Uh-uh...
No way...
Hooray! Luke ate his sweet potatoes today! Some of you know how hard we've been working to try to get him on solids. Finally! No spitting, screaming, or pushing the spoon away. Just this happy face.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Food for Luke!
Uh-uh... No way...Hooray! Luke ate his sweet potatoes today! Some of you know how hard we've been working to try to get him on solids. Finally! No spitting, screaming, or pushing the spoon away. Just this happy face.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Brothers
Seriously, can you tell they are brothers?!? This is one of our all-time favorite pictures of Caleb. He had just dropped his ice cream cone. I truly don't know why Luke was making this face.
One Tooth, Two Teeth...Why aren't booths called "beeth?"
Grandma T - this one's for you! Do you think Luke looks like Eric in the picture of him in the stroller?
Luke's smile is becoming quite toothy these days! His 2 bottom teeth popped through at the beginning of September.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Long Story
So, for my own record and for anyone really dying to know, here's the more complete story. As with the birth of most babies, timing is everything. My due date was April 16, 2008. So, Grandma T was flying in from California to stay for one week. We had to plan so that she wouldn't go home without meeting her new grandbaby. (Wow! I had almost forgotten already that we didn't even know if we were having a boy or a girl. Good thing I didn't wait any longer to write this all down.)
Anyway, we decided she would come April 12-19 with Due Date right in the middle. When April 16 came and went, I was getting anxious. My doctor was willing to schedule an induction for April 17, but I just didn't really want to do it. So, we came to grips with the reality that Grandma might not get to meet our little Zeiklet #3. We went to bed Thursday night (4/17) pretty discouraged. And then...
I woke up to go potty around 1:40 and felt a contraction. Nothing new. But before falling back to sleep, I felt another, and then another. So, I decided to get my stuff all together in case it was real. I got in the tub to relax. I think that was my mistake. After about 10 minutes, I realized they were getting stronger and I needed to wake Tony. I woke him at 2:15 and he got dressed, then went downstairs to do his out-of-office message. He told my mom we were leaving and we took off. I was really uncomfortable on the drive to the hospital (read: in much pain). He dropped me at the ER door and I got the wheelchair in at 3:00.
Why is it that L&D nurses always seem to act like they are talking with an elderly patient complaining of hip pain? Seriously, do they have to ask, "So, do you think you're in labor?" But, I politely answer, "Yes." She has me dress in gown and pee in a cup. I don't remember ever having to do that before. Whatever! She finally checks me around 3:20 and says calmly, "Oh, it's a good thing you came when you did."
Me: So, how far along am I?
Nurse: Hmm, about a 5-6. Do you want an epidural?
Me: Yes, please!
N: Well, we probably should get your bloodwork and IV going then.
Me: OK, can we sense the urgency, now?
They get me to my room and have another nurse come do the bloodwork and IV. I think every IV I've gotten has involved spillage of blood. She leaves and it's just Tony & me in the room. I check the clock (it's a little after 3:30) and think, "OK, I just need to make it until 4:00 and then I'll have the epidural by then. I can do it." But the contractions are coming so strong and back to back. I tell Tony, "I can't do this." I don't think I told him that with either of the other deliveries. And Caleb came with no drugs, no epidural. This time, it just seemed so much more painful. I think now that it's because it was all happening so fast, so intense.
Oh, here's Tony's favorite part: I was squeezing his hand so hard, I cut him with my fingernails. (He actually showed me later that day and had the gall to complain...)
He asked me to squeeze the railing instead. That's about the same time I realized that in coping with the pain, I was actually tensing my body and even pushing. I told Tony, "I'm pushing, I'm pushing. I feel like I need to push." Since there was no one else in the room, he asked, "Should I go get the nurse?" Never wanting to be an inconvenience, I hesitated, but decided "Yes, I think so." He hurriedly brought her in and she said, "Ok, let's just check you." Almost immediately after that she scurried to the doorway and desperately called, "Help! Help!" I think, to no one in particular.
She came back and put her hand back to the delivery region (I think to try to make it stop), and my water burst, and I mean BURST, all over her. Oops, sorry! Oh, the pain was so intense and I kept thinking, "Push slowly so you don't tear." But I just couldn't! That baby needed to get out of my body. I realized the nurse was keeping that from happening with her hand and I told her (not so politely now) to move her hand. She told me that she was trying to keep me from tearing, which might be partially true, but I think she was trying to keep from delivering the baby herself. Well, too bad! One other nurse made it into the room before Luke made his appearance at 3:42 am. But my dear, sweet nurse was the "catcher." (Poor woman was drenched with amniotic fluid and sweat by the time she was done.)
As with Caleb, Tony got to be the one to announce the "It'sa moment." And again, we weren't really surprised. My boy pregnancies were so much the same!
My midwife showed up about 20 minutes after birth. The anesthesiologist was actually pretty quick - he showed up within a couple of minutes of birth, looked at me, and said, "Oh, sorry." No problem; I thought I was going to be in painful labor until about 4:00 when I would have an epidural, but I got it over with before that!
I couldn't have been more happy to finally meet Luke. It was just a bit more excitement-filled than planned. We then had to deal with my blood-pressure being too high for the next couple of days, but all is well now. Praise God for a healthy little boy!
Anyway, we decided she would come April 12-19 with Due Date right in the middle. When April 16 came and went, I was getting anxious. My doctor was willing to schedule an induction for April 17, but I just didn't really want to do it. So, we came to grips with the reality that Grandma might not get to meet our little Zeiklet #3. We went to bed Thursday night (4/17) pretty discouraged. And then...
I woke up to go potty around 1:40 and felt a contraction. Nothing new. But before falling back to sleep, I felt another, and then another. So, I decided to get my stuff all together in case it was real. I got in the tub to relax. I think that was my mistake. After about 10 minutes, I realized they were getting stronger and I needed to wake Tony. I woke him at 2:15 and he got dressed, then went downstairs to do his out-of-office message. He told my mom we were leaving and we took off. I was really uncomfortable on the drive to the hospital (read: in much pain). He dropped me at the ER door and I got the wheelchair in at 3:00.
Why is it that L&D nurses always seem to act like they are talking with an elderly patient complaining of hip pain? Seriously, do they have to ask, "So, do you think you're in labor?" But, I politely answer, "Yes." She has me dress in gown and pee in a cup. I don't remember ever having to do that before. Whatever! She finally checks me around 3:20 and says calmly, "Oh, it's a good thing you came when you did."
Me: So, how far along am I?
Nurse: Hmm, about a 5-6. Do you want an epidural?
Me: Yes, please!
N: Well, we probably should get your bloodwork and IV going then.
Me: OK, can we sense the urgency, now?
They get me to my room and have another nurse come do the bloodwork and IV. I think every IV I've gotten has involved spillage of blood. She leaves and it's just Tony & me in the room. I check the clock (it's a little after 3:30) and think, "OK, I just need to make it until 4:00 and then I'll have the epidural by then. I can do it." But the contractions are coming so strong and back to back. I tell Tony, "I can't do this." I don't think I told him that with either of the other deliveries. And Caleb came with no drugs, no epidural. This time, it just seemed so much more painful. I think now that it's because it was all happening so fast, so intense.
Oh, here's Tony's favorite part: I was squeezing his hand so hard, I cut him with my fingernails. (He actually showed me later that day and had the gall to complain...)
He asked me to squeeze the railing instead. That's about the same time I realized that in coping with the pain, I was actually tensing my body and even pushing. I told Tony, "I'm pushing, I'm pushing. I feel like I need to push." Since there was no one else in the room, he asked, "Should I go get the nurse?" Never wanting to be an inconvenience, I hesitated, but decided "Yes, I think so." He hurriedly brought her in and she said, "Ok, let's just check you." Almost immediately after that she scurried to the doorway and desperately called, "Help! Help!" I think, to no one in particular.
She came back and put her hand back to the delivery region (I think to try to make it stop), and my water burst, and I mean BURST, all over her. Oops, sorry! Oh, the pain was so intense and I kept thinking, "Push slowly so you don't tear." But I just couldn't! That baby needed to get out of my body. I realized the nurse was keeping that from happening with her hand and I told her (not so politely now) to move her hand. She told me that she was trying to keep me from tearing, which might be partially true, but I think she was trying to keep from delivering the baby herself. Well, too bad! One other nurse made it into the room before Luke made his appearance at 3:42 am. But my dear, sweet nurse was the "catcher." (Poor woman was drenched with amniotic fluid and sweat by the time she was done.)
As with Caleb, Tony got to be the one to announce the "It'sa moment." And again, we weren't really surprised. My boy pregnancies were so much the same!
My midwife showed up about 20 minutes after birth. The anesthesiologist was actually pretty quick - he showed up within a couple of minutes of birth, looked at me, and said, "Oh, sorry." No problem; I thought I was going to be in painful labor until about 4:00 when I would have an epidural, but I got it over with before that!
I couldn't have been more happy to finally meet Luke. It was just a bit more excitement-filled than planned. We then had to deal with my blood-pressure being too high for the next couple of days, but all is well now. Praise God for a healthy little boy!
Welcome, Baby Luke
So, I don't think there's anywhere else to start getting back on track. Before his birth, I was too wrapped up in getting ready and enjoying every last moment with the kids to want to post. Then, after birth, well..., duh!, too busy enjoying our newly revised family! So, let me show you the start of Luke's life...
8 lbs, 5 oz - Our biggest baby! That's what you get when they stay in there past due date!
It's a miracle that sweet face isn't more battered. His entrance into the world was rather abrupt! Let's just say that labor is meant to last at least 2 hours, and shouldn't involve a nurse yelling, "Help! Help!"
Don't we look so happy?!?
It's because we are!
Dilemma
So, after a long hiatus from the blogging world, how does one return...?
(As my dear SIL mentioned to me, anyone reading our blog would think we have 2 children, and not the 3 we actually have. Yes, he's 3 months old already and I am long-overdue in writing about it.)
So, do I pretend there is nothing strange about leaving no posts in several months?
Do I post-date all new posts and pretend they were posted in a timely fashion? (I do like this option.)
Or, can I just move on?
Well, maybe a combination. See, I don't want to feel guilty for not keeping it up. I mean, it's not a big deal. But, since I'm not a dutiful scrapbooker, this is one way for me to keep small reminders of what is going on in our lives. So, better to re-create a bit of that now.
Like a long-neglected diary, my blog will accept whatever tokens I'm about to toss at it. And maybe some beloved family and friends will enjoy some new (new-ish) info and pics too!
(As my dear SIL mentioned to me, anyone reading our blog would think we have 2 children, and not the 3 we actually have. Yes, he's 3 months old already and I am long-overdue in writing about it.)
So, do I pretend there is nothing strange about leaving no posts in several months?
Do I post-date all new posts and pretend they were posted in a timely fashion? (I do like this option.)
Or, can I just move on?
Well, maybe a combination. See, I don't want to feel guilty for not keeping it up. I mean, it's not a big deal. But, since I'm not a dutiful scrapbooker, this is one way for me to keep small reminders of what is going on in our lives. So, better to re-create a bit of that now.
Like a long-neglected diary, my blog will accept whatever tokens I'm about to toss at it. And maybe some beloved family and friends will enjoy some new (new-ish) info and pics too!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter Joys
We so enjoyed our Easter day! Just a little too cold here... I guess this is what Easter Egg hunts in the midwest are like - with the kids in their coats. They had fun anyway!
Decorating eggs was so great! The kids were really proud of their creations.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Happy Birthday, Alison!
We decided to visit one of Ali's favorite places for her birthday - the ZOO! Because of Spring Break, most of our KC area family were able to join us. Sadly, the weather was a bit more cold and windy than we expected. However, we did get to see lots of our favorite animals up close!
Back at home, she so enjoyed her ice cream cake! Caleb got to decorate it with candy letters, which he loved. And we'll all enjoy her in her pretty new clothes to wear this spring and summer. Thanks to all who were a part of this special day!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Snow Buddies!
We are so thankful that even when Mommy's not up to it, we have a couple of wonderful Aunts who take us out to play in the snow!
How irresistable are we!?!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Aunt Meghan is 27!
Wow! Our young Aunt Meghan is getting old! We are so glad to have her living near us!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Alison: 2020 Gymnastics Gold Medalist
Ali had a blast taking this class at A Flip Zone. She loves the Bear Crawl across the bars and jumping along the AirTrack. Not pictured is her very favorite activity: backwards rolls. She'll definitely win gold in that category!
(Least favorite are walking the high balance beam and hanging from the high bar.)
Monday, January 07, 2008
My Little Chefs
For Christmas, Grandma & Grandpa Z gave us a Keebler "Paint Your Own Animals" Cookie Kit. The kids LOVED mixing the dough, cutting out the animals, baking, frosting and especially painting the cookies!
Have you ever seen such a beautiful rainbow-striped zebra? Or such colorful elephants?
Friday, November 16, 2007
Sweet Ali Outside
What is it about the fall weather that makes our kids look so sweet? We've all had so much fun playing in our leaves this year.Monday, November 05, 2007
Work can be Fun...
Wow! I don't think I realized how much hard work it could be to rake leaves! Thankfully, we had some great helpers! Ali loved putting the leaves in the bag, and Caleb was the official leaf crusher. We all had a blast working together (and playing). But, boy, were we sore the next day!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Ali-Cat and Colonel Caleb
Just fun pictures of our two costumed cuties!
Pretty hard to spot Caleb next to that bush with all that camouflage, huh? And Ali was pretty proud of the tail.
A big thanks goes out to Aunt Meghan for the silly face that Alison is so good at doing now!
The Long-Overdue Post
So, for the few people out there who have commented on the lack of anything new on the blog, I apologize. I know, I'm only hurting myself. Because, truly, who really would still be checking a blog that didn't post anything new in over 3 months? BUT, let me tell you what I have been busy doing in the last 3 months...
Growing a Zeiklet! Due date: April 16, 2008.
Growing a Zeiklet! Due date: April 16, 2008.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Talkin' about God
One of the greatest blessings of being a parent is getting to talk with our kids about the things of God. Hearing them talk about God is another of those blessings!
In a recent conversation with Grandpa Zeikle, Caleb told Grandpa that he wasn't having a very good day.
"Why not?" asked Grandpa.
"Well, I didn't make very good choices."
"Sometimes grown-ups don't make good choices either. Caleb, why do you think that we don't make good choices?"
"Cause we're not like God."
Wow! We were so challenged by his confident answer, so full of truth.
Thank you, Lord, for giving Caleb a desire to know Your truth!
A couple of recent questions Caleb has asked me are:
"Do you think Jesus tells jokes?"
"Will we have scars in heaven?" (We were talking about Thomas wanting to see the scars in Jesus' hands.)
So, what do you think about Caleb's questions?
In a recent conversation with Grandpa Zeikle, Caleb told Grandpa that he wasn't having a very good day.
"Why not?" asked Grandpa.
"Well, I didn't make very good choices."
"Sometimes grown-ups don't make good choices either. Caleb, why do you think that we don't make good choices?"
"Cause we're not like God."
Wow! We were so challenged by his confident answer, so full of truth.
Thank you, Lord, for giving Caleb a desire to know Your truth!
A couple of recent questions Caleb has asked me are:
"Do you think Jesus tells jokes?"
"Will we have scars in heaven?" (We were talking about Thomas wanting to see the scars in Jesus' hands.)
So, what do you think about Caleb's questions?
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Zeikle Family - Next Generation
So, we had all 6 of the Zeikle great-grandkids together and had to try a picture. At least they're all there... :)Caleb, Leif, Alison, Clayton, Alexia and Andrew had fun getting to know each other.
Any more for next year?
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