Well, the date has been set! A few days ago the hospital called to confirm that we are on the schedule for a c-section delivery, February 22 at 9:15 am. It's crazy to think that you can "pencil in" a birth so far in advance! Of course, the time and date could change if needed, but for now we are looking forward to the 22nd with great anticipation (and a few nerves)!
What a great blessing to have made it this far with no complications. Truly God's hand is upon us every step of the way. So, now I realize we have less than ONE MONTH before baby Jonas arrives! Time to kick into nesting mode and clear out all the extra junk around the house, plan Clara's 3rd birthday party (Feb. 7th), and choose a middle name for the baby.
It's strange how I can feel such excitement and anticipation about meeting our new son, but at the same time wish for each day to go very slowly--to savor each special moment and not want anything to change just yet. So each morning I have to decide...what's the flavor of the day? I think "swirl" is the best choice. Half excitement, half contentment. And the countdown continues...
Friday, January 25, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
For Maddie
This one goes out to Maddie, Peter's special birthday buddy. First of all, congratulations on losing a tooth! That's a really cool thing! Does the tooth fairy come to your house?
You were wondering how Peter got that owie on his foot. On Christmas night he was sliding on a wood floor in his socks. A big splinter from the floor got stuck in his foot! So John tried to get it all out with a needle, but as it turns out, he only got half of it. Then last Sunday John noticed that there was still an owie there, and found more of that splinter in Peter's foot! So they got it out with another needle. Ouch! The next day the place where the splinter used to be started to get really sore and swollen, and it continued to get bigger and bigger. He had to go to the doctor to take the old skin off--he used a scalpel and scissors to cut it very carefully. Peter said it didn't hurt at all when the doctor did the surgery. It just felt a little funny. Now he has to take some medicine for 10 days to fight all the germs. He also has to wash it with special soap twice each day, and keep it covered with special bandages. What a crazy thing to happen from a simple splinter! We're so glad for a good doctor and good medicine. He is healing very well now.
We hope you are having a great week in sunny California, and that you're enjoying your new baby brother, Hayden. I bet you are a really good helper!
You were wondering how Peter got that owie on his foot. On Christmas night he was sliding on a wood floor in his socks. A big splinter from the floor got stuck in his foot! So John tried to get it all out with a needle, but as it turns out, he only got half of it. Then last Sunday John noticed that there was still an owie there, and found more of that splinter in Peter's foot! So they got it out with another needle. Ouch! The next day the place where the splinter used to be started to get really sore and swollen, and it continued to get bigger and bigger. He had to go to the doctor to take the old skin off--he used a scalpel and scissors to cut it very carefully. Peter said it didn't hurt at all when the doctor did the surgery. It just felt a little funny. Now he has to take some medicine for 10 days to fight all the germs. He also has to wash it with special soap twice each day, and keep it covered with special bandages. What a crazy thing to happen from a simple splinter! We're so glad for a good doctor and good medicine. He is healing very well now.
We hope you are having a great week in sunny California, and that you're enjoying your new baby brother, Hayden. I bet you are a really good helper!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Happenings
Okay, it's time to emerge from the dark and actually update our blog! I was holding out for John to write the next entry, but the silent stand-off has to come to an end at some point!
So here's the latest in the Caruso house:
Baby's doing great! At last check he weighed in at 4 pounds, and my health continues to be very good. Thank you, Lord!
Peter's been fighting a crazy infection that originated from a splinter. We lovingly call it his "puss pocket." He missed school for three days, and is now on medicine to fight the infection. On Wednesday he went to the doctor and had minor surgery to remove the dead skin and drain the puss. (Sorry about the graphic description!) He thought it was really cool that the doctor used a genuine scalpel for the procedure. What a boy! Today he returned to school, and the nurse wondered if he needed to use a wheelchair? "NO WAY!" He doesn't want any extra attention at all. He's so brave (and socially aware).
The infection was nearly the size of a dime!
Clara started a new stage: "I want my Mommy! My Mommy do it!" Even at bedtime she throws an absolute fuss if John helps to brush her teeth, etc. It seems crazy, but I think she realizes that something's going to change...a baby's coming...so suddenly she's very clingy and extra-protective of her mommy. We'll see how she transitions when the baby's actually born. I'll be sure to give her lots of extra TLC. It feels so good to be loved!
Clara, the cookie decorator. Yummy!
John and I enjoyed a nice dinner with my grandparents in Lincoln last night--just the four of us. It was so fun to spend time together in conversation with no distraction, no agenda. What a treasure family is!
So here's the latest in the Caruso house:
Baby's doing great! At last check he weighed in at 4 pounds, and my health continues to be very good. Thank you, Lord!
Peter's been fighting a crazy infection that originated from a splinter. We lovingly call it his "puss pocket." He missed school for three days, and is now on medicine to fight the infection. On Wednesday he went to the doctor and had minor surgery to remove the dead skin and drain the puss. (Sorry about the graphic description!) He thought it was really cool that the doctor used a genuine scalpel for the procedure. What a boy! Today he returned to school, and the nurse wondered if he needed to use a wheelchair? "NO WAY!" He doesn't want any extra attention at all. He's so brave (and socially aware).
The infection was nearly the size of a dime!
Clara started a new stage: "I want my Mommy! My Mommy do it!" Even at bedtime she throws an absolute fuss if John helps to brush her teeth, etc. It seems crazy, but I think she realizes that something's going to change...a baby's coming...so suddenly she's very clingy and extra-protective of her mommy. We'll see how she transitions when the baby's actually born. I'll be sure to give her lots of extra TLC. It feels so good to be loved!
Clara, the cookie decorator. Yummy!
John and I enjoyed a nice dinner with my grandparents in Lincoln last night--just the four of us. It was so fun to spend time together in conversation with no distraction, no agenda. What a treasure family is!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Sleeping or Walking?
Peter has always been our heavy sleeper, which is one reason we plan to have the baby share a room with him. We know that middle-of-the-night crying won't phase him much. One time last year he slept right through a battery change in the smoke alarm in his bedroom. We had the light on, alarm beeping, furniture moving around... and he didn't move a muscle. Funny boy!
So imagine our surprise last night when we found his door open and bed vacant. Then we noticed Clara's door was wide open and her light was on. Okay, what's with the p.m. party? You guys know it's bedtime. We thought the kids must have been having a late night pow-wow without permission, and now Peter must be hiding somewhere.
Upon further investigation we found Clara half-way sleeping in her bed and Peter was nowhere in sight. We checked all the usual hiding places...still no Peter. We asked Clara, "Why is your light on? Where's Peter?" She told us that he came in her room to get a diaper and now he's gone. What in the world? He hasn't worn diapers for years! John immediately searched the entire house, including all doors and windows, and discovered Peter fast asleep in the basement. He was sitting straight up on the couch in his favorite spot. The remote was sitting right next to him on the cushion. If you didn't notice his closed eyes, you would have thought he was watching TV. Priceless!
The creepy thing to me is how elaborate his movements were. He left his room, went into Clara's in search of something, talked to her, walked through the main floor, down the stairs, and into his final position. All without any sense of awareness! This morning I asked him if he remembered anything and he had no clue! I realize that sleepwalking is a common occurrence among young children (especially heavy sleepers), and I'm thankful for his safety in this instance. But from now on I think we'll keep a closer eye out for midnight shenanigans!
So imagine our surprise last night when we found his door open and bed vacant. Then we noticed Clara's door was wide open and her light was on. Okay, what's with the p.m. party? You guys know it's bedtime. We thought the kids must have been having a late night pow-wow without permission, and now Peter must be hiding somewhere.
Upon further investigation we found Clara half-way sleeping in her bed and Peter was nowhere in sight. We checked all the usual hiding places...still no Peter. We asked Clara, "Why is your light on? Where's Peter?" She told us that he came in her room to get a diaper and now he's gone. What in the world? He hasn't worn diapers for years! John immediately searched the entire house, including all doors and windows, and discovered Peter fast asleep in the basement. He was sitting straight up on the couch in his favorite spot. The remote was sitting right next to him on the cushion. If you didn't notice his closed eyes, you would have thought he was watching TV. Priceless!
The creepy thing to me is how elaborate his movements were. He left his room, went into Clara's in search of something, talked to her, walked through the main floor, down the stairs, and into his final position. All without any sense of awareness! This morning I asked him if he remembered anything and he had no clue! I realize that sleepwalking is a common occurrence among young children (especially heavy sleepers), and I'm thankful for his safety in this instance. But from now on I think we'll keep a closer eye out for midnight shenanigans!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Party Time!
Peter had a great birthday celebration this year! We started the party on Saturday with a gym & swim birthday at the Kids Body Shop. Peter and 11 of his buddies (boys only, even though he wanted to invite Alexa really bad) enjoyed pirate cake, presents, swimming, and free play in the gym. What a blast!
His pirate cake. Aaaarg!
The fantastic 12. What an operation!
At first everyone in the pool grabbed a bucket or container. It was the hugest water fight ever! They did start to slow down after a while, so the pirate jumped in and took a turn at the fun. It was hilarious to see all those boys trying to sink the pirate. They were certainly persistent!
After swimming we moved into the gym. They went wild playing on the rings, trampoline, foam pit, bars, beams, etc. What a great party with great friends!
Then on Monday night we had a family party at home. Peter planned the menu: Valentino's pizza, Pringles, pop, cupcakes, and Edy's Dibs. Yummy! (By the way, you should really try Dibs. They're a great treat!)
Grandma, Grandpa, Daniel, Molly, and Micah joined us for fun and presents. At the end of the day Peter said, "I like my birthday WAY better than Christmas because I get to have all the presents!" I love the honesty of a child! He is so uninhibited and expressive at this age. What a treasure!
We are so thankful for these memories made, and especially for our precious Peter boy--6 years old!
His pirate cake. Aaaarg!
The fantastic 12. What an operation!
At first everyone in the pool grabbed a bucket or container. It was the hugest water fight ever! They did start to slow down after a while, so the pirate jumped in and took a turn at the fun. It was hilarious to see all those boys trying to sink the pirate. They were certainly persistent!
After swimming we moved into the gym. They went wild playing on the rings, trampoline, foam pit, bars, beams, etc. What a great party with great friends!
Then on Monday night we had a family party at home. Peter planned the menu: Valentino's pizza, Pringles, pop, cupcakes, and Edy's Dibs. Yummy! (By the way, you should really try Dibs. They're a great treat!)
Grandma, Grandpa, Daniel, Molly, and Micah joined us for fun and presents. At the end of the day Peter said, "I like my birthday WAY better than Christmas because I get to have all the presents!" I love the honesty of a child! He is so uninhibited and expressive at this age. What a treasure!
We are so thankful for these memories made, and especially for our precious Peter boy--6 years old!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Bon-Voyage Friends...
What happens to your imaginary friends when you outgrow them? According to Peter, they go on a 1000-year vacation on the other side of the world!
Last week we asked Peter about his beloved friends, Jogger (the 100-year old man who likes to run a lot), Kanada (specifically a girl, spelled with a “K”), Diver, and Baseball. We hadn’t heard from them in quite some time. These friends have been through thick and thin with us over the years. They had birthdays on our family calendar--we even had a birthday party for Jogger a few years ago, complete with a personalized cake and family members in attendance! (Peter realized that no one in the family had a June birthday, so why not Jogger?) In a way I really miss them. But it’s also fun to move on to new adventures now. And who knows? Maybe Clara will have a new friend soon…time will tell.
In the meantime I hope Jogger, Kanada, Diver, and Baseball don't get captured on the high seas by Peter's latest birthday buddy:
Peter's birthday pirate...aarrrrg!
Last week we asked Peter about his beloved friends, Jogger (the 100-year old man who likes to run a lot), Kanada (specifically a girl, spelled with a “K”), Diver, and Baseball. We hadn’t heard from them in quite some time. These friends have been through thick and thin with us over the years. They had birthdays on our family calendar--we even had a birthday party for Jogger a few years ago, complete with a personalized cake and family members in attendance! (Peter realized that no one in the family had a June birthday, so why not Jogger?) In a way I really miss them. But it’s also fun to move on to new adventures now. And who knows? Maybe Clara will have a new friend soon…time will tell.
In the meantime I hope Jogger, Kanada, Diver, and Baseball don't get captured on the high seas by Peter's latest birthday buddy:
Peter's birthday pirate...aarrrrg!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
A Great Day!
I (Sarah) have recently been visiting the doctor every 2 weeks to check the progress of my pregnancy. Here's a brief overview of my visit today:
Blood pressure holding steady? Yes
Protein spilling/Kidneys failing? No
Any swelling/dizziness/blurred vision? No
By Ultrasound:
Is the baby growing? Yes
Is his heartbeat strong? Yes
Is the fluid level optimal? Yes
Is the placenta working? Yes
Is there anything at all wrong or worthy of concern? NO!!!! Every time I go to a check-up I can't stop praising God for health and wellness and vitality--and a precious new son (AKA "Baby Ratatouille" according to our kids). We are so blessed!
To add to the sweetness of the day, my sister surprised me with a great phone call--I love you Jessica! (Sorry, again, for thinking that you were the Romanians at first...Wrong Number)! And then when I came home there was a package on the porch. It's the new crib sheets for the baby's bed! What a perfect way to celebrate this great day!
Blood pressure holding steady? Yes
Protein spilling/Kidneys failing? No
Any swelling/dizziness/blurred vision? No
By Ultrasound:
Is the baby growing? Yes
Is his heartbeat strong? Yes
Is the fluid level optimal? Yes
Is the placenta working? Yes
Is there anything at all wrong or worthy of concern? NO!!!! Every time I go to a check-up I can't stop praising God for health and wellness and vitality--and a precious new son (AKA "Baby Ratatouille" according to our kids). We are so blessed!
To add to the sweetness of the day, my sister surprised me with a great phone call--I love you Jessica! (Sorry, again, for thinking that you were the Romanians at first...Wrong Number)! And then when I came home there was a package on the porch. It's the new crib sheets for the baby's bed! What a perfect way to celebrate this great day!
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