being my lovey little boy! On a positive note nothing makes me happier than when Kyler comes over to Xander's bed and leans in to give him a hug or kiss. It makes it so I know things will be ok, and even if he doesn't like me very much he loves his little brother.

Now for the fun part.....

These first few are just some I snapped of Xander with his eyes open.

 Kyler Holding and Loving Xander!

The one on the right I know looks like Kyler is smashing Xander but he was actually kissing him.

 Since we didn't make it to church today we did a little lesson with Kyler on temples since he loves them. We then got his blocks out and he wanted to build one. I'll admit I helped him with the base but the top layers where all him!

Last Days in the Hospital and Being Home

Sorry about the long post...but after I had Kyler I never did a post until he was a few weeks old and now regret it because there is so much I wish I could remember. This time I wanted to make sure I wrote down everything so I don't regret it later.
We were in the Hospital for alittle over 48 hours, and by the time we were released I was sure ready to get home(or my mom's house). My experience with this hospital was alot better than it was with Kyler, but I could not get comfortable in the bed which made it really hard to sleep and I was just ready to have more to look at than 4 walls. Anyways while we were at the hospital we had a number of people visit and thanks to everyone who did, it made the time go by alot faster!
Wednesday: JJ got there bright and early at 6a.m. and I was completely shocked because I wasn't expecting him for a few more hours, but it was so nice to have him there. He held the baby for probably the first 3 hours her was there and just didn't want to let him go. I tried to sleep a little more but was unsuccessful. So we just chatted and watched tv. My mom go there around noon with Kyler and my brother. Kyler actually paid some attention to the baby then. He wouldn't if JJ or I was holding Xander but when my mom took him Kyler went right over and was just all smiles and wanted to touch him. I was so surprised at how well he was  and that he wasn't rough with Xander. Kyler wouldn't hold Xander though, and pretty soon decided he just wanted to explore the hospital. So JJ and my brother took turns walking with him in the halls. They stayed for a few hours and then left. JJ only stayed for about an hour more and then decided to give my mom a break from Kyler. So me and Xander got alot more quality time together and were able to get lots of rest.
Thursday: I had the nurses take Xander to the nursery that night so I could try and get some good sleep. I fell asleep around 1a.m. and didn't wake up till 7a.m. It was quite nice! I buzzed the nurses to bring him in and the nurse came in and told me they had just done his circumcision so it would be a few minutes before they would bring him in. I felt so bad for him all day long!! His doctor came in and talked to me about it. He told me Xander needed to learn respect for his doctors, they had everything ready to start the procedure he was numb and everything was sterile and then Xander decided to have a major poo! Other than that everything went well with it, Xander was just really sore the whole day. We then waited for my doctor to come in to see if he'd release me. Luckily everything looked good with me so we were able to start getting ready to come home. JJ got there around 9:30 and by 11 we were on our way home!! We got to my moms and when we walked in the door Kyler turned and had the biggest smile on his face. I had missed him so much even though I got to see him at least once a day. He wanted to see the baby right away, and he just would smile at him but wouldn't hold him. We got settled in and just tried to relax. Kyler threw a few fits but that's kinda normal these days. We had gotten a little rocking sleeper thing for Xander and Kyler would halp rock it and would give Xander hugs and kisses while he was in there, and then would laugh anytime Xander opened his eyes. For the most part in was just a lazy day. JJ and Kyler headed back to our apartment around 10p.m. giving me a little quite time before Xander woke up to eat.
Friday: Xander and I went to sleep around 12:30 I was expecting him to wake up with in an hour and half to eat. I woke up and looked at the clock and realized it was 4:30a.m.! I was in complete shock, he had been sleeping on me and hadn't moved at all really. I laid him in his bed so I could go to the bathroom and take my pain meds. He was kinda stirring so I decided to feed him and change his diaper. He fell asleep again while he was eatting, I but him in his bed and then tried to go back down myself. I finally fell asleep again but would wake up on and off when I heard people getting up and leaving. JJ and Kyler got here at 9:00 and that's when I finally woke up and Xander was still asleep!! I was just shocked he slept so long, and was very thankful to get the sleep I did. JJ had to leave for a few hours, but thankfully Kyler was pretty happy and ended up watching Finding Nemo with my mom in her room. My grandparents stopped by to see the baby and we had a good visit with them. While they were here was the first time Kyler held Xander, it was so cute other than Xander started to cry.We also had my aunt and a couple cousins stop by, after they left I braved Walmart with my mom. I needed to get a few things and wanted to get a bit of a walk since I really hadn't since leaving the hospital. It wasn't to bad, but it did make me tired. JJ enjoyed having some alone time with the baby even though Xander tried to pee on him while changing his diaper. Kyler started to get tired around 9:30 so JJ and him headed back to the apartment to sleep. While me and Xander have just been relaxing!

Now a few things to remember about Xander:

1.He has his brothers appetite! He is almost four days old and is already drinking 2-3 ounces at each feeding, which is every 2-3 hours!

2.When he is eating he stiffens his leg so the stick straight out, it is so funny to me that he won't relax them.

3.We thankfully haven't been dealing with reflux or spitting up at all. Kyler always would spit up after he ate and Xander maybe has twice.

4.He likes to make noises while you hold him and even sometimes in his sleep.

5.I am in love with his eyes, and just love when he is awake and has them open. Right now they are a very dark blue and they are so big!

6.He likes his mommy...he can be fussing and once he is in my arms or on me he settles right down. I love this!

7.He has the longest fingers and feet! When I first saw his hands I was in shock by how long his fingers are.

8. He likes to go for rides in the car, we have been for rides a couple of times and he is just so content and doesn't fuss at all. 

Now for some pictures!

Us the last night in the hospital!

The pretty flower Kyler brought me and him enjoying the hospital bed.

 Kyler and Grandma with Xander.

In his carseat ready to come home!

 At home snuggled in his rocker/bed.

 Kyler Holding him for the first time and then checking to make sure Xander was okay.

 That's been our last few days. The days seem to go by alot faster with a baby! I feel kinda spoiled where Xander has been so mellow and hasn't dealt with any reflux and sleeps so well, hope it will stay this way. I've also been thankful Kyler has done pretty well with Xander being around, and being soft with him. We have tried really hard to make sure one of us is paying attention to him at all times. Its also helped where he has had grandma and his uncles around so much to play with him too. Over all we are all doing well, aren't to sleep deprived yet, and just adjusting our lives with this cute new little one that we all love so much!

Xander's Birth Day

We got the call Monday afternoon telling us we were scheduled for the 7:30 surgery and that we needed to be at the Hospital at 5:30! I went to my mom's house that night and tried to get Kyler to sleep there, I think he knew something was up because he would not go to sleep. Thankfully around midnight he finally fell asleep. But that left me very little time to sleep, since I had to pick JJ up from work at 4a.m. and then get ready to head to the hospital. We left for the hospital around 5a.m. we got there and registered and they put us in a delivery room and set me up on some monitors to make sure he was okay. I started to get really nervous and nauseous as time drew closer and closer to go back for the surgery. Right at 7:30 the nurse and anesthesiologist took me back to the O.R. to get me ready to go. It was freezing and I couldn't stop shaking, I think some of that might have been nerves too. This time I was actually given a spinal block instead of an epidural. To me it was a bit more painful than an epidural but it could have been because I already had so much pressure in my lower back. Once they had the spinal block done I got to lay down and wait to get numb. They put the curtain up so that I couldn't see what was going on. The doctor came in asked if we were ready and then proceeded with the surgery. I didn't feel anything besides some pressure and some tugging but nothing that was painful...it was really nice! Pretty soon we heard the doctors and nurses gasp and then a little whimper. The doctor looked over the curtain at me and said that the baby had the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times!!  We kinda started to panic but then heard that wonderful sound of him crying. They showed him to me and then took him over to the warm to check him out. When I saw him the first thing I thought was he looks just like Kyler!! I couldn't really see him in the warmer while the stitched me up, but could hear him and what the nurses were saying. And he thankfully had nothing wrong with him!! They then weighed him and he was 7pounds and 2 ounces, they also measured his height and he was 20 inches. He was 3 ounces and a .5 inch smaller than Kyler. They then got him wrapped up and brought him over to me and I got to hold him until they were ready to take me into recovery, of course not before snapping a picture lol. I was in recovery for about an hour and while I was there they brought him back to eat, he is very much like his big brother because he drank an ounce with no problem! They then took him back into the nursery to get him warmer and run a few test. I was so happy to be able to get into a room and just snuggle Xander and see my family! My mom had brought Kyler over, and I was super nervous how he was going to be. Well he was kinda grouchy before they even came back because he hadn't gotten his full nights sleep. I gave him his little goody bag and then all he cared about was his basketball hoop. He didn't even really look at the baby. My mom did tell me that when they had Xander in the nursery Kyler was glued to the window though and kept pointing to him and blowing kisses. Kyler was starting to get cranky so my mom decided they would leave. Kyler did give Xander a kiss and waved bye-bye to him. We will see if he will actually hold him today when he comes. After they left we got some much needed quite time and just some good quality time with Xander. He is such a mellow baby so far, he mostly just sleeps or wants to look around when he is awake. He looks alot like Kyler did except that Xander has dark hair and really dark blue eyes, so we are thinking they will probably go brown. We are just so in love with him! After a short nap JJ's parents and 2 of his sisters came to visit for awhile and then my aunt and uncle came to see the cutie too. Soon after they left J.J. decided to head home. Poor guy had only slept maybe 2 hours the whole day since he had to work that night/morning. It was nice to be able to be just me and Xander for awhile. I ended up keeping him with me for the night, I didn't want to let him go. He really only woke up to eat and then would go back down. He has worked himself up to eating almost 2 ounces at each feeding now.  He is very alert when he is awake, I love when he opens his eyes and looks around. He also likes to jabber alittle bit already, he will just start making cute little noises at ya when he's awake. We are doing well though. I of course have the pain from the incision but it hasn't been to bad, I just wish the hospital bed were a bit more comfortable. That was Xander's first day here though. We are just in love with him! JJ hasn't put him down since he got here at 6 this morning, I'm scared we are already spoiling him!

Now for the pictures! There are quite a few!