1st Appointments

Monday we took Tucker to his first doctor's appoitment and Tuesday we had an appointment with the lactation consultant. Both appoitments were great and very reassuring.

What we learned:
Tucker is healthy! He regained his birth weight after only 5 days.
Tucker is dealing with some gas issues which is normal, but painful.
To deal with the gas, we were shown a number of holds and specific massage techniques to help soothe the babe.
Tucker is getting 3oz of breastmilk per feeding and is latching on like a champ.
For every oz of breastmilk, babies will usually sleep 1 hour (we can now expect Tucker to sleep 3 hours straight which is about his average and if I can stratch out the feedings to be a bit longer, he may sleep longer during the night).
Tucker is great- but we already knew that!

Life is good. Owen continues to be very helpful and sweet, we're figuring out sleep patterns, and so far, Tucker is just a doll. We are happy and just love our boys. We even have a couple more days with Kris at home before he goes back to work!

Coming Home from the hospital & Photos

On Friday afternoon Tucker and I were discharged from the hospital. We couldn't have asked for better care during our hospital stay, but it is nice to be home, figuring out our new life in the comfort of our house.

I am sore and moving slow, but I am able to move and feel better than I did after Owen's birth. Tucker seems to have his days and nights mixed up a bit, but is eating and sleeping well and is just a joy for us. We are in awe and happily enamored with the little guy.

It's great to be a family of four and one of the best parts is definitely watching Owen adjust to his new big brother role. We couldn't have asked for a better transition. Owen has been absolutely wonderful - showing no signs of jealously at all. Instead, he is loving to Tucker and he really seems to enjoy being a helpful big brother. Of course, at least 1/2 the time he thinks Tucker is Jacoby, Colton's little brother. Earlier this morning, Kris took the boys downstairs while I slept in a bit. Daddy said to Owen, uh oh, Tucker needs his pacifier but it's upstairs. Owen said, I'll get it - walked upstairs, grabbed the paci, and took it back downstairs and helped give it to Tucker. Kris assumed that I helped him get the pacifier, but I didn't as I was sound asleep.

We tried to make Friday a special day for Owen. He went to school in his big brother shirt that my aunt gave to Owen for his birthday. Kris and Owen brought cupcakes in for Owen's class and during the day they had a party to celebrate his new big brother status. When he got home from school, Owen opened a gift from Tucker (a box of dress up hats- which is one of Owen's favorite things to play with at school). He loved it!

We've created a photo album that includes pictures from the hospital and home. Enjoy!

Link to pics

Baby's Name is....

We're happy to announce our beautiful boy's name, Tucker Adam Wiseley. We had a hard time choosing this time around - probably because we know so many more kids now than when we did when pregnant with Owen. There are so many great names out there, but once we said Tucker out loud, it just seemed right. We debated a bit on whether or not to choose it, as we were a bit concerned about the obvious nickname that kids may use. But in the end, we dejavascript:void(0)cided the obvious nicknames are just "bad" words and they aren't really personal insults, so we are hoping it won't be a major issue later in life.

More pictures and an update about Owen's adjustment to the baby to follow soon.

Welcome to the world Baby Boy Wiseley

This is Amber and I am happy to report that baby boy Wiseley is doing wonderful, currently sleeping happily in his daddy's arms. I am also doing well. It was a long night and day, but it's great to be able to hold our new baby in our arms.

Hopefully, we will announce his name by tomorrow, but until then, here are his stats:

7 lbs 3 oz
18.5 inches long
13 inches head and chest
12 inches waist

Just to compare, here is a picture of Owen on his birthday.

Owen was 6 lbs 9 oz and 19.5 inches long.

The baby is on its way

1/5/10 4:30pm:

Contractions started slowly, about 10 min apart and not very strong. During this we had a fun time at The Little Gym with Colton, Jacoby, Kristi, and Eric and then went to Amber's "last dinner" at BJ's. We weren't sure they were real contractions at this point so we just went to sleep after finalizing all the hospital bags and Owen's bag just in case.

1/6/10 2:00am:

Contractions much stronger, Amber can no longer sleep through it.

3:00am:

Contractions getting painful now but Amber has reality cooking shows to keep her distracted in between baths.

6:00am:

Owen is awake but doesn't really notice anything going on. He was a little concerned but we kept him distracted while Amber was going through contractions.

7:00am:

One more bath for Amber while I got Owen ready for school and sleepover at Colton's house.

8:00am:

Dropped Owen off at school where he gave Amber and the baby a big hug and said "I love you, Mommy". We drove to the hospital (about 2 miles) and Amber was close to tears at this point. Amber is 7cm and 100% effaced so no worry of being sent home this time.

8:40am:

Amber has anesthesia now so the pain is gone. She feels much better but can't stop the itching from medicine. The nurse estimates just a couple hours left. Amber is about 8cm.

10:40am:

Amber's water broke and she is about 9cm. It won't be long now.

11:10am:

Contractions getting bigger....no baby yet.

11:22am:

Amber is completely dialated and the doctor is on the way. It's time!

11:58am:

It's a BOY!!! Both mom and baby are healthy and doing good. More to come...