The Interview Trail

Caleb was doing interviews all over the west for two weeks this month. He had six interviews in 13 days. He liked all the programs, some more than others. He has had nine interviews ans twelve total so we are almost done! The hard part is going to be ranking them. While he was gone we tried to stay busy. We got our first snow storm.

Joshua wanted to make a snow man. So we went out during one of Abigail's naps and attempted to make one out of the icey snow. It turned out funny but Joshua loved it. We made a baby Abigail one so of course we had to make a Joshua, mommy and daddy one too.

Joshua likes to hold Abigail several times a day.

I was taking a shower and kept hearing Joshua running back and forth from the playroom to the bathroom laughing. So i peeked out of the curtain to find Abigail covered with blocks and little people. He said he was building a big house with "Abidail" she didn't seem to mind. Although she had more blocks on her that Joshua obediently took off and who knows how many more he would have got. I always get some surprises when I get out of the shower.

Trying to kill all our indoor time with really bubbley bubble baths.

Abigail is getting really big and strong. She is starting to push up on her elbows.

About two weeks ago she started to smile at me and coo. I love having her responding.

Joshua still loves her and holding her. He is very loving and concerned for her when she is sad.

Overall we did good while Caleb was gone but we are all very glad to have him home.

Giving Thanks

We were on our own again for Thanksgiving this year. We spent the day together cooking and baking. Joshua had a lot of fun helping out at EVERY step.

Here are the two kids after the big meal. I get the whole turkey-stupor thing, but why Abigail?

Of course for Caleb, it's no tough dilemma...

In keeping with our day-after-thanksgiving family tradition we went to Home Depot for a Christmas tree. Decorating it was a bit more of a protracted process than in past years, but at least we finished in time for pictures after church on Sunday.

Of note, this was Abigail's first Sunday going to church. Yes, I had WAAAAAYYYYYY to much fun dressing her up.

Pictures

I have taken a lot more pictures that I thought I would post. Abigail is growing very quickly and doing great. Joshua is adjusting to having a sibling. He loves her and gives her kisses all the time...almost too often. He is always wanting to hold her. Although today he complained that Abigail is always sleeping.

This was my dress when I was a baby, I was so excited to put it on her.

Almost a smile from both of them :)

Abigail's Story

Abigail was due on October 18th. My mom and dad came out to help with Joshua and the baby on the 16th. Joshua was two days early and we thought she would be similar. We were really excited to see them and to have some time to do fun things before the baby came.
We tried on Joshua's tiger suit... he loved it.

Grandma and him had lots of fun with it.

We took a tractor ride and went and got pumpkins at the farm.

Joshua picked out lots of pumpkins. We went out to all these really good restaurants. My parents kept saying this will be my last meal so we will go out before we get stuck at home.

Then the 18th came and went...some contractions but no baby. We were all very hopeful and excited though. On Monday I had a doctors appointment. I was at 4 cm, they stripped my membranes and sent me home saying it wouldn't be too much longer. I started having quite a few sporadic and strong contractions. We all got excited and kept coming up with more fun things to do for my "last" meal and outing. We went to Stowe, and down town and lots of other fun things to distract us.

By this time I had walked for miles and miles and had tried all sorts of home remedies to induce labor. Finally on Thursday night I started having strong consistent contractions, we all got excited and headed into the hospital. Then my contractions stalled, I was still at a 4. They sent me back home and said they would normally break my water but they were so busy that night and understaffed that they couldn't do it. I was sorely disappointed and getting nervous about loosing my much needed help. The contractions kept coming and were strong but sporadic from every five minutes to every hour. I was getting very tired and had another appointment...still a four and membranes stripped again. Finally on Monday at 1 a.m. I woke up with really strong contractions that were consistent at about 8 minutes. It went on all night and then stalled a little at seven. I had my stress test and my appointment to set up an induction. Between the lack of sleep, contractions stalling, and the fact that my parents were leaving in two and a half days... I was almost in tears going to the appointment. I was now only a four and half, they stripped my membranes again and set me up for an induction for the next day. Although she gave me instructions to fib and tell the hospital that my contractions are 5 minutes apart as soon as they get consistent at 7 minutes again. I went home and my contractions picked up again. They got really strong and consistent it kept going all day. At 7 pm we headed into the hospital. I was a 6 and very excited. I decided that I was so exhausted that I was ready for an epidural at about 8 pm. Then my labor really picked up. My water finally broke. I started pushing at 11:30 pm and had her at 12:11 am on the 27th. We were so excited and happy to finally meet her. She was beautiful and perfect, and very angry. She really let us know she was not happy about the ordeal she just went through.
We named her Abigail Elizabeth Bailey. I have always loved the name Abigail and for her middle name I wanted a family name. My Grandma and sister are both Elizabeth, they are both great strong women that I love and admire.

She calmed down has been a great mellow baby ever since.

Grandma got to come spend the day with us at the hospital. She was so happy to have at least the one day with Abigail.

The next day we rushed out of the hospital to see grandma and grandpa before their 11:00 flight.

Joshua was so happy to have me and his baby sister home.

Unfortunately with the swine flu my dad could not come to the hospital so he got to hold her for only a minute the next day before their flight.

Joshua was so excited to have a baby sister that he brought all his new race cars with her.

He wants to hold her all the time and wants to give her hugs and kisses. It has been wonderful to have Caleb home, he has been amazing help. I would not make it without him. I am so grateful to him and lucky to have such a wonderful husband.

We are so happy to have her home. We love her so much. She is a great sleeper and very happy and content. I have recovered really fast this time. It is way easier adjusting and recovering the second time.

It is amazing to have two kids now. It makes our family feel more complete. We love having Joshua and Abigail they are both amazing kids, we have been very blessed.

A few pictures

It's just a few pictures, but enjoy. More will be coming soon.