Our Boys

Oakley has officially entered the stage of doing everything himself. He has been gradually seeking independence a little at a time, but it seems in the last couple of weeks it has really hit full force. Now he can't really say "I do it", because he's not officially talking yet, well he is but unless you speak gibberish it just goes right over your head, but he conveys his desire for independence through grunts with a side of disgust on his face. Lets just say I get the hint.

This would be one of the messes I'm referring to.

With Oakley's new found freedom I find myself digging through my kitchen drawers in hopes of finding his bibs. No one told me once you put them away there would come a time when you need to get them back out...for the same child. Oakley has been feeding himself for some time now, but when it comes to the real messy foods I've been a little bit of a control freak. I've insisted on helping him because unless I do I know what kind of mess I'll have to clean up. I admit I'm trying to keep my messes to a minimum. Between poopy diapers, baby barf, and the common sticky hands and face I don't have much more to give.

Oops, dropped some. Yes, he's licking the table, but look at the yogurt container.

He has also become insistent on having a "whole" whatever it is. For example if you break a graham cracker into smaller pieces for him, he no longer wants it. Funny story, Oakley was eating a chocolate chip cookie and decided to show my mom what he was eating by sticking it in her face. My mom misunderstood and thought he was sharing it with her, so she took a bite. You would have thought the world had ended the way that kid started wailing. My gosh I thought for sure he lost a leg or something. Needless to say Nana will not make that mistake again. Apparently it was a "look don't touch" kind of situation.

Easton. What can I say about my sweet baby boy? I have to admit I was kind of scared about having number 2. You know because everyone always says number 2 is usually the trouble maker. I realize it's way too soon to tell and yes I could very well eat my words, but right now I can honestly say he's a good baby. Don't get me wrong, he does have his fussy times and one of those times is usually during Oakley's bath time, but other than that it's the typical "I'm hungry" and "I'm tired". One of my frustrations when Oakley was a baby was that he was such a light sleeper. Everything woke him up. Not Easton. This kid will sleep through anything and if it does startle him and wake him from his slumber he just simply closes his eyes and goes back to sleep. I love the fact that he likes to snuggle and take naps with me. Again, I realize not a good habit, but he's still roomless and for some reason he will not nap in his bassinet. Hey I do what I gotta do. There's nothing like holding and snuggling a newborn especially when he coo's and gurgles at me. Yes, he started talking this week. I have a feeling my house will not be quiet for some time.

I love the one little dimple.

Oh How They Grow!

3 days old!


6 weeks old!

I can believe how big my baby boy is getting. It's only been 6 weeks and he's already turning into a chunky monkey.

~3 Weeks~

Our little Easton is now 3 weeks old and we are adjusting. That's the best way to explain it...adjusting. Oakley is getting more and more comfortable around his little brother. 3 weeks ago he wouldn't even look at me if I was holding Easton and just the other day he tried to pull the baby out of my arms because he wanted to hold him. I still have to remind him to be easy and gentle because Oakley thinks he should be able to poke Easton if he wants. Oakley also thinks he should be able to play basketball with the baskets that hang off the end of the pack n play and again I have to remind him that his brother is laying on the other side of the baskets and playing basketball isn't a great idea. He definitely likes to test his limits whenever I'm feeding Easton but all in all he's a good boy...for the most part. Don't ask me to repeat that statement on a day to day basis because some days are better than others. Today would be a good day.

My recovery has gone well so I can't complain in that department. I'm still tired from time to time so my house isn't immaculate, but I try to get at least one thing accomplished every day. Some days that accomplishment is a shower and I just have to accept that. It would be great if the boys would nap at the same time during the day and on the days that they do I seize the opportunity and take a nap myself. Sorry toilets you'll just have to wait until tomorrow...or next week. :-)

(As you can see I started this post last week and I'm just now finishing.)

Our Sweet Baby Boy!

Easton Anders Hegstrom

Easton and Daddy

Easton and Mommy

My first outfit.

Time to go home.

Oakley playing Peek-A-Boo with the curtain. He was proud of himself.

Josh, Oakley, and I are happy to announce the birth of Easton Anders Hegstrom. He was born on Saturday June 27, 2009 at 8:19am. He weighs 7 pounds 7 ounces and is 20 inches long. It took us two days to decide on a name but we finally did it. I found the name Easton while searching the internet one day and his middle name is Anders after Josh's Great Grandpa Hegstrom.

Forgive me for the delay in getting you all caught up. Some of you have sent me texts wanting to know how everything went and the short version was "OK". Now for the long version. I had been having contractions off and on for 2 weeks. Nothing consistent. Friday night at 8:00 I started having contractions every 10 minutes for about an hour and of course they stopped. The only promising thing about these contractions was that they were definitely stronger than what I had been feeling weeks prior so I figured at least I'm moving in the right direction. I had a few more that evening and they stopped so I went to bed. At 2:00am I woke up to contractions getting stronger and with those contractions a lot of back pain and hip pain. Now I didn't experience the back and hip thing with Oakley so I wasn't really sure if this was labor. I layed there for about an hour and the contractions went to 5 minutes apart so I figured I should call my mom so at least she was at the house with Oakley if we had to leave. I let Josh sleep until 4:30am and then he joined the labor fun. Now just to back track for a minute, when I was in labor with Oakley and could no longer take it we went to the hospital and I was only at a 4. When I started throwing up I was at a 5 or 6. What threw me off with Easton was that the back and hip pain was far worse than the contractions. Well, when I started throwing up I figured we better go to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital at 7:22am and as you read previously Easton was born at 8:19am. I guess you could say I cut it a little close. I had to chuckle because the nurse asked if I wanted an epidural and I told her no. Well the nurse behind her chimed in "That's good because it's too late for one anyway." The nurses had a hard time getting a read on Easton's heart rate so they had to put one of those metal prongs on his head. When my doctor showed up he was concerned about the baby's heart rate being so low. I wasn't ready to push but I was told I didn't have a choice. He let me push a couple times on my own but of course nothing was happening. So, after the agonizing experience of being numbed for the vacuum I was told on the next contraction to push and keep pushing no matter what and the doctor would vacuum at the same time. After what seemed like the Guinness book of world record push our sweet baby boy was born. After being out his heart rate returned to normal and he's as healthy as can be. Easton has his daddy's eyes and nose. I think Oakley (Big O) and Easton (little e) have similarities but they definitely have their own look as well.

Oakley was not to fond of his new little brother at first, but has grown to where he's OK to be in the same room with him and will acknowledge Easton's presence. It's funny though Oakley will get really upset and start crying if Mom doesn't hurry up to pick up the baby when baby is crying.

40 Weeks!

Yes, I'm 40 weeks and 1 day I might add. Trust me you're not the only one who can't believe it. I thought for sure with this being my second child that I'd go early if only by a day or two. No such luck. To add insult to injury I'm not even feeling labor lift it's weary head. I had contractions consistently for 2 hours a week ago Monday, but now I'm convinced that they were sympathy contractions for my sister-in-law. So now everyone I know who was due around me has already had their babies, but little ole Denise gets to play the waiting game. I've tried pressure points, juice, and walking. Yes, I know that sex is also suppose to help kick start labor, however I'd like to know how one participates in such an activity when they can't sit, stand, or lay down without being utterly uncomfortable.?

I'm carrying this baby out in front instead of all the way around like I did Oakley so of course the weight of my stomach pulls whenever I lay down on my side and if I lay down on my back I'm gasping for air. Sitting is OK until I try to stand up and then I have to hold my stomach when I do so I don't double over in pain. It's a good thing no one tells you how much harder the second pregnancy is from the first or else women would not have more children. As you can tell my maternity shirts are no longer long enough to cover the panels in my pants so finding something to wear is fun. I think when you get to the point that maternity clothes no longer fit GOD should oblige and make you go into labor.

Happy Father's Day!

Dear Daddy,

I wanted to tell you how much I love you and appreciate everything you do for me and our family. I know you work really really hard and you don't get to spend as much time with me as you would like. Which I'm sure is all day everyday. But the time we do spend together means a lot to me. I love playtime with you and I love it when you take me for walks in my car. No offense to Mom but you play ball better than she does. You're my bestfriend and I love you soooooooooooo much Daddy. Happy Father's Day!

Love, Oakley

Grace Brooklyn Helfer

I think she kind of looks like Oakley in this picture.

I'm happy to announce that my sister-in-law Makenzie (Josh's little sister) gave birth to a beautiful little girl last night. Her name is Grace Brooklyn Helfer she weighs 6lbs 7ozs is 20in. long and was born at 10:54pm California time. Yes, Kenzie was due the day before me. I should be so lucky to go into labor this week. My mom and Josh continue to tell me that I'm going to go late again and I just think they're evil for saying such a thing. Congratulations Kenzie and Christian!