The case of the missing moon

Barrett's imagination has become very active recently which makes for a lot of fun each day. Today we were swinging and he wanted to go "big high" as usual. I obliged and pushed him as high as the little swing would go. He smiled and squealed. Then he did his surprise face--you know it well if you spend any time around Bear--and said..."wow,Mommy. That was reawy (really) high. I touched the moon." I laughed and played along. "You did?" Barrett: "Uh huh, I did. I did touch the moon. I popped the moon." I just laughed and smiled. It is round like a balloon. He popped the moon over and over. SO, if you don't spy the moon out tonight..Barrett popped it :)

Jace @ 1 Month

Jace went for his one month check-up yesterday. He weighed in at 9 lb. 5 oz., gaining 2 and 1/2 lb. after losing down to 6lb. 13 oz. in the hospital. That was in the 50th percentile. He measured 21 in. long--up 2 inches. That was in the 25th percentile. His cord fell off last Sunday and is healing nicely to a barely "innie." We are looking forward to giving him his first tub bath later this week after it heals. No shots required this visit and he was given a thumbs up. Thankfully, the heart arrhythmia appears to have resolved at birth.

He is sleeping better at night and usually sleeps about 3 hours on average between feedings. He has slept as long as 6-8 hours on a few occasions and I must admit I am looking forward to the longer stretches becoming the norm. Still sleeping a lot during the day as well. He is borderline colicky in the afternoon-evening and relies heavily on a pacifier and being held to calm him at those times.

Personality-wise, he appears to love being around activity, people, and the outdoors. He seems to be most content in those settings at this point. He also enjoys a good snuggle. He was definitely born with an opinion and voices it often :) --seems to run in the gene pool :)

Looks-wise, he is reminiscent of Barrett at this age, but very much his own person too...

Napping. We have a picture just like this of Bear at the same age.

Just taking it all in.

Bear's Big Boy Room

Here are some pictures of Barrett's big boy room...

Bear's big boy bed.

The original fishing pole catching a fish. We copied it in the nursery.

Bear rug next to Barrett's bed.

deer, bear, and moose heads above his dresser

decorative sign

clock above the window

the "B" is wrapped in camo tape

Brotherly Love

my new favorite picture;

love love love my boys!!!

proud big brother;

this picture of Barrett looks scarily like his Daddy as a boy--expression and all

kissing baby cheeks

kissing baby hands

I know the matching PJ's are a bit much, but I couldn't resist. Call me sentimental. These pictures just melt my heart--Bear loves Jace so much already. I look forward to seeing their bond grow even stronger with each passing day.

The First Two Weeks

For all you nay-sayers out there saying this is obviously the second child as evidenced by the lack of documentation so far...at long last..a new post...

It has been an event-filled two weeks. Jace arrived as scheduled. The surgery and delivery went well. He is a healthy and happy young man. He is also very loved! Both sets of grandparents, great grandparents Maw and Paw, Uncle Heath and Aunt Yeh Yeh, great aunts Holly, Gail, and Dona, cousins Kirsten and Lesley, and friends Beth and Brooks came to welcome him into the world.

We stayed in the hospital for 3 days and then Adam, Jace and I went home while Bear traveled to TN with Ghee and Grandaddy for a visit to allow Mommy to recuperate and heal a bit before tackling the new task of 2 children. Bear had a big time going to Chuck E. Cheese's and Build a Bear among other things. Adam, Jace, and I used the time for bonding, sleeping, and eating. Our Sunday School class provided meals for us.

Bear returned when Jace was a week old. Ghee and Grandaddy stayed to help care for us (a huge understatement). They cooked, cleaned, entertained Bear, snuggled with baby Jace, chopped down trees, hung shelves, put up handrails, fixed leaks, you name it... Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. They always go above and beyond. I consider myself truly blessed to be so loved and to have the example of such servanthood in my life.

Barrett is such an affectionate and doting big brother. I have been so very proud of him. He has just rolled with the punches and couldn't love "baby Jace" more. He has to be reminded how little the baby is, but that is to be expected. He has exceeded my expectations to this point. Watching them has been such an answer to prayer.

Yesterday was my first day alone with the boys. It went surprisingly well. I was able to divide attention and both boys napped at the same time allowing me to get some much needed sleep and a shower before dinner. Today, I made my first outing with the two of them. Jace and I took Bear to school. A bit more effort, but it went well.

My mom is coming down tomorrow to visit and help with the boys.

It has been an adventure so far and will continue to be. I am so thankful for such loving family and friends to help us out during this exciting and transitional time of our lives!

And now...some pictures!

Introducing Jace Addison Tipps

Born 6/10/09 @ 7:13 am

7#5oz.; 19in. long

All my boys!

Brother Bear holding "baby Jace."

Just peeking.

The one-eyed glance he often sports thus far--switches eyes;

just too much effort I suppose :)

So tiny. Spoiled already. Wrapped around his little fingers.

2 weeks old.

Jace's Nursery!

The glider with table beside. The lamp is a fishing pole and the pull is the fish it caught. The leather box under the table has a fish on it and says "let's go fishing." The painting mimics the stripe pattern on his bedding--made by mommy with love--my first artistic endeavor since high school!

Jace's quilt and crib

Up close--the sweet dog pillow was a gift from my friend Jamie

and the pretty burp cloth is a gift from my friend Beth.

Thanks!

An oversized lure above the closet and an oar beside. You can sort of see the changing table (it has green and brown baskets underneath for decorative storage). Above the changing table is a fly fishing pole that belonged to Adam's Papa Doc. It is catching a trout over the window.

Catching trout will surely be one of Jace's favorite things to do with his daddy.

Baby Jace Update

I went to the doctor for my routine weekly visit on Tuesday. No dilation despite contractions so I believe I will make it to the scheduled time. Jace had been rather quiet as far as movement goes so the doctor ordered some extra tests to make sure everything was okay. We had an ultrasound, a nonstress test, and a contraction stress test. The ultrasound showed us a sleeping Jace with adequate movement, a good fluid level, and an estimated measurement of 7 lb. 8 oz. right now. The tech flipped it over to 4-D so we could get a good glimpse of his face. He has the chubbiest cheeks! I can't wait to rub, pinch, and kiss them. The nonstress test was what they call "nonreactive" meaning they didn't see the variation in heartrate that they like to see. That bought us a trip over to the hospital for a contraction stress test. Walking over ther must have done us both some good because as soon as they hooked me up to the montor he had a "beautifully reactive" nonstress test. I was contracting on my own so they didn't have to stimulate any contractions, much to my delight. Jace looked great and reacted exactly like he is supposed to. His heartrate was still abnormal, but the irregularity was much less frequent already as he has matured and they expect it to disappear at birth. I was released home to return next Tuesday for my final check up before my scheduled section on Wednesday morning. I cannot believe it is here already. Ready or not, here he comes!

(Newest Belly Pic--37 weeks and 2 days)

Barrett wanted to take a picture of his belly as well :)