The Two's

Two Weeks:

Carsten is actually three weeks old today (wow!), but I'm writing about back in the day when he was still just two weeks. :-)  He had his two week check-up on Tuesday, which was actually his third doctor's appointment since coming home from the hospital. The first was a weight/jaundice/eye check up. He had lost enough weight in the hospital that they wanted to make sure he was gaining it back. He didn't really have jaundice, but he was a little on the edge and since Tyler had it pretty badly, they wanted to make sure it didn't get worse. And they prescribed an ointment for his eyes the day we left the hospital because they were basically swollen shut. The ointment worked like magic and they were better within just a couple of days. His second appointment was because we thought he had scratched his eye. He pokes himself in the eye when he sucks on his thumb and shortly after pulling his little fingers (and fingernails) out of his eyes one day I noticed there was a red line down the white part of his eye that looked like a nasty scratch. I called and they said we should bring him in right away. So they put some dye in his eye and held a light up to it and thankfully, it was not a scratch. They said it was a trauma from birth and that it would probably go away in about a month. Anyway, by the time we went in for his two week appointment he was already a pro at doctor's visits. We are thankful for a very healthy little boy, who is apparently an eating machine. He was 7 lb, 12 oz. when he was born and 7 lb. 2 oz when we left the hospital. But by his two week check up (when they want them to be back to birth weight) he was already 8 lb, 7 oz (50th percentile)! Grow, baby, grow! He was 21 3/4 inches (90th percentile) and his head is the 75th percentile.

Carsten is still a very sweet and happy baby. He usually only ever cries if he is cold or hungry. He is very patient with his big brother and puts up with all of his attempts to play with him very nicely. We love this boy. :-)

These are his sad little eyes in the hospital. They were actually even worse the next morning. :-)

 

 

 

 

Two Years:

 

And then there is my awesome, one in a million little two year old. Tyler always keeps us laughing. And while this past week he's also kept us exhausted, he is so much fun. He really is coming around. In fact today, he hasn't had a single meltdown or rule-testing moment. He's been amazing. But we have gone through lots of melt downs and rule testing to get to this point in the past couple of weeks!

 

Tyler's big news this week is that he started wearing underwear! We will see how long it takes and how well it goes, but he's doing pretty well so far! There have been a couple accidents. But he even went with Carl to pick up our new dishwasher this morning and we went to a park for lunch without any. Way to go Tyler!

 

These are some of my latest favorite Tyler moments:

 

Carl: Where did you get those big muscles?

Tyler: The grocery store. Opening doors.

 

Carl (to me): We should remember that when we get our kids their first cars.

Tyler (from the back seat): I buy car when I have enough money. (Really? You're already saving for that? How old do you think you are?!)

 

My mom taught him to talk in a British accent when she was trying to keep him awake in the car. Now he points out every water tower he sees. With a British accent.

 

He currently thinks he's a super hero and "flies" everywhere. He doesn't actually know who Batman is, but he wears his shirt and cape and calls himself an Incredible Vegetable (from Veggie Tales).

 



Have you ever seen a super hero in a bassinet? It's intimidating.

 

Sleep has taken a back seat to just about everything else for him again. It's been taking him 2 1/2 hours to fall asleep at night lately! This is how we found him a few nights ago.

 

I tried really hard to get a picture when he had the potato head arms tucked under his arms and a hat on his head, but he got away to quickly.

Helping Daddy "snow blow".

My little cool dude.



Brotherly Love

While suddenly having a baby brother around was a little bit of an adjustment at first, Tyler loves his new role of Big Brother. It's a job he takes very seriously. He's always loved to be my helper, so it is no surprise that he loves to help with the baby. I told a few people before Carsten was born that I had no fears about how gentle Tyler would be with the baby or if he would like him, I was more afraid that he might be a little too helpful. I was pretty much right on. He's very careful and loving and gentle with him. But he thinks he can do anything we do with the baby. He has tried a couple of times to pick him up all on his own. Tyler loves to help, but he's also very sensitive about it. It breaks his heart into a million pieces if he thinks he's helping and is told not to. So we're trying really hard to teach him that he always needs to ask to hold him and let us help him. We don't want the poor guy to get into trouble just for loving his brother!

Tyler has come a long way in the 'loving his brother' department since he met him at the hospital. That first day all he really would do is touch Carsten's head. He barely sat still for a picture with him and he would have thrown him right off his lap if Carl wasn't helping him hold him. I asked him once if he loved his brother and he completely ignored me. I asked if he liked him and he said yes right away. A few days later he was ready to admit that he loves him. :-) Those first few days when we came home he really didn't like it when Carsten cried. I don't think he really knew what to do. He would want to give him a toy, but then when Carsten didn't take it and get excited he would feel bad about it. And mostly he just didn't want to talk about the baby at all.

Now that we've been home for two weeks, he is a pro at being a big brother. He asks to hold him often. He constantly brings him toys and stuffed animals to play with. He loves being the one to pick out his clothes, get his diaper, and lay a blanket out on the floor for him. He likes to push his swing and I think his favorite thing might be helping with bath time. If Carsten spits up, he takes off running for a burp cloth. He also is constantly talking about when he himself was born. He says it about almost everything Carsten does or wears. "I do that I born." He's been enjoying hearing stories about the things he used to do when he was born or what he did or didn't like. And he likes to look at baby pictures of himself that look a little like Carsten.

Tyler never calls his brother Carsten. It is always "Baby Carsten". And whenever Carsten is getting into trouble (you know, like when he pees on his own face or projectile poops while being changed), Tyler loves to say, "Carsten Malachi!" He's also been calling himself Tyler Malachi. We've been working on that though, and I think he remembers it's Tyler Daniel now. :-)

 This was right after we got home from the hospital. Tyler was still very unsure.

 

 

Both of them were happier by themselves in these pictures.

 

But we did manage to get this one free of tears from Carsten or random rolling all over the floor by Tyler.

Tyler's coming around - although Carsten still doesn't seem sure.

And it's official. Tyler loves his brother.

 

Tyler was sooo excited to wear matching shirts!

I love watching these two together. At this point obviously Carsten mostly just sits there and looks at him. But it is fun to watch Tyler study him. He really does like him. He went from telling me not to help Carsten if he was crying, to singing songs and trying to help him all on his own. It is very sweet. Both of these boys are so sweet and I am excited to watch them become best little friends.

Family of Four

I can't even tell you what a perfect fit Carsten is for our family. When we go out as a family of four, it just feels right. Like there was a little missing piece to our puzzle. Our first week home from the hospital flew by in record speed. When my parents left it really felt like they'd only been here a couple of days, not two weeks! They were amazing. They took such good care of us. They made us meals, cleaned up after us, did our laundry, and helped with our boys. It was so good for Tyler to have them here - they were a great distraction when Carl was at work and I was busy with Carsten. He was very loved by lots of people in those first couple of weeks. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do when they left. I knew that I wanted to be my normal self for Tyler, but I wasn't. I couldn't lift him up. I couldn't play with him the way I normally would - no running around and being crazy. And I had a baby to care for. But I think when they left he realized that I still could snuggle up and read him stories, play games with him and take care of him and he has settled back into normal life pretty well. Thank goodness! Because there were several days of major melt downs and him climbing up or hiding behind things, knowing I couldn't do anything about it! I am very thankful that it was only a few days before he got back to his normal self. The very hardest part of having our second baby was the fact that Tyler took it out on me. He was missing me and wanting to be around me, but when I would try to play with him he would say he wanted some one else. And for at least a week I was about the last person on his list of people to talk to. He didn't want hugs or kisses or really anything from me. It was so sad. I was missing him a lot. And I am so glad to have him back!

When my parents left I had two days on my own while Carl worked. They went really well! We stayed home Thursday, but we went to play group on Friday and it was so great to get out and do something normal! Now Carl is off for two weeks and we are so thankful and excited to have him at home with us.

We take a lot of pictures. I'm going to try my best to choose an appropriate number to post on here. :-)

Mother's Day at the hospital. Maybe not the best place in the world to spend that day, but I spent it with the best people! And I got spoiled. My boys brought me a Hot Apple Blast from Caribou, a beautiful necklace (that Tyler insisted on putting on me himself - it took a long time), flowers and a giant giraffe balloon. Also picked out by Tyler. :-)

 And it was my first Mother's Day with this sweet little man!

 

Getting ready for his first car ride home.

 

 Saying good-bye to Grandma Ronni and Papa Joe.

 

I can't get enough of this little face.

I have lots more to write about, so I will get on here again as soon as I can for more updates on our crazy, beautiful new life. :-)

Carsten Malachi

I can't believe that it has already been two weeks since I met my sweet little Carsten. Two weeks ago we headed to the hospital while I freaked out about being awake for surgery. I couldn't wait to meet him, but I was so nervous about the actual surgery that I actually told Carl that since technically I wasn't in labor, so we could just turn around and go home. I'm so glad we didn't. :-)

Our last two weeks has been a blur - it has flown by so fast it's crazy. My parents were here to help out until yesterday morning and that was an incredible blessing. They were so helpful in every single way. They did laundry, made meals, cleaned and helped with both kids. They were so good to Tyler - he loved having them here and it was so nice to know that he was getting attention even when I couldn't give it. And on their last night here they even watched both boys so that Carl and I could go out for a dessert date at Crave!

It is so fun to see the difference in personalities between Tyler and Carsten, even at such a young age. It's kind of amazing. When I was pregnant with Tyler, he never, ever stopped moving. I called him my little karate kid and he hasn't stopped moving since. Even his delivery was crazy and adventurous like he has been from the minute he was born. Carsten still moved a lot when I was pregnant but it was more like calm, mild, rolling around. And he is proving to be a very calm and chill baby. He is a good eater and a good sleeper and just all around very content.

We are so blessed and excited to be a family of four. Carsten is the perfect addition to our family in every single way.

 Carl got to trim the cord this time. And he didn't even pass out!

 

 I know this isn't the most flattering picture of me, but I will never, ever forget this moment of holding my baby boy for the first time when he was only minutes old. Amazing.

 

Proud Daddy!

Our sweet Carsten.

Tyler meeting his baby brother. Still a little unsure, but he did touch his head. :-)

Enjoying his big brother cake from the hospital. What a fun surprise!

 

I have many more pictures to put on here, but since we have owned five different cameras in the last two weeks (long story), I'm going to have to do some organizing before I can put them up.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have some more recent ones for you!

Counting The Days

I find it very odd to know exactly what day I will get to meet my baby. I'm finding that there are both good things and bad things about it. On one hand, it's very convenient to know that we have a plan for Tyler and won't have to worry about getting him somewhere quickly. Unless of course this guy comes a few days early.  :-) It has also been nice to be able to plan out grocery shopping and get the things everyone will need while I'm not home. But on the other hand, I know exactly what day I will be having surgery. And I am not a fan of the thought of being awake for a major surgery! I was asleep for my C-section with Tyler and it wasn't planned. So I didn't have time to think about it. It was an emergency and it happened fast. This time I've had way too much time to think about it! But I know that everything about it will be worth it when I am awake to actually see my baby when he is born! I really missed that with Tyler. I didn't get to see him for a couple of hours and I barely even remember it. I remember waking up and asking right away to see him. But I was still a little groggy and getting pain meds worked out and I don't actually remember my first look at him. Breaks my heart. So I am thankful and excited that this time I will be able to see him right away like I should!

I am also thankful that it's finally nice outside! I really imagined myself spending a lot of time on walks and at parks with Tyler before this baby was born. And as much as I love snow, and as breathtakingly beautiful it has been, I am so glad that these few days before baby will be nice and Tyler can finally run around and get his energy out! We have spent a lot of time outside this weekend enjoying the park and walks and just relaxing and hanging out as a family. My only plans for this week are to freeze a few meals, get lots of sleep and spend lots of fun time with Tyler. And most likely at some point we will walk to Dairy Queen together. :-) I should also probably pack for the hospital.

As I've been thinking about this new baby, it's funny how different I feel than I did getting ready for Tyler. We were so ready for a baby the first time, but yet, you don't really know until it happens how amazing and wonderful and crazy it is! This time we are also so ready to meet this baby, but we know that his arrival affects more than just us. And so I'm constantly trying to think of things that will help make the transition easier for Tyler. The funny thing is, most of my thoughts are backfiring because Tyler's timing is different than my own. We wanted him switched to his new bedroom months ago so he would have lots of time before he saw his old one become his new one. Instead, it was just a few days before we were setting it back up for a baby. He's been pretty good about it, but he has also gone in there a few times and pulled things out and told us they are his. And then stuffed them in his closet because he has no use for them. Like the dozens of cute little square blankets and animal blankets that he never even really used much. Now they are important to him. :-)  And the four books (of his 5 bajillion) that I took off the living room shelf and moved onto the baby's bookshelf to fill it up more. Those are living room books! Not for the baby room. If we made him stop using his Nuk right now, I think it would actually go pretty well. He only uses it to sleep, and lately he keeps forgetting about it. He even went one whole night without it. But we don't really want to take it away right before baby. And the last thing I want to be doing right now is potty training. But Tyler wants to! So we are taking baby steps towards that. And after a few weeks we can see how he's doing and maybe actually go for it.

Tyler is very sweet and very loving, so I'm really not worried about him being gentle and good to the baby. I know that he will be (at least he won't try not to be). But I do worry about how he will feel. As much excitement as I feel about meeting my baby boy, I also feel anxious about how Tyler will do when I'm not home. How he will feel when I can lift the baby, but I can't lift him for six weeks. How he will feel when I don't come home for four or five days because I'm staying with the baby. I know he will survive it. And he will get to visit, and Carl will still go home and spend time with him. And he will have lots of fun with my mom! He's already planning out his time with her. But I also think it will be a little hard for him. A couple weeks ago when I wasn't home for bedtime, he woke up the next morning and instead of his usual, "Mommy, come here, I up!" It was, "Mommy, get home!" So I know there might be hard parts for him, but I keep reminding myself that this baby is a gift and a blessing for him too! He will have a little brother to play with and have fun with, to teach his crazy antics to and to be his permanent friend. He just might not realize it at first. :-)

Baby Boy,

We are so excited to meet you! We have been praying for you for much longer than just nine months. We cannot wait to see your sweet face and discover your personality. We already love you more than you could possibly understand. You are already a perfect fit for our family. God created you perfectly and wonderfully and we are so ready to hold you in our arms and love you forever. It doesn't matter what you look like, what you love to do, or anything else. We feel so blessed that God has given us the honor of being your parents. And we hope you always know that no matter what happens in this life, we will always love you. And we will always be here for you.

Now, let's try to have a less dramatic and scary entrance into this world than your big brother did, ok?  :-)

Love,
Your Mommy

Family Fun Day

Carl took the morning off work today so that we could all go to the zoo for a fun family day before the craziness that next week and a new baby will bring. All good craziness of course, but still craziness. :-)

But since we wanted to go the farm part of the zoo and see the baby animals and other outdoor things, and it was snowing again today, we went to the Mall of America instead. It was a really fun morning of just hanging out together.

We started with a Caribou treat for us, and then went to Barnes and Noble to play at the Train Table and look at books for a little while.

Then we got to use some of the points we bought and didn't use for Tyler's Birthday and went on some rides.



 And we made a stop at Lego Land where Tyler loves to take apart things that are already built and reach up high to touch the giant Lego dragon.

I don't know what it is, but the boys in my family love Buffalo Wild Wings. It's an addiction. And I don't share it. But Carl got his little Buffalo Wild Wings gleam in his eye when we were talking about where to eat lunch, and before I could hardly even see it, Tyler saw the sign and shouted out, "Buffalo Wild Wings!" And that was it.  Out voted.

 

But the boys got to eat at their favorite place and I decided to try a burger instead of wings so I was pretty happy too.

 

It was the perfect way to spend a cold, snowy, rainy, May day!





Like Father, Like Son

Tyler may look a lot like Carl, but I think his personality is a lot more like mine. But we took him to the Science Museum a couple weeks ago and this part of him is all Carl.

Except for this one. I don't know where he got his love of washing dishes.

From the stories I've heard about Carl's middle school years (and the wires I've actually seen hanging from his old bedroom ceiling) I'm really pretty terrified of having boys that age!

Oh, and speaking of being "Like father, like son," this picture offends me a little bit. Right after I caught up on a lot of ironing, Tyler wanted to try. But apparently my work was in vain since he said, "Mommy, look! I cleaning like Daddy!" 

(The iron was not plugged in or hot, by the way.)

How come Carl gets the credit for everything around here?!