Now I Understand...

why people have more than one child! :) Nolan was such a difficult baby that the only reason we decided to have another one was because we knew he would be a rotten only child! I just couldn't fathom why in the world people repeatedly had babies. I have now been enlightened in the wonderful world of easy, laid back babies. I prayed daily since Nolan was 6 weeks old that our next child would an easy one. I know that the Lord could have- in His goodness- given us a child even more difficult that Nolan, but I am so thankful that he answered my pleas! This little guy has the sweetest disposition, falls asleep really easily, and sleeps great at night. If he is crying it is because he is hungry and then he can get pretty cranked up if I don't move fast enough. I know that this could all fall apart at any moment, but in the mean time I will just be thankful.

An update on my first day with them alone...we did great. It was an enjoyable day for the most part. Today their schedules have collided a few times and I thought I would loose it during lunch, but I made it without tears (I was the only one, however!). So, now I am off to nap so I can make it through the rest of the day! Yea for naps!!

LOVE him!!

Back to Reality

I was so blessed to have non-stop help since Elliott was born, but as of tomorrow, that is all over. :( Jerel had a week and a half off and then my mom came in for a week and flew back to Florida this morning. The help has been amazing, and I have to admit- I am a bit nervous about Monday when I have to fly solo. I keep reminding myself that people do this all the time and that I will successfully keep both children alive and most likely not loose my mind in the middle of it all. Every time I find myself getting anxious, I really try to claim different verses that promise the Lord's sustaining power, strength, mercy, and presence. This helps. I also know that I just have to take it all one day at a time. I'll keep you posted on the craziness.

My mom and the babies

I look ROUGH (as to be expected after being up every 2 hours all night) but Nolan was being so sweet as we colored.

Lions & Tigers &....

BEARS, OH MY!

Nolan was a bear for Halloween. A friend let me have this costume and I continue to LOVE hand me downs! May I never pay for a costume! :) My mom flew in on Saturday to help me for the week and Nolan and Elliott were able to trick or treat at Jerel's parents and then Jerel took Nolan out to see a couple of the neighbors when it got dark enough. It was fun to live in a neighborhood this year and have trick-or-treaters. It was a bummer that it rained but fun was still had by all.

Nolan was very unsure of the costume at first. If you enlarge this picture you can see big ole' tears rolling down his face. I kept telling him to get over it! :)

He got his first peanut butter cup and got over it!

Off to see the neighbors

Elliott was sleeping beauty! :) Isn't he sweet??

My Favorite Thing!

Today was beautiful in Greenville and I was feeling well enough to get out for a little walk downtown. So we broke out the Phil & Teds and loaded up the car.

When I realized that that I was going to have two babies, I began the research of the best double stroller for our lifestyle. Every time I looked at a side by side like the double Bob, Jerel would begin to hyperventilate because they are just so big. I would stop every stranger on the street who had a Phil & Teds and everyone seemed to love it...so we took the plunge and are so thankful! I wasn't sure how Nolan would do in the back (eventually Elliott will be back there) but he did great today and seemed to really like it.

So, if there is anyone out there considering a P & T, I HIGHLY recommend it!!

Week 1

Tomorrow is the end of week one and I would say we are surviving remarkably well! They let us go home from the hospital 24 hours after I had Elliott which was great! I knew that even if I was only sleeping 3 hours is would be better in my own bed than with people constantly walking in and out of the door. Nolan came home from the grandparents the next day. He isn't really sure what to make of his little brother. He is curious and goes up and gives him hugs. I feel like he is a little more unsure of me. I feel like he keeps looking at me like "what have you done to my life???" I know this is just a phase.

Elliott is doing really well. He still just sleeps all the time and has such a sweet disposition. He will go really long stretches at night if I let him, which is so tempting....but I know that for now I have to get him up to eat.

Ok, Nolan needs a companion, so I am off.

Elliott Forrest

I know, I know, I'm blogging in the hospital. But lets face it- it may not get easier than this for a long time. Elliott is in the post-delivery coma, Nolan is at the grandparents, and people at the hospital feed me! :)

We have had a great day. I checked in at 5:30 and they started everything right away. I got the epidural around 11:00 and barely experienced any pain. At 3:30 we knew he was ready and by 3:57 after I pushed twice, our little (or not so little) guy was here.

Elliott is 8 lbs. 7 oz. 21 in. long. He has already nursed great and is sleeping like a champ the past two hours. I am hopeful that he will be able to nurse. They are taking him to the nursery tonight (YEA, YEA, YEA!!) and I am looking forward to a couple hours of sleep.

Thanks for all your prayers. I know the recovery can be rough, but I embrace the drugs that are offered to me! :) We are looking forward to getting home and introducing him to his brother and dog.

For your birthday...

...we are getting you a little brother!

Today is Nolan's 20 month birthday (which sounds so close to 2 years!!!), and tomorrow we are getting him a little brother! I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 and then let the waiting game begin. Since I was induced with Nolan I feel like I have a little clearer expectations. We are just praying to have him by dinner time and way before shift change. We learned the last time that it is a HUGE pain to deliver at shift change. We are looking forward to meeting Mr. Elliott Forrest. How big will this little guy really be?

Today was a flurry of packing Rocky, Nolan, and ourselves. I'll be glad to have us all back together before the week is over.

I am sure that we will post as soon as we can tomorrow. Feel free to pray for a safe delivery...that they can get the IV in me (no kidding, this is usually a big deal), that I will not stress out over nursing, that Elliott will be healthy. I mean, you could pray that we would get some sleep- but I am trying to be realistic! :) So, until tomorrow...