20 Months and 1 Week

Last Friday (March 14), Woody turned 20 months and Gaines turned one week. Again, pinch me. I am a mother of two boys?

Woody Facts

• Between 27-30 lbs. At 18 months, he was 27 lbs and in the 75th percentile
• Diaper Size: 4
• Wears 18-24 month clothes and a 7 double wide in shoes
• He has become a pickier eater...boo! He usually eats one good meal a day. His favorite are waffles, lasagna, french fries (wah-wah), blueberries,  and goldfish. Not the healthiest of foods, but hoping he grows out of this stage. I still offer him whatever we are having for dinner, but if he ate a lot for lunch, then he won't eat dinner unless it is something he loves. He loves milk, and won't drink water unless it has a splash of juice on top of it.
• He "talks" all the time. I just have no clue what he is saying. What I can comprehend: Momma, Dada, no, uh-oh, Hey Gay (Hey Gaines), eye, all duh (all done), das (dogs). Every now and then he will repeat simple words like off, shoe, and down.
• He added a teddy bear to his bed at night time. It was an old bear someone gave us when he was born. He found it at the bottom of a toy basket and was obsessed. He drags it and his blanket through the house.
• Favorite toys: Melissa and Doug puzzles (he is obsessed), books, one of these things, and these plastic cups that he likes to sort by color.
• Favorite TV shows: Pretty much anything on PBS or Disney Junior. I love to hear him answer the questions on Mickey Mouse club house. (He answers every question "no.")
• Loves to go to the park. It is really close to our house, so we go a lot. He is fearless too. The other day, there weren't a lot of people there, so I was letting him go down the big slide. Not only does he go down it, but he taught himself how to hold on to the side and climb up it. The park backs up to a lake, and you have to stay on top of him or he will run right into the water.
• He has done so well with Gaines. I love when he tries to hug him. It is funny, because we have never said "Hug your brother" or anything like that. He just decided one day that Gaines needed a hug. Of course he loves to poke him in the eyes and try to sit on him as well, but that is beside the point.

Gaines Facts

• The day after we were discharged, we went to the pediatrician. He was back at his birth weight! Wahoo!
• Diaper Size: 1
• 0-3 month clothes
• His belly button fell off
• Great eater. He normally goes every 2-3 hours, however, I feed on demand.
• He sleeps at night in his crib. He tends to get up every hour until between midnight and 1:00 am, and then has been sleeping for 2 or 3 hours before he wakes up. 
• Gaines is really alert. He loves to just stare at people. Usually he is staring to make sure his brother isn't about to sit on him.

Look how proud Woody is! 

First bath! I bathed Gaines in the sink while Brooks bathed Woody in his bucket. Two kids got baths at the same time. We were pretty proud.

Brooks took this picture. We all kind of look a hot mess, but it was the first picture of my boys and me. Smooches Smooches.

Gaines Alton Harvard

His birthday might have been a little more planned than his brother's, but none less special! This is going to be long, but I love reading Woody's birth story because it helps me remember the blur of events. So Gaines gets a long drawn out post too.

The plan all along had been to have a C-Section. After having to have one with Woody, most doctors won't try a VBAC if it is within two years. And if I am being honest, this was just fine with me. Of course, Gaines was SO low, that I just knew he wouldn't make it to March 7th (neither did anybody else.)

But he did. I worked on March 6th too. And I am pretty proud of myself. (In case you are wondering- I realized I was pregnant two weeks before school started. So I started school during my first trimester and worked the whole way through.)

My mom came on the 4th to stay with us and help out with Woody. The night on March 6th, Brooks and I enjoyed a dinner at Zoe's. I originally had planned a food crawl, but then thought my stomach might not do well during surgery if it had fish tacos and fried pickles the night before. Then I decided I need to go to Home Goods and Target. (I think I was beginning to freak out that I would never leave the house again.) 

After a good night's sleep, we were off to the hospital for our 9:15 check-in-time. We checked in and waited for a nurse to get us.

She took us the the pre-op room. I got hooked up to an IV and around 10:30, the anesthesiologist came in to get the ball rolling. Not only did I have the world's nicest anesthesiologist, but his team of three other people were the sweetest too. After a few minutes they did the little test to see how numb I was, but I could still feel the poke at the top of my stomach. They kept giving me more and more medicine through my IV, but I stayed at a "T-8." (I have no idea what that means, but I remember they kept saying that.) I was beginning to worry about all the doses of medicine they were giving me, but finally I passed the poke test.

And by the time I got to the OR, I was so numb I couldn't wiggle my toes. It. was. awesome. I felt nothing. No pressure, no pulling. Nothing. I was busy having small talk with Brooks when I heard a baby cry. I thought it was odd that I could hear a baby in another OR, but the next thing I knew, the doctor was holding a baby over the curtain. He was here! Brooks jumped up to get a picture, thus looking on the other side of that lovely curtain that blocks eyes from my guts. (He likes to say he now knows me inside and out...) I remember them saying that he was big and feisty. And then they put him on my chest...

Gaines Alton was here. His little eyes, unfocused and mostly crossed, were open and trying desperately to make out who I was. Without saying anything, we had a full conversation.

"Are you who I think you are?"

"I am. I am your momma."

"Love me."

"I do. More than you could ever know."

In recovery, I was still so numb. Again- it was awesome. He got his bath, peed and pooped all over the place, and nursed like a champ right away. I cried and thanked God for giving me another healthy baby.

Gaines and I were moved to a normal room. This moment was so special for me, because when I had Woody, this was when he was put in the NICU, and  didn't get to see him for a while. It was nice to be able to spend this time together.

 Later, Woody came with the Harvards to meet Gaines. I think the whole thing was scary for him, but he has since really warmed up to Gaines. (Since we got home, Woody always runs to check on him if he makes a noise. And today, when G started crying in the Pack-n-Play, Woody gave him a puzzle piece. Kisses Kisses.)

We are now settled at home. My heart is so happy and full I feel like it is going to explode. God is so good.

Dear Gaines,

Dear Gaines,

I cannot believe that we will finally meet you tomorrow. I cannot believe that we made it to your scheduled C-Section date. You are estimated to be a big baby. You are low in my belly and have been head down for quite some time. Your momma confirms this with every step she takes.

(Your momma is not fond of "belly shots," but your dad took this picture earlier this week. My nightly Oreos and milk may have something to do with your size.)

I have thought about you, prayed for you, worried about you, and rejoiced over you. When you were only twenty weeks, we received some scary news. Only scary because we tend to fear the unknown. However, your dad and I realized that God was just writing another chapter in your book, and He has been writing for sometime. It has already been fascinating, and I cannot believe that I get to be part of your story.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Jeremiah 1:5

Soon you will meet your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and wonderful friends. Know that you are being born into a community who has loved and prayed for you since they knew about you. They will be there for you when you feel alone and helpless. (And will watch you when your parents feel alone and helpless.) They have given up time to celebrate you and have showered you with love and gifts.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:12-13

Soon you will be playing with your big brother, Woody. He is amazing. I know you will quickly become friends. I look forward to watching you play, grow, and learn with each other. I predict there may be some fights in there too. I hope you share secrets and support each other. I hope you trust and rely on one another. My greatest wish for my boys is that you be walking witnesses for Christ- showing His great love through your actions towards others.

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Psalm 133:1

Soon you will be in your momma and dad's arms. We are not perfect parents. In fact, sometimes I feel that my imperfections make me less worthy to be a mother to you and your brother. I hate to tell you, but I am a lousy cook and completely unorganized. But I promise to love you. With everything I have. Because I already do.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Love,               

Your Momma