It could be worse...

It has been crazy around here trying to get a leg up on all of the season's activities including weddings, Christmas shopping, Thanksgiving, trip to Mexico, family in town, etc.

Brandon's cousin's wedding was beautiful and Kaitlyn walked down the aisle like an angel. She listened and I think it was the big excitement for her all weekend, except the dancing. Thanksgiving was great despite the cold, wet weather and we even put up our Christmas tree with a few decorations. Kaitlyn loves to be sneaky and pull things off the tree. Christmas shopping, almost done. Yeah! Ready for Cabo San Lucas? Not really, but it will have to work. We are leaving for Mexico next week. This is the trip Brandon was awarded since he was a top seller this fall. I can't believe we are going. It will be tough with Jackson, but I think we definitely need to have some relaxation and recharge our batteries!

I say it could be worse because we are all sick again, but things could be worse if we didn't just have a little cold. Poor little Jackson can't breathe. I hope we can make it through this cold season with only a few little bouts here and there, but it is inevitable, especially with a toddler running around. She loves to kiss Jackson on his head and does great changing his diaper. She is actually a regular cleaning lady too. She loves to clean windows.

The best thing to do in our household right now is to watch Kaitlyn dance. She just wouldn't stop dancing at the wedding and now at home, it is an epidemic. Dancing with the Stars has been great to watch, especially with Kaitlyn. She waits for the dance to start and then she gets up and boogies. Her version of getting down to the music is to run from one side of the room to the other. She then holds her arms up to her side and bends over to shake her toosh. It is pretty cute. But it is never good to dance alone and makes Brandon and I dance too.

Jackson makes us smile all day. He laughs and smiles and coos so much. It is amazing that he does all of the time. He is as happy as a clam if you just look at him and for as big as he is, he knows just how to melt in your arms. He is now 17 and a half pounds. His stomach looks like a big ham or hammie!

Sporadic posts

Well, the holidays are upon us. It is going to be pretty sporadic posting on here for the next couple of months. The holidays bring all sorts of craziness and with trying to get into a better routine with Kaitlyn and Jackson, extra time will be nonexistent.

We are working to get Jackson to like his crib better and fall asleep easier. He has a lot of gas and I still here congestion in him. Poor guy, we drag him everywhere and has gotten used to sleeping in his carseat alot. But seeing how he is growing so much, I have no idea what to do when he gains another five pounds and he is out of the carrier. Right now, it is pretty easy to take him with us. I am on the hunt for a double stroller to buckle both kiddos in.

Kaitlyn is so sweet on Jackson and helped me give him a bath today. I am still nervous with her around him sometimes as she presses on him and doesn't know that it hurts. She is maturing a lot and wants to do everything herself, although she still needs me to teach her the proper way of doing things. She is in love with Curious George right now. They are very similar. He is curious of everything as is she.

Lucky

Well, we have made it past the two month mark with Jackson and the holidays are right around the corner. God has been looking out for us these last few months, that is for sure. Brandon signed a huge client with ADP, the biggest deal in his region so far. It was exciting for him and his office. He got a trip to Los Cabos the first of December so we are trying to figure out if we are going to take Jackson or not. Kaitlyn has taken a nap everyday this week. I think she is finally calming down after Jackson's birth and the excitement of grandmoms helping out. Jackson is sleeping a little bit better, but he is still waking every four hours at night to eat. I think I have a little more sanity with getting a little more sleep because he is taking a bottle now.

Jackson went to his two month check up yesterday and he is in the above 97 percetile for weight and height. He now weighs 15 pounds 10 ounces. Yes!!! At 20 pounds, we have to move him out of his carrier carseat! The doctor also said that he is smiling and cooing like he is a four-month old. He loves to talk and smile. Kaitlyn started a bit later, but I don't remember her talking as much as him.

Today, I got really lucky with this picture. Two kiddos smiling!!!

Fun, but worn out

I am beginning to find out that in the world of kids, any kind of holiday is a hectic time. Not that we scrambled to find all of the Halloween and fall festival activities we could, but that there is so much to choose from in our area. We went to a pumpkin patch and farm, a fall festival for Kaitlyn's school and another fall festival at her friend, Kali's school. The things they do for little kids. It is amazing.

Kaitlyn is getting to be a lot of fun to take to these things too because she is having so much fun with all of these new activities and can voice how much fun she is having. Of course, Jackson had a ball - sleeping, that is.


We have caught our second cold of the season. Man, we need some super spray to keep this stuff from spreading. We are constantly washing hands and putting on hand sanitizer, but when Kaitlyn coughs, we just can't contain it.

Here is some video of Kaitlyn jumping in a bounce house at the fall festival last night. She loved it.





Here is some video of Jackson playing in his crib. He is becoming more and more animated.

Finally, fall is in the air

It has been awhile since I have jumped on the computer. I have been a zombie looking after everyone around here. Kaitlyn is going mad with trying to get our attention. Jackson has hit a growth spurt and it is busy season at Brandon's work. As for me, I want more sleep and to be able to get a walk in to enjoy this pretty weather.

Kaitlyn has given us a run for our money over the last week and a half. She hit her head on her headboard and got a cut on her forehead. It was a gusher. We went to the doc for that one. Overall, she did really well and told everyone she hurt her head. She is one of those kids that has to learn for herself.

Also, we have gone through the whole house and changed any doors with locks to doors without them. She has figured out how to keep mommy and daddy away. She gave us quite a fright when she locked herself in the bathroom and wouldn't say anything. She has had an independent streak lately and does like to have her privacy when going to the bathroom.

Today, she was shimy shaking her way around the house and fell on the wood floor in the front. She got a knot on her knee. I tell ya, if it isn't one thing it is another with our 2 year old.

We definitely need Nanny 911 to come and help us calm this girl down. She absolutely refuses to go to bed when she is tired and is trying to cry and scream for attention louder than Jackson. Just when I find a good strategy, she finds another way to try and get around us.

As for our little man as I like to call him, he is huge. I put him on the scale just for fun and he is 13.5 pounds give or take since I was holding him on there. I can't believe how big he is. He loves to smile and is so sweet. He doesn't seem to be bothered too much by Kaitlyn except for when he is really tired and trying to sleep. It has been tough with Kaitlyn being so loud for him to really sleep a lot in his room. He has been in our room and in the swing a lot to keep it quite.

We love holding him. It feels like an eternity since Kaitlyn was a baby. I am really ready for Jackson to be 5 months already because that was my favorite baby time.

I am looking forward to this third month with Jackson as it is continuing to get better one baby step at a time and I am slowly fittng into my pants. I have to keep telling myself to take it one day at a time. With more sleep, I know we will be functioning a little bit better. Sleep come on, come on over and help a mother out!

Ho hummm...

It has been a rough couple of weeks for us. I have had no sleep! I need it! I need it bad! I am subsisting on nothing and Jackson wants to eat all of the time. He won't take a bottle and I have bought four different brands so far today. He took an ounce out of one and that is one small victory!

Our computer monitor is out so I am using the laptop and don't have any new photos on it.

Other than that, I am wondering how people make it through these first months with two. I am dying! Poor Brandon is dying because I am barely subsisting. My motto today is to not think too far into the future and take it a day at a time. Thank goodness it is sunny today because it always makes me be in a better mood even though I have had 3 hours of sleep for the last four or five days at least. Kaitlyn, give me a nap!!!

Jackson Smiles Slideshow

Side Notes

No photos just yet, but on another note: Jackson is smiling. I saw him give me smiles on Thursday and Brandon saw got them this weekend. They are really cute. He is going to be quite a charmer.

Kaitlyn has reverted back somewhat to her baby days. Before putting her in her crib, I would hold her in my arms and rock her a little bit and then lay her down. She is now asking for me to hold her and rock her a little bit before putting her in bed.

Tonight she told us what Jackson sounds like to her and she made crying sounds that sounded just like him.

The first two days

Yesterday and today have been the first two days where I have been home all day with two kids. Yes, we are pretty fortunate to have had help for several weeks now.

The mornings are not too bad and I actually have been able to take showers. Although, I have been up way too early. When 12:30 pm comes around, that is when it gets crazy. It is time to get Kaitlyn ready to take a nap and make sure Jackson is fed or sleeping before I start the process with Kaitlyn. I think he senses it because he has been hard to get to go back to sleep around this time of day. I fought with Kaitlyn yesterday to take a nap for a really long time. I think she was overtired as she didn't go to sleep the night before until 10 pm and then had to go to school all morning. Today, it was crazy for about an hour and a half. Kaitlyn fell asleep on her own in a very short amount of time. Jackson got overtired as his pacifer kept falling out. It took me awhile to get him to go sleep. Ahh, if only nap time was simple.

I think we are going to make it though! We will have to test the waters next week on actually getting out of the house with me and two kiddos on my own to the store or something.

As I have repeatedly stated in the hospital after Jackson, anything is easier than being 9 months pregnant and taking care of Kaitlyn. Carrying Jackson around the last month and a half was so grueling that I am just thankful that I can now run around! I still feel how light I am now compared to August and am still amazed about it.

Well, off to try and take a nap while it is still quiet.

Jackson is One Month and Photos of Cousin Maggie - She's here!

Yeah, it has been a month since Jackson was born. He is doing great! (Maggie info below)

We have been so fortunate to have both grandmothers come to help us out. Thank you so much! It is now back to reality and time to begin learning to take care of both kiddos on our own. How am I going to make it through the day now? The tough part is keeping Kaitlyn entertained while I nurse Jackson or need to rock him to sleep. She tries to be quiet, but she does get excited around him.

There are a lot of moments that give me encouragement that this can work and pretty easily. Although, when Kaitlyn is cranky and has a tantrum like this week, it makes it really stressful and hard.

Right now, I really want to tackle sleeping with Jackson. He likes the swing and his bed. We are going back and forth right now. I would like to get to a point like I did with Kaitlyn - he can sleep in his bed and I just come in to feed once or twice in the night. With him having a cold, I have been too nervous to not be right by him. I have been on the floor in his room or he has been in our room, whichever works that night. We definitely need to work on a better routine with that just for my sanity.

Here is a photo of him in the sling. I have a feeling we will use this everyday so I can have my hands free for Kaitlyn too. :)

Maggie Grace Meche is here.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hhuz2tp.2a9fs6rd&Uy=-tehwlm&Ux=0

She was born by c-section yesterday after Christy went in to be induced and nothing happened. So they did a c-section around 5:15 pm. She weighed in at 7 pounds and is 19.5 inches. We came around 6 and was able to see the nurse take care of her. She was already sucking her thumb.

It was crazy to see Jackson and then her. She is so much shorter and lighter than him.

Kaitlyn and Jackson did great at the hospital. He slept and Kaitlyn made friends. She ran through the halls taking everyone around. It definitely wore her out. She liked seeing Maggie through the window, and was quite shy when we first came in because there was such a big crowd!! Two sets of grandparents, great grandparents, sisters and boyfriends - it made for quite a fuss around the window. Ahhhh! Spencer was a very proud daddy and Christy looked like she was so glad to have Maggie out and a happy mom! Yeah! Congrats Spencer and Christy.

We left around 8:30 last night and it made for a late night with the kiddos. Hopefully, when Kaitlyn gets home from school, she will take a good, long nap!

BU and ATM

So the family BU and A&M rivalry continues...

We lost to A&M again. We (me) even put Kaitlyn and Jackson in BU attire for good luck this weekend. Kaitlyn and Daddy wore A&M attire two weekends before and A&M won. Here are a couple of photos below.

We still chugging along. Gigi is here until Wednesday when Brandon's brother and sister in law go in for a scheduled induction and we will then have a new little cousin. Yeah! I think we are all looking forward to October and getting out more!

(This is a BU dress, but you can't see the BU on it)

One Long Day

September so far has felt like one long day. We have been so fortunate to have friends and family cook for us. It has been a relief as we try to sneak a bite here or there in between taking care of Kaitlyn and Jackson. They don't seem to sleep in the afternoon at the same time for very long and then trying to catch up on getting a shower or other things does get in the way of sleeping. I don't know how I am doing it with as little as four hours of sleep, but the body keeps on going. As long as I am not going out of the house too much, we are all a-okay that way.

So that is the update for me. Jackson seems to be doing better. He still has the occasional cough, but not like last week where he would go all morning with reflux and then congestion from a cold as well. I think there is still some of the cold left, but I hope we can start getting better about going to sleep for the little guy.

Kaitlyn is great and is calling him her baby brother. She said today he can call her K.K. She is pretty happy these days and is getting so much better about going down for a nap and to bed at night. All of August and part of September have been a nightmare in that department. It would take her an hour or more to go to sleep. It was part of adjusting to going to sleep without her pacifier. We are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Yeah!

Now Brandon's mom is coming to help out this week after my mom has helped us out for two weeks. I don't know how I am going to do it once she leaves, but I am going to enjoy having help this week for sure! I think Kaitlyn has definitely benefited from the extra attention to make the transition a little easier.

It will definitely be a fun October!

A couple of setbacks

What a week! Kaitlyn is sick. I am sick. Brandon is sick. And Jackson is sick. And my mom got sick while helping out this week. We all have the same cold! As soon as Jackson is over jaundice, he catches a cold. Poor thing! The doctor's office knows him really well now!

Since we have had to introduce a bottle early because of the jaundice, we have had some setbacks with nursing, and I was really worried this week about it. Luckily, I was able to call on a free lactation nurse hotline for some help. It has worked so far. Yeah!

I forgot how this whole eating thing takes such a long time, and will have to wait to see if any patterns develop after he gets better.

Kaitlyn and I enjoyed some time at the park and she loved school this week. She is definitely feeling the loss of some attention from her mommy and is acting out. I feel so badly about it because I want to give Jackson a lot of attention as well. I think I am on the right track though to work through it by letting help and attention come for Kaitlyn and trying to have our little activities while Jackson sleeps.

We had some visitors come this week to bring dinner, and that has helped bring some normalcy into our lives. Thanks to our friends John and Amy Woodard, Rebecca Palmer and friends from my mom's group like Ellen who have set up some friends to bring dinners this next week.

Around two weeks, we took some black and whites of Kaitlyn so here are a few of Jackson from today. Enjoy! It was awefully cute to take them and see him falling asleep. When I have a chance, I will send a Kodak Gallery of all the photos in B/W.

1 Week and Counting

Can't believe Jackson has been here a week! The last couple of days have been a blur with trying to get Jackson over his high levels of jaundice, Kaitlyn's cold and my arm injury. We are waiting for Brandon to come down with something.

On Sunday, Jackson's jaundice came down and we think he has made it over the hump. We can now stop supplementing with an extra ounce of formula and hopefully get back to exclusively nursing, although I hope the bottle has not ruined any chances to nursing longterm. We will see how it goes and will have lots of questions at his 2 week checkup. I just need sleep. He is wanting to eat every two hours because that is what we have had to do with the jaundice.

Kaitlyn has been into games the last week. She has been playing with all of the board games and I think it is time to bring on CANDYLAND. Yeah, can't wait for that because I loved that game growing up.

Here are a few recent photos - sponge baths and hanging out.

I don't like my sponge bath!

Ah, Big Brown Doggie!

It's in the genes. Picture time!!!

A precious gift

Can you believe this is me going into the hospital as I was having a contraction last Saturday?

Well, there are so many things to write and so many things to remember from this week. I have wanted to write an update earlier; however, time has not permitted it and sleep deprivation is going to my brain.

First, we had our precious Jackson Benjamin Meche on Saturday, September 1. We had no idea what we were in for when we woke up that day. I started feeling contractions at 1 pm and got to the hospital at 2:45 with very strong, regular contractions. They worsened just as the nurse was going to order the epidural and then it went from bad to worse where I just involuntarily started pushing. It was amazing how everything just went so fast and without me doing anything except be in a lot of pain. The epidural finally came through, thank goodness for a good CRN there and the pain eased up before the head crowned and Jackson was born at 4:56 pm.

He had his eyes wide open almost immediately and only gave a couple of soft cries. He is so sweet. The grandparents and Kaitlyn didn't even have time to wait as they started arriving about thirty minutes later.

We had so many visitors on Sunday. It was really nice. For me, I was worn out, Jackson too. But great surprises. The Green family surprised us with a visit and we didn't even know they were in town. Yeah!

Now this week, Kaitlyn has just loved on Jackson, but hasn't really been able to be too involved as he is sleeping so much or eating or she is sleeping or trying to go to sleep. She is so sweet on him and I haven't seen too much jealously yet. She does get very upset if I don't put her to bed. We are still working on getting the routine down.

This week, we have had absolutely no sleep and I have been a wreck, emotionally. What a surprise, I had that with Kaitlyn, but I haven't been able to nap like I should and that is adding to it.

Jackson just loves to stay up at night and sleep all day. He is eating well for the most part, but we still have some nursing issues, learning each other. We went to the doctor yesterday for a weight and jaundice check. Jackson has elevated levels of the birlilum (sp?) and we had to check him again today. It is still really high and I now have to add an ounce or two of formula after a feed. Hopefully, this won't interfere with nursing too. We will have to get his levels checked out again tomorrow. We have him by the window for indirect sunlight too. We are hoping that today will maybe be an improvement.

He really hasn't been fussy at all except for when he gets really hungry, diaper change or something is wet that is on him like a wet wash cloth.

Yesterday, I turned the big 30 and I couldn't stop crying all day, even at the doctor's office. I am so happy that we were able to do a bday celebration early. Although, Brandon and Kaitlyn went to get me a cookie cake and that was pretty tasty.

It was bad yesterday and trying not to get too stressed out about call backs, etc. and leaving a lot to Brandon. Wow, he is doing a great job with Kaitlyn. The hard part is getting over this initial two weeks with Jackson and no sleep. More to come...

It is definitely time for a little baby to arrive!

It is definitely time for Jackson to be here. We have been anxiously waiting his arrival and had thought he would be here by now. Around the first week or two in August I was busy getting last minute things together before he came and closed out my work projects. I went to the doctor, and I had started dilating. We thought this was great news because I didn't dilate at all before Kaitlyn came.

Now I am sitting here and it is August 28th and still no Jackson. His due date is exactly a week from today and I have been miserable for the last three weeks. Ahh, me! Last week, we had a false alarm as I was throwing up with contractions, but they subsided and I went home. I felt pretty bad the whole week. Now this week, I have a huge rash on my belly. It itches and it is hard to sleep.

Anyway, an induction is in order and just got a call for it to be Tuesday, 9/4. I hate to be whining and can't wait to be out of this state and see little Jackson. I just have a feeling he is going to a real sweetie and endear us all to just cuddle with him all the time.

Kaitlyn is telling everyone that Jackson is in mommy's tummy, and I can't wait to finally see her face when he is actually here. We have been talking about it so long and I have been so big for so long that I am sure she will not know what to do. I am so excited to be able to get back to regular physical things too so I can play with her more again. Right now it is so hard to get down on her level or have the energy.

I know that it will be tough with Jackson, but my take on everything is that anything is better than this. I can't do anything I want to do and that is tough to accept right now. Even though I complain, I am thankful for this because I can look back when there is a day that is hard with having two and know that it is still easier than the physical state and pain I am in now trying to take care of Kaitlyn.

Daddy dressed Kaitlyn and put her in pigtails this morning all by himself while mommy slept in.

More to come soon...

Showtime!

Well, I haven't been blogging too much or taking photos because of how enormous I am. It is hard just to get off the couch without help from Brandon. hehehe.

We went to the doctor for the 36 week visit. I am almost at 2 cm dilated. I thought something had started happening this week. I have been trying to clean up, all I can think about is what is around the corner and how our lives are going to change, and practically staying up at all hours at night. For example, last night I was up from 1:30 am to 2 am just finishing up washing some dishes, and then I got out a pad to write out a grocery list. What am I doing???

I think we are ready, but I just don't have that feeling like I am totally ready like I did with Kaitlyn. I keep thinking of how Kaitlyn is going to adjust. She has been totally enamoured with her babies lately, and I hope that is a good sign. It will be fun to have her help me change a diaper and see her eyes get very concentrated on one little task.

Even though I have been miserable physically and down right hormonal at times with some complaining, I feel this has been another good experience because it is God's little miracle coming to life once again.

One prayer request: Brandon's grandfather is gravely ill. He is moving home this weekend. Brandon plans to go visit this weekend in Louisiana. He is concerned that I will go into labor, but I think the odds are in our favor that we have some time right now at least.

Reading is fun!

Here is a sample of Kaitlyn reading on our way to the Dallas World Aquarium for a little family outing this weekend.



Unfortunately, the Dallas World Aquarium was packed, being renovated and Kaitlyn was tired of all the people so we didn't stay too long. She had way more fun in the pool the next day with Uncle Stephen, who came over and showed us his mad pool skills! Other than that, we have been playing it lowkey. And what has really been wearing us out is trying to work with Kaitlyn to listen and obey her parents better. What a struggle with a 2 and a half year old right now; but we just forget about any power struggles when she is so cute reading her books!

A Very Meche Weekend

This past weekend was a weekend for celebrations. Since I am due around my 30th birthday in early September, we decided to celebrate early with a little Murder Mystery dinner at the Gaylord hotel in Grapevine. It was sooo much fun. We had a group of about 30 and enjoyed a buffet of all sorts of food and a murder mystery based on the Old West.

I loved getting out for the night and enjoyed seeing friends I haven't seen in awhile! Kaitlyn was a little confused to see everyone leave her at home, but she did very well and needed her sleep.

Here are a few photos from the dinner:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=hhuz2tp.2t768ac1&Uy=qtsgqp&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0

On Sunday, friends, Judy, Emily and Brooke hosted a little shower for Jackson. It was nice to just see the girls and we all had fun seeing all the blue little outfits for him. I think the biggest hit was the A&M stuff; however, I still think the BU onsie was a hit with me! A&M usually wins out around here so if I can get some BU in, that is awesome!! He also received his first pair of boxers - so cute!

Here are a few photos from the shower:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=hhuz2tp.5re5irgx&Uy=-cocmcq&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=1&UV=538727928588_453670843505

It just amazes me at how friends always come through for you and do amazing things to show you how much you are loved. I felt so loved and cared about this weekend and am so appreciative of all of my friends that I have made throughout the years. My goodness, I had friends from junior high and elementary, college, post-college and post-baby all come this weekend and I just don't have the words to express my gratefulness and thankfulness for them.

And of course, my family and Brandon's family have been so supportive and loving in preparing for a new baby and helping with Kaitlyn while I am physically tired and unable to do all I want to do. It has been wonderful this experience has truly come from the Lord above to help show the way because I have definitely had hard times with this pregnancy! And to Brandon, a round of applause for all of his hard work in organizing the dinner and helping more than anything around the house and with Kaitlyn. I couldn't imagine doing it on my own!

Welcome Baby Noah Zafereo

Just thought I would help share the good news, our friends, Judy and Jason Zafereo, had their baby boy on Monday, named Noah Francis. He came about 12 days late and weighed 8 lb. 6 oz. Kaitlyn was so excited to hold him TWICE. It was a special treat to get to hold him again before we left the visiting room yesterday.

Judy is doing great and both she and Jason are just so relaxed and happy to have him now. They are going to be great parents. (Just a note - Judy is one of the hosti for the baby shower this weekend. I hope she can make it for a little while.)

He had a lot of hair and just reminded us of Jackson's impending arrival. It was so sweet to see how Kaitlyn was gentle with him and just waited patiently to hold him and be by the baby. She is quite the big girl helper now.