Three kids...three weeks

It's now been three weeks since little Stevie was born. It sort of seems like he's been around longer (and I guess he really has). It does make me wonder, just what have we been up to all that time? Well, let's see...


From now on (or at least in the foreseeable future) Stevie will be the first of some pretty significant birthdays in March. Within two weeks of Stevie's birthday, both Jon and I celebrate ours and shortly thereafter, Aunt Jaclyn and Uncle Mark also turn one year older. So, in the last few weeks Marie and Joey have been wrapping presents, singing, blowing out candles, unwrapping presents, and enjoying birthday dessert.




Jon was able to stay home from work for one of the three weeks, which sort of spoiled the kids. When he had to go back, Marie was pretty disappointed and still doesn't understand why he has to go to work "almost every day." Grandma and Grandpa Meinhart also stayed for quite a while and were lots of help with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and general child supervision. Many, MANY, books were read, St. Patrick's Day cookies were baked and painted, Marie cured all kinds of ills that Grandma came down with, we played outside and rode bikes, Joey got to go to the hardware store with Grandpa TWICE, and we played with trains A LOT.










Marie and Joey are adjusting pretty well to having a new baby brother. They both at times seem to be a little needy and only want Mom to help them, but I think that is to be expected. They are still quite smitten with Stevie and are always interested in helping
. One of Joey's favorite things to say now is "Baby Stevie is crying again." They frequently want to hold him, get things for him, change him, bathe him, etc. It is possible that they are a little TOO helpful. :)





We also enjoyed a quick visit from Uncle Dave. He had been working in Chicago and took a flight to Detroit to stay for a bit more than a day before needing to get back to London for a Monday morning meeting. Marie and Joey both really enjoyed playing with him and especially liked Skyping with Itaxso who wasn't able to make the trip this time.




Stevie is not a great sleeper, but he is after all only three weeks old. He has been pretty vocal about things he doesn't like (diaper changes, changing clothes, baths, etc.) from the very beginning. He sometimes cries so hard during his bath that I just have to hope that he resumes breathing. But, he is just as quick to settle down and be quiet when he finally gets picked up and comforted. We've been back to the doctor a couple of times and he has a clean bill of health. There is no concern with him eating or gaining weight. Even to us, he appears to be growing! During a span of 12 days, he gained almost a pound and a half. He was also measured to be 21 1/4" at the doctor's office...another reason not to believe the length measurement at the hospital!




So, I guess we have been up to some things these last three weeks, but mostly just enjoying our immediate and extended family. I expect that we may (or I may) get a little stir crazy soon, especially with Spring knocking at our door. But in the meantime, I'll just read more books, kiss more boo-boos, and do more cuddling with my three kids.

Stephen Patrick...one day old

As promised, here are some photos of our new little guy!

Jon and I got to the hospital at 9:00 on Thursday, to start the induction process. By the time we were admitted, prepped, and all the orders placed, it was about 11:00 before anything really got started. Most of the day was spent playing the waiting game...not too much activity or discomfort really. By about 4:45, it was decided that we had progressed enough to break my water. After that, things changed. The good part was, after going through a basically similar process with Marie and Joey, we sort of knew what to expect. We knew that the last hour or a little more would be the exciting, intense part.

The last little over an hour consisted of pretty intense contractions. When the nurse came in to see how we were doing, I "stoically" (as she put it) ask if Dr. F was nearby. She decided to check me, but when she could see Stephen's head, she decided that she would change her plan and call Dr. F. Needless to say, he was barely in the room before it was time to push. A few minutes later, we met Stephen for the first time.

We got settled in our room around 10:00 PM and were able to get a decent amount of sleep. I'm pretty sure we can't count on that going forward...



This morning, Grandma and Grandpa Shibata came and brought Marie and Joey to meet their new little brother. They were both very intrigued and took turns holding him. We were a little surprised that Joey was as interested as he was. But after all, Marie was interested, so why wouldn't he be? We are going to have LOTS of help when we get home!!




Grandma and Grandpa Meinhart also came by for a visit this afternoon. Stephen took all the attention quite well. Now we are settling in for our second night. He still needs to get his newborn screening done so that we can go home in the morning. Hopefully we'll get a little sleep tonight as well. It'll be another big day tomorrow!

New arrival...

There will be more details / photos forthcoming, but Stephen Patrick Shibata has made his arrival! He was born at 7:30 PM and was 8 lbs 7 oz and 20" long (I think).

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!

Days at home with my kids...

To bring everyone up to speed, we have been keeping pretty busy as of late. Jon had a very busy week last week with various projects and a presentation at work and a project and mid-term exam for his class. And those are just the things that I know about. I've also finished tying things up for work...and am more than ready to take a good three months off. We have also been preparing for the arrival of our new little one. The delivery date is set for this Thursday. I'll be just past 39 weeks, so the doctor doesn't want to wait any longer. Some docs wouldn't have let me go this far along. Everything is looking good and the baby seems to be thriving. Hopefully he'll also cooperate and it will be a quick labor as well.

Somewhere in there, we also squeezed in a birthday party for our goddaughter Rosie. Marie had been talking about it all week and then the day finally arrived. We even got to meet Rosie's new little brother, Leo, just two weeks old! It was a great party and by the time we were headed home we were all pretty tired.

Who needs presents when you can play with bubble wrap??

To completely change subjects, as some of you might have gathered, one of the aspects of our bedtime routine is to share things that make us thankful. Joey's response almost inevitably includes sunny days and cars. Marie tends to look around the living room and respond with whatever her eyes happen to land upon...walls, windows, chairs, and of course the many toys that are (not so neatly) put away. One of the things that I occasionally share is that I'm thankful for "days at home with my kids." (Though I have to admit that sometimes after a long or challenging day at home, this is my own reminder that I am and should be truly thankful.)

This past month, we have spent a good amount of time at home. We definitely haven't been traveling and unless there was something that we needed to go out for, I haven't been ultra-excited about bundling the kids up, packing the car, and heading out in the snow while 8 months pregnant. I've reflected on this for the last couple of weeks and even though we've still had our challenging times, I've really enjoyed spending days at home with Marie and Joey. Perhaps a part of it is due to the fact that I know those days are numbered. I know I will be spending quite a few days at home with my kids in the next few weeks, but it won't be with just Marie and Joey.

Perhaps it is just the pregnancy hormones making their presence known, but there is something bittersweet about getting ready for a new baby. We are SO excited to meet the newest member of our family, to see who he looks like, and to welcome him into our home. But, at the same time, I'm saying farewell to the "days at home with my kids" as I know it. Marie and Joey will have to adjust to less attention, an exhausted and likely distracted mom, and altered schedules and routines. I'm sure they will be fine and that in a few weeks we won't even be able to image how our lives were before baby brother. But, appease me for just a while longer while I reflect upon those "days at home with my kids."






Joey: "Dis-ter. Do you love me?"
Marie: "Yeah."
Joey: "Why?"

Joey and I sometimes go to Mass while Marie is at Atrium. Right before communion, while the priest is partaking of the Precious Body and Blood, Joey turns and whispers, "He's hungry!"





While talking about St. Valentine and how while he was in jail...
Marie: "What's jail?"
Peg: "It's a place where sometimes people have to go even if they don't want to and they can't get out."
The story goes on about how children visited St. Valentine and brought him food.
Marie: "How did she get out?"



Peg and Jon are talking.
Joey (interrupting very urgently): "Mom! Mom! Excuse me, Mom!"
Peg: "Yes, Joey."
Joey (pauses): "...I can't remember."

Joey was talking to Grandma Shibata about coming to visit when the baby comes.
Grandma: "What should I bring when I come?"
Joey: "A present for ME!"

Marie: "Mom? Does drinking Crystal Light always make you pregnant?"


Here's to you, Marie and Joey. Thank you for being such great kids, for bringing me such laughter and joy, and for all those "days at home with my kids."