Two Weeks

We have been home for two weeks now. I can't tell if it has gone fast or gone slow, I've just kind of lost track of what day it is. Our first week home went really well. Chris took the week off which was wonderful!! I was able to relax and focus on Evan and learning all about him while Chris took care of Madi. They had a fun week. They went to work together in the mornings and he took her to preschool and they just hung out together. She was Daddy's little shadow.

Evan is doing good. He is still a little off during the night. He sleeps really well during the day and everyday he is staying awake for longer stretches at a time. But he is still waking up to eat about every 2-3 hours. During the day he eats and goes back to sleep no problems. But at night he is eating and going back to sleep but as soon as I lay him in his bed, he wakes up and screams. I pick him up, rock him a bit and he goes right back to sleep. (Does someone sound spoiled already?!) I'm not quite sure what to think about this yet. I remember having to rock Madi until she was sound asleep before laying her in bed. And I know that part of this little routine we have going is my fault also. I am just so exhausted at night that he eats, I burp him and then find myself waking up an hour later still holding him. I just can't seem to keep myself awake to get him where he needs to be. This is one of the big differences between the first baby and the second. I don't mind getting up and being up all night, but at least with Madi, I was able to nap and rest when she did. Which meant I could get a lot more catch up sleep then. Now, I have about an hour in the afternoons when they are both down that I can get a quick nap. That's if I can get my mind to stop running about everything else that needs to be done. And I feel so guilty about just sitting an vegging when Madi is up because I want to make sure I am spending enough time with her and not having her feel neglected or having to come in second all the time to the new baby. It's a big juggling act right now and I just don't want to fail either of them.

Thank goodness for preschool!!! Madi has an out and something to keep her occupied for a couple of hours every week (that I don't have to plan myself!) She is having a really good time with preschool. She is always singing new little songs that they learn. I have already seen a big difference in her recognizing letters and numbers. Although they haven't learned anything but A and B, 0 and 1 the last couple of weeks. She is paying attention and wanting to learn at home much easier. I tried several times to actually learn the letters of the alphabet, not just know the song, but know the letters by sight. She just didn't have any interest. But now she will name off several letters and numbers while playing in the tub.

We have had some other outings the last couple of weeks.
Evans first outing was to the doctor on the 14th and then to Target on the 15th. I thought that would be a quick, easy trip. Dropped Madi off at preschool, Evan had already eaten and was sleeping away. But we weren't there for more than 10 minutes and he filled his pants. And boy he was not happy. He screamed and screamed. I finally had to go change him in the bathroom. Not what I was wanting to do with a four day old, yuck!
On Saturday, the 19th, we had a busy outside day. We had a family reunion in the park at 12:00. We ended up staying until 5:30 visiting. It was very nice. Madi played with cousins and Evan slept. Then we headed to a wedding reception and finally left for home at 10:30. So that was a long day but we all had a lot of fun.
Friday we went out and did some shopping, made our first trip to the library. Madi loves going to the library to play. They have a nice play area and there are always lots of kids there to play with. Then we went to lunch with Nana and Papa to Madi's new favorite restaurant, Pizza Hut! Evan slept the whole time, surprising though because he should have been up and ready to eat about half way through lunch. But luckily we didn't have to try and eat and feed at the same time. That night we went out again with Dan and Jane for supper and then Madi went home with them for the night.
Saturday morning was the Smokey Hill Museum Street Fair and Parade. Evan did great during his first parade. He slept (big shocker!!) He even slept through the fire truck blasting his horn right in front of us. I hate when they do that, scares the crap out of me. He just jumped and kept sleeping. Then he managed to sleep through three marching bands. Jumped again a couple of times but kept on sleeping. Of course Madi was on cloud 9 during the parade. She didn't care what was going down the street, she was just looking for people handing out candy. At one point she yells "Look, that girl has CANDY for me!!!" as she turns the corner to start coming down the parade route.


Madi and Evan at the parade.




Chris and Dan rode the tractors in the parade.

And then finally, on Sunday, we made a trip to the zoo. Ella's 5th birthday was last weekend and they came to the zoo this weekend and we tagged along. Ella and Madi had a blast spending time together and they really didn't care about the animals. They had fun just running around and playing together. It was a lot of fun to spend time with all of them at the zoo. It was really windy and I was worried about Evan swallowing too much air, but he did really well. He was a little fussy that night but not bad.


Evan at the zoo.


The girls!! Ella, Ava and Madi. Such cuties!


Our first family photo. Madi was mad because we made her get down off the tractor to take a picture and Evan was mad too.

So, we have had a bunch of firsts the last two weeks and a lot of running around. But that's what we do. And no better way to find out how to do all of our running around with two kids than to just do it.

Sunday night Evan's cord finally fell off and his circumcision is looking great and healed up so he finally got his first official bath tonight. He screamed bloody murder the whole time. He did not like the bath at all! And what a difference between him and Madi. Madi never screamed and fussed, from day one. She just layed there. But Evan doesn't like having his diaper changed and he doesn't like having his clothes taken off and putting them back on. So it really wasn't a surprise that he didn't like the bath. Hopefully he grows out of that. And Madi was the big helper. She was so excited to give him a bath. She tried to calm him down. When he cries she is always there being a little mommy. She will say (in a high pitched talk): "It's okay, Madi is here." "Hold on little guy, almost done." "Here, here, here's your binky. Momma, move him closer so I can give him his binky."


I like the little finger sticking up. I am sure in baby gestures, he is really telling us what he thinks about the bath!!!

Evan had his two week checkup today. He is 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 20.8 inches long. He is doing well. She is pleased with his weight. Even though he is eating a little too much. He started wanting to take 3 oz at a time this last week and she said he should still only be eating 1 t0 2 oz every 2-3 hours. So I am going to try and back him back down to 2 oz. He also has a goopy left eye. She prescribed some drops and said it could be just a clogged tear duct. Nothing to worry about and it should work itself out within the first year. We go back on November 6 and he will get shots that day. :(


And anytime Evan is up and in his bouncy seat, this is what you will see. Madi standing over him giving him a million kisses. She is a really good big sister and she loves him to pieces. She has been helping by making bottles, tries to calm him down when he cries, she will run and get things for me if I ask. She is doing amazingly well. I couldn't ask for better kids, I just love them so much!!

Have a great week!! I can't believe October is almost here but I am loving this fall weather.

Love, Amy

Meet Evan Daniel Helm

Evan was born on September 11, 2009 at 3:51 pm. He weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and is 19 1/2 inches long. He has a little bit of dark hair and is so adorable!! Of course, I am a little partial! I can't express how much we love him and are so excited that our family has grown. It feels so wonderful!!



Labor went really well and much faster than with Madi. I was only dilated to a one when we arrived at the hospital at 7:00 am Friday morning. By 12:00 the doctor came in and broke my water and I was at a 3 at that time. Once he broke my water, the contractions really picked up. I was dealing with the pain pretty well but had this nagging thought that I better get my epidural before it's too late. So at 2:15 the anesthesiologist came in and started the epidural. At 3:00, our wonderful morning nurses were leaving and we had another wonderful nurse come in. She checked me then and I was at an 8-9 and she said, 15 minutes and we will be ready to push!! What, already?! She was frantically setting up the room and calling the doctor, while my contractions were getting increasingly stronger and stronger. I don't know if it was because the epidural hadn't been in as long but I felt so much more with this labor than I did with Madi (6 hour epidural). But it worked out great because I was able to feel the pushing this time and every push counted. We actually had to wait through 4 contractions for the doctor. VERY PAINFUL!! 3 contractions, 9 pushes and Evan was here!!!!

We brought Madi into the room first to meet him. She was so excited! She walked in and with a big gasp she said "the baby is out of your tummy!" She came over and Chris helped her climb up and she immediately started her loving on that baby. It has been nonstop kisses for him ever since. She can't walk by him without stopping to give him kisses. And she likes to hold him, but he gets heavy quick so they are short holds. We definitely shouldn't have dragged our feet on the name, because she is having trouble remembering his name so far. She keeps calling him Fredel!!! But she is getting better.

It is so amazing how much you forget from one baby to the next. And the nervous jitters of every noise and sound he makes are still there. Friday night was a very long night. He was a very noisy sleeper that first night which made me jump and check on him with every little noise. We had a nice room with a queen bed, which made it much easier on Chris to stay at the hospital. But between me jumping up and Chris being unable to get comfortable enough to get some good sleep, he ended up going home at 3:30 to get some good rest. Which he needed, having to keep up with Madi and keep her occupied while at the hospital the next day. And Madi did such an amazing job at the hospital. I really thought we were going to have problems with her getting bored and rambunctious. But she was so super good all weekend.

Sunday morning Evan had his circumcision done. YUCK!! Very painful for the little guy, I felt so bad. But everything went well and we were dismissed at 1:00 pm. We went home and Dan and Jane followed us out and helped get everything inside and unloaded. Mom and Dad came out shortly after with a bunch of food. Jason, Tabatha, and Jaxson got here about an hour later. We had a nice relaxing evening.

Chris has been so wonderful!!! I don't know what I would have done the last two days without him. He took some extra time off this time to help with Madi. They spent all day yesterday together. It has made it so much easier for me to be able to sit and relax and not have to worry about trying to keep up and entertain her all day. She had preschool this morning. I took her, but Chris picked her up. I was able to run to Target and pick some stuff up and then headed home and able to take a nap.

Evan is a little backwards right now with his time. Monday he slept all day long and was up all night last night. He has done a little better this morning. He was up for about an hour and hopefully I can keep him up a little longer this evening so we can get him turned around. So far I have noticed he doesn't mind sleeping by himself during the day, but last night, he wanted nothing to do with sleeping in his bed. He fell asleep several times in my arms, I layed him down in bed and not 2 minutes later, he was awake and screaming. I was so exhausted, I gave in and we slept in the recliner the rest of the night (a whole 2 hours!!) Madi was really good about sleeping in her bed, and I know he is still very young and it probably won't affect him either way at this point, but I don't want him getting used to sleeping while being held. So far, he seems to have the same temperament as Madi did. Not fussy and very laid back. Except when it is time to eat, he gets a little impatient. And it will be nice when his circumcision is healed up. You can tell he is still in a lot of pain during diaper changes and when he poops.

Yesterday morning was his first doctors appointment. Everything went well. He weighs 6 lbs 11 oz. The doctor was pleased with his weight. His color was excellent. She said everything was perfect. We go back on the 28th of September.

Please feel free to come out and visit anytime. We love having visitors and would love to show him off to everyone!!! Thank you for all the well wishes and congratulations. We love you all!

Chris, Amy, Madi and Evan

Today's the Day!!

Yesterday I had my last doctor's appointment. It didn't go well. Blood pressure was 145/105!! Yikes, way too high. So, induction has been moved to this morning at 7:00 am. Of course, I can't sleep. I got about 4 hours, I should be good to go! Since the protein showed up, I have been steadily feeling worse and worse. It is time!


Here I am yesterday morning. I fit perfectly in between the molding!! I guess I can always go back and measure how big I was, haha!!!


Another big day for Madi yesterday! First day of Preschool! What a big girl, I can't believe it. She did so good and of course it didn't faze her a bit to be left. She had toys and kids to play with, she was good to go! She was all smiles all the way to town. It made it so much easier to drop her off. When I went back to pick her up, they were on the playground. Of course she didn't want to leave! But she said she had fun and played. "But I didn't get to make a craft." Sounding bummed. That was going to be her highlight, make a craft and be able to bring it home in her new backpack! Hopefully next week!!

Thank you to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers for today!! Hopefully I'll be able to sit down next week and post lots and lots of pictures!

Love, Amy

It's Scheduled!!

Went to the doctor again this morning. I tried taking it easy this weekend but it didn't help. My blood pressure was okay 140/85 but I have protein in my urine which means that the pre-eclampsia is setting in again. He still didn't put me on bed rest, thank goodness. But lots of resting from now on. I go back on Thursday to check everything again. If things are still going okay, then I will be induced on Monday at 6 am. Babies heartbeat was 145 and I gained 3 more pounds. I am dilated to 1 and my cervix is pretty soft. I did test positive for the Group B Strep at the last appointment. But that just means I have to take some antibiotics while I am in labor so it doesn't pass to baby. So, only two weeks early with this baby!!


We did have a nice Labor Day weekend. Jason and Tabatha and Jaxson came to town or at least to the lake. We went out Saturday and spent the day. We finally got some pictures of Jaxson and Madi and I hope to get some of those from mom soon and will share. I was so worried about Madi holding Jaxson and keeping him still that I didn't even attempt to take any pics. But Mom and Jason both got some good ones. We went for probably our last boat ride of the season and Madi just had to go swimming. Thank goodness Uncle Jason was there, he is her lake swimming buddy. They didn't stay in long though. Madi was an ice cube after coming out but we had to drag her in, she loves jumping off the boat. Last night her and Daddy went swimming in our pool. After she got out she told me that we have to get rid of our pool because she only wants a lake and Papa's boat when we go swimming. I guess that's THE only way to swim anymore!

Sunday we went to visit Chris' parents and ended up leaving Madi there for the rest of the day and night. She practically kicked us out of the house. We then spent the rest of the day driving to 8 different Wal-Marts. Doesn't that sound like fun? We are party animals!! Chris has been trying to hunt down and stock pile ammo, "just in case." And since you can't find a certain kind here in Salina, why not travel the state of KS looking in other places? Well, it did work. We hit Wal-Marts in McPherson, Newton, Valley Center, and 3 in Wichita between 12:30 and 4:00. Then we turned around and headed for Concordia Wal-Mart on our way to Bellville for the last race of the season. Chris made the comment (and now I have written proof of it) "our children should never have to buy ammo." Doesn't that mean he has enough now that he doesn't have to buy any more? I bet that doesn't happen!!

Monday morning we actually slept in!! It was so nice rolling over and seeing 9:20 on the alarm clock, AHHHHHH!! But shortly after getting up the phone rings and Madi is mad at Grandpap and wants to go home! What a stinker, she probably didn't get her way. We pull up in the drive and she is standing in the back by the garage. I honk and expect her to run our way, ready to leave. What does she do? Sulks and glares at us. I told Chris, bet she doesn't want to leave now. And sure enough, we walk up there and Madi says, I don't want to leave. She never wants to leave when she is with others. Makes me feel so loved! But say the magic words "Let's go to the park" and she is off and running. We stopped at Dillons and bought a loaf of bread and went to Jerry Ivey Park and feed the whole loaf to the ducks, geese, and fish. We then headed home for naps and rested the rest of the evening. Chris made supper and took Madi swimming, while I layed on the couch, bliss!!

Well, I need to go rest while I still can. Madi has a birthday party to go to tonight. Thursday is the first day of school (and I will have pics to share)!! Doctors appointment in the afternoon and we will see if we make it to the weekend. Have a great week!!

Love, Amy

Checkups and Outside Fun

Yesterday was my weekly checkup. Didn't go as smoothly as the last. My blood pressure is starting to creep up there. I wasn't surprised, I had checked it Tuesday at Dillons and it was very high then. But it came down okay at the doctors office after laying down for a bit. Tuesday it was as high as 154/94 and it came down to 128/82 yesterday. So we checked my urine for protein, a sign for pre-eclampsia (which I had with Madi). And thankfully the test came back negative. My body doesn't like to be pregnant for more than 36 weeks!! This is the same point we were with Madi when I started doing this. But, thankfully, no bed rest!! YAHOO!!!! I don't want to even think about that, what a nightmare that would be. But he wants me getting plenty of rest and watching for headaches that won't go away. If that happens, I am to high tail it to the Dr. office or the hospital (especially this weekend, being a long weekend.) So, that's what I am trying to do. I got the bags packed Tuesday night, all the baby clothes and room organized, car seat is upstairs and cleaned. I think I am ready!

Baby hasn't been moving as much lately, probably running out of room! But his heart rate was 142, running the same. I gained 2 pounds, in a week!! Not surprised on that one either, sweet tooth big time right now. Need to cut it out for the next couple of weeks. I go back first thing Tuesday to make sure everything is going okay.

OOOOHHHH! The doctor visit was interesting and pretty funny this time. Madi went with me and she was very curious about all the new things in the room that haven't been in the other rooms. Like stirrups!! "Mommy, what are those?" "That's where a mommy's feet go in so the doctor can check the baby." After the doctor was in and out several times I had to undress to do the Group B Strep test. Madi was not very thrilled, "Mommy, why are you taking off your shoes and pants? What are they going to do to your foot?" Meaning the stirrups, haha!!! "Everything is fine, the doctor is just going to make sure that I am not sick when I have the baby." "OH, I wish Daddy was here!" I may have to start leaving her behind from here on out, too many questions are already surfacing for a three year old. She asked last night if the baby was going to come out of my belly button, that would be very interesting!!!


Saturday we were trying to figure out what to do for the evening. We thought about going to the races but I really don't think Madi is ready for that and I am not going to spend the whole night running up and down bleachers or playing at the park (if they have one). So instead, we packed up a picnic supper and headed to the lake. It was fun, relaxing, and of course gorgeous outside. We unloaded and Chris and Madi took off to scavenge for wood. Madi thought that was pretty cool. And after seeing Daddy break limbs across his knee, she started doing the same. She was one strong chick and proud of herself. We had hot dogs and chips and marshmallows. I know, very nutritious. Oh well, it was a treat. I think this was Madi's first campfire and definitely her first time to cook food in a fire. She did good and thought it was neat.


Collecting wood.

Burning her marshmallow.

Madi the photographer!

Hanging with Dad

After we ate we drove around the parks looking for deer. They have a lot of walk in hunting areas around the lake. Chris would love to buy a house or land and put a small house on it that they can use during deer season. I think everyone is getting tired of doing the tent for deer camp. It's a lot of work and it is cold and uncomfortable. Maybe some day. We did see a lot of deer and turkey, but mostly in the parks. And those deer are not scared of vehicles or people. They just stood there and looked at us. Madi wanted to pet one, of course that didn't happen, but for her amusement we did try to get one to hop in the back of the truck and take a ride with us!!

And then Tuesday was the start of dove season. We have seen a ton of dove around here along the roads and on the electric lines, but of course, opening day comes and they disappear. Or at least they weren't flying in our backyard. Chris set up a line with some decoys on it, but they weren't fooled, nothing came close. But Madi and Daddy went and sat outside looking for them. Madi was only out for 15-20 minutes at a time, short attention span!! But she loves hanging out with Daddy. It will be fun to see her in a couple of years out doing all these things when she is better capable of doing them. She's already got her gun picked out and whenever we are in Wal-Mart, we have to check them out. They have a little pink .22, we tried it out last weekend, but her arms are not long enough yet. Two more years and she will be ready!!


They are sitting right outside our bedroom window, too funny!!


So cute!!!

Labor Day Weekend!! Have a fun and safe holiday!

Love, Amy

The Name Game

We have been struggling coming up with a name. Well, maybe not struggling, because most of the time we just haven't even been trying. We'll throw out some names, usually goofy old names like Ralph, Herbert, etc. (Chris thinks that is helpful) and then not talk about it for a couple more weeks. Or we will come up with a couple of names, sit on them for awhile and then talk about them again and decide we (Chris) don't like them anymore. Start over!! Madi has even gotten involved and the last several months her contribution is Fendel. Don't know where that came from but she is stuck on it and it has not changed.


So, please help us out!! We have a couple of names narrowed down. Please vote on your favorite or leave us a comment with another suggestion. Hopefully this will help us out, but don't be surprised if this kiddo is not named from this poll. We do have three and half weeks to go for SOMEONE to change HIS mind again!

Love, Amy