blueberries

This morning I loaded up the boys and we ventured out to Pungo to go blueberry picking. Colin loves blueberries and keeps asking when we're going to the farm to pick them. He remembers picking them last year at my grandparents farm. And since we weren't getting to the farm anytime soon I was excited to read in the paper about this blueberry farm not far from our house. I had only been out of the house one other time this week (5 minutes away to go grocery shopping) and that was a success so I figured we'd try it. Both boys were perfect. Colin loved it. Joel slept in the carrier the whole time. None of the blueberries that Colin picked ended up home with us. On our way to go pay for them I looked in Colin's basket and he had eaten them all. So we went to another part of the farm and loaded up his basket with blackberries. (Colin's favorite part was finding a HUGE spider. He made me take a picture of it. He wanted to bring it home with us but I convinced him the spider liked blackberries and wanted to stay there) Its been easy taking both boys places since Joel can't move yet and I know once he becomes mobile it'll all change but its been a breeze so far and Colin has been a big help. It'll be fun to start venturing out more and more these next few weeks. Eating blueberriesLooking for the biggest ones. We came home and made a blueberry pie. YUM!And we had to include more pictures of this cutie. This is a typical Joel face as he studies someone.Sleeping babies are so precious. He actually grabbed this blanket until it was up close to him. Not sure if it was on purpose but still so cute The baby whisperer? Perhaps. Joel was crying and Brent tried everything to calm him down when Colin said "let me hold him." Brent said ok but he's going to cry and Colin sang to him and Joel instantly fell asleep. What a proud big brother.

weekend fun

Sunday we headed over to NN to take Colin to a birthday party and spend time with my parents. My friend Linda's daughter was turning 4 and had her birthday party at the Bounce House. Its pretty much a warehouse filled with inflatable slides, moonbounces, obstacle courses. And it just opened up near my parents house. Linda and I have been friends since 2nd grade so its really fun to get together and see our kids grow up together. We left Joel with my parents and I took Colin while Brent went to Trader Joe's. Colin had a blast and I had fun playing with Colin. He wanted me to go down the slides with him and it was fun to be able to just play with Colin (and also go down slides - things I haven't been able to do in months. The first time I went down one Colin's face was priceless and so excited to have me there going down with him. We had a lot of fun and look forward to going back to the Bounce House again. Brent even got in the action and stopped by (he dropped us off and picked us up since I haven't driven since having the baby) The only bad part of the day was when Colin's eye and another boy's elbow met and now Colin has a big black eye. Battle wounds :)Colin thought that he should help in blowing the candle out.

Joel enjoyed being held by grandma all afternoon and loved being on the swing with grandpa. Joel was fascinated by something he saw above him. (Colin and my dad used to swing like this too)
Today I took this cute video of Colin singing and rocking the cradle while Joel slept. We put him on his side (since he hates being on his back to sleep) and he wiggles until he is on his tummy. Scares me at night since they warn you of SIDS all the time but I guess if he's strong enough to wiggle down he'll be ok. I'm not as nervous this time - with Colin I was constantly checking on him in the middle of the night to make sure he was still breathing. Please excuse the mess in the corner. It was laundry day finally at our house :) Its hard to hear since there was a huge thunderstorm but so sweet to see him singing to his little brother.

This boy...

This boy...Surprises me all the time with how smart he is and how curious he is about things. He always wants to know how things work (he took apart my vacuum cleaner one day just to see how it worked - good thing he could put it back together!) He can tell you all about dinosaurs and what they like to eat. (he loves to tell you that triceratops eats "poop plants" They actually eat fibrous plants but he wanted to know what fibrous plants were and poop plants came out. It does help him eat more veggies) My favorite dinosaur that he says is "broccoli-saurus." It makes me laugh each time. He also knows all about space and can tell you the planets and our solar system. One day soon we want to take him to the air and space museum. He also remembers random facts like "mommy you know snakes smell with their tongues" He never forgets anything and his favorite books right now are a set of encyclopedias for kids that we bought when Colin was born. I never thought we'd be reading them this soon but he loves them and doesn't forget any of the fun facts he learns. Colin has also discovered mazes and loves to do any and all mazes. I got him a book of mazes for kindergarteners and he he did it all in an hour. He calls the dead ends in a maze "door knock" haha its so fun to watch him with his marker and go "oops - door knock" He is such a joy and its so much fun seeing him learn new things and also teach us things as we are learning them together.


And this boy...Loves to eat and sleep. He smiles in his sleep all the time. He also loves to be held and talked to. He loves being on his stomach and is already trying to lift his head up - have to keep up with his big brother. He loves to be cuddled like his big brother which we hope will continue. He sleeps best when there's noise or when other people are in the room which is good because Colin only has one volume - loud. And has the perfect cheeks for all our kisses. We are all very much in love with him.

And these boys...Sometimes vent their frustrations out at the same time

2 weeks

The past 2 weeks have gone by so fast. Its hard to believe Joel is only two weeks old as we can't imagine life without him - but at the same time he seems like he was just born yesterday. This week was my first week taking care of both boys on my own. One day I even managed to get them both napping at the same time. Its only happened once but we're starting to get on a consistent schedule which is nice for all of us. Colin has done amazing and has been so patient. Joel is just cute and besides loving to be held all the time loves to sleep (we aren't used to a baby that likes to sleep since Colin NEVER slept this much) Joel also loves to look at his brother and Colin loves talking to him. In fact I hear all the time "mommy wake baby joel up. I can't see his eyes!" and each time Joel looks at colin he shouts "he's looking at me. He loves me!" So sweet. I love this picture of these boys and hope this is the beginning of a close friendship between them. This week has actually been easier than I thought and time goes by so fast between feedings, diaper changes and just playing with both boys. Its been nice to be able to get on the floor now and play with Colin since my huge stomach isn't there :) Its been a balancing act at times when both boys need my attention - who do you help first? But each day gets more structured for us and I'm loving every minute of it. Our friends Pete and Ashleigh were vacationing in Williamsburg last weekend so we ventured out to meet them - and to also get out of the house. Colin LOVES doo-danna (susanna)we also stopped and saw my grandparents on the way home. helping daddy clean the guitters
just plain cute

Poor unsuspecting boy

I was taking some pictures of Joel yesterday while he was wide-eyed and looking all around when I noticed a little fireman figure climbing up the boppy in the background towards Joel's head.Today T-Rex was placed just so Joel could stare at him. It didn't seem to faze him at all until T-Rex fell and his mouth was eating Joel's hand. The abuse already!But Colin has been a wonderful big brother. More than I could hope for. Our only problem now is that he wants to pick up the baby all the time and also tries to feed the baby little pieces of whatever he is eating. I think he already snuck in a few graham cracker crumbs. He loves being around the baby and wants to help and is a huge help to me. He is very patient when I'm taking care of Joel even when he wants mommy time at that moment too. I hope that patience continues! Today he helped give Joel a bath and when Joel is crying it seems right now that the minute Colin starts singing to him he calms down. And whenever Joel is awake Colin has to be right there with him playing with him. The flash is very bright in this picture but what a cute little face.

My son...... the lumberjack!

This is a rare post by "the dad!" I must say that it really is my proudest moment since being a father! But I also warn you before you go further, there is plenty of potty talk in this one. As Abigail has been saying, it has been a struggle to get Colin potty trained. There is nothing I want more than to be done with diapers (oops, there goes that thought Joel!) Anyways, I had just given up the idea that Colin will be potty trained any time soon and realized it will only happen in his timing. Abigail and I have heard too many stories where parents tried to "take control" and it only made the kids more fearful!

So a few days ago Colin had (well, in my opinion) his WORST blowout!!! I mean I was literally about to loose my lunch. And of course if I had asked Abigail (which I did) to take care of it, she only reminded me (yet again) of what she had just gone through! So with this experience fresh on my mind, Colin came up to me today and said he had to go poop!

I went in the bathroom with him and told him I'd read a book to him while he "attempted" to push (sounds like pregnancy all over again!). Anyways, we sat there and read and I knew nothing was going to happen, and it didn't. He kept wanting me to read more and totally lost interest. Hours later, I was in the kitchen cleaning up, when Colin runs in, "Daddy, I just pooped!" My face must have had a big scowl at that point as I assumed he had pooped on the floor (which has never happend.... yet). But then he says, "in the potty!" My next emotion was utter glee!!!! Yes, I just used that phrase. We ran into the bathroom together and sure enough. There IT was. I was SO PROUD!!!! I was praising him while giving numerous high fives! That's our usual pee in the potty celebration. I really was about as proud as could be as I never thought this day would come. Now I am keeping it all in perspective as I'm sure he will regress a bit, but this is the start of what I hope will be the END!!! ha

The other funny part was right after, Abigail had Colin call his Ant Ant and grandparents to tell them of his big accomplishment. The conversation with his grandpa went as follows: "Grandpa, I just pooped in the potty!!! I just waited and waited, and it came out!" Abigail and I were laughing so hard at this point. Aaaah, the little milestones in life are the most exciting thing going on right now!!!

Ma-Maa's visit

I do all my best sleeping during the day!Joel's reaction to bathtime

My mom just left and Brent has returned home. And we have wonderful news - Brent doesn't have to go to Charlottesville anymore! YAY!!! We are all so excited. This was his last week there. We had a great time with my mom being here. Colin absolutely loved it. I could always hear him giggling from anywhere in the house. He played firemen and firetrucks and really loved sitting at his project table as he calls it and doing mazes with Ma-Maa. It was really fun having my mom here and a huge help to me. And Joel loved all the cuddling and holding too. Colin is falling more in love with Joel each day. He wants to hold him all the time and doesnt like it when he sleeps. In fact at one point colin ran in from my room where the cradle was, told us Joel was waking up, ran back and Joel was indeed awake. Whether Colin woke him up or not we'll never know. When I took this picture I heard Colin telling Joel "I love you baby Joel"Being a big brother is awesome!

Today's pictures

Once again I'm waiting to feed Joel. He will either eat in half an hour to an hour and I know if he goes another hour then I'll be wishing I had slept but its almost worse to just fall asleep and then be woken up. We're still working on the sleeping at night but other than that it gets easier each day. Colin has barely stuttered the past 2 days which is such an answer to prayer and really loves baby Joel. Its so sweet to see him love on his little brother and makes all the anxiety Colin has shown worth it. Brent goes back to work tomorrow so we'll see how Colin does with that. He has loved having Daddy home so much to play with. In fact several times today Colin has told me "mommy you hold baby Joel me play with daddy" My mom will be here to help since Brents first day back he has to go to Charlottesville. I think he's looking forward almost to going since he'll get a full nights sleep tomorrow night! Colin and I are looking forward to Ma-maa being here. But here are some pictures we took todayColin loves to kiss and sing to Joel when he cries. He loves to sing "its ok its ok its ok" over and over when Joel cries. Entertaining Joel while we're getting dinner ready. Colin wanted to make sure his comfy heart blanket as he calls it was put there so Joel was nice and snuggly. And yes Colin is wearing a diaper. Clothes have been optional this week :) but after cleaning poop three times in a row (that part of potty training still isn't going well) Brent made him put a diaper on. Colin and I held Joel's hands while Colin prayed at dinner tonight and Colin thought that was the greatest.

Brotherly love

So I can't guarantee we'll post pictures everyday but I am waiting until Joel's next feeding before I attempt to get some sleep. The past few nights Joel has decided its time to play and not sleep. But here are some sweet pictures I took of the boys today. Colin loves being around the baby and loves when Joel looks at him. We also have to announce to baby Joel that "big brother is here" whenever Colin walks into the room. I think today was a turning point for Colin adjusting to being a big brother. He has started stuttering since we've been home with the baby and he never did that before but its all from the stress, anxiety, change he's going through. At least we hope so. And mommy isn't all his anymore. But last night was really hard to see him struggling to say just a few simple words. Today has been SO much better. He has barely stuttered at all. Brent and I were both able to get some good quality time with Colin and it has made such a difference. I am starting to feel a lot better so thats made it easier to play with Colin. And it is so sweet to see him really love the baby. Today he sang to Joel whenever Joel was crying and wanted Joel to come play in his room while we played. And he is getting used to me feeding Joel and keeps telling Joel to eat a lot so he can grow bigger and bigger to play with him. I am a little worried about next week when I take care of both boys alone but thats a week away and each day gets better and better. Once we get into a routine it'll be easier on all of us - especially our Colin Big Boy (as he likes to be called) who loves order and everything in its place. Here is a picture Brent took of me trying to hold both boys. Colin got his finger caught in the horsey springs (ouch!) and Joel was crying at the same time. I think thats what my life will be like from now on.Here is another picture of Joel looking at Brent. He does this all the time and loves to just study Brent - like he's trying to figure him out.

The past few days

We can't believe Joel is already 4 days old. The past few days have flown by. Joel finally decided to wake up and observe the world around him last night and thinks night time is a great time to play. Colin is enjoying being a big helper and I think is getting used to Joel around. He did enjoy having Joel sitting in the back of the car today which he didn't the whole way home from the hospital. He is very gentle with Joel and whenever Joel cries runs to him and says over and over "its ok I here" and usually Joel will stop crying. He also loves when Joel reaches out and touches him. I think they are going to be great friends. my parents enjoying their grandchildrencolin wore his firemans coat to joel's doctors apt.

Right on Time

Joel Christian Goedecke was born July 9 1:10pm 8lbs 1oz 21 inches long

He came right on time - his exact due date. I woke up early that morning with awful contractions and didn't start thinking anything of it since its been that way for days now but once they started coming closer I woke Brent up, we called my mom and then left for the hospital once she got here. We got to the hospital at 7am and they hooked me up to all the monitors and then told me it was probably false labor but they would monitor me for 2 hours and then if no change they would send me home. They said my contractions weren't very strong (which i disagree) and I was still at 1cm when I went in and I guess my contractions needed to be stronger to make it progress. So for 2 hours we were very discouraged thinking we would go home. I was worried since I was having to breath through the contractions already how would I do that with Colin at home and what if it took a few days. They did the stress test which I had scheduled for the afternoon to get that out of the way and then they were writing the discharge papers around 9:30 when they checked me again just to make sure and I was at 4cm. This after my contractions had started to get further apart. Brents favorite part was at hearing this I let out a big "YIPPEE WOO HOO" (what Colin always says) because I was so relieved not to get sent home. Well then the doctor came to check on me 20 minutes later because she couldnt believe I could go so far with such wimpy contractions and I was at an 8. At this point all the nurses came in to see the girl whose contractions were mild (yeah right) and was smiling and talking through them. And I got checked again by another nurse. Not so fun being checked so many times! At that point I requested an epidural because I kept thinking about the 3 hours of surgery after having colin and didnt want to go through that again without one. They also wanted to slow labor down since the doctor was doing a csection and in case I tore really again they weren't going to deliver without her. I could still feel everything and move around which I couldnt when I had the epidural with Colin. But I wasn't allowed to move since they said once my water broke the baby would come so I just laid there, watched Gilmore Girls and watched Brent pace back and forth :) Once the doctor came back she broke my water, 8 pushes later Joel was here. And I did tear pretty bad again. The doctor said I am just prone to that. I had a 2nd degree tear where I tore last time and then during one push I felt a pop and that was more tearing. So that part wasn't fun but he does have a big head. They had to put a special hat on him because he couldnt wear the smaller ones. But I was up and walking withing hours and feel so much better this time. And he is just perfect. We are so in love with him already. Colin loves talking and kissing him. He has had several meltdowns with the fact that mommy isn't all his anymore but he is adjusting better more and more each day. He did try to take out Joel's car seat and has asked me to put baby Joel back in my tummy. Colin is also convinced that Daddy can feed baby joel just as well as mommy and keeps trying to prove it. Its an adjustment for all of us but we are very excited he is finally here and can't wait to see Joel's personality come out. We have two very handsome boys.And don't worry - we have lots more pictures to come of this little guy. but here are links to some my sister took.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=90150&id=761847560&l=ec195aca85

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89979&id=761847560&l=f169958c27

doctor update

"He just doesn't want to come yet!" is what my doctor said this morning. It was a disappointing appointment because I was sure since I've been having days of contractions that there would be some progress but I'm still stuck at 1cm waiting until my water breaks or the contractions become closer together. They wont induce until next week or I get to 3cm. But i have lost 4 lbs since wednesday. That surprised me since I just seem to get bigger and bigger. I also brought Colin with me since I was sure I wasn't going to be at this appointment and he is usually so good but this time was cute for maybe 10 minutes. Then we had a melt down over the fact that the nurses didn't give him a lollipop when he came in (he usually gets one and it lasts the whole time and they were out of them this time) After we got over that which thankfully didn't last long, he announced to the whole waiting room "i hafa big poop coming!" And then kept asking me to go home and then come back later. But we made it through and after the doctor said the baby doesnt want to come he got close to my tummy and said "Baby joel why you no come - come out now!" He has been a little put off by the baby since then. Especially since Colin keeps reminding me that once baby joel comes out I will be able to go down the slide with him at the playground and now he has to wait even longer. I have a nonstress test thursday and then we'll just go from there. Colin's labor was so much easier even with all that happened after he was born since I only had one day of contractions and labor. (and he was a week early) But it could still happen at any time. And will in the next week or so I think. You would think waiting a few days after waiting 9 months would be easy but its almost harder at this point to be patient. So now we wait until my water beaks or my contractions get closer together. Thanks for all the calls and messages. We will keep you posted.

while waiting

No baby yet. I have come so close to leaving for the hospital and have woken up the past few nights with awful back aches that don't go away and strong contractions that become regular only enough for me to pack everything and then they stop for hours. So we're still here. Its frustrating for me because I mentally prepare for labor and think through it and also just painful already. Then it stops and I know I'll have to go through it all over. I guess the good thing is when it finally does happen I'll be so excited hopefully it'll make labor that much faster. My sister left this morning so this baby will come tonight. haha doesn't it always work that way? It would've been perfect with her here just to be able to leave right away but God has other plans and I'm trying to be patient because I know this baby will be here eventually. But we have had fun with my sister here and here are some pictures of what we've been doing this past weekend. I'm so glad she came even though I know she was hoping for a baby to be here but it was such a help for me to have someone entertain Colin and also made the days go by faster since we were busy doing things each day.

"Fishing" - Colin's pole doesn't have a hook on it yet since he LOVES to play with it all the time. One of these days we'll put one one but for now the big fish always gets away. The other day I think a turtle took a bite on the end because he was having trouble pulling it in for a while.

Playgrounds aren't just for kids

Watching tv with ant ant and hanging out at the pool one afternoon

I thought we'd spend more time at the pool but we just went one day. I love how Colin is clinging to Sarah in the second picture. He didn't want Brent to get him.

For the 4th we had my parents and grandparents over for a cookout. (I was hoping to have a 4th of July baby and be in the hospital but that didn't happen) but Colin loved all the attention and was definitely the center of attention all day.

Sneaking up on Ba-pa. For the first time in years it wasn't horribly hot on the 4th so we went for a bike ride in the evening. (well brent and Colin rode bikes. Sarah and I just walked)

Eating ice cream cones with Ant Ant after our bike ride.