Sinave 4 Month Stats

Sinave turned 4 months on July 1, 2013.  He had his check up on July 9, 2013.  I'll put Leila's measurements next to his to compare...

-Head - 43.6 cm 79%  (-Head - 41.1 cm - 56%)

-Height - 25 3/4 in - 74% (- Height - 25 1/4 in - 86%)

-Weight - 17 lb 11 oz - 90% (- Weight - 14 lb 14.5 oz - 79%)

Yes, he is a big kid.  When I was getting him dressed after the appointment, I said "come here fatty boy."  Dr. Brasher turned around and said, "He isn't fat....he's 'pleasantly polynesian.'"  SO funny.

More about my sweet boy:

-Still super mellow, laid back, easy going - unless you don't feed him when he wants it.

-Gives smiles freely and easily  all. day. long.

-Sleeps 8+ hours most nights.  In a given week, he might wake up once or twice in the night.  Otherwise he goes to bed around 9:30 (ish) and typically wakes up between 5:30 and 7:30. If he's up before 7, he usually eats and goes back to sleep for an hour or more. 

-I put 6-9 month pajamas on him this week.  They are not very big...everything fits quite well except the legs are a bit long.  He'll be wearing that size of clothes this weekend.  The 3-6 month stuff is quite snug and has been for a few weeks.

-Wear size 3 diapers

-Drinks a LOT of formula.  3-5 oz every 2-2.5 hours usually.

-Has become fascinated with watching everything Leila does.  If she walks into the room, his attention goes to her with a look of "awe" as he watches her.

-Very strong kid.

-Just this week started squealing/shreeking - not in a mad way, just in a loud way.

-His skin is still pretty light, but is getting a touch darker.  His hair is starting to grow in thicker (and it's dark!!!)

-His eyes are a dark, dark brown.  Leila's look almost golden next to his. I think his are darker than Kuso's.  Kuso says they are the same.

-SUPER ticklish, but won't really laugh.  Just tenses up and wiggles away, BUT when he does let out a laugh, it sounds like a grunt.  It makes me laugh.

-We haven't started rice cereal yet, mostly due to a busy week.  But it's on the agend this weekend.  Watching how he drinks his bottles and uses his tongue, I THINK he'll receive it well.

-Mommy went back to work right before he turned 3 months.  He goes to Nani Aiono's house (Kuso's cousins daughter.)  She is in love with him.  Always tells me what a good baby he is.

-His cousins almost fight over who gets to hold him when we are around the extended family.

-He LOVES bath time.  I recently started bathing him in the big bath tub.  I just let him lay and wiggle in the water for almost 20 minutes.  He loves it.  He splashes and gets water in his face, shows his huge grin, then does it some more.

I can't really put into words what an amazing child he is.  I always get compliments on how HAPPY he is.  He truly is.  He only cries when he doesn't eat right on demand.  He is happy in his car seat.  Happy on the floor (as long as he is getting attention.)  Happy playing and being held.  Sometimes all he wants is to be outside, laying on a blanket. 

I ALWAYS get compliments about how handsome he is (and how handsome he is going to be when he gets older.)  I get mixed reviews on who he looks like more, mom or dad.  He has shown signs of looking like my younger brother Shawn, sometimes when he sleeps he looks a touch like my niece Kiley.  Some people say he looks like me (I think it's the cheeks.)  Some say he is daddy's twin.  He kind of looks like Kuso's nephew Nicholas, or Dallin.  But when you compare baby pictures, his and Leila's are kind of hard to tell the difference.  Well, whoever he looks like, I agree, he is handsome.

Our Heavenly Father sure knew what he was doing when this blessed child was sent to our family. 

Before I forget - Sinave's 2+ month stats

I've been off work since the little guy was born.  I returned to work on Tuesday May 28th.  Rough day.  Anyway, Sinave had his two month check up on May 8th.  At that time he was 13.9 lbs and 24 1/2 inches.  Since I'm writing this about 3 weeks later, I'm pretty sure he is easily 15+ pounds now.  The kid does not stop eating.

To date these are a few things about our baby boy:  (he is ALMOST 3 months)
*Wears 3-6 months clothes and has since his 2 month date - many fit perfectly - many are looking tightish - many are excessively long (he has a long torso and short legs - just like his daddy and my dad!)
*Doesn't cry much - "coughs" to get attention - even when he wakes up in the night.
*BUT - if you don't respond to his coughs quickly he gets mad.  Quick.
*Eats non stop (or so it feels that way.)  Right now we fix a 4 oz bottle.  Drinks most of it, then finishes the rest 30-60 minutes later.  An hour or two after that, he wants more again. And he only likes one style of bottle.  If you give him a different style, he gives you an "are you crazy?" look and more or less refuses to eat.  He also does NOT like a binki - but on occasion he'll take one....hence, the excessive eating!
*Has an internal timer.  Seriously.  When he wakes up in the night, he is up, fed, and back asleep in 30 minutes or less.  He will be wide awake and wiggly, making you think you are going to be up for a while, but when the time is almost up he settles in and zonks out.  He lets you know when it's around 8pm because that is bath time.
*LOVES bathtime.
*Smiles a lot.  Not big wide-open mouth baby smiles, but stinkin' adorable little grins.  He is so dang handsome the girls are gonna melt!
*Enjoys the bouncy seat - on his terms. He can reach the dangling toys on the one at grandma's house.  Not the one at our house yet. When he is digging the chair, he'll sit in for up to 2 hours - usually 30-45 minutes is typical.
*Loves to be sitting up.  Will lay down and play if someone is sitting near him.  He just likes to be involved in life.
*SO mellow.  (except for when you ignore his coughs.)  I get lots of compliments about how mellow he is. 
*Goes to bed between 8:30 and 10:00 and usually wakes up once or twice before he is up for the day.  Usually around 2:30 to 4:00 or so.
*LOVES to snuggle.
*Wears size 2 diapers. 
*Has the most adorable wide open eyes.  I get lots of compliments on his eyes.  Also lots of comments about how aware he is.
*Has a funny white birthmark on his left thigh.  My cousin's wife commented that he can tell his friends that's what his mom gave him.  :)
*The kid is strong.  He has tremendous head/neck control and has since day 1.  He can hold most of his weight on his legs and has the most proud look on his face when he does that, then collapses and lets me hold him again. 

Sinave is so ridiculously super sweet that none of us can get enough of him. I'm TRYING to figure out how to get some pictures from my phone to this post.  IF you see pictures, I figured it out. IF you don't, I'll have to download them some how and post pics later.
Enjoy!

Oops, I did it again....

I made another Mary Poppins baby...meaning he is "practically perfect in every way."  For some ridiculous reason, I cannot get pictures to upload, so you will need to refer back to facebook to see the amazingly awesomely adorable pictures of my son.

I took him in for his 2 week check up on Thursday March 14.  At that time he weighed 8 lb 4.5 oz and was 20.5 inches long.  Dr. Brasher was a little concerned that he had not gained more weight than that since his birth weight was 8 lb 8 oz.  He wanted me to bring him in a week later to check his weight.  Everything else looked fine.

Today, March 21st was the weigh in.  He weighed in at a hefty 9 lb 3.5 oz...almost an entire pound gained in a week!  I knew his chubby cheeks were not hiding secrets!  He is totally and completely fine.

At this early on in his life, he has got himself on a pretty good schedule...way more than Leila ever did!  He takes a bath around 8 to 8:30 pm...eats, then just plays until he is tired...anywhere from 9 to 10:30.  He wakes up around 1 to 1:30, 4:30 to 5, then 9-10:30 ish....those times vary of course, but for the most part he is waking up every 4 ish hours, is only awake for about 35 minutes, then goes back to sleep.  I have also been laying him in bed while he is still slightly awake.  This has been good for him to learn to sooth himself to sleep rather than relying on being held or eating to go to sleep.  He truly is practically perfect.

During his waking hours, he is still mostly calm and patient.  He lets Leila love on him and hold him all she wants.  He just chills and waits until it's time to eat.  He loves his bouncy seat.  He loves to be held and talked to.  He has the sweetest Spirit.  I swear he can sense when I'm about to lose my cool taking care of both children while Kuso is out of town at work.  During those moments, he smiles (yes, he smiles and flirts at this young age) and just sends love straight out of his eyeballs.  Or he'll just smile, then go to sleep knowing that I'm needing to rest.  He does have a bit of a temper when it's time to eat and he doesn't have a bottle in his mouth after the first squak or two...otherwise, he seriously is so complacent to just exist.

I LOVE THIS BOY....

Sinave Aukuso Aiono - March 1, 2013

 

 

Sinave Aukuso Aiono

March 1, 2013

12:39 pm

8 lb 8 oz

20 inches long

 First Family Photo! (above)

Leila's first look at Baby Brother (below)

 

 Leila's first time holding Sinave

Daddy's first nap time with Sinave

 Leila is a GREAT helper!

 Leila giving mommy a "check up" (above)

Sinave ready to go home! (below)

 Daddy and his kids (above)

 Kuso told me to look at some pictures he took.  When I did, I found a whole string of these smile pictures.  I'm not sure this kid can be more adorable!  He was 5 days old when these were taken.

 

Now you have seen the pictures.  If you want, you can continue reading for the story.

 

I was set to be induced on March 1, 2013.  I was first on the list and the hospital said the nurse would call me sometime between 5 am and 10 am.  When they called, I had an hour to get to the hospital.  This meant that I had to shower and get ready the night before.  The call came in around 6:20 am.  We checked in at 7:15 am.

 

The Pitocin was started at 8:00 am.  (the cute nurse was named Stacie and was the sister in law to my cute friend Marla at work.  It was kind of fun to have a "connection" with the nurse.)  In talking with her about my past history of surgeries and last birthing experience, we made the connection that having had a previous surgery on my cervix could explain why I start to dilate, stay there for a long time, then go REALLY fast through the higher numbers.  And that's what happened.  I was dilated to a 3 for a long time (well, as long as a 4 1/2 hour delivery can be).  I finally decided to get the epideral when the contractions were coming more intense and much more frequently. 

 

The nurse checked me again and I was dilated to about a  7.  I told her my family was about 20 minutes away and to let me know a good time to let them know to head to the hospital.  They weren't coming in the room, but wanted to be outside to hear his first cries.  She said they probably better head over.  This was around 11:30 if I remember.  I dilated quickly through the rest of the numbers and soon enough, I was "ready."

 

The nurse said she was going to have me do some practice pushes while we waited for the doctor, but then when I progressed so quickly, she told me to hold on.  The doctor came in right then and we were ready to go.  I pushed for 8 minutes and the little guy was here!  (What an improvement to the 2 hours I had to push to get his sister here!)

 

If you read my last post, I had some predictions about how he would be.  So far, I'm accurate.  He looks like his sister, has hair, but not as much.  He is super mellow.  He has huge hands and long toes.  He is such a good baby! 

 

As of writing this, he is 10 days old.  For the past four or five nights, he has had a "routine" that seems to be working AMAZINGLY!  Around 8 pm, we give him a bath.  That kind of wakes him up and gets him to play.  He eats during that time, then around 9:30 to 10:00 he goes to bed.  He sleeps until 1:00 to 1:30, then gets back to bed in about 30-45 minutes.  Then wakes up again between 4:30 and 6:00 and is up for 30-45 minutes.  Then sleeps until anywhere between 9:30 and almost noon!  If he keeps this up, he will get the BEST BABY award for sure!  When he is awake, he is pretty mellow.  He enjoys laying on the floor for periods of time.  He likes his bouncy seat.  He likes to be held and talked to.  He likes to cuddle. 

 

Leila is an amazing big sister.  She is usually helpful.  She has tested the patience of her parents on a few occasions by suggesting that we can do it instead of her, but since daddy went back to work, she has been very helpful.  Exactly what a mom needs.  She is very aware of where he is at all times.  She is soft with him, wants to hold him, and tries her hardest to make him happy all the time.

 

NOW...A couple of cute "stories."

 

At the hospital, Sinave was getting his diaper changed or vitals taken or something.  Anyway, he was crying. Leila was standing on the bed to watch and she started singing ever so softly to him.  As if it were just she and him there alone.  She sang her own song of "Quiet...Slowly....Quiet....Slowly...." (She uses the word slowly instead of softly.)  She tried so hard to make him happy.

 

Leila has turned into a huge mamma's girl, but she also knows she has to share with Baby Brother.  The first night, she was a little hesitant to leave the hospital because mom and baby were staying there.  I explained that we had to sleep there so the doctors could help us feel better.  She understood that and went home with daddy.  The next day they came back to the hospital and that night she fully understood what was going to happen and was so good to go home with daddy.  The day it was time to go home, she called me from daddy's phone on the way to the hospital.  "Hi mom!  You feeling better?  You ready to come home?"  She was very excited to show brother where his room was going to be at our house. 

 

Leila talks to him in the car and does her best to have him "cheer up." 

 

Leila always has to know where is baby brother?  When she wakes up, that's the first thing she asks.  When she leaves the room and comes back, that's the first thing she asks.  At the hospital when they took Sinave to the nursery to do his assessment, daddy went with Sinave and I stayed in the room.  Leila wanted to go see Sinave, so grandma took her to watch through the windows.  After just a very short while, she wanted to go check on mommy so grandma brought her back to the room.  After seeing that I was fine, she wanted to go back and find brother.  We convinced her to wait at the room and he would be back soon.  She agreed and soon enough we were all back in the room.  She was satisfied.

 

At the hospital we only had a couple of visitors. 

Grandma Neener and Papa Vic

Kim and Danny Boyer, and Maile Hoopes.

Auntie Alofa and cousin Leone.

 

The first week home we had more visitors.

Uncle Troy and Aunt Casey

Alysha Miller (and Brooklyn and Logan)

Heidi Morrison (and Hadlee and Makay)

The Blake's (Home Teachers)

Carol Koller and Karlene Jensen - I visit teach them and they brought dinner.

Leslie (Uta'i) (and Matai and Kingston)

 

Almost all of these visitors brought gifts for both of my kids.  It was nice for Leila to continue to receive love and attention while Sinave got his. 

 

Kuso went back to work on Sunday March 10th.  The first night home without him was simple as it could have been.  Here is to hoping life with two kids and an out of town hubby stays as simple as it can be! 

 

 

Final Thoughts...

Sorry for not posting more pictures.  Good intentions count for something, right?  I'll do my best to get a post of the birth and pictures of his first few days in the near-ish future.

In the next few hours, I should be receiving a phone call from the hospital letting me know what time to check in tomorrow to be induced to start labor.  How do I feel?  Tired.  Anxious.  Excited.  Nervous.  Exhausted.  Motivated.  Emotional.  Etc. etc. etc...

This pregnancy has been more emotional for me.  I've been more sore and achy.  I've been HOT.  Having a 3 year old makes it more difficult to rest when needed.  I'm an independent woman who likes to take care of things on her own...and when my body was pushed to the limit and I felt like I couldn't do it anymore, I would break down and get emotional.  I HATE feeling that way.  Thankfully, hubby was understanding.  In the past, hormonal emotions confused and frustrated him.  Now, I think he gets it.  He lets me be emotional and loves me anyway.

When the doctor said that we would look at an induction date, I was super stoked.  Then when the nurse confirmed it would be March 1, 2013, I got a bit choked up.  No, I didn't cry.  If I would have had to talk, I probably would have.  I had a flood of emotions, most of which were laid out above.  In addition, I am SO excited to see my little man, to hold him, to kiss him, to love him.  I'm SO excited to see Kuso with his little man.  I'm SO excited for Leila to have a brother to love, to teach, to play with, to take care of, to share life with.  I'm also a bit sad for her that she won't be an only child anymore.  She will have to share the un-devoted attention she gets now (not that there isn't still plenty to go around.)  She will have to adjust to a new way of life.  All of those are good things and I anticipate she will handle it well (for the most part.)

Every day we talk about when baby brother comes.  A couple nights ago she showed her first sign of jealousy.  A few months back we moved her room to the next room over because the baby's room has a light in the closet that just makes it way to convenient to not use...and the color on the walls is perfect for the baby bedding.  She has LOVED her new room, until a few days ago.  I explained I only had a couple of days of work left, then the next day we were going to go to the hospital and get baby brother, and bring him home.
Leila:  But where's his home?
Me:  He shares our house.
Leila:  But where's he gonna sleep?
Me:  In that room (pointing.)
Leila:  But that's my room.
Me:  No, you have the purple room now.
Leila:  But I need to put my bed in that room.
Me:  But your room has a TV.  The other room doesn't.
Leila:  But I need both rooms.
Me:  Can't you share with brother?
5 seconds passes....
Leila:  OH!  THIS is your room, THAT's brother's room, and THAT's my room (pointing appropriately.) 
She just had a laps in thought and quickly got back to her loving big sister roll she plays so well right now.

She gives brother kisses and puts blankets on him (my stomach).  She gets excited to buy him things at the store.  She gets excited to see the blankets that are his.  She is REALLY excited that he has a "blue one" blanket too.  My mom made her a light blue blanket that has a light green backing.  The pattern is monkeys and palm trees.  Leila LOVES that blanket and sometimes refuses to use anything BUT that blanket.  My mom had extra fabric and made brother a blanket with the same material.  Different style though.  Leila LOVES that they both have "blue ones."  Leila loves to call him a baby and clarify that she is not a baby.  BUT, she is NOT a big girl.  She is just "Leila girl."  I put the car seat in the car and this morning was the first time she saw it.  It's RIGHT NEXT to hers (in an attempt to make it easier to carry an extra passenger - we'll see if it stays that way.)  I asked her if she liked it there and she said YES!  Then added "He's gonna love it."  I'm SO EXCITED to watch her interact with her brother.  There is already a notable bond between them and to watch it grow will be amazing.

We get asked often if there will be a third child.  The answer is, I don't know.  Life wasn't bad with one.  We'll see how two goes.  Since hubby works out of town most of the time, I'm basically a single parent with amazing parents who step in and fill the roll as needed.  There are too many unanswered questions right now to answer the question about more children.

My predictions about baby brother....he will look quite a bit like Leila.  Maybe not as much hair.  He might be slightly bigger than her at birth.  I think he might be a good sleeper.  I think he will be very chill (as much as a baby can be.)  Leila was very aware and active.  I think he will sit back and wait for life to happen.  I think he will have a temper that shows when he gets annoyed. 

As an older child and into adulthood, I think he will "follow the leader" with Leila.  I think he will be more accident prone than Leila.  I think he will be stronger than Leila (which is a pretty big accomplishment.)  I think he might be a little sentimental.  I think he will have a strong Spirit that will show throughout his life.  I think he will know what he wants and work toward it.  I think he will have a good work ethic.  I think he will have a great sense of humor.  I think he will idolize his dad and do all things possible to be like him. 

Although I can't pinpoint one strong feeling, I guess the word BLESSED can cover most of them.  Baby Boy, I can't wait to meet you soon!  I can't wait to hold you and feel of the love that comes from our Heavenly Father by blessing us to be your parents.  I can't wait to see how your love and Spirit bless the relationship between you and your sister.  You are truly sent from above and are meant to be in our family.  We love you.

32+ Weeks

As of today, December 26, 2012, I think I am "technically" 32 weeks and 5 days along.  That gives me a due date of February 22, 2013.  However, both of my ultrasounds measured a bit small, so at my last appointment, I asked the doctor if that was going to change the due date at all.  The only reason I ask/care is because I'm not a "28 day" kind of girl, so chances are, my dates were slightly off.  At day 35, my pregnancy test was negative, but by day 42, it was positive.  Most people show a postive test by day 25 or so.  I don't want the baby to come too early...the longer they cook, the cuter they are in my opinion.  SO he did a little calculating, and changed my due date to March 3, 2013.  He was a bit hesitant because he didn't want to move the date too much in case we feel the need to be induced, but that was only 9 or 10 days different, about the same difference between my positive test and most people's positive tests. 

I am glad to be further out of winter, but am a bit sad to have to wait that much longer to meet my little guy.  He will be here soon enough. 

Christmas 2012

Christmas is so much more fun with kids!  We took this picture in front of my parents tree before we opened gifts at midnight.  (After grandma's midnight gifts, we go home, go to bed, Santa comes, then we do our own small family stuff Christmas morning.)

 

She is so "posey" sometimes.  Love it.

 We made Rice Krispie treat trains.  Leila and I worked on the front engine, then Casey's, then Papa's, then Daddy's, then Troy's.  They turned out pretty cute.

 Leila got a beloved "Dream Light" from her beloved Kiley.  We had to put the batteries in and make it work the second we were done opening presents.

 

Daddy got a guitar.  He has been wanting one for years.  No, he doesn't know how to play, and Yes, he will learn.  I can't wait for him to pick it up and play around the house.  If he plays, he will sing, and I LOVE to hear him sing.

Christmas morning at our house.

 

For the past few weeks, she has been saying that Santa was going to bring her "a bike and a Barbie."  She got the bike, but not the Barbie, but she did get a Barbie Mermaid movie. 

 

It was a pretty funny morning.  She didn't get to sleep until after 1 am because of the Midnight Madness at Grandma's house.  Around 9:30, Kuso got anxious and went and woke her up.  It took her a good 15 minutes to come out of her room to see what Santa brought.  She kept yelling down the hall, "But I'm too tired."  Once she got out there, she was loving it all over again.

 

As expected, she was spoiled. 

 

Later in the afternoon, she was playing with Kuso on the recliner.  She looked up and saw the Santa hanging on the wall.  She said "Thanks for my presents Santa."  So cute.  Her baby brother also gave her some presents.  We told her to say thank you to her brother and she crawled over and said "thank you" to my stomach.  Precious.

 

Leila was very humble this year.  At the ward Christmas party, she was asked to fill out a letter to Santa about what she wanted.  She kept saying "nothing" for almost two weeks.  I only WISH she will stay that humble and simple.  I'm sure next year, when she fully "gets" what is going on, she will want more, but this year, a "hug from Hadlee" was good enough.

 

Another funny thing I have to write just to remember...my mom mailed her a letter from Santa.  It had a picture of Santa, and a note reminding her to be a good girl, listen to her parents, etc.  It was addressed to Leila with a return address of the North Pole.  I showed it to her hoping she would get excited.  She said "Oh!  That's the one grandma did huh?"  I told my mom that and she was so confused.  My mom did those at work.  Leila never saw them.  Weird.