Brotherly Love

Little Evie, you don't know how special you are. You not only have a very loving mommy and super proud daddy, but you also have a wonderful big brother.

Will has been your biggest fan from the very beginning, even before you were born. He loves you so much! At times, when my hands are full, you will start to fuss and Will comes to your rescue. He can usually calm you down by just talking to you. If that doesn't work, he'll push your swing or hold your pacifier in your mouth until you calm down. In some cases, you are inconsolable, he runs to find me and informs me that "Baby Sissy's hungry!" He is so proud when he can help you.

I especially like the times when you and him are side by side on the floor. He likes to lay beside you and talk to you. He laughs out loud when you just happen to hit him with your flailing arms. Sometimes he'll nonchalantly place his hand gently on your belly while watching his favorite movie. You gaze up and smile at him, most of the time he doesn't even know he's being watched.

You will always have a best friend and a protector in your brother. Just as did I with both of mine.

Evelyn Olivia....a birth story

I was 39 weeks and very eager to meet my daughter. At this point, I was a week and a half further into this pregnancy then my last. My son, Will, was born at 37.5 weeks and was huge. He weighed 9 pounds and 5 ounces, so naturally I was very paranoid that she would be much larger than him. I was down right miserable and so exhausted. Finally, it was the weekend and I was bound and determined to not have to go to work the next week. My contractions would increase when I was active, so we decided to find something to do. I remember going to the mall for no reason other than to walk around to try to induce labor. But, of course, the whole time I had only a few wimpy ones. Discouraged, we went home. Later that night, just before bed, I told Kyle "I'm having a decent amount of contractions." Jokingly I said, "Not that it really means anything." I then fell asleep.

I woke up, as I normally did each night, around 4am. This time it was because of a contraction. I thought to myself, "Huh, I wonder if these will continue?" So I grabbed my phone and started timing them. To my surprise they did! As I sat there, I figured it would be a long day....or so I thought. They were coming about every two minutes. EVERY TWO MINUTES?! Holy crap! I had slept through the beginning stage of labor. After about 15 minutes, I called the doctor and he urged that we head in to the hospital. By now it was 5:00, I called my mom to come over to watch Will and I had to drag Kyle out of bed. We quickly packed up some last minute items and headed to Mercy. Of course, we had to stop for gas. (Kyle's lucky I didn't kill him, I told him to get gas on our way home from the mall the day before!) We finally arrived at the hospital just before 6:00. Whew, we made it!

We were checked it, my IV was started and blood work was drawn shortly after 6:00. I was holding my breath hoping that I wasn't dilated too far. I was expecting an epidural because I was worried she would be over 10 pounds. Yikes! To my relief, I was 5cm. Almost an hour later, which felt more like forever, the blood work came back and the epidural was placed. Ahhh...I was able to relax and catch my breath. As contractions increased, my water broke around 8:00. It was stained with meconium which raised some concern. When I heard this, I started to worry and I just knew that she would be going to the Intensive Care Unit. Regardless, I still had a task at hand. When my water broke, I was dilated to about 7cm. Things were progressing much faster this time around. I was really shocked. With every contraction I felt more and more pressure in my already sore pelvis. I remember Kyle leaving to go and find something to drink. In the meantime, my doctor came in and checked me again and this time I was 10cm. At that moment, Kyle walked in as the doctor said, "I think that we will have you start pushing now." I still can see the stunned look on Kyle face. He laughed and said, "Good thing I wasn't gone too long!" The team was gathered and with about 5 pushes Evie was born at 8:56am without much difficulty. To my surprise she wasn't 10 pounds, she wasn't too far from it. She weighed 9 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Kyle and I cried with overwhelming joy. Within a few short hours we became a family of four.

She was then taken to the ICU as a precaution. They wanted to make sure she didn't have an active infection from the meconium in the fluid. She was given 48 hours worth of antibiotics and no infection was found. She was released and came home with us a few days later.

Will's Most Favorite Toy

Last year for Will's first birthday he received a toy from a very special person, Gran Debbie. She flew from her home in Colorado to come and visit us for the grand celebration. She bought him a ride on Tow Mater. It has an array of colorful buttons all over the dash. He has a multitude of sayings, plays music, has racing noises and does the ABC's and counts to ten. It also has a seat that opens to a hidden compartment underneath. At first, Will didn't have too much interest in the toy. He wasn't walking at the time. In the next couple of months to follow he learned to pull himself up and stand next to it. He then began to stand behind it to help him walk. He would push it in one direction until it would bump into something, walk to the other side and push it the other way. By Halloween he was behind Mater running and giggling. With all the help of Mater, Will finally took his first steps in January. He then realized that he could swing his leg over the seat and sit to ride on him. What a fantastic new discovery! He could now ride around on his little friend, although he could only go backwards for awhile. Mater gets played with on a nearly daily basis. Will likes to hide everything in the secret compartment. We have learned to check this compartment when we are looking for his shoes, snacks and other items that are missing. Sure enough, Mater has them hidden safe and sound.

Now that our little man is nearly two, he pushes the buttons to dance to the music. He has also started to recite the alphabet and counts along with Mater. Mater has been one of the most played with toys for the past year. Thank you Gran Debbie for Will's most favorite toy!

Filled...

My life and house used to be quite, clean and organized...almost empty, if you will. I liked spending free time with family and friends. I was able to sleep and not worry about being tired or having to get up in the middle of the night. Getting ready to go anywhere only took 15 minutes. I could use both arms and hands when loading up the car or carrying groceries. Will, ever since you came along, my world has changed.

You have filled one bedroom in our little house. Your nursery looks the same as it did the day you came home. Light green walls and dark brown furniture. When you play in your room, you fit right in with the jungle theme as a little monkey.

My living room, once empty, is now filled and strewn with noisy toys that you love to play with. Your love for music urges you press all the buttons over and over again. You like to smile and dance to any song. Sometimes you dance without music, I think that there is a happy jingle that plays in your head.

Our car is filled with your massive car seat, which keeps you safe and sound. It must be pretty comfortable because you sleep the best when we go for rides. You also have a musical toy there too. You are big enough now to be able to tap it with your toes get turn it on and off.

At bath time, our tub is full of bubbles and squirting sea creatures. You just love to play in the water. You squeal with delight as you splash and splash and splash. By the time your bath is done, I am soaked too.

I could go on and on about all the things that fill our house since you have arrived...but you fill my heart and mind the most.

Last year was the very first time I heard you cry and when I saw your face, my heart filled with love. The kind of love only a mother could feel. So much that words cannot even come close. I don't mind if I don't get any sleep because you couldn't sleep and just wanted me to hold you. I don't mind if my house isn't clean or organized. And as far as friends....I don't see them as much, but I have you. You fill my days and nights with so much love, happiness and laughter. What else could I possibly need?

You are getting so big. Now when I hold you, you fill my arms. As I carry you, you hold on tight as if you are giving me a big ongoing hug. I love being so close to you. You really like to snuggle and lay your head on my shoulder when you are tired or scared. I quietly sing, "You are my Sunshine" and it calms you down instantly. I don't want to think of the day that you will be too big to hold or carry. As for now, I'm loving every second.

My mind is filled with a year of precious memories. Your first cry, the day we brought you home, your first smile, the first you rolled over, sat up and now you are crawling. You have learned so much in such a short amount of time. Each day you seem to get a little more confident standing on two feet. You are still hesitant to let go of anything. Walking will be another memory that I will file as well.

Today you are one and you may not be my "baby" any longer, but to me you will be. My little baby forever in my heart and mind.

Happy Birthday William Alexander!

I love you,
Mommy

Eleven Months...Already?

My Silly Willy, you are now eleven months old. I honestly don't know where all the time has gone. I've been so occupied trying to take mental images of you to keep forever. With every blink of the eye you seem to grow, change and learn. I know that I won't remember every moment that we have spent together, but I'm sure are gonna try!

Over the past five months, you have learned so many skills. You were sitting up and able to get on all fours at six months. It's hard to imagine that you are learning so much in just such a short amount of time. Around seven months you were scooting across the floor in an army crawl. You got around only on your knees and elbows with your belly still on the floor. It took you two more months to transition to full blown crawling. You decided to start officially crawling on Mother's Day. What an amazing present to give your super proud mom! Since then, there's been no stopping you. You often drop back down to your elbows when you want to get somewhere super quick. As to give your knees a break from our hard wood floors you go up onto your feet and hands and bear crawl at times. Will, it makes me laugh just to watch you!

Starting around 10 months, you learned pull yourself up to stand. You were quite proud of yourself the first few times that you accomplished this task. But then you had a new challenge, getting back down. It took you a few weeks to figure that one out. Still to this day, if you think that you are standing at something too high to carefully descend to the floor, you protest until daddy or I come and help you down and then off you go!

I have noticed that you are very cautious and almost timid to your surroundings. You always take your time and make sure that things are safe and steady before you go for them. Sometimes you're even reluctant with your toys. You hold back from charging at a tower of blocks in fear that they will topple over onto you. Even when you aren't close you flinch when they fall down with a crash. You are easily startled too, any little unexpected noise or "boo!" makes you jump and brings out the biggest pouty lip. You seem to be like me when I was a little girl. Grandma Lori can attest to that! Because of you being so careful, I think that it take you a while to find the courage to stand (without holding on for dear life) or to even take your first steps. Right now you have NO such interest in letting go of anything with both hands. Which is just fine with me. I don't want you to go without my help just yet...I'll have to face that in time.

You just LOVE everyone. You go to anyone you wants to hold you without the slightest whimper. Daddy makes you laugh the most. Just the sight of him makes you giddy! With your two teethed grin, we love to make you smile and giggle for hours. Your laugh is like music to my ears and it makes my heart dance!

It's so hard to believe that in one month from now you will be a year old. Each passing month I shed a tear (okay...maybe a few) just thinking of the day that you where born and how big you are now. I'm so happy that you are doing great but I want you to be my sweet little boy for as long as you can...it's just going too fast.

Six Month Milestone

My sweet little Will, you are now six months old. Where has the time gone? It seems like it was only yesterday that I heard your cry for the very first time. That is one moment that I will never forget. Since then, you have brought so much joy and excitement into my life. It is hard to think back and picture my life without you. What a great six months this has been!

Over this past month I have realized that you don't look like a little baby any longer. You have gotten considerably longer and you don't quite fit well on my lap. Your chunky little legs dangle when I hold you or rock you to sleep each night. We haven't gone for your 6 month check-up yet, I am so curious to see how much you weigh. It's getting harder for me to carry you while in your car seat and put you into my tiny car. I wish to have a nicer vehicle so that I don't have to jostle you around so much to strap you in safe and sound.
You have been doing great with spoon feedings. I think that you even favor your veggies over the fruits. You get excited when you are put into your high chair and you can spot me carrying a bowl from across the room. Your eating habits are down to a nice routine and have been for about a month. You eat every four hours...8am, noon, 4pm and a night bottle at 8:00. Most of the time you gobble your solids down without a hitch. Recently, you have been blowing 'raspberries' back at mommy while making a small mess. You make me laugh. You've tried all the beginner fruits and veggies with only one complete objection: prunes. They must be too strong, tart or bitter because after every bite your whole tiny body would just shutter as you made a face. Almost as though I gave you lemons! Needless to say, I haven't bought you any more prunes!

You are such a good sleeper. My wake up call usually comes between 7-8 by the sound of you 'talking' to yourself. You still LOVE to sleep on your belly with your butt up in the air. It's too cute. I can lay you down in your crib (most of the time) and you will fall asleep without a whimper. You will take a few naps throughout the day, some days very short ones! After your last bottle at night, I sit and rock you. You like to stretch your soft tiny hand out and touch my face and play with my hair as I sing to you. This is my most favorite part of each day. You sheepishly smile at me and eventually close your eyes and drift of to sleep. Another day gone, how fast the time does fly.

You are always a pleasant and happy little guy. You wake up smiling and you are ready to play. You especially love playing with daddy. He can get you to giggle and laugh for hours! You have learned to enjoy peek-a-boo and you love exploring your toys. This past week you have learned to sit without much support. I'm still leery and surround you with pillows and stay close enough to catch you if you decide to topple over. Lately you have been getting up on your knees and elbows. You've managed to lunge yourself forward a few times to get to one of your toys that had escaped your grasp. Most of the time you end up scooting backwards. Daddy and I will need to purchase some gates in the near future once you have mastered the art of crawling.

Bath time has now become fun for you. You like to splash around and play with your toys. You try to grab at the water that is being poured out of a cup. The worst part about bath time is when you get cold and when I have to take you from the tub to your towel. The cold air used to make you pretty upset but I wrap you up nice and tight until you forget that you were once cold. Once you are all lathered with lotion and dressed with a warm sleeper I like to stroke your soft skin. As I hold you, the hair that seems to grow longer and fuller with each passing day, tickles my face as I breathe in your sweet baby scent that still lingers.

Will, your mama can hardly believe have it has been six months since you have been born. I broke down with tears just thinking of how big you are and how fast you are growing. Before I know it, you will have your first birthday, your first day of school, your first date, graduation, college, finding the love of your life and starting a family of your own. Then you will know what it is like to see your baby grow up in the blink of an eye.

Will, I love you with all of my heart and nothing in this world can ever change that!!

Love,
Mama

Five months

My little boy, you are now five months old. You make me so proud to be your momma. Words cannot express how I feel about you. I love you more and more each and every day. I'm so lucky to have you and your daddy in my life. I feel as though I am on top of the world.

The beginning of this month opened a new chapter for the Otto's. Your dad has gone back to work at a new job. He didn't want to go back to work. He loved staying home and taking care of you every day for the first 5 months of your life. He also has a rough time leaving you each day just like momma. It has been two and a half weeks now that you have been going to the sitters house and it seems as though you have adjusted pretty well. Grandma Marcie and Grandma Lori have really enjoyed baby sitting you and watching you grow right before their eyes. Your little baby hair has starting to grow at a faster rate now too(especially on the top of your head). It looks like a dark blonde/light brown color right now and is so super fine and super soft. I'm curious what it will look like when it gets longer because of your 'cowlick' that you have in the front right side of your hair line. It will probably stick straight up! Will your hair be curly like mine too? Who knows. You seem to grow overnight! You are so long. Your legs, though still little, hang off of our laps when we feed you a bottle. You still drink down 7 oz every 4 hours. You have been doing great with spoon feedings too. It really didn't take long at all before you figured it out once it had some flavor! So far you have tried: green beans, peas, squash, applesauce, sweet potatoes and carrots. You really like squash and carrots right now. I'm going to start giving you some fruits starting this weekend. I'm sure that you will just love them and chow down! I hear from everyone that you are "such a good baby." With you being my first I don't have anyone else to compare you to. I really do believe it without a doubt. You wake up happy every morning with giant smiles and coos for dad and I. You take a few naps during the day with one lasting a least an hour or two. At night you fall asleep between 8-9pm and finally sleep ALL night long! We hear your sweet little voice in the mornings around 7-8am. Your bedtime regime consist of food, bottle, swing, Sammy Seahorse and your THUMB!! Yes, my little man you have routinely become a thumb sucker. Some nights I hear you wake up and fuss until you put that tiny thumb into your month and you drift back off into a deep slumber. I must say that it is pretty darn cute. Lately you have been sleeping in a way that must be pretty comfortable for you. It wouldn't be to comfy for me! I haven't yet been able to snap a picture of it. You roll onto your belly and pull your knees up under you with your little butt into the air. Oh, and don't forget the thumb in the mouth! I really need to get a photo before you grow out of it!

(He actually fell asleep with that monkey on his shoulder! Put it there by himself!!)

We are currently working on trying to get you to sit up with some support. You are getting better at it. You lean too far forward and then get mad when you can't sit up straight again. You have also been pulling your knees up under you but don't have your arms in the right place to start crawling....I sure it won't be too far away from now!! And we thought that we have our hands full when all you are doing is rolling around....LOL!!

William Alexander, it is so hard for your dad and I to believe that you are almost half a year old. You are such a joy to have as part of our little perfect family. We love you so very much!!