Introducing Miles Brown Royal!!

Miles Brown Royal made his arrival on Monday, June 21 at 2:26 PM. He weighed in at 8 lb. 5 oz. and had lots of dark hair. He is a very sweet baby and loves to be snuggled and it just so happens that we all love to snuggle him! My labor was actually very easy. I arrived at the hospital at 7:30 AM and after being admitted, I was taken to my labor room. By this time I had progressed to a 4 and was fully effaced. My doctor came by and broke my water (at least attempted to) at 8:30 and I was started on pitocin to induce labor. A couple of hours later my contractions were coming regularly and even though I wasn't having very painful contractions, my doctor recommended that I have an epidural if I wanted one because she thought that it might be too late once I actually started feeling the pain. I had an epidural around 12:00 and it was another really good epidural. It took the pain away, but I could still feel my legs and everything necessary to push. Around 1:30 I was at a 6 and my nurse and I were both wondering if my water ever really did break; she said sometimes it can just be nicked. Another half hour later I was between a 7 and an 8 and feeling a lot of pressure. My sister Michele called a little bit later and I had to get off the phone with her because I was feeling so much pressure (not pain) and I had to call my nurse. The nurse examined me and first found that my water had never been broken. She broke my water and then found that I was at a 10 and ready to go. My doctor was called and the nurse decided to wait until she got there for me to start pushing. Good thing because there was only 11 minutes between when I got off the phone with my sister and my sweet baby being born. My doctor made it there and I only pushed through 2 contractions totalling about four pushes. The doctor said he was looking around before his body was even out and then he peed three times before they even got the vernix off of him; must have been a full bladder! :) His APGAR scores were good and Mom and Baby were both healthy and happy after delivery. My labor would most likely have been shorter had my water actually broken, but seriously I could not have asked for any better. I never felt any pain and was still perfectly coiffed after giving birth to an 8+ pound baby! :)

The hospital I delivered at is big on skin to skin contact. I got Miles right after he was born and he was instantly a good eater. I was able to keep him with me in the room the entire time except when his pediatrician examined him in the nursery and when my OB circumsized him; they even gave him his first bath right in my room. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED having him be with me the entire time. There was never a doubt that he was my baby!

I had doubts about my capacity to love another child even while in labor but those all faded as soon as I started pushing. I LOVE Miles with all my heart, exactly the same as Oliver. Welcome Miles, we feel so blessed to have you be part of our family. You are the perfect completion to our little family!

39 weeks pregnant -- the morning I went to the hospital to be induced -- let me save you the trouble, yes I looked like I was ready to pop! :)

during labor

Miles first picture on the table having his vernix wiped off. Clayton was overcome with emotion and the nurse had to remind him to take pictures (same thing happened with Oliver)...I'm so glad she did.

Check out that scowl!

On the scales, I promise he is 8 lb. 5 oz.

My nurse Amanda and I after delivery. She was so informative and I had her all to myself. She was so great, I loved her!

Oliver meeting his baby brother Miles for the first time. Oliver is so in love with Miles and wants to snuggle, kiss, and touch him all the time!

Video of Oliver and Miles meeting for the first time.

Oliver so excited about the American Airlines set from Miles

the very proud Daddy

I loved these pictures of my hubby with our babies!

He found his thumb already!

My niece Olivia with Miles. We have been so blessed to have Olivia with us at this time. Olivia is so mature for her age and I felt very comfortable leaving Oliver with her at the house while I was in labor. Today was the longest Oliver has ever been without Clayton or myself and he did great. Oliver loves being with Olivia and will miss her so much after she goes home. We all will! Thanks so much Olivia!

Mommy changing Miles' diaper for the first time

Big brother had to be right there for the diaper change

Our first family photo. This was at the end of the day and I was really tired. I only slept two hours the night before, not because I was anxious, rather because Miles knew it was time and was trying to come out my belly button and it was painful!

Me with my baby

Getting his hearing tested on Day 2. Notice Oliver's picture right by his head. LOVED that!

Cousin Robynn came for a visit

My little burrito

Aunt Tricia and Ace came for a visit too

Oliver loving his brother

look at those toes!

sweet little kisses!

My AWESOME doctor Katrina Walsh. I LOVE her and almost would want to have another baby just so I can see her more. Almost, but not quite.

Miles is ready to go home and he is laying on a blanket my mom made for him while she was having chemotherapy. I feel so blessed to have her still in our lives. I feel as though we have witnessed a miracle with her progress and I can't wait until she is able to hold my sweet baby in her arms!/div>

Happy Father's Day Daddy to almost two!

Clayton has been wanting a floppy hat like Oliver's now for some time. Now they can be twins!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy I could have ever picked for my two lil' guys. Oliver is totally crazy about you and I'm sure this new lil' guy will be too! We love you Daddy-O!

Last dinner out before baby

Tonight we enjoyed our last dinner out before baby comes on Monday. We went to a one of our favorites Japon Steak and Sushi. They have hibachi grills and cook in front of you and it is very entertaining and the food is so good! I loved all the pictures I got of Clayton and Oliver!

The chef doing Oliver's favorite part...a train smoke stack

watching the show

love, love, love the hand on the hip!



Oliver pretending to be the chef

Puzzles

We've had fun with puzzles this week!

Toy Story 3

We went to see Toy Story 3 today and aside from Oliver not enjoying the amount of time we sat in the theatre, we all enjoyed the movie. Oliver, who was against going to the movie in the first place, told me that he did like the movie, but he didn't want to watch it at home. He loved the popcorn and the M&M's, so did I! After the movie we visited a photo booth and tried out some silly poses.

Happy 44 month old birthday!

Oliver actually gets to be 44 months for two months. When I wished him a happy 45 month old birthday today, Clayton corrected me and helped me realize it was actually only 44 months today. Whoops! Today is also my Aunt Jerry's birthday, Happy Birthday Jerry! Since both their favorite colors are turquoise, we thought we'd celebrate with a turquoise cake. Thanks for decorating the cake Liv! Happy Birthday my big boy!

Oliver loved the cake!!!

That's the way I like it...

Olivia taught Oliver a song...check it out

Our Busy, Busy morning

This morning went by like a whirlwind. We started out at Oliver's doctor's office. He was bit two times on his right elbow the other night while he was outside (wearing bug spray no less) and his arm was hot and swollen and didn't seem to be getting better. The doctor said the bites had a bacterial infection and that it could turn into staff and he would have to be hospitalized. Oliver seems to really attract bugs and he is very sensitive to bug bites. When he started itching , he must have introduced bacteria from the dirt or whatever else he had on his fingernails. They ended up giving him two shots of antibiotics which made him cry more than I have ever seen him cry with shots and then gave us a prescription for antibiotics for the next 10 days. I really should have taken a picture of how swollen it was, luckily the swelling seems to be decreasing already.

After Oliver's appointment, we rushed right over to my 38 week prenatal appointment. Turns out I am dilated to a 3 already, so I will be induced on Monday without any complications. Thank goodness something is coming out of all the pelvic pain I have been having. During my discussion with my doctor, I mentioned how for two days prior, the baby wasn't moving much in the morning, but resumed his normal squirmyness in the evening. That made her worry and she monitored his movements for a half-hour, and everything looks great. I think he is just running out of room! :)

While I was on the monitors, Clayton rushed Oliver and Olivia over to Oliver's final gymnastics class. Oliver was a little sad still from him shots and took a while to warm up, but his Daddy said that at some points , Oliver was the only one following instructions. GO OLIVER! I captured some pictures as soon as I arrived. Oliver is really going to miss ASI Gymnastics this summer. Hopefully I feel up to it again this fall. :)

Oliver's friend Caleb whom is only one day older than he

Oliver and Coach Jason -- Oliver really likes Jason if you couldn't tell

Turns out he missed his favorite activity, jumping on the tramp. His coach was nice enough to let him jump with the next class so I got to capture him on video. Thanks Jason!

Crafting for Father's Day

Today we had so much fun hanging out at home. Oliver and Olivia took some time out for some Father's Day crafts that I know their Dad's are going to love! These two are soo cute together! Yesterday was the first time I realized how much Oliver is going to love having a brother once he gets old enough to play. With Olivia here, he could really care less if I was around or not. She is the first thing he asks for in the morning. So cute!

Progress and Ice Cream

Don't laugh, I just barely bought bedding for my baby today. I know he will be here next week, but I was undecided as to which one to buy, and so finally today I made a decision. His mattress arrived today too, so as soon as it airs out for a few days I'll finally post pictures of his bedroom -- a little more set up than it is right now! :)

Oliver and Olivia were great to come on my errands with me today, and we even got to fit in a free train ride at the Collin Creek Mall. Later that afternoon, Oliver and Olivia made homemade vanilla ice cream with M&M's. Note to self and others, when using pure vanilla, be sure to cut the amount in half; I think the recipe must be talking about imitation vanilla because ours sure did taste a bit too vanilla-y (that is not a word!).

Here they are, after dinner, enjoying the fruits of their labor

Hooray, Olivia is here!

My niece Olivia arrived today. She'll be staying with us for the next two weeks in anticipation of our new baby. Oliver is totally captivated with Olivia and won't leave her alone for a second. She is such a good sport and has been willing to play whatever Oliver wants. I snapped some pictures of them playing Oliver's favorite things.

She even came up with a scavenger hunt for Oliver that ended with M&M's...his favorite! She is too sweet! :) Check out the video of the beginning of the scavenger hunt above.

It wasn't too long ago...

It wasn't too long ago, that Daddy or myself built all of Oliver's wooden block tollways for him. Now he does it all by himself. And a fine job he does, too!

p.s. He wanted to take a picture of it, so he could remember how to build it next time. He is a pretty good photographer, too. :)

A visit with Grandma & Grandpa

Oliver's Grandpa Royal celebrated his birthday on June 3rd. We wanted to celebrate with him, but I wasn't sure I could make the almost four hour drive each way to Shawnee. So we met half way in Ardmore, OK. It actually turned out to be a really nice morning/afternoon. It took us about 1:45 to get there which was totally doable as far as my bladder was concerned. We ate at El Chico and then went to the Ardmore mall afterward to walk around and spend a little more time together. I had scoped out a park near the restaurant, but it was far too hot and humid for me to spend any time outdoors other than walking to and fro the car. The pictures at El Chico didn't turn out, but luckily a few did turn out from the mall. The highlight of the mall was the fountain for Oliver.

Grandma told him to close his eyes and make a wish

video of Oliver making a wish ... I love how he doesn't just close his eyes, he has to squint! :)

He loved playing in the fountain but the water was so stinky!