WELCOME FINN PETER ANDERSEN!

Here's the story: My mom flew in Wednesday night. Thursday we took Nola to Moe's for lunch and I got extra extra hot sauce. Friday morning at 1:45 was wakened by a contraction. The next one came pretty fast so I hopped in the shower to see if they would stop. I continued having them every five minutes. This was it! I called the Dr. and thankfully Dr. Flores was on-call. Jay and I were at the hospital by 3am.

We were put in the room pretty fast. My contractions continued to be 4-5 minutes apart. When they checked me I was 6-7 cm dilated. I asked for the epidural RIGHT AWAY! There were a few problems with the epidural. They couldn't find the spot and had to try it twice. Then my heart rate started dropping and I began to pass out. Finally everything was ok. This delivery was very different even with the epidural. This time I felt A LOT of pressure with every contraction and when Finn came out...it BURNED! Good thing I only pushed for 10 minutes and he came out.

Finn Peter Andersen was born on August 27 at 7:21 am
Weighing 9.2 lbs and 20 1/2 inches long
Head Circumference 14 in.

Nola was same length and had same head circumference
Both came 8 days early!

Poor thing was so purple because he came out so fast!

There were a few complications after the delivery. I am writing it here for the record. When the placenta detached from my uterus, somehow it inverted my uterus and flipped it inside out. Dr. Flores and Dr. Bissinger both tried fixing it with their hands but it was extremely painful for me. They ended up taking me to the OR and putting me out so they could try again. All I remember is the white lights and then waking up in the recovery room. Thank God, they fixed it because if not there were two options: hysterectomy or death! Great alternatives right?! Supposedly there are no long term effects from it and I can get pregnant again.

As a result of losing so much blood the dr. told me I am very anemic. Normally we are supposed to be a 12, and I am a 6. They wanted to do a blood transfusion but since I am only 30 Dr. Bissinger thinks I can rebuild it up by taking iron 3 times a day. He says it should take about a month before I am back to normal.

Jay & Finn while we wait in the recovery room.

I think I woke up around 9:45 and had to stay until a room was ready. At 12:30 we were about to leave and sure enough the fire alarm goes off... WHAT?! I started freaking out but it was just a drill. We just stayed put until it was all figured out and we finally got to our room at 1pm.

Nola meeting her brother for the first time after waiting at the hospital since 7am.

First family pic

Don't I look lovely?

Nana & Finn

Finn

Grandma, Finn & Nola

Grandma & Finn

Nola opening her big sister presents from Finn!

Big sister stool for her new room!

Big Sister Photo album

Grandpa, Nola & Finn

Godmother Heather & Uncle Keith

Aunt Caitlin & Finn

Saturday everyone came back for more Finn time!

Awww!

Good spot to write some of Nola's quotes from the hospital:

"I love him, but I'm not gonna like him!"

"I want to leave him here!"

Aunt Pep & Finn

Aunt Pep, Finn & Nola


We had many more visitors that I missed. Uncle Brian & Aunt Dawn came, Aunt Cheryl & Uncle Jack, Aunt Christine & Uncle Matt, and Aunt Siobhan. Sorry I didn't get everyone's picture! What can I say? Second Child :)

Jay got some good shots before we left the hospital Sunday!

GEAUX TIGERS!

"Watch out!"

Jay with his Little Tiger!

Here we geaux!
On our way home!

First trip to the dentist for Nola!

Wednesday morning was Nola's first trip to the dentist. Doesn't she look so excited!

When we got there Nola had a name tag waiting for her...so cute!

Looks like they get a lot of first time patients!

There were so many cool things to play with while we were waiting. Toys, books, even free video games...Nola played Ms. Pac Man and Super Mario Bro.

I got to go in with her and the dentist, Dr. Basilicato. He was awesome and explained every tool from the brushes to the chair that he was going to use.

Nola was really good until the chair went backward. Then, she FREAKED! That's why there are no pics! The dentist kept his cool and said it was perfectly normal and that she was doing great. The cleaning only took about 10 minutes and she did have any cavities!
YAY NOLA!

Nola got some great swag! Including a pink toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a magnet, and pencil. She got to pick a toy, although she wanted two and a sticker!

We really loved this dentist! Thanks for the recommendation Siobhan. He is based out of Pompton Lakes but if you want his info let me know!

38 1/2 Week Baby Update!

On Monday, I went for my first internal checkup. Good News: I am 2-3 cm dilated and 60% effaced. I thought I would be somewhat dilated because I felt mild contraction on and off all weekend. I have another appt. scheduled for next Monday. I am really hoping he comes before then!

Wednesday morning was our ultrasound to see how big the baby is so far. Any woman who delivers a baby born over 8lbs 12 oz. has to check the weight of future babies. They are worried about the sibling being bigger and have problems with shoulders jamming on the way out. I really didn't think this baby was as big as Nola and when we went we were right...at 38 1/2 weeks he is 7.8lbs.

We were excited to get some sneak peeks of our new little guy!
Check them out below and let us know who you think he looks like!

Definitely a boy!
The scrotum!

We pick up Nana from the airport tonight so any time would be great!

3 yr Checkup!

Nola had her 3 yr checkup with Dr. Kahn today. She weighs in at 31 lbs (50%) and 36 1/4 in. (30%). He also asked her a few development questions:

Can Nola...

*recognize 2 or 3 letters - She knows them all.
*count to 10-She can count to 29.
*stand on one foot-Yes!
*hold a pencil-Yes!
*write a few letters- See video!
*ride a tricycle-Yes but needs some practice!

Dr. Kahn is very pleased with Nola's progress so far. She did have to get 2 shots, which she SCREAMED but she got a pink and purple bandaid plus 2 Wubzy stickers so she left happy. Oh, and the fruit snacks I brought helped.
*

Nola is very much into pretend play at this point. She LOVES playing school (watch out) and dr. (OB). She tries to reenact what happens during the day. It is hilarious to watch! She is a very happy child, though a little bossy at times. She acts older than she is and wants to do everything by herself. Nola tries to negotiate anything and everything. She is definitely a little me...it's scary! Poor Jay :)

Nola is so excited to be a big sister and can't wait any longer! Hurry up!

Vacation to the Jersey Shore with the Smiths!

Tuesday night we packed up and headed to meet the Smiths at the shore! Of course Nola wanted to watch the Little Mermaid, her new favorite movie, on the way down!

Wednesday morning the girls were up and outside to feed the ducks.

Over the whole time, I think eating/feeding about 50/50. I couldn't tell who loved the bread more, the ducks or the kids.

Wednesday was pretty rainy all day so we decided to go to the aquarium in Pt. Pleasant.

We saw seals, sharks and many types of fish.

Smile Nola!

Smile Lily!

The touch pool...Nola got to pet a stingray. She loved it!

"Which way do we go George?"

"Look at those crazy fish Nola!"

Nola on the growing tree!

Happy Girls!

After the aquarium we ate lunch and played on the boardwalk.

Nola playing her favorite fishing game! She won a big green Nemo fish!

Best Friends!

Last year we went to the Music Man ice cream shop where the staff puts on a show while you eat your sundaes. This year we decided to try the kids story time. They were doing "Beauty and the Beast!" The girls kept themselves occupied while we waited in line.

We got to pick between vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream.
Nola got vanilla of course.

Yummy ice cream!

The kids were asked to go up and be part of the show. Of course Nola was ready.

Belle

The Beast

Kids doing "If you're happy and you know it?" during the show.

The Beast scared Lily.

Belle falling in love with the Beast!

And they lived Happily Ever After! We liked the show except for being scrunched and we liked our sundaes better so next year we're going back for the regular show.

Since the kids didn't nap we headed back to the house, bbqed, and put the kids down for the night. We got to hang out, relax and visit with Becky Markley. We had a nice time!

Don't you hate that it doesn't matter if your kids nap or not, they still wake up at the same time every day and it seemed even earlier on vacation. The guys left before 6 to go play golf and luckily the weather on Thursday was much better so we took the girls and Christopher outside to play.

Lily Paige

Thursday afternoon the dads took the girls on the wave runners.

Proud Daddy!

"Look at me, I'm a pro!"

Relaxing!

More playing time in the pool. This was definitely a huge hit! The girls kept pouring water out of the pool on all of our feet and our chairs. Whatever kept them occupied :)

Ok, here's my favorite part of vacation...Thursday night we went to dinner at Luna Rosa which was right next door to Karma where the cast of the Jersey Shore hangs out on Thursday nights.
While we were eating dinner we saw MTV people with backpacks and clipboards picking certain people and having them sign waivers for being on tv. A little while later we saw camera men around so we knew they were coming.

Sure enough after a little bit we saw the taxis pull up and Caitlin and I jumped up and ran over to take pictures.

We stood at the entrance and took pics of them coming in. They didn't look so happy!
J-Woww

Deenik, the new girl who takes Angelina's place for season 3.

Situation, Vinny, & Pauly-D

Pauly-D & Ronnie

So after we watch them go in we go sit back down because we figured they went upstairs in the bar and we wouldn't see them again. I was already so giddy it was ridiculous :) I finally convinced everyone to take one walk around the bar before we left.

Let me set the stage for the bar. Everyone was in short skirts or dresses and high heels, definitely dressed for the club! Caitlin and I were in sundresses to our ankles and I was definitely the ONLY pregnant person in there, not to mention 10 months pregnant.
Anyway I got everyone to take one walk around and sure enough they were all split up right inside the club. They were so close we could almost touch them. Here are J-Woww and Snooki dancing.

Ronnie was right there! I just wanted to pet him but Jay held me back. (Not to mention his comment that he hadn't seen me smile that much in the last year...what is he trying to say?)

We stood on the side and just watched for a while. Ronnie looked lonely. He wasn't hanging with the other guys, Sammy wasn't there, and the other girls were hanging at the bar. We watched this 80 yr old man (see below), with a picture of his two grandkids ironed-on his shirt, make his way to the bar and stand next to Snooki. Not sure if he just wanted to be on camera or if he was a groupie, but he got on camera and Snooki was dressing him up with makeup. Pretty funny!

Old man on the right!
After a little while longer we decided to leave because we definitely felt out of place. Caitlin was terrified of being on camera and being labeled a grenade. We'll be back next year Karma!

Friday morning came very early and the kids were up at 6 am sharp. Okay, I'm going to apologize right here because this is the only picture of Christopher I have. I am so sorry! I got to hold him a lot and he is ADORABLE and such a good baby. I just didn't get any good pics. Next year you'll have your buddy and I'll make up for the missed pictures!

Good Morning everyone!

Morning ritual of feeding the ducks!

The guys took the girls to the beach so we could relax and tan.
Looks like they had a fun time!

Nola loves the water!

And making sand soup!

Lily with her Gi-Gi

More sand soup!

After nap we headed to the Seaside boardwalk for dinner, rides and games.

Groupie shot!

"Don't worry Nola you will love him later on!"

Dance party at the restaurant!

"We promise we're good drivers!"

"We're even better driving The Mystery Machine!"

Train Ride

Smile!

The dads took over the frog game when the girls couldn't hit far enough!

"Go Dad go!"

Lily's dad won...but "We losed," according to Nola!

No tears though because we took them for ice cream!

Here is the store where the Jersey Shore cast works. Vinny and Ronnie were on duty but we couldn't get close enough. There were a ton of people taking pictures and waiting in line. The night before was much better!
We walked the whole boardwalk about 3 miles. I was definitely shuffling by the end!
Saturday we woke up, cleaned up and headed home. I thought for sure this baby was coming!

THANKS SMITHS for a fantastic time as always!
We love our tradition!
How are we going to do with 4 kids next year?