Happy 3rd Birthday, Beau Paxton!

     I cannot believe it has been three years already.  Where has time gone?!  Now that we have Baine, and we are remembering what it was like to hold a newborn and snuggle all of the time, it seems like it was just yesterday that we were doing that with Beau.  Time is going by way too fast, and it is making me extremely emotional!
     I thought it would be a good idea to start keeping track of Beau's "favorites" every year on his birthday and to see how he changes over the years.  Here is what Beau had to tell me....

What is your favorite color?  Blue

What is your favorite movie?  Jungle Book

What is your favorite TV show?  Mickey Mouse and Paw Patrol

What is your favorite toy to play with?  iPad...duh! :)

What is your favorite activity?  Ride tractor outside or play on fort with Daddy and Clint

What is your favorite toy/stuffed animal?  "Baby Bear" and his big Mickey

I didn't ask him this one, but his favorite person to run to when he is hurt/sad....MOMMY! :)

     Beau Paxton, you truly have been an amazing blessing to us and Daddy and I love you so very much.  I cannot wait to see how much you grow over the years.  You are so sweet, loving, and you are such a good brother already!

     Since Baine was born just a few days before Beau's birthday, we had to push back his birthday party a bit so we could have time to get adjusted at home, and so I could recover/heal a bit more before hosting a big party.  So on Beau's actually birthday, we made the day ALL about him!  We took him to breakfast that morning with Dena to get Mickey Mouse pancakes, he brought treats to preschool that day for his birthday, and then we went to the movie store and let him pick out a couple of movies to watch.  That night, Beau was able to go to Mahaska Drug with Daddy and pick out a few toys he wanted, then we came home and played trains for the rest of the night.  Overall, Beau was SPOILED all day, especially by his daddy.
     John Wayne made Beau's birthday cake this year, and I must say, it was the most amazing cake I have ever seen in my entire life!  Beau's favorite things right now are Duplo Legos, and trains.  And that is exactly what his cake was----a train that looked like it was made out of Duplo legos.  Not only was the cake amazing to look at, but it was even more delicious to eat :)  Thank you so much, John!
     We had a great day celebrating Beau's special day, and we certainly spoiled him to say the least!  The amount of toys this little guy has already is crazy....but he definitely plays with all of them.  His new kitchen set and train sets were the highlight of his day.  So much for me thinking a play room would keep toys out of my living room upstairs, now I have trains and his groceries from his kitchen EVERYWHERE! :)  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  Thank you everyone who came to celebrate Beau's birthday and to make him feel loved and cherished.

This picture describes Beau's personality to a "T"...ornery and silly :)

More Pictures of Baine's First Few Days...

First Picture as a Family of Four!

Tiny Foot Print :)

Beau's First Time Holding Baine

Going Home!

Beau Playing Doctor With Aunt Brookie

Feeding Baine for the first time :)

Baine Joseph cont...

Videos of Baine's First Few Hours

 

Welcome to the World, Baine Joseph! 

 Beau meeting his baby brother, Baine for the first time :)

Beau Telling Everyone He Has a Baby BROTHER!

Family Meeting Baine

Baine's First Bath

Welcome to the World, Baine Joseph Pierson

     On Thursday night, around 7:00 we were finally able to make it to the hospital to get induced.  The OB was full of women in labor and even with the nurses being on a tight schedule, they were amazing to us and tended to our every need!  Right away we were induced, and as we figured, it made for a very long, uncomfortable, painful night.  I didn't sleep more than an hour.  I did not have ANY pain medications, and my contractions were every 2-3 minutes.  Just as I suspected, the induction didn't make labor progress to where we needed to be.  By morning, my whole labor experience was made better by seeing my FAVORITE nurse ever, Lisa, walk into my room.  She was called in to see if she could help out since they were short staffed and she was assigned to me---hallelujah!  Lisa was one of my nurses when we delivered Beau, and she made the whole experience so amazing for me.  As soon as she started checking my vitals and going over my chart, she told me she would get me pain meds asap and wouldn't let me "suffer" anymore.
     After getting Pitocin all morning, I still hadn't dilated more than a 2 and was not making the progress I needed to be making.  Finally, Dr. Posthuma decided it was time to break my water shortly after lunch.  As soon as I was given my epidural, I was able to get a little rest and NO MORE PAIN!  Around 2:00 the nurse checked me to see what progress we had made, and were still only at a 2, maybe a 3 she said.  Then shortly before 3:00, I told her I was feeling pressure and something wasn't quite right.  She went to check me again, and just like that, I was complete and Baby P was ready to make his/her entrance!  They were able to get Dr. Posthuma in within minutes and my room ready for delivery!  By 3:09, on a beautiful Friday afternoon, Baine Joseph Pierson was born weighing 8 lbs 11 oz 21 inches long.  It was the best news ever to hear Joe tell me "Baby, its a boy!  We have another boy!" For those of you who didn't know, I wanted another boy SO BADLY!  Granted, I would have been just as happy and in love with a girl, but my heart was set on having another boy :).
     Delivering Baine was the exact same labor story as it was with Beau.  Went in on a Thursday night, was induced, nothing worked, broke my water, then within a couple of hours, I was in full labor.  With Beau, I only had to push about 15 minutes.  With Baine, I didn't even push for 5 minutes!  Even though I was blessed to have such an easy, smooth delivery, the pain medicine had started to ware off so I felt more than I had anticipated.  But it was worth it in every possible way!  I cried like a baby as soon as I saw Baine and held him to my chest.  God has definitely blessed Joe and I with two healthy, amazing sons.  We could not be happier.
     After we delivered Baine, we wanted Beau to be the first person to meet him.  Joe went and got Beau to bring him back to our room.  Beau was instantly in love with Baine and the first thing he asked was "Does he talk to me yet?".  Priceless.  He kissed Baine and did not want to leave his side. 

Prepared and Waiting

     Last Thursday was the day we had been scheduled to be induced.  I didn't go to work and spent the whole day cleaning, making sure bags were packed and organized, and then spent time with my mom and sister.  Even though I had freezer meals made up, schedule for Beau taken care of, house/dog arrangements taken care of, I still felt scared and nervous for going into labor.  Even though this was our second go-around, it felt like the first time all over again! 
     I kept thinking all day, "Gosh I love Beau so much.  How on earth am I going to be able to have enough love to love this second baby just as much?  How am I going to be able to be fair to two kids?" Good thing I had my mom and Brook to keep my mind off of things that day as we spent the afternoon together and believe it or not, no one got in an argument! :)
     That night we were supposed to be at the hospital by 5:00 to be induced.  I received a phone call shortly before saying that since there were so many women in labor at that time, they had to push our induction to later.  As frustrated as I was about this, it all ended up working out.  We were able to spend more time with Beau at my sister's and get a little more family time in before the "big event".  It definitely calmed my nerves to be around all of the kids and watching them play together.  As a special gift, Brook had Banx and Beau paint canvases for the Baby.  When I got to Brook's house, Beau was so proud of his artwork and couldn't wait to show me.  I will cherish them forever!

 

 

 

Excessively prepared....

Beau proved himself that he is a good driver and decided to take Bond for a drive...scary to think what these two will truly do when they can drive in 14 years!

Circus With Grandpa Scott and Grandma Chelle!

     As a "Big Brother" present from the baby to Beau, we had bought Beau tickets to go see the circus at Wells Fargo this past Sunday.  Little did we know that Baby P #2 would be so stubborn and not be here yet to "give" Beau the tickets.  Since we didn't know if I would go into labor at any given moment, which obviously didn't happen, and I wasn't feeling the best, we decided we should let grandparents take Beau to the circus instead.  Grandpa Scott and Grandma Chelle definitely made a day out of it with Beau and spoiled him rotten at the circus!  I wish I could have been there to see Beau's reaction to the elephants---that is the main reason why we wanted him to go, he LOVES elephants!  But Michelle took plenty of pictures and I am so happy to hear that Beau loved it.  It was over 2 1/2 hours long, and Beau sat through the entire show!  I think the front row, center seats helped a little bit too :).  When Beau got home he couldn't wait to show Joe and I his snowcone clown cup and his sword that he got.  Of all things, he wanted a sword, go figure!  Can't wait to have Beau go again and this time, have another little one to bring along!

Still Waiting....

     Well, it's official, this baby is stubborn just like Beau was!  We are overdue by 3 days as of today, and I am getting EXTREMELY impatient.  A part of me believes this baby is a girl only because: 1. she thought she wanted to make her appearance early at just 30-31 weeks, but then changed her mind because she wanted all attention to be about her for the next 10 weeks  2.  only a girl would be stubborn enough to not be able to make up her mind as to when she wants to make her entrance  3.  I just feel different with this pregnancy.  But even with those three things on the back of my mind, overall, I truly do think this baby is another boy.  In fact, my prediction is that this baby will be a boy at 7lb 10oz 21 in long.  We shall see! 
     I have my car packed with car seat, bags, baby gear, etc and am all ready to go for my doctor's appointment today---I really hope he decides to keep me and induce :).  The nursery is ready, baby clothes washed and organized, diapers stocked up, and my house is CLEAN!  The only thing we do not have ready to go, are middle names for our boy and girl options.  So if by chance we have this baby very soon, and we don't give a name update, it's because our child is nameless until we can agree on one :)  Any suggestions would be appreciated at this point!
   Every day for the past 2-3 weeks, my mom has definitely been making me feel more calm by checking in on me at least once a day.  Whether if it's a text, phone call, or just dropping by the house, she keeps asking for an update,"is it time yet?!".  I wish mom!  Just the other day on the phone my mom melted my heart by saying "I just can't wait for this baby to get here and to hold him or her!"  I feel the same!  The way Banx, Bond and Beau are spoiled by Nana (and the other grandparents too) I know this baby is going to be just as spoiled with love!

Here are the final baby bump pics!  I REFUSE to make it to 41 weeks to take another picture, so baby P, you need to hurry it up! :)

Cherishing Memories

Last Saturday, Brook, Aunt Joi and I went to Des Moines to do a little shopping and to visit Baby Anora.  I must admit, I am spoiled with one amazing big sister.  The day before, she treated me to a pedicure in Pella to try and get things rolling with this baby---obviously that didn't work :).  Then Saturday, we had a great day together shopping, visiting in the car ride, and just spending time together.  Brook had lunch with her court reporter friends, so Aunt Joi and I had our own little date :).  My Aunt Joi has set the perfect example for me for what kind of aunt I want to be to Banx and Bond.  She is so good to me (and Brook).  She never forgets special days such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  Not to mention, she is the BEST at spoiling her nieces :).  There are days when I feel like I am just a mirror image of my mom, and then there are days where I feel like I am just like Aunt Joi! 

Saturday night, Joe, Brook and I went to the Rielly's Half-Way to St. Patty's Day party.  Even though I couldn't partake in the festivities, it was fun to go out for just a little bit and spend some quality time with Brook and Joe (Austin was at his cousin's wedding for the weekend).  We had a great night together that ended up at Brook's house for our tame version of the "after party" :). 

 

Excited Big Brother....Maybe??

While taking pregnancy belly pictures over the past several weeks, Beau has decided he wanted to be in the pictures.  Normally he will get mad at Joe if Joe takes the picture and yell "Daddy, we weren't ready yet!"  I don't know where he gets his attitude from ;)  I came across this picture the other day that we had snapped of Beau.  He INSISTED on having his froggy-piggy bank in the belly picture.  He looks so young and this was just a couple of months ago!  Whenever we talk to Beau about the baby coming, Beau acts like he is excited.  He says he WANTS to share a room with the baby, and Beau even is understanding that he can no longer have a TV in his room because "the baby can't watch TV and needs to sleep".  It amazes me as to how much Beau can pick up on! 

It's the Little Things

Lately I have been overly stressed and anxious with everything going on in our lives: baby due any day (and not having a very easy pregnancy this time around), Beau going through the "terrible twos and trying three's", trying to work on our house to finish the basement, and working on finishing up my Master's.  But then today as I was carrying Beau into Mary's, he said/did the sweetest thing that put life back into perspective for me.....

It was raining out this morning so I told Beau we had to hurry into Mary's because I didn't want to bother getting an umbrella out.  As I was carrying Beau up the sidewalk, I said "We have to hurry Beau-Beau!  Mamma's getting wet!"  Beau then put his hands on top of my head and said, "Here mommy, I'll keep the rain from getting your hair wet." 

I know this sounds so silly, but it was just the sweetest thing ever and he was so genuine with his words and gesture that he really wanted to protect me from the rain.  After I brought him into Mary's and kissed him goodbye, I cried in my car on the way to work.  With everything I have been stressing about lately, none of it seemed to matter anymore after I was thinking about Beau, how perfect he is and how excited I am for this next baby.  Sometimes I can get caught up with the materialistic things in life or not focus on what really matters.  Here is the truth: life is not a golden-paved road for us all.  Joe and I fight at times and disagree, sometimes Beau drives us crazy where we want to pull our hair out, sometimes we disagree with our family members, sometimes we hurt feelings.  That's life.  We are humans in the Pierson household!  We are far from perfect.  We work hard everyday at trying to be the best family we can be.  Some days we are awesome at it, and then we have days where we, quite frankly, "suck at it".  When it comes down to what really matters, Joe and I have been blessed with one amazing son, and another baby any day now!  I know I often say that I thank God for what I have been blessed with in life, but it is so true.  I am so grateful for everything I have, mainly for my family.  I have to keep reminding myself it does not matter what car we drive, what our house address is, what name brand of clothes we wear, how much money we have in savings, or what fancy vacations we can go on.  What matters is our child(ren) and that we grow as a family and grow in our faith.  This is so much easier said than done, especially for me.  I stress constantly and am always thinking of ways that I can provide more for my family or how I can make life better for Beau.  I need to remind myself to come back to this post tomorrow, next month, in a year or ten years so I can remember how I felt this morning and what really matters.