Ashton's story...

Way back at one of my first prenatal appts, my dr had told me that due to my preeclampsia I would be able to be induced a week early.  At that time, I figured it would never come to that because I was so sure I would go early.  Little did I know that baby Ashton wanted to stay in there for as long as he could and I would suddenly become very thankful that my dr was willing to induce me a week early!  A couple weeks ago, my dr checked me and seeing that I had made little to no progress, she asked if I still wanted to be induced.  I had been having a lot of anxiety lately and I was just ready to meet this baby and hold him in my arms so YES came instantly out of my mouth!  She went to make the call and came back and said be at the hospital October 18 at 7 am.  I suddenly had mixed emotions as the 18th of the month is always a special day- it was the day the girls were born.  I was scared that I was cursing myself by having another baby that day yet I was excited that our family was able to share so many dates (Grant, J and I are all born on the 1st and Brooke, Alexcyn and Ashton are all born on the 18th).

We arrived at the hospital on the 18th at 7:00 and by 8:00 I was hooked up to the Pitocin.  My blood pressure was running a little high and after an hour or so, it hadn't gone down so my dr was convinced that my preeclampsia was trying to make a come back and she was very happy with her decision to induce me a week early.  Due to my high blood pressure and my desperate desire to not have to go on Mag Sulfate, my dr broke my water at 9:00 and ordered my epidural.  Supposedly that helps your pressure go down.  By 10:30 I was hooked up to the good stuff and had a few hours to get in a nap and some quiet time.  At 1:00 she checked me and I was a 7 and then by 1:30 I was a 10 and she uttered the words,"get ready to push".  I felt like I must be in a dream- it was so relaxed and quick and nothing like my last two deliveries!  Around 2ish I started pushing and with 2-3 pushes, out came baby Ashton!  The moment that I heard his first cry and held him in my arms was so amazing!

I could hardly believe it had gone so smoothly!  The girls delivery was something out of a ER horror movie and Grant's delivery was drawn out and involved Mag Sulfate which is horrendous so I had no idea that a delivery could actually be drama free.

Regarding his name....  Way back when we first found out he was a boy, Jason had mentioned Ashton.  I didn't really like it at first but then I found myself comparing it to all the other names.  As we were getting closer to the end, we realized that Ashton was the only name that had consistently been on the top of our list so we obviously liked it and so we decided to go with it.  The middle name has a slightly different story!  We had originally like Cole until suddenly there was a number of babies being born recently with the name Cole.  We like to be a little different so we weren't thrilled that Cole was making a sudden comeback but at that point we weren't going to change it.  When I got my epidural that day, I noticed that the anesthesiologists name was Noel.  I commented on it as a name that had originally been on our list for a middle name (I have always loved the name since the show Felicity was on many years ago).  Suddenly we found ourselves in love with the name all over again and decided to change it all around at the last minute!  That is so unlike me, but I am definitely happy we made the change.

So far, we are all adjusting well to life as a family of four.  Grant continues to want to help with the baby and seems to be ok so far.  Ashton has been an amazing sleeper (something Grant was not!) and has been sleeping a ton.  I am sure all of this will change once J goes back to work so I am trying to enjoy it while I can!  I am feeling great this time around.  With Grant I was so sick with my high BP so I always surprised when I saw women that had just given birth out shopping like 2 days later.  Now I understand that when your delivery isn't full of drama, post baby time isn't all that bad!

brotherly love...

I wish I could scan in a picture of me as a baby because the resemblance is scary!

We are home!

As we left the hospital today, I was overcome with emotion.  Leaving the hospital with a baby in your arms is something that most mothers take for granted.  For mommas like me, that moment is one of the best feelings in the world.  My heart is just overflowing with love and gratitude today as we settle in and learn to live as a family of four. 

So far Grant is doing great.  I am positive that will change once daddy goes back to work.  He loves to point out all the body parts on the baby and has even asked to hold the baby and feed the baby.  He seems to love his little budder already!

Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers and well wishes.  They are much appreciated!

He's Here!

Ashton Nowell was born today 10/18/2011 at 2:14 p.m.  He weighs 6 pounds 12 ounces and is 20 inches long.  We are so thankful for an easy delivery and a healthy baby boy. 

Apple Picking

I love fall!  I love the crisp air, the falling leaves, pumpkins, traveling out to the local apple orchards, eating apple cider donuts and making homemade applesauce.  I had grand plans to experience everything fall with Grant this year but somehow nesting seemed to take priority and I was a total slacker.   Since we only have a week until this baby is due, I figured today might be our last chance!  It was a gorgeous sunny day and although we chose an orchard without the donuts and the pumpkin patch was slightly less than I had hoped for, we still had a great time. 

Unfortunately, Grant could have cared less about the apples.  Right now he has a one track mind.... tractors!

I ditched the plans to make applesauce since I am running on low energy these days so we only picked a few apples.

Grant wasn't quite sure about this spider.  He takes after his momma!

Can't believe we actually found a pumpkin since they only had like 3 pumpkins left in the patch!

 

Grant also enjoyed chasing the chickens around the orchard.  He has a chicken named Coco at his grandmas house so he ran around yelling Coco while trying to catch them.  The chickens were less than thrilled to see him coming! 

All in all it was a great afternoon.  Now we are settling in and patiently waiting for baby boy to make an appearance.  I was so convinced that he was coming early and he is definitely proving me wrong!  

2 year photo shoot

The other day we ventured out to do Grant's 2 year photo shoot.  Now, knowing my child will not stay still for a second and really does not like to even smile for cameras, I knew this was going to be a challenge!  So, we decided to make it as fun as possible and try to get some natural shots.  We chose a gorgeous fall day and headed out to our property on a golf course with a golf club, a ball, an adorable little boy and a camera.  Grant had so much fun playing golf that he barely noticed the camera clicking away- it was perfect!

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

 

On Saturday night, we celebrated Grant's second birthday.  Wow, what a difference a year makes!  Grant actually enjoyed opening presents - although that only lasted until he got a big truck and then all he wanted to do was play!  When asked, he would tell you that he is, "two" and he actually sang, "Happy Birthday to You"  and is still singing it!  I still can't believe how grown up my baby is getting!

This years theme was trains.  Grant has been obsessed with choo choos for a while now and I had received a fun train cupcake mold for Christmas last year and then picked up a brand new set of train cookie cutters from a friend at our garage sale this summer, so the choo choo theme seemed the obvious choice! I don't go all out with themed food and all that, but I do enjoy planning little touches to make the day special.  There was a time in my life that I wondered if I would ever be able to celebrate my child's birthday so I like to make the day as special as I can.  My plan was to attempt to make this as simple as possible because I am quite tired these days being so pregnant. However, once the planning started, I just couldn't stop!
 


The invitation.....

The Birthday Boy..... in the t-shirt I made for him without sewing since I never got around to getting those sewing lessons!

The favors for the kids... these were cups that had train cookies inside as an extra treat.

The favors for the adults.... train cookies.

The cake.....

The jell-o..... the cupcake mold ended up being a jell-o mold after a disastrous
attempt at making cupcakes in it!  I was really glad I tested it out before the day of his birthday!

The presents..... wow, is he ever spoiled!

2 years old

Grant Weston,

As I sit here writing this, I am overcome with emotion thinking that it was two years ago today that we first held you in our arms.  This last year with you has been truly amazing.  I am so thankful that I get to stay home 3 days a week and watch you grow and discover the world.  You have grown up so much and it kinda makes me sad to think that you are no longer my baby.  There are so many new things that you surprise us with everyday.  Here are a few highlights....

* you talk like crazy.  You still have your own language that you use every once in a while,  but you really learn so many new words a day that it is scary!  You repeat just about everything we say now and you are getting really good at forming 3 word sentences.  I am so proud of you and ashamed of myself for ever worrying about your language development!

*you made the transition into a big boy bed in the last month.  Below is a picture of how much you like your bed!  Most nights you go to sleep in the bed but we find you on the floor in the morning.  Sometimes before we go to bed we check on you in your bed and then find you on the floor surrounded by books with the light on in the morning!  This scares us a little because we are not sure when you are actually getting up and reading to yourself.

*you are still a daddy's boy.  The first thing you say when you get up is, "daddy" and you ask about him all day long.  I know this is because daddy spoils you and I have to discipline you so I will let it go for now, but soon you will need to become my mommas boy!

*you love to read books especially before nap time and bed time and you tend to use that as a way to stay awake longer!

*you love to play outside.  The second thing you say when you wake up (behind Daddy of course) is, "outside".  I am pretty sure if I let you, you would play outside all.day.long.  We got you a bike last month and you love to ride it around the block.  It takes you about 45 minutes because you like to stop and check everything out.

 *you are a true boy!  You love trucks, tractors, excavators, scoops, diggers, and most especially dirt!  They have been working on our road for what seems like months and you have been glued to the window watching all of the construction trucks- it is so cute how excited you get.  Every time you think you hear a truck, you look at me and scream, "truck coming" like it is the coolest thing in the world!

*you are very observant and don't miss anything.  You can spot an airplane in the sky that I have to put my glasses on to see!

*you have been showing a lot more interest in the potty lately but mommy doesn't dare try to push the issue before your world is turned upside down with a little brother.  You have been going on the potty for months before your bath time but recently you have asked to go other times as well.  This is a picture of your first time going poop on the potty.  Yes, I am THAT mom that takes a picture of this proud moment!

*random stats - you are wearing 18 month pants, 24 month shirts, size 5 shoes and size 4 diapers.  Last time you were weighed was a couple months ago and you were 24 pounds.  I will update this info after your 2 year appt on Monday.  I am very curious to see how much you have grown.



We love you so much Grant.  I am almost worried about having another child because I wonder if I will have enough love for both of you.  I cherish the few times a day that you snuggle on my lap and I hold you close and thank God for blessing me with you. ~mommy