My Little Mr Harlow

Motorcycle Helmet and his new Strider bike Daddy got for him!

He's in Heaven!

A little Mohawk and Bubbles for bath time

Mommy and her Boys

Harlow loves his Baby Kelton

Harlow with his soon to be Uncle Spencer and Aunt Sara

only a week until the wedding

Harlow in his new Lion King bed, a late birthday present from Amanda Pinto

Harlow is adjusting pretty well to having a baby in the house. Goodness, he adores Kelton. He asks to hold him often, gives him about 100 kisses a day, wants to cuddle with him and show him what he's doing/watching on the iPad, watch movies with the baby, lay on top of him.

This morning I put Kelton down in the baby swing and Harlow was playing on the iPad, both in my room. I ran downstairs real quick and jumped in the shower, the whole time worrying that something was going to happen... Well when I got upstairs they were both cuddling together (Harlow with his arms wrapped around his tiny little brother, patting him on the back) on the floor watching teletubies on the iPad. (I should have taken a picture because it really was so cute) Which means that Harlow had to get Kelton out of his baby swing and all that that entails with bumping heads and such... Oh goodness, brotherly love! Good thing babies are pretty resilient.  Harlow said the baby was crying. What a cute big brother just trying to help.

Harlow has been getting a little more grumpy. I think it's a combination of reasons, one being that he's not going down at his normal bed time. We're not getting outside as often and he's having to share his mommy's attention with someone else.  I notice that when the baby fusses sometimes Harlow starts fussing too and wants to be held... Not always easy to hold two fussing babies, that was me last night.  

At lunchtime I had a sweet moment with Harlow. I was eating lunch and he was standing on the table right in front of me. All of a sudden his eyebrows shot up, his eyes got big and sparkly, he got the cutest smile on his face and he threw his arms open wide. He wrapped them around my neck, let out a big sigh and said "I love you mommy". My heart felt like it was going to burst; I love this little boy of mine!!

2 Week/Circ Dr Visit

Kelton weighed in at 7lbs 12oz today!  Dr Alba said that Nathan gets to take me out for dinner as a pat on the back for fattening my little man up.  (By 2 weeks they want to see the baby back up to their birth weight, which for Kelton was 7lbs 2oz, so we're doing well here with the nursing)  He's already losing the Newborn look; this is such a short stage.  It is one of my favorites too.  They are so tiny and precious.  And its true that all babies are sweet, there is just something so special about holding and loving on your own baby.  Its a thousand times sweeter, holding your babe!  I love their newborn smell, their jerky movements, when they just peek at you with one barely open eye, the little blisters they get on their lips, the way they smack their tongue and lips, their tightly curled up hands.  New baby's don't really do anything but I could sit and watch them for hours, and I do!  Its captivating; like watching a fire.  Nothing's happening but yet its always changing.

The Circumcision was much easier to watch this time around.  Pretty intriguing.  Kelton did well during but cried like a banshie afterwards while we were still in the office.  (He downed 2 cups of sugar water...that's why he was so calm during the procedure.  I said he must take after his older brother but really, what child needs to learn to like sugar, I mean, its like duh!)  He seems to be doing well now.  Hopefully he'll heal quickly and correctly; we're traveling down to Vegas on Thursday and I don't want him to be sore, cranky for the trip.

I almost brought Harlow with me and then realized what a bad idea that really was.  I'd already have my hands full with a sore, crying, 2 week old.  I didn't need to attach a very busy, kinda ornery toddler to my visit.  Harlow got to spend them morning with Amanda Pinto, which absolutely made his entire morning!  They watched "the Anna movie" (Frozen) together, ate popcorn, watched construction guys make some repairs, and jump from the coffee table to the couch.  He was such a happy little dude when I picked him up :) We sure love Amanda!

ps-it was snowing, like blizzarding (but not sticking to the ground) when we left the dr office - Utah has the craziest weather!

Snuggles with my Baby

Kelton McKay Andersen

Baby Kelton arrived at 4:29pm on Monday April 14, 2014 (4/14/14) weighing 7lbs 2 ounces and measuring 20"

39 weeks

A friend of Nathan's (Scott Arnett) came over this morning to say goodbye before he and Kelsey and Gordie move to California. I think the first thing he said to me was "Wow, you're really pregnant!" I just had to laugh. Yup Scott, that's kinda what happens when you're 39 weeks pregnant, you start looking it.

Still Good

I just got a call from the dr. office and they said my numbers are higher than last time but not worrisome (was at a 7, am now at a 9, but they don't get worried or call it cholestasis until it's at a 14) :) We will keep monitoring it but so far we're still good and no induction! Such great news to hear!

thoughts & stuff from today

Yesterday Harlow began pedaling his trike for the first time.  We have been playing on it for weeks now but he always pushed himself along with his feet on the ground and I couldn't get him to hardly try the pedals.  Yesterday we figured it out on his own and was beaming with pride as he cruised around the drive way :) I love watching him learn new things and seeing the pride that he gets out of knowing that he's just done something new and wonderful. Totally rewarding.  After cuddling in bed with each other this morning the first thing he wanted to do was "Mom, Ride Bike, Pedal Bike!"  This was good motivation for him to get dressed for the day.  That what we spent the morning doing, my busy little boy, pedaling down the drive way, then chasing the neighbors dogs up the street...He's one busy boy and Mommy and her big belly just can't catch him sometimes.  I'm thankful for neighbors who stop and talk to him, encouraging his excitement for life and distracting him long enough so I can catch up.

My Dr. app today was with Dr Wolsey (he delivered Harlow)....he's not my favorite...  I am 38w4d.  I have been feeling things but most have been menstral-like cramps, not labor-like contractions.  I can feel my body getting ready though I haven't dialated since last visit. I've started itching again so they drew my blood to run the Bile acid and liver enzyme tests...we'll hopefully hear back by Friday.  If they're high they'll most likely induce me :( Quick, what are some old wives tales that will put me into labor?! My job right now is to closely monitor baby's movements, making sure he's plenty active - so far this guy has had no problems letting me know he's there and wiggly. Tonight my stomach has been super tight, add to that him trying to stretch out and burst me at my seems, this Momma is tried and ready for bed.

My tummy:  With Harlow I felt like it took me a long time to show.  I just sort of filled up on the inside (which just made me feel fat) and then finally my tummy popped out.  This time I feel it's been the opposite.  I popped out fairly quick, which was surprising and fun.  But I kept growing and by 26 weeks I already felt Huge and I got worried that I was going to Ginormous.   Since then I have gotten a bit bigger but not at the same rate.  I don't feel huge any more, in fact, I kinda feel a little small again for being due in a week and a few days.  But as I said with Harlow I felt like I filled up then popped out, this time I feel like I popped out and now am filling up, feeling more squashed on the inside, not necessarily tons bigger on the outside.

Nathan's getting the Buick fixed and took it with him to school and work today.  I was able to have the car; it's been awhile.  It felt nice to have the car and run some errands.  Maybe this will sound silly but its nice to have a car and know its available, even if you don't even use it that particular day, just nice to know its there and you could...I ran out to Walmart and then JoAnn's.  ((Katelyn Elgaaen has been giving me sewing lessons, which I am loving.  I am making a nursing cover right now and have made a reversible purse, a pillow case and a draw string bag.  I also did a bunch on mending yesterday.  Sewing is actually being fun for me, now that I have a machine that works (wonderfully, I might add) and doesn't make me want to rip my hair out.  There were some sales so I picked up fleece material to make some baby blankets.  I am excited to learn this new skill better.))  I moved Harlow's car seat over to the left side and installed the baby's car seat today.  It's squishy back there and in the front seats too...our little Nissan is just a squishy car.  Hope it all works out.  If we need to go anywhere as a family the Buick, once fixed, will be our much more comfortable option.

I just did a bunch of bills today.  I don't like how financial things get me stressed...oh well, such is life.  Paying bills, all at the same time, makes me worry a little but I know it will all work out.  You've got to keep in mind that what it says is in your bank is not really there, it's really 'this' amount, and as long as I keep that in mind and make sure Nathan knows then I feel better as the month goes on.  

My Cute Little Boy

I couldn't keep him out of the baby seats the first few days.  The same obsession will most likely happen once the baby is placed in them.  

Just within the past few weeks it has become "Harlow's ball, Harlow's airplane, Harlow's cookie, Harlow's movie..."  The possessive streak is running deep.  My little kiddo will soon be learning that Sharing is Caring, cause we'll be sharing everything, especially Mom.

I have noticed that for the past little bit Harlow has started shifting from wanting Mom to Dad.  Without me prompting him he has been asking for Daddy to put him down for bed, to cuddle with him on the couch, to feed him his food.  It is fun to watch, plus, nice to see since I will be needing to be with the baby and Daddy can be taking care of Harlow.

Yesterday at Sara's bridal shower Harlow was all cuddly and cute over Jessica Morgan's little Ruby.  He'd close his eyes and rest his head against her tummy, gave her many, many hugs, tried to touch noses with her, hold her hand...I think for the most part he's going to LOVE being a big brother and having a little baby around the house.

Motorcycle Helmet

Can wear them without falling over (for the most part) now.  Will play with these all the time, taking them off and on, lifting up the visor and putting it back down.  You can tell that he feels so cool and important with it on.  Just as big as his Daddy.  Funny, we didn't push the motorcycle thing on him, never emphasized them to him - this love of motorcycles is coming from somewhere deep within...maybe its genetic...we'd have to blame both sides for that

This kid loves Bubbles and asks for them with every bath. 

Here he's filling up his hands so he can put more on his head and shoulders.

Rub-A-Dub-Dub my sons in the Tub!

We were out doing yard work and I realized that I didn't know where Harlow was but I could hear him nearby.  I went around the corner and found Harlow sitting on the 4wheeler making motorcycle sounds.  He is such a little boy.  He loves him some motorcycles, cars, planes, etc.