I've been a parent for four years!

It's hard to believe that four years ago on April Fool's Day, I became a parent. And now four years later, I've got two of them...

Collin woke up to his favorite breakfast: smoothie, scrambled eggs and bacon. He repeated, "It's my birthday right?" several times during breakfast (and then during the day the question became a proclamation to us, to strangers, to his friends). After breakfast he opened up his gift from us which was a cool orange scooter. 

Mike took him outside and they lasted about 15 minutes before Collin got too cold and frustrated with steering. Hopefully he'll have more fun with it as the weather warms up. 

Then it was time to get ready for the pirate party where we would squeeze ten preschoolers (plus parents and grandparents) into our house. Oh and there were the pirates of course. I found them through a quick blurb on urbanmamas.com. The pirates were from the crew of Salacia's Favour and I admit I was a little nervous about their reliability when they asked for cash. 

The pirates were right on time and looked like they walked straight out of a set from Pirates of the Caribbean. The main contact (Captain Jonathan something...) maintained his pirate speak accent throughout the hour. The parents and kids were amazed to see actual pirates had taken over our house as they approached the steps.

Collin was in pirate ecstasy and not shy at all when it came to questioning the pirates. I think they were a little surprised by his knowledge. Collin: "Do you have a main mask and a Jolly Roger? Where's your ship?" (and my personal favorite) "Do you fight zombies?"The pirates vetted questions and stories from the eager preschoolers and did a great job answering all the questions and staying in character. 

After all the kids had arrived the pirates swore them all in as official members of the crew and taught them how to be pirates! They gave out foam swords and battles ensued! The pint sized crew also got ink tattoos and treasure maps to take home.

Alas the pirates had to go back to their pirate ship but it was most definitely a memorable experience. 

Then it was time for pizza and cupcakes! Collin blew out his candle (which because my flash died did not result in the mid-blow picture. Oh well. Then of course there were the gifts. Collin's friends gathered around to "help" him open them and it was basically like a bunch of vultures swarming in on their prey. We tried to compel Collin to slow down so we could track down who gave what but things spiraled out of control pretty fast and presents were ripped open one after another without any time to absorb. 

After that the sugared out kids left with a balloon and a treat bag and hopefully happy memories of pirates. 

And thanks to his friends, Collin now has more fun toys to play with and use his imagination. He hasn't asked to watch the ipad once in the last few days (a miracle).

Happy Birthday to my little pirate!

One Month!

And there we have it...the first four weeks. 

The big accomplishment for today was a smile. A real one where his eyes sparkled and he looked up at our faces as if to tell us, "hey I know who you are, not just the cow and the one who changes my poop, and I appreciate it!"  It happened around 2am while Mike and I were exhausted and I was up yet again feeding a hungry baby. But that toothless grin made me forget about precious sleep and take in the moment. At a month, Milo is also starting to be more alert and making some new sounds. The smile was definitely the biggest perk and today he's given us a few more of these rewards. 

You don't appreciate a full nights of sleep until you start to miss it. On the good nights we're up twice, but mostly it's a blur of ever few hours, attack of the voracious baby. The co-sleeper that attaches to our bed is also of no interest to Milo (if we're lucky he'll sleep in it for a couple hours) so he ends up laying between us or nestled next to me. I don't mind this so much except he maneuvers his way over to me and I basically can't move, resulting in shoulder and back aches. 

He still sleeps through much of the day with periods of looking around with wide eyes and open mouth. The nice part of this is we can take him out especially in the morning and lunchtime and he'll generally sleep while we eat (though dinner time seems to be an eating frenzy of every hour or so). I know this stage is temporary, but I'm not one of these people that romanticizes it. It's damn hard. A different kind of difficult than the preschool stage. Despite the overwhelming exhaustion, I  appreciate this small baby time more so than I did with Collin. We sort of know what we're doing this time. Breastfeeding is much easier. I have more time off and don't have to stress about work and Mike is home longer which makes everything much smoother.  The days Collin is in preschool, I lounge around, take naps and go on walks. The non-preschool days are definitely challenging, as of course Collin demands and needs attention and naps aren't easy to come by. 

Milo seems slightly more low-key than Collin but not any less needy. He's a huge snuggler which is sweet but can also get old when you want to shower or go to the bathroom. At first he seemed to like the swing but now he screams whenever he's in it. $150 wasted. He does like his floor mat and is starting to reach out at the toys that dangle. Watching big brother build things is also fascinating. The Ergo carrier is my savior and I've managed to do some light cleaning, cook and even eat with it on. I know it'll get easier when Milo sleeps more during the night and can start entertaining himself more. For now, I'm trying to enjoy all the hugs and kisses with a tiny person and know that it's most likely the last time I'll have a baby this small (of my own) to hold.

 

First Bath

Milo's umbilical cord fell off a couple days ago so we gave him his first real bath. Collin's first bath consisted of him screaming and the beginning of Milo's bath went pretty much the same way.

Once he took in the warm water he calmed down and seemed somewhat content.



 Babies are slippery creatures so bath time was pretty quick.

One week in a tiny person's life

Milo is beginning to open his eyes more and more--which appear to be lightening up to a pretty blue. I'm sure this means poor Mike will get even more winks and jokes. But Milo definitely has Mike's nose and when you look at newborn photos of Collin, they could practically be twins (minus all the hair Collin had).

Milo still appears to be pretty chill and like most newborns sleep takes up the majority of his day, between poop and eating. Diaper changes are torturous for him, as are sponge baths. He actually enjoys his swing unlike Collin and will sleep in there or just hang out looking around. He's also an eating machine which gets old as I feel like a cow. I know as he grows he'll become more efficient at nursing and positioning him will be easier. Most of the time night feeds go pretty smooth, though last night was tiring with Milo opening his mouth over and over like a tiny bird unable to grasp his food. Then there's the joys of early breastfeeding like waking up with your shirt soaked. While I enjoy watching his tiny chest go up and down and feeling his warm body in the bed, he seems to like to force me almost off the edge by squeezing next to me. Oh how I wish we had a king! We're going to look into a co-sleeper so I can get some respite and we'll have a place to put him for naps besides the crib in Collin's room (which Collin tried to claim by filling with his toys).

So far, we're both enjoying the newborn phase much more this tine around. We don't have all the anxieties that come from being new parents. It also makes you more grateful to have a sleepy, snuggly baby when you have a preschooler who goes from being sweet to a little monster. I know it's a hard transition for Collin and for the most part he is being a kind older brother but he's also acting out and is frankly is one of those kids that you have to hold every impulse back not to slap.

My recovery continues to go well though it's hard for me to completely "take it easy." I still get nap time in but can't help doing some household stuff though Mike is doing a pretty good job taking over the majority of chores (keeping in mind I'm a bit of a clean freak and he is...not.)  We're especially grateful to the meals we've gotten from friends and family and we also have a few dinners that we froze as well as numerous take out options nearby. Though I haven't minded cooking a little bit here and there.

After giving birth, your emotions are also all over the place, just as with pregnancy I've definitely been a ball of hormones. Mike is pretty tolerant thankfully and I know when I'm able to start being active again it'll help. Five more weeks! In the meantime I'm grateful for the time we have together to bond with the baby and that I don't have to worry about work and can just focus on the new little human we created.

Hanadas Plus One

On 2/10/12 we welcomed Milo Averon Hanada. 6 lbs, 11 oz, 19 3/4 inches of perfection.

Delivery was MUCH smoother and improved than nearly four years ago.  Quick review: that involved three hours of pushing, immense pain, epidural wearing off and then not working, finding out I had to have a c-section, baby's heart rate slowing, and finally being put under general anesthesia because the epidural wouldn't work. I woke up in a drug-induced fog to meet baby Collin and had the double recovery time of old fashioned labor plus a c-section, which involved hard core pain management.

Flash forward: We came to the hospital bright and early Friday morning with our bags packed, camera ready, and car seat installed. It was like going to the airport. Collin was at my parents ready to spend four nights with them and meet his baby brother.

I was nervous. Not only was I about to have a baby I was volunteering for major surgery. We came to the maternity unit and were welcomed to our spacious room, which could've been a hotel suite minus the medical supplies and hi-lo bed. Sure the colors and decor are an 80's peach and the TV doesn't have HBO but I'm not going to complain. There was a pull-out coach for Mike to sleep in (albeit one that had metal springs poking out but it's better than the floor). After we signed all the paperwork and I was dressed in my fashionable gown and got an IV and we were off to surgery. I met the anesthesiologist who seemed kind and personable and was pretty confident I wouldn't need a general this time.

Mike waited outside while the most painful part of the procedure involved me getting a spinal (huge needle in my back). Thankfully the pain didn't last long. It's a weird sensation being in an operating room. The acoustical version of "Such Great Heights" played in the background while I tried not to panic and blinked away tears. Pretty soon though the medicine started to do its thing and I felt myself getting warm and numb. This time when the doctor asked me if I felt a sharp thing poking me, the answer was no.

"The reason the general didn't work last time is because you have pretty severe scoliosis," the anesthesiologist told me, to my and my OB's surprise. I had a mental image of those teenagers in back braces but apparently as an adult it's not too serious, just screws with stuff like anesthesia and causes shoulder and back pain.

I started feeling calmer (thank you drugs) when Mike came in fully dressed in scrubs and stood by my side. It was a pretty weird sensation but I felt no pain, just a tugging feeling as the doctor reached for Milo. I could hear her say, "You've got one tight pelvis." And I was glad I didn't end up trying a V-bac because I'm almost certain, I would've had a repeat of last time.

Then I heard that sweet newborn cry and watched as Milo was cleaned off and wrapped in a blanket for me to hold. He was about a pound smaller than Collin was when he was born and just seemed so tiny. He had a bit of soft blond hair and fuzzy skin with tiny fingernails already long enough to scratch his face. His eyes stayed closed most of the time but when they did open were that newborn blue grey so it's hard to tell if he'll have blue eyes like me and his brother or brown eyes like Mike.



The rest of the day Mike and I bonded with baby. I felt the aftermath of the drugs and constantly had the spins like a long night of drinking. I couldn't keep much down and was loaded with pain killers. Later in the afternoon my parents, brother and Collin came to meet Milo. Collin was very excited to meet his baby brother. He had a huge smile and wanted to hold "his baby."











Breast feeding, though still not easy started out much less stressful this time. Milo almost immediately latched and just like his brother is a very good eater. Milo also met his papa, and Collin and his grandparents came one more day to visit. Unfortunately Nona (Mary Ann) was sick with an infection and a high fever and obviously couldn't meet Baby Milo until she's feeling better.

The nurses we had were great and attentive and for hospital food, Providence isn't too bad. It's hard to get much sleep in a hospital with being woken up to take my medication and vital signs. Milo slept for pretty long stretches and overall just seemed to cry when he was gassy and needed a diaper change or hungry. Already he seemed more chill and less emotional than his brother, who would kick his feet away from you and scream at full volume, even as a newborn.

After three nights we left the hospital. I got around much better but still depend on Oxycodeine and ibuprofin. So far, feeding continues to go smooth and often! Suck that fat away, baby. Apparently when babies get that first taste of milk they want to eat. A lot. it's like baby crack.

It's been nice to rest at home and with Collin in preschool for three days and Mike at home for two months it makes things that much easier.

Milo wakes up two or three times at night to eat (or to change his diaper) and sleeps with us so although we're still tired, it's not too bad. Especially when we can take family naps while Collin is in school. Unfortunately Collin seems to be giving up nap time at home and still likes to wake between 6 and 7 am (and 7 am is lucky).

They say colic doesn't set in until two or three weeks so I'm really hoping our easygoing baby sticks around. And I have to say, we deserve it after Collin. Don't get me wrong, I love the kid but he is not easy in the least. He's jubilant, confident, gregarious and sweet but also a wild, thrill-seeking, emotional roller coaster. Mellow would be a great complement to Collin's personality (and sanity saving for us).

Collin is a sweet big brother. Though I think it'll be a while (like until Milo can defend himself) that we'd leave them alone in the same room together. He loves to give Milo hugs but I don't doubt he wouldn't try to lift Collin by himself like Hurley our cat. He's also been a great helper. At the same time the whininess and not listening has increased. I'm trying be as tolerant as possible. It's especially hard when I'm nursing and Collin tries to get in my face or purposely will do something naughty. But I recognize this is life-changing for him! We've been his whole world and now he has to share it with another little person.

I can see why people say you enjoy a newborn the second time around more. Starting out, labor was a whole less traumatic, breastfeeding wasn't a month of hell, and we're more confident this time around. It's still scary and strange to be responsible for a tiny little human though. It'll be exciting to watch him grow and change and see how his personality evolves.

Almost to the End

Six more days until I meet you, Milo. Lately you've been moving around like crazy most likely running out of room. I think you'll be smaller than your brother.  I don't feel as big this pregnancy even though it's usually the reverse the second time around (and you'll be born a week early). You do feel lower than Collin though, practically falling out. You seem to like my bladder, making for little sleep at night--hence this 3am posting. This may be nature's cruel way of preparing me for your arrival. Unless you happen to be one of those babies that loves sleeping at night (haha).

We've been preparing Collin. He gets excited when we talk about you and plans to share his toys and sing to you and be a good helper (hopefully he'll remember this when your'e big enough to knock his towers down and chant "Mine!") Dad needs to set up your crib and you don't have a room at your own at this point, but you'll be snuggling next to us for a few months anyway so no rush. I am a little disappointed there's no nursery to decorate, but I know your'e not going to mind.

The newborn phase with Collin is such a blur. This time I'm feeling much more lax. There has been no reading of "what to expect." I'm hoping most of it will come back to us naturally. Hoping that this time around nursing isn't such an ordeal in the beginning. Of course there's still that slight feeling of anxiety before we meet you. Everyone wants a healthy baby and we're hoping genetics and nature play in our favor. There's also curiosity of what you'll look like. Will you have my blue eyes and lighter features or will a bit of Asian pop out?

Dad and I will both have time to bond with you for a few months before you head to daycare and our life resumes with work. We'll go on walks, lay around a lot and introduce you to the sights and sounds of the world.

 It's a big place, Milo. I know it's nice and warm where you are right now. It's going to be a bit of a shock, coming into the cold with all these loud noises and blurry shapes, unfamiliar smells. But soon enough you'll be wrapped up tight. Safe again. Next to your mom, dad and brother. And a whole lot of love.

Life as told by Collin 12/31/11

A friend posted this on facebook and I thought it was a cool idea to do every year and see how your kid thinks.



Life as told by Collin as of 12/31/11

How old are you?
3 and a half

Who are your best friends?
Flynn and Clyde and Stellan and Spencer and Coleman too

What do you like most about school?
Pirate ships

What do you like to do with each person in our family?
Huggies with momma
Kisses with dad

Where would you like to go on vacation in 2012?
Airplane

What are some of your wishes for 2012?
Halloween

What is your favorite?

Cereal?
Squares

Vegetable?
Tomatoes

Fruit?
Peaches and oranges

Food?
Hot dogs

Drink?
Juice

Toy?
Pirate ship

TV Show?
Peter Pan

Game?
Disneyland (for the Kinect)

Book?
Pirates

Restaurant?
Hot dog restaurant

Holiday?
Christmas

Animal?
Blue Dog