Ready to Learn

Noah is the short kid in the striped shirt.

There was a group of elementary school kids in the park yesterday, learning about bears. Noah abandoned the slide (WHAT?!) to play with them. He sat and listened very attentively to the teacher talking about what bears eat and how many bears can survive in the forest. He so wanted to hang with the older kids... he caused quite a scene when it was time for him to leave them alone and get back to the playground.

I think he's ready for daycare.

Smile

Peek-A-Boo
Uploaded by houseofhanson
For those of you who don't speak Noah's language, the only word he says in this video is "Smile." Thanks, Noah. I will.

OK, there's another word at the end of the video too. I haven't translated that one yet. Any ideas?

Cheese and Whine

We haven't posted a video in awhile. This part is the cheese.

Noah Hugs Greta
Uploaded by houseofhanson

Noah is taking more interest in his sister. He means well, but his hugs can sometimes be a little aggressive. Just ask Wilson.


As for me, I'm doing OK. Just OK. I miss being able to get out of the house with the ease of just one extra person to pack up for. I miss makeup and hair products. I truly despise this no-longer-pregnant-but-not-yet-normal body. And although Greta is a better sleeper than Noah was at her age, she's still a normal three-week old. I miss sleep. I miss being able to have the dishes and the laundry done simultaneously. I wish I had more arms. It kills me to pick up just one baby while they're both crying.


In these sleep-deprived, overwhelmed, post-partum hormonal days, it's really difficult to find perspective. Remind me that I have a beautiful, healthy family, OK? And that this crazy time is so short. Pretty soon, the 0-3 month clothes will have been handed down, the mountains of diapers will be gone and I'll never have to hear Elmo's annoying voice again.

And I'll be 25 and wearing the size I wore in college.

Goodbye, Mommy

Noah doesn't need me anymore. He's found a new love. She's younger and cuter than me, and she has the most fantastic pink sparkly shoes. They met at the park yesterday. I could see why Noah was attracted to her: she's an older girl (probably about three) with curly blonde hair who shared the bouncy bridge with him. Usually the older kids run right by, barely managing not to knock him off the playground enitrely. Noah was thrilled to have the attention of another kid (who wants to play with Mom & Dad all the time?). So thrilled, in fact, that he decided to hug her.

At first he was timid. He held out his arms sort of near her, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do next. Should he hug her? What if she didn't hug back? After a few awkward moments, he decided to go for it. She hugged back, then turned to go down the slide. Noah was so delighted at his success, that he hugged her again. And again. And again. He followed her around the playground hugging his new crush.

Should I be weirded out by this? Is this just because he's an affectionate kid, or is it some sign that he's no longer getting all the hugs he needs at home? Ann-Marie, I need a little help with my Pre-K Psychology.

Baby, Baby

Our pediatrician warned us that Noah might take a few developmental steps back with the arrival of the new baby. He has. He's back on the pacifier constantly and he's waking up at 5:00 am again. We're not even going to talk about bottle-weaning right now.

Fuscia Fantastic

Thanks to the House of B for introducing us to this slide show maker. Because who can choose just a couple pictures of their adorable baby?

Glee

Dads are super fun.

Giddyup

Noah rides off into the sunset.

I know this picture is out of focus, but I think it's hilarious. Noah drags all of his toys out onto the deck whenever he has a chance. Including during rain storms and when naked. I'm not sure if he's outdoorsy or just odd.

Sleeping Beauty

For the second day in a row, Noah feel asleep in the middle of lunch. Being a big brother is hard work.

P.S. I cut his hair again today. Badly. Someone please take my scissors away.

P.P.S. I also managed my first solo outing with two kids today. It was a trip to the park, and it took such extensive planning on my part that I was not about to be stopped by the rain that started falling as soon as our car left the garage. We had a few slides down the slightly moist slide, a few trips across the (slippery) bouncy bridge, then came home. Greta snoozed in the Bjorn. Success.

While You Were Out

I discovered some pictures on the computer this morning. They're from my dad's camera, taken while Kevin and I were at home in the first days with Greta.

Noah has recently discovered that he can slide on his own and that it's super fun. The exception is the tube slide - that one is still a bit scary.

October Is

Noah's October To-Do List:

Play in the leaves...

(see the rest of the pictures here - there are about a million)

Feed a goat...

Run through a hay maze...

(see more shots from the apple orchard here)

The pumpkin patch and the Halloween party are still to come.

Dear MM

A really sweet picture of Grandpa and Greta

Kevin Rocks

Hooray!

After months and months of anticipation, the Minnesota DNR has finally offered Kevin a permanent position. That's right, he's officially a full time, Monday through Friday GIS genius. King of All Things Aggregate. With benefits. And more money. Another hooray for that.

Hooray!

We're so proud of you!

Hand Me Downs

Thank goodness for second chances. We got this awesome baby swing as a shower gift for Noah. It was one of those registry gifts that I really, really wanted. I envisioned him swaying back and forth for hours contentedly.

He despised it.

Greta, on the other hand, spent hours today swaying back and forth contentedly.

Look-A-Like

Can you tell which baby is which?

Daddy's Girl

Greta looks lovingly at her daddy

Foursome

Our first family-of-four portrait.


Noah made it to the hospital to see us after all. He was (and remains) rather uninterested in the new baby. All the hospital room cabinets and TV remote control were much more fun.

We're all home safe and sound now, with very little time for blogging.

I'll try to at least post a cute picture here and there.

The Morning After

The first 24 hours with a new baby is just as surreal as it was the first time. The only difference is, with Noah, we were truly terrified that after only two days, they were going to send us home with him with the expectation that we somehow keep him alive. This time, we can't wait to get her home sweet home to meet her big brother and figure out the new family routine.

Speaking of the big brother, everyone please send him happy thoughts. Not to be overshadowed by the birth of a little sister, he is at home with his first GI bug while his mom is ten miles away with no way to hug him. Thanks to Grandma, Grandpa and Dad for cleaning up many messes in the last two days.

Here are a few more pictures from last night and today.

Mom, Dad and Greta

Greta meets her grandmas (she met grandpa today too - pictures coming soon)

The swaddle

These cheeks are made for kisses

Welcome Baby!

WELCOME!!

Greta Genevieve Hanson

Born on 10/05/2007 @ 7:01 pm

7 pounds 6 oz.

19 1/2 inches

Closer

Getting closer, should be soon.
dilation: 9 cm

Contractions and Pitosin

The contractions are at the top of the register, though I don't think Sarah feels much. She was just given some Pitosin to speed things up.

Update

Sarah has been resting and relaxing while things progress, slowly. Right now, she is 7 cm and the head is lower. It might be a few hours before sarah begins pushing. I will update when I get more information.

Till then.

Epidural

"Fentanyl is Bliss"

-Sarah Hanson

Vitals:

Dilation: 6 cm

Contractions: Every Minute

In 15 min...Epidural

Sarah requested an epidural, that will be here in 15 minutes, because she feels things are headed in that direction pain wise. Also, the contractions are getting closer together, 2-3 minutes, and also stronger. The image below displays the contractions behavior as peaks and valleys.

All is well

Things are progressing just fine, not too fast and not too slow. Sarah will probably not need any pitosin if things continue like this. So far the pain is still manageable, simply saying, she is not at the point for an epidural. Good thing because I get a little freaked out by the size of that needle.

Vital Statistics:
Dilation: 5 cm.

Delivery Room from the Past

On our walk we got to see a drawing of a delivery room in the old, old hudson hospital (see pic below). Feels good to be in the 21st century with delivery rooms that have wireless internet, flat screen televisions, and fold-out beds.

Contractions and Walking

The contractions have begun and so far they are manageable. We got the ok to take a walk around the hospital and I am sure this won't be the last.

Pics from our walk:

Water is Broke

Vital Statistics:

dilation: 4 cm

heartbeat: 130s-140s

Now we wait for contractions...

Delivery Room

No induction yet, but we have been assigned a delivery room.

It is still a go

We just got word that things are a go. It will be about an hour before the induction so we are going to grab some breakfast.

Still Waiting...

When we arrived they told us they may not have enough staff right now to do an induction. So we are waiting for now, may have to go home. Though Sarah is starting to have contractions, so who knows.