Grandmas to the Rescue

If it's possible to have a baby and survive the first two months without the help a Grandma, I don't even wanna know. And I'm sure it ain't pretty. I am positive that in my case it would not be possible. Luckily for me (and Garrett and Jack), I have a wonderful Mom and Mother-in-law who were both willing to come help after both my babes were born. Seriously though, they helped more than they even know; I would be in a room with padded walls right now if it weren't for them.

The week before Bradley was born my Mom flew out to Utah to help us get ready, learn Jack's schedule and to watch me waddle around my house. She also made it possible for Garrett and I to go on one last date before the babe came. When it was time to go to the hospital she was able to stay with Jack and kept him busy and happy. She was so helpful while I was so completely exhausted and Garrett was busy. She did it all; from taking Jack to tumbling and speech therapy to cooking pots of tortilla soup and baking sugar cookies. Plus my Dad was able to come out for a few days to meet Bradley and it was precious. And perfect. When my Mom and Dad had to leave Jack (well, all of us) wasn't too happy. Actually when I told Jack they had to leave he said, "But I need these guys!" Amen, brotha.

  

After my parents left we had to survive for two weeks on our own before the arrival of Garrett's Mom. It was a long two weeks, but we made it (many thanks to the peeps who brought over meals or mailed the boys gifts). Although the long nights were rough, I began to feel somewhat back to normal. I was able to get Bradley to his two-week checkup and Jack to his last couple of tumbling classes. While we did make the occasional outing but it was mostly movies, freezer food, and family time.

 

Around Bradley's third week Garrett's Mom, "Mim," came out to visit. She's a sucker for the mountains and her grandsons. Jack loved having Mim in town; he got showed off his toys, his big boy bed, and his new baby "broda." She came in true grandma fashion - with new toys for Jack, the cutest outfits for Bradley boy and an extra pair of hands to help. She was always willing to hold Bradley, help make dinner and even help clean. Plus she's always down for Jack's favorites: playing baseball and walks to the neighborhood park. While she was here we made our first major outing to the new aquarium and had a blast. After a week she had to head back to Texas and it was hard to see her go. 

Now for the honorable mentions -

Jack's world was totally rocked when Bradley was born. Luckily, my Aunt Annis and Garrett's Aunt Dee were thoughtful enough to send him some "big brother" gifts. It made his transition a little easier and my life a little less insane. You women are the greatest.

And my dearest brother Billy. What a stud. He was such a big help during my pregnancy; once a month (and then twice a month, and then once a week) he had breakfast and played with Jack at Chickfila while I went to my Doctors appointments. After Bradley was born he was always willing to meet for lunch, to play tag at the park, or to just come over and watch episodes of Max and Ruby. It's pretty great having him around.

Bradley Joy

Last July Garrett and I sat on our bed and took turns calling our parents to ask them if they were going to be busy in March. (Which was hard to even imagine because that seemed like FOREVER away) Immediately everyone knew why and we happily discussed this new Baby Blanchard. We were all pretty excited. I mean of course we were, everyone loves babies. 

Fast forward about 20 weeks. Around mid-November we learned that we were going to be having another boy. Garrett was immediately excited and I was disappointed for a second happy too. Within a few weeks we had agreed on a name - Bradley Joy. 

Another 19 weeks later and it was finally, finallllly (oh I was so ready to not be pregnant anymore) baby time. I chose to be induced at 39 weeks and that meant Mr. Bradley would be joining us on March 17. When that morning came we left Jack with my Mom and got to the hospital by seven. Within an hour I was checked in, hooked up and started on pitocin. By nine I had my epidural and I was doing my best to rest and save my energy. Then at 11:40 I had Garrett call in the nurses because I knew I was ready and that it was time to push. Hooray! Except one problem. The nurses came in and informed me that my doctor was at a different hospital about 15 minutes away, but that he was on his way back.

Aca-scuse me!? and hellz to the no.

If you've ever had a baby then you'll understand how annoying/horrible that is. If you haven't had a baby I will give you a little help. So just imagine that you need to poop real bad (oh and btw your poop is the size of a bowling ball) but someone says, "Oh just hold that in for like 15 more minutes." Um, how about not. I tried my best to convince the nurses that I didn't need to wait for my doctor but they ignored me. (They also stood in the room the entire time and talked about how windy it was outside. Guess what you could care less about while you're in labor? THE WEATHER). But finally my doctor came running into the room and it was time for baby. Several deep breaths and three pushes later Bradley Joy Blanchard was born. He was perfect. 

Born at 12:19 PM
8 pounds 7 ounces
20.5 inches long

The delivery went extremely well and both Bradley and I were doing great. After his check-up, shots, and bath we met up in our new room. Pretty soon we were both resting and I was enjoying the unlimited Lorna Doone cookies (which is probably the best thing about being in the hospital). Garrett went back to our house while Jack napped so that my Mom could come and meet Bradley. Then when Jack was up Garrett brought him up to come meet his new brother. This is probably my favorite memory, ever.

I love being in the hospital after I have my babies. It's kind of like a little vacation. I get to wear my pajamas all day, my meals are all delivered and I don't even have to get out of bed to eat them! Plus I don't have to worry about cooking or cleaning or laundry. And did I mention the unlimited Lorna Doone cookies? But I also get to cuddle all day with a new tiny babe and have my favorite people come visit. It really ain't too shabby.

 

My 48 hours in the hospital unfortunately had to come to an end. It was back to life, back to reality. Garrett and Jack had spent the morning with us in the hospital and once Bradley had been released by the pediatrician we packed into the car and drove home for the first time as a family of four. When we pulled into the driveway Jack began chattering and pointing to the flowers he planted with Grandma and Bradley started crying. And then it really hit me - I was now a Mom of two.

Pirate Jack's 3rd Birthday

Okay so if you know me then you know that I never say no to a party. And in fact I'll celebrate almost anything. Half birthdays? Duh. It's Friday the 13th? Party. I'm in Texas? Always a party. And there should will be cupcakes. It's just my thang. So when real birthdays come around I go all out. Remember Jack's first birthday? And his second? Oh such good memories. For Jack's third birthday party he requested a pirate themed party and I was totally down. I mean our lives from about mid-November 2013 to April 2014 revolved around everything pirate, so it was actually no surprise at all. But thanks to pinterest I was able to find tons of ideas for his party. 

When I think back to when Jack turned two I cannot believe how much he has grown. The biggest change in Jack was definitely the improvement in his speech. When Jack was two he wasn't vocal at all. But by his third birthday, thanks to speech therapy, Jack was speaking in full sentences. Such an improvement; even to the point where Jack has nearly caught up to the speech level of the other kids his age. The night before his birthday and party as I was putting him to bed I said to him, "Jack tonight you are two, but do you know what you will be in the morning?" His response was amazing. He said to me, in all seriousness, "A pirate."

We started his birthday off by opening his gifts from the family. Garrett and I got him a teepee and our extended family sent clothes, books, candy and lots of pirate toys and even a pirate outfit. He was in heaven. Fo realz.

  

The biggest difference with this year's birthday was the fact that I was 8 months pregnant. Holy belly. When we planned to have our kids (pretty much exactly) three years apart I did not think about how difficult it would be during Jack's birthday. Ugh - the end of pregnancy is the pits. The entire week before the party I was full of anxiety. I was pretty sure that my water was going to break and then Jack's party would have to be canceled and he would hate his new little brother for it. Plus I ended up going a little (well a lot, according to Garrett) overboard with the party. Once I got started I just couldn't stop! The three hours before the party while Jack was napping I was running around sweating like a freak while putting up the decorations, cleaning and making the cake. Then when I was putting sprinkles on Jack's cake with tweezers I knew I was a crazy person. 

But when six o'clock rolled around everything was ready and I had finally stopped sweating. We figured out our pirate names, dressed like pirates, ate J-Dawgs, had a piñata, opened presents, and ended the night with a treasure map cake.  

A few pre-party pictures -




Jack's Pirate Party -
 

 

 

 

The party was success and Jack went to bed feeling loved. I went to bed soon after feeling completely exhausted but so happy. Plus I knew now it was officially baby time!