Saturday, April 7, 2012
Treasured Keepsake
Easter is Upon Us
It's that time of year that we celebrate Spring and even more importantly Easter. And while we talk to Wy-man about the meaning of Easter, he doesn't fully grasp the concept. To him we go to church and celebrate, but in his mind it's still about the Easter Bunny, dying eggs and, of course, the candy!
To help Wy-man's daycare class celebrate the holiday, we put together Cheeto carrots for everyone. Thank you Pinterest for the great idea!
Wy-man couldn't wait to bring them to share with his class. He was the hit of the party!
While we plan to continue our Easter festivities the rest of the weekend with dying Easter Eggs, having an Easter Egg hunt, attending church with as a family and ending tomorrow with a wonderful Easter Brunch, I couldn't resist sharing a couple of the photos I have taken this week.
I have plenty more...but these are a few I had time to edit. Of course, I have a lot more of Colt since Wy-man doesn't let me snap his photo very often (unless I use bribery).
I received both the hat and the coordinating frog at Colt's baby shower (ironically from two different people) but they worked great for this Easter photo shoot! And to make it even more special, the blanket below was hand knit by Mike's grandmother when Wy-man was a baby. The colors matched perfectly and made these photos that much more sentimental!!
Happy Easter from the Davidson boys!
To help Wy-man's daycare class celebrate the holiday, we put together Cheeto carrots for everyone. Thank you Pinterest for the great idea!
Wy-man couldn't wait to bring them to share with his class. He was the hit of the party!
While we plan to continue our Easter festivities the rest of the weekend with dying Easter Eggs, having an Easter Egg hunt, attending church with as a family and ending tomorrow with a wonderful Easter Brunch, I couldn't resist sharing a couple of the photos I have taken this week.
I have plenty more...but these are a few I had time to edit. Of course, I have a lot more of Colt since Wy-man doesn't let me snap his photo very often (unless I use bribery).
I received both the hat and the coordinating frog at Colt's baby shower (ironically from two different people) but they worked great for this Easter photo shoot! And to make it even more special, the blanket below was hand knit by Mike's grandmother when Wy-man was a baby. The colors matched perfectly and made these photos that much more sentimental!!
Happy Easter from the Davidson boys!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Colt's Arrival
Well it's been 3 weeks and I have finally had some time to pull all of my photos together in order to share Colt's arrival. So without further adieu, here it is!
It had been 6 long weeks of bed rest and I had finally given up on Colt coming early. I was continuing with my check-ups every 3 days (getting really tired of all of the ultrasounds every Tuesday and Friday).
On the Tuesday before he arrived, the ultrasound counted my fluid level at 9.2 (which is a really great number considering I had been down to a 4.98 just 3 weeks prior). When talking to my OB (who was leaving on vacation for a week) she said the only reason she would want this baby delivered early was if my fluid went back down to 5.
So when going to the appointment on Friday, March 9th I told myself "Today will just be another check up. No need to bring my packed bag or the camera!" But boy was I wrong. My fluid had dropped again and it was down to a 5.3 - but that isn't what tipped us over the edge. The night before I had horribly itchy hands and feet. I thought nothing of it really but decided while talking to the Perinatologist that I should ask about an anti-itch cream that is safe during pregnancy.
When I mentioned this symptom to him, a look of concern crossed his face. Little did I know that itchy hands and feet could mean something serious - cholestasis. He looked at me and said "We aren't going to test you for this, we are just going to deliver this baby today." I was shocked. For once I wasn't anticipating his arrival - I no longer felt ready.
But I didn't have a choice. They sent me home (since I had eaten breakfast) and I needed to be fasting for at least 8 hours before surgery. Do you know how hard that is for a pregnant woman? Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours...that was worse than the anticipation of Colt's arrival. But I survived!
At 2:00 pm, Mimi and Papa came over to take care of Wy-man while Daddy and I headed up to the hospital to get checked in.
Mimi did the honors and took our last photo as a family of three! (37 weeks 2 days pregnant)
We got all checked in and prepped for surgery. By 4:24 pm, Colt Michael Davidson was born!
He still qualified as a pre-term infant, so the NICU staff was there ready to assess him. He was looking good so Daddy got to cut his cord. (Daddy didn't get to cut Wy-man's cord for some reason...but we can't remember why.)
Colt weighed in at a tiny 5 lbs. 11 oz - and I think this photo is priceless!
After Colt passed all of this tests, Daddy was able to hold him. (My arms were still strapped to the table at this point, so all I could do was look at him from afar.) But then I was finally able to embrace my beautiful son, and immediately I loved him more than words could describe!
Before they wheeled us back to recovery, a nurse was sweet enough to snap a family photo!
We were in the recovery room for a couple hours and were then taken to our room where we would complete our stay. Finally, after 4 hours of waiting, Wy-man was able to meet his Porkchop! (Please excuse the double chin in all of the photos!)
Unfortunately, Wy-man had some type of cold so the entire time we were in the hospital, he had to have a mask on his face. But as a 3 1/2 year old, he really did quite well!
It was such a wonderful feeling to be cuddling both of my boys! (And it's still weird at times to say "boys" plural!)
We then snapped our first family photo. It isn't perfect, but it totally tells the story of our very long day! :)
Then the big moment came...Wy-man asked to hold Porkchop. It wasn't something I wanted to force upon him - we wanted it to be Wy-man's idea. So with assistance from Papa and little help from mama (I didn't have much strength), he was able to hold his lil' bro. It didn't last long because Wy-man "needed a rest," but it was sweet while it lasted.
Mimi and Papa both waited patiently until Wy-man was done. Then they were able to snuggle with their fifth grandbaby! And they said it was just as special as holding their first!
By this time it was getting late so Mimi and Papa took Wy-man for a sleepover at their house, so Daddy could stay in the hospital with me. And it was a good thing he did because the first night was REALLY rough for me. I will spare you the details, but three different pain meds and 12 hours later, I was finally able to feel half way decent.
Just in time for my a few of my best girlfriends to show up!
It was great to see their smiling faces. It brought even more happiness to the already wonderful occasion.
Wy-man then came back to visit and propped himself in his special corner to play for a while.
He then headed home for a nap, but the family came back to visit for the evening.
We had even more cuddle time and Wy-man loved hanging out in the bed with us. We practically had to pry him out of bed when I needed to rest.
We did have to be careful when Colt was in the room because of Mimi and Wy-man's cold. But they were such troopers always wearing their masks. (Even though it makes for some goofy photos!) ;-)
Our third day in the hospital a photographer friend of mine was so sweet and captured some great moments with Colt. It was such a wonderful experience for me - one I will never forget. (If you are expecting a baby, or plan to have one in the future, I highly recommend having this done. I am so glad we did!)
After the photos were over, we had a laid back afternoon. Wy-man changed into his comfy pj's to be like mama and he even volunteered to help change Colt's diaper.
Then it was time for a family nap...I can't believe all four of us were able to all sleep at the same time. And it hasn't happened since.
Colt and I took advantage of some "kangaroo care" (skin to skin contact), which is by far my most favorite time spent with him. Don't you just love when a sweet baby curls up like that?!
Finally Monday arrived and we were ready to be discharged.
Wy-man arrived at the hospital in his Big Brother shirt and couldn't wait to bring Porkchop home. (And I was so proud of Daddy for remembering to dress him in his special shirt!)
Wy-man was so patient as I completed all of our discharge paperwork, so he took advantage of the time by holding his lil' brother - this mama was so proud of him!
It was a little after noon and the time had finally come. We were headed home!
Porkchop was all snuggled in, ready to breathe the fresh air outside. It was nearly 70 degrees which is unheard of for March weather in South Dakota...but it was perfect weather to bring home our newest addition.
This experience has been life changing and we are loving every minute of it! I am sorry this post is three weeks late...but better late than never, right?!
Thanks for hanging in until the end of this lengthy post. Hope you enjoyed all of our photos. They are memories we will never forget!
*****
On the Tuesday before he arrived, the ultrasound counted my fluid level at 9.2 (which is a really great number considering I had been down to a 4.98 just 3 weeks prior). When talking to my OB (who was leaving on vacation for a week) she said the only reason she would want this baby delivered early was if my fluid went back down to 5.
So when going to the appointment on Friday, March 9th I told myself "Today will just be another check up. No need to bring my packed bag or the camera!" But boy was I wrong. My fluid had dropped again and it was down to a 5.3 - but that isn't what tipped us over the edge. The night before I had horribly itchy hands and feet. I thought nothing of it really but decided while talking to the Perinatologist that I should ask about an anti-itch cream that is safe during pregnancy.
When I mentioned this symptom to him, a look of concern crossed his face. Little did I know that itchy hands and feet could mean something serious - cholestasis. He looked at me and said "We aren't going to test you for this, we are just going to deliver this baby today." I was shocked. For once I wasn't anticipating his arrival - I no longer felt ready.
But I didn't have a choice. They sent me home (since I had eaten breakfast) and I needed to be fasting for at least 8 hours before surgery. Do you know how hard that is for a pregnant woman? Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours...that was worse than the anticipation of Colt's arrival. But I survived!
At 2:00 pm, Mimi and Papa came over to take care of Wy-man while Daddy and I headed up to the hospital to get checked in.
Mimi did the honors and took our last photo as a family of three! (37 weeks 2 days pregnant)
We got all checked in and prepped for surgery. By 4:24 pm, Colt Michael Davidson was born!
He still qualified as a pre-term infant, so the NICU staff was there ready to assess him. He was looking good so Daddy got to cut his cord. (Daddy didn't get to cut Wy-man's cord for some reason...but we can't remember why.)
Colt weighed in at a tiny 5 lbs. 11 oz - and I think this photo is priceless!
After Colt passed all of this tests, Daddy was able to hold him. (My arms were still strapped to the table at this point, so all I could do was look at him from afar.) But then I was finally able to embrace my beautiful son, and immediately I loved him more than words could describe!
Before they wheeled us back to recovery, a nurse was sweet enough to snap a family photo!
We were in the recovery room for a couple hours and were then taken to our room where we would complete our stay. Finally, after 4 hours of waiting, Wy-man was able to meet his Porkchop! (Please excuse the double chin in all of the photos!)
Unfortunately, Wy-man had some type of cold so the entire time we were in the hospital, he had to have a mask on his face. But as a 3 1/2 year old, he really did quite well!
It was such a wonderful feeling to be cuddling both of my boys! (And it's still weird at times to say "boys" plural!)
We then snapped our first family photo. It isn't perfect, but it totally tells the story of our very long day! :)
Then the big moment came...Wy-man asked to hold Porkchop. It wasn't something I wanted to force upon him - we wanted it to be Wy-man's idea. So with assistance from Papa and little help from mama (I didn't have much strength), he was able to hold his lil' bro. It didn't last long because Wy-man "needed a rest," but it was sweet while it lasted.
Mimi and Papa both waited patiently until Wy-man was done. Then they were able to snuggle with their fifth grandbaby! And they said it was just as special as holding their first!
By this time it was getting late so Mimi and Papa took Wy-man for a sleepover at their house, so Daddy could stay in the hospital with me. And it was a good thing he did because the first night was REALLY rough for me. I will spare you the details, but three different pain meds and 12 hours later, I was finally able to feel half way decent.
Just in time for my a few of my best girlfriends to show up!
It was great to see their smiling faces. It brought even more happiness to the already wonderful occasion.
Wy-man then came back to visit and propped himself in his special corner to play for a while.
He then headed home for a nap, but the family came back to visit for the evening.
We had even more cuddle time and Wy-man loved hanging out in the bed with us. We practically had to pry him out of bed when I needed to rest.
We did have to be careful when Colt was in the room because of Mimi and Wy-man's cold. But they were such troopers always wearing their masks. (Even though it makes for some goofy photos!) ;-)
*****
Our third day in the hospital a photographer friend of mine was so sweet and captured some great moments with Colt. It was such a wonderful experience for me - one I will never forget. (If you are expecting a baby, or plan to have one in the future, I highly recommend having this done. I am so glad we did!)
After the photos were over, we had a laid back afternoon. Wy-man changed into his comfy pj's to be like mama and he even volunteered to help change Colt's diaper.
Then it was time for a family nap...I can't believe all four of us were able to all sleep at the same time. And it hasn't happened since.
Colt and I took advantage of some "kangaroo care" (skin to skin contact), which is by far my most favorite time spent with him. Don't you just love when a sweet baby curls up like that?!
Finally Monday arrived and we were ready to be discharged.
Wy-man arrived at the hospital in his Big Brother shirt and couldn't wait to bring Porkchop home. (And I was so proud of Daddy for remembering to dress him in his special shirt!)
Wy-man was so patient as I completed all of our discharge paperwork, so he took advantage of the time by holding his lil' brother - this mama was so proud of him!
It was a little after noon and the time had finally come. We were headed home!
Porkchop was all snuggled in, ready to breathe the fresh air outside. It was nearly 70 degrees which is unheard of for March weather in South Dakota...but it was perfect weather to bring home our newest addition.
This experience has been life changing and we are loving every minute of it! I am sorry this post is three weeks late...but better late than never, right?!
Thanks for hanging in until the end of this lengthy post. Hope you enjoyed all of our photos. They are memories we will never forget!
Colt's Hospital Memories
After quite the roller coaster third trimester I was ready for this baby to arrive. And once he did, my very talented friend, Amie Hansen, paid us a visit in the hospital. She was able to capture some great moments on Colt's 3rd day of life.
These photos were too precious not to create a keepsake book. Amie also created a beautiful video of these photos - check it out on my Facebook page.
Enjoy!
These photos were too precious not to create a keepsake book. Amie also created a beautiful video of these photos - check it out on my Facebook page.
Enjoy!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Easter Eggstravaganza
Yesterday was a big day for this mama!
After dropping my current camera at Colt's baptism this past Sunday, I decided to invest in a new one. (Now I am in deep and must make something more out of this photography hobby.) I am SO in love with my 60D and have hardly had a chance to even get all of my settings figured out.
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So before heading to daddy's work for their annual Easter Eggstravaganza, I dressed the boys in their first matching outfits and decided to have a quick photo shoot.
Needless to say, we only had about 15 minutes once Colt was fed and both boys were dressed, plus there wasn't much sunlight shining through the windows - not the ideal conditions for a photo session. But we made the best of it and I got a couple cute shots! (Of course, none of Wyatt with a great smile, but that doesn't really matter. To me, his beautiful brown eyes tell the story.)
And let me tell you, the love Wy-man has for his little brother is astounding. It sure makes mama and daddy proud!
By the time we finished the photo shoot we loaded the car - this mama was finally able to drive again! It felt so strange to be behind the wheel again...it had been since January 31st. The miracle in all of this was that we actually made it to the Easter Eggstravaganza right on time.
Wy-man enjoyed visiting the zoo animals and playing in the bounce-arounds (although I didn't get any photos of him during that part of the night since Colt was quite the attraction)!
But I was able to capture the bunny face painting, which was Wy-man's favorite part anyway!
The night wasn't complete, however, until we got to sit with the Easter Bunny. Can you believe how talented the bunny was to hold a squiring toddler and a newborn? And believe it or not, I was actually able to get a good photo!
Thanks Family Wellness for a super fun evening with the family - and forcing this mama to get out of the house!
After dropping my current camera at Colt's baptism this past Sunday, I decided to invest in a new one. (Now I am in deep and must make something more out of this photography hobby.) I am SO in love with my 60D and have hardly had a chance to even get all of my settings figured out.
.jpg)
So before heading to daddy's work for their annual Easter Eggstravaganza, I dressed the boys in their first matching outfits and decided to have a quick photo shoot.
Needless to say, we only had about 15 minutes once Colt was fed and both boys were dressed, plus there wasn't much sunlight shining through the windows - not the ideal conditions for a photo session. But we made the best of it and I got a couple cute shots! (Of course, none of Wyatt with a great smile, but that doesn't really matter. To me, his beautiful brown eyes tell the story.)
And let me tell you, the love Wy-man has for his little brother is astounding. It sure makes mama and daddy proud!
By the time we finished the photo shoot we loaded the car - this mama was finally able to drive again! It felt so strange to be behind the wheel again...it had been since January 31st. The miracle in all of this was that we actually made it to the Easter Eggstravaganza right on time.
Wy-man enjoyed visiting the zoo animals and playing in the bounce-arounds (although I didn't get any photos of him during that part of the night since Colt was quite the attraction)!
But I was able to capture the bunny face painting, which was Wy-man's favorite part anyway!
The night wasn't complete, however, until we got to sit with the Easter Bunny. Can you believe how talented the bunny was to hold a squiring toddler and a newborn? And believe it or not, I was actually able to get a good photo!
Thanks Family Wellness for a super fun evening with the family - and forcing this mama to get out of the house!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Life After A C-Section
It's hard to believe it's been two full weeks since coming home from the hospital - and let me tell you, recovering from a c-section is no joke. Yes, I didn't go through labor pains (well I guess I did since I was in pre-term labor at 32 weeks), but not to the full extent other women go through.
So while I didn't have a long, drawn out labor, I did have my stomach sliced open, my ab muscles cut through and a baby pulled out of a 4 inch incision. This time around I felt so much more of the delivery since my spinal didn't 'take' from the belly button up...but I was bound and determined to be awake and witness this baby's arrival that I wasn't about to let my non-numbness have the docs put me under. I wouldn't change my decision because hearing his first cry was priceless, but as a result I sure could feel them tugging, twisting, contorting my stomach region in all different ways. (All things I didn't feel when they delivered Wy-man).
I have always prided myself on maintaining my core, but you take it all for granted when you have no muscle left. Sitting up, couching, sneezing, laying down, rolling over...you name it, they all use your ab muscles - and I have NONE left.
With this baby I decided I was going to try something different than I did with Wy-man, so for two weeks now this has been my bed!!
I've become very fond on our lovely couch. It allowed me to sleep at an incline, kept me from rolling over and actually was pretty darn comfortable.
I kept Colt (a.k.a Porkchop - a name lovingly created by Wy-man when he was a wee 4 months in utero) a foot and a half away from the couch where he rested peacefully in his nap nanny (best investment EVER)!
While the road to recovery (and loosing the last bit of pooch I still have) will be a long one, with many sets of sit-ups in store, the past two weeks on the couch have done great things for this mama. But, I would be lying if I said it didn't have a lot to do with this wonderfully sweet and very content baby.
He hardly fusses (I think yesterday was the fussiest he has been and it was because of a little gas), and sleeps amazingly well. (I hope I am not jinxing by sharing it with all of you.) Case and point - last night we went to bed at 10:30, he slept until 3:15 before needing to eat, was back to sleep by 3:45 and not up again until 8:00 am.
WHAT?! He's only two weeks old and sleeping this well - mama was shocked yet super excited at the same time. Too bad this mama wasn't able to go back to sleep last night, so I have been up since 3:15 this morning while he slept peacefully.
Needless to say, today has been a lazy day for Porkchop and me. I decided to make the most of it and snap some photos of this handsome man.
How can I not enjoy spending my day, no matter how tired, when I get to spend it with this beautiful being?!
But tonight I am making some changes. I am going to say GOOD BYE to my temporary residence and rejoin my hubby in our comfy bed. Hopefully that will take care of my sleeplessness.
And if it doesn't, I will continue to thank my lucky stars for this wonderful new life in our family - and be glad I am on maternity leave in case I need a nap!
Here's to our lazy day!!
So while I didn't have a long, drawn out labor, I did have my stomach sliced open, my ab muscles cut through and a baby pulled out of a 4 inch incision. This time around I felt so much more of the delivery since my spinal didn't 'take' from the belly button up...but I was bound and determined to be awake and witness this baby's arrival that I wasn't about to let my non-numbness have the docs put me under. I wouldn't change my decision because hearing his first cry was priceless, but as a result I sure could feel them tugging, twisting, contorting my stomach region in all different ways. (All things I didn't feel when they delivered Wy-man).
*****
I have always prided myself on maintaining my core, but you take it all for granted when you have no muscle left. Sitting up, couching, sneezing, laying down, rolling over...you name it, they all use your ab muscles - and I have NONE left.
With this baby I decided I was going to try something different than I did with Wy-man, so for two weeks now this has been my bed!!
I've become very fond on our lovely couch. It allowed me to sleep at an incline, kept me from rolling over and actually was pretty darn comfortable.I kept Colt (a.k.a Porkchop - a name lovingly created by Wy-man when he was a wee 4 months in utero) a foot and a half away from the couch where he rested peacefully in his nap nanny (best investment EVER)!
It's been a perfect setup. 
*****
While the road to recovery (and loosing the last bit of pooch I still have) will be a long one, with many sets of sit-ups in store, the past two weeks on the couch have done great things for this mama. But, I would be lying if I said it didn't have a lot to do with this wonderfully sweet and very content baby.
He hardly fusses (I think yesterday was the fussiest he has been and it was because of a little gas), and sleeps amazingly well. (I hope I am not jinxing by sharing it with all of you.) Case and point - last night we went to bed at 10:30, he slept until 3:15 before needing to eat, was back to sleep by 3:45 and not up again until 8:00 am.
WHAT?! He's only two weeks old and sleeping this well - mama was shocked yet super excited at the same time. Too bad this mama wasn't able to go back to sleep last night, so I have been up since 3:15 this morning while he slept peacefully.
Needless to say, today has been a lazy day for Porkchop and me. I decided to make the most of it and snap some photos of this handsome man.
How can I not enjoy spending my day, no matter how tired, when I get to spend it with this beautiful being?!But tonight I am making some changes. I am going to say GOOD BYE to my temporary residence and rejoin my hubby in our comfy bed. Hopefully that will take care of my sleeplessness.
And if it doesn't, I will continue to thank my lucky stars for this wonderful new life in our family - and be glad I am on maternity leave in case I need a nap!
Here's to our lazy day!!
Friday, March 23, 2012
A Mom of Boys...
I must admit, when I found out I was pregnant I was hoping for a little girl...One that I could dress up in tutu's and big beautiful bows. But when we heard we were expecting another boy, those thoughts vanished immediately and were replaced with all the big bro/little bro matching outfits I could buy for my two handsome boys.
And while we have tons of hand-me-downs from Wy-man and his 3 other boy cousins, it is still fun to dress Handsome Man in outfits all his own.
This weekend is a huge weekend for us, so of course we needed clothes to fit the occasion. :) A frog outfit for his Sip & See Frog Shower this afternoon, a fun one-piece outfit for cousin Luke's birthday party tomorrow, and last but not least (actually MOST important), is his baby blues for the Baptism on Sunday morning. (And of course, the family has coordinating outfits for Sunday morning too!)
Who says little boys can't be stylish too?!
And while we have tons of hand-me-downs from Wy-man and his 3 other boy cousins, it is still fun to dress Handsome Man in outfits all his own.
This weekend is a huge weekend for us, so of course we needed clothes to fit the occasion. :) A frog outfit for his Sip & See Frog Shower this afternoon, a fun one-piece outfit for cousin Luke's birthday party tomorrow, and last but not least (actually MOST important), is his baby blues for the Baptism on Sunday morning. (And of course, the family has coordinating outfits for Sunday morning too!)
Who says little boys can't be stylish too?!
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