Brothers

This top photo is Tyler just after he was born.
This photo is Bryce the same day he was born. I definitely think they look a like except Tyler's got a little more chub to his cheeks.

Bryce Richard Ferguson

Finally, a moment to sit down and do a blog entry. He's finally here! Bryce was born on June 15th at 4:27 p.m. at the Utah Valley Hospital. He weighed 6 lbs 14 oz. and was 18 inches long. Everything couldn't have gone more smoothly this time around. I was induced early Monday morning and was only in labor for about 6 or 7 hours this time! I'm really a fan of the induction plus epidural birthing plan. I like to know when everything's going to happen and be more in control. The hardest part of labor for me was when the nurse initially put in the IV for the pitocin. She did a terrible job and there was blood everywhere. I've never really been one to get quesy but it did not sit well with me. I started to get anxious about everything after that, but getting the epidural wasn't even as painful as the IV. Since I was only in labor for 6 hours I had more engery and felt more withit throughout the whole process. Even my recovery has been 10 times better. I guess it helps to have a smaller baby.


We still can't believe how tiny Bryce is compared to Tyler when he was born. He has the sweetest disposition though. He only cries when he's hungry or getting a diaper change and is a pretty mellow kid already. He sleeps right through Tyler's yelling and loud trucks and toys. Tyler is a good older brother though and will ask to "soft" Bryce which means petting the top of his head gently. Andy forgot the diaper bag with all of Bryce's stuff the morning we left the hospital so we had to make Tyler "share" his favorite blanket with Bryce for the ride home. Tyler responded by telling Bryce he was in "Time Out." He seems to be okay with Bryce being at our house so far because Nana is here to give Tyler lots of attention too. We'll see once my mother leaves how the three of us will do sharing attention when Andy's at work. So far I would say the transition from one child to two is pretty easy when one of them sleeps all the time. I know this will change soon though and my life will become more crazy, but so far I'm enjoying my two boys.

Update

Good news! This baby has 2 more days to come out willingly or else he's being evicted Monday morning by the doctor. (By the way this picture is NOT of me - I just found it on the web and thought it was funny)

The 9th Month Roller Coaster

For the past two months I have been writing and rewriting my "To Do Before the Baby Arrives" lists and diligently crossing items off the list as I space out my projects over the last two months of pregnancy. Call me a nerd but it helps me focus on something and relieve some stress for me after the baby's born if I - have the basement cleaned out, the car thoroughly cleaned, the baby bottles sanitized and put away, and all of the clothes washed in Dreft and organized in the drawers. I even went so far this time to organize the changing table with hand sanitizer, wipes, diapers, gauze and Vaseline (for post circumcision care).

As week 37 approached I crossed off my last few items, packed my hospital bag and finally felt like I was ready for the baby to arrive. Because of some complications with a large baby last time the doctors have been telling me all along that they'll induce me a week early this time to prevent another large baby. Although I've tried to remain realistic about going into labor any sooner than 39 weeks when they finally give me that much needed pitocin, I still get a little glimmer of hope each time I think I'm having a contraction stronger than a Braxton Hicks. You'd think after going through the roller coaster of emotions for a month last time around that I'd learn my lesson, but I guess an expectant mother just can't help herself in wishing - maybe this time it'll come early.
After another prenatal appointment this morning confirming that I am still not making any progress I felt even more discouraged. A doctor I hadn't seen before even went so far as to say they won't induce me if I continue to not make any progress. This was a low point in the roller coaster ride. My supportive husband convinced me not to be too upset about it and that he'll accompany to my next appointment and we can go in there ready for an action plan.
In the end I know everything will work out and although it seems like this baby will never arrive I'm sure my next post will be the announcement for his birth. I just know there are a lot of mothers that have ridden the same roller coaster and survived it. In the mean time I'm trying to remember the freedoms and conveniences I now enjoy with one fairly easy two year old and to take advantage of my time with him while I can. I'll keep you posted....

Farm Country

Today was my birthday and I wanted to get out of the house and do something fun since Andy was suppose to be working all day. (He ended up getting the morning off) So I invited some family to go to Thanksgiving Point's Farm Country in the morning. Its a great place for kids and I appreciated that it was more contained and smaller than the zoo. Tyler seemed to show more enthusiasm for the farm animals than at the zoo but was still cautious about approaching them.
Here he is refusing to feed the goat. He liked watching Andy do it though.
Initially he told us he did want to ride one of the ponies. (It was one of those rides where they just walk slowly in a circle for a few minutes) But on approaching it, changed his mind. I love the look on his face here as he assess the pony ride situation and if its really something he wants to do.
He did like the ducks though and told me he wanted to go swim with them. He probably would have had I let him.
He also liked the wagon ride around the park.
He liked watching this Clydesdale horse too until it turned around and started to walk towards him and he saw just how big it was. Tyler slowly backed away from it then.

The Zoo and the Puppies

Last Saturday we decided to take Tyler to the Zoo before the baby's born and I was "too pregnant." (Walking around the zoo at 36 weeks actually proved more difficult than I thought on a hot day with swollen feet and hands). Some of Andy's family was able to join us and on the way up we stopped at my sister-in-law's parents house to see the new batch of puppies her parent's dogs had just had. I had a feeling my "cautious" son would not take well to holding or touching the puppies. . .
Tyler politely saying "no" each time I tried to encourage him to hold one. He's hard to convince once he's made up his mind about something. We're not sure where he gets his cautious nature from....Andy's convinced its my side of the family.

Even once we'd arrived at the zoo Tyler was very serious about being around the animals. I think he was afraid we might enter the pen and make him pet the animals there too. Maybe in a few years he'll warm up to them.

Tyler's Last Month as an Only Child

I haven't been very good about doing posts lately and figured I'd do a bunch now while I have time before the baby's born. We've been able to get out and do some fun things as a family lately and spoil Tyler for the last time as an only child. So here's a blog post about what Tyler's been up to this past month. (He looks so old to me in this top photo . . . time flies)
He loves to be a big help to mom. If I channel his energy in the right direction he does help me a lot. In this picture he had set the table for me all by himself.
He also loves to go out after dinner to help mom water the flowers. I think getting wet is really his favorite part.
He also loves to play with his bubble machine in the backyard, especially when Dad's home in the evening to have some play time.
And lately he has become a big music fan. He likes to listen to my MP3 player. He's a Jack Johnson fan just like Mom.

Here are some funny quotes/ comments from Tyler recently:

1. While driving home from IKEA after a 2 hour shopping trip I complemented him on how good he had been in the store. He looked at me very seriously and said "I want a dog." I guess he figured it was a good time to make the pitch.
2. While riding in the stroller to the park on a breezy day "Mom, Can you turn the heat on?"
3. Tyler's favorite morning cartoon is "Super Why on pbs kids.org"
4. At breakfast in the morning "Mom, Dad got me this apple juice for 20 bucks" (I think he paid too much)
5. Andy and I also really enjoy Tyler's "free association" prayers at dinner. Here's a recent one "Heavenly Father, thank you for quesadillas, pancakes, and pizza. Thank you for watching a video. Thank you for giraffes, hippos and tiger. Jesus name. Amen."
6. Tyler often mixes up "from" and "for" and when to use them correctly. When we were packing lunches for Farm Country "Mom, I want some snacks from the road." Andy "Oh like roadkill." Tyler "Um....yeah."
There's a million more fun Tyler moments I could write down but thats whats the freshest on my mind. I can't wait to find out what kind of a personality our next child will have!