Wrapping up May

May has come and gone and June is right around the corner. We finished out the month with trying to get back into the social scene last weekend, enjoying some BBQ's with friends. Sunday we headed over to our friends Chad & Amanda, who also have a newborn. The older kids enjoyed the Jump N' Slide while we held the babies and compared stories and challenges of having #2. Its nice to receive moral support and to be reminded that I'm not the only one who's up most of the night!

Monday morning we headed downtown Naperville to the Memorial Day Parade, as Zachary loves the marching bands. My mom kindly watched Cameron so I too could enjoy the time with Zach.

We finished out the long weekend with a BBQ at our neighbors house, which was a great way to end the weekend. Zach loves playing with this friends in our cul-de-sac and in this picture is enjoying some ice cream with his little buddy, Joey.

Rainy Memorial Saturday

Yuck! What a dreary start to the long holiday weekend. Its pretty much been raining on and off all day, which is such a shame as its been beautiful all week.

Despite the unpleasant conditions outside, Mark's parents came down from Wisconsin to meet their 4th grandchild. They were supposed to take Zachary for a fun outdoor outing, but unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. So instead we made the most of the time visiting and played inside. Thanks for coming to visit and of course all the gifts for the boys!


We also, FINALLY, gave Cameron his first bath at home. Funny how with the second child it takes a lot longer for such 'big' events take place. I think we did Zach's 1st bath within the first 2 days of being home. Well, at least we finally got around to it. Zach of course wanted to assist and put all of his bath animals in Cam's bath tub. Cam didn't seem to mind the animals, just didn't like the water and being washed.


By about 6.30 tonight all three boys were asleep on the couch watching a Wiggles video. Zach had wanted to cuddle up by his brother and within a few minutes was also snoozing... such a cute moment...

Adjusting to life at home

Hard to believe that Cameron will already be a week old tomorrow! My, life changes so quickly...

Here are a few pictures of first few days at home. The picture of the boys in the car is when we picked up Zach at my mom's on the way home from the hospital. Zach was so excited to be going home with his little brother riding next to him. So far he is extremely proud to be a big brother and continually wants to know what his brother is doing, what his noises mean, why he sleeps all the time, etc... Our first night home Zach had a hard time going to bed as he kept coming into our room wanting to know why Cam could be in the room with us and why he had to be in his own bed. Those types of questions are hard to answer and definitely pull on my heart strings. But so far he seems to be adjusting well and enjoying the new addition to our family.

Cameron's weight had dropped to 7'11' when we left the hospital on Monday, so we took him do the doctors yesterday for a weight check. He was back up to 8 pounds. He's still 5 ounces off from his birth weight but at least he's gaining back and it served as a good reminder for me that all this nursing is paying off.

We are making the most of the warm spring days and spending time outside. The sunshine has been good for Cam's mild jaundice and my sleep deprivation. Actually, I can't complain too much he's been going about 3 hours stretches each night and goes right back down after nursing, which so far feels like a success. I'm still slowly recovering from the surgery but each day feeling less pain and more mobile.

Cameron's guests

Meeting Cameron

We are getting ready to embrace day #3 here at the hospital and so far things are going pretty good. Yes, I realize the computer nerds we are blogging from the hospital. But if there's access to wireless Internet and we have some down time, might as well right? Especially since I know we probably won't have a lot of extra time once we get home.

Cameron is doing really well. Nursing of course always has its challenges but we are trying to work them out. Last night I kept him in the nursery for one feeding, allowing me to get a 6 hour stretch of sleep. Which is another option I won't have once we go home tomorrow, so one must take advantage of this luxury.

My recovery from the c-section is going smoothly, but even with a scheduled section there is still a great deal of pain and healing to overcome. So far Zachary is handling his new role of big brother very well, willingly coming and going with Nana & Grandpa. Mark and I are extremely thankful for my parents as I'm not sure how we would be doing this without them. So in case we don't say it enough Mom and Dad, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I am anxious to go home tomorrow and start our new journey, but trying to relish in every minute of the help.
We also have been blessed with some visitors this weekend and managed to capture them meeting Cameron. Thanks for the support and visiting us, we truly appreciate it.

Me & My Boys

Today Mark & I welcomed our second child into our family, and just as I had predicted, it was a boy! I never thought I would be so proud to be a mother of 2 boys, and I'm so thankful that Zach has a little brother to play with.

Cameron is slowly figuring out how to eat , and Mark & I are quickly remebering how to stay awake on a very short night of rest.

Thanks for all the calls & emails today, I will try to respond to them sometime soon.

Check back soon for the news

Time is winding down and baby will be here soon, so in case I don't have a chance to blog before we go.... check back here for the news!

This is a picture of Mark in 2004 with Zach right after the c-section. I'm sure we will have similar pictures to post soon.

Thanks for all of your calls, emails, thoughts and prayers throughout my pregnancy and leading up to this point. Please continue your thoughts and prayers as we prepare and welcome baby #2, we can't wait!