Day 2

Henry came for another visit the next day. He was having an excellent time with his Auntie Jennie and Uncle D and cousins Brynn and Cara that it didn't seem to phase him one bit that his mom wasn't around!

We left the hospital on day 2 and headed home to try things out on our own!

I forgot how tiny newborns look in a car seat!

Big boy!

Henry is now sporadically telling us when he has to go poop and he'll then go on the potty! He seems so mature now that he's a big brother!

This is what happens . . .

when mom is nursing Henry and dad is busy doing the dishes!!

Birth Story

On our way into the hospital . . . beautiful sunset!

The story of Charlie's birth started on Sunday evening, the 14th of August. I was chatting to my sister-in-law, Angie, on the phone about a play date we were going to have the next day. But before discussing our plans, I was complaining to her that I was up all night with contractions (I had been having contractions for about 6 weeks at this point). I told her how I was so frustrated because I didn't know if they were braxton-hicks, pre-term labor, or the real deal. I said I just wanted my water to break so I would know for sure that I was in labor. My wish was granted as we started talking about the farm we would be meeting at, I sat down on the couch and felt (what I was pretty sure) was my water breaking! I wasn't completely certain so I walked around a bit and felt a few more "squirts" (too much information?!?!). I called my sister, who was lined up to take Henry, and was unable to get a hold of her. So I called the hospital to let them know we would be coming. Eventually I got a hold of my sister through her husband. Jennie and Brynn came and spent the night with Henry (he thoroughly enjoyed himself!!). I was just so excited that I was finally in labor after dealing with all the pre-term labor stuff (something I wish I never even knew about!), Tom and I had a pretty giddy ride down to Northfield.

We arrived at the hospital at about 8:00 and after determining that my water did indeed break, they pumped me full of pitocin to get my contractions underway (I wasn't really contracting at this point). By 11, I was in extreme pain and got my epidural. By 3:00 I was feeling ready to push and by 3:45ish, I started pushing. The nurse timed me, and we pushed for 14 minutes before Charlie decided to make his appearance at 4:10 am! He came so quickly, the doctor wasn't even ready yet! I was so giddy after a quick and easy labor that I just kept giggling after Charlie was born!

I was able to hold Charlie immediately after birth and he began nursing about 10 minutes after he was born (and he's been a champion eater ever since!).

Charlie after his first official bath that the nurses gave him.

Proud daddy

Tom went home at about 9:00 that morning to pick up big brother Henry and bring him back to the hospital to meet Charlie. Henry was in awe of his little brother!

Charlie brought Henry some new vehicles! Henry was impressed!

Happy family of four!

Sweet Charlie

The day ended with mom getting her Dairy Queen fix after going without all summer long! :)

Charlie was able to meet lots of friends and family on his first day! After big bro Henry came to visit, Grandma and Grandpa Mullenbach came with Jennie, Darren, Brynn and Cara right behind them. Grandma Mary and Aunt Anne also came to visit along with my bestie, Emily. Another good friend, Becky, kept me company that evening while Tom went home to be with Henry. All in all, an excellent first day as a mom of two! :)

Introducing . . .

Our newest member~ Charles Paul Parks

August 15, 2011 at 4:10am

7 pounds 4 ounces

20 inches

Big Boy!

Henry is getting to be such a big boy! He is so "toddler-ish" now! :) Not only does he sleep in in the morning like a teenager, he is brushing his teeth on his own (then it's mommy's turn!), has gone pee on the potty several times, and will follow simple directions. I think he's ready to be a big brother!
Henry has been very "helpful" around the house. He now rinses the dishes after I wash them (so VERY helpful!).

Funny Henry story:

We belong to an organic CSA. Every Friday, we pick up fresh vegetables from a farm. It's been a great experience despite the number of radishes we've gotten (way too many for my liking!) and the hour round-trip it takes us to get the veggies. Yesterday, Henry was being ever-s0-helpful and was placing our pint of cherry tomatoes one by one in a bag. After waiting ever-so-patiently for him to complete his task, I decided to have him finish up in the car (that would keep him busy for our 20+ minute ride home). At one point in the drive I started to smell tomato. I glanced back and Henry was giggling holding on to a squished tomato. I told him it was okay that his hands got dirty and we would wash up when we got home (he was a little concerned that he was "meshee"). I also told him not to squish any more (ha!). Well, he continued to squish and then throw the tomatoes throughout the backseat of the car. I ended up having to pull over, clean up the mess as best as I could (thank goodness for leather!), and then take the tomatoes away (Henry was not happy about that!). He's such a little turkey!

P.S. STILL PREGNANT! At my weekly appointment on Thursday, the doctor said the baby is still "way up there." I'm continuing to feel great, but would take this baby at any time! :)

I heart construction

Henry is a HUGE fan of any shape or form of construction! We'll be driving in the car and he can spy a "big cane" (big crane), "bo-doozer" (bulldozer), "back hoe", etc. a mile away. We've clocked many hours filling up his little dump truck with rocks and pine cones just to dump them out again. Not to mention, our weekly trips to the library have been a life-savor in the construction book department (I don't have to read the same book over and over and over again- I just have to do it for a week or so!).

Other Henry Happenings:

- If you weren't aware, Henry also has a baby in his tummy that kicks and says "ba bump" (heartbeat)
- Whenever I leave the room to use the bathroom (which is frequently these days) or answer the phone, etc. I'll tell Henry, "I'll be right back." Today, I was wrestling with his mattress to put it back in the crib after washing sheets (if that doesn't put me into labor, I don't know what will!!) and he said to me as he starting going downstairs, "Be right back, mom." Kids are so smart!!!
- Henry gives us a running dialog of whatever he is doing. If you're not quite sure what he is saying, a lucky guess would be him telling you what he's up to.
- Thanks to many great books, Henry knows the opposite of many things (hot & cold, young & old, awake & asleep, near & far, clean & dirty, etc.)
- Henry can fill in the "blanks" for us when singing the ABCs and Twinkle Twinkle
- He can point and count objects up to ten (if you get him started- doesn't quite of one down yet, but will start with two!).
- Everything is the color "lellow" to him!

And some baby news:

I wish there was news!!! We are thankful to have made it past the risky stage (34 weeks). I'll officially be 36 weeks tomorrow so am getting close to having a baby full-term (37 weeks is considered full-term). I will very happily have this baby any day now! I have been feeling great and the baby seems to be doing well too (heartbeat is good- 120s-130s and is measuring right on). After the stress of the preterm labor stuff, it feels like we've been waiting for this baby to come any day now for a LONG time!

Where are you?

Lately, Henry has been "hiding" in the cupboard and then yelling, "Where ah ooh?"

When we find him, he'll yell, "Peek-a-boo." He's so darn cute! :)

Preparing for baby with our big helper

We got a changing table for our main level for when the baby comes. Henry was dad's big helper when putting it together!