Priya 0-1 month

- cries a lot. Mom and dad were worried you were colicky.

- wanted to be held all the time

- longest limbs. We joked about your arms because they could reach over your head. 

- loved sticking out your tongue

- long skinny feet

- ate evey 3 hrs on the dot

- has a scowl look on her face almost constantly

- sucks in her bottom lip when sleeping

- doesn't like the swing

- very alert for a newborn

- blue blue eyes

- had a strong neck at only a week old was trying to hold head up.

- loved her hands by her face. Would grip your thumbs and bring her hands to her jaw and squeeze and suck her binky really hard

Priya Birth Story

Monday march 4th I went in to my 39 week doctors appointment. Dr. Huish asked me how I felt about waiting until things happened naturally versus induction. I told him I would gladly be induced. I was determined not to go past my due date. This baby was bigger than Bradley and I felt bigger and was ready to have my body back. With that being said, I assumed since he had me schedule a 40 week appointment for the following week that an induction would be scheduled somewhere near my due date. I left to kaseys to help babysit after my appointment and recieved a phone call around noon. 

"Hi, this is ???? from Banner Gateway hospital calling to inform you your doctor has scheduled an induction tomorrow morning at 9."

"Uh ok."

I was in shock. It's a completely indescribable feeling knowing I would for sure be having this baby girl starting tomorrow morning at 9. The suspense was gone. The nerves and excitement hit. 

I called Landon who was currently in his final week of busy season. His client was filing march 9th (my due date) and he was in NO hurry to have a baby during the busiest week of his job. However, I agree with Ashton who put it simply

'Anyone who does not have a skull grinding into their pelvis does not get an opinion.'

I wanted to have this baby girl. He told me to cancel the induction or ask for one later in the week. The hospital was full. It was either keep the scheduled induction for 9am or wait until the following week. In my mind, Landon did not comprehend the discomfort, anxiety and strong desire I had to have this baby as soon as possible. 

In Landon's mind, I did not comprehend the magnitude of the stress at work, the  obligations he felt to his coworkers, and the weight of the responsibilities  during this one important week.

We were at odds with each other. My hormones drew me to tears and I was determined I would get my way. Landon wanted me to wait and let it happen naturally, I wanted to have the baby that morning. Landon eventually proved yet again that he is the better person and told me he loves me and wants me to be happy. I didn't have to cancel the induction.

Turns out we both got our wishes.

I had been feeling crampy all day after my doctors appointment. Around 11 pm that night, I was having contractions. (This was not surprising as I had been having contractions at night for weeks). Landon went to bed and I tried to relax. After about 2 hrs of walking around the house, kneeling over the couch and doing everything to be tough, I called my parents and told them that baby girl was not waiting until 9. They said they'd be over to sleep at our house with Bradley so we could go to the hospital. I woke up Landon, told him what I had been through and we headed in. 

I was put in triage before being actually admitted. The nurse said she wanted to monitor my contractions for a while. Of course they slowed down when I got there. But the strength of them was awful. I have never been in so much pain during those 30-60 second contractions. Every 7 minutes. It wasn't good enough. One hour passed. Another hour passed. I wasn't "progressing fast enough". But I knew this was labor. They most likely would have sent me home but because I had an appointment to be induced at 9 that morning they kept me in triage. Thank goodness I didn't cancel that appointment.

2:00 am - arrived at the hospital and put in triage

4:00am- nurse did me a 'favor' and admitted me

At that point I couldn't breathe during the contractions and they were getting closer and closer together. The nurses didn't seem to be in any hurry getting my IV in and while waiting a strongn contraction broke my water. I told the nurse my water broke as the pressure as I was laying down was so strong it was like a super soaker shot out and drenched my feet. That woke her up from her nonchalant behavior messing with the printer on the machine in front of her. She called the anesthesiologist. I was at an 8 and in a LOT of pain. I finally got my epidural in but at that point the anesthesiologist said he hoped the medicine would catch up because I was already so far along. I called my mom and sister and told them it was go time and I was at a 9. Doc huish came in and prep'd me. He said I was ready. I pushed and he told me to stop. Kasey ran in. I pushed again and Priya was here. Piece of cake. My mom missed it because apparently the 4 minute drive from our house to the hospital wasn't short enough! Ha. 

She was blonde. Whaaat? Are you sure this was my baby? Bradley was a dark hairy monkey baby and this little girl was the complete opposite. Light hair, eyelashes, pink fair skin. Perfect in every way.  But not what I expected. An Indian name for a fair skin blonde baby? Yes. She was still 'the beloved' little girl we had been so anxiously awaiting! Our little Priya was a full pound bigger than Bradley. 

A little piece of heaven had entered the room and everyone there felt it. She was cleaned and poked and stretched and checked for what felt like an eternity. I wanted to hold her. Eventually I asked and she was brought to me so I could hold her and see her. 

Becoming a mother for the second time was amazing because despite some uncertainty about how my heart would have room to love another, my understanding of love grew tremendously and I knew how obsessed and in love with this new baby girl I would become.

18-24 months

- in the last few months has cycled through being obsessed with first lion king, then Cars, then Peter Pan, then Nemo, then Mulan and the land before time. And when I say obsessed I mean he will watch the movie and as soon as it's over says 'again?'. The kid would watch movies/TV all day long if I let him.

- does a look away/eye roll and we all laugh so hard 

- loves reading books but usually just likes to turn the pages quickly and move on to the next book.

- best friends and worst enemies with Polly

- loves putting anything in to cracks or shoving them behind something

- loves cars, 

- possessive of mom's things like the diaper bag, phone, the remote control... They are Moms and no one else not even dad can hold them.

- loves rolling balls off the edges of things

- still has binky and mr frog. Supposed to be only when in his crib, but mom can be a push over at times

- has added some new vocabulary: alligator, cooper, cole, Blake, nammy, papa's house, treat, sucker, calls a slide a 'weee' , calls Polly 'Bubby', says oh nooo, daddy get you, bye bye, more, apple, baby, milk usually followed by water, bath, go dog go, bicycle, truck, tree, big, circle, triangle, yellow, and much more... We are shocked when he suddenly says news things every day.

- throws everything! Loves rocks and cars.

- doesn't quite grasp the whole "baby sister" concept but points to his tummy and moms tummy when asked where she is.

- picky eater and makes a "cuck" gross out sound when we try to get him to try something 

- does really well in nursery and doesn't cry at all anymore. The first 6 weeks were tough

- has mastered the fake whine/cry

- takes one 2 hr nap and has been staying up later (8-8:30) at night. 

- says "yay big boy" after he throws mr and binky into his crib

- turns off the lights for bedtime

- obsessed with taking "bass" (baths) but HATES soap, bubbles or water on his head. He usually flails his arms and legs trying to soak mom/dad as much as possible when he has to get washed.

- loves to be held rather than walk by himself.

- loves playing with the choo choo at Barnes and Noble

- folds his arms for prayers but doesn't yet help us say them

- 

18 Months

- first word was "ya" . Said ya to just about everything all the time. Much better than no.

- runs everywhere and when he gets going really fast he pulls one arm/shoulder in across his body and starts leaning

- still being an early riser. 6:30-7 every morning

- pickiest eater ever and won't try new things. His diet consists of yogurt, applesauce, cheese, fruit, occasional PB&J , chocolate milk, muffins and eggo waffles. 

- loves suckers and fruit snacks 

- has all of his teeth except his 2yr molars 

- knows the animals noises of a lion, horse, dog, cat, duck, snake, rooster, cow, fish and says elephant!

- obsessed with Mickey Mouse clubhouse and we watch the same recorded episodes multiple times a day

- started enjoying Lion King especially the 'circle of life' scene where all the animals gather and sings along during 'cant wait to be king'

- calls Mickey Mouse "doe-doe" and locates him all over (on his diaper, on random items in the grocery store and the symbol for Disney on movies and TV)

- uses mr. Frog as a weapon sometimes and whips mom in the face.

- does a happy run/ craziness when dad or mom gets home from work, or when we facetime family

- does a squinty face back if you do it first

- still loves being outside and is a swimming dare devil 

- clingy and a momma's boy. Knows when he is being taken somewhere for babysitting and grabs on tight to mom

- started plugging his ears for fun

- says: hot, ya, yummy, yay, no, mama, dada, elephant, bubbles, night-night, fish, papa, apple, ouch

- is throwing everything these days... Rocks, toys, food etc. and even does a cock back threat when he's mad

- started hitting when he's mad at someone and regularly hits mom and jumps on her.

- says "ahhh" and then runs and falls on mom and dad.

- knows where his eyes, ears, mouth, tongue, teeth, hair, nose, tummy, toes, knees, belly button, hands

- whispers "pee pee on the potty" with a lot of just 'ppp' sounds because mom never has any privacy

- grabs your fingers and pulls you to what and where he wants to go.

- is very tender hearted and if you fake cry or act hurt he starts to cry

- gives kisses and sometimes it's just a head lean in

- knows how to throw garbage away

- likes to tease and trick you when you are "quizzing" him with "where's a ____?" game.

- has been taking a single one hour nap during the day. Likes to cuddle with mom in the rocking chair and get his hair and back tickled.

- plays with the bowls under the counter.

- still loves mr frog and playing with his feet and flipping his hand in his

- 

11-12 months

- obsessed with the toilet. Mom has to be sure it always has its lid down
- loves bath time and running water
- LOVES. His cousin Polly. They smile and squeal in excitement when they see each other
- has begun eating mostly all "real" food. Especially loves string cheese, toast, banana's. takes the BIGGEST bites!
- waves, gives open mouth kisses
- wakes up between 6:30-7 every morning
- loves mr. Frog and chews on his hands
- still in rear facing carseat
- still grabs toes when getting diaper changed
- pounds on things when excited.
- started a silly head shake that gets us all to laugh
- dances- more like bouncing and jumping
- when food drops on his tray he automatically rubs his finger in it
- transitioning to sippy cups but still loves the bottle
- got two trims during this month. Trying to keep his hair under control
- gettin chubby belly and cheeks
- can stand but doesn't. Is a scaredy cat and always needs a hand on something for moral support. Has stood for 1 Minute on his own.
- bangs his head on everything including the cement driveway, couch, floor, walls.
- points at airplanes and says "wooosh"
- obsessed with peek a boo in nami's curtains.
- I love when he crawls holding a ball or something
- still hates getting dressed
- loves books and turning the pages himself
- can watch an entire 25 minute baby einstein if in the right mood.
- enjoys being tickled on his back and neck
- claps when done singing and likes itsy bitsy spider the best
- squeals and shouts for attention. We are unsuccessfully trying to get him to stop.
- likes to ruffle people's lips to make the silly noise

My sweet, not so baby, baby,
The most incredible year of my life has flown by. This past month you have grown so much. I love seeing your new tricks and watching how much you learn. I get pride in seeing you learn to stick out your tongue, give kisses and dance on command. You are the sweetest little boy! I am still easily your favorite and you are the biggest mama's boy. You are resistant to let anyone else hold you and cry when I give you to someone else. In a way it is endearing. I know someday you won't be so clingy so I rather choose to love and embrace your attachment. The other day when i picked you up from your aunt kasey's house after work the first thing you did was reach up and lean in with a wide open mouth and gave me a kiss. My heart melted in that moment! Your big brown eyes and chubby cheeks have a way with me. You aren't interested in standing or walking alone yet but i know when you decide you will. I like it because it makes me feel like you are still a baby and not a toddler yet.
We learned that smaller intimate settings are where you shine. You are smiley and happy when in a familiar place and enjoy being the center of attention at home at papa and nami's house. You like to feel comfortable and it takes you a minute to warm up to people. Except at church... You love standing and lookin back and flirting with all the people looking at you. I don't blame them. You are the most handsome baby around.
I am so grateful to your father in heaven for sending you to be a part of our family! You are the best. I love knowing that you are mine and I'm yours! Being a mother is absolutely incredible and I hope you know how precious you really are. You have imprinted on my heart and changed me forever! Being the first child you have that special place in my life a the one who changed me for the better! I want to give you and teach you everything you need. You make it easy to love you! I can't believe you are one. It makes me cry looking back at how fast you grew and changed but am excited to watch your personality develop. You will always be my baby boy and I am so in love with you! I always will be. Be good, be happy and know you are loved.
With all my heart,
Your mama