Pictures of Zoey from Last Summer

We just got these pictures back from our friend Katie who did a great job taking them! More to come of more recent pics of Zoey and Baby Logan!

My Cutie Pies

Being a mother of 2 is very different from being a mother of 1. When its just me and Zoey or me and Logan.... it feels like a vacation. When it's just me with both of them.... it feels more like a natural disaster. But, I am adjusting, learning new tricks and getting smarter by the day. I mean...I have two great little kids. It's not hard because they are difficult. It is hard because they have such different needs as a newborn and a 14 month old. Both are still babies that need lots of attention from momma, Logan just wants to be held and cuddled all day and Zoey wants to discover and move and explore. The two don't mix and so it just becomes a lot of strategy.

I have now successfully brought them on two outings to target and babies R us on my own...and we all survived. And this weekend I am by myself cause Jake is spending the weekend with friends in Boston. Today went well, but we will see what the night brings and another full day on my own. I love these little rug rats. Here are some pictures from the last week or so.

Logan almost 1 month chillin on dad's legs

Sitting together.

Logan not pleased to be on the rug and out of our arms

Zoey's new creepy smile! Makes me laugh everytime. I know her hair is terrible looking! I am waiting for it to grow into long flowing locks!

Christmas In Baltimore

Because of all the baby excitement going on with us we decided to stay put for Christmas this year. This was the first Christmas EVER I have not been in NY with my family. I was lucky though and didn't have to do it without my parents who drove down to our house for Christmas.

It was really fun to make some memories in our home with our little ones for Christmas. I can't wait till they are both running around excited out of their minds for Santa! For now.... it's just Jake doing that!!

I love how excited Jake is for Holidays, especially Christmas. He is all about traditions!

Zoey opening 1 of the MANY presents Santa brought!

She was so overwhelmed by it all that after an hour she did her baby sign language for sleep and walked herself to her room for a nap!! Can you see it in this pic?

Grandma brought Linkin a snuggie for Christmas. Too bad I'm covering the whole thing

Dad and Linkin....best buds.

Logan was passed out the whole time. But he had matching pj's with Zoey and was pleased with all his gifts!

After presents we had breakfast and then we packed up my parents and off they went. They took Zoey with them back to NY for some one on one time. She loved being in a new house and spoiled my grandma and grandpa. Jake and I just stayed in bed the rest of Christmas with Logan and ordered Chinese food and were LAZY! It was perfect!

It was a really great Christmas. I really felt the spirit through the season, thinking of the Savior being born. Holding Logan and cuddling him really made me think of Mary and how she must have felt with a newborn that would grow into a man that would die for the sins of the world. I wonder if she was overwhelmed, or nervous or just confidant in God's plan for her. It is fascinating to me and strengthens my love of Christ and his mission on earth.

Baby Logan's Arrival

On December 8th at 6:00pm Logan Hyrum Nelson joined the family!! Things went so much better this time around. My induction was pushed back to Tues Dec 7th 8pm. With Jake and I not having any family coming in until Wed, we decided that Jake should drop me off at the hospital and go home and get a good night sleep and be with Zoey. I really didn't mind being on my own in the hospital. Since I wasn't dilated or anything I expected it to be a pretty boring night anyway, but once they inserted the cytocec, the contractions started. They were coming every 1 1/2 min, and lasting a min. They were bareable though. I was just thrilled to be having contractions. I didn't really sleep and by 5am I asked for some pain killers. They gave me Stadol (sp?) and man, it made me loopy and basically passed me right out.

I got checked a few hours later and made it to 4cm! (compared to Zoey labor where I didn't make it to 4 cm for 3 days!) Jake came just as I was getting my epidural about 10am. The contractions were stronger and I figured I might as well get the epi before I was beyond miserable. It felt great for a few hrs and then started wearing off. Next time I will really try to hold out on the epi till I'm further along.

They broke my water and things just progressed so nicely from there. By 5pm I was ready to start pushing but apparently so were 2 other girls. That's when my fav OB came waltzing in, Dr. Sorra. She delivered Zoey and I just love her. I was really bummed when her shift ended at noon earlier in the day but thankfully all the girls delivering at the same time demanded more help and she had to come back in and she picked me to deliver! yeah!

I pushed for 15 min. I felt EVERY THING. It was pretty miserable, but thankfully it was 15 min and according the Dr. Sorra I am an "excellent pusher". Well....its good motivation when it hurts like that!!

Logan came out and they put him on my chest and I was soo happy to see him. He weighed 9 lb 6oz! That was a shocker. I knew I was big, but I would never thought over 9 lbs!! They took him to the nursery cause he was "talking" which was like a quiver instead of a full out cry so they just wanted to check him out. It was better than way cause I was hemmoraging and the dr's worked on me for a while.

The best surprise where my crazy parents showed up. They drove the 5 hours from NY just to see the baby and then left!!! lol. I got to sit and talk with them a bit while I got to eat some food. Jake had to go and get Zoey and see his mom who had flown in a few hours earlier, so it was nice to relax and have my parents to talk to. I really appreciated them being there and felt really loved.

After they left I got transferred to my other room and got to have some alone time with Logan. It was so nice to cuddle him up and be there alone with him. Jake came back and few hours later and then Jake left for home and the nurse took Logan to the nursery so I could get some sleep.

The next day Zoey and Grandma Nelson came with Jake to meet Logan. Zoey wasn't too interested, which is better than jealous. She does give kisses and likes to help hold the bottle.

We have been home for 3 weeks now and are really loving our Logan. He has been so good and cuddly, and just a sweetie pie. Breastfeeding is going pretty well and he loves to sleep which has been helpful with Zoey such a busy girl. I can't imagine our family without him!