One Week

Just like I did with Jack, I'm taking Sam's picture every week (yes, I know I'm neurotic!).  I don't always post the weekly photos, but I'll go ahead and post a few shots from week one.

Sleeping Like a Baby

Jack-the big brother

Probably the most asked question since Sam arrived is- "How is Jack reacting to his new baby brother?"

The answer:  Just fine.  For the most part he is un-phased by the newest family member, but when he does notice Sam, he is very sweet and gentle.  If Sam is crying, Jack comes over to make sure he is okay.  If Sam is sleeping, Jack will draw attention to it and then say, "shhhh!".  Before Jack goes to bed, he has always given everyone hugs and kisses and now that Sam is here, he insists on giving him a kiss, too. 

We are trying hard to not put a lot of undue pressure on Jack just because he is the big kid in the house now.  He still gets lots of attention from us and we have both taken Jack out one-on-one so that he can have some special time with each of us.  He shouldn't be burdened just because he's not any only child anymore.  We try to give him a lot of praise so that he won't seek attention in a negative way.  So far-so good...but we still have a long road ahead of us.

yep, he's still in there

Jack moved his chair so that he could be next to Sam

Hey Mom...need me to help rock Sam?

Taking his tractor for a spin around Sam

Jack and Mommy crusin' in the Mini on our special outting

Sleeping on Daddy's shoulder...like Sam

The loves of my life!

Introducing...

I've been doing a lot of posts via Facebook and Instagram (because it's so darn easy) and unfortunately, the blog has fallen to the back burner.  Here is an update for those of you who are strictly blog followers.
 
We are pleased to welcome Sam David Mulley to our family.  He was born on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 7:17 pm weighing in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce and 20.5 inches long.  The labor and delivery were not as easy as we had hoped but not near as bad as we have previously experienced.

Here are some pictures from Sam's first few days:

Minutes old and already posing for pictures

Stretched out

Mom and Sam getting to know each other

Daddy and Sam

Snuggle time

Sam gets kisses from his teddy bear from England

Erin came by to give Sam a squeeze

Steph got a quick hug

before Ken stole him from her

Dave and Sam spending some time in the rocker

Granny Roady finally made it to the hospital to meet Sam

Here we go...we're leaving the hospital

Great Great Aunt Helen meets Sam

Sam ponders all of life's great mysteries

Quality snuggle time with Daddy

First family walk in the big stroller

Sam is bundled up for his walk

Aunt Kay rushed over to love on Sam

Carson couldn't wait to get her hands on him either

Uncle Bobby took some time to play with big brother Jack

We are all falling into our new roles quite well and enjoying the family time.  Dave and I are a great team and I honestly couldn't ask for a better husband to parent these two boys with.  Jack has taken to his big brother role with ease and we are eager for these boys to grow up best buddies.

Tomorrow

Jack snuggling with his baby brother

Tomorrow morning, we are expecting a call from Rex Hospital telling us when we need to come check in for our induction.  Last week at my doctors appointment, I had an ultrasound and baby is measuring on the big side and I was already 3 cm dilated--up from the 2.5 the previous week and the 2 the week before that.  When I heard that I was 3 cm dilated, I assumed I would go ahead and go into labor on my own this past week, but alas I did not.

As much as I am ready for this baby to be out of me and in my arms, I am very nervous.  As some of you know, I had a very difficult labor and delivery with Jack and still have a very long road ahead of me in terms of fully recovering from that (there to should be a whole new blog post about that--but I haven't been able to find the words to do that yet...still).  So as my pregnancy grew closer to the end my anxiety levels began to rise.  My doctors have all be amazing and supportive.  They all know my history before they ever step foot into an exam room with me and will do anything in their power to make this birth a positive experience for me.

Just this morning, it hit me that today is our last day as a family of three.  After we have this baby, things will change forever.  Yes, they will change for the good, but it is still change and change is hard.  We are in such a good place with Jack and he has such a good routine and this baby will no doubt change things.  We are thrilled to have him join our family, but we are also anticipating some rough times ahead.

I can't wait to meet this little fellow that has been living inside of me for the past nine months.  I want to snuggle him and love him and I really can't wait to introduce him to his big brother.  Jack will be an amazing big brother and I can't wait for them to be best buddies in a few years time.  I look forward to the time when Jack finds joy in making his baby brother laugh and when he shows his protective nature to care for him.  This bond that they will have will be invaluable.

So, I ask of you as you go to bed tonight and even as you rise tomorrow to please put my family in your thoughts.  Whether you pray, chant, dance, sing, bang bones together, hold a seance or light a candle--please do so with us on your mind.

We promise to update you as soon as we can! We aren't ones to keep big information to ourselves for long.

Date Night

As the end of Jack's reign as our only child closes in, I decided that a Jack and Mommy date night was in order.  He got dressed up for the occasion and we went out to dinner.  Nothing fancy-just fast food, but it was a special time for just he and I.  Yes, we do spend about 90% of our time together, but we usually have ulterior motives- grocery shopping, playdates, errands, etc.

It was nice to spend the evening with Jack and he really seemed to enjoy himself, too.

Jack and Mommy getting ready to head out

Jack admiring some Halloween decorations

Jack decided that he needed a prop to complete the picture

Pumpkin Patch

Last week, Jack and I went to the pumpkin patch with Ally and her mom Abby.  It was kind of a yucky day-cold with the threat of rain, but we made the best of it.  Abby and Ally came over to our house and Dave installed Jack's carseat in their car so we could ride together.  One the way there, this was the view of the backseat:

Jack and Ally holding hands on the way to the pumpkin patch

When we got there, we practically had the place to ourselves.  I guess people are afraid of a little cold weather.  There was so much to do.  We stopped to admire the animals:

"Hey Ally, do you see those goats?!"

a few chickens

Ohhh, bunnies!

Then we moved on to the giant slide!  Abby graciously said that she would take Jack down the slide (because I am a delicate flower who also happens to be very pregnant).  I told her to forget it and I would take Jack down-maybe it would bring on labor!  The walk to the top of the slide nearly did me in...

Our first trip down...Abby was not prepared to catch a baby as she was taking the picture

Abby and Ally made it down!

I even got some video of Jack and I going down.  It's not very eventful, but listening to Jack cheer is totally worth it.  Turn up your volume!


Then we played in the hay jump.  Jack can't jump yet, so he mostly just rolled around in the hay (but not like that!).

Next, the kids ran through the tunnel.  Jack was a little apprehensive at first, but after Ally showed him what to do, he was ready!

Jack going through the tunnel

Ally chasing Jack

Ally coming around the side ready to go again

Jack is the light at the end of the tunnel for Ally (too cheesy?)

The maze was the next thing on the agenda for us:

Jack trying to figure out what route to take to the finish

Confident in his choice

Cheaters!

Then, there was a giant fort that you could walk through.  It was basically a big square, but you had to go up and down stairs to get around.  Ally and Abby got ahead of us (maybe because they are cheaters...) and it was priceless when Jack and Ally saw each other again.  It was as if they hadn't seen each other in years...but it had only been about 60 seconds.

Jack heading on like he knows what he's doing

Taking the stairs like a pro

"Jack, is that you?  I've missed you so!"

unprompted hug! (check out Abby's reaction in the background)

Finally we were off on a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins.

Jack checking out some of his options

he felt the need to thump this one

It's always a good idea to sit on the pumpkin

It's not a winner if you fall off of it

Two chilly children forced to pose for a picture on some pumpkins

All in all an excellent time was had at the pumpkin patch.  The only thing that would have made it better is if it had been a few degrees warmer and the sun had been out.  I'm so glad we have made such good friends in our neighborhood!

Psst...don't forget to enter our baby pool. Go to http://mulleymusings.blogspot.com/2012/10/baby-2-baby-pool.html for more details!