Caleb...part 1

Dear Caleb, if you someday read this, I know that by this point in Joshua's life there were upteen posts and pictures on this site. The fact that it's taken me three weeks to get even one post and a few measley pictures up of you does not mean that we were less excited about your birth or didn't want to share it with everyone...it just means that we were a little busy. And by busy, I mean that if I wasn't feeding you I was feeding your brother. And if I wasn't feeding either of you I was trying to eat. And if I wasn't eating or feeding one of you I was probably changing a diaper. Or maybe it was that I was trying to pay attention during one of Joshua's therapy sessions. Or maybe it was that we were sleeping (but I doubt it!). "Busy" has taken on a whole new meaning.


I was induced on September 7th because I was 40 weeks and in a great deal of pain from a separated pelvis and the strain of carrying, lifting, and moving Joshua daily. Thankfully, my doctor took pity on me and let me be induced. The night before the induction was hard. Really hard. I had a panic attack and cried for hours. I wasn't nervous about the delivery or anything, it was just all those fears about how Josh would react and all that coming back. Then the morning came and it was game day. I was supposed to go in at noon for the induction...and then the phone rang (insert ominous music here...). The coordinator was calling to tell me that they were really swamped and I couldn't come for the induction until 6pm. Oh, that poor coordinator. I burst into tears and went through the whole story of how I have been trying to organize care for my two year old who really needs consistancy and he has therapy schedules to keep and I really wanted to be induced during the day so that he could meet his brother before he went to bed and my husband should really be there to put him to bed (take a breath) and my doctor wanted me induced at noon so she could be the one to delivery my baby and I'm sorry but this is just really stressful for me and there's really no way I can come in and just start the induction (breathe...)? Please? So then I asked her to please call me back if anything changed and she promised she would and hung up. So just as I'm getting used to the fact that maybe this is better and now Ben can be there to put Joshua down for the night and then come to the hospital and when Josh wakes up he'll have a brother...the phone rings again. The coordinator called me back to tell me that she found a bed for me and that I can come at 3pm.


By the time the induction actually got underway it was around 5pm. Pitocin was started, contractions got stronger, they broke my water...Caleb was staying put. He was really high still, hadn't dropped, and apparently didn't want to come down. I swear he would've stayed in there until college if I let him! Finally, at 4:18am on September 8, 2010, Caleb Brian Nodine was born. Weighing in at 7 lbs, 14.75 oz, he was 21 1/4 inches long and perfect. He looked just like Joshua. I immediately asked how big his head was and they told me that it was 33 1/2 cm (Joshua was 33 cm). My heart sank a little and I thought, "oh no...here we go again". Thankfully, our pediatrician saw him later that day and remeasured. When he came back in the room to report his findings, he told us that he had no idea what the nurses were talking about...his head was 50th percentile at 36cm, and we all breathed a sigh of relief.

Joshua came to visit when he woke up that morning and got to meet his little brother.

Josh didn't really seem to care one way or the other about Caleb, but he was awfully happy to be back with daddy!

Caleb had lots of other visitors in the hospital as well. Caleb's great aunt Lisa came to visit...

The entire Nodine side of the family all showed up at once and unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of anyone holding Caleb! I'm so sad I missed those pictures. :( Thankfully, I did get a few pictures of Uncle Brian meeting Caleb. I felt really strongly that I wanted to name our boys after men who were important to us. Their middle names reflect that. Joshua's middle name is after my dad, and Caleb's middle name is after Ben's brother.

After all those visitors, everyone was pretty wiped out. Ben headed home to be with Joshua and Caleb and I hunkered down for our first night together. It all went well and the next day we were released and we headed home with our TWO boys!

So far, Joshua has been amazing with Caleb. He wants to kiss and touch him all the time, but sometimes those kisses and touches are a little rough... but for the most part, Josh loves his little brother and is very gentle!

I have more pictures that I'll post soon (hopefully) of how Caleb has changed and what he's up to...but be patient with me, friends, it might take a while. We're still adjusting, but I think we're going to like this being a family of four thing. :)

Elephants Are Appropriate...

I'm 32 weeks pregnant. To be more specific, I'm 32 weeks 3 days pregnant (or so they say), with only 53 days to go until my due date (YIKES!). I'm feeling great (aside from the heartburn and some other aches and pains that come with being pregnant), although I definitely feel bigger than the last time I was 32 weeks pregnant! Caleb is measuring right on schedule and growing perfectly, and I'm thrilled that I've managed to gain only 5 pounds so far.

So today I got a little love in the mail from Auntie Diana. She sent some little onesies for baby Caleb that she said he simply HAD to have! And oh...my...gosh these little things are adorable. This one... is my favorite. The other one is army green with short sleeves (with cuffs!) and elephants on it and is equally adorable, but I don't have many things that have the word 'mommy' on them, so this wins first place. I can't wait to see our little one in them!

The last part of Auntie Diana's note said that she was excited to meet him soon and that maybe a picture or two in the meantime would serve as proof that I was actually pregnant. Ugh! The nerve! :) I know I haven't put any pictures up of me and Caleb, but it's because I feel like I'm the size of a small elephant and I just can't bring myself to take pictures of this hugeness! I figured it's time though (what with all the subtle and not so subtle requests/demands for pics), even if it's just to prove to Caleb that I was actually pregnant with him. :) So...here you go. Try not to be surprised with my size...I did warn you. :)

Man. Even I'm surprised with how big I am! Of course, maybe it's a good thing...it does give Josh a place to sit for some kisses.Finally, here's one other little picture that I l-o-v-e of the real star of this show (for now)... Doesn't he look like such a big boy sitting there?! And incredibly handsome too! :) I know I'm a little partial, but I'm pretty sure that he is the most adorable boy ever in the history of the world.

"Boogity, boogity, boogity, boys...let's go racing!"

We spent our 4th of July at Watkins Glen International watching the IZOD Indycar Grand Prix...that's right, we went racin'! :) I got an amazing price on tickets through a parent organization I belong to and we decided that Joshua would love it. I think our expectations were a little high though, and this is how Joshua felt about being out in the hot, hot, very hot weather and missing nap time...However, after a little rest in the shade with Nana, some lunch,

and a few surprise fireworks during the national anthem, he seemed to perk back up. The first couple of laps he wasn't quite sure what to think...

but he soon figured out where we were looking and what we were watching for and started to anticipate each lap.We'd hear the cars coming and tell him, "Here they come again, Josh!" and he'd look to the track to see where they were.His favorite place to watch the race from, however, was on top of daddy...and once he was up there, he really started to get into it!He kissed Ben over and over again after each lap (to show his appreciation for Ben holding him up there in the sweltering heat, I'm sure!).

(This one is just because I love the sneaky smile on his face)And just before we left, we took his earmuffs off so he could really hear the cars go by. And that went over really, really well. :)

It was a good day. Maybe not one we'll try to repeat for a few years, but a good day none the less! We all slept really, really well that night...all of us dreaming of the thunder of the engines, I'm sure. :)

Speaking of engines, I'll leave you with one last random picture of our little mechanic working on daddy's motorcycle...He's in a different type of gait trainer now. He got really good in the other gait trainer, but had started throwing his hips forward and leaning backward in it to walk. Since that is not an effective way to learn to walk, we had to go in a different direction. And while this gait trainer may look like a medieval torture device, it is actually much, much better for him. It prevents him from throwing his hips forward or his head back and forces him to focus on using and strengthening his hip flexors to move forward. By the way, a gait trainer is simply a stepping stone for Joshua. He's going to eventually move to a walker (once he can support his own weight and use both arms for weight bearing) or maybe even just arm crutches!

He's gotten so good in this gait trainer, in fact, that he is almost completely independent in it! He can go forward, back, turn and basically make his way anywhere he wants to go. And he LOVES the freedom. So we put him in it and leave him alone and in a little while, he's found something new to get into! It's so exciting to see him get into "trouble". :) He loves to open cupboards and pull things off the shelves...so we've really had to start baby proofing! Yesterday when he opened my china cabinet, Ben and I quickly rearranged a few things (glass up high...check. Bibs and towels on lower shelves for Josh to make a mess with...check!) and then gave each other a big high five. :) Hopefully I'll get some video of him in action soon...we're working on buying a video camera...so that we can really show you what he's up to!

Just Pictures!

I got an awesome, encouraging card today in the mail from Joshua's "Auntie" Diana. And when I thanked her for it, she said, "now do I get my Joshua pictures?" :) How could I refuse? So rather than write out a whole post, I'm just going to give you a bunch of pictures. Enjoy!

This is our friend's daughter. Looks like a future match to me!
My favorite guys watching NASCAR...

We took Josh out to visit Grandma and Grandpa last weekend. They were doing some work in their yard, so Joshua got to play with the earthmovers!!! He was in heaven!

This one is just because I think it's funny...this is what happens after a long, hard therapy session!
We've been trying to introduce new textures to Joshua. So one night, over a spaghetti dinner, Ben suggested we give some to Josh. Most of it ended up on the walls and floor, but Joshua had a great time flinging it!

And to finish it up, these are some of my favorite pictures from the last month...

How was that, "Auntie" Diana? :)

Halfway There

I haven't been writing or posting lately and apparently people are starting to notice. And by people, I mean my sisters and Joshua's honorary auntie. A certain honorary auntie totally called me out on Facebook for not posting! And a few weeks ago, my sister told me that I was a terrible blogger because I don't post often anymore. *sigh*

The real reason I haven't been writing lately though isn't because I don't have cute pictures of Joshua to show you or wonderful things to tell you....it's because whenever I started writing a post it ended up coming out like this...

"Aaaahhhhhh! What in the world am I doing? What are we going to do with another one?!"

...and that's all I can think to say so I end up crying. So rather than swearing off blogging for the next many months, I'm just going to get it out. And it won't be pretty. It's taken me three weeks to write this post, I've stopped and started again so many times. But I think it's something I'm just going to have to get out, so if you're just here for the pictures, better come back another day, because this post is going to be heavy and there aren't any pictures!

This pregnancy has been difficult for me. Not only because I wasn't feeling well for so long, but because it has wrecked me emotionally. I feel like I'm betraying Joshua. And at the same time, I feel like I'm betraying our second son. I was so excited about Joshua. Every move, every wiggle, everytime I got to hear his heartbeat I was on top of the world. I blogged about every appointment, every milestone, everything. With this baby, I haven't even formally blogged about the fact that he's a boy! And after wondering if we would ever have one child and then being blessed with Joshua, you would think that to be blessed with a second child, a second son!, would thrill me. But I'm seriously starting to panic. I panicked when I found out I was pregnant with this baby, and I haven't stopped panicking yet. I've had moments when I get excited about the new baby, but those are fleeting. For the most part, I'm terrified.

How am I going to do this? How am I going to handle a newborn and a two and a half year old who moves like a six month old but thinks like a two year old? How am I going to go grocery shopping? How am I going to get them into the car? How am I going to get them out of the car? How am I going to be able to handle therapy four days a week and get up during the night to nurse? How am I going to be able to do therapy 'homework' with Joshua to make sure he is still progressing when I have to rock, nurse & hold another little boy? How am I going to handle two children who get sick? How am I going to make it to all of Joshua's specialist appointments to check on braces and splints? How am I going to give Joshua all the attention he needs and deserves and still keep this other baby alive? How am I going to give the new baby all the attention he needs and deserves and still make Joshua feel included? How am I going to be able to explain to Joshua why mommy and daddy are too tired to play? Or why he has to wait so I can feed his brother? Is Joshua going to be able to understand that this little squalling thing is here to stay? Is he going to understand why he has to share the spotlight? Is Joshua going to feel left out or resentful? Am I going to resent this new baby for doing things and progressing at a rate Joshua can't? Is the new baby going to be able to understand why Josh needs more help and attention sometimes? Is Joshua going to be able to sleep at night through the crying? What if our new baby has an impatient personality and won't wait to eat or be held? What if the new baby has colic and just cries? I'll stop there, but the questions don't. They never stop.

I thought I had made peace with Joshua's diagnosis. I thought I had come to terms with what his future looks like. And now I find myself awake at night with one thought...what if it happens again? I know, KNOW, that a primary infection of CMV impacts pregnancy, and the chances of having a second child with CMV are so slim it's almost like there's no chance. Plenty of other CMV mommies have gone on to have beautiful, healthy, typically developing children. But what if I don't? I feel like I can't quite let myself love this baby just yet because I could be gearing up for war all over again.

And truthfully, as scary as having a second child with issues is, the prospect of having a typically developing child is just as daunting as thinking about having a second child with special needs. My heart is going to break when Joshua sees his brother doing things with ease that he struggles to do. It is going to kill me to tell Josh that he can't be on the same t-ball team as his brother because of his disability. I want to watch my boys play together, not watch as one of them breezes through challenges and the other struggles with what should be an easy task. Am I going to have to watch our youngest learn to pull up and walk when his older brother has been trying to lean that very task for months or even years?

And yet, I can't stop myself from getting excited when I hear the baby's heartbeat at the doctors office or when he kicks and rolls around inside of me. I can't help but look at the ultrasound pictures on my fridge and wonder about him. What will he be when he grows up? What similarities will he share with his brother? Will he look similar? Will he have Joshua's easy smile and giggle? Will they share that wonderful laid back personality that is such a blessing to us? Whether I thought I was ready or not, whether Ben is ready or not, whether Joshua is ready or not, this baby is going to change our lives. And I think I'm learning to let go of the questions and the fears and just be open to that change. I'm halfway there.

So without making you wait any longer, let me introduce our son to you! This is Caleb...

His name means "brave, bold and faithful" and we decided that it will be a perfect blessing for him. We pray that he will grow up brave and bold, and that he will be a faithful friend and brother and support for Joshua.

There. It's out. And I'm sure it's not the end of my doubts or fears, I'll do my best to keep blogging. I'll post more later this week...with more pictures! I forgot my camera at my sister in law's house yesterday and I can't even show you the wonderful pictures I took yesterday. But they're worth the wait. :)

Two.

Dear Joshua,

Today is your second birthday. Two full trips around the sun! The fact that we've had you for two full years just astounds me...it just doesn't seem possible. Two years has never before been so wonderful, so heartbreaking, so magical, so frustrating, so tiring, so filled with happy tears, so filled with tears of sadness, so filled with so much joy.

You've changed so much in the past 12 months! You've gone from a chubby little baby who weighed in at 18 lbs...

to a little boy who weighs 25 lbs and is 32 inches tall!
Your tastes and preferences are really starting to show through, Josh. You'll almost always choose red over any other color, you prefer to hold hands in a certain way when we walk, you prefer certain books over all the others. You aren't really interested in the TV, but when there is a Monster Jam truck show or NASCAR race on, you are glued to it. And do I even need to go into how much you love Disney's 'Cars'? I'll just leave it at this..."Lightning" was one of your first words this year! You love cars. Any piece of metal with a motor, any make, any model (although you prefer trucks, school buses, and race/vintage cars), gets your motor running. Just hearing the sound of an engine makes you clap and giggle. The most exciting part of your day is after naptime when you get up and we watch for daddy out the window. You watch all the cars going by and scream when you see one you like. The biggest reaction comes when you finally see daddy. You can identify his truck (I'm still not sure how) before it even gets to the driveway! For you, daddy is more important than Lightning, Mater, and all the schoolbuses in the world.
In the past year, you have learned some amazing things. You have learned sign language, learned to say a few words (still no mama though!), learned to belly-crawl to get the things you want that are out of your reach, learned to try out different textures of food, learned to splash in the bathtub, learned to sit (almost) independently,learned to walk with the help of some equipment, learned what the word 'gentle' means (sort of), learned how to shake your head 'yes' and 'no' to get what you want, learned to identify facial features (ears are your favorite right now). You've also learned that your smile and charm will sometimes get you out of doing something you don't want to do.
Coincidentally, it's your charm that is one of the elements of your personality that you use the most often. You charm everyone you meet. You love to meet new people and play peek-a-boo with them. Your personality is growing and changing and developing and it's wonderful to witness. You are spunky and smart, you have quite the temper, but you go right back to smiling just as fast as you got frustrated. Your laugh comes easily and often and you love it when others laugh along with you. You've got this crazy fake laugh that you do (you sound like the Count on Sesame Street..."ah, ah, ah") when you want to make someone laugh. It works every time! You're simply amazing.
I think that I will remember this year for all the accomplishments you've had, but also for all the traveling we've done. We've been to Canada, Paris (with a stopover in Iceland), California, Disney World, and North Carolina. And let's just say it like it is...you are an amazing traveler. Daddy and I always smile to ourselves when people get on a plane and see you. It's always the same thing. They reassure us that they've traveled with a child before so they're prepared. Either that or they just eye us with that look that says "Oh man. We're in for it now". No one yet has been prepared for you, however. I can't count the number of people who tell us at the end of the flight what a great job you did on the flight or how wonderful you were. And we always smile and say, "yes, he is wonderful."
I can't get over the wonder you are. Everyone who meets you and knows you sees what a sweet spirit you have. You love to snuggle and give kisses to people you love. The sweetest part of my day is when you are just waking up. You look up over the end of your crib and smile that Joshua sized smile. And when I pick you up, you curl your body around me, put your head on my shoulder, give me a squeeze and pat my cheek. Then you sigh this contented little sigh and just stay snuggled for a few more minutes. Oh, I love those moments.

You are so very special, my son. Precious beyond description. My life has been so blessed by each moment you have been in it. I can't wait to see what the next year brings for you. Happy Birthday, my little bug.

Love,
mama

Not Even Close.

Today Joshua and I went out to have lunch with Ben. I wish I could capture the look on Joshua's face when he sees Ben walk up to the car...it's priceless. It's kind of like this...imagine you're 5 years old and you asked for The Wiggles to play at your birthday party. Did I just lose some of you? Ok...try this. Imagine you're 32 and you asked for U2 to show up at your birthday party. The Wiggles are the 5 year old's version of U2. :) Back on track? Good. Ok, so you wake up on the morning of your birthday, run outside, and there they are! Setting up a stage in your back yard! Security is roping off the streets and they are there to play a private concert just for you!!! That look that would be on your face? THAT'S the look on Josh's face when he sees daddy. Seriously. He shakes all over he's so excited.

Ok, so back to my story. So after we have lunch with Ben, we take him back to his office and drop him off. Remember how excited Josh was to see daddy? Can you imagine how he reacts when daddy gets out of the car? Oh. My. Gosh. My heart breaks in two when I hear Joshua cry that cry. There are always tears and wailing and lots of screaming coming from my back seat when we pull away from the office. :( So after the tears subside and there's only the little occasional sniffle and *hic* coming from the back seat, I looked in my rear view mirror, reached back there and patted him on the head and said, "Daddy will be home soon, Josh. And Mama's still here! Aren't I good enough for now?"

And my sweet, sweet boy smiled at me through the tears. He smiled a sort of sad smile, reached up and touched my hand....and shook his head to say "no".

Ouch.