the Bub and the Brute

Introducing...

"The Brute"

Noah Arthur Graf

October 14, 2010

9lbs. 8oz. (just like his mom)

looks like he's been in a fight...

you should see the other guy!

maybe a smile...or just gas.

the Bub in daddy's "new" truck...

used to be great-grandpa's.

We dressed up for Trunk-or-Treat

a farmer, a pumpkin, a cheetah, and daddy

I know you all have been waiting too long for these and they are few. Despite my best efforts, it seems the second baby really does get the shaft. Grannies are definitely needed the second time around--if not to just take pictures.

a week of anxiety...

so last weeks doctor's appointment went like this...

OB: "Let's measure you. I bet you want to know how big he is? Oh wait, I think we might have a problem..."
Me In My Head: "He's in the wrong position."
OB: "I think he might not be head-down."
MIMH: "Yes, I know since his head is sticking out of my side."
OB: "I think he is transverse. Let's check with an ultrasound."

Shortly after my belly is gooped up with the cold, blue, gel...
OB: "See there is his head sticking out to the side."

Then comes the discussion about External Cephalic Eversions and Cesarean Sections. All the while, I am thinking why do I have such stubborn children, or maybe it's me.

As with Ian, I decided to forgo the eversion at that time, and try to get him to flip on my own. I got in the pool and stood on my head for as long as I could--not long, with a large child pressing into my breathing space. For all that water-logging, I think he actually climbed higher into my chest.

When I went to the doctor this week, I was sure he hadn't moved, or was now fully breech, because a hard roundness was still pushing into my ribs. To my surprise and relief, this is apparently his buttocks--confirmed by ultrasound.

I guess next week we will finally focus on how big this bub actually is...
or he could just come out.

Fall is here, but the weather is still so nice!!

multiplying love

With 3 weeks to go (hopefully less) until we all get to meet this little being who is currently using my ribs as his foot rest, I have a few lasting worries about how Ian will react to this new intruder. I am sure there are to be some growing pains, but in the end, I hope that he will embrace his new place as the big brother and protector, and still understand that his place in my heart has not changed.

These are from last Saturday. We had such great plans, but ended up spending most of the day at the park enjoying the beautiful weather. It was a wonderful day.

My baby is all gone and replaced with a little boy!!

All of a sudden, without me even really realizing it, Ian has become a little boy.

Rough and tumble, opinionated, and super-sensitive if slighted.

A run in with the chickens.

Once he had crawled into the hen house, all bets were off.

That's where you might meet the front end of those chickens and they have beaks!

And soooo helpful...

..

Where did the summer go?

No picts this time, cuz my photo drive may be corrupted. Sorry mom.

Just wanted to post that I am still alive and well for those of you who don't see me on a regular basis.

What a summer!! I finally took my Nursing Boards...the dreaded NCLEX-RN. Only a year and a half after graduation. I do not deny that I am a huge fan of procrastination. This is what has taken up most of my time in the recent weeks. I have been studying my brains out. Well, at least the brains the baby hasn't sucked up. The test was the most awful experience I have been through lately. Yes, I am more looking forward to giving birth, than ever doing that again. I was just sure I failed, but somehow, with plenty of divine intervention, I PASSED!

Of course I have also been taking care of Ian, though not as much as he would have liked, growing his little brother, canning gallons of applesauce, tomatoes, and peaches, and sometimes giving some time to my husband, though not as much as he would have liked. Oh, and occasionally the house got somewhat tidied. Derick is the only reason I made it through these past few weeks. He is the best.

Now I am in full prepare-for-baby mode. Cleaning, sorting, sewing...

Just 5 more weeks!!

Dirty!!

Whether it is helping mommy in the garden...

or making brownies...

we always get fully into our work!!

And taste a little too!

Nothing a lot of soap and water can't fix.

Granny, this one is for you, but others will enjoy it too!

Derick had this week off and instead of planning a huge vacation, we just relaxed and did whatever we felt like. The weather was a boon--warm, but not too warm and no humidity. Wednesday, I suggested to Derick to drive to a local falls that is popular for fishing. Derick has not done much fishing this year. The river also has some nice rocks to climb about on. Unfortunately, I did not even think that the torrential rain we have had in the past month would have swollen the river to dangerous levels. When we arrived, Derick emphatically declared that neither his pregnant wife, nor his bub were going anywhere near the water. We did go for a short hike and found a calmer bank for the bub to dip in his toes.



All was not lost though for Daddy's fishing. We drove over to one of our favorite lakes. Mom and the bub (or should I say bubs) tried our hands at some fishing too.



We came up with nothing for all of that, but spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach, splashing and eating sand.
A perfect day.

At the end of the week we drove to Lafayette to visit Dan, Lilon, and the girls. We only wish that all the cousins lived closer. (And grannies too, we miss you!) We had a barbecue and went to the park.

This was awhile ago, but I just had to share it for a good laugh.

We tend to build up a collection of boxes because we burn them in the wood stove or out on the bonfire. This is a bonus for Ian who loves to stack and play with them. Sometimes they get the better of him though. Mom just had to run for the camera before helping him out.