Grandma Time

Grandma (Craig's mom) came and stayed for ten days, though things were still a little crazy it was a lot of help!!!  We are so thankful she was willing to come, stay, and put up with us.  Lucas loved it!!!  He wanted Grandma to do everything!  He wouldn't let me get him off of the bus, he wanted grandma to do it.  Grandma had to help him pray, read him a story, put him to bed.  It was all about Grandma!  I know Lucas had fun with Grandma!  Thanks Grandma!  (Also, thanks for the awesome shirts!)

First Day alone with two!

A couple of days ago I was left all day with two kids......alone, and I have to admit I was a little nervous, wondering if we would manage.  The last couple of weeks I feel like we have just been surviving and that was with Craig around and grandma!  Good news is both kids are still alive and I managed to maintain my sanity!  It was a successful day!  Though it didn't come without some stress and drama.  I slept in, storing up my energy for the day.  We weren't ready for the day until eleven, but we were ready before lunch time!  At one point I found Jaxson half undressed, shivering and was soaking wet, he had leaked through his diaper and Lucas had attempted to undress him, poor little man!   Lucas played at the playground and had lunch with his friends.  Then came nap which started out well, until I was talking to my mother, while feeding Jaxson and heard the upstairs toilet flush.  Several minutes later, here comes Lucas in distress and covered in poo (diarrhea).  I quickly hung up with my mother, put Jaxson down, took several deep breaths and took care of the problem.  Which involved changing clothes and a bath for Lucas.  Cleaning up poo in the bathroom, and off the rugs.  Meanwhile Jaxson is screaming.  I try to calm him down while getting Lucas back down for a nap, but in the process Jaxson spits up all down the front of me, but he manages to stay dry.  Several minutes later Jaxson and Lucas are asleep!  Success!!!

Surviving with two!

The last week and a half I feel like I have been running a marathon.  We are off our routine and taking it one day at a time.  Lucas was really good with the baby the first week, he was just irritable and whiny with us.  This week however, he has been attempting to pick up the child, hitting him on the head with a wooden toy hammer, grabbing at him, etc.  I keep having to tell myself that Jaxson is more resilient then you would think.  He is just so tiny, it has been an adjustment.  When I am picking him up I am not quite sure how to hold him, it feels awkward because he is tiny.  He is also a 'grunter', he stretches and grunts.  He has been sleeping really well, in fact, we have to wake him to feed him.  Lately I feel like I am feeding him all the time, because he will eat for five minutes and fall asleep for thirty then realize he is still hungry eat a little more than sleep for thirty minutes, it is just a cycle.  Lucas is having a hard time adjusting and luckily reinforcements has arrived (Grandma).  Thank goodness for grandmas!  My mom is coming out, but due to Jaxson unexpected early arrival, it will be a month after Jaxson's arrival.  So Craig's mother was willing to come and provide some needed support.  Lucas loves having grandma here, and wants grandma to do everything with him.  For example:  I went to get Lucas off of the bus this afternoon, he started to whine at me and wanted grandma to get him off of the bus.  Hopefully with time we will be able to find a routine, Lucas can re-adjust and hopefully I can maintain my sanity in the process!

First outing as a family.

Two weeks ago we took Jaxson to first doctor's appointment.  What an event.  The doctor was running behind so it took longer than usual.  Since we were out and about we thought we would run a couple "quick" errands.  On our way to Home Depot we could hear that the car was making a noise, so after Craig ran into Home Depot (Lucas whined the whole time, because he wanted to go with daddy) we drove around the Home Depot trying to figure out where the sound was coming from.  Then Jaxson started crying because he was hungry.

So Jaxson is crying while we are driving to Walmart, we are hurrying to get there so I can feed him, and suddenly Lucas says "Mommy, I make a mess."  I turn around and my child has picked his nose and is now covered in blood, and he is hiding his hands because he is ashamed, poor little guy.  Craig runs into Walmart with Lucas to get him cleaned up.  I am in the car feeding Jaxson.  It takes Craig longer in Walmart because he has to clean up Lucas and then the cashier was being difficult.

Our last stop is Comcast, so Craig can pick up the HD box (very important, apparently).  We arrive and low-and-behold Comcast is no longer at that location.  We call to see where they move to, but the location doesn't sound familiar to us, so we end up downtown at the other location, only to find that it is packed with college kids.  We spend the next several minutes in the car while Craig is trying to figure out where Comcast has moved to.  Craig figures it out, but it is back by where we originally thought they were, so we head back find the Comcast place pick up the box.  Three and half hours later we are heading back home.  Wow!  That was an event, and I had backup, because Craig was with me.  So needless to say I will not be venturing out on my own with two kids for awhile.

First day of preschool!

The day has finally arrived!  We have prepped Lucas for this day for the last several months.  This morning we woke up, got Lucas dressed, fed him some breakfast, gave him his backpack, took his picture by the bus, buckled him in, and watched as my baby boy headed to preschool.  I would be lying if I said I didn't shed at least one tear.  That morning our home seemed a little empty and quiet without our Lucas.

However, Lucas had a blast!  When grandma asked him what he did at preschool, Lucas said, "had lunch".  I am glad it was a productive day at preschool!  Asked him if he wanted to do it again tomorrow and he said, "yes."

The baby has arrived

Sunday, August 26th at 8:56am, Jaxson Boyd Swenson was born.  He weighed 5lbs 14oz and was 19 inches long.  Jaxson arrived just over two weeks early, which was an unexpected surprise.  Unfortunately, Jaxson arrived at about the time Craig was on a plane, landing in Denver (oops!).  Labor and delivery went well.  Craig arrived later that evening.  Jaxson looks like a Swenson, there are times when I think I am looking at Lucas when he was a baby.  He's a beautiful little boy with dark hair, no dimples (surprising), and we love him.

Craig and the Elderly Lady

Lucas and I take our daily walk around the town, and when I can convince him, Craig comes with us, usually on Sundays.  Towards the end of our walk, when were heading home, we walk through a retirement community, (they don't call it that, it is an "active adult living area", but whatever).  On this particular Sunday, Craig is with us and we are walking up this steep incline in the retirement community.  This elderly lady stops her car rolls down her window and in a somewhat joking, but mostly serious manner, chastises Craig for making me push the stroller up this incline.  I start to chuckle  because she doesn't know that I push a stroller up this hill on a daily basis, and that Craig has bad knees and due that to the height difference between him and the stroller it hurts his back to push.  Just then I straighten up and turn towards her and she notices that I am pregnant, the elderly lady looks surprised and responses, "and she's pregnant!"  Poor Craig!  I thought it was hilarious and pretty much laughed all the way home.

Funny things Lucas has said!

Craig was sitting on the couch hanging out with Lucas, Lucas lifts up one leg and says, "Look Dad I'm a Flamingo."  We still have no idea where that came from!

We were having dinner, and Lucas looks out the window and says, "Look! Pogo stick". I have no idea what he is talking about.  Look out the window and sure enough there is a kid on a Pogo stick.  I don't know where Lucas learned what a Pogo stick was.  Maybe Sesame Street.  (Update:  apparently Telly monster has occasionally used a Pogo stick.  Way to go Sesame Street.)

I was talking on the phone with Craig's mom, Lucas decides that he would like a little chat with grandma.  After a couple of seconds he decides he is done and says, "Bye, I'll talk to you later."

Lucas and I are cleaning up the toys, Lucas look at me and says, "Don't worry mom I'll take care of this."

Updating!

Due to an eventful week, with a surprise arrival, I was unable to post several blogs, that I was planning on doing on a Sunday afternoon 4 weeks ago, but spent the day in the hospital having a baby instead.  So here are several blog posts for the past couple of weeks.  Enjoy!

4 Weeks and Counting!

I am down to less than one hand and counting, and boy am I feeling it.  He is head down and I can feel the pressure, as evidenced by the numerous times I have to visit the ladies room.  It is getting closer!  I can't believe we are having a baby!  We continue to prepare, and my house is clean (at least for the time being).

Ultrasound number four and counting!

This child has already one-upped Lucas and isn't even born yet, at least when it comes to the number of Ultrasounds he has had.  I know that typically you have one, but my children must love the attention and think they deserve more than that.  Last Monday when we went to our scheduled doctor's appointment the doctor was concerned with how I was growing, or rather with the lack thereof.  We did inform her that this occurred with the previous pregnancy.  With Lucas I stopped growing and we had an extra ultrasound at 37 weeks which showed that he was growing and doing great.  Lucas ended up weighing 7lbs and 9 oz.  She was not convinced, however, and wanted an ultra sound.  I too would rather be safe than sorry so we went back on the next Wednesday to have the ultrasound.

I am happy to report that he is doing great.  Her guess was about 5lbs and his measurements are right on schedule, with the exception of his head, which is ahead of schedule, but are we surprised?  No!  Lucas's head is still off the charts, and has never been on the charts.  I am a little disappointed because I have some really cute beanies that I was looking forward to having him wear, but that might not happen.  I am also very aware of the fact that I am going to have to push that head out, our poor child is probably going to have to be vacuumed suction out, and is going to be a cone head for a couple days.  Oh well!

Who ever coined the phrase, "terrible twos"

Who ever came up with that phrase, "the terrible twos" has never experienced having a three year old.  With Lucas being three, things have been a little rough.  I am not sure if it is because he is starting to sense that change is upon him with a new sibling, or if it is because of summer and the heat, or his friends leaving, I just don't know, but I hope it gets better.  He regularly wanders off, and being very defiant.  At times I wonder where the manual is on how to deal with it.  I will honestly admit that there days I want to take off my parenting hat and throw in the towel, like the day that Lucas was not listening and throwing bags of M&M's around Dollar Tree while I was attempting to check out.  Good times, Good times!

The inevitable has occurred!

It finally happened.  Lucas has overcome his fear and will get out of his crib (why he is still in his crib is another story all together, but it will change shortly).  Luckily we have been proactive and put a childproof lock on the inside of his door.  So if we shut the door, he can't get out.  The first time he ended falling asleep against the door for nap time.  We still crack his door at night, but tell him that if he gets out of bed we're going to shut the door, which he knows all too well, because he will tell you that it is what we are going to do, before we even say it!  Unforunately that does not always stop him from getting out of bed, but he does quickly learn that if he gets out we shut the door, which he doesn't appreciate.  In the morning he is at his door letting us know he is up and wants out.

Lucas moments

After getting home from our morning walk Craig asked, "Lucas what have you been up to?"  Lucas, "We took a little jaunt."

Lucas, "Dad I be good like you!"

While trying to get Lucas to bed:

Craig, "Goodnight, Lucas"

Lucas, "Dad don't say goodnight, I have a question!" Pause. "Can I get out of bed?"

Craig seeing Lucas in distress, "Lucas, do you need to go potty?"
Lucas, "Yes."
Craig, "Then why don't you go?"
Lucas, "It's too dark."
Craig, "Then you should turn on the light."
Lucas, "I can't Dad! I'm holding my crotch."

Lucas loves his dad and when dad comes home Lucas is eager to see him and ask him questions!

Sibling Class

The other day I was reminded of a class that is given at the hospital to help prepare sibling for the new arrival of their brother or sister.  Unfortunately I was reminded of the class the night before the class and you had to preregister for the class.  Oops!  Luckily we were able to make it in class and I am so glad we made the effort.  I really hesitated, not thinking it would be worth it, but Lucas is still talking about what he learned from the class.  The teacher talked about how to wash the baby, while the kids washed and dressed their babies dolls, and talked about what babies can play with and what they can't.  They gave Lucas this little cup and explained that if you can fit a toy inside the cup then it is too small for the baby.  Lucas understands this and spent the next day fitting some of his toys in the cup.  They also took them upstairs to the maternity ward, were it was really busy that day.  They saw a newborn baby, which Lucas thought this was pretty neat!  He really enjoyed this class and seemed to understand more than I thought he would!

Getting Baby Ready!

We are finally coming to the realization that we will soon have a little person in our mist, we have come to the conclusion that we are not prepared and should probably start to get ready!  We have been clearing out the house of extra clutter, organizing, cleaning, and getting baby ready!  It has been exhausting and overwhelming at times, but I think we are starting to make some head way!

Craig survives Scout Camp

While Lucas and I were having a week of fun!  Craig was experiencing the outdoors at Scout Camp.   He did get to come home for one night during the week and then a night earlier than planned at the end.  Besides getting rained out on one of the nights, starting out with 13 scouts and ending the week a night early with only 2 scouts it was a successful week, in that Craig survived.

Rain, Rain, Rain and Humidity?

Though we have had several good thunderstorms and rain showers you can still feel the humidity hanging in the air  with temperatures in the mid eighties.  What is up with that!?  It figures we would have a heat wave and abnormal temperatures this summer when I am carrying around a watermelon sized mound under my shirt.

Making the most of our Summer!

We have been having lots of fun this summer!  Though we live in a small community (accentuated even more when the students are gone) , there is still a lot going on with various festivals and events!  The library has their big reading program going on.  There are free movies on a weekly basis at the theater downtown.  We have done it all and continue to play and play.

This is just a portion of the activities we have participated in this week:  We went to an activity hosted by the local professional baseball team, the State College Spikes.  Lucas talked with the players, played with water balloons, and colored a picture.

We made our weekly trek to the library and attended storytime.  Went to the theater and saw, "How to Train your Dragon" (Yes we own the movie, but Lucas loves going to the movie theater!), and then back to the library the next day to see a puppet show, which was so entertaining and fun!

Went to the 47th annual peanut festival, where you buy a bag of peanuts and use them either as payment to play a game or as the part of the games themselves and toss them through loops or what not to get treats!  Though Lucas is small he does have quite an arm on him and we were impressed with his throws.  He did struggle to get it through the actual holes, but he could toss it pretty far.

The pigs are pretty scary looking.  More like they're attacking you than inviting you to play a game.

We ended the week by dragging Lucas to the dreaded mall, where I had him try on a variety of clothes for next summer, but he was rewarded with a hamburger and ice cream, and then got to attend a birthday party!  What a week!

Goodbye James Family!!!

Our really good friends have abandoned us.  We have lived across the street from them for the past six years!  Two years in Utah and four years in Pennsylvania.  Lucas has known them his entire life.  Their two kids, Cooper and Sadie are his best friends, and are more like siblings then friends.  We have been everywhere and done everything with them!  Lucas would go anywhere with them in a heartbeat.  He has been known to get in the car and want to ride home with them rather than his own parents.

I have been prepping Lucas for their departure for the past week, trying to explain to him that they are moving to a new house far away, but in a few months we will get on a plane and go see them and their new house.  When they were packing I took him over there so he could see the boxes and the moving truck.  When their apartment was completely cleared out we went over there and I explained it to him again.   At one point I told him that he will get to go to preschool in the fall and meet new friends. Lucas responded by asking me if Cooper and Sadie were going to preschool, and I said that were going to a different preschool, far away.  He said, "I don't want to make new friends."  How do you answer that when you are feeling the same way you don't want to make new friends either.  I have had the nursery leaders at our church telling me how they don't know what Lucas is going to do without Sadie in nursery, they walk to nursery together and then they are pretty much inseperable during nursery.  Though it was tough and is still tough, a day doesn't go by without Lucas mentioning them.  "Where is Sadie and Cooper?", "Will Sadie and Cooper be there?"  "Is Sadie and Cooper eating dinner?"  Sadie and Cooper wear underwear and go potty."  "I went potty like Cooper."  We have been making a great effort to continue to take him to different activities in the community and with church members and he is doing great, though we think of and miss our friends, dearly!