The Brown Brick Road

Capturing our adventures one photo at a time...

The big day!

October 18th – what a day!  I had been to the doctor on Tuesday 10/16 and he really didn’t think anything would happen until early this week…and I agreed.  He also said that just because my water broke with Maxwell, that didn’t make it any more likely that my water would break with #2.  Well, looks like he was wrong on both counts (don’t worry Dr. Stone – we still love you!)  :).  I did stick Maxwell in the stroller on Wednesday afternoon and go for a nice long walk so maybe that’s what prompted Spencer to get things moving later that night.  Who knows?!

I woke up around 2:30am on Wednesday night/Thursday morning thanks to some massive thunder outside.  Robert and I then remembered that we had left the top off of Maxwell’s sand table and all of his sand and trucks were getting soaked.  Honestly, this woke up me up completely and I was about to try and go outside to cover it up when I realized my water had broken.  I wasn’t 100% sure so laid back down but then started having contractions every 7 minutes so I knew it was for real.  I woke Robert up about 3:30am and we started getting ready to go!  Calls were made to Robert’s parents who were vacationing in Highlands, NC, to my parents in FL, to Dr. Stone and then to Susan.  As always, a GIGANTIC thank you to Susan for all that she does.  I called her at 4:20 and she was at our house by 5am ready to take care of Maxwell for the day.

We got to the hospital around 5am and got checked into our awesome and huge room.  It was about double the size of the room I had with Maxwell and had a whole wall of windows – really nice.  My nurse, Amber, was great and she had a nursing student, Lee, assisting her who was really sweet too.  They started the pitocin around 6:00, I got the epidural around 9:00 and I was ready to go by 11:00!  Dr. Stone was running a bit behind though so I was told not to push or even laugh at one point!!  ha!  Spencer Patterson Brown made his entrance at 11:38.  He really didn’t cry at first, I think because he had so much fluid in his lungs.  Because I didn’t push for very long at all, he didn’t get squeezed quite as much as he needed to to clear all of that out.  He was also REALLY blue when I first saw him.  Blue and no crying = nervous mommma!  But, he pinked up right away and then let out a few good cries.  Best sound ever.

Robert’s parents had gotten there around 11:00 and my parents arrived that afternoon around 4:30.  Susan brought Maxwell up to meet his baby brother that afternoon as well.  It was a fantastic day that could not have gone better.  I feel so lucky to have had such an easy experience again.  Almost makes me want to do it all one more time!  🙂

Below are some pictures that Robert took throughout the morning and afternoon with the big camera.  I never even picked up my big camera in the hospital (but had my iphone glued to my hands!) so thank you Robert for taking some awesome photos!

Family of 4!

Well, we added another boy to our family today!  And what a sweet, wonderful, perfect little boy he is!  He has been such a little angel since he arrived – barely crying at all.  Let’s hope that continues!  🙂  He’s just been snoozing away all swaddled up with only his precious little face poking out.  I think it’s safe to say that we all (especially big brother Maxwell!) are in love!

Today has been a whirlwind that started at 2:30am but it all went as smooth as possible.  It was all very similar to Maxwell’s birth day actually.  Full details to come later but, right now, I’m tired so I’m just going to share a bunch of iphone pics from today. 

 

My favorite part of the day might have been when Maxwell came up to meet Spencer.  He was SO excited to see the ya-ya and immediately wanted to hold him and give him kisses!  He’s going to be a great big brother!

 

I can’t believe this little guy is ours and that he’s here. 

Welcome to the world, Spencer!  Let the fun begin!

Week in Review

We’ve had a great week around here.  I’m just trying to tie up a few final things to get ready for BBB2 and soak up some good time with BBB1!

I’m still feeling great and hoping this little guy stays put for another week.  Here I am one week ago today at 38 weeks…

I still made it up to work out with my trainer this week and plan to go next week too – unless we have a baby this weekend!!  🙂

We had some really nice weather this week.  Some chilly, fall days but also some warm, sunny days.  We did plenty of playing outside…

and also plenty of snuggling inside…

Maxwell actually had his first dental appointment this past week – more to come next week! – and he’s becoming quite the expert toothbrusher (ha! more like expert toothpaste eater!)…

He also loves those new fireman PJs from GJ and Daddo!

Maxwell came home from school Wednesday looking like he had gotten in a fight!  The teacher doesn’t know what happened but he got several big scratches on his face and neck on the playground.  Who knows how it happened?!  It doesn’t seem to be bothering him though so that’s good.

We also made our front porch look like Fall and Maxwell is loving the “pump-choos!”

Here’s to a great weekend ahead for us and all of you!

BBB2 update

I had another ultrasound yesterday and all looks good with BBB2!  I’m 36 weeks and 4 days and they estimated him at 6.3 lbs.  That’s the 44th% which sounds good to me.  Maxwell was measuring around the 48th% at approx 36 weeks so we’ll see if #2 is a little smaller in the end.  We could also see that he’s flipped around in the right direction so that’s a good sign too.  The ultrasound lady was training a new tech so they switched on the 4D to let her practice…which Robert and I didn’t mind one bit!

It was so cool to see his sweet little face again…and I still think he looks SO much like Maxwell!

Can’t wait to meet this little guy!

Maxwell and I are both fighting colds this week – congestion, coughing and just feeling crummy.  Here’s hoping we both feel better soon and Robert doesn’t get it.

However, cold or no cold – Maxwell is relishing in his new role as Fire Chief!!  He had all of his gear on within 2 minutes of waking up yesterday!

What?  Breakfast definitely tastes better in a Fire Chief jacket!!

See you tomorrow!

1 month to go!

Here we are…1 month until the due date!  Yes, I originally had my due date as October 23rd but my doctor has always had it as October 21st.  At this point, I’m going with the closer date!  And if he wants to come even sooner than that, be my guest little guy!  I personally think October 15th is a great date – right, Susu?

The best word to describe me right now is uncomfortable.  and perhaps a little whiny and cranky.  🙂  My ankles are swollen, my clothes don’t fit and blah blah blah.  All that said, I’m still feeling good and keeping up (mostly) with Maxwell.  Just don’t ask me to bend over and pick up his toys!  🙂  I think my workouts with a trainer 3 mornings a week are making a big difference.  They’re keeping me strong and giving me energy.  Thanks Kathleen! I might not like all those push-ups, planks, squats and sliders but I know they’re good for me!  Just like last time, I plan to work out all the way up to the end if possible.  We’ll see!

Here I am in all my 35 week glory headed to workout at 7am…

If I could wear workout clothes every day I would…and, let’s get serious, I kinda do!  So stretchy and comfy!  It’s funny, I have all these cute cotton maternity dresses from last time that I haven’t worn at all this time.  I guess it’s because they’re not too practical when I’m constantly kneeling down to deal with Maxwell?  I don’t know but I do have a pair of jeans and few tanks that are my uniform right now.

Let’s hope they make it another month!

For now, I’m just going to soak up these next 4.5 (or less!) weeks with this smiley guy…

Have a great weekend!