Wordless Wednesday (a day late)

Being a little brother

is hard work.

Early arrival

Today is my due date.

Today, my baby is 5 weeks 2 days old.

I find it humorous (and a little ironic) that I am finally getting around to blogging again on my original due date.  I also find it humorous that I remember saying to Ryan just days before he was born that "I really want him to have an October birthday" to which Ryan replied, "Of course he'll have an October birthday, why wouldn't he?"  And the one I keep replaying in my head was my response when people would ask how I was feeling, "I'm anxious to get this show on the road."

I didn't mean it literally.

So now, finally, I am getting around to formally blogging about the birth of our second baby,

Lucas Ryan Burnett

September 6, 2011

6 lbs 9 ounces

Although his birth did not go the way I planned and he spent 18 days in the NICU, although I anticipated him being as big as or bigger than his brother and he barely has any clothes the fit him, although I thought I had at least a few more weeks to prepare, he is perfect.

I won't lie, those weeks he spent in the hospital were excruciating.  I was so angry that I had to go through the agony of not being able to hold him or take him home right away. So angry in fact that I couldn't even blog or write about it.  I was torn between being there for my big boy who needed me because he didn't understand what was going on and being at the hospital for my baby who was trying to get better.  All the while feeling helpless and sorry for myself because I couldn't take care of either of them the way I wanted or needed to.

But, praise God, Lucas is home and looking back it all just seems like a bad dream now. 

 

 Now, everything is as it should be.

I have my two beautiful boys,

 

And I couldn't feel more blessed.

A very special thank you to my family who took time off of work and spent time away from their homes to help us.  We could have never gotten through those few weeks without you.  Also to my neighbors who so unselfishly offered to help in any way they could.  Just the offer, and knowing you were thinking of us helped more than you could possibly know.  And to all my prayer warriors-I truly believe it was through power of prayer that Lucas continued to improve as quickly as he did.  The outpouring of love and support from everyone was humbling and helped us to get through some very difficult days.  Thank you all so, so much.

First day

Nathan's first day of school was Tuesday.  

It was a rough day for all.  He cried.  He screamed.  

He asked for his mom and dad repeatedly.

But he made it through his first day and his first bus ride home.

His teacher's note from his first day:

Nathan had some difficulty transitioning to class today.  He cried quite a bit, asking for his mom and dad.  He calmed for the final hour of class. I am sure he will adjust soon.  Any suggestions you have are welcome.  We did try books and puzzles.

Oh, boy.  I thought we had our work cut out for us.  So Nate and I talked A LOT that night about school and what to expect.  And about being brave and not crying at school.

The next day, Ryan walked him to school while I headed off to work (broke my heart that I couldn't be there to take him!)  He dropped him off at the door with the teacher aides and talked with them for awhile.  He asked Nate if he wanted to go in the school and Nate said "no."  Then he made a pouty face.  But he pulled it together and Ryan left without him crying.  We both watched the clock tick (Ryan from home and me from school) while we waited for him to get home.

Once he got off the bus he was all smiles.

His note from today:

Nathan had a much better day today.  He only cried form about 15-20 minutes and actively participated for the rest of the day. :) Nathan was the student counter today and did a great job!

That's my big boy!  I was so, so proud of him!  I knew he would like school, he just had to adjust to the new routine.  He is such a brave boy.  One more day left this week.  Hoping for another good note tomorrow!

Last week

Last week I registered Nate for preschool.

Last week I bought him his first backpack and school supplies.

Last week I started trying to make arrangements for when I go back to work.

And last week we were busy trying to cram it all in before the school year starts.

On Tuesday night we went to our County Fair.

My big boy rode the carousel-and he actually liked it this time!

Yes, my husband is wearing a Wonder Pets shirt.

On Thursday we went to pick up his brace at Children's downtown.  We were never able to get him up to the roof of the parking garage after his surgery (which has a-mazing views of the city) so we made it a point to take him up this time. The kid is obsessed with "big buildings".

 

Then it was off to Millennium Park.

The Bean!

He looks like such a big boy, doesn't he?

Family shot.

Preggo shot. :)

Nate was smitten with the Bean.  Had a ball making faces at himself.

Can you spy me?

Friday, we headed to the zoo.  It was a gorgeous day.  Sunny, but not too hot with a nice breeze.

Daddy did the heavy lifting and most of the pointing and explaining.  Mommy took the pictures.

I love these, especially the polar bear one with his hands up!

Does anyone else remember these things?  I remember them from when I was a kid.  They're still around and still exactly the same.  Nate was fascinated and appropriately named his dolphin "Zoo".

My happy little wheeler. :)

Family photo (rare, I know!) Also a very unflattering picture of me pregnant.

We rounded out the week on Saturday with a neighborhood barbecue, at which I did not take one single picture.  But we had a great time with great friends.  This week it's been cleaning, organizing and getting prepared for the school year.  I'm both nervous and excited about him starting.  Lots of big things happening around here!

For my sweet baby

Dear Baby Boy,

I don't want you to look back and think my entire pregnancy with you was overlooked.  Time is flying by and in 9 short weeks you will be here.  And although right now we can't imagine our lives with 2 beautiful boys, I know that after you arrive we won't be able to remember it any other way.

Your daddy and I talk about you all the time.  I've started using your name more and more and even told your big brother, finally.  For the longest time he thought your name was Joe.  But now he knows.  Except if you ask him, he'll say "Shhh, it's a secret!"

We put your crib together the other day.  Finally cleared out enough room in your nursery to start arranging the furniture in there.  Your brother wanted to sit in "his" baby bed.  But I made sure to tell him that it wasn't his anymore.  It's for you now. 

Sometimes he will rub my belly and ask about you.  He knows you are in there.  I think he is beginning to think you may never come out! But you just hang tight, you still have some growing to do yet.  Your daddy likes to feel you move in my belly.  Your kicks and punches are getting more forceful.  You sure are active!  As soon as I sit or lay down, you are right there telling me you are awake.  I've been having fun trying to guess which body parts I am feeling.  An elbow?  A knee?  Your little rump?

All of your family is getting so excited about your arrival.  You will have a little cousin that is just a couple weeks older than you, and another cousin that is only about 6 months older.  Lots and lots of boys for you to grow up with.  And one princess.  I got some of your brother's newborn clothes back from your Auntie Gina the other day.  Your cousin Zach used them too.  It's been fun to go through them and remember how little your brother was and to see Zach wearing them.  I can't wait for you to wear them, too.

You'll be here before we know it, but there is still much to do.  Just a little more organizing in your closet, washing your newborn clothes, and getting crafty with some adorable dinosaur fabric I found and your nursery will be ready for you.  I hope you like dinosaurs!

So, little baby boy, we have not forgotten about you.  It's just the opposite.  Although I feel like I didn't have as much time to just sit and enjoy my pregnancy with you I have enjoyed every minute you being a part of me.  I love each kick and consider all my aches and pains a blessing.  You are a true gift, and we can't wait to meet you.  We know you are going to be the perfect addition to our family. 

So just relax in mommy's tummy for awhile longer.  Give us a little more time to finish everything for your arrival.  Soon, you will be here and our hearts will be overflowing with love for you.  Love we never even knew we had.  And we couldn't imagine it any other way.

Smarty pants

Today at pool therapy, Nate noticed some figurines up high on the windowsill in the pool room.  He asked his therapist what they were and she explained they were statues.

"Like the statue of liberty!"

She looks at me, wide eyed.

"How does he know about the Statue of Liberty?!"

I explained that he is in love with the "big buildings" in Chicago and so one day we looked at skylines in various cities online.  Chicago.  San Francisco.  New York.

Later, I told Ryan this story and he laughed.  Then I went into another room and yelled for him to ask Nate if he could remember what city the Statue of Liberty is in.

"Hey Nate, where is the Statue of Liberty?"

After a short pause, Nate replies "New York."

Smarty pants.