Amber and I took the kiddos to the MN Zoo today... yes, on the windiest day of the year ;) But it wasn't too bad, and we practically had the place all to ourselves! The kids were great- and Eli slept the entire day. I think we both agreed that today we loved being stay-at-home-moms!

Things are going well. He has had some 3 and 4 hour stretches in between feedings the last couple of nights... what a relief! It feels good to get some sleep. I had my 5 year Bethel reunion last Friday. It was great to hang out with friends and old roomies. My mom and dad kept Addie overnight and all day Sat, so I had a day with just Elias. What a refreshing day for me! I got a lot accomplished.

Thursday I am going to begin potty training. We've been talking about it and counting down the days with Addie, so hopefully that will help. I start coaching in 3 weeks, so I would like to have it figured out before then. I'm a little anxious about it, but we have no plans for the weekend, so hopefully being homebound (and possibly upstairs away from carpet) will help :)

My loves :)

Go Vikings!!!

A few pictures from the last week. We're doing well... B starts classes at the U this Saturday and then work next Monday. But we will survive without him :) Now I may actually take a nap during the day, when he's gone, instead of cramming in episodes of LOST while Addie sleeps. We are on Season 2 and are completely addicted ;)

We must be in the 'honeymoon' stage right now, or else we are extremely blessed! I mean, yes, we are tired... he eats every 2-3 hours at night, like any other baby, so that gets exhausting, but otherwise, Eli seems to be pretty perfect :) But I want to brag mostly about Addie. She has made this adjustment so smoothly (knock on wood). She loves her baby brother, but also enjoys being by herself. And to top it all off... this morning all four of us slept in until 9:00AM. WHAT!? I'm sure we'll have our rough days, and I know it will be challenging when B goes back to work, but right now I am loving every minute we have with this new addition to our family!

The things I'm learning...
-Your body CAN function on little (and I mean little) sleep :)
-You can love a second child, one you just met, just as much as the first
-Older children adapt well - Addie has been just perfect the last two days
-Babies sleep ALL the time (I forgot this!)
-The laundry/dishes/trash has seemed to double in size ... we do all three every single day!
-The mind is a mysterious thing... every day I get further away from the labor experience, the less I remember. Ask me yesterday, and I would've still opted for another c-section... ask me today, I'd think about the whole labor thing again!
-Boys DO pee almost every time I change his diaper. I had heard the 'warnings' but didn't believe it to be true. I can't tell you how many diapers/onesies/pj's we go through every night

A funny story...
Last night before bed, Brandt told me to wake him up (if he didn't on his own) to change Eli and get him ready to be fed. I told him I would. So the first two feedings, I woke up Brandt and told him I was ready for him to change the babe. By the time I had set Eli on the floor and gotten a diaper ready, I would look back at Brandt, and there he was, cuddled up in bed, sound asleep!! Ha! So, the first two feedings, I did all the work ;) The next few, I actually handed the child to Brandt so he did his part! Gotta love him!

Hey! It feels good to be home. Our first night went about as well as can be expected. Addie is adjusting pretty well, and still thinks he's "sooo cute!" Eli is eating like a champ and sleeping most of the day. I am so thankful for the support and encouragement we've received from friends and family. And I am especially thankful for Brandt. He is amazing- and I am thrilled to have him home for the next two weeks. Couldn't do it all without him. More updates to come. And anyone that wants to come for a visit, let me know! We love company :)

Elias James is here!!!

He was born at 7:01 am and had the following measurements:
- 8 pounds 2 ounces
- 21 inches long
- 13.5 inch head circumference

Eli and Mom are doing great!!!

In the hospital!!! Steph's water broke today at 2pm... It's almost 11pm and the contractions are getting quicker and more intense. Will update when we can!!!

Well, we had a bit of a scare today... not with baby #2, but with Addie. We were walking out of church this morning, both of us holding Addie's hands. And we were swinging Addie by the arms. I know we're not the only ones to have ever done that before, but I can guarantee you, we won't be doing it again! Something popped in her left arm, which left her in tears and complaining that her arm hurt. We tried to get her to move her arm or open and close her hand, but she wouldn't, so we took her to Urgent Care. Of course you feel like awful parents, but the doctor assured us we weren't the only case like this ;) I was fearing the worst--- sitting there all day, getting a cast on her arm, etc... But the doctor took Addie's arm and literally just popped it back into place. Addie cried during that part, but then INSTANTLY was better! I'm not kidding-- I witnessed a miracle!! It was the most amazing thing. She was raising her arm then, opening and closing her hand, and acting like a completely different girl. Not even 20 seconds later, she told the doctor, "Thank you - fix arm."
The doctor told us it was nursemaid's elbow, which I'm sure many of you know about. Ironically, my mom told me this is what I had when I was a little girl, but back then they just put me in a cast right away (on two separate occasions), not even trying to pop something back into place. So, needless to say, Brandt and I were very thankful for this 'easy fix.'

As for the other babe, my due date is Tuesday. I have been content, and still am, but still am asking for prayer! I have a c-section scheduled for Thursday, September 3rd. That gives this baby about 11 more days to come on his own. My doctor doesn't like to induce women going in for v-bacs, so we scheduled the c-section... in case I get that far along. It's hard to know what to pray for. My mind is so set now on having a v-bac, but I don't want to be disappointed if we make it to the c-section date. I just have to think, whatever happens is going to be best for the baby. We'll let you all know if anything happens this week!

39 week doctor appointment today... no progress. I could use a little prayer to keep me content, seeing that it could be another two weeks or so. It's hard because I work myself up, anxious and nervous about my weekly appointments, hoping there will be some sort of progress made... then to find out, two weeks in a row, nothing is happening.
But I know things can progress over night. And I know I'm still a week away from my due date. And I know many women go way past their due dates. So, as frustrating as it was today, I realize I need to be patient and content with where I'm at. After all, once this little one comes, our lives (and routines) will definitely be changed!
Thanks for your prayers :)

Pics from last weekend at Trout! Anything to get that baby out, right?!

We hung out with Ana, Adam, and baby Asa last night- what a sweetie pie! He was so good- just slept in my arms after dinner... love, love, love! Addie was pretty good around him. She of course thought he was "so cute" but then played on her own and seemed to forget he was there. It was a good taste of what it might be like in a couple days/weeks... :)

Tonight we're hanging with the Lepiens at the Northland Inn! Looking forward to it.

Tomorrow Brandt has his fantasy football draft, which he has been looking forward to since the end of NFL season last year. I really thought the Lord was going to bless us with a child the day of the draft, just to make sure Brandt's priorities were in check, but now it's looking like he'll be able to make it ;)

Story #1: My daughter eats hot dogs!
You may think, "Of course! What two year old doesn't eat hot dogs?" Well, mine doesn't... didn't... She is quite the picky eater, and yes, some of that is my fault since I have been catering to her every need ;) But I am trying to do better. SO, Sunday night we had brats/hot dogs for dinner. Addie cried and complained and would not touch her hot dog. We explained to her there would be no snacks before bed if she didn't at least try the hot dog, and we left her hot dog on the table just in case she changed her mind. 2 hours later, Addie walks to the kitchen table, grabs her fork and takes a bite of hot dog! One bite = one small achievement :)
So tonight we had burgers on the grill and corn on the cob, and I made Addie another hot dog. She watched me cook it and serve it, and yes, she ate all of her hot dog, even declaring "Yum" after a few bites! One whole hot dog = one large achievement :)

Story #2: "Sunscreen"
At dinner (yes, the same dinner), Brandt and I were into a conversation and not paying attention to Addie. When I looked over at her, this is what I saw... The girl was rubbing her hands in the corn on the cob butter on her plate, wiping them on her legs and neck, smiling mischievously at us, while announcing "sunscreen." What a stinker! Needless to say, we had a good laugh and a bath this evening :)

Story (or fact) #3: Dr. Appt.
I had a doctor appointment today. No progress made. So I'm learning (and trying) to be content while involved in this game of "waiting".
What now? More walking... more sex... ;)

Birth Poll...
We want you to pick the date and time you predict baby boy will enter the world! Fabulous prizes for the winner ;)
I am 38 weeks along. Hope that helps your voting!

Brandt's prediction: Aug. 15th - 4:34AM
Steph's prediction: Aug. 17th- 8:00PM

Went to the Children's Museum today with Amber and her boys. It was a blast! Honestly it was one of the coolest places I've ever been to! I highly recommend it. They were entertained for 3 hours straight, and we didn't even see all the exhibits. I will definitely be going back.

On a different note, we have an ultrasound tomorrow, just to make sure baby boy is still growing well and everything looks ok. I'm looking forward to getting another peek at him :)

Brandt and I celebrate 5 years today!! It's been a long five years... ;) Just kidding! They have been fabulous! Tonight we are going out to dinner and seeing Cirque du Soleil to celebrate! Looking forward to it :)

Couldn't find any recent pics... we need to take more, I'm learning... I guess it's all about the kids now ;)

This weekend we went to Wildwoods Waterpark at the Holiday Inn with the Marsh family. A nice indoor waterpark! I highly recommend it :) Addie loved it!
We had a nice relaxing weekend... I didn't want it to end. Brandt is traveling for 3 days this week. Hopefully we won't have a little one trying to enter the world while he is away ;) But then this Friday we celebrate our 5 year anniversary-- so I have that to look forward to! Happy Monday everyone :)

AHHHHHHHHHH!! Baby boy into the world in about 4 weeks! I'm crazy anxious today :) Excited of course, but scared just the same! Not scared for the labor (yet), but for raising two kids!! I know most of you reading this have two or more and are managing just fine ;) but it's still scary! Like my mother says, I think God made women to carry babies for 9 months on purpose... because I am not nervous for delivery anymore, just really ready to get him out! A month or so ago I would've said I love being pregnant, but that has passed.
Brandt and I celebrate 5 years next Friday, so we have a fun evening planned. I'd like to make it past that at least! Then he has his Fantasy Football Draft on Aug. 15th- so he'd like me to make it past that. But I know this little one will make his appearance when he's ready -- not when we're ready! AHHHHHHHHHH!!

Addie and I took a trip to Duluth this week to hang out with the Lepiens. The girls got along really well and we had a nice couple of days! Natalie and I even got to escape and see the movie, The Proposal. Now we're sticking around home to get Addie back into a normal routine... her schedule has been a little off since vacation ;)