Family of Four

The grandmas (and grandpa and aunt) have already gone and we're flying family of four on our own now. It will be tough not having them close by; the little ones have sure basked in all the extra love and attention. I've basked in some uninterrupted naps! We will sure miss them.

I promised some more pictures! Here they are:

Aspen at one week with Albert, the bear.

We have another rocket-pooper on our hands

Consequently, Aspen's first bath!

Avery LOVES to give kisses and hold her baby sister

Fashioning grandma's lip stick

The girls with aunt Jessica :)

Avery working on potty training and her social life

We really love how much Avery cares for her little sister. She will rock her bassinet and "shh" her when she cries (it's adorable)! She loves to hold her and kiss her all the time and has to say goodnight to baby. Aspen is adjusting to life so well; she is a very good baby to handle. We love having our family of four!

Aspen Kay Olsen

Our baby girl (#2) has arrived! Aspen Kay Olsen: born Sunday, January 9th, 7:44 a.m., 7 lbs. 7 oz., 20 inches. Here is the best picture we have so far (her face is a little swollen), but there will be more to come!
Below is a picture of Avery for comparison. She looks just like her big sister! An overview of the labor and delivery for those interested: I began feeling my very first and mild contractions on Saturday morning (2 days after my due date). Nothing particularly notable. They picked up over the day and by the night time, I thought it was a possibility we'd go to the hospital overnight if they kept picking up. I still thought it was possible they'd subside.

I woke up at 1 a.m. with a bit stronger contractions about 10 minutes apart, lasting 30 seconds a piece. I just stayed awake trying to relax on my ball or in the tub or just breathing. By 4 a.m., they were about 5 minutes apart and 45 seconds long. Intensity-wise, they were manageable and not scary, but took attention.

I decided to have my doula meet me and Brian at the hospital (my mom stayed at home with Avery). I guessed I was probably at a 4 dilation, and I originally wanted to labor longer at home but changed my mind when I thought of how long it might take to check in and I didn't want to be nearing transition during all that. Sure enough, I was at a 4 when we arrived about 4:30 a.m. I'm glad I went at this time. They strapped me to the bed for half an hour then let me walk the halls.

After an hour, I was barely at a 5 and I thought "well, I guess this could still take a while." I wasn't worried though, because the contractions were far enough apart and the peaks didn't last long enough for me to be frantic. I did feel nauseous though and threw up once. Then within another hour, I was at a 9! I was so surprised! The contractions still didn't feel like they had heightened a great deal; I just kept breathing and moaning and even stayed in bed because I felt that walking around would drain my strength or make me dizzy (plus the doctor would not be there for another 30 minutes and I was asked to stay low key). I was feeling very hopeful at this point because I was coping really well (I had enough time between peaks to regain my bearings). They were the most tough just before pushing and throughout pushing. My face and hands were getting tingly because I was breathing too fast; I hoped I wouldn't pass out, but my nurse and doula helped me with my breathing.

The most frantic I felt through this whole thing was when I was expected to push. I never felt this relief to push or overwhelming urge. I thought it would be easier and methodical, but I kind of had to make it up. They sort of suggested I could push if I felt like it, but I was more apprehensive about it because it wasn't the feeling I imagined. Plus the contractions were enough to keep me occupied and I was afraid to start pushing. I "manned" up and did anyway. After about 4 contractions (2-3 strenuous pushes each), it was all over. Amazing! She was here! The "ring of fire" never exactly happened (which was a relief). Everything was all said and done. Amazing. I just couldn't believe it. I was SO happy to have baby here!

Avery took a few minutes to warm up to her new baby sister. She was unsure of what this was all about. Soon enough, though, she wanted to hold her and share her bear.




Avery meets Aspen

Grandma teaches Avery to paint! She does so well!

Snow and Avery

It has been very cold and snowy lately! Very beautiful. Today the temperature warmed up, and even though Avery still isn't 100%, I had to let her out of the house to visit the snow for a few minutes. It was pretty fun and I love her snow suit!

Pregnancy

I wanted to post some of my pregnancy thoughts just because. (This picture was yesterday.)

I think I've craved sweets more this time and I don't really feel bad about giving in when I want. I was big into eggs at the beginning, but now not so much. I think I eat about the same amount of food now as when I was not pregnant.

I haven't noticed this pregnancy being cumbersome at all except for a few small things. One: It's really hard to turn over in bed and get situated; two: I have to gear myself up and hold my breath to reach my shoe strings and tie them; and three: I have to reach and bend over to do the dishes since my belly hits the counter! It's funny when I don't notice how close my belly is to the oven, stove, sink, or bowl and I get stuff on myself. I also can't just "squeeze" by people in the hall at church because this thing just doesn't suck in, no matter how hard I try... and yet I still think that it's skinnier to turn sideways to get through. haha. watchout!

I officially can no longer zip up my winter coat and I'm uncomfortable in all of my going-out pants (even the maternity ones); they just cut into my belly because they're the hip low-riser stretchy ones... I'm starting to wish they were all the ugly huge panel over the belly ones. I have one of those that are jeans (and tapered in at the leg mind you), as well as a red pj pants one... not many options for going out. That's okay, we stay at home mostly anyway and I can use those to work in like we've been doing lately. I must admit that I've worn them one too many times because I'm holding out for our new washer/dryer to get here on the 5th(!) I went to the laundry mat here once as we've transitioned to the new place and it was so expensive!! $2.50 for one wash. Plus it was just really inconvenient (and I don't even have the second baby here yet). Brian agreed we needed to get that washer/dryer right away, thankfully. I feel spoiled but oh so grateful.

A few more notes. A sad story this time: I bought a needed pair of maternity pantyhose at Motherhood for a whopping $16 (for ONE pair...outrageous, I know) and only got one use out of then until I snagged a huge run. So sad and frustrating. I wouldn't bother with them if it wasn't so in the middle of winter and frigid. At least my one black pair from last time is holding out (except today they decided they were too tight for my growing belly and kept sliding down). Not much longer to go; I can make it!

Alas, pregnancy has it's challenges, but to be honest- I feel like these all have been rather insignificant for me. And aside from some growing lower pelvic pressure/discomfort if I step the wrong way, I feel like a normal person. I feel great really. I've started to allow myself to indulge when people keep saying "oh, you're so small for being this pregnant" even though I never knew what to say to that. I can take it as a compliment; surely they say it to make me feel awesome, so I let it make me feel awesome. I really only care about if that means I'll be having a small coming baby!

I can hardly believe my due date is this week; I don't think I can imagine my body spontaneously going into labor at all... much less this very week. It feels very content where it's at I think. I wonder what it'll be like....

Meanwhile, I'll sit here writing endlessly in front of this super cozy fireplace. Ah. This is so nice. G'night everyone! (Can't wait to tell you when we have an arrival!)
P.S. Yesterday was my birthday! 24! We spent it scraping off our popcorn ceiling and going to olive garden... it was great!