Wesley - 3 months in

Again, even with the second time (maybe even more so), I find myself astonished at how fast the time flies. Wes being here is so normal and so natural that it feels like he always was. And just like THAT.. it's hard to picture what life was like before him. Funny how it all works.

So, what's up with the babe?

He's in 3 month clothing and size 2 diapers with size 3 right around the corner.
I'm not sure how much he weighs, but if I had to guess I would say 14.5-15 pounds.
He's drinking 5 ounces every 3 hours with the exception of that first bottle of the day. He wants 6 ounces in that bad boy.

He's accomplished so much this month. It's been a fun one!
He's rolling from tummy to back.
Cooing, smiling, and he just started giggling.. which is the best little noise on the planet.
He had his first trip to the mountains. In fact, he's already toured The Biltmore.. very advanced, he is.
He goes to sleep between 6 and 7 every night and *knock on wood* sleeps sometimes until 6 the next morning, but still waking up at either 4 or 5 a lot of mornings for that 6 ounce bottle. If he wakes up early to eat, he goes right back to sleep. If he wakes up 6 or later, he'll stay up for about an hour then take a nap. You won't catch me complaining about either scenario!

He is just in LOVE love love with his big brother. He smiles every time Andrew comes around and will follow his voice anywhere. The best decision we made was to give Andrew a sibling (and vice versa).

It may be twice the work, but it's also twice the love and fun. My heart feels like it's going to burst seeing them together.. smiling at each other, holding hands.. it kills me. And one day we'll all laugh about the little moments like Andrew hammering him in the head with his toy hammer saying that he's "fixing Wes"....

Baby Wes, we just adore you! You were the perfect addition to our now complete family. I don't know why I let myself worry and worry over not having room in my heart to love another child like I did your big brother. What everyone says is right.. you just do. I couldn't picture life without you! Your Daddy is already in love with you as well and he can't wait to meet you, little guy!

Wes' birth story

Surprise! Someone made an early appearance!

He wasn't scheduled to come until tomorrow (the 31st), but it looks like he had other plans. I started to feel like something wasn't right on Thursday. I had no idea I was in labor, but I was really tired. My energy level dropped way down and I just didn't feel right. I didn't think much of it though, I was just 38 weeks pregnant.
Fast forward to Friday. I felt better in the morning. Still sluggish, I remember thinking that all I wanted to do was lay down on the couch. I didn't want to get up for anything! I got some stuff done in the morning and then started feeling bad again. I called my SIL to talk about it. I had a nagging feeling, "I wonder if..." so we chatted about what I was feeling. My back hurt a little, I was kind of crampy and my stomach was tightening, but it kind of just felt like Wes was trying to stretch out. I was uncomfortable at worst and thought that it couldn't possibly be labor... that's supposed to be painful. Plus, everyone says you'll KNOW when you're in labor. Phsshhh... not always true!
My mom got home from work around 5:15 and that's when I really started suspecting. I was noticing more of a pattern with the tightening. I told her what was going on and that I was thinking about going in to get checked. I was sure this wasn't it, but at least I'd be able to sleep better knowing for sure that nothing was going on. I took a bath to soak for a few minutes, took a shower, and straightened my hair... you know.. just in case!
I started sending Trey emails just letting him know I was going in, but no need for alarm! I had no idea when he'd even get the messages. By the time we got to the hospital, I was glad we had left! Something was definitely happening. We walked up to Labor and Delivery and I let them know I wanted to be checked. They kind of looked at me like I was crazy and told me I was probably just feeling Braxton Hicks. They entertained me though, and hooked me up to the machines.
About 10 minutes later, the nurse came back and said my contractions were 2 minutes apart. She was coming in to check me but they were going to go ahead and call the doctor because she didn't trust me one bit. Comes in, checks me, and surprise! 4cm dialated, 50% effaced. Because we had to do a c-section, she called the doc and told him to hurry it on up!
30 minutes later, I was in the operating room (which, btw, was the scariest experience I've ever gone through... but easy and painless in the end) and prepping to meet my baby! I got all set up and as soon as my mom came in I started crying. This was it! Nothing like knowing someone is about to take a scalpel to your abdomen. What felt like 10 minutes later, it was over. They pulled my baby out and unfortunately, I didn't hear those sweet cries right away. My mom didn't even have time to cut the cord. They rushed him off because he couldn't breath. There was fluid trapped in his lungs that he couldn't pass. They took him off to special care and I was once again in the position of worrying about my baby.
Fortunately, it was nowhere near as bad this time. He was born at 10:34pm and by 5am he was in my room with me!

Healthy as can be! Needless to say, we never had time to get Daddy on the phone or Skype. He missed the whole thing and found out the next day that his son was here. Can you even imagine that? I can't. I know it was hard on him.

We spent 2 nights in the hospital.
He weighed 8 pounds exactly and is 21 inches long.
He's breastfeeding like a champ and I couldn't be any more thrilled with all that.

He's had tons of visitors and must feel pretty darn loved already.
His big brother is just smitten with him. He spends the day asking if he can hold him, kissing him and "petting" him.

I'm so much in love with him! I spent so much time worrying how I could possibly love another baby. Everyone told me that you just do. Your heart grows. And it does. I already can't imagine life without him. He just fits with us. He completes our family and he couldn't fit any more perfectly.

We love you, Wes! Welcome to our family :)