Max Allen

I think this guy might keep us on our toes. 

If his arrival is any hint, he will dance to his own music! 

Max Allen, you are so so loved.

And here's your birth story. 

Today is actually our due date. But obviously Max surprised us a bit by coming almost 2 weeks early.

I can't say I was shocked. I'll be honest that I knew we wouldn't make it until today. At my prior Dr. appointment (the 31st) I had shown signs of progress. The week had been really, really hot. And my position at school had me running around a lot - in between schools and classrooms. I had felt progressively worse as the week went on and there had been lots of braxin hicks contractions and pressure. But I thought if I made it to the weekend, I could relax, and things would be good!

So what is the logical thing to do? Go to a Cyclone football game :) 

Saturday was a hot one, so we stayed home for most of the day. A couple friends stopped by and we played some board games. We relaxed in the air before heading to Ames for the evening. 

Throughout the game, I started to feel, ummm, not so good. At first I honestly just thought it was the heat. I tried to relax. But by the end of the third quarter I was having some definite contractions. They were quite a ways apart and not too bad. I hinted to Noah, but apparently I need to work on my hinting skills. The contractions continued to increase, and by the end of the game had gotten fairly consistent. I didn't exactly tell anyone what was happening. We were in the parking lot and there was really no way to get out. I knew we were really in no rush and didn't want to cause any unnecessary worry.

Once we were on our way home, my hope was that we could calm the contractions. I showered and tried to rest, but the contractions increased. By 2:00 am, I knew we were having a baby. Of course we had not packed a bag, so we quickly gathered some items and headed to Des Moines.

We were pretty quickly admitted this time around, and had made quite a bit of progress by the time the doctor was able to check on me. So much progress in fact that we decided to forgo the drugs and just keep going...

I'm still not sure about that decision. I am very proud of myself for making it through and it is an experience that I would never have understood without encountering it myself. But like I said, I'm still not sure about that decision. ha!

And a 7:27 am, September 6th,  Max Allen entered the world. Everything went perfect.

Besides the fact that my nurse and doctor were both set to change at 7.... that was a bit much for me to emotionally handle. But in reality I ended up with 2 doctors in my room for the delivery :)

Our new little man is pretty perfect. He was 7 lbs. 13 ounces and 19 3/4 inches long. He has been a great eater, and pooper, and a pretty good sleeper. He just may not sleep at the times Mama would like him to sleep.

Oh Max Allen.

You are a perfect addition to our little family. And so so loved.

My Big Preschooler!!

It's official. I have a Preschooler. 

We've known for a while that Gabe would start preschool this Fall, but it was really hard for me to wrap my mind around.

Especially with the other changes we have happening. 

But here he is: My Big Preschooler!!

As most of you know, Gabe has struggled a bit with his speech. Around 18 months we hadn't gotten much true language from Gabe, so we discussed with our Pediatrician some of our options. I did lots and lots of research and decided to contact Early Access, a program offered though our Area Education Agency, as well as Blank Pediatrics here in Ankeny.

So for the last year and half Gabe has received Speech Therapy and Education Services from some pretty awesome ladies. And although we have seen lots of progress as far as Gabe's overall vocabulary and understanding, he still has not mastered his expressive language.  As a group we decided that introducing Gabe to preschool, and immersing him in an environment where he is with other kiddos and hearing lots and lots of language, would be the best next step. He will still be receiving one on one speech and education services, but this will happen within his school day.

So on Tuesday, the 8th, Daddy took our baby to school. I was still at the hospital with Max. There might have been some emotions that day...

Don't worry. Mama shortened the straps on his backpack for day 2...

And of course he has to be in line next to the tallest Preschooler ever...

Ok, maybe an exaggeration, but c'mon!

Soooo big and soooo little all at the same time.

 Because  Preschool is only half day (mornings) Gabe gets to ride the bus to our daycare providers house. This might be his favorite part. Who knows ;)

So far he says "yes" that he likes Preschool. and that "yes" he has fun at Preschool. and "yes" he went swimming at Preschool. Bahaha! Some of his reports might not be accurate. However, he is all smiles when I drop him off, and he heads straight though the door. I have to take this as a good sign! 

Oh Big Boy. So Proud of you!!

Little Brothers Room

Our little man surprised us a little and arrived a few weeks early. Mama thought she had a little more time... But, we are so happy he is here. But, here's the nursery post that didn't get posted... 

Well Little Brother. Here we are. September. 

Part of me can't believe we are so close to meeting you. Time really has flown! 

We are ready, or as ready as we are going to be. I'll be honest, it's hard to imagine life with you here. It's hard to imagine the love I feel for your brother multiplied. It's hard to imagine your brother, who seems so little, becoming so big in a moment. 

But I know it will be perfect. We are ready. And will wait patiently for you. 

Slowly but surely, Little #2's room has come together. We didn't need much new for lil man, but have given the space a new look. 

It all started with that blue constellation fabric. And from there, our space evolved. 

Although making the quilt was time consuming, I absolutely love how it turned out and brought all the colors and ideas in my head together. It was also the final touch to finish off the space. Little bother now has permission to arrive :) 

Like I said, we updated some of the nursery furniture that was already in the space. We simply painted the drawers of our changing table and dresser to give then a new feel.

Eventually there will be a big name above the changing table, but we are not quite there yet ;) 

We also moved the rocking chair into the nursery this time around. I have very fond (??) memories of standing and rocking Gabers back to sleep. This time there will be less standing :) 

Gabe has started to understand that this is now the baby room, but he likes to give his old stuff one last look over. Silly boy! 

The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another...

Hello World! 

So he may not have a wolf suit, but he definitely made some mischief...

Early Sunday morning, September 6th, Mr. Max decided it was time. 

We are so so blessed

and so so in love with our little Wild Thing.