Short and simple

Just thought I'd post some pictures from the past few days.
Ryan's mom bought Josh and Carter some matching outfits, and I thought it'd be a while before Carter would be able to wear them, because they're size 3 months, but as you can see, he fills them out quite well right now.We went to the beach yesterday for a YW/YM activity, and I put sunscreen on my face, but no where else....Ryan was the smart one and kept lathering himself, and Josh, up. When did I start to think my pasty-white skin tanned well?
We had the Yoshimuras and Carters over for dinner tonight. Out here friends are like family because no one has extended family members out here. Heh, that was an awkward sentence. Anyway, I talked everyone into play "Funny Bones" and took these pics. The game is from the 60's, but it's a lot of fun!

Busy bees

Well, life has been pretty crazy for us lately, hence the reason for no blog updates. (Actually it's Ryan's turn to blog, but the stuff to blog about stresses us out, so I think he's been avoiding it). I hate updating though, it's like when I go a few weeks without writing in my journal and I just skim the surface of what's actually gone on because I don't want to write forever and ever....so sorry, but this will be more of a skimming-the-surface kind of post.
First, the fun stuff. Carter is huge. He's basically a baby monster. At 5.5 weeks he was 12.5 lbs. Now that he's almost 6.5 weeks, he's probably 13.5 lbs. At least that's how it's gone so far: almost a pound gained each week. For reference, Josh was 11 lbs at two months.... He's got lots of rolls in lots of places, and I love it. I definitely don't have to worry about him eating enough. So far I feel like the adjustment to two kids has gone well. I'm able to accomplish some small things during the day, and I can get all of us out of the door to the park most days, and sometimes we have a dinner on the table. Heh, see, I'm adjusting! :) Carter's really an easy baby, very calm and sleepy, just how I like 'em.
Josh is growing up so fast. The other day I was talking with my friends Katie and Susie about the first visit the older siblings make to the hospital. When Josh came to visit, the first thought I had was how old he seemed, and the second thought I had was how much he smelled....and when I changed his diaper, I felt like I was changing a little man's diaper. I couldn't believe he wasn't potty trained! He's such a good big brother though. He's really funny too. It's funny to hear what he picks up from us parents. He tells us, "Good job!" for everything. Tonight I was cutting cheese, and he said, "Good job cutting cheese mom!". I was nursing Carter, and Carter was grabbing my shirt, and Josh told him, "No pulling, Carter! It hurts mommy!"So, now the stressful stuff...I'll make it quick. Ry's nearing the end of the semester, which means lots of long days and lots of studying. We're also looking for a new apartment because of a "suspicious" rubbing alcohol smell that comes and goes. It comes into Josh's room, usually in the middle of the night, and we're pretty sure it comes from the neighbors. (Hmmm, illegal activity maybe?) After a visit from the plumber, the air conditioner guy, the gas guy, and the Health Dept. lady, we decided it was just best to move. Our decision to move was further supported when the sewer backed up into our kitchen/living room and the landlord simply had someone wipe it dry, meaning I was on my hands and knees in the muck with ammonia, trying to sanitize. We're having a hard time finding a place that fits all of our wants (location, price, washer and dryer) which makes life difficult, but mostly for Ryan who's trying to fit in parenting, schooling and house hunting into his schedule. Even with all the stresses of life, though, we've got a lot to be thankful for, starting with those chubby cheeks....

Life with the Allens

Before (the night before, actually)

After

Well, while Carter's taking a nap on my lap and Ryan and Josh are gone to the ward party, I figured it was a good time to post.
Life has been crazy but great this past week. We went in to get induced last Friday morning, the 3rd, and had Carter at 6:40pm. I got an epidural around 10:30am and then we just played the waiting game until I was fully dilated. One interesting thing--I was given sugar the whole time. They had a line of sucrose going into my IV along with insulin, and then they regulate it by giving me small amounts of insulin to keep my blood sugar down and sugar just in case too much insulin is given. Well, I ate breakfast and gave insulin myself for that, and about two hours later my blood sugar went really low. They turned off the insulin and gave me sugar, and about an hour later, they had to give me more sugar and then more sugar, and then more sugar again. The nurses were looking pretty confused, considering the fact that I'm diabetic, but eventually they came to terms with my weird body and gave me sugar the whole day. The delivery went great, about 20 mins of pushing, and I loved the nurses. I was nervous about delivery and SI University Hospital because of what I'd heard from others, but for me, it was awesome.
The only complaint I have deals with the contractions I had afterwards (to shrink the uterus)--holy cow! A nurse told me that the contractions are the worst for babies #2 and #3, and I figured they'd be quick, but after 4.5 hours of pain I finally asked for some pain meds. Honestly, I don't know how people deliver these kids with out pain killers!A few days after we got home, we took Carter to his doctor's appointment and found out we had to readmit him because of jaundice. I was pretty upset (hormones anyone?) because we found out at night time which meant no sleep, and the next day was my birthday and no one wants their baby in the hospital on their birthday. Luckily Carter was able to leave at night on my birthday, so it turned out that I got a nice birthday present in the end.He's eating well, pooping all the time (once or twice a feeding, crazy), and sleeping just as much. I'm also more relaxed with him. With Josh I think I might have had the baby blues because I was really really anxious with him--of course he cried a bit more, didn't nurse well, and I was a new mom who didn't know what she was doing, but... you know. :) Josh still loves Carter to pieces. He likes to try and feed him crackers, read him a book, or give him his binky, and he loves it when Carter actually opens his eyes. Josh has struggled more with sleep, but all in all, I think the transition is going well.
Luckily I had my mom here to help with the first week. The first week is pretty rough--recovering from giving birth and trying to take care of kids at the same time isn't the easiest. Josh loves me to hold him, but of course I couldn't lift him up, so my mom did the major hauling and running around with Josh. She also cleaned my whole house, cooked us dinner, got up with Carter and I at night, and was much needed company--poor Ryan is so busy with school right now. Almost every day this week he was leaving early and getting home late and taking tests. Anyway, I'm missing my mom (and she's missing the little guys), but all good things most come to an end I guess. Thanks for all you did mom!Ryan, like I said, has been really busy, but he took a break this weekend, and it was great! Ryan played with Josh all day, and Josh couldn't get enough of his dad. Same for Carter and me....he's such a good guy. Love him.

#1 Big Brother

Now you can see how excited Josh really was to see Carter.

Here Is Our Little Smurf

Well Carter Evans Allen is finally here. We're very excited, and both he and Katie are doing great. He was born on April 3rd at 6:40 PM. He was 7 lbs, 13 oz & was 19.5 inches long. I'm so very tempted to tell the birthing story, but I'll leave that for Katie.

I probably don't need to mention this once you see the pictures, but our baby is a little Smurf. Really though you could also call him a blueberry and not be far off as well. It appears as if his little face was all bruised after he was born, but it is slowly going away. It was bad enough that we passed up the newborn photos, due to the fact that his face was a very nice shade of purple.

See for yourself:


Here is day 2 with Katie & Carter:


Probably the best moment for me was seeing Josh's face when he saw Carter. It was awesome! Here's a picture not long after the brothers met:


Josh was so excited he could hardly contain himself: