Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas snapshots

We had an incredibly fun few days surrounding Christmas.. I cannot begin to describe how blessed we are with our families.  Someday, probably in heaven..  I'm going to sit around laughing and talking with every one of my family members and never stop!  Until then, I'll take these moments..

loooove my sons.  just obsessed!


The cuddly Finn..


Jude (9 months) and Leyton.  They have a special relationship :)


Landon (3 years) and Leyton.  They're trouble.. this is a "he's not sharing, I want it, it's mine" moment.


I told you.. special.


Lisa holding Finn! oh what a pumpkin..


photo shoot moment.  Ray Bans.


Onto Christmas at the Prossers!   So fun to be with Stevin (Steph and Kevin), and grandma and grandpa.  Just wish Nate and Britt could be there!


Ga-ma!


best. Christmas. ever.


after all those gifts, he wanted to play with his stamp set.  because he's that cool. 


Christmas at the Kirkpatricks!


Aunt Erin and the Finn-ster


Delaney and Jude!  9 month cuties.. sit/scoot around and act cute!



getting serious with the chainsaw.  


Uncle Tyler.  pounding and drinking milk.


skater.


Ernie and Nathan!


Uncle Nathan and Delaney!


The whole family!
Leyton, Luke, Kristen, Finn, Lisa, Jude, Ryan, Tyler, Erin, Momma, Dad, Landon, Delaney, Nathan, Chrissie.
We are rarely all together, so we had to capture this moment!



Attempting to get a picture of the cousins.  We were screaming in the background... "the wheels on the bus go round and round!"


and done.


cute.


and ending with a naked cuddle time!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Merry Christmas!

We had an incredible Christmas weekend with our families.. we were so blessed to spend time with (almost) all of our family!  It's such a humbling thought to consider how Jesus came into this world.  It makes it so real with the birth of little Finn.  Such a helpless baby, Jesus grew to become the Savior of this world and the reason we celebrate Christmas.  love that...

Tons and tons of pictures to come.. but here's some of our favorite Christmas gift!



and the boys!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

family of 4!

We're doing great around here!  We're all walking around with big smiles on our faces..  we're soaking in every bit of these first moments together. 

life just got really, really sweet..




Tuesday, December 20, 2011

heading home!

After what feels like 3 weeks (really, only 4 days?!) we're headed home!  Finn had the surgery yesterday in the evening to have the growth from his head removed.  Surgery went well.. Luke and I were a mess the whole time.  As it always goes with anything doctor related.. you wait, then wait, and wait some more.  But finally, after the surgeon was finished and gave us a full report on how it went, we were able to breath a little easier.  It's still pretty sad though, the incision is kinda scary looking with the stitches and the cut.  The after care is minimal and we're able to wash the area normally and he can wear hats.  He was under anestesia and on some pain meds so he was pretty dreary last night but is more alert today. 

It's so fun getting to know a new boy.. and doing this newborn thing again!  well, maybe fun isn't the right word but it's completely rewarding :)  We're getting to know how he feels about sleeping (who really wants to sleep at night?), feeding (all. the. time) and just the little quirks in between.  I honestly love it and it's crazy how much comes back as we jump into the newborn thing again!

Finn and I head home this afternoon to join the other half of our family and bring the Prosser fam back together again.  ahhh can't wait.  I am so stinkin emotional though this whole journey, my heart is being tugged all over the place.  I am just in awe of how much we have been blessed.   all because of Finn's entrance into this world!

little buddy!  sorry for the gross iphone photo, Finn.  doesn't do ya justice.


Sunday, December 18, 2011

all is well..

It's been a good Sunday.. of lounging, feeding, sleeping and staring at this wonder that just entered our lives!  He's such a sweet angel and makes the most adorable coo-ing, purring noises,  We are loving these first days of getting to know our Finn.



"I lift up my eyes to the mountains— 
where does my help come from? 
My help comes from the Lord, 
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip— 
he who watches over you will not slumber; 
indeed, he who watches over Israel 
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you— 
the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 
the sun will not harm you by day, 
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm— 
he will watch over your life; 
the Lord will watch over your coming and going 
both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

"Every good and perfect gift comes down to us from God our Father, 
who created all the lights in the heavens.  
He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."

James 1:17

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Finn Orion has arrived!

Finn Orion Prosser
December 16, 2011
7:42 am


Our second little baby boy arrived in a memorable fashion early Friday morning, December 16th.  He's a wonderful baby and has already added so much to our little family.  Here's the story.. it's a crazy one!

It starts on Thursday with my routine appointment.  They checked me, I was dilated almost to a 2 and 40% effaced (prego terminology) and my doctor was a little rough with me to try to get things going.   I didn't think too much of it, but was hoping this baby would come by the weekend!   That night, I had a pregnant massage from my friend Kara and she said she could massage certain pressure points to put me into labor.  It was a great, relaxing massage and she massaged my ankles just to see what would happen!  oops.

About an hour later, contractions started.  I didn't know if they were real ones because they didn't really hurt.  So I tried to go to sleep about 10 and they were still coming, but I barely felt them.  Then about 2 am, they really started coming.  Manageable, and about 7 minutes apart (they want you to come in when they're 3-5 min apart).. then, a couple hours later, they started hurting realllly bad but were not like 12 minutes apart.  Frustrating.  By this time, we knew this baby was coming!   I just really thought it'd be later on Friday sometime, considering Leyton's labor was able the longest one in history.

Anyways, about 6 am, the contractions took a turn.  Hurt sooo bad and were about 2-3 minutes apart.  We quickly called my dad, who came to be with Leyton, we threw stuff in a bag and we're ready to peel out about 7:20ish.   At this time, I was freaking out.  I just had this feeling this baby was coming and quick.  In the car, it got really bad.  The contractions turned from being able to work through them to having the urge to push.  (sorry for those who know this feeling.. you're probably hurting right now)  Luke was going about 85 mph and may have ran a red light or two.  We had to get there!

We get to the ER entrance, we walk in and I start barking orders.  I need a wheelchair, I need to push!  This baby's coming!  It was like a movie or a bad episode of Greys..  at this point, I was pushing.   Sorry for the gross details, but at one point, I reached down between my legs and felt a head!  ugh.  All within one minute, they got me from the chair to a table in a make-shift ER room, the doctors and nurses start swarming, I let some terrible noises from deep within my lungs and one horrible push later, we hear a cry.  (sorry if this is dramatic, but let's be honest.. it was nothing but dramatic)

Luke was up by my head, our eyes are locked as he helped me through this.  Then, we hear a doctor say "oh, look at the big boy!"  boy! boy!   We're crying and trying to catch our breath at what just happened.  Finn has arrived!   We have another boy!  what a feeling..

The rest is details.. they took Finn to the NICU to give him some oxygen and make sure was good!  They wheeled me off to the labor unit, fixed me up and that was it!   All that after-fixing did hurt, but I knew at this point, the worst was over!   Finn's nurse came in about 1/2 later to give us the details.   He weighed 7 pounds even, 20 inches long.. and this last comment really got us, she said he was really mellow!   We had a mellow boy?!  He's so sweet though.. he was just laying there looking around and when we went to go see him, we got some adorable smiles out of him.

It says on our charts that our check in time to the hospital was 7:41 and delivery time was 7:42.  yikes.  Oh, and Luke had to get his comment in.. he called me a super hippie, because I went all natural, without drugs.  Right, like I like pain.. I was screaming for drugs in the car.

We are madly in love and even though I thought it was hard to imagine loving someone as much as Leyton.. whew, he has our hearts.  We are so excited to have another boy, another addition to our little family!  he's just perfect.  He looks like his brother, but different too.  I think he looks more like Luke :)

Here's another detail to this story that we would ask prayer about.  When he came out, the doctor said that he had a skin tag on his head, just to warn us.  Poor little buddy came out with a little red growth on the top of his head.  They kept us posted over the next couple of hours as to what they thought it was and what the next step would be.  At this point, that was our biggest concern, figuring out what was best for him.  We met with a neonatal guy who told us they wanted to send him to Children's hospital in St. Paul for further examination.  They loaded him up and he rode in his first ambulance ride to St. Paul.  That meant that 6 hours after I had delivered him, I was discharged from my hospital and Luke and I headed to Children's.



That's where we are now.  In this little closet of a room, with one tiny pull-out couch and a  lot of intimidating machines for little Finn.  He is doing great and they keep confirming that he is a healthy, perfect boy.  We are waiting to hear from the plastic surgeon as to what the next step is for his head growth.  It sounds like they're not worried about it and will most likely remove it.  If that can happen today or tomorrow, we'll stay put here and wait.  Otherwise, if they need to schedule it for this week, we will be able to take him home.  The only negative thing about this whole arrangement is I'm not really getting the car I need after delivering a baby.  Luckily, my body isn't nearly as much of a train wreck as it was after Leyton but I'm still in a good amount of pain.  A pull out couch and a bathroom down the hall isn't quite cutting it.

But, we're counting our blessings!   We have a perfect boy, a healthy boy.. just what we've been praying for months for.  Thank you Lord!   We so appreciate all the prayers and support from people!  We'll keep you posted on what comes next..




Oh, and congrats on Aaron Shoemaker for winning the pole.  
We award you with a matching middle name :)

Monday, December 12, 2011

one week!

The tree is lit, the presents are wrapped, the house is decorated and (currently) spotless.. that means I'm ready for ya baby!  The boy and girl clothes have their own separate pile, my bag is packed (almost) and the diapers are in a line.  You can come now!  I am SO ready to meet this little gift, with its own eyes, own ears, own little toes.

woah, typo!  I meant to write "gift", but I wrote "girl" first!  and I had a dream last night that I was strolling around in our new, awesome stroller with Leyton and Stella!  girl on my brain?!

But I am also very, very excited to get rid of this 25 pound load that I've been carrying around.. this baby, that is currently the size of a mini watermelon!  ahh!

I have a feeling it's going to be a long week.  Until then, I'll dream about Leyton's newborn cuteness.
oh, and feel free to cast your vote :)
click here:  www.expectnet.com/games/BabyProsser2


Friday, December 9, 2011

sleepy kid

Just a couple shots of the boy..  soaking in these last days of being a one-kid parent!




post naptime.  a really hard nap!


 

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

dear baby..

to my sweet unborn child,

The countdown is on and you'll be in here in days!  I have so many emotions as I think about your arrival.  You are our second child, our #2, Leyton's younger brother or sister... so that makes you different.  unique, in your own perfect way.  We already know your brother so well.  It is truly a miracle to think that we will know you in that same way.   In just days, we will know your eyes, your smile, your faces.. your name!

Just know we have prayed for you, for months now, we have been praying for every detail of your life.. your health, your development, your whole body, your future, your heart, your relationship with Christ.  God has created you just the way you are, with a wonderful life ahead of you!   God has prepared Luke and I to be just the parents that you need.   We are so ready for that task, so ready to welcome you into our family.

Of course there's plenty to be nervous about.. about how you'll make your entrance, about your first days and weeks in this world, about how Leyton will do.. but I know that when we look at your sweet face, nothing else will matter.  You will be here!

We cannot wait to meet you, dear baby.  Feel free to come at anytime, we're ready!

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request."
- 1 Samuel 1:27

Monday, December 5, 2011

38 weeks!

The countdown is at 2 weeks!  14 days and tons of long, painful hours to go!   This baby feels huge and loves to stretch out... feels like it's ready to push its way out!  By the books, the baby is about 6.8 lbs and is over 19.5 inches long.  He/she has a firm grasp that I'll be able to hold oh-so-soon!  The organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.  Just incredible.

This large torpedo of a baby is taking over any breathing room I have left.. here's the evidence!



At the Guthrie theatre.. last date night with the husband for a while.. loved every second of it!


In other news, we had a wonderful weekend!  Date night Friday night (dinner and the Christmas Carol play at the Guthrie.. thank you to my parents for the gift!), Holidazzle parade on Saturday, complete with great friends (the Lees!), huge snowflakes, a happy little boy.. and hot chocolate.  Then, on Sunday, I went to a Christmas dessert swap party at my friend Marys (so fun!)

My heart is full and I'm loving every bit of this Christmas season.  
I'm ready baby, you can come anytime!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Finn or Stella...

Two weeks and counting... what'll it be?   Will we be welcoming a sweet lil' girl into our family, or another crazy boy for Mr. Leyton?  We are so thrilled either way and can't wait to meet him/her!!



Thursday, December 1, 2011

dear Leyton..

my boy,

Today is Thursday.. a normal, mundane Tuesday around our house.   It's just you and me hanging out.. playing with all your toys about seven times.. going from room to room finding stuff to do.  We watched Elmo together, played with your trucks, played with play-do, threw balls and hit hockey pucks.  It's a normal day, but I just want to freeze it and go back to this whenever I want.  I know that things are about to change.. yes, for the better, but it's still change!  I love and cherish my time with you!

You are just hilarious lately.  You have such a vibrant personality that I get to enjoy everyday.  You talk a ton, whether we can understand you or not is another story!  But you are very daring with your words and will at least try to repeat what we say.  "I love you" is the best.. I may be the only one that can understand it, but it's precious.

You seem to be somewhat aware that a baby is coming.. you know the difference between grabbing your big boy diapers and the itsy bitsy diapers that I got for the baby.  You know the bassinet and the car seat that are waiting are for the baby.. you make me so proud and I know you'll be such a good older brother!

You have this adorable personality trait that I love watching.. you get so focused when playing with your toys, specifically your cars and trucks.  You line them all up with such precision and if one is not in line or not touching the other, you get so frustrated and make sure it's right!  Grandpa K thinks you'll be an engineer, or into math and science somehow.  You did not get that from your mom!   Well, maybe the obsessive compulsive to have everything in line.. but who knows. :)

Today you had one of those cute moments that I never want to forget.  You were at grandma's house for a bit and was playing with her nativity scene.  You were lining up all the figurines .. all the animals, Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus.  Bended down on your knees, you stopped, looked at what you had just created, then bowed your head and folded your hands!  You, my sweet boy, knew to pray to Jesus!  whew... that'll bring the tears!

We love love love you, our little man and couldn't be more proud of the boy you are becoming!

love, your mom.