First Doctor Appointment

Noah had his first doctor appointment today and passed with flying colors! He has gained an ounce since his hospital release and now weighs in at 8 pounds and 5 ounces. He is measuring in at the 50th percentile for weight and length. Everything else checked out too, like his blood work and physical exam, so unless we have an issue we don't have to go back until he is one month old- it will be here before we know it!


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Going Home

After a crazy day, Noah was finally released to go home tonight! We got home around 10:00, had a feeding, got Leah back to bed, changed Max's diaper and fed Noah again all by 11:45! Not bad for our first night home!


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He is here!

Noah Thomas Naylor arrived this morning at 11:20 after just 1.5 hours! He is 8 lbs and 12 oz and is 21 inches long! We are all doing well!


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Final Photo as Four

Today is the day! We are about to meet #3! Here is a final photo of the Naylor clan as a family of four!

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Walking

Walking - I am convinced that it does not bring on labor!  We have been walking the mall, parks and neighborhood - and still no #3.  We even went back to the zoo - and nothing!  But, Memaw is in town and has never been to the Cincinnati Zoo, so I didn't mind going down.  It was also a perfect zoo day.  And somehow we got there before it got crowded.  We did our normal loop around the zoo - elephants, giraffes, gibbons, train, bears, carousel, gorillas.  Sometimes we are there at the right time to feed the giraffes, but not this time.  But that is ok because then the exhibit was not so busy.  And we were lucky - one of the giraffes thought it was a feeding time and was hanging out right at the deck!  I didn't get a picture because I was holding Max and I enjoyed just being with him while he kept saying "Hi Giraffe!"  Sometimes a moment like that is better than a picture! 

A very tired Leah

Just a Pic

My mom is in town to help out with Leah and Max while waiting for #3s arrival. Somehow she was able to get a picture of the three of us all somewhat looking at the camera! Thanks Memaw!



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The Waiting Game

I hate the final weeks of pregnancy - not just because I start to get uncomfortable and am anxious to meet the little person who has kept me company for the past nine months - but because I get tired of the same questions I have been answering for people for weeks.  The "when are you due" - April 18; "you still haven't had that baby yet?" - nope, not yet; "is it a boy or a girl" - boy; followed of course by "what is his name" - we don't know yet - and we really do not know!; And then there are the comments "you look like you are about to pop" - thanks, I didn't already know that on my own.  And now that we are in the final week or two (let's hope not three) it seems like I can't make a phone call or have the phone ring without the question "Any baby yet?" or "Do you feel anything different like the baby is coming?"  Yes, now I know that everyone has these questions (and comments) are trying to be sincere, but.... at this point, no news is no news!

34 weeks

39 weeks

And just when you think a belly can in no way get any bigger - it does!  But seriously, I think at this point I can say that my belly is stretched to the max and it is time for #3 to make a grand entrance!  At my 39-week appointment this morning my doctor assured me that I am progressing and ready to deliver at any time, however, I was still to make an appointment for next week -"just in case".  Let's just hope I get to cancel that appointment!

Max and his Pancakes

Max loves pancakes.  However, we have learned that he is very particular in how many he wants on his plate.  Every time I add hot-from-the-griddle pancakes to the serving plate, he would point to the pancakes then his own plate demanding more.  Even though he still had more than half a pancake on his plate.  So eventually we would give in and give him a new pancake - Max has the worst whine ever!  So then I thought I could 'conserve' some pancakes my making small, silver-dollar pancakes.  My thought was at least he would eat an entire one before the next batch was ready - nope!  He loved the tiny pancakes, however he wanted four on his plate at a time - one for each section!  At least by the end of breakfast it is safe to say that he has at least filled his belly - regardless of how many pancakes it takes!

Our Easter

We had a really nice and quiet Easter weekend.  We enjoyed family time just the four of us doing all of the traditional Easter things.  On Saturday we went to the Trenton Easter Egg Hunt at the community park.  Leah and Max were still in the same age group, so it worked out nicely.  Both did a much better job this year in their egg collection.  Last year Max would not budge and Leah just wasn't sure what to do.  But this year they both collected a basket full of eggs - helping each other along the way!

Saturday afternoon was spent decorating a bunny cake and dying eggs.  Max was really good about not eating the candy, until Pat encouraged him!  Leah on the other hand ate more jelly beans than she put on the cake!  The dying of eggs was a huge success!  Max was so into it and we had no spills!

Easter morning Leah and Max woke up to their Easter baskets.  Since Max really can't have any candy due to his food allergies, their baskets were filled with jammies, a movie, a toy and a few M & Ms (the one candy I know that Max can eat - which fortunately he loves!)  The Easter bunny came back to our house later in the afternoon for an egg hunt in the backyard - a tradition we started two years ago!

After the hunting of eggs was complete we enjoyed the afternoon in the backyard playing with the dog, having a few beers (well, at least Pat did) and making mud soup!

Ate My Words

About a month ago we spent a day at the zoo.  I was so hot and walking around with a big belly I was just about done when we left.  I swore that I wasn't going to go back until #3 was born.  Well, I ate my words yesterday when I suggested we go to the zoo.  It was a beautiful day, a bit chilly, but so sunny that we just had to spend the day outside.  And perhaps in the back of my mind I was thinking that walking the hills at the zoo would help move labor along.  And I think I wanted to take advantage of one last outing as a family of four.  Due to our mild winter, all of our tulips had already bloomed, so I had hoped that the zoo blooms would be in full force - unfortunately I think we were about a week too late.  Some had already died and the rest were already all crinkled up and not so pretty anymore.  I couldn't even find a nice group to get a picture.  Leah and Max were beyond excited when they figured out where we were going, and they were especially thrilled when they realized we brought the wagon.  The wagon was a first and it worked out pretty well.  Leah still walked about half of the zoo and it was so much easier to get Max in and out.  We started our afternoon with a picnic lunch and then it was off to see the animals.  We reached the giraffes in the middle of their feeding, so Leah and Max were both able to feed Kimba a cracker.  Just as Pat was to take their picture and man stepped in his way.  Maybe next time.  And a zoo trip would not be complete without a ride on the train!  All in all, it was a great day.  We came home with two sleeping children and a worn out mama - and still no #3.

What Happened to the Fall and Winter?

So....April 4 - somehow I have been lazy during the end of summer, all of fall and all of winter?  I wouldn't call it lazy - I would call it busy!  We have had so much happening that I just couldn't keep up with coming downstairs to the computer, uploading photos while chasing my two beautiful children, staying healthy and preparing for the arrival of #3 - that's right - #3 - we have been busy :-)

So - just a quick recap of some of the bigger happenings with some of our favorite pics.  And now that I have an iPhone - I think I have an app that will allow to keep with the news of our growing family (I am sure Leah can show me how to use it!).

August
Leah, Max and I headed out to White Deer, PA with my parents to visit my brother, sister-in-law and niece while Pat stayed behind for band camp.  It was great to see where they now call 'home'.  It was also in August that we learned about #3 - while at my parents' house.  I managed to keep it a secret for about a week - but then I came clean and of course everyone was in shock - myself included!  We certainly had wanted to have a third child, and were thrilled to find out - but it was still shocking to think - oh my goodness - 3 children ages 4 and under?  Are we crazy?  We will no longer be man-to-man but more of a zone defense.  The grandparents of course were thrilled, Leah understood and Max, well he just doesn't know what's coming!  August also brought another first - Leah's first day of preschool!  She was so excited!  She had a great first week - though a little tired when she came home each afternoon, but preschool has been the best thing for her!

Leah and Max with cousin Addison

Yep, we're pregnant!

Leah's First Day of Preschool

September
September brought us our 2nd Annual Alzheimer Walk.  In memory of my grandma, we named ourselves Betty's Bunch.  It was a beautiful day for a walk!  We also celebrated Pat's 31st birthday.

October
October of course brought us great fall fun.  We went to the pumpkin patch a few times, Parky's Farm for a spooky night and Pat's sister and family spent a weekend with us.  Leah and Max were the cutest mice in town - dressed as Mickey and Minnie!

November
In November we finally caved in and became the owners of a mini-van.  I never thought I would say it - but I love my mini-van!  It is amazing how much more space we have, yet it doesn't feel too big.  How did we ever travel in just our Civic and CRV?  Especially our long trips to North Carolina and Minnesota!  We traveled to Cleveland for Thanksgiving, painted Christmas ornaments and cut down our Christmas tree!  We also learned that #3 was going to be a boy!  We never found out what we were having with Leah and Max, but this time we wanted to be able to clean out closets and re-do bedrooms.  Either way we would have been ecstatic - but I think we are especially thrilled to have a second boy.  We gave Leah and Max blue balloons to celebrate - Leah would have preferred pink - not a sister, but just a pink balloon!  Leah will be a great big sister, and Max and #3 will be great little buddies!

 

December
All things holiday in December!  We went to the Museum to see the train display (we were so disappointed that they no longer give out a sugar cookie at the end) and to the zoo for the Festival of Lights.  We made all sorts of Christmas goodies and made our annual Gingerbread House.  We had a quiet Christmas morning at home just the four of us - but it was perfect.  We were lazy in our jammies all day and Leah and Max were able to play with all of their new toys.  The day after we headed north to spend some time with both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Museum Center

Leah's Gingerbread House she made at school

Festival of Lights

Festival of Lights

A family picture - only took about 7 tries with the auto function!

Twas the Night Before Christmas - a special tradition

January
We traveled back north twice in January.  We first went to stay a weekend with Pat's sister and family.  We went to the Children's Museum, Little Italy for pizza and just hung out at the house so all the cousins could play.  The following weekend was our Snow Christmas at my parents house - more cousins and catching up with family!  We were supposed to make a third trip north, but I had finally decided that I was about done with long trips in the car and our awesome friends Natalie and Sean came down to see us instead.  We had a great night with 'the gang' - it was the first we were all together in nearly a year!

Max has started making the best pout face - but in the end always ends up laughing!

Daddy brought Max and Leah to visit Mommy at work

Playing in the huge sandbox at the Cleveland Children's Museum

Lunch at our favorite restaurant in Cleveland's Little Italy with the Kovalchik clan - Mama Santas

The "Snow" Cousins: Samson, Max, Leah, Addison, Isabella and Lydia

February
February brought us no snow!  I think this is the first time in my teaching career that I did not have one single snow day!  What a bummer!  I had so looked forward to having a surprise day off to bake cookies, make snowmen and snow angels and just cuddle with Leah and Max.  But Mother Nature did not cooperate.  So instead we kept ourselves busy on the weekends switching Leah and Max's bedrooms, painting and make some preparations for #3.  I also celebrated a 30-something birthday while my parents were in town.  And for the first time that we can think of, Flub's opened in February!

Playing in a tv box - mommy just couldn't fit!

Leah painted her new room lavendar

Max painted 'the boys room' blue

Leah, Max and Memaw made mommy a cake!

March
March flew by like it never happened!  We had so many things going on that it all seems like a blur!  Leah had her first two birthday parties to attend for girls at her preschool.  She was so excited to go shopping to pick out their presents and she had a great time at both parties.  One of the parties was a roller skating party - Pat said she did great!  The mild weather continued and we were able to enjoy the zoo on St. Patty's day.  Pat was in Orlando at Disney World for nearly a week with the high school band, so my mom came down to help me with Leah and Max - and just in case #3 decided to make an early appearance.  Fortunately, he stayed put.  But mom was able to go along to my 36-week ultrasound and meet the little booger first hand.  Of course he was not cooperative for the ultrasound tech and she was not able to get a good picture of the little guy.  But that's ok - he will be here before we know it!

And so that brings us to April!  I am hoping that I can stay caught up - at least for a little while!