Good grief! Claire is 5 weeks old and we still have not updated the blog.... it is amazing how fast time is going by and how little we accomplish now that we have 2 little ones. Things in the Hedlund household are busy, busy, busy these days. I think that we all have adjusted to our new normal and life is good. Owen is doing great as a big brother. He ignores Claire 95% of the time but is concerned when she cries or is laying on the floor. There have been a few times that he has wanted me to leave Claire upstairs and go downstairs with him... I am sure that will happen more and more as she grows. :)
So here is a recap of the last 5 weeks of our life...
My parents arrived the Saturday before Claire was born to help take care of Owen while we were in the hospital and then help me recover after we came home. It was wonderful to have my parents here those two week and to be able to share that special time with them. On Monday morning Brian and I went to the hospital at 10 and then my parents and Owen showed up around 11. It was a nice distraction having them waiting in the room with us. Not quite the Babygater that we had with Owen but it was nice all the same.
The surgery went by really fast for me. Both Brian and I were in shock when my doctor announced it was a girl. My pre/post-op room was right across the hall from the surgery room so Owen and my parents were able to hear Claire cry when she was born (while we were in the hospital Claire was known for how loud she would cry. Her pediatrician commented that she was " quite vigorous"after the first time he met her). Brian was able to bring Claire back to the room immediately and introduce her to Owen and my parents.
Owen holding Claire for the first time.
I was surprised at how hard it was being away from our family and good friends after Claire was born. Not being able to introduce her to everyone in person was very hard for me, but thank goodness for technology! A very special thank you to Ron and Deanna for printing pictures of Claire and bringing them to my Gram. Everyone else was able to recieve pictures via email or text messages. It was wonderful for my Gram to see pictures of Claire within a few hours of her birth.
One of my favorite pictures from the hospital. Love her hair!
Unfortunately, we were still in the hospital on Owen's birthday. We had a birthday party in the hospital complete with dinosaur cupcakes.
Owen's birthday family photo.
We were released from the hospital on Thursday and it was wonderful to be home! On Saturday Brian, Owen and my dad went to Quarry Quest. A quarry outside of Oshkosh opens one Saturday a year for a charity fundraiser. Last year we took Owen to it and he was excited to go again. Claire had her two day appointment at the hospital so Mom and I stayed behind.
Owen riding the excavator.
We celebrated Owen's birthday on Sunday. After he had such a good time at the monster truck show we decided to have a monster truck/dinosaur cake. Dinosaurs seemed to be the theme of his birthday this year. I think he might love them as much as his tractors.
The following week with my parents was pretty low key. Owen went on many adventures with my dad. Highlights included catching 2 crawdads and Owen's first successful fishing trip. My mom, Claire, Owen and I met some friends at one of our local park. It was great to do something normal with Owen.
Owen loved reading books before bed with my parents. He requested that they do it in their bed... and I was not allowed in the room.
Owen, Papa and his first fish!
Brian's parents arrived on Saturday and on Sunday, September 23, we had Claire baptized. It was nice to have both sets of grandparents present for her baptism. My sister (in-law) Stephanie is Claire's Godmother and Brian's good friend Jason is her Godfather. This was another bitter sweet day being away from family. Her baptism took place at the 10:30 service. Keeping with family tradition, she wore that baptism gown that was made for my Gram's sister. Everyone in my family, except my dad, has been baptized in it. Our church, First United Lutheran has a baptism fountain in the gathering area outside of the sanctuary. They have a tradition that every person that has been baptized has a shell placed in it. Owen was able to put (I should say throw) her shell into the water. After Claire's baptism we all went to brunch for a mini-celebration.
Claire being baptized.
One positive thing, family shots were a lot less complicated this time! :)
On Monday, my parents left for home. I am realizing that goodbyes will never be easy for me. I thought that they would get easier over time, but I am realzing that just isnt the case. I am so thankful for technology. FaceTime and Skype help close the distance some....
Owen went on lots of adventures with Papa too. They went fishing at Woodlake and then Gary taught Owen how to eat an ice cream cone. Owen also got to tennis lessons with Brian and Gary.
We went to the Craverie to celebrate Gary's birthday. Owen helped blow out the candle. The next day Brian and Gary went to see the Packer's beat the New Orleans Saints.
On Monday, October 1 Mary Beth and Gary left. As sad as it was to have all of our company gone it was wonderful to start figuring out what life would be like as a family of 4. We dove feet first into normal life. We have had multiple adventures to parks, started Art Class again, began Sunday School and a mom's bible study. I remember just sitting at home rocking Owen for the first month... so totally different with your second! Thankfully I am much more relaxed this time around and have been really able to enjoy this time with Owen and Claire. Granted, there have been those rough moments when Owen doesn't want to go down for a nap and Claire is yelling loudly, but overall life is really good. :)
Playing at the park.
Art Class.
Last weekend we went to the farm that our produce from our CSA came from. They had a harvest party in which all of the subscribers were able to go to the farm. It was neat to see where all of our produce came from. Owen loved picking rocks from the field, feeding the pigs, chasing the chickens and playing with the other kids. He also caught his first "frog". It really is a toad but he insisted it was a frog.
He is quite pleased...
On Sunday we went to the local pumpkin patch. Owen fed the animals, rode a pony and bounced in a bouncy house. We all went on a hay ride and picked pumpkins in the pumpkin patch.
Owen thought this was a good size. The other pumpkins were too big.
Owen showing Claire how to play.
I loved this picture of Claire. I would never buy a tutu myself but this was a gift from one of our neighbors whose daughter lived in a tutu for a few years.
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