Brothers

*Once I get a decent (CUTE) picture of them together I plan on changing the picture to include Ethan.

The biggest thing I worried about through the whole pregnancy was how was all of this going to effect Hayden. I must of thought and discussed this topic a million times with David. I wanted everything to be the same and both boys to accept each other. I wondered what Hayden's reaction would be? How would he deal with all of the changes and would they be close? I couldn't dream for a better relationship between them. Hayden loves his baby brother. Oh how much...When he cries he says mom make him happy....NOW. When Ethan was under the lights for his jaundice, Hayden spent the whole time trying to hold his hand or make him happy, Hayden wants to hold him every chance he gets. He loves giving him a bottle. When we took Ethan to the doctor he had to get his foot pricked. Ethan cried and Hayden went over to him and tried to comfort him. When it is time to burp him he wants to do it. I am so blessed and joyed with these two boys who will have a connection for life. I can't wait to see what the future holds for them. They will have a bond like no other and will learn so much from each other.

Isn't it amazing when you hear people say a picture is worth a thousand words. This is truly my favorite picture of the past week....why...Hayden's hands say it all. Most of the time I love to capture his face in pictures but I love how comforting he is. When he came in to the room he was shocked to see Ethan in there and was very concerned. 

Ethan Wayne Hunter

We are proud parents to another boy. Monday morning came and went and now we were now a family of four. Everything went smoothly. Ethan was born at 8:28. Hayden was so excited to meet him. While we were in the operating room, David text a picture of him to his mom so Hayden could see. Needless to say Hayden was SO ready for him. Ethan is a lot smaller then we expected (David and I). Before we went in to to OR David and I guessed the weight. David said 7.1 and I said 7.2. We were both wrong. He weighed 6.5 and was 18 inches long. The C-section went smoothly. Last time it was kinda rushed because it was an emergency this time it was a lot slower. I felt okay afterwards and was dying to see Ethan. I only saw him for a brief second before they took him to the nursery (I was kinda out of it so I don't remember much). Although he didn't want to come out. The Dr. had to tug, pull, and "work" him out. He was very comfortable and wanted to stay!! David went with Ethan and Hayden got to get a glimpse of him too. After I was out of the OR Ethan had to stay in the Nursery to be monitored. He had taken a deep breathe and manged to get his longs wet. Which meant he was taking to many breathes in a minute. I kept asking if I could see him. David was trying to help by showing me pictures, but it was not working. After a lot of convincing they agreed I could see him. I had to wait until I had some feeling in my legs though....So eventually they wheeled me over there. I couldn't believe how tiny he looked.  When Hayden was born he had fat rolls and just a bigger body. Ethan is very tiny and small, I am thinking my body frame (but I hope not). I can hold his whole head in my head (imagine how he looks when David holds him)!! I also got to hold him for the first time in there too. I was a proud mommy!! Ethan finally was stable enough to come with us. We did a lot of holding, smiling, and picture taking. Overall we are doing well and are very blessed. When Hayden came to the hospital (David and Hayden went to go eat breakfast, while I checked in and was monitored), they gave him a bracelet that said big brother Hayden and a sticker. He wore those very proudly. Here are a few pictures from Monday...FYI it is 4:15 in the morning and I have had about 4 hours of sleep  the last 24 hours so I have not proof read anything....I think my eyes are seeing doubles. Now off to sleep for me......I hope!!

Done

 A year ago, I started my journey going back to school. I can't believe I've learned so much and how fast the time went. I have to say at times it was stressful but with lots of family support I've made it through. David has really been a big supporter. He will took care of Hayden many nights so I could get homework done. I am glad that I started when I did, I don't think I would of gone back to school when I have newborn to take care of. I get to take the summer off and then start back in the fall. I have 5 more classes and then I will be done. I will take 2 classes in the fall and then 3 in the spring. It is kinda ironic, next year I will have been out of high school ten years and will have completed 6 years of schooling. After my masters, I am done with school. I am not up for any more homework or research papers. I love the fact that I get everything out of the way while the kids are young. I wouldn't want to miss any high school functions. I turned in my last assignment a few days ago and have to take my finals this weekend. I have one more state test to take, which was offered a week after I have the baby. I didn't think it would be a great idea to take it soon so I will register in November. I am hoping that I can find a job this summer with my new certificate.

Roller Coaster

Wow, I can't believe that the end is less then 5 days away. I haven't been over emotionally this pregnancy but last weekend I was. I cried over everything. I had have mix emotions about everything. I am a planer and like lists and details and not knowing how Hayden will feel and how we all will feel after Monday is overwhelming. I want to prepare Hayden and myself for how things are going to be but I honestly don't know how it will be. We spent as much family time together and I cried because I knew things weren't ever going to be the same. When talking over dinner Hayden said mom can take care of the baby and daddy can take care of me. I just about lost it. How can he think that I won't take care of him, he is still MY baby? I have loved every minute with Hayden and seeing him grow up. He sure makes me a proud mamma. He truly has a heart as big as the world, if I hurt myself he kisses it and he asks if I want to snuggle with him. He loves to give me kisses and is a great helper...he likes to bring in the groceries and make lemonade. He loves for me to read to him and then will read the same book to me. He is my first born, he truly made me love in a different way. I can't imagine life without him. David asked me what I loved about being a mom and my two favorite things were listening to his foot steps throughout the house first thing in the morning and watching him grow up. On Saturday morning, I love how he comes in and gets in bed with me and says good morning mom, and then gives me a hug and a kiss. How things will change...change for the good. I can't wait to meet our little guy and all the planning and preparing, finally has come. I am excited to be a family of four instead of three. Yes, I know things are changing but only for the better.

Baby Update

I have been feeling okay. I am done being pregnant and can't wait until the 7th. My body aches and my hands and feet are swollen all the time. The saying just take it easy and relax doesn't seem to fit in my book. Things around here have been so crazy. We have our house on the market so we have to leave the house often, school, work, and then Hayden. I am usually am on the go from about 6 till after 9. A few weeks ago I went for my last sonogram. It was so different because the baby didn't even fit on the screen. All you could see was body parts and I couldn't make out anything. We didn't get any pictures of his face, he wasn't cooperating. She measured his body and was able to get his weight. He weighed 5 lbs and 7 ounces. The doctor predicated that he would weigh between 6 and half pounds and 7 pounds. I am thinking that he might weight more because I have been putting on a pound a week since then. I have been having contractions and back pain, but I am not dilating yet. We have everything together. The last thing to do is birth certificate paper work, which is hard to do when you don't have a name. Hayden will enjoy his last week at school and then we will both be home until school starts. Hayden seems to be excited about everything and we have been preparing him. I can't wait until we are a family of four, instead of three.

Happy Easter

Hayden had a blast over Easter. I loved it because I got two days off and I got a lot of stuff done around here. Hayden was busy with the cousins, as usual. We made an Easter basket for him and he was excited. I find a lot of stuff when couponing, so I have a stash of things that I use for different occasions. Emily and I stuffed eggs the night before so the kids had about 150 eggs to hunt. They also got to color eggs which Hayden loved. He likes mixing the colors and putting stickers on. He also tried to eat them, which I didn't think was a good idea. We went over to David's grandparents to have an Easter lunch and let the kids hunt eggs. It was fun and it  reminded me of how different things will be. I am trying to soak up all of Hayden before our world completely change.

The Nursery

A few weeks ago I finished the nursery. It turned out really cute. Hayden helped a lot. He helped me put on the  trees and monkeys on the wall. David did most of the work. He put the crib and changing table together. He hung the curtains (it was a lot bigger job then we thought). He moved furniture around until I was satisfied.  I love the furniture and I picked out and made a lot of the bedding stuff. Over spring break, I went to my aunts house and we sewed the bumper pads, crib skirt, and the curtains. I followed a pattern for everything and put the pieces together. I've come to the conclusion that it isn't hard to sew but very time consuming. Ann had Alex's old dresser, it was a light oak color, she stained it and it matches perfectly. I love all the little details that we have in there the lamp and the cork board.  Once we decided on a name, I will hang his name on the wall, just like in Hayden's room.