I'm in love

How could I not be with this face?

Oh yeah, and Nathan

cousins

hooray for 3 years

the whole fam

A stroke of luck

So this is what an "easy" baby is like.

Welcome Baby #2!

Baby #2

8 lbs. 1 oz. 20 in.

September 21, 2009 7:39 pm

I doubt Amanda will be documenting her birthing experience anytime soon, so here are the birth details from dad’s perspective. I really debated posting baby pics because let's face it - all babies look the same. But Amanda would probably want at least some pictures, so I posted them below.

Although Amanda had a rough pregnancy which consisted of preterm labor symptoms, high blood pressure, periods of bed rest, and a less than optimally positioned baby, her delivery was perfect. No stitches, no stretch marks, no steroids.

She started feeling more intense contractions Monday afternoon, but nothing that kept her from making dinner. Just before we sat down to eat around 6:00pm, she started having to focus more and to breathe through the contractions, so we called our friends the Landons to come get Nathan. We had a slight setback when amidst us scurrying to pack final items between Amanda's intensifying contractions, Nathan fell and bashed his nose right on our bed frame. He was screaming and his nose was gushing blood everywhere, and we thought he'd broken it. So then Amanda gets on the phone with the on-call pediatrician, who has no idea she's in labor, and they're talking about Nathan's nose. Luckily it stopped bleeding and he stopped screaming and we were off.

We were on our way to the hospital by 6:30, arrived at triage at 7:00 (where we found out she was at a 10 already), went to the delivery room shortly after, she started pushing at 7:30, and the baby was out by 7:39. It was great because there was no down time at all. Pure excitement and efficiency. So far, everything has been 1000 times better than our first delivery and newborn experience.

Amanda did a great job of preparing for the birth. We went to a 6 week Hypnobabies class, and she did a ton of research and practice on her own as well. I learned quite a bit myself, even though Amanda is the one who applies most of the information. I pretty much just learn it with her for support. Now I have all this pregnancy and birthing information taking up space in my brain, and I have nowhere to apply it. Maybe I ought to bag the MBA next year and become a midwife (yes there are male midwives, I looked into it out of curiosity).

Amanda 3 days before delivery


What a champ

Dad and baby


Mom and baby


Baby


Mom after getting cleaned up


A new baby and a new pizza. I can't think of anything more amazing.


Tiny Vivian's first night home


Suddenly Nathan didn't look small at all


Nathan saw her for the first time when he woke up. He was fascinated.

Well, we haven't posted for awhile, and... I am on bedrest for the next few weeks. So I feel inspired to blog! Top 10 exciting events since we last posted:

10. Massive head injuries. Nathan likes to run around with his blanket over his head. Unfortunately, when he does, he thinks that all the furniture disappears. I was afraid his forehead would fill with blood and explode but the phone-in nurse assured me he was probably okay.

9. Talbot Family Reunion: Sea World! These are all my siblings, plus 3 spouses. Grandpa and Grandma took care of all the grandkids so we could all get thoroughly soaked. They tried to stop the whole ride and make me get off for being pregnant. I thought that was ridiculous since my body goes through more trauma in one hour of running after Nathan than anything that happened on this ride.




8. A chance to see the Arizona Diamondbacks up close! Mark's boss gave us front row tickets to a Diamondbacks baseball game. We have been wanting to go to a game since we moved here, and it was so fun to sit right above the dugout. The great thing is, they actually won the game, which apparently doesn't happen often. Nathan loved it too- definitely an event for serious reflection...




7. Hiking in Phoenix. We acquired a baby backpack! We woke up and went hiking by 6:00 AM, our goal being to avoid the heat. Unfortunately the sun was already bright and it was over 90 degrees. So it was a short hike, but good. We are finally fitting in with the rest of the Phoenicians. All we need now are road bikes with a baby trailer. Then we would REALLY fit in.




6. Oceanside beach!!! Mark was so excited to take Nathan in the waves. It is a treat as a parent to introduce your kids to new things. Maybe one day we'll let him get in above his ankles...




5. My brother Scott came home from his mission! He served in the Tennessee Nashville Mission. Nathan and I flew out to San Diego just to be there at the airport when he returned. The flight there was hectic: There were no extra seats so Nathan sat on his mother's already pregnant lap. Nathan started throwing tantrums as soon as we started taxiing, and eventually spilled water all over the person next to us. Nathan's pregnancy-hormone laden mother then cried for a good ten minutes for all in the plane to see. Luckily seeing his mom cry made Nathan mellow out for the rest of the flight. But it was all worth it to see my little brother- we are so proud of his service and feel like he has grown into a mature and confident man.




4. For one member in our family, playing in cement pipes is one of the most exciting things we ever do...




Let's see, running out of exciting things...
3. Oh yes! We are expecting on September 21, and it's a GIRL!




2. Proud fathering moment. Look at that balance!




1. And number one: Family pictures. Our son is so even tempered, it makes us proud parents. :)

only performed under adequate dad supervision

Moments like this are what makes it all worth it...

space

space

just in case you're wondering if he's okay...