Welcome to the World, Gabriel Michael Schnieders

On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, we welcomed the newest addition to our family.  He was born at 9 lbs, 3.5 oz and 22 inches long.  He is the sweetest little boy I could ever imagine.

The day started for us at around 4:40 AM when we had to wake up to head to the hospital!  Such an exciting day... we were scheduled to be there at 6:00 AM for a version procedure to turn the stubborn little baby followed by an immediate induction.  So, after filling out some paperwork and answering lots of questions, we had an ultrasound and sure enough, he was head down!  Such a great start to the day... so they went ahead and started the pitocin.  I held out for a couple of hours and then the doctors and nurses said I might as well just get the epidural b/c there would be lots of uncomfortable cervix checks and that would help relax me.  I figured, why not?  The less pain, the better.  So, we went ahead and got the epidural around 10 and the rest of the day was pretty much waiting.  Lots of reading, napping, watching TV, and waiting...

It was pretty slow going until around 5ish when I finally hit 5 cm dilation.  The plan was to have a doc come in to check me at 7 so I told Mike to head down to get some food b/c we really didn't think anything major would happen at that point.  So, he went downstairs around 6 and right around then I started feeling major pressure and feeling more and more pain in the contractions.  Finally, I told the nurse I was in a LOT of pain and it turns out my epidural had run out!  The anesthesiologist came in and was pretty pissed that the nurse let that happen and I was just like, please just fix it!  I really loved my nurses so I could not even be mad b/c they had taken great care of me, but it was pretty nerve wracking.  Right after this fiasco, they checked my cervix and I had gone from 5-10 cm in about an hour... without a functioning epidural!  But, luckily they were able to get it back up and running and then it was time to push!  It was so cool being aware enough to hear them prepping (I so don't remember that from Sofia's birth) and talking about how it was time to have a baby, and to call Dr. Lawrence.  It was finally happening!  So, I pushed for a good hour and a half and out HE came!  It was crazy, because I watched him come halfway out, still not knowing what he was until his whole body was out.  The doctor asked Mike, "OK Dad, what is it?"  And we both got so emotional b/c we had seen his "parts" at that point.  So exciting... and then Gabe started crying and we both did too.  I felt much more cognizant of what was going on this time - I think I was so exhausted and drugged when Sofia was born, all the other stuff besides just her was a blur.  I barely remember what everyone around was saying but this time it was all very clear.

We still did not have a name for him at that point but once we held him and saw him we both agreed Gabriel Michael was his name.  Our littlest angel.

It's been surreal being home, but Sofia has been all I'd hoped she'd be and more.  She loves her baby brother for sure and is very taken by him and fascinated.  She gets very concerned when he cries and always likes to know where he is and what he's doing.  I am so relieved and she doesn't seem traumatized at all or anything I had feared.  I know she knows we still love her just as much and that's a great feeling.  It's impossible to describe being able to love another baby as much as your first but we do.  And we still have the same great love for Sofia, we just made that much more room in our hearts for Gabe too.  It's the most amazing feeling and I feel so beyond blessed.  I still can't believe I am a mother of two but I am so happy to be.  Being home has had it's ups and downs but we're all adjusting and figuring out how to do this and I feel like every day I get a little more confident that I can do this.  I am thankful right now for my mom who is here with me for a couple of weeks to ease into this transition but am still trying to mother both of my children.  It's a challenge but I am figuring it out and am just so thankful to have this family of mine that I have!

Happy Easter!

On Saturday we went to the Northshore Newcomers Easter party. This is the group I joined when Sofia was an infant to meet other moms through playgroups but we've been trying to do a little more with the group to meet people and get more involved. One of the best events the group does is the Easter party. It was so much fun! We got there and Sofia went straight to crafts and games with Daddy and then went and visited the Easter Bunny. Again, a little tentative but we got her to sit on his lap so that was a win! Then, we ate some donuts and other yummy and very sugary breakfast treats. After that it was time to hunt! Sofia had more fun running and hunting for rocks and sticks rather than eggs but she did get three eggs :)

On Sunday after church, we put Sofia down for an early nap. We got invited to a family's house from church and it was so nice to spend the holiday with such wonderful people. It was the same house where my shower was hosted and the two women who hosted the shower are seriously the sweetest ladies ever. They are so loving and are almost becoming like my moms away from home. They were both there with their husbands and also, a surprise was that the pastor of the church and his wife and three sons were there and they are Mike and I's age so that was a fun addition. It was pretty cool to spend Easter Sunday getting to know the pastor of the church, too! Such a loving and friendly environment and the next best thing to actually being with family. I've never been part of a church were I actually felt like it was a family and I always thought that's how it should be so it just makes me feel so happy we've found this. Sofia also had a blast playing with the three boys and the bulldog, Helen. She was such a good girl and made us proud!

It was a great Easter and I always forget how much I love this holiday.

Swim Class

For the past few months Mike has taken Sofia to swim class. It just got harder for me to do as she is very active in the water and my belly seemed to be in the way :) Plus, it's great Daddy daughter time and so much fun to watch. I've only been to watch a few times; I usually take that time for myself to run errands or just relax at home and it has worked out perfect. So, today after the Easter party we went as a family to swim class and I got some great pics and footage. She has progressed SO much - jumping in alone, and floating all by herself. So cool to see!

Crazy Girl

Decided to get into the bath fully clothed a couple nights ago. We have to watch her a little closer as we run her bath b/c apparently it's too exciting to wait to take off her clothes!

Perfect Day

When I woke up this morning I didn't know what a wonderful day it would end up being. I definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed... well, as a nine month pregnant woman I can say that any side is the wrong side so I guess it's tough to blame that :)

I quickly snapped out of it as I forced myself to the gym to try for a swim. My friend Ali suggested it and I don't know why I never had before as I've heard time and time again what a great workout it is for pregos. It was amazing! I really forgot I was pregnant while I glided weightlessly through the water and felt so GREAT during and after. I wish I had started this earlier in my pregnancy! After that, Sofia and I came home for lunch and nap and then Miss Sophia (her swim teacher) came over to babysit. Sofia loves her so it's always so nice to be able to leave her in great hands - it enables my own peace of mind. (I've found two GREAT sitters from the gym and it helps b/c Sofia knows them and looks forward to hanging out with them which of course I love.) Since Mike has had an intense work schedule and will into next week, I got sitters a couple of days/nights to give me a little break. So, today I went and got a mani/pedi and then sat and had a coffee and just people watched. It was so relaxing and sounds silly, but it was a much needed "recovery" and enabled me to thoroughly enjoy my evening date with Sofia. The way I relished this evening with my crazy toddler is proof that Mommy breaks and "me" time are so crucial.

I can't even say enough how much fun I had with her tonight. I decided that I would take her to the Bucks game b/c it might be a while before we could do that again. I was a little bit nervous b/c we rarely let her stay up that late past her bedtime (and it would just be me and her!) but I figured it's a Friday night and we could use the weekend to recover. Here is to hoping! :) She did awesome though... totally got into the game and by the end of the game was responding to the "Defense" "Go Bucks Go" and "Charge" chants! She was dancing all around and having an absolute blast. Watching her have so much fun was priceless. I wished I had been able to video/take more pics but I had my hands FULL with her! In a GREAT way though... and my mom had a good point in reminding me that sometimes it's more important to enjoy the moment than to worry about getting video. Great point, Mom, I'll have to remember that b/c I give myself a hard time sometimes for not taking enough pics, etc. The memories and moments themselves are documented in my mind, that's for sure. People around us were definitely getting a kick out of her while also probably thinking how crazy I am about to give birth any day and bringing my insane toddler to the game :) I even took her to get an ice cream sundae which probably fueled the fire but I didn't care. I loved and took in every minute with her tonight and I'm so glad we got to have our little girls night out date night.

It truly was a perfect day.

before the game

at the game!

Meeting the Easter Bunny

This week at Generations at Play - a place we meet up with Ali and August weekly - the Easter Bunny stopped by to visit. I was shocked at how taken Sofia was with him! It took her like 5 seconds to warm up and then she did not want to leave his side. Too cute...