Christmas in pictures

Christmas was very hectic this year but we did have some fun and make some good memories. I think I was super tired/overwhelmed. Too much for having a baby two weeks earlier. But I digress.....

Here is the Brennan crew in our reindeer antlers, thanks to Denise! The boys wore elf hats but I didn't get that picture.

Aunt Ju-Ju got pink eye and could not come on Christmas day (:( ) but she send a cook Rocket Ship to J! He loved it!


Each year the Brennan's do a Chinese gift exchange and every year there is a funny gift. This year it was this head lamp. Here is Paul with head lamp....
and Chelle with head lamp....(Poor Chelle- she had a miserable cold, but stayed all day! What a trooper)

Here is my g-mom- 87 years old and she is holding M. M is her 13th great-grandchild, three of which have been born in the past month. From two children, she got 8 grandchildren and 13 greats! Wow! What a blessing!

Pop-pop Brennan meets his newest grandchild! He still looks like St. Nick!

On Christmas morning, J had a ball opening gifts. He loved his light saber!

The day after Christmas, we took the tree down. It was too big and too much clutter for our house, especially with a Pack-n-Play and such in the LR. I hope to get the house back to "normal" soon, whatever normal is. :)

Ice Skating

We took J ice skating yesterday. Well, we all went but Uncle Tim and Aunt Julie skated with J. Uncle Tim plays ice hockey and J has been interested so they offered to take him to skate. I was shocked but J had a ball! I was worried he would be scared but he loved every minute of it! Doesn't he look cute in his skates and snowsuit?

Tim was so good with Jake. At first, they didn't use the little PVC pipe thingy that helps you stay balanced but then they got one and J took off!

Thanks Aunt Ju-Ju and Uncle Tim for a fun afternoon! J cannot wait for next time!!!!

Birth Story

While little one is sleeping, I will tell about her birth story.
Paul was finishing up the closet in her room. I was feeling a little crampy but not sure if this was different from the usual feelings of being 38 weeks pregnant. We debated taking J to school. I told Paul that I thought we should not because if I was in labor and all of his family was in NY City on a bus trip, there would be no one to pick him up. Well, we decided to call the doctor on the way to school and make a decision on the way. This was around noon. By the time I spoke to a nurse, I was feeling certainly crampy and in steady intervals. They said to come in to check me out. So off we went to the hospital. Mind you, we had nothing with us, no bags, nothing!

They put me in triage and I got into my lovely gown. Dr. B came in to check and my water broke all over! He looked at me and said, "It looks like you are staying!" I was 3 cm dilated.
So they moved me to a room. Meanwhile, my mom and sister arrived to get J. I sent Paul home to get our stuff while my mom and Julie took turns entertaining J and hanging with me. Paul left around 1. Around 1:45, I was in hard labor, begging for the epidural. My poor sister was sitting with me through each contraction. She kept asking what she could do. I flt bad because I didn't want to talk. I told he to SHHHHH and she listened! :) She got a clip to get my bangs out of my face and sat next to me. That is all I needed. Paul came back at 2:30 and the doc came in to give me the epidural shortly after that. What a relief! I thought I was going to die. The contractions were coming hard and close together! By 3:00 I was feeling relieved and happy! At around 5:15, they checked me and I was ready to push! my mom and Julie decided they were not leaving and took J to the waiting room. (Luckily, Paul brought the DVD player and crayons/paper for J)
I pushed for an hour and at 6:11 PM our beautiful girl arrived. The pushing seemed endless. However, it brought M into the world so it was worth it!
After she was born, I cried and cried! I couldn't stop! I know it was out of pure happiness but I wasn't that emotional with J's birth. I think I was much more aware of what was going on with M's birth. J's was such a big rush and panic since he came so quickly. I remember this one much more. Regardless, both births brought my precious children into this world and for that I am grateful. They are both healthy and happy, so that is the important thing, right?
M's birth was thankfully uneventful and typical.
BTW- my poor m-in-law and sis -in-laws in NY! Stuck on a broken down bus, missing the whole thing! They were so annoyed! They showed up at the hospital at 10:30 eager to see the new Brennan!

Side note- On Paul's side there are 4 grandchildren. All 4 of them were born on the 12th of a month. Jesse is 4/12, Matt is 1/12, J is 9/12 and M is 12/12. How funny is that? Also, J and M were both born on a Friday. Ironic!

Holly Jolly Santa

My father-in-law lives in a nursing home. He has been growing his beard since July so that it would be full in time to play Santa for the employee family party this week. He was the cutest Santa ever!

Paul went over there to get some pictures and even got to share his Christmas list with Santa!

Mr. Andy loved it! HE was in full Santa mode- all of the Ho-HO-Hos and such. We didn't take J as we thought he might say, "That isn't Santa- Its Pop-pop!" We will show him the pictures after Christmas.

One Week

Baby Girl!

M with g-mom and Mom-Mom after her bath.

Proud Grandpop

Big brother J!

Finally- her eyes open!

We have officially been a family of four for a week now. It has been a challenging week, as we all got strep. (Four official people now- me, J, my m-in-law and my sis-in-law) Having an extra person to care for has been challenging too, however, she has been a far easier baby than J ever was. J never slept. M sleeps all the time. Last night was my most challenging night. She was up from 4-6, went through 3 diapers and was a bit fussy. If that is the worst, then I am happy with that. She sleeps for hours at a time, day and night. I have only cried once. :) I cried every day with J. He was such a hard baby. I feel so blessed. I can hardly talk about how laid back she is- I am afraid to jinx it. I have always heard of moms whose kids slept a lot and were contented. I NEVER had that with J. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy him as a baby but it was very hard. I think God knew that I needed and easier baby.

Anyhow, we are really enjoying her. At this point she is doesn't do much- just makes funny faces and noises. However, I look at her and cannot believe that we made her and that she is mine! I get teary eyed! (I know- it is the hormones)

I will post more pictures later. My computer takes forever to load pics to the blog. I need to attempt a Christmas card photo this week too. Arg- That should be fun!

Thankful

Although this has been a challenging few days, I am feeling very thankful!

First of all, for my wonderful hubby, who has been so supportive. Through my anxiety and fear these past months and now the newness of our changing family, he has been my rock. For all of the hard work he put into M's room, for folding laundry when I napped, for EVERYTHING....I am so lucky.

Second, for my family, who dropped everything to come to the hospital to be with J and to be with us for M's birth, who came to the hospital at 11 PM just to see her after spending the day in NY and for the daily visits and phone calls with offers of support and help.

For Chelle, Amy and Christy, who have brought dinner, are bringing dinner, etc....... One forgets to eat these days and cooking? HA!! I can barely shower! We truly are thankful for your generosity, support and love.

For my big boy J, Who has been so good with his sister. and now, having Strep and missing school and routine, he is being a true trooper!

For my new baby girl (who is much better sleeper than J ever was), I am truly thankful. God has truly blessed our little home by adding our beautiful daughter to it. She is healthy, content and gorgeous. Who could ask for anything more?

For my health, I am grateful. I had a relatively easy pregnancy and delivery. I am thankful for the epidural. I know it sounds shallow, but I thought I was going to die from pain and that magical drug helped me through the last few hours. I am thankful for the nurses, doctors and everyone at the hospital who were SO VERY wonderful. I never waited for meds, a drink or anything I needed. They were so nice. I don't know how they do their job, but they do it well. I could never work in a hospital. It takes special people.

I am thankful for my wonderful friends, who have called, emailed etc...with wishes of congrats. People who you never expect to hear from, pop up and express their caring. I have so many supportive people in my life. For that I know I am blessed.

Ok, I am done gushing. I hope everyone in my life knows how grateful and thankful I am for them.

Sleepy head

What a long night! Little girl slept almost all night but she won't wake up to eat! How frustrating! I NEVER had that problem with J! He ate like clockwork! I am hoping I can get her to eat soon, but she is such a peaceful little girl! She is a beautiful sleeper!