Parker Rokes Connolly is here!

Parker Rokes Connolly was born on May 7th at 8:02am!  8.06 pounds and 20 and 3/4 inches long.  We were supposed to get induced on May 6th...we were supposed to be there by 7am.  5am the phone rang...it was Covenant.  They were too full for us to come in at 7am and we could call back at 11am.  Not what we were expecting at all.  There were too many women in labor and they were not progressing.  So...we loaded up the kids, stopped at Panera to get the kids a treat for breakfast...took Noah to preschool.  Dropping him off was hard...he knew something was going to happen and mommy and daddy were going to be gone for a few days.  He got very teary in the classroom, but two little boys were very sweet and asked him to play as well as one of the teachers.  As I watched him walk away...my heart hurt watching him as I knew his life would change again.  We drove to daycare and dropped Ryder off...he trotted on in...not knowing how much life would change.  We called back at 11am...and again they were too full.  At this point, I had a mega meltdown...no one's fault...I was ready and Scott only gets so many days off.  The nurse was very sweet...and Dr. Girardi was near as well...telling me to not cry:)  They told us to call back that night to see if we could go in the night.  Scott hopped on the phone and called school to figure out what our game plan was going to be for the next few days.  Luckily...they were great about being flexible as this was not our fault. 

We had supper at home and started watching a movie with the kids.  We called at 6pm and they told us they would call us back.  7pm the phone rang...could we be at the hospital around 8pm?  We said yes!  Called my parents...they came to get the boys...both did ok leaving...Ryder more so than Noah, but they were our brave little men!  We headed to Covenant...talking a mile a minute...is this baby our last?  Would we go for a 4th?  What are we having??? 

8pm...checked in...Pitocin around 9/9:15pm.  Covenant has walking monitors now...which was awesome.  We were only at a 2...so walking could only help!  We walked for about an hour...contractions were 2-3 minutes apart.  They got stronger each lap.  A bit before 11pm...Dr. Girardi stopped in after a c-section with the anesthesiologist (I was at a 3).  Got the epidural and she broke my water.  Hurry up and wait.  This was around midnight...Scott went to bed...I had to be moved every hour to even out the epidural.  It was super strong...I couldn't move at all...a bit nervous at this point.  At 2:45am...I was at a 5 and at 5:30 am I was at 8cm.  6am moved to 9cm.   The nurses started watching the baby's heart rate as with each contraction the heart dropped.  They went and got Dr. Girardi around 7am...they inserted some fluid into my uterus to give the baby more fluid.  The doctor thought the baby's cord was bunched up near his chest so with each contraction it got pretty tight.  The put the bed as vertical as it could be...and the heart rate evened out.  Scott and I thought the team of nurses was getting nervous and letting us know it was more serious...but they know what to do:)  Dr. Girardi decided we could start pushing!  Scott held one leg...another nurse the other (again...the epidural was so strong, I couldn't lift my legs!!!!).  I began to push and Dr. Girardi was pretty sure the baby's arm was stuck.  The nurse hopped on the bed...she began to push on my stomach as I was pushing.  The baby's arm came out and out came baby!  I wanted to baby on my chest...and they announced, "it's a boy!"  I was crying and he began to cry as well...all good things!  Scott took pictures and the team of nurses and Dr. Girardi did their thing:)  Scott did not want to cut the cord (he hasn't done it with any of the kids:)...even thought the nurses tried to convince him!  Sorry if it is TMI...but trying to remember everything!!  Had a small tear...but otherwise, all looked well.  We had narrowed down the names to Walker or Parker by the time we were in the hospital...we went with Parker (also a name we had when we were expecting Noah).  Parker latched on right away which was great.  My mom got there around 8:30 and then Scott's parents and grandparents.  Brittany stopped by and my dad...then my grandparents as well as Scott's teacher friends and our neighbor friends.  Parker had to have a quick x-ray because of his shoulder/arm...all was good.  The boys came that night.  Noah was excited about Parker...Ryder wasn't really interested!  Saying goodbye to them was hard...Ryder cried the whole way out and Noah got teary as well.  We continued to work on breastfeeding during our stay...Parker got circumcised...everything went well!  Thursday...the big boys got the pukey flu...my poor parents had to do a lot of clean up!  Friday morning we headed out...and went home:) The boys got home and chaos began!  Ryder gave Parker a good push in the swing...anything and everything that could make noise...well...it got turned on:)  But...Parker slept through it all!  Hopefully we continue down this path!  So far...Parker is a lot like his brother, Ryder...calm and chill.  Here are some pics:

Life is about to get crazy!!

Well...tomorrow is a big day!  We are set to be induced tomorrow with baby #3!  My blogging has taken a back seat to being with the kids, keeping a clean house...resting...ya know:)  The kids have had a fun Spring when the weather has cooperated.  Noah and Ryder LOVE LOVE LOVE being outside!  We have enjoyed the days here and there where it was warm enough, playing outside on the swing set.  Both boys love swinging. Noah does not enjoy pumping and wants to be pushed...but he is going to be 5...so he needs to pump!   Ryder loves to be pushed, "up and under"...so cute to understand what he is saying.  He is trying to keep up with Noah...so he tries to climb the tree house all on his own.  Sometimes is goes great...other times not so much!  Noah is wrapping up preschool here in a few weeks.  It has been a great experience for him.  I am amazed at how much he has learned.  Letters and numbers have clicked and he enjoys the kids.  We are working on some of his fibs...I hear that it is normal...but hard to know what to believe.  He is switching preschools for the fall...I am a bit nervous about how this will go, but we will play it by ear.  Hard to believe he will be 5!!!!!!  Ryder is saying more and more every day...love how much more he can say.  He is loving super heros as much as Ryder.  One of his favorite sayings right now, "Hulk...SMASH" HILARIOUS!!!  Easter went well...and I will post a few pics!  Scott is busy with track and softball beginning...his student teacher wraps up this week.  He has really enjoyed working with him and he will be teaching with Scott in the fall!  Great way to end the year!

2 months later...

Well...we have been busy these last 2 months!  Scott refereed a lot...socking away the money for grad school:)  The weather has been AWFUL.  Sooo many snow days/cold days...hardly ever went outside to play in the snow.  February is a busy work month for me...lots of visit days and on top of that, I got a kidney stone and was hospitalized.  28 weeks pregnant and a kidney stone...not fun.  It didn't pass and is stuck.  Not in pain at the moment, but we never know when it will move.  They don't want to do a CT scan (don't want to expose the baby to radiation), don't want to do a stint (would have to put be under...they can do that, but don't want to)...so for now I drink TONS and TONS of water and hang in there.  Scott was a trooper...so lucky.  They told us we could got at 39 weeks so we will see what to do! 

Noah has been still loving preschool...learning a lot.  Next year we will be going to Montessori next year (we can't do the back and forth from New Hartford for next year 5 days a week).  Beginning to have quite the attitude...not sure if it is the almost 5 thing or not being able to be outside.  Ryder has been going through quite the toddler stages.  Sometimes hates getting dressed...all out battle with Daddy and Mommy with him.  He has in the last week started saying more and more words!  Ryder can say all of the parts of your face (nose, eyes, hair and ears).  He loves to do anything his older brother is doing...which is sometimes okay...but if Noah is doing something big kids do (jump off of things) not a great idea.  He has pooped in the potty a few times...not super interested in potty training...more curious.  We are not going to push it since it went so well with Noah when he was actually ready. 

We have looked at a few houses in Dike...nothing really catching our eye.  We have done the fixing we needed to do on our house...just need to decluttter...but not going to do that until we are ready to put it on the market!  Really ready for nice weather.  I will post pictures another time...lots of fun!

Brrr...it's cold out there!

Well...we survived the holiday season!  It was much calmer this year than in years past.  December was a flurry of games for Scott to referee, Noah and Ryder trying to get outside as much as possible and Jenny going day by day!  The daycare holiday party was postponed due to the weather and over half the kids were sick:(  We then headed to Scott's side for Christmas!  Brunch at the Scott's, naps at Nana Lisa and Papa Tom's...then presents!  The kids were spoiled and had a riot.  Watching the four of them play together was a hoot.  They were definitely tired by the time we headed home.  Christmas program at church was fun...Noah sang as loud as he could, "Away in the Manger" and Ryder stood up there with him.  They were both little lambs and Noah was very protective of him...holding his hand, it was adorable.  We had Christmas with my side on Christmas day.  The kids had fun with all of the aunts and uncles.  Cousin Camden was a source of entertainment for my kids!  Lots of cute pictures.  We did Christmas with my parents later that night.  Our break was very low key...lots of time at home.  We played outside quite a bit as well.  I am barely fitting in my snowpants...and one day we when we were outside, Ryder was crying...I picked him up and realized he had LOST HIS BOOT!  I made him walk outside without a boot:(  Bad mommy!  Other than that...lots of snowmen and snowballs.  We had our ultrasound and Scott found out what we are having!  Noah did great...Ryder was quite upset because he didn't understand what they were doing to Mommy!

I turned 31 and it was a very quiet night.  A few friends and their kids came over.  Everyone was gone by 8:30pm...ha...crazy night out when everyone is a parent:)  Lucky to have people in our lives who are in the same spot and are not all about getting crazy.  End of December/beginning of January started a bit rough with Scott losing a cousin in a car accident, his old wrestling coach and then my best friends grandma (who was a pseudo grandma to me).  We then headed back to work.  And then the sickness hit:(  Between colds, the flu (all four of us got it...I ended up in the hospital for fluids) and colds again...we need this house to be aired out!  Had our 24 week appointment and I gained weight despite the flu...so the doctor was happy.  Crazy how fast things are moving!

Where did November go??

Oops...it's December 8th...my bad!  November FLEW by!  We have had a busy month and some big news to share...we are EXPECTING #3 in May!  May 23rd to be exact.  Haven't announced on Facebook or anything...but most people know.  We finally gave in to Noah after he said, "Mommy...your tummy looks full."  Someday Mommy's tummy might be full and there will not be a baby in it (we will work on that).  Being newly pregnant, husband coaching football and two little boys to chase...made for a VERY long fall.  Thank goodness for good friends and family near by.  We had a lot of help!  THANK YOU!  I was very nauseous in the afternoons and night, which is not good timing with kiddos at home.  I was pooped and felt like my patience went right out the door.  But...we had a great 12 week appointment and am 18 weeks now!  We have another ultrasound...with Scott finding out and not me.  Yes...we know that is strange...but he is a good secret keeper (I am not with happy secrets).

Noah has been quite the learner lately.  He loves to tell us things he knows and asks a lot of questions.  Between daycare and preschool themes...we have learned a lot this fall.  For example, "Daddy...do squirrels sleep at night?  What about hedgehogs?"  Daddy explained what nocturnal meant...and Noah now will tell you, "Owls sleep at night...they are nocturtle."  Bahaha...love 4 year olds.  I think we have a preschool plan for next year...what a mess.  We don't qualify for CF preschool because he will be too old (thanks State of Iowa...you need a different plan for early childhood that is consistent from school district to school district).  But...after a few stressful weeks...I think we are happy!

Ryder has been a handful.  We  have had him tested twice for his speech...both times he is not in need of services and in the last month he has really boomed in his words.  His attitude and sassiness is not something we were expecting.  For a laid back baby...he is coming into toddlerhood roaring.  He will roll his eyes, sigh...where do they learn these things!?!?!  :)  He is still very sweet and gives great hugs and kisses.  He loves to make animal noises and has puppy, lion, kitty, cow down pretty well.  His sleep patterns were really good from mid-October to mid-November...and then more teeth...and we are back to square one.  We are still doing a bottle at night, but are thinking Christmas break will be the time to cut it out.  

Both boys LOVE to wrestle...and I am not the person to do it with.  Thank goodness Scott always is ready for the challenge!  They have also begun to fight.  Ryder is very aggressive and Noah is not.  This is good for Noah.  He needs to learn to stand up for himself (I worry a lot about school with him...but he seems to be doing better and better.  I think he just needs to be with the same kids consistently in order to be comfortable).  We just need to teach him the right way to get Ryder off of him. I don't want him to push Ryder and have him hit his head.  Ryder really only wants what Noah has...but doesn't really want it.  I guess I need to be ready for what it is to come!

Scott finished his class...with an A!  No class for Spring as he has pitching two mornings a week, 2 mornings a week with Noah and preschool.  Thinking maybe summer (what else do we have going on...new baby...coaching...bring it on).  My work is slowing down for a short time.  It was a long fall, but we all survived and are ready for a loooong break.  

Here are some fun pics:

Oops...been a while...

Well...it has been a LONG time!  School is back in session, Scott is coaching football, and visit days are in full swing.  It has been a long...long...long fall.  The kids are at interesting stages.  Noah is in school and is enjoying it for the most part.  He is learning to stick up for himself which is a growing piece for him.  He is so polite and knows what not to do, so it is hard to tell someone else to stop.  But...we are working with him.  He is also in a HUGE whining stage.  But...again, getting better every day on that end.  Still in need of a nap...we skipped it one day...not a good plan!  We are slowly getting better at letters.  Noah is a pro with numbers but letters are a different story.  Downloaded a new app on the iPad and it is already helping:)  Noah is all about being a super hero/ninja.  So...we do a lot of jumping and ninja moves!  Ryder thinks he is just like Noah...and can also jump off of things and hit (but he doesn't know that hitting people isn't okay!!!).  He was not saying much so we took him to a speech person and he is right on the border.  We are working with him a lot at home (and daycare has been amazing).  He is already starting to say more.  Mama and Dada were words he was saying...but directed at us.  He is now!  Ryder is also about waving bye bye and saying bye bye as well as giving great kisses:)  Love it!  The boy's giggles are the best noise in the whole world!

Scott is teaching social studies (another first year teacher again...) and coaching high school football.  He also started a grad class.  He is not a fan of the class but we need to move up the pay scale!  Football is going well...just a lot of time.  I am overwhelmed by how much he is gone:(  My work is busy and also overwhelming...we are ready for Thanksgiving!  Here are a few fun pictures from the past few weeks:

 Artapalooza on Main Street!

 Baking boys!

 Spaghetti!!!!!!

 Swimming lessons!

 Hartman Reserve!

 Pumpkin Patch near Waverly!

 Homecoming game at UNI!

 Soccer shots!