A Year in Review

So...it's the last of day of 2010 and I have been reflecting on what an amazing year it has been for this family! The following is a list of events that made this year one for the books-

January: We took a great trip to San Francisco, Rhonen began trying to stand and we found out we were expecting our second baby, Jackson.

February: Rhonen turned 9 months and began his love for destroying (see February blog)

March: Dustin and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary, we took a fabulous vacation to Yosemite, Rhonen got his first haircut and took his first steps!!!

April: Had a sweet play date in the park and Rhonen starred in a Public Service video for healthy nutrition.

May: Rhonen turned 1! and we partied like toddlers for Rhonen's big day, I celebrated my first Mother's Day and we found out we were having another beautiful boy.

June: We went to the 32 Annual Holley/Baker/August family reunion and had a blast, we took Rhonen to his second Giants game and he went for his first swim in the pool.

July: I was enduring a hot, pregnant summer, Rhonen really began talking more and he gave up the bottle.

August: We started our baby countdown, we began looking at houses to buy (that apartment was shrinking by the day :), we took Rhonen to the zoo with Gigi and Grandpa Carl and I was thrown a surprise baby shower!

September: Jackson John Holley made his entrance into the world! This was the only event that mattered :)))

October: We adjusted to having two children...we're still adjusting. We had a Billy Idol and Tigger for Halloween.

November: Rhonen turned 1 1/2 and Jackson 2 months, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, and we put an offer in on a house!

December: We closed escrow on the 10th and it's been a whirlwind ever since! We spent a great Christmas in San Jose with family, and began settling into our home.

Which brings me to tonight. We have had quite the year and I can't wait to see what 2011 will bring. Owning our home is such a blessing and we couldn't have done it without the help of our families :) We're so fortunate to have such loving & caring people surrounding us. As I sit here tonight...I am quite content.

Wildwood Park

We took the boys to Wildwood Park today. It was beautiful...we were the only people on the play ground. The park itself is situated on the outskirts of Chico inside upper Bidwell park. There are incredible views and peaceful sounds of wildlife and wind. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my morning :)

Rhonen the Builder

Rho has become quite the architect with his blocks. He builds soaring towers like this one every day. Oh...and his Oma bought him this cute monkey sweater. Thanks Oma!!!

10 weeks old

Here are my latest shots of Jackson. He's really becoming a solid little guy. He loves smiling for us and is quite a talker. He enjoys eating and bath time :) Overall...a happy boy!

His first set of NUMBERS

Jackson had his two month well baby check up today...and the numbers are in!

Weight: 13 lbs 12 oz!!! Almost double his birth weight!

Height: 23 1/4 inches

Head Circumference: 41 cm

Our pediatrician said he's doing wonderful...perfect and healthy. 

Welcome Baby William

My very best friend welcomed her first child into the world yesterday! William James Gonnsen has arrived and I am so happy for her and her husband. She had a natural child birth and ended up with two black eyes, a result of two hours pushing! She's amazing and I know she'll be a wonderful mom. 

8 weeks old

Jackson is eight weeks old and his little personality is starting to show :)

Sleeping like a baby

6 weeks with Zebra

18 Months

18 months...aka 1 and a half! And boy has he grown. When I see pictures of him he looks so much like a little boy, and I suppose that's what he is. Let's see...he is great at climbing and most recently jumping off of things. Scary for us but he thinks it's so much fun. Rhonen can go down the slide all by himself, even the really tall slides. He has no fear.

It's amazing to see him with Jackson...he takes such an interest in his brother. He wants to swing him to sleep, burp him after a feeding, give him kisses, and help in any other way he can. Jackson always pays attention when his brother is around and I know in a few months the bond will be very strong between them. 

Rhonen is talking up a storm...the only problem is we don't know what he is saying! We can decipher about 30 words, everything else is baby gibberish. He has started to count and loves when we sing songs.

Along with all these wonderful milestones, we have also wandered into tantrum land. When he doesn't get his way..watch out! Crying, head banging, feet kicking, arm throwing tantrum!Most of the time we ignore his outburst, unless he's frustrated with a task...then we take the time to help him. It's all part of growing up :)

We're so in love with our Rhonen! We couldn't ask for a more perfect child and we can't wait to see him continue to grow and learn.

Smiles for Mommy

Halloween 2010

This year for Halloween Rhonen was Billy Idol and Jackson went as Tigger. We took them to treat street downtown and then Rhonen got to go trick-or-treating with Grandpa. We got so many compliments on Rhonen's costume, especially the hair. And of course Jackson was the cutest little baby on the block!

Happy Halloween 2010

Sweet Baby Sounds

Brotherly Love

Look Mom...it's our baby Jackson

1 Month New

Our sweet Jackson is officially 1 month new! Not much to write about so I'll let the photos do the talking :

 

Crazy Hair

Here is the inspiration for this year's Halloween costume...baby rock star!

Bumbo

This little blue seat, aka "the bumbo", is Rhonen's new favorite place to sit. However, it's challenging to get out of, especially with his chunky little thighs. 

3 weeks

Jackson is now 3 weeks old and filling in quite nicely (notice the breast milk rolls starting to form :) There's not much to note about his development...still just eating, sleeping, and pooping. I am starting to notice a daily schedule that he has...although it is of course, subject to change. He's such a beautiful, sweet baby. We are so blessed to have two amazing boys. Oh...just for fun...here's a picture of Rhonen when he was about the same age and in the same onesie! No doubting the fact that these two are brothers!

 

Week Two

Jackson is well and thriving! He has already gained almost two pounds since birth and grown an inch and a half!!!He's really starting to focus in while he's awake. Here's a few updated pictures with a couple funny faces :)

The Adjustment Period

I had no idea what to expect coming home from the hospital. How much harder will it really be with two? My only observation so far...it brings multitasking to a whole new level! Bringing Jackson home to his older brother has proven to be challenging and surprising. Initially, there was so much going on with family and friends that I think Rhonen was a little confused about just what Jackson was doing in our home. He has now warmed up to the idea and is getting used to having a little brother. While Rhonen is excited about Jackson...he is sometimes too excited. It took about a week before he stopped swatting at the baby. And jealousy does arise around feeding time. But considering all of the change that happened over the last few weeks, Rhonen is doing very well in his big brother role. His face lights up when he gets to touch Jackson and he is good at giving "Jack Jack" kisses.

Dustin and I have had to adjust our attention towards both boys...instead of just one. For me I am constantly looking for opportunities to be with just Rhonen. Most of my time is spent holding/feeding one and speaking/feeding/bathing/dressing the other. So when I can steel a moment with Rho I try to make it special. And in the early days of life, the mother is the primary caregiver for an infant...so Dustin looks for bonding time with Jackson. We have all had to give a little one way or another. The end result...our family is drastically different and exponentially better because of our little Jackson. 

Week One

How is it possible to love someone so much after just one week? Jackson is such a sweet baby! Of course all he does is eat, sleep, and make dirty diapers. He seems to be very mellow and observant...but that could all change in few months. I can't wait to see his little personality emerge.

Jackson's Birth

Jackson John Holley

Born Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 2:26pm

Weight: 7lbs 1oz

Height: 19 inches

My contractions started on Friday evening. I didn't even realize I was having them for a few hours because it was Rhonen's bedtime and I was doing our routine like every other night. Finally it dawned on me...hey these pains feel like labor pains! I got excited! Finally this baby was on his way. I jumped into gear and finished my packing for the hospital and for Rhonen. We had made arrangements for him to stay with my dad while we were in the hospital. Dustin called around 9:30 and I told him the good news. But as soon as I did the contractions slowed down. What the heck?! I tried to relax, I tried to exercise, I tried a glass of wine...nothing helped. Feeling disappointed I just went to sleep. I continued to have contractions all through the night but they were very inconsistent and by the time morning came they had stopped all together.

So we went to the farmer's market as usual and then to the park so Rhonen could play. Still no contractions. We all came home and took a nice long nap then Dustin was off to work. Around 6pm the contractions started up again. OK...here we go. They were coming more frequently and getting stronger. This was the real thing for sure! I called my dad to give him fair warning...there may be a 2am wake up call tonight. I told Dustin they coming every 15 minutes and he should probably head home. Well, by the time he did come home the contractions were slowing way down again! It was as if the baby could hear me telling him it was time and decided to show me just who was in charge. For the rest of the night the contractions came only once or twice per hour. But they were getting more intense. Just enough to keep me from getting any sleep. At 4am I had a really strong one and I decided I had had enough! I woke up Dustin and called my dad. I needed to know what was going on. How far along am I? I thought I was surely 4cm dilated by now and they would have to admit me. 

We arrived at the hospital around 5am. The nurse hooked me up the fetal monitor and checked to see how dilated I was. "3-4cm" she told me. "I need you to walk around for an hour. Come back and we'll check you again. If your 4cm we'll keep you." Great I thought...now after  all this I'm still only 3! So Dustin and I did laps around that hospital. I climbed stairs. I did squats. We returned after an hour and I was 4-5cm! Thank goodness ;) The nurse admitted us and started getting the water birthing room ready. It took a minute for me to remember how to labor. I knew I needed to use my voice and my breath to cope with the pain. Rest between contractions and save my strength for later. With Rhonen's birth I was committed to an all natural birth, and I was successful in doing that. This time around I again wanted to refrain from drugs but I also thought the process would go much faster. At least that's what everyone told me. 

Finally we got into the room and I immediately jumped into the shower. Endless hot water had never sounded so good. I moved from the shower... to the ball... to the bed several times. After about six hours of this I was starting feel exhausted. At 12:30 my midwife came in to check my progress. I was only 6cm dilated! "If you really want to get things going, I'll break your water". I had to think about this for a minute. As soon as the water breaks it gets quite a bit more painful. But I also wanted this to be over so I gave her the OK. Sure enough the contractions really got moving. I went back to the shower for some relief. All of a sudden I felt nauseous and dizzy. My nurse came into check the baby's heart rate and I told her I wasn't feeling well. She called for another nurse who brought in a wheel chair. They took me to the bed to see how far along I was. With the next contraction I felt the urge. I told them I had to push.

"Do you want us to set up the tub?" 

"yes...wait! No" "I don't want to have to move! Is it too late for drugs? "

My midwife told me that getting drugs would take too long. She thought this baby was coming fast and we should just get ready to have the baby on the bed. I didn't care at this point where I had the baby. Dustin however, thought I should deliver on the birthing stool like I did with Rhonen. He told my midwife that I had a problem the last time in the bed and I really did better in a sitting position. I'm so glad he spoke up. On the bed the contractions were insanely painful and I could feel the urge only sometimes. As soon as I stood up I could bear down much more and I felt the urge with every contraction. 

Within about twenty minutes Jackson was born. He came out screaming...a very nice thing to hear. They handed him to me and I looked down at our baby overjoyed. Dustin was behind me...he kissed me on the cheek and said "you did it...he might be better looking than Rhonen :)"  

Jackson John Holley

Born Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 2:26pm.

7lbs 1oz, 19 inches

Still Pregnant...but not for long!

With just 6 days until my due date I am excited to say the contractions have begun! I was up all night with very irregular, but unmistakable labor pains. Will he come today or tomorrow? Stay tuned...

Father Son Sessions

Dustin has been practicing the guitar. Whenever he sits down to play Rhonen tries to climb on top of him...literally. He would walk up the guitar onto Dustin's shoulders! Today we discovered that he was trying to get behind the guitar so he could play with dad. These pictures are truly priceless!