Quick update...

Well I'm defintely not as good as I'd hope I would be at updating this! The boys are great! Mason went to the Doctor's on Wednesday and weighed in at a whoopin' 10lbs 11oz! He's a healthy little guy - all looks good! Max was "Star of the week" at daycare (which made him feel very special!) and spent a day/night up in Augusta with Memere and Pepere where he had lots of fun!


Here are a few recent photos of the boys:

This week I was alone with the boys (Ray was in Maryland Monday-Friday for work) so I told Max that when I showered that he needed to watch Mason. When I came out of the shower this is what I saw...HOW CUTE!!

Since I had the camera out I started taking some random pics and just happened to snap it when Mason was smiling in his sleep!! PRICELESS!!

Tonight we had dinner at Pam & Jon's along with Kelly, Harley and their little one Kasey. So nice to see them...here are a few photos of the kids...

Brady:

Nathan & Kasey:

Kasey & Max...the newest lovebirds :-)

Tomorrow we have an insanely busy day...Easter here at the house, then Easter at my parents late morning, along with my sister and her 3 kids and then up to Augusta we go for the afternoon with Ray's parents and Aunt & Uncle...I'll be sure to post photos of the BUSY day!

HAPPY EASTER!!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Sorry it's been a while since I updated...here are a few recent photos we've taken over the past 2 weeks!

A day in the life of Mason Arbour...

Max found this while we were cleaning out a closet...

CUTEST BOYS IN THE WORLD...

Saturday we took the boys to the Boat Show at the Civic Center and Max was in 7th Heaven!! (Mason too with all the lights!) We stayed for over 2 hours and he went in and out of each boat at least 2-3 times! He was a big fan of the $234,000 cabin cruiser - HA, right...keep dreaming kiddo! How about a dingy or a canoe?

Mason:

Mason has been a dream baby...I'm just waiting for it to take a turn. He eats great, he sleeps well (only gets up once a night for a quick 15 minute feeding and then goes right back down), he rarely if ever cries, and his overall demeanor is amazing. He's very laid back, mellow and doesn't seem to be phased by much! Did I mention he's a cute as a button!?!?!

Max:

Again, how did we get so lucky?!?! Max has been AMAZING since the day we brought Mason home. He just adores his little brother and is always giving him kisses, reading stories to him, singing him songs and telling him how much he loves him. People told me and I read that he may go through some funky phases where he'll act out for attention and act out...if anything he's been just the opposite. He asks to help out and hasn't had any breakdowns or tantrums...BUT again, we are prepared for this to happen any day. However, have our fingers crossed that things will remain as they have been the past two weeks.

Ray & I were able to get away and have some adult time this weekend. We went to his annual faternity dinner at the Sable Oaks Marriott Saturday night. We only were out for a few hours but we're able to see some friends we haven't seen in a while and have a few drinks! My first in over 10 months...it defintely took the edge off. It was nice to see everyone!

All in all things are going AWESOME!

I'll be updating in the next few days!

Bath time!

Mason had his first bath yesterday and actually liked it! I remember Max's first bath and he screamed the whole time....Mason actually seemed to enjoy it!

Max and I went to the Maine Gymnastics Academy open gym last night which he LOVES! It's a gym that has tons of trampolines, foam block pits to jump into a slide that drops you into a foam pit. After that I took him to Friendly's for dinner and ice cream! It was nice to have a little one on one with him. Ray took him to Home Depot this morning for the "first Saturday of the month" Kids Workshop...yeah, whoops - it's the second Saturday! Luckily the folks a HD gave Ray a couple kits so Max and Ray are working on building it now at home!

Mason's been sleeping GREAT! I hate to even say that because I don't want to jinx myself but Thursday he slept from 1am-7am and then last night he slept from midnight to 6:30am! I'll take it and hope it continues!!

In other news: CONGRATS to my friend, Julie and her soon to be husband, Jerry on their engagement last week while on vacation in Lake Tahoe!

MASON LEWIS ARBOUR

March 3, 2008

6:50pm

9lbs. 9oz.

21 1/4 inches long

At last, he's finally here and we could not be happier!

So the BIG arrival day started at about 8:30 when Ray & I dropped off Max at daycare (we want to keep his schedule as routine as we can) and then my mom was going to pick him up. We arrived at the hospital at about 9:15am and got checked right in. We were shocked, we had books, magazines, cards, etc because we thought for sure that we would be waiting for hours. But luckily that wasn't the case...well so we thought. I got into my room at literally 9:35 and got in my lovely hospital Johnny and then sat and sat and sat. At least we had a nice view from my window of Mount Washington!

10am:

5pm:

Finally at about 12noon they started the potosin. At this point I was still 3cm and 80% efface from my Friday Doctor's visit so I didn't make much progress over the weekend. I was hoping this would really kick in but it didn't. At about 3pm they checked me again and I had made little to no progress, which was frustrating. I asked if breaking my water would be an option and they said absolutely. So about 1/2 hour later (I think between 3:30-4pm) they came back and broke my water. Within 5-10 minutes I felt like I entered into a whole new world! The contractions were coming fast and FURIOUS and were only about 2 minutes apart. I endured about an hour, maybe 1 1/2 hours, of these but then just couldn't take it anymore and asked for the epidural. Instant relief!!

About 30 minutes after my epidural was placed, about 5:15-5:30pm the checked me again and I was 9cm but they baby was still a little high so they wanted to give it another 45 minutes or so to allow him to get lower. At 6:15 they came back in and it was go time! I was fully dilated and ready to push. From about 6:15-6:40 I pushed somewhat casually (The Doctor's and nurses weren't in their "delivery scrubs" as of yet) Then at about 6:40 I pushed through about 3-4 contractions and voila - here he was! I never want to give anyone the impression that giving birth is easy, because it most certainly is NOT, but I have to say I am SO FORTUNATE to have had two uneventful and quick deliveries!

Here are a few photos about 20-30 minutes after having him:

And now were home and doing great! Max is loving his little brother!

Max is back in daycare as of Thursday. We're trying to keep his schedule as consistent as we can and keeping him with his buddies at daycare, allowing him to have preschool and outside play time is so important to him and something I can't do with a newborn. It was hard for him to have me leave, knowing that I wasn't gong to work and that I was going home. It killed me to see him looking out the window at me when I pulled out of daycares driveway!! But I know the tears will dry up and he'll have a great day with his friends!

Having two children is like I never really imagined. I guess you can't until you have them. Kind of like when you have your first you can't totally understand what it's like to be a parent until your day comes. It's the same for having multiple kids. You want to do the best for your kids and seeing them hurt , sad, upset, etc is heart wrenching. It brought tears to my eyes to see him sad as I pulled out of daycare and all I really wanted to do was go back in and scoop him up and take him home with me but I know that him staying there is what in his best interest. I can't provide for him the activity level that he needs right now having Mason here with me and tending to his needs. However, once Mason gets a little bigger and adjusts to the outside world a bit more I am absolutely going to have special days with Max where I will leave Mason with my Mom and take Max someplace special just the two of us. He deserves my undivided attention and I will make it a point to make it happen. I think I'm going to get him enrolled in swimming lessons again and I'll go in with him this time so he'll have me exclusively as well. More motivation to lose this weight!!

Here are a few photos of the boys taken over the last day or two!

Will be updating this as I can!

Before I was a Mom...

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Light at the end of the tunnel...

So here's the scoop...

Sorry, my 10:50am appointment was rescheduled for 2:15. Long story short - I'm scheduled to be induced on Monday at 9:30am (YIPPEE!!) that is if I don't go on my own over the weekend. I'm 3cm dilated and 80% efface so I very well may go on my own.

Also, had another ultrasound (unexpectedly) today and he's estimated to be 9lbs. 11oz. OH GOD!!

We'll keep you posted! Ray will be making calls and sending out an email shortly after he arrives.

The room is done!

Well after 3 1/2 months we did it before the baby made his grand entrance! However, we've decided that it's not going to be a nursery after all! The crib is set up in our room and the "new room" has been made into a playroom! Max is in HEAVEN and all his toys that were scattered throughout the house are all in either his bedroom or in the new room. It's fantastic! We figure that once the baby is sleeping through the night we'll put the two boys in the same room. Neither of us can imagine having either of them on a different floor than us and this seems as though it may work...here's hoping! So here, AT LAST, are some photos of the space. Pardon the BIG ugly (and VERY dusty) treadmill but once I'm healed from this tank of a kid it's off to getting into shape for my May Cancer awareness walk!

BEFORE:

NOW:

Tomorrow I have a Doctor's appointment at 10:50am and I'm hoping to god they tell me that if I don't go over the weekend they will induce me early next week. I'll keep you posted!

Winterfest

Max was feeling better yesterday so we took him to the Sebago Lake Winterfest. We went with my sister and her kids. All four kids had a blast sledding, racing golf carts on the ice, checking out the ice castle and running around just getting fresh air!! Here are a few photos of the morning...

Obviously no baby news over the weekend - ho hum...

Still waiting

No news yet to report but hopefully within a week or so we should have the little man in our arms. I'm feeling okay - HUGE but okay. I'll really be curious to see how big this kid is going to be. I felt big with Max but I feel gigantic with this one. Only time will tell, I suppose. I went to the Doctor's yesterday and was hoping that they would tell me that they were going to schedule an induction but no such luck. I'm still measuring 41+ weeks but my blood pressure has remained very stable throughout the pregnancy and was very good yesterday, I haven't gained any weight in the past 3 weeks (how I don't know because I have daily chocolate craving!), and his stats are all looking good as well. So needless to say I walked out of my appointment yesterday having them tell me"Let's give it another week" and then we'll weigh our options. But at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Speaking of that, because I'm antsy I created a online pool (for nothing but bragging rights but thought it would be fun)

How to make a guess - go to http://www.expectnet.com/index.php

On the top left-hand corner of the page there is a space "Go to another game by entering the game name"

Here enter "babyMLA" and it will take you to our pool! Then go to "Enter a guess"

Friday was my last day in the office, which was a bit earlier that I had hoped to leave but sitting 8+ hours a day on my butt was tough and got to be a bit much. So I'm still going to be working as much as I can this coming week from home but will be SO GLAD to be able to kick my feet up, lounge in my PJ's and maybe even sneak in a nap if I can! I think Wednesday (maybe Thursday) will be my official last day and then it's 12 weeks OFF!!

Max is getting VERY excited for his brother to arrive and is asking questions non stop. This morning I think he may have said the most precious thing EVER...

He and I were having breakfast and he said "Is the baby having waffles for breakfast too Mommy?" (Asking obviously because that's what I was eating) I said "yes, everything that Mommy eats the baby eats as well" So long story short he later asked, "Mommy, can you eat me so I can go meet him?" PRECIOUS!!!!

Tomorrow we are hoping to go to the Sebago Lake Winterfest but Max has been sick for the past 48 hours with a fever and runny nose but seems to be on the mend. I hope he's better beecause being cooped up inside all day today was brutal but he needed it. If we go I will absolutely take some photos and post them. I just got a SNAZZY new camera for my birthday so I'm anxious to try it out.

Here's a cute photo of Max and his cousins at Grandma and Papa's house this week:

So other than waiting not much is new with us. The room as mentioned in previous posts is done, we're just waiting on the carpet, which will be installed this Wednesday. It will be then that I finally put some photos up of the room. I haven't yet because we have been using that room as a "project room" until the rug comes in so it's a disaster but not for long!!

I'll be sure to update this more now that I'll be home and will have a little more time - so keep your eyes peeled for updates!

Another Ultrasound

First - Happy Valentines Day!

Yesterday I had another Ultrasound to monitor the size of the baby. He's estimated to be about 8lbs. 7oz at this point. As of yesterday I was 37 weeks and 3 days however I am measuring at 40 weeks 2 days. (but that's on average for someone who has a 7 1/2 pound baby...lord knows that's not me!) So at this point I'm not quite sure what they have planned for me. Yesterday was strictly the Ultrasound and tomorrow is my weekly appointment, which I won't be seeing my regular Doctor I'll be seeing the nurse practioner so I doubt she'll be able to make any executive decisions as to what the next step may be, that is if there is a step other than lettting him come on his own. So we may not have answers until sometime next week. Which is actually fine with me. I'd like to wait a least another week for a few reasons.

1.) I don't want him to share a birthday with me (2/19). What kid wants to share a birthday with his mom, you know?
2.) Ray's traveling to Webster, MA on Tuesday for work so certainly don't want to go into labor then!
3.) The rug for the baby's room isn't scheduled to be installed until the week of the 25th so we very well could have a baby before his room is ready!

Here are a few photos (4-D) from the Ultrasound yesterday...if you can't figure it out it's a close up of his face and his hand is in his mouth. Pretty cool!!

So that's the update for now...we'll be sure to keep this updated in the coming days/weeks!

Chop, chop...bye-bye hair!

Today was the day...8 LONG inches off my hair! I knew it would be short but I didn't think this short. Oh well...it grows, and it was for people that have no hair so who am I to complain, right?

BEFORE:

AFTER:

20 days and counting until my due date...the baby's room is still coming along. It's got stuff all in it and isn't looking that organized but I will posted some photos, maybe later tonight. Ray's working on it now, putting up the doors. I go in for an ultrasound on Wednesday which will tell me a bit more as to whether or not I will be induced and so on...who knows, I'm just ready for this to be over! At least we're down to days though!!

Max and Ray went sledding while I was at my haircut. Here are a few photos...

The Waiting game...

So here's the scoop from my Doctors visit this afternoon...

I will go in on February 13th for another ultrasound to make sure there isn't a huge increase to his weight from this past ultrasound. If there is, then we'll have to discuss the next steps. If there isn't, we're going to wait it out and he'll let us all know when he's ready. However, she did indicate that she will not let me go beyond 40 weeks. So only time will tell I suppose. Ray's still convinced we are going to have a Leap Year baby on 2/29. That would be cool!!

We'll keep you posted if anything should change!

GO PATS!!