The GREAT Grandma Patty.

We just love it when Grandma Patty comes over to visit. She just loves babies and loves playing with Dixon even more. Grandma Patty had 4 kids of her own and gushes that when they were all at home was the best years of her life. She reminds me not to wish these young years away. While it is hard not to think of sleepfilled nights with no wubbas, bottles, or diapers, I have to remember that these really are the best years and they will go incredibly fast.

Grandma Patty is a good reminder of this. She values family above all else and she has raised her kids and grandkids to do the same. I have fond memories of sleepovers at Grandma Patty's watching "Dirty Dancing" (at much to young of an age;)), putting on make-up, playing with puzzles and eating grilled cheese.

Now that Grandma Patty has a computer (and a few lessons from Adam) she is able to check the blog! Which she says is the first thing she does!

We love you Grandma Patty and are happy that you can check up on the boys each day! :)


What post would be complete without a picture of Dixon running away from his little brother. Notice Grandma Patty's hand trying to rein him in...How dare we try to get them both in the same picture! ;)

announcing.

*Please note the weight and height mistake from a previous post...I plead insanity.

caption.

squinted eyed, smiley pie.

sir laughs a lot.

silly one.

simply scrumptious.

squeezable.

sleepyhead.

so serious.

Dixon and Daddy take on the snow.

on the day you were born (breckin edition)

Adam and I woke up at 3:30 to be at the hospital by 5:00 am. We had already dropped Dixon off the night before at Grandpa Dan and Grandma Gayle's house. It was really hard for me to leave him, because I knew that I wouldn't see him for four whole days. That night I only slept for about 2 hours. I was very nervous and excited that I would be able to meet my sweet baby boy in a matter of hours.

We were going to go to Grandma Wendy's so she could follow us in and we didn't even have to turn down her street, she was waiting at the stop sign! I think she was a little excited to meet Breckin too. When we got to the hospital we had to wait for what seemed like forever. Then we got a room where we waited for them to begin my surgery. It was hard to wait and I was getting more and more nervous, by the minute. I knew that everything would be ok, but surgery is always scary.


It was finally time for us to go into the operating room. I was not as panicked as I was with Dixon, but I was still very nervous. It took the Dr. what seemed like forever to get the spinal in the right place, but once he did everything happened so fast. I remember that the anesthesiologist was so funny...he had the driest sense of humor. I told him when he first started to, "Tell me what you are doing." To which he replied, "I am rolling the cart across the room, I am looking for my gloves, ect." I couldn't help but laugh.

Once the epidural kicked in I felt like I was going to throw up, so he gave me some more medicine and I felt better. Next, Adam could finally come in and I think he saw more than he bargained for! I kept telling him, "don't look, don't look." :)

The next thing I knew Dr. Munro exclaims,

"He is a wrestler!"

I could just imagine Adam's smile under his mask! ;) Then he was out, crying and all! We were so thrilled! Grandma Wendy had been waiting to catch a glimpse of Adam and the baby in the nursery.


I was taken back to recovery, where I was so happy to see Grandpa Don and Grandma Chris.



Before we got word that we would be moving to the NICU Grandma Karen and Brian paid us a visit and held Breckin. Uncle Nate also came by to meet his newest nephew.


Later that day was when we were told the Breckin was going to be taken to the NICU where is low blood sugar could be monitored more carefully. Everyone kept saying that he was out of place up there because he was so big. They even had to search for their biggest knitted hat and it was even a little snug. ;)

Being up in the NICU made us realize how lucky we were to only have to worry about blood sugar levels.


There were so many little and sick babies whose parents had made their hospital rooms their babies homes. The nurses in the NICU were so amazing and we were so thankful for their kindness.

So many people helped us as we were in the hospital. Dixon was cared for by Grandma Wendy and Grandpa Jack, Grandpa Dan and Grandma Gayle, Grandma Chris and Grandpa Don, Aunt Darcy and Uncle Marty. Aunt Maddy, my mom, and Adam all took turns staying with me in the hospital.

(Visits were also made by cousin Haley and Aunt Natalie...but no pics were taken...;( )

Because of the outbreak of H1N1 this fall there were very strict guidelines on who could visit the maternity floor and even stricter guidelines on who could visit babies in the NICU. There was no one allowed under 18 on either floor. On the NICU, if someone (a grandma) came to visit Adam and I could not go in with her together, one of us had to stay behind.

We had hoped that Breckin could come home with us, but he ended up with a high protein level that could indicate an infection. Breckin had to stay in the NICU for 5 days. It was so incredibly hard to leave the hospital without him. The day that we brought Breckin home was so exciting and amazing. It was also the start of a huge cold snap temperatures were more than 20 degrees below zero for well over a week.

Now that we have all been home for over a week, we are starting to get into some sort of a routine...and hopefully the posts will keep coming! :)

take 5.

faq's

Their first encounter...Dixon is less than interested! ;)

Since I have been a little mia lately (taking care of 2 baby boys is no small feat!), I will update you all with frequently asked questions we have been receiving...

#1 What does Dixon think of Breckin?

Basically he ignores him...today, however, he did give Breckin TWO kisses without being forced or prompted. Usually he goes about his own business pretending he is still the only baby boy in the house.

#2 How is Breckin's health?

Perf! We went to our pediatrician on Thursday and his blood sugar levels were great and she said he looks like a bouncing baby boy! We won't forget the short time we spent in the NICU, though. Those sweet babies (and parents) have a much longer road ahead of them. We consider ourselves so very blessed to be home with both of our boys.

#3 How are you (Kendra) feeling?

I am feeling good...sore and hormonal, but good. Now that Breckin is home, my nerves are much better!

#4 How about Adam, how is he doing?

He has been an awesome help and support for me in my recovery. He goes back to work tomorrow, which will be hard for us all. So if anyone is looking for something to do in the evenings...the boys and I will be home! ;)


#5 When do you go back to work?

The end of February!

#6 How did you come up with the name Breckin Kendrix?

Well...it is not an interesting story was Dixon's name was. Adam found the name Breckin in the name book and Kendrix is a nod to me!

Breckin Kendrix.

Breckin Kendrix Alexander
Born on December 30th
at 8:12 am
8 lbs 14 oz, 21 inches

The day after Breckin was born he had to go to the NICU to help monitor and control his blood sugar. By the next day, his blood sugar was under control, but he was showing an elevated protein in his blood test. We were able to come home today, but Breckin had to stay in the NICU unti his antibiotic treatment is completed.

I am basically a basket case over leaving him there and coming home. I have many more details and MANY more pictures to post later...for now I am going to enjoy my oldest son and prepare to go see my new little darling in the morning.