Introducing Arlo

Arlo Jose (middle name is after my dad's name)
Born on January 27th, 2013
via emergency C-section at 34 weeks
4lbs 11oz 18.5"

I had complete placenta previa and knew that I had the possibility of having a major bleed... I just didn't think it would really happen. I thought for sure I'd make it to my scheduled c-section date of February 8th.

I woke up on January 27th at 4:45am to a gush of blood. Justin and I rushed to the hospital. I thought maybe I would be on bed rest, or hospital rest as worse case senario. But the bleeding started again. For the safety of me and baby, he had to come out right then and there. It was a scary, crazy rush of events. I was rushed into surgery and my baby boy was born at 34 weeks and 3 days. He was 4lbs 11ounces and spent almost two weeks in the NICU. TWO LONG WEEKS in the NICU. But now he is home and we are so happy! JW LOVES his brother.

Happy 2013

2013 is coming with lots of changes! We are welcoming baby boy #2 on February 8th (it changed again!) - if all goes as planned. Going from a family of 3 to a family of 4 may not seem like that big of a shift, but I imagine it will be an adjustment. Especially for us, since we are .... Hm, how do I put this? Not settled down... we don't have a solid place to live.. our job situations are up in the air... This year could be interesting! Nothing like an adventure. It's all not without hope, we have hopes, dreams and plans. So cheers to 2013!

Just Some Photos

Things have been slow going around here. I'm just sitting here, brewing up a baby, spending time with my toddler and trying to keep up with everything else in between. No adventures recently, no camping trips. Those will come again with time...

Yesterday I found out we will likely have baby #2 via c-section on February 11th (due to complete, total, I mean VERY centered - it's anterior and posterior - placenta previa). It's sort of strange "picking a date" but I'm also very grateful for modern medical advances that allow for the detection of issues like this. Back in the day this was a death sentence for women in delivery. So, I feel pretty lucky.

In the midst of all the changes, and life in general, I am grateful for those who pull me out to take some photos. I wish I made more time for it. Thanks Danielle, Tom, Noah, Peyton, Naomi, Kim and Blake.

Baby Shower Friendsgiving

We squeezed over 20 adults and almost 10 kids into our living room for a Friendsgiving / Baby Shower for Audrey and me. Audrey is due in February and I'm due in March (although having baby in February due to complete placenta previa - long story).

It was dark and rainy outside, we lite a fire, enjoyed each other's company, and ate great food. It was pretty amazing. (Our last baby shower Justin was having such a great time he kept saying, "this is the best bachelor party ever!" ... in going with the theme, he kept referring to this baby shower as his "third" bachelor party.)

Halloween

We had our annual Halloween party again this. The holidays just keep getting more and more fun with a little one around. JW was excited for weeks talking about pumpkins, ghosts and trick-or-treating.

Although, for being so excited he wasn't really a game-player when it came to wearing his Halloween costume. At first he was going to be a wolf, but there was no getting him to keep the mask and tail on. So, last minute we thought he could be a scarecrow... Of course he didn't wear the hat and he smeared off the nose paint so he just looked like a hobo - I guess that's still accepted as a costume.





Justin was some sort of freaky werewolf mish-mash and I was some sorta hillbilly farmer? ... last minute costume ideas!




It's REALLY difficult to get a bunch of kids all looking at the camera with Halloween excitement in the air...

Alabama Hills and ...

Sunrise view of Mt. Whitney.


I've been lagging on posts.

Last time I realllly lagged on posting I came back with a little announcement. And another weird thing is, that that was sandwiched in between two trips to the Alabama Hills (the only two times we've been).

So, you can probably assume two things. 1) If I don't post for a really long time, I'm probably pregnant.
2) If I post photos of the Alabama Hills, I'm most likely pregnant.

Well, guess what. I'm pregnant. I'm about 20 weeks, due March 7th, with... A BOY! Another BOY!

And guess what else? We went to the Alabama Hills last weekend.

I've written about this place a couple of times so I'll spare you the gushing details about how amazing it is. You can pretty much see for yourself. It's out-of-this-world.

And that is why I went camping at 20 weeks pregnant. This place is worth it. But it did kick my ass and I can say that this will likely be the last camping trip of my pregnancy... maybe. Camping with a two-year is exhausting as is... throw in pregnancy-tired... It's a whole new tiring ball game.




Sunset view of Mt. Whitney.


The family in the 'Bama Hills.









The view looking down on the Alabama Hills from the road to Whitney Portal.


Whitney Portal, just a short drive away, was an entirely different landscape. Pine trees, creeks, and a spatter of left over snow on the ground from the day before.




View from our campsite. Lone Pine Campground.