Thursday, May 31, 2012

Kaylee Jean

My Brother and his Wife Kasey, were expecting their first child, and I can still remember the phone call I got from my Brother saying they were expecting.  I was so excited for them, and couldn't wait to spoil another niece/nephew in the near future.  They were due May 11, and we were due April 27.  That also got me excited.  These two little ones will be so close together in age, and will have so much fun growing up together!

Fast forward 9 months, and I had finally received the text message I had been anticipating for a long time now.  It was from my Brother, and it stated that they were in the hospital, and were getting ready to welcome their precious little GIRL into this world.  I was beyond ecstatic for them. 

Things went really smoothly that day, from what I understand.  Kasey is one of the fortunate ones who, when asked how the day went, she responds with "Things went great, I didn't have any pain at all!"  I agree with you if you are thinking that is almost unheard of.  Ha. :) 

Kasey went in very early that day, and by the afternoon, they were able to meet their little girl.

Kaylee Jean Sents entered this great big world on May 7th at 3:08 PM, and weighed in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 21.25 inches long.  She has a full head of dark hair, is perfect in every way, and I instantly fell in love. 


Here is the happy little family of THREE!  My Brother now goes by the title "Daddy" and I couldn't be more happy for all of them.  Kaylee is one lucky little girl to have him as her Father. 


Proud Dad, and his Baby Girl.


As you know, I don't get much experience in the "girl" department, so I am loving the fact that I have two nieces that I get to spoil now!  We were all so excited to meet this little girl, that we headed to the hospital later that evening to get our first glimpse.  Here she is, 4 hours brand new.  (And I feel the need to note that I was still recovering from having a baby 10 days prior to this picture being taken.  Hence the not so good photo of me.)



The count is now up to 4 little kiddos in our family, and this makes me smile.  The more the merrier if you ask me!  Family get togethers just got that much more fun, and these kids will have a blast growing up together. 


Kaylee seems to be doing great, and is adjusting to life really well.  Her parents are completely in love with her, and so are the rest of us. 

Welcome to the family, Ms. Kaylee Jean.  You are so very precious to me, and I am honored to be your Aunt.  We all love you so much, Baby Girl!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Weston's First Day at Home

On Monday, April 30th, our hospital stay was over, and we were on our way home.  We were both very eager to get home, and start our time together as a family of 4. 

 
We got home in the early afternoon on Monday, and we jumped right into our busy day.  We had visitors come over to meet Weston, unpacking and putting away to do, and Weston's first bath!  What a big day.



Great Grandpa and Grandma Sents stopped over to meet Weston the day we arrived home.


Mike, Monica, Jared and Cassi also stopped by to meet the precious little Weston.



Weston got his first bath from Frannie.  It is a tradition in our family, and I think it is so neat.  Carson was very concerned about Weston, and wanted to be in on the action as well.  He is very tentative to his little brother, and always wants to know what is going on.






We had some fun gifts that we came home with from the hospital that were displayed throughout our house, making a bold indication that we had a new little one in the family.  It was a constant reminder, which put a smile on my face every time I passed by it all. 



I also had a lot of fun with my camera, and taking pictures of the handsome little Weston.  It sure does make taking pictures fun and easy when you have such a cute subject! 




The first few days home were a little tough for me. I was rather immobile, and couldn't do all that I wanted to do. I was taking my pain medications very religiously, and around the clock to try and keep my pain under control. I couldn't lift Carson, which was probably the most difficult thing to hold back on. Carl ended up taking 2 weeks off of work, which was so nice! He was around to help with both of the boys, and was around during the evening hours.

I sure do love this little guy!  Welcome home, and welcome to our family, Weston.  You sure do fit right into this family, and you are such a good baby.  We are all so completely in love. 



Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Weston Michael

As I sit here, and try to put into words the birth story of our second son, he is currently snuggled up against my chest.  Pure bliss are about the only words that are coming to my mind at the moment.  But, there is so much more--trust me.  Weston Michael is almost 4 weeks old, and I need to put his story into writing.  So, here it goes.....with a lot of pictures to go along with it!

The very early morning hours of April 27th had come.  This was the much anticipated date that we had been looking forward to for 9 months. It was my due date, and we had scheduled a C-Section to take place that morning since we hadn't had our little bundle of joy before then.  We were to be at the hospital at 6:00 AM that morning, and the surgery was scheduled to take place at 8:00 AM.

We left our driveway that morning at about 5:00, and we were hospital bound.  April 27th was here, and I was so nervous.  We were about to become parents of two children---two precious little boys.  I wasn't nervous about being a parent to two little ones, I was nervous about the morning's schedule.  Signing myself up for a surgery was something I would have never thought I would do.  But, the day was here, and I was about to meet our newest bundle of joy.  The excitement truly did carry me through the day.

We got to the hospital, got checked into our little room, and got everything rolling.  I got my IV, took some medication that I later found out I was allergic to, and continued to prep for the big event.  They wheeled me into the operating room about 8:00 that morning.  I remember not feeling well, at all.  I was completely miserable, but I was so excited to meet this little guy.....and that thought kept me going.  I got my spinal injection, and the big event was about to take place.  I had my husband by my side, and the time had come.  We were about to welcome this little soul into the world.  They started the procedure, and things didn't go completely as planned.  The spinal injection ended up not being completely effective, and I needed to be put to sleep.  They asked Carl to leave the room, and I remember not being happy about that.  But, as fast as the thought of Carl not being by my side came to my mind, I was just as quickly put to sleep---leaving me with no thought at all. 

At 8:38 AM that morning, we welcomed the most perfect little boy into this world.  Weston Michael made his appearance weighing in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces, and was 20 inches long.  He is perfect in every way.








The nurses brought him to meet his Daddy and Frannie who were waiting in the hall outside of the operating room.  They were both SO excited to meet him, and hold him. 






This would be our amazing doctor who brought our little miracle in this world.  Dr. Hamdi. 


And our nurse, Angie. She was amazing as well!  She is the one who took all of the pictures while I was in the operating room.  I will forever be so thankful for her, as the pictures are so very priceless to me. 


I remember waking up at about 10:30, and got to hold Weston for the first time.  It was love at first sight, truly.  I always think it is amazing how that happens.  People say they fall in love instantly, and that is exactly what happened with both of our sons.  I couldn't hold back my tears, as I was so overjoyed with happiness. 





Shortly after Weston was born, he got his first bath, given by Nurse Angie.



I remember continuously praying that morning before the operation.  I asked for a peaceful delivery, and that is exactly what the Lord delivered.  No, it is not what I had in mind, or that "picture perfect" delivery, but it is exactly what I needed, and he answered my prayers. 


I look back on that day.  April 27th.  That day holds so much meaning, so much emotion, and so much joy. 


I look at the pictures of my husband holding Weston for the first time, and it makes me fall in love with him all over again.  He is such an amazing Father, to both of our boys.



Carson got to meet Weston a little later that day (after a nap, in hopes he would be in a very good mood!) and I think he instantly fell in love, too.  We were all nervous about how he would do, since he does not do well in hospital settings.  But, it's like he knew this time around that his little brother had arrived, and this was something to be excited about!  G&G Brouwer brought Carson to the hospital, and Carl met them at the entrance door.  When he walked into the room, he plastered his shy smile across his face, and at that very moment, I knew everything was going to be fine.  He showed a lot of interest in Weston, and wanted to hold him.  All I could think about at that moment was "Life is Great"....all the while holding back tears.  We are so blessed.




Daddy and "his boys." He is so proud. Goodness, it sounds so neat saying boyS! :)


And so it begins already......a lot of loving and spoiling for this little guy.  Kisses from Mom, and snuggling from Dad.



Becoming a Mother is truly a dream come true for me.  I have always wanted to be a Mom, for as long as I can remember.  My Sister and I used to tote around our babies when we were younger, and I remember thinking back then that it was, in fact, the real deal.  We would put our babies in real car seats, put them in the back of our Grandparents' golf cart, and off we went.  I am sure we were headed to work, or to drop the kids off at daycare.  We would drive around the yard with our babies strapped in, because we were busy parents--you know. 


And now, the time has come, and the actual real deal is taking place.  I have two amazing boys who call me Mom, and my Sister has a beautiful little girl.  Our dream has now become reality, and I am so in love. 


We had a lot of visitors throughout our hospital stay, and we are so grateful for everyone that stopped by to meet our newest family member. 

Frannie and Weston.


Aunt DiDi and Weston.


Aunt Sarah and Weston.


Grandpa Brouwer and Weston.


Aunt Kasey and Weston.


Uncle Chris and Weston.


Grandpa Gary and Weston.


Cousin Kennedy and Weston.


Cousin Kendra and Weston.


Trishy and Weston.


Grandpa Mike and Weston.


Grandpa Mike and Lanette with Weston.


AND, one VERY Proud Big Brother!  This picture make my heart melt to pieces.  The love and bond that these two boys exchanged right away is so amazing. 


We had Weston on Friday morning, and were headed home Monday about Noon.  I was in a lot of pain, but was encouraged that each day would get better.  I was nervous about what home life would be like, and how I was going to keep my pain under control.  But, with each passing day, the pain did get better.  At about 2 weeks, I was virtually pain free, which is such a great feeling. 


I truly can't express in words how blessed Carl and I feel after the birth of Weston.  We are so very thankful, and overjoyed.  Life with two does take a little adjusting and getting used to, but it has been a wonderful roller coaster to be on :)

Carl and I had long awaited the birth of our second child with much anticipation.  We found out at 20 weeks in our pregnancy that we were having another boy, and we were both so very excited.  Having two boys, about 2-1/2 years apart, is going to be so much fun.  I am so excited to see what their relationship grows to be, and watch them become the best of friends.



I can already see a relationship developing between our two little ones, and that brings me such joy.  Carson loves to help with Weston, and he absolutely loves to talk to him.  Carl and I have now been put on the back burner, and Weston gets an ear full from Carson when he wakes up in the morning, instead of Mom or Dad.  He also loves to hold him, and point (or poke!) at every body part on his little body.  It is so cute, and I love every minute of it.


So far, things have been nothing shy of amazing since being home with our two boys.  Yes, things are busy, but we wouldn't have it any other way.  Now that we have Carson and Weston, we can't imagine life any other way.  We are constantly asking ourselves what we did with ourselves without Weston around.  He fits right in, and completes our family of four perfectly.

Welcome to this great big world, Weston Michael!  You are loved by so many, and we are so very grateful for you.  Thank you, Lord, for choosing us to be the parents of these two amazing boys.  We are trying our best, and will continue to strive and raise them in a loving, and Christian home.