Welcome Elin Alise

Mike, Thomas and I are overjoyed to announce the birth of our daughter/sister into our family.  Following in the footsteps of her brother, she made her arrival interesting enough. 

After deciding to keep her little self comfy in my belly Monday morning came and we were off to the hospital at 8 a.m. for an induction.  I had been having regular contractions everyday leading up to Monday, but nothing ever progressed no matter how hard I wished it to!  I also had a horrible cold since Thursday that was sure to make my labor that much more fun! 

After getting checked in they started Pitocin at 10 a.m.  I was a sick mess and was granted my own bottle of hand sanitizer after apologizing up and down to my nurse because I didn’t want her to get sick.  I was certain that Elin was going to make her arrival quick and easy--painless too !   My doctor came in and broke my water at 1 and that too made me think we were going to get things going a little quicker.  2 hours after that (Pitocin for 5 hours) I was still waiting on intense contractions, I realized it was going to be a little bit more of a process.  After walking the halls with my wonderful sidekick, who at this point was also bored/anxious/excited, I got into the tub and things started to move a little quicker. 

At 8:30 p.m. I decided that I needed to get another epidural, I was just not making the progress I needed to and was hitting a pretty uncomfortable level.  This is where my story got interesting.  The first epidural gave me crazy electricity popping sensations so that needle was pulled.  The second needle they put in came back with a “wet tap" which meant it needed to be redone.  The third epidural was a success.  The doctor then came in at 10:30 and I was 5 c.m.  blah, so much time and by this time I was again an emotional mess.  This would forever be the longest time I had been away from Thomas and our first night away from one another.   To top it off he was sick.  He was with his grandparents and Mike did a great job of calming me down so that we could try to rest and “get some sleep.”  That was short lived at 11:30 I started to tell my nurse that I had a lot of uncomfortable pressure and she then informed me that it was time to push, but that the baby was still pretty high.  I kept telling everyone that my daughter wouldn't forgive me if she missed a diamond birthstone by a few minutes so it was go time.  In 2 pushes the doctor was called in for delivery and both Mike and I were in disbelief.  1 more push and I was told to not push any more, 2 contractions and Elin was on my chest at 11:51 p.m,  and 12 minutes had passed.  (so different from 3.5 hours with Thomas).  She was 7 lbs 8 oz and 19.5 inches long of perfect baby girl heaven.  Both Mike and I couldn’t get over how quickly she arrived and how much she looked like her big brother. 

We named her Elin after going through lists and lists of names that I liked and Mike would veto.  It was Elin Nordegren was Tiger Woods’ wife and that is when I originally heard the name.  Mike and I also liked it because it has Scandinavian origins and it isn’t too common.   Her middle name is Alise after my cousin Josie who passed away.  Elin is the first baby girl in our family since Josie passed away and we are honored that her parents allowed us to share their middle names.  Josie’s memory can now live on in our baby girl who will always be told about how amazing and special Josie’s life was. 

There has never been 2 moments in my life that has thus far compared to Thomas and Elin being placed on my chest.  That moment will forever be frozen in my mind and I wish I could bottle it up and relive it over and over.  For me it is a combination of witnessing the miracle of life that Mike and I created, meeting the little being that for the last 39 weeks that has been growing inside me and we have been nurturing.  It also continues the dreaming that we have been doing about what and who “they” are and being so hopeful for what their/our future holds.   What a true miracle and blessing.  I thank God everyday that I have been able to find a wonderful husband and father of my children to share this life and these moments with.

After being moved off the labor and delivery floor we enjoyed some more snuggles before Mike headed home to get some sleep and help Thomas out.  Thomas was a trooper and so were my parents.  Not one of us ever thought that we wouldn’t be introducing him to his sister before dinner, let a lone before he went to bed.   Neither Mike or I was comfortable with him waking up without either of us there and new he was going to need some Daddy TLC.   Grandpa and Grandma also needed a little break after being the masters of distraction during the day and consoling a sick and sad little nugget at bedtime.

The next morning Elin and I were up early.  I was eager to see everyone and introduce Thomas and Elin to one another.  My parents came up first so that they could help me and meet Elin.  Then Thomas and Mike came back up.  Thomas wasn’t too sure of his sister to begin and he was not so happy with me.  It was everything I had feared about adding a second baby and I was pretty worried.  After a little bit of time Thomas started warming up to his sister and really liked the new toys she brought him.  After he went home with Mike and grandpa to nap and woke up still exhausted and sick we all decided that we needed to get everyone home and on the mend.  Thomas was started on antibiotics to try and help him kick his cold and try to protect Elin from catching his cold as well.   We were discharged about 9 p.m. and we headed home. 

Stella, Itzy and Tucker were patiently awaiting us at home and were so interested in Elin.   It was home and into bed for all of us we were exhausted and all in need of some sleep.  Our family of 4 all snuggled into bed with the pets all in their “spots” too.  It felt so amazingly and overwhelmingly perfect.  It was night number one as our new family and the start of our lives together.  Aside from the colds and spinal headache life couldn’t have been better!

Fish

Looking at the Koi pond at the local nursery while checking out plants.  Thomas was a little nervous and the fish were very brave.  As many of the other kids demonstrated, if you would let them they will try to eat your fingers.  They also let people “pet’ them.  It is a beautiful fish pond and is always fun to visit.

Potty Time????

Last Friday Thomas took diaper time into his own hands.  He decided he was all done with a diaper (for the most part) and ever since has preferred to go naked, with “short pants” (shorts) or big boy undies. 

He has surprised both Mike and I with just how well he is doing with independently going to the potty chair and making potties.  If he must go he will say “right back” and then run to the bathroom, we will hear him pull out his potty seat and then cheer for himself when he is done.  What a silly goon.

So we have had a week full of bare buns running through the house, learning how to take undies on and off by ourselves, and lots of “hunra” (a tic tac or m & m after he goes potty).  In this whole time we have only had 3 accidents.

It has also made nap and bed time interesting because he wants no diaper on.  So he will get out of bed a few times to got potty before falling asleep and then we put a diaper on him.  He is for the most part dry during nap time, but night time he will still wake up when he has to go to the bathroom or just after he has gone pee.

Yesterday he also had a big first and had a completely dry morning and then went potty for the first time in a public bathroom before swimming.  Since he has started potty learning this has been something he has always said he was “ok” to not go when given the choice.

We still are waiting for the poo on the potty chair.  For that he will still tell us he has to go and then ask for a diaper.  So I am sure just like with peeing on the potty once he makes up his mind he will be ready.  We will see if he keeps wanting to be diaper free when the baby comes too!

39 Weeks…

Well here we are again at the 39 week mark and baby is just as comfy as ever in my belly!  I am not so comfy, but also still have not completely wrapped my head around a new baby coming into our lives very soon.

This past week we had our reality check as we did with Thomas.  Since 37 weeks my blood pressure has been slowly creeping up.  All of my lab work has continued to be great, but nonetheless a rising blood pressure is a warning sign for us and my doctor.

After an appointment Monday with instructions to call if it went above a certain point, Tuesday night they had me go into triage.  So after scrambling to pack our bags, Mike and Thomas brought me to the hospital.  Then they were off to have dinner and play before Mike would put him to bed and come back to be with me for what we thought was going to be baby “go” time. I have to say we were all very surprised that I was able to leave and didn’t have the baby that night.  Both Thomas and Stella were so excited to come back and get me, I got lots of hugs and kisses before the night was over.  It was a wild fire drill with plane tickets being booked by my parents and ultimately the let down of baby is staying put for a few more days.  Even more frustrating was/is the measurable (but not strong enough) contractions every 3-5 minutes that still continue on a daily basis.

So then it was back to the doctor’s office on Thursday for a “plan.”  I have to say I really do like my doctor and have found myself not questioning her antics as much as I did the first go around.  She calmly explained to me that although my labs are all good that a high blood pressure that continues to creep up is still concerning.   She feels that at this point there is a risk vs. benefit that we have to balance between keeping baby girl and myself healthy.   Therefore, she is giving baby girl the weekend to decide to come on her own or she will be coaxing her out by induction sometime on Monday. 

Lots of emotions go into preparing for a baby, labor, and 2nd induction.  I didn’t say much about my first on here, but many of you know that my last induction was a 42 hour process and it was physically and emotionally exhausting.  This time I am also feeling torn as I have 2 baby’s to worry about. 

Thomas and I have yet to spend a night apart since he was born and I am very grateful and proud of that fact.  To some it may seem weird or over bearing, I am a very over protective mother and I do not mind that I have yet to have a “free night.”  I know those nights are coming in the future when my son will be old enough to understand and not be upset about me being away.  So with that said, trying to figure out how to have a 2nd baby and keep the 1st baby happy/content is all a balancing act. 

Many people have asked if I think “Thomas is ready?”  I always answer the same way “he is as ready as a 2 year old can be.”  We have been reading about having a new baby, he has been involved in every conversation and talk about his baby sister.  He is practicing and talking about  holding his baby sister and showing her his toys.   He loves going into her room and showing us “sister’s stuff.”  So we will see when she comes what his reaction really is. 

We will have a lot of adjusting to do as we become a family of 7, Mike and I are both anxious and excited all at the same time.  The count down is on and we are ready for the upcoming weeks.  We are also so excited to be having my parents and Mike’s parents out in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned, ready or not baby girl Laschen going to be here before Tuesday!

KidQuest and Celebrating Amy

Thomas and I headed over to Bellevue to have a morning of play fun at KidQuest.  Thomas got soaked in the water and also loved playing in the moon sand.

After our morning at KidQuest we headed to celebrate Amy’s birthday with her.  Then we headed home for some much needed naps. 

KidsQuest Museum and Lunch Date with Amy

On Wednesday we were off to celebrate Amy’s birthday with her.  We met in the middle and before lunch Thomas and I had time to sneak in a morning play session at KidsQuest Children’s Museum. 

Simmin’

Thomas and I have been swimming a lot lately.  We have a great time and it is fun to not feel so pregnant, get to float on my tummy, and have an exhausted boy at the end.

Saturday we decided to go up to the pool as a family so Mike could see all of the things that Thomas and I had been telling him about.  We all had a blast playing, splashing, jumping and goofing around in the water. 

Our little guy is a water boy for sure.  You also get to see how big this mama is when Thomas is jumping in the water! 

We Made It…1 year later!

It has been one year since the chaos of moving with a 1 year old, a giant dog, 2 cats and 2 parents who missed living in the same zip code over the past 3 1/2 months.

Like Mike just said “1 year…that went by fast…don’t you think?”  Yes, it did go by fast.  Looking back and re reading my blog post with the original pictures of the house and the house we left in Denver is bitter sweet.  If you need a refresher check it out here.

Undoubtedly, this has so far been the biggest test of our marriage and parenthood thus far.  We can both say now that it fine and we made it through, but in the moment it was yuck.   The lingering tears from Thomas every time he saw a suitcase have thankfully passed and life is now normal in Seattle.

Cheers to all the new adventures that this city/home/life will bring us in the next year!   In true Laschen Family fashion I am sure there isn’t going to be a dull moment!

Mariners Game

I will be honest I was craving some good ol’ stadium treats and decided heading to a Mariners game would be a good treat for my boys!  So off to the game we went. Thomas was a little confused as we have been watching “go go baseball” at the park near our house and didn’t realize we were going to a big stadium. 

Once we arrived his head was  “on a swivel.”  He was taking it all in and very excited to get his ticket.  He held on to the receipt very carefully until we went through the gate.   Once inside it was time for good ol concession stand dinner and popcorn dessert.  Thomas really enjoyed cracking and eating the peanuts too.

We had seats in the outfield and were able to see a homerun hit into the section next to us.  After the 4th inning we needed to make moved out of our seats and walked up to the children’s play area and watched a little more of the game after that from a different vantage point.  Then we decided it was time for us all to go as it was close to 9 already.  It was a great night for a ball game. 

1st Ice Cream Walk

Last summer we found this fantastic little ice cream joint a short  walk from our house.  After a long day at the office for Mike and a very patient boy waiting with his mom at the doctor we decided to treat ourselves.

Thomas loved running with his dad and Stella and then on every corner they would wait for me who was waddling behind with the unoccupied stroller. 

Nothing too exciting to report from the doctor’s appointment.  All is well in there, baby is head down and I “could go into labor at any time, just not this week.”  Those were my doctor’s exact words.