Tiny and Cute

That's what Jared says when you ask him about his little sister. And she is.

12:37 p.m., Monday January 23, 2012.

7.2 pounds, 19 3/4 inches

We went to the hospital to check in on Monday at 10:00 and 2 hours and 37 minutes later Lydia was here! When I had to have my (unplanned) C Section with Jared the 2 hours after the procedure when I was in the recovery room were the worst. This time the actual procedure was worse.  The anesthesiologist had to inject the medicine three times and it was so sharp! Then they laid me down and I suddenly had the most intense headache I have ever had in my life, so much pounding. Then I immediately felt like I was going to throw up again and again and again.  It was awful.  But then she was here and healthy and we are so glad. They moved me into the recovery room and brought Lydia in a little bit later so I got to see her much sooner then I got to see Jared. So really I guess it was sort of a draw not worse or better then last time.  Either way I got two super cute kids out of it and I am so grateful. I had really great nurses this time and that was really nice.  I think my recovery is going fairly well. I don't feel great but I do feel better then I did at this point after Jared.  I have to take it really slow and it is so hard to just sit still and not do things I normally do.  The stairs are the worst part.  I really have to think about what I am going up to get and make sure I get it all so I do not have to make mulitiple trips. My mom was a huge help and tomorrow Mark's Mom gets here so that will be great.

Our little cupcake with a cherry on top! 

Marmee and Lydia

We got home from the hospital Thursday morning. My Mom had been staying with Jared and it was so fun to walk in and see Jared so happy to see us all.  He ran up and gave me the biggest hug. He had come to the hospital each day but seemed so relieved that we were all together again at home. He has been super sweet with Lydia and its really fun to hear him talk about her.  Obviously it hasn't been very long but it has been nice to see him so sweet with her and undisturbed by her.  We gave him a little Elmo doll as a gift from Lydia and then a Lightning McQueen car from us.  He carries the Elmo doll around everywhere.  He loves to take his blanket and wrap Elmo up like we wrap up Lydia. Anytime Lydia makes some sound he says "baby, noise!" not like he is mad but very matter of fact. I think he will be a great big brother.

We took Lydia to the pediatrician on Friday and she got a great report.  When we left the hospital she weighed 6.14 pounds and when they weighed her she was 7 pounds and measured 20 5/8 inches. I think they stretched her out a bit more then the hospital because that would be so amazing growth! One week in she seems fairly predictable or like a "textbook baby" which is such a relief. I sincerely hope she stays that way but time will tell.  She does seem to be super sleepy which is hard for me when I am trying to nurse her. She falls asleep so quickly but thankfully she took to it right away now I just have to keep her awake.

We did a little photo shoot today and got some cute pictures.  She is just a little sweetheart and we love her to pieces!

Some Spencer's visit Colorado and some recent happenings.

As I mentioned, Mark's mom (Sue), brother Steve and nephew Zach drove out last weekend from Utah.  Jared had so much fun with our visitors. We were having Jared demonstrate all his animal noises for them and Zach taught Jared to say "Woot Woot" and raise his arms up when asked "what does a Jared say?" So cute. When it was time for Jared to take a bath or go to bed or do anything really he would say "Sue? Zach?" like he wanted them to be there. Their names were the first things he said when we went in to get him up in the morning or after his nap.  He loved having them here and I am so glad we could visit with them.  While they were here we went over to the Garden of the Gods and enjoyed the super nice weather. It was amazing for mid January like 55 degrees or close to that with no wind. Mark, Steve and Zach also went up to Pikes Peak on the Cog Railway Express while Sue, Jared and I went out to lunch.  We went to Texas Roadhouse and I think I got the better deal.

 Sue, Steve, and Zach. Garden of the Gods.

I love the smile on Jared's face!

Jared had a blast climbing on the rocks and was quite unhappy when it was time to leave. 

That evening I had plans to go and visit a friend in our Primary with one of my counselors. We knocked on the door and to my surprise and great confusion really, we were actually there for a baby shower for Lydia and me.  After Sally opened the door and I looked in I saw people inside and a table with presents on it. I couldn't understand why we were at her house if she was hosting a party.  Then I realized the balloons and decorations were baby themed and it clicked that it was for me!  It seriously took me a good amount of time to put all the pieces together.  I am sure I looked so confused.  It was super nice of my friends/Mark to organize it.  It was fun that Sue could be there too.  While we were in Utah last October we picked out some fabric for a quilt for Lydia and Sue finished it really quick so she could bring it out. I love it it is so perfect.  Instead of a cake we had donuts which also made me really happy because I have been wanting some really badly for awhile. It was really nice of everybody. I was really happy that they kept it low key and that it was a surprise, I so dislike being in the center of attention  I just blush A LOT and just feel so out of place.

Lydia's quilt from Grandma Sue.

For the past few months we have been looking for a double jogging stroller on Craigslist and we found a sweet deal last week so we went and picked it up last week. I am so excited to go on walks with Jared and Lydia.  It will be perfect because once the weather is consistently nice enough Lydia should be old enough to sit in it with Jared.  Mark may even be inspired to go jogging with it.  We found it for 35 dollars.  Score!

Finally I went to my last Doctor's appointment today.  Lydia seems to be doing fine but I don't seem to be doing too much to get her to come.  We will be heading to the hospital Monday morning at 10:30 AM so just 5 days away.  It is so strange to think that Sunday is just a regular day. I am doing sharing time and I have a meeting after church and then less then 24 hours later our lives will be completely different. I have all of Lydia's clothes washed and put in the dresser, diapers and wipes out in strategic locations around the house and the baby monitor set up. I have also been making some meals to put in the freezer for those really long days that are sure to come.  My Mom gets here on Friday and I am excited we can visit for a few days before I have to go hang out at the hospital. We are pretty excited over here.

Timing

Two weeks ago Mark gave a really great talk on timing based on this talk by Elder Oaks.  Mark is a really good speaker and after he spoke people told me that he "inspired them' and that he "rejuvenated them".  It was a really good talk. The week after said talk we got called into the Stake Presidents office.  Mark was then extended a call to be the 1st Counselor in the Bishopric.  In case you aren't aware I am the Primary President and we are having a baby in one week.  This is most definitely an example of our timing being different then the Lord's.  I know that Mark will do a wonderful job.  He is humble, committed, faithful and so much more.  I think the most difficult part is that Mark won't be sitting with us anymore.  I will miss him and I am sure Jared will too.  I know that there will be lots of people who will be willing to sit with Jared while I take care of Lydia at church and help me but its hard to feel like I am going to get a lot out of Church. I will be feeding/taking care of Lydia, and trying to keep Jared reverent during Sacrament then going to Primary for the last 2 hours. Not to mention recovering from a C section and adjusting to having a newborn again.  It's a lot to think about.

Because it was a special occasion Mark's mom came out with his brother Steve and nephew Zach.  They drove out from Utah Friday morning and left today.  It was super nice of them to come out and we loved visiting with them.  Mark's Mom already had plans to fly out here on the 31st so in 2 weeks to help out/meet Lydia.  We really appreciate her coming out now to be with Mark too. I really think Sunday's will be the hardest part of his new calling but know we will be blessed and able to figure it all out.  Wish us luck.

5 words Babies Use (Baby Language)

I saw this video clip on facebook and thought it was amazing especially since I am going to be hearing them soon. So for all you new or soon to be Moms it's worth the 15 minutes. Learning to distinguish a newborns cries is hard for me so I loved watching this. I just requested a copy from the library. Hope it comes in before Lydia so I can listen to it again and again.

I went to the Doctor today and everything seems great. I have one more appointment next week and then should have a baby next Monday. As of today my Doctor is fairly certain she will be born on the 23rd but we will see.

Let's Pretend

Over the past month or so I have noticed Jared really starting to "pretend".  Once he decided there were other fun things to do besides jumping, running and playing with cars he started to pretend to be doing things.  For example, we have an old calculator in our desk drawer and he will pretend its a phone.  Or as we are walking up the stairs he likes to say "ribbit", and hop up each stair.  Lately he has been very into putting things to bed or down for a nap.  He will take a stuffed animal and put his favorite blanket over it (high honors indeed) and say "Nigh, Nigh".  Its cute and fun to see him do it.  What I really like is that he has started doing it with the doll my sister got him for his birthday. I checked some books out from the Library about becoming a big brother and so we read through them and talk a lot about Baby Lydia coming.  It's really sweet. Here are some pictures of Jared practicing to be a big brother.

He will go grab his blanket and say "wrap?"  So we wrap up the "item" how we will swaddle Lydia.  Its been nice to have a chance to do some of these things with Jared asking so we get more chances to talk about it.  Yesterday we went to the store and stocked up on all kinds of newborn things.  I may even pack my bag this week just in case Lydia does not want her birthday to be the 23rd.

2012

For New Years Eve we headed over to some friends house for dinner and games. We were back home by 8:30 and went to bed around 11:00. Pretty exciting I know. We did have some Sparkling Cider though so that was festive. Mark and I were talking about 2011 and what were our favorite things/accomplishments. I would say getting pregnant and potty training Jared top the list. Those alone made it a good year. It has also been super fun to watch Jared grow/develop all year too. It is amazing all the things he learned in one short year.

January 2011

December 2011

 I have been thinking about resolutions for the past few weeks and it occurred to me that I would be better off making my resolutions in June when I no longer had a newborn.  I could easily make some and keep them for 3 weeks but it seems pointless.  For now my resolution for 2012 is to keep life simple. I need to not take on too many things and not put my expectations too high. 
 For the next few weeks I am going to focus on reading books/articles about having a newborn again and mentally preparing myself for the changes to come.  As I was filling out the monthly calender for January it was really fun to write in Lydia's arrival, my last two doctor's appointments, and my Mom's arrival.  Only 21 days!