A Little of This and That

I'm still trying to figure out a routine with my two little ones and usually when choosing between taking a nap during Lincoln's nap and getting on the computer to do a blog the nap wins out. However, I got some good rest last night and have decided to forgo the nap today so I could finally get a blog in on what we've been up to.
Gwen is just as sweet as ever. She's still so little and new that she sleeps a ton which is such a blessing because it has allowed Lincoln to get used to her more gradually. She is starting to get better about waking up to eat which was the hardest thing at first. It would take me so long to feed her because I kept having to wake her up. She would just sleep all day if I never woke her up to eat, but now she seems to have gotten on a schedule of some sort and will wake up on her own to eat, for the most part. She's so fun and precious, I think it's easy for me to forget how fun they can be at this age, even if they aren't all that responsive yet, they're just so fun to hold and cuddle.




Lincoln is still a great big brother and likes to rub his face against Gwen's hair, since it's so soft. His personality is showing out more and more each day. The other day I was nursing Gwen and trying to entertain him when he decided to go turn the TV on. First of all, this is a boy who has zero interest in the TV except to turn it on and off. Well, when he turned it on, it happened to be on a channel that was showing the motorcross. Lincoln was instantly captivated and kept saying "bike" over and over. Then he went and got his four-wheeler and tried to sit on it while watching the motorcycles. I guess he finally found something on TV to watch.

Red Rock January 17, 2009

MLK weekend we went up to Logandale to enjoy the beautiful weather at the dunes at Red Rock. We hadn't been there since before Zach and I were even engaged so it was fun re-visiting the place with two little ones. Lincoln was in heaven of course, as he got to go on tons of four-wheeler rides. Gwen just slept the whole time-what she does best. Zach's high-school friend Joe even came in his not-a-Rhino Rhino (I'm not sure what else to call it). He builds these amazing dune buggies and this appears to be one of the latest. It was a very smooth ride and was definitely not a Rhino. It was a great day, but a bit too short. Zach keeps telling me that we'll have to do it again soon and I agree.

After riding at the dunes, we went back to Zach's parents and had a bonfire with hot dogs and s'mores. Lincoln got covered with marshmallows and then decided he wanted to give his baby sister lots of kisses. They both were a bit messy at the end of the evening.

Labor vs. Running

First off, life is good! Gwen is such a sweet baby and Lincoln continues to be very sweet with her. We have noticed some changes in him, i.e. talking louder to get more attention and being more emotional, but he hasn't yet lashed out at Gwen and we're very grateful. Zach is an amazing father and has been such a big help since the moment I went into heavy labor. He has played with Lincoln a ton and I can tell it melts his heart to hold his little girl- which in turn melts my heart. I'm very sad he has to go back to work tomorrow, but I guess that's pretty important too.

Now, to the title. This was sparked by a comment my friend Teresa made asking which is worse- Mt. Sac, a gruelling cross country race made up of nothing but a bunch of steep hills, or labor. So, being the former teacher that I am, I've been forming a double bubble compare and contrast map in my head , or a Venn diagram if you're more familiar with those. I almost made one on Word and was going to post it here, but decided it would probably be too small to see and little too nerdy. In addition to Teresa asking the question, I actually was thinking quite a bit about my cross country days while I was in labor going through those mega-contractions.
Just for background, once they learned I had dilated to 4cm- the necessary dilatation to be achieved to receive the epidural, it took 2 HOURS for the anesthesiologist to arrive. By that time I was already to a 9 and just needed to have my water broken to be complete. I almost went ahead with the delivery without anything because I knew it would be quick, but the nurses and doctors informed me that there would be quite a bit more pain and I was done with that so I got a spinal block instead of the epidural.
Okay here's the compare and contrast for anyone interested.

Compare for Running a race and Labor
Need a good coach
Need careful and calculated breathing
Need focus
Need to rest on the downhill (between contractions) and really work on the uphill (contractions)
Feel envious of everyone around you who isn't going through what you're going through
Feel totally exhausted afterwards
Gatorade and water taste heavenly afterwards
Feel as though you've really done something afterwards

Contrast
Labor is probably about 100 times more painful (at least for me, I'm aware there are some you out there who don't have as hard a time as others)
It takes a lot longer to recover from labor than it does to recover from a race
The reward at the end of labor is infinitely better than a medal

Now, this post wouldn't be complete without at least one picture of Gwen, courtesy Mom Hills and her excellent picture-taking skills. I need to go bathe a crying baby now, so more pictures will be forthcoming.

Arrival of Gwen Hills (January 6, 2009)

I apologize it has taken me sooooooo long to get some photos up and the lack of photos of Gwen. We should be getting some better photos when my mom sends them to us. She was the photographer for the event.

Gwen arrived at 3:52 am. All four (4) of us: Nikki, Gwen, Lincoln and I are happy and healthy. Some general info about our sweet little girl include the following:

7 lbs 3 oz.
19 1/4 inches long
brown hair
long skinny feet
Nikki's toenails
Shamo eyes
sweet spirit
fast learner on how to eat from mommy
likes a pacifier

Nikki and I have been somewhat concerned with how Lincoln would handle competing for attention with a new demanding sister. He quickly learned how to say "sister" in his baby talk way; he has also given her many kisses.

From the time she was born, I couldn't wait for her to meet her brother. The photos below depict the process of Lincoln arriving to the hospital with his grandma and entering the room for the first time:


Arriving at the hospital with Grandma Shamo













First sight of Daddy after a long night















First sight of baby Gwen and Mommy...a little confused


Recognition of Mommy and his long awaited new Sister






One of many kisses












Just before we left the hospital, the nurse informed us that Gwen has a little bit of yellow eyes and skin...solution requires some sunlight and formula to supplement Nikki's milk. Upon arrival at home, we took her clothes off and let her hang out next to the window and suck on a pacifier. Lincoln is a great helper with the pacifier. Then we gave her some formula. We noticed that afterwards, Lincoln had to try out her bottle and pacifier...perhaps this could be the first signs of jealousy...hopefully it will not evolve into too much of a problem.

We would like to thank all of you for your prayers & support through this exciting time in our families' life, particularly Mom Shamo and Hills for the late nights and help with Lincoln. We never could have done it without you all.

I am sure Nikki will have many more details to share at a later date, once she gets better rested and a good handle on the new adjustments.