Axel becomes a big brother!

As we patiently waited for Phoenix to arrive Axel continued to get some great play time in with Grandma Sonia and Grandpa Bruce. I think the highlight for him was playing on Grandma's kindle and reading books with her. Of course, he loved the miniature golf outings and other play time, but every day Axel's agenda was to find out exactly when he could play angry birds. He did great with the 10 minute rule twice a day. 

Grandma down loaded lots of books for her and Axel to read. He really enjoyed this as well. 

The three of them also did a lot of building during their play time. I love this picture of Axel.

Daddy promised to shave his beard and hair before the arrival of Phoenix. Here Axel and daddy had fun making a funny beard before he completely shaved the rest off. 

On Monday morning, the 21st, contractions finally started and stayed. They started at 3:30am, but were still not very intense. I had a doctor's appointment at 9:15am in the morning. After calling Labor and delivery I decided I wanted to see my doctor first and have her make the call if I should be admitted or not. She discovered my amniotic fluid was low via an ultrasound. I was also still 4cm dilated and 60% effaced so the contractions I had been having all morning still weren't doing anything since I had been the same for 2 and a half weeks. After she talked with Labor and delivery they decided it wasn't safe to continue the pregnancy and said I needed to be induced sometime that day.

Keith and I walked over to Labor and delivery and they verified my fluid was low. They admitted me and we were in a room around 11am. They allowed me to eat lunch because I was still in early labor. They also allowed me to wait and see what my body would do on its own for a few more hours. They monitored me and the baby for 20 minutes and then allowed me to walk for 40 minutes. At 2pm they checked me and discovered I was only 5cm and 80% effaced. They said that things needed to get moving and that I could start pitocin or they could break my bag of waters. Keith and I decided for the pitocin because we were hoping just a little bit would get things going and I could still have a natural birth.

They started me at level 2 and every half and hour bumped it up by one. At level 5 my contractions were regularly 3 minutes a part and I thought things were going well. My pain level was an 8/10 with each contraction, but I could handle it. They checked me and said I was almost 7cm dilated and we were happy with the progress, but for some reason the nurse bumped the pitocin up to level 6. At level 6 my contractions were every 2 to 3 minutes and my pain was at a 10 with each contraction. I told the nurse I am at my limit, but I still thought I could do this. For some reason without asking me she bumped the level up to a 7, which put me over the edge. I started uncontrollably shaking and had the urge to lose things at both ends. The contractions were on top of each other and I hardly had a break between contractions. After 10 minutes I told her I needed the epidural asap and I needed the pitocin level dropped. The next 10 minutes felt like an eternity. Although she had dropped the level to 5 the contractions were still on top of each other and I was still uncontrollably shaking from head to toe. Luckily they got the epidural in and after another 10 minutes I was completely numb from my low back down to my toes. After one hour on the epidural she checked me and I was 10cm dilated and the baby was 3+ and ready to come. I asked for her to immediately turn off the epidural because I was too numb. She asked if I could push so I tried to push and all of a sudden she was calling in the doctors and she was telling me to stay as relaxed as possible because the baby was coming. Over the next couple of minutes I told them I think she is sliding down and coming regardless. The nurses and doctor were ready just in time and in 2 minutes with 2 little pushes she was fully out.

I couldn't believe I was a mom again. Hearing her first cries was such a joy. She seemed so small to me so it was quite the surprise when she came out weighing 7lb 12.2 oz and 20 inches long.

And best of all she came out with hair! This was a joy to see since Axel didn't really have a full head of hair until 1.5 years old.

Here is the proud daddy with baby Phoenix.

Our first picture of the three of us.

Auntie meeting baby Phoenix.

Axel is such a proud big brother. He is so kind and gentle with her and loves her so much!

He is having a little trouble with the transition of sharing mommy, but every day he is getting better and better.

We had one on one time for 2 hours yesterday, which really helped. It was the first time since Phoenix was born that just Axel and I got to hang out while she slept.

She is transitioning well herself and is sleeping in 2-3 hour segments and eating in 2-3 hour segments. She is also now 100% in her bassinet while sleeping. It only took her two nights to adjust where Axel took several weeks to sleep on his own without me.

Phoenix had lots of awake time yesterday. I love seeing her beautiful eyes open.

We are all as happy as can be and feel so incredibly blessed. We miss Grandma and Grandpa already and hope they come back soon, although we know they have a really busy schedule the rest of the year. Thanks for reading and check back soon. Grandma Susan and Grandpa Brian are planning a visit for next Saturday.

January Happenings

The Szolushas had the privilege of taking care of our neighbors chickens over the holiday week. Every day for about 5 days we fed the chickens cabbage and collected their eggs. Axel was sad when we no longer had to care for the chickens, but I think he was pretty excited that his babysitter, Annika, was back from her vacation.

We went to the Junior discovery museum and zoo again with my friend Tiffany and her daughter Avery. I love this picture of Axel looking through the domed window.

Axel also continues to be more adventurous. Here he is climbing.

 And here he is on a big boy swing all by himself for the first time swinging himself. He got the technique down right away of straightening and bending the knees. I was so happy to see him enjoying himself. He has not historically taken to the swing, except when he was an infant, so this was a big step for him.

 Here Axel is swinging on his stomach....flying through the air!

Grandma Sonia and Grandpa Bruce arrived this past Saturday. Axel was sooooo excited for their arrival. He has had constant playmates and couldn't be happier.

Grandma is very good at projects. Axel had three continuous days of almost constant drawing, cutting, gluing , and taping. 

Axel's coloring skills are pretty remarkable. He has really made a big effort to stay within the lines over the past couple of weeks. You can kind of see the blue car he colored in the picture below. 

 Since we are still in waiting mode and I am more relaxed since Dad and Sonia arrived we finally started venturing out of the house. We did a huge Costco trip yesterday after our new deep freezer arrived on Monday. This morning we went out for breakfast where Axel had his favorite breakfast of chocolate pancakes. Dad and Sonia were also able to have a date night at the movies and may venture out to play golf. I am hoping the more we stop waiting for baby girl Szolusha's arrival the more imminent her arrival is. I had a great reminder in my bible study this past week when Abraham and Sarah took trying to have a son in their own hands instead of waiting for God's promise to be filled on God's time. Despite the doctor and the internet telling me my body is ready to have this child any second, God obviously has other plans and she is just not ready. Hopefully she will come before dad and Sonia leave and our next post will include Axel in his big bro shirt and his baby sister home and healthy!

Christmas and more!

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house every Szolusha was stirring preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Axel was equipped with kitchen utensils in hand, excited that Santa would taste his baked cake, as fast as he can. 

 Last minute decorations and frosting by Axel were put on after a nice new aged Christmas service was attended. There were cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee consumed while Axel listened to a new Christmas story about little Sammy giving to the poor and celebrating what Jesus stands for.

 Mommy Szolusha was afraid Axel would wake so she drugged him with Zyrtec a little too late (9pm). Christmas morning mommy was patiently waiting as the clock struck 845am before the little Axel awoke. Mommy got up and made breakfast and lattes while daddy and Axel kept dreaming their dreams. Finally, the Szolushas were up, here is Axel giving Louis a Christmas doggy cookie while mommy is eating.

 After  the stockings were open daddy and Axel took a break to eat their Christmas french toast.

 And then it was time to open Santa's big gift. It was the easel Axel didn't know he wanted until Christmas morning.

 Here he is working hard on his first painting.

 It is a green house with a blue roof and chimney and a red hawk who is chasing Miss Elisa, a neighbor, through the woods.

 And here is Axel's first drawing of a picture of pregnant mommy.... this daddy and I thought was a masterpiece!

 Home made pizzas were made for dinner....with the cooked egg on top daddy's gourmet treat!

 On Friday, yesterday, we had the privilege of meeting the McFarren four at the Children's discovery museum. Axel has a lot of fun showing his cousins Sophie and Jack around the place. I love this picture of them working together to blow the big bubble.

 Jack is amazing and has no fear. He loves to get right in the mix with his big sis and Axel. Axel and Sophie are apparently more timid with Axel the winner at this point only wanting to watch from the outside. Later Axel asked me why he didn't go in and I had to tell him I really don't know why he didn't want to go in and join in on the fun.

 I thought this was a great picture of Axel with the McFarrens looking at a bird feeder.

 And then again at the fossils.

 I believe the favorite part of the visit for all of the kids was playing in the water. Poor little Jack got soaked when we went back for more play time in the water because there were no more rain jackets and the kids had to wear their own jackets. Although, the McFarrens had to go after that we were glad for the visit with them and hope to see them again soon!

After we said goodbye Axel wanted to go back in for a little more fun and exploration. He found this room  that was full of a giant cardboard maze/ castle. Axel had fun running around for 15 minutes through all of the little mazes. 

 Here is a better idea of how cool this cardboard maze/castle was. What a great idea! After a few more minutes of fun we headed home ourselves for lunch and quiet time.

 The day ended and began with a doctor's appointment for me and the baby. In the morning I found out that I measured over 3 weeks small, where the week before I measured right on target. The doctor scheduled me for an ultrasound in the late afternoon to double check the baby's growth. We went all together to the afternoon appointment so that Axel could watch a movie and get a certificate to come into the labor and delivery room with us just in case I go into labor and no one is available to stay with Axel at home until Auntie arrives or before Dad and Sonia arrive on January 12th. The good news is the baby is perfect and currently weighs over 6 pounds. The reason why I measure small is because her head has fully dropped into my pelvis. The doctor informed me that my body is already getting ready to deliver baby girl Szolusha. Keith is guessing she will come in a week and my guess is two weeks. Yesterday evening I packed my hospital bag and Keith installed the car seat. Now all we have to do is pick a name and wait for her to let us know she is ready for her big debut!

Christmas before Christmas

Axel's piggy bank was finally full to the brim and he is finally able to count to 50, so we had a great time sorting and counting Axel's money this past week. 

 You can see how excited Axel was to empty Mr. Piggy.

 On Friday, Axel went to visit Santa again. He really wanted to wear his ti-dye shirt again. The picture looks very similar to last year with the same Santa, nearly the same outfit on Axel and the same smile. The only real difference is that Axel is a year older and has shorter hair now.

 On Saturday we had our little family Christmas with Auntie, Uncle, Grandma Susan and Grandpa Brian. They were kind enough to come to our house to shower our future baby girl with lots of clothes/gifts and to shower Axel and us with a great Christmas gathering. It was so nice to have the family together. It has been a long time since just the 7 of us got together.

 Axel was so excited to see Auntie he couldn't wait to tell her all he knows about Christmas and the Grinch. He even read "the Grinch that Stole Christmas to her and Uncle Ryan" with a little help from them of course.

 Keith and I had a great idea of having a family activity of decorating Christmas sugar cookies. The five of us had a great time letting our creative juices flow while we patiently waited for Grandma and Grandpa to arrive.

 I was equally impressed by how good everyone was at decorating cookies.

  This batch turned out much better than the previous batch.

Axel continues to be Mr. Funny Man. Here he is joking that he is going to eat his cookie creation. We were all snacking on chips and salsa because we were getting hungry. Axel decided to snack on chips and frosting, but when I caught him dipping multiple chips in the frosting he decided to place a frosted chip on the cookie he was decorating at the time instead of eating it. 

 I didn't get a lot of good pictures because my phone doesn't take the best of pictures, but I wanted to capture the two couples. Here they all are enjoying themselves.

 All in all we had a great day and feel very thankful for the time we were able to share with them.

 This morning we went to our neighbors house for a late breakfast. Axel got to play with Max and Rishaan together for the first time in a month. All of the boys have been off and on sick so we haven't had all of the families together in awhile. Rishaan had to leave early so Axel continued to play with Max. Here is a cute picture of them pretending to go to school.

 This evening has been a lazy time of watching football and playing games. More football than game playing, as you can see below.

 My sister and I loved reading cereal boxes growing up. Axel took interest in this Life cereal box this past week and we have done the activities on the back over a half a dozen times. He wanted to do it with every meal despite the fact that no cereal was involved. I thought this picture was really cute because he looks like such an old little man here. He is always surprising me with his intelligence and it is exciting to see him develop over the weeks and months.

Axel has no child care for the next two and a half weeks so we are looking forward to some more one and one quality time with Axel as well as family time with the three of us before baby girl Szolusha arrives. With four weeks to go it really could be anytime. We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas just in case we don't get to post before then!