Wow, you are 4 years old today! I can't believe how time is flying by. It doesn't seem that long ago that we were waiting and waiting...and waiting for you to be born. It was definitely worth the wait! You amaze our whole family on a daily basis with your smarts, spunk, and humor. Your Daddy and I are so very proud of the wonderful little girl you are turning out to be. You still love preschool and are continuing to thrive there. You have made many friends and have a great bond with your teachers. You also know all of your letters, sounds, and you can write your name. You love to read, and are currently obsessed with The Berenstein Bears books. We love your school too and will be sad when you leave next year. (But we won't talk about that yet because I can not think about you going to kindergarten right now!) You are THE BEST big sister to Braden. You help us take care of him, and you are his favorite source of entertainment. You can get the biggest laughs out him! We bring him in to your room every morning to wake you up, and you love it. Sometimes he's the only one that can get you out of bed! I hope you both continue to best buddies.
You started taking ballet classes this summer and you love it! I was so proud of how you just walked right into the class all by yourself (no Mommies allowed!) and listened to your teacher. Little Miss independent! You can do anything you set your mind to-like learning to swim! One day at Grandma & Grandpa's house you just started doing it all by yourself! No more floaties for you-you are just plain fearless sometimes.
You have certainly brightened our lives in the past 4 years. You make us smile & laugh every day. We are so lucky to have you as our daughter. Mommy, Daddy and Braden love you to the moon and back! Love, Mommy - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We went camping for the weekend at Salt Point, a little north of Fort Ross. We went with Caroline, Mike and Amanda Visser, and the Way family. It was such a fun group of people, and the kids played together so well. Mike and Amanda did all the cooking (they actually shopped for all the food too!) so that the rest of us could take care of the kids and not have to worry about it. Caroline was, as usual, a HUGE help to us. She and Mike unloaded the truck, set up the tent, and got the air mattresses inflated while I took care of Braden. I seriously have no clue how to set up or take down that tent! Carina was busy playing with Bradley and Ella, and pretty much stayed that way the entire weekend. Braden did remarkably well, once we figured out that he was fussy because he was cold! Poor baby! It was cold up there, but beautiful. On Friday Mike, Caroline and John took the kids on what they thought would be a short hike down to the coast, but they went the wrong way and ended up going on quite the adventure! They made it down to the beach, but it was such a long walk Mike ended up running 2 miles back to the campsite so he could get his truck to drive back and pick everyone up! We were able to go down to Gerstle Cove and explore the tide pools. The kids got to see jellyfish, crabs, and sea stars. Overall it was a great time and we can't wait to do it again next summer!
Our massive tent, complete with front lawn (we had a ceiling fan too)
The kids on their hiking adventure!
Bradley & Carina having fun with binoculars
Daddy & the Bean
John showing the kids a sea star, and Caroline trying to get her Toms in the picture...again
A patient Dr. Mike helping with the glow stick connectors
Prepping the kids for tailgate parties & keggers ;)
Me & B-He wasn't thrilled with having a glow stick on his head
I will never forget the moment Carina walked into the hospital room and met Braden for the first time. Even though I was exhausted, I couldn't wait for Mike to go home and get her. It was really important to us that Carina be the first one to meet the newest Ogglet, as well as the one who would get to announce whether she had a brother or a sister. When she walked in, I was struck by how BIG she looked. Where did my baby go? How can a 3 and 1/2 year old look so grown up? She climbed up on the bed, gave me a big hug, and we told her she had a little brother. She seemed to be instantly enthralled with him, and wanted to hold him and give him kisses. It was one of the most precious moments I have ever seen, and I felt that our family was complete. There we were, all 4 of us, and I couldn't ask for anything more.
I have to admit I had a brief moment of panic when Carina was sitting up on the bed. I was worried about her falling off, while I was simultaneously worried about holding on to Braden and making sure Carina was being gentle with him. Welcome to life with two kids-twice as much to worry about! We'll get the hang of it I'm sure.
After Carina got to meet Braden, she walked out to the waiting room to tell Dave and Gloria. They had been waiting patiently to find out who their newest grandchild was since 2:00 a.m. when they rushed to our house so we could go to the hospital. Carina told them, and then they came in to meet him. Carina also called Papa and Gigi to tell them the news. I think she felt really proud to be the one to share the news! We just know that she is going to be an amazing older sister. You are one lucky little guy Braden!
On April 12th, 2011 we welcomed Braden Russell Ogg into the world! He was born at 4:03 a.m., weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces, and was 21 inches long. Mommy and Daddy were so excited to have a little boy, and Carina was thrilled to finally become a big sister. Welcome to the world little man! We love you!
Carina snuggling with Braden for the first time
Mommy, Daddy, and Braden when he was just a few minutes old!
*I have to laugh reading this when I am so close to Baby Ogg #2's due date! Especially the part about not wanting to do it again anytime soon...well I guess we waited 3 1/2 years!
I decided it's about time for me to write about Carina's birth, while it is still somewhat fresh in my mind. I think it's important to document such a momentous occasion. This is not an attempt to scare anyone away from having children! If you have any fears about childbirth, then here is your version: Everything went smoothly, the contractions weren't that bad, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! Ok, if that is what you want to hear, then stop reading this right now. The REAL version will now follow!
Actually, it's probably good that I've waited 5 weeks to write this, because the memory has faded just enough to not traumatize me as I relive it. Here goes!
I sat around waiting for this dear child of mine to decide to be born, but she was quite comfy where she was! I tried everything-spicy food, chamomile tea, walking everyday...nothing worked so my doctor decided I would have to be induced. I was not very happy about this because I had heard that contractions from induced labors can be more painful, plus I wanted things to just happen on their own. But at the same time, I was 2 weeks overdue and very much ready to get the baby out! So Mike and I went to the hospital the morning of the 28th of Sept., and they started me on the Pitocin (a drug that induces labor) around 8 a.m. Long story short, I made ZERO progress that whole day. I was having contractions, but they were very bearable which meant it wasn't active labor. They decided to take me off of the Pitocin at 8 p.m. that night. We were disappointed because we just wanted something to happen, but we just kept telling ourselves that she would come out when she was ready! The next morning they started me on the Pitocin again at 8 a.m. This time, things got going! I really cannot describe what a contraction feels like, but it does NOT feel good! I started having contractions very regularly, and they were so strong I couldn't even talk during one. I just squeezed the hell out of Mike's hand and tried very hard to breath like I had learned in child birth class. That helped for a little while, but then I started having back labor too. It was like the contraction was attacking me from both sides- a very unfair fight when you are trying to wait as long as you can before asking for an epidural! The pain got so bad I started tossing my cookies, which is hard to do when you haven't been allowed to have any food! I guess I was tossing my ice chips....anyway, the midwife happened to come in to check on me as I was dry heaving and asking (aka begging) for the epidural. She called the anesthesiologist (sp?), and he arrived within 30 minutes. (Oh, my water broke on it's own sometime before this, which was very much like peeing my pants, and it made the contractions come on faster) The anesthesiologist had to ask me a bunch of questions. I swear they were the same damn questions the midwife and nurses had asked me during the entire pregnancy! Yes, first pregnancy. No prior surgeries except I had my tonsils out when I was 7. No I'm not allergic to anything. Don't they write this stuff down?! I was in so much pain at this point that Mike had to answer all of the questions for me. Then the doc has to describe what exactly he is going to do and how the epidural will work. HELLO I watch Baby Story I know what you are going to do JUST DO IT! Then he says I have to hold still during the contractions. This was not easy to do, but the thought of the big needle going into my spine helped me stay as still as I could. So he puts it in and I think I'm on my way to blissful numbness when I feel something running down my back. I tell him this, and he looks and says, "Oh, that's blood. I have to try again." All I could think was, "Are you FREAKIN kidding me?!" Of course I was only thinking this because the contractions took away my ability to talk. So I had to hold still AGAIN, and he re-did the whole thing. 15 minutes later, I was a completely different person. I could talk, and I felt warm and cozy. Ladies, do not be afraid of the needle. It is your friend. I thanked the doc (my new best friend) and I laid in bed not feeling the contractions I was having. An hour later, I had gone from 2 to 7cm dilated, and half an hour later I was 10 cm! They said I was ready to push-yikes! Suddenly things were very surreal. I started pushing at 4:15 p.m. The nurses said I was a very good pusher for a first timer...my epidural was low enough that I could feel where I needed to push, which was good. There was a mirror in the room so I could see what was happening, and it turned out to be good motivation for me. The pushing didn't really hurt until her head came out...I'm sorry but that really freakin hurt. But once her head was out, I looked in the mirror and saw her and thought "Ok this kid is coming out NOW!" I think I pushed one more time and whoosh! Suddenly my beautiful baby girl was in my arms at 5:14 p.m. on September 29th. She was crying and I was crying and Mike was in shock. I just kept saying " You look like your daddy! " and I told her how much I loved her already. It is so true when people say you instantly fall in love because we did. I barely noticed that I was getting stitches...until I happened to look in the mirror-bad idea! The nurses moved it right away...no one needs to see that! And it was amazing to me how I went from being in pain and so exhausted to being on cloud 9. I just kept looking at Carina-I didn't want to take my eyes off of her. I still don't! Well I hope I didn't scare anyone away from wanting to have a baby. It definitely wasn't easy, but every time I look at our daughter I know it was worth it. She is absolutely amazing and I can't imagine our lives without her. It will be a looong time before I consider going through it all again though!
So I have been a mommy for 7 weeks now...time is really flying by! I can’t believe how much Carina has grown and how much she changes each day. She started smiling about 2 weeks ago (REAL smiles, not just the ones associated with gas) and she coos all the time! Mike and I love to hear her "talk" to us. Check out the newest video of Daddy and daughter chatting away!
I have had so many wonderful, funny, and even a little scary moments since Carina was born, and learned lots of lessons, so I want to write about them whenever I can. For some reason, this is easier than working on her baby book! I’m going to periodically add to this blog over time-we’ll see how it goes! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *They say sleep when your baby is sleeping...that’s all well and good, but what they don’t tell you is that it is very hard to do when you would much rather lay there and watch her sleep! She looks so peaceful...that and I have visual confirmation that she is in fact still breathing and everything is fine!
*I’ve learned housework is like triage-Assess what the most critical need is first, and tackle that immediately. Today when Carina went down for a nap, I was frantically thinking: "Laundry or dishes? Or clean the bathroom? Which chore cannot wait another day?" It was a good day-all 3 got done! Woo hoo!
*I swear my daughter saves her poop for me. It’s like she has to live up the "Daddy’s Princess" logo on several of her outfits: "I’m a sweet little angel and nothing remotely stinky comes out of me" As soon as Mike leaves for work, she gives me that look. After that, what we have deemed as "poop soup" quickly follows. Fun times on the changing table, let me tell you!
*12/1/07: Carina slept through the night! I am still in shock! We did the usual bedtime routine: bath, massage, story, nurse, cuddle, then bed. She went down at 10 pm, and didn’t wake up until 6 am! Woo-hoo! Of course, I kept waking up periodically to check on her, so I didn’t get as much sleep as she did, but who cares?! My little girl is growing up so fast....(sniff) *12/2/07: Another milestone today-Daddy is giving her a bottle for the first time. Since I have to go back to work in a month, we figured it was time to start taking a bottle. Let the pumping begin! It is very strange being hooked up to that thing, but she’s worth it. I had to stay out of her room while Mike gave it to her because she kept looking over at me (I know, I’m very captivating) After a few minutes, he calls me into the room-Carina was HOLDING the bottle in both hands! I didn’t think 2 month olds could do that! He wasn’t helping her at all! So now something else I have learned-keep a camera in every room in the house, because your child will do something cute or extraordinary and you wont be able to document it! *12/6/07: So Carina has slept through the night for the past 2 nights...wow, there really IS a Santa Claus! (Not that I ever had any doubt) Of course now I have probably jinxed myself, but it’s still exciting progress.
