It's D-Day!

Today is Lucas' due date. Wow, to think that I could still be pregnant. I know lots of women who have gone past their due date. I couldn't even imagine carrying a baby that big and for so long. I guess there are some advantages to having your babies early. With both Lucas and Isaac, we got to spend an extra 6 weeks getting to know them and fall in love with them that most people don't get. (Not to mention, it's alot easier to lose the baby weight when you miss out on the last 6 weeks of the greatest weight gain during pregnancy.) Here are just some of the things that I have learned about this second little boy in the 6 weeks we have had him, and how he has changed during that time:

- He loves to be held. Thanks to being the only baby in the NICU for the 10 days he was there, he got the full attention of whichever nurse was on duty each day and night. Once he was able to come out of the incubator, he was almost always snuggled in someone's arms. So now, he will wake from the deepest sleep within minutes of being layed down. But as soon as he rests against a warm body, he's out like a light again. So he gets to spend lots of time in the sling, or in Grandma's arms, so that Mommy can try to get things done. And of course, co-sleeping is a must for him right now. But Isaac was the same way and had no problem transitioning to his own bed and room when the time came.

- He is not a fussy baby at all, relative to his brother that is. He will fuss a bit when he's not being held, of course, and briefly when he gets gassy or has reflux just until it passes. But other than that, he is a quiet, content little boy. Isaac was so colicky at this age and would often cry unconsolably for hours.

- He is becoming so much more alert lately. He'll stay awake for up to 2 hours at a time, two or three times a day. During that time, he just looks all around, taking everything in. He's beginning to make eye contact as well, and I can't help but wonder what is going through his thoughts as he stares into my eyes with those deep dark blue eyes of his.

- He's quite the snacker, just like his brother. Rather than taking in a full meal at feeding time, he likes to nurse a few minutes here, and a few minutes there. He's still pretty good about going 2-3 hour stretches during the day, but in the evenings, he likes to tank up before bed. He'll snack for a few minutes every half hour or so, starting around 5 or 6pm until bed time. But then he gives me 3, sometimes 4 hours of sleep at a time during the night. He's also very good about going right back to sleep after eating during the night. And with co-sleeping, I barely even have to wake up. Just like his brother and his Daddy, he likes his sleep.

- He has 2 birth marks, or hemangiomas (bright red, raised growths). One is about the size of a nickel (large on his tiny body) on his right side, the other is smaller and on his forehead. I've already had several people ask me how he scratched his head, probably thinking big brother tried to take him out with a lego or something, but I assure you, he was not harmed, nor was he bitten by a mosquito. Isaac has two of these marks as well, both of which have faded quite a bit over time. Sometimes they will completely disappear. We like to call them angel kisses.

- Finally, he is growing! He has officially outgrown his preemie clothes and preemie diapers!! Although most of his newborn size clothes are still a bit loose, he is filling them out more and more. I am thinking he is probably close to 7lbs by now - almost the size of a real baby!

So, now you know Lucas a little bit better. I think Isaac is finally starting to figure out that this little wiggly, squeaky creature that took over his home and his parents' attention is here to stay. He's been acting out quite a bit lately. Last week, he disappeared briefly - Steven thought I had him, I thought Steven had him (easy to do with two!). We found him locked in the pantry eating a bag of Ghiradelli white chocolate squares. Considering how difficult it is to get him to eat anything, I actually wasn't too upset about this. At least he got some fat and calories in him for once. Although, the resulting sugar high was a problem. Then, a couple of days ago, he was in our bed room being very quiet for several minutes - always a scary thing. Steven went to check on him, and caught him in the act of pouring out the last drops of a FULL bottle of massage oil all over our bed, and my best 1000 thread count sheets! Our room will forever smell like sandlewood rose. The sheets didn't appear to stain, now that they've been washed well, but they still smell quite strong, as does my washer and dryer. One bit of advice for those with toddlers, or babies of any age and size - waterproof mattress pads are your friend!!! I invested in a good one back when Isaac was Luke's age and I realized that my bed was always going to be covered with baby pee, breastmilk, spit up, cheerios, and, now sandlewood rose aromatherapy oil. But the mattress was saved!

Less amusing is Isaac's new way of showing his animosity toward his new baby brother. He'd been doing so well with Luke, that I was hoping we would skip this, but the jealousy appears to be rearing it's ugly head. He's been attempting to hit, kick, elbo, knee Luke when I am holding him or when he's lying next to me. We've been handling it as gently as possible, not wanting to associate Luke with too much negativity, and he has been responding well. We have been explaining to him that Luke is a baby and he has to be very gentle. He's not too sure yet, but we have been able to get him to stop the behavior right away with gentle, yet firm words. There are plenty of times though when he does love on his baby brother and pet him on the head or give him a little kiss. Those are my favorite moments.

Life with two is quite crazy around here. But I think we are starting to get the hang of it. All the extra hands I have helping out make the world of difference, though. Well, Lucas is letting me know that it is lunchtime. Here are a few new pictures in our February Album