Flashback Friday

4 weeks

Finn is 4 weeks old today. I feel like he's been around for longer than 4 weeks. It's gone by fast and slow all at the same time. He's kind of started to smile, nothing huge - but little smirks here and there. He's also somewhat content to lay on the floor or in his bouncy after he eats for maybe 5 minutes. ha. Last night he went about 5 1/2 hours before needing to eat, that was awesome. Let's hope that trend continues. Here are some pics from earlier this morning.

Come on, smile for mommy

Awe

Enough with the camera, mom.

Jack begging to watch Dora at 9 AM. I didn't give in until after lunch.

Close up, he's getting so big. Doesn't he look like Tom in this picture? Disregard the peanut butter on his face from breakfast. ha ha.

Facts

• It's 11:20 AM and I'm still in my pajamas
• Jack has figured out how to go to my youtube app and watch Elmo on my iPhone
• Apparently he knows how to play music too, because Britney Spears was blaring from the phone a while ago. He's got good taste already....oh wait
• The only way to get my phone away from Jack is to tell him the batteries have died and we have to recharge them. It works like a charm, until my phone rings...
• I signed up for a half marathon yesterday
• I'm freaking out a bit, considering the longest distance I've ever ran is 6 miles.
• Tom is going to Vegas Monday - Wednesday next week for "work." The only thing I'm dreading is the night time and not having my partner in crime to deal with Finn!
• Anyone else who is up for the challenge of the half marathon, let me know and I'll give you the details!

I just ordered this...

When will I begin? That is still TBD, but I will be sure to blog about it so you all can hold me accountable. Anyone out there tried this workout before? Thoughts? Comments? Concerns?

Slowly but Surely

So on Wednesday I woke up with the worst sore throat ever, which of course was accompanied by a stuffed up nose and a pounding head. Thursday morning the sore throat was gone, but the head stuff was not. Thursday was not a good day or night. Tom didn't get home until 9:30 because he had a hockey game, and I was just so worn out. Tom let me go to bed while he fed Finn his last bottle of the day, but it took him a long time to get him to go to sleep (we've been putting the bouncy in the pack n play at the end of our bed, since Finn is still a little congested). So anyway, he woke up at 2 to eat - I fed him, he fell asleep, I transfered him to his "bed" at 2:45 and bam, he was up - fussing. He never was crying or screaming, just fussy every 10-15 min until 4 am. Then he fell asleep until 5 and Tom fed him and then he slept until 8. Annoying. Ok so anyway, along with this - he's been a little constipated. So I called my dr to see if I should consider switching formula. She said no, and to try prune juice when he's one month if his poop is still hard. A week ago I bought some mylicon because I thought maybe he had gas. Well I only got around to using it once, because I spilt the entire bottle on Finn's floor during one of the midnight feedings. ARGH. So yesterday, we bought some more of it. And last night we decided to try to have Finn sleep in his crib with the sound machine. OMG! I don't know if it was the gas relief medicine I gave to him at every feeding or if it was the sound machine, or just being on a mattress - but it was like we had a new baby. Tom put him to bed at 11:30, and he was up at 12:30, but I think it's because he got out of his swaddle. I fed him just a little and he dozed right to sleep. Then he woke up at 3, and I just had him finish what I made at 12:30, and badda bing - again, went right to sleep after eating and burping and swaddling. But he only ate like 1.5 oz, so he was up again at 4 - and then Tom fed him and he fell right back asleep for Tom too. Then he was up at 7, but didn't eat again until 8. And now he's just sleeping comfy in his bouncy upstairs while Jack and I hang out downstairs. Oh and he had a normal poop this morning! So all in all, it's been a good day. I still feel crappy and have a hard time going to sleep, but it will pass.

OK sorry if that was just really boring or annoying to read. This is kind of like my journal, and I will like to look back at the details of these trying times someday. So bare with me....In other news - Jack is talking up a storm lately. It's so funny what comes out of his mouth. haha. When he's eating a snack and some of it falls on the floor he goes "Boo (which means Bailey) get it." What he is saying is that Bailey will get it, so he doesn't have to pick it up. ha ha. Also, Tom is playing in the pond hockey tournament this weekend, they are 4-0 going into the play-off games tomorrow.

I pray that this calmness that has become of Finn is here to last, because I was seriously at my witts end last week. Hope everyone has a great weekend. GO VIKES!!

Catch Up

So this past weekend, Tom took Jack skating for the first time. Tom said he thinks the skates we bought are too small. Jack really didn't know what to do and wasn't moving his legs. But he also said it was a success because Jack didn't totally hate it and go crazy. So - we'll see if that happens again this year...

Other than that - I still pretty much feel like I'm in survival mode. Finn is doing good. He's got a stuffed up nose, so I've been putting him in his bouncy again at night so he doesn't have to be flat on his back. I'm waking up still about two to three times at night - the first time being around 1:30. I don't feel like I'm not getting enough sleep though, but that's probably because I'm drinking caffeine constantly throughout the day. I heart coffee.

It's amazing how much you forget about newborns. I forgot that they just want to be held constantly, which wasn't a problem when it was just the baby - but playing with Jack and cooking meals is so much more work when you are lugging around 9 extra pounds of a crying human. Hello baby bjorn and sling....I need to whip those out of my closet asap.

Tom and I sit and stare at Finn when he is alert and we cannot figure out who he looks like. With Jack, I totally saw myself in him, but with Finn - it's like - who are you? and who are your parents? No, I'm just kidding. I definitely think Finn has more Starkey in him though.

Alright, that's all for now. Both boys are sleeping, maybe I will try to rest my eyes too. I've been up since 5 am, since Finn decided he didn't want to go back to bed after that feeding. What a stinker! Enjoy the pics of Jack skating and some random ones I took of Finn earlier today.

Don't forget to watch AI tonight! Oh and for those of you watching the bachelor...tell me you did not fall off your couch laughing at Vienna's dive into the pool last night. I wish I could find it on youtube, it was so funny we had to rewind it and watch it again. She also said after her one on one date with Jake, today was the best day of my life...really???? You've known this guy a week or something and you went on one date. haha.

Tom and Jack out on the ice together for the first time!

'sliding' on the ice

More sliding

Jack would rather just eat snow

Finn making the perfect Zoolander face...blue steel or magnum?

almost 3 weeks

This blanket was made for us by the parents of the Wayzata JV hockey team...we love it! Finn is still getting used to it, as you can see.

Small Successes

1. I did 3 loads of laundry twice this week. I even folded and put the clothes away! I read somewhere that if you just use cold water for every cycle you can save money, so I thought - why not? That way I can also wash Jack and Finn's clothes in one load (usually) without having to separate the colors. Woot woot.

2. I ventured out of the house with the boys alone to someplace other than my parent's house (Jack's school). I think my next trip out alone will be to Costco. The carts are bigger and I'm running low on formula.

3. I've survived two weeks of being a mother of two without going completely mental. This isn't a small success, this is a HUGE success.

Getting into the groove

I'm happy to say we all had a good night last night. I set up the pack 'n play at the end of our bed for Finn to sleep in instead of his bouncer. I put him to bed around 10:45, he ate about 3 oz around 9:45. He didn't wake up until 12:30. I fed him and he fell back asleep and was perfectly content in the pack n play. Then he woke up again at 3:30, did the typical routine - change, feed, burp, swaddle, rock and I was back in bed by 3:55 and then he slept until 7:15. So I really don't think I can complain too much. It's just the times when he will not fall back asleep that I go absolutely insane, and that's when I need Tom to step in. But last night we didn't need any of that!Lets hope that continues. I like having Finn super close to me at night and in the morning so I can console him before he wakes his big brother up. But we are hoping if this pack n play thing continues to go smoothly we will transition him into his own room in a week or so. Not in a huge rush though.

This morning I ventured out to Jack's ECFE class. It was fun showing off Finn - although Jack threw a huge temper tantrum when we walked in and he saw the teacher. It took me a good 20 min to console him and get him interested in the toys. But once he warmed up, he played harder than he's ever played there before. It was so fun seeing him actually play with all of the toys there, his face was practically purple by the time we left. He's so good with Finn - I had to take him out of the carseat to feed him and Jack just gave him kisses and then off he went to play with the trucks and balls. It's nice getting out of the house, but it sure is a chore - especially in the cold!

We've had lots of fun visitors this past week which has definitely helped pass the time. I'm definitely ready for Tom's hockey season to be over. Now that I have two boys - I have a feeling I will be saying that for the rest of my life! ha ha. That's ok. Alright, gotta go feed Finn.

TV Obsession Continues

Is anyone else watching the bachelor this season? I told myself I would never watch this show again after that fiasco with Jason and Melissa. However, I'm watching it differently this time - for pure laughter and entertainment- and the "characters" they have chosen make it really easy to just sit back and say "wow!" I can't believe how many seasons the bachelor/bachelorette has been on, is that really the way to find true love? Oh well, to each is own.

Next on the list, which I'm a little afraid to admit is Jersey Shore. Seriously, they are out of control. I read in my people magazine this week that Snookie is only 4 feet 9, I am a giant compared to her. My all time favorite quote from that show is when "The Situation" explains his daily routine which consists of Gym, Tanning, Laundry - or what he likes to call GTL. hahahaha. It's like a white trash real world if you ask me.

I've only seen a few episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians, but I'm a fan.

And tonight, my favorite begins - American Idol!!! I'm so sad that this is Simon's last year though. I have a feeling AI will be going down the drain without him, unless of course Ellen has anything to do about it. I'm so excited to see what she can bring to the show, even though I'll have to wait until Hollywood to see her in live action (she wasn't a part of the audition process).

LOST begins February 2nd and it's the last season. I'm a little concerned about how they are going to end the show. I just don't know how it wouldn't be a let down, or have the viewers disappointed. I hope the writers prove me wrong. I'm proud to say that I got my entire family addicted to this show and they have gone through almost 5 seasons in a record amount of time. ha ha.

Then of course there are the shows I watch just to watch-some I like more than others. Greys, Desperate Housewives, Private Practice, Brothers & Sisters.

Wow I watch way too much television, but I know I'm not the only one out there. I'm not ashamed to admit it. What else am I supposed to do when my toddler is sleeping, my newborn baby just wants to be held and my husband is at hockey until 1030??? Don't judge me!!

First Week Recap

I survived my first week at home with two children! It hasn't been easy, the TV has been on constantly, but I have to say I think I'm doing a good job. The hardest part is just figuring who's needs have to be met first. Should I feed Finn while Jack is crying in his crib, or should I quick go get Jack first before I feed Finn? Things like that are the trickiest.

It's funny because the whole newborn baby stuff is pretty easy peasy for me, I'm not so overly concerned about everything like I was with Jack - but the thing that makes everything so much harder is having to keep my same routine with Jack. I have to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner - not for myself, but for Jack. Whereas when you just have one kid, you can do whatever you want. So it's both harder and easier at the same time.

Finn had another dr appointment today to check his weight and jaundice. He is up to 8 lbs 8 oz - this kid loves to eat, seriously. And they didn't even draw blood to check jaundice levels because his coloring is looking good. So it was a good appointment, don't need to go back until 2 months. Thank goodness. Jack has his 2 year check up next week and I think Tom is going to take him to that. What a good hubby. Speaking of...Tom has definitely had to help out more in the midnight hours with Finn this time around. I think it's mainly because Finn is eating more than Jack did and me not being able to be lazy and take naps during the day. We had a good night last night though. He's still been sleeping in his bouncer next to our bed, which is totally fine with me. All I care about is sleep in the middle of the night. I'm not going to stress out where my 8 day old baby gets it!

Well I need to go get Big Brother out of his crib, he has once again decided not to nap. Oh what joy.

Finn's First Outing

To the dr we went! Finn is doing great. Weighing in at 8 lbs 2 oz - 50%, 21.5 inches long - 90-95%, and a 25% head. Exactly the same as his big bro. He is still pretty jaundice so they took some blood and will call with results tonight. I'm not terribly concerned especially since I've already whipped open the formula can.

Nights are still sucking, but that's expected I suppose. It won't be like this for long, right? right.

Finn's Story

8 lbs 5 oz Finn

Daddy and Finn

Mommy and Finn

Brothers - look at all his dark hair

Cute

So after having my induction date set for 12/30/09 and getting rejected because the hospital was too full, I was told to call back at 6 am the next morning. So that time came and while calling, I just figured the same thing would happen again. But I was wrong, they told me to come in at 7:30 am. So my mom came over at 7 to watch Jack and we were on our way. I have to say that not having to ride in the car while having contractions was beautiful! So we got there, I changed into my gown and we just kind of hung out. I got my iv in and the monitors hooked up to my belly. Then at about 9:40 the dr broke my water (I was dilated about 4-5). Tom and I walked around the 3rd floor to try and get the baby lower. After about 5 min, I was having strong contractions every 4-5 minutes, so we went back to the room. I then asked for the drugs. They had mentioned of doing an intrathecal instead of an epidural, but we would just wait and see. Basically an intrathecal is a shot just like the epidural, but there isn't a catheter - it's just simply a shot. It only lasts 2-3 hours, but kicks in immediately. So it's ideal for somewhat quick labors, but you could get another shot if it wore off if needed. Anyway...when the anesthesiologist came in at 10:30ish i was a 6-7 - so we opted for the intrathecal. And it worked like a charm. For the next 45 min I could just relax! They did start some pitocin because my contractions died down a little after the pain meds. Anyway at about 11:30 or so, I started feeling some pain. She checked me and I was already an 8-9, she stopped the pitocin too. Then at about 12:45 I was fully dilated. She asked if I was having any urge to push, and I really wasn't, but I just wanted this kid out of me so bad - I told her I would try. It was so weird, since I couldn't feel anything. It felt like a waste and I wasn't getting anything done. I think the meds start to wear off around 1:15 or so, because I started getting that urge and I could tell the pushing was actually doing something. So the nurse coached me through the pushes and I felt the head stay down, the dr was called in - barely had time to put her gloves on and I was told to push it out. Well the baby was stuck. It was actually flipped sideways, which made my pushing so much worse than it was with Jack. The nurse actually had to push on my belly to get the baby to come out. Finally, HE did at 1:33 pm! However, since he was stuck down there he was not crying, in fact he was pretty blue. I wasn't too concerned, I knew it would be fine - but Tom said he was really scared. He could see Finn's head getting more blue while it was stuck. But they quick suctioned him out, and we heard his wonderful scream! I think both Tom and the nurse said it's a boy! at the same time. It didn't surprise me at all. Although I had more feelings this time around it was a girl just because everything was so different - having another boy is going to be such an adventure and Jack and Finn will hopefully be very close. I always thought it would be fun having a sibling of the same sex (I'm sure my brother feels the same way, so this is no diss on him :-)). And to those of you who ask "will you try for a girl" my answer is no. ha ha. No I'm pretty serious, I think I'm done. Tom thinks it's too soon to say that - but I don't.

Anyway - Finn and I spent New Year's Eve together - well I sent him to the nursery, but he came to visit me every 3 hours :-) And Tom was at home with Jack. I opted to come home the next night, just because I wanted to sleep in my own bed and I wanted to be at home in the morning. Finn has a little jaundice, nothing major - but just something to keep an eye on. He's eating like a champ though - seriously, he wants to eat every hour. It's really annoying and makes for extremely long nights. He hates his crib and sleeping on his back, so for the past two nights he has slept in his bouncer and on either me or Tom. Tonight I'm going to try his crib again and we are going to whip out the sound machine that worked like a charm for Jack. We shall see.

Oh and the one thing that surprised me the most about Finn was all his DARK hair!! I'm pretty sure it will turn blond, but after Jack having all that light hair - it's so weird. He's so cute though. I think he looks like Jack, with just a smaller head. All in all - it was a great delivery - can't really beat a 4 hour labor for being induced. Tomorrow Tom goes back to work and I'm manning down the fort alone - God help me. I'm going to focus on just surviving, and not stress about anything else!

The winner of the baby pool is...

KELLY BLAIR!

Congratulations Kelly! You've just won the prize of babysitting Jack and Finn overnight. We were thinking this Friday night would be great! See you then. :-)

Pictures of Finn and his birth story are coming. It's still hard to put sentences together, ha. We definitely had a rough first night, but that's expected - right? Jack is slowly warming up to his new baby brother, yeah!




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Finn Brendan Starkey

12/31/09 @ 1:33 pm
8 lbs 5 oz
21.5 inches

Healthy baby boy, healthy happy mommy of a house full of BOYS!!!

Hopefully Finn and I will be heading home tonight. I'm ready to "sleep" in my own bed.

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers.