Finley is One Month

The time seems to fly by and we've already reached one month. She's such a happy baby and loves to eat. We're hoping her nights will stretch out a little. We're just enjoying every minute of it because it's already going too fast. I've also posted some of her one month photos. The photographer was great and came to our house to make the photos more personal.

My favorite

We're going to try this each month. I was surprised how happy she was hanging out with her brother.

One month

Drake taking his four year old photo next to the bear we used when he was a baby. 

Drake's First ER visit

Drake is your typical boy and always running around the house. Well last Sunday he wasn't quick enough to get by our coffee table. Things were a little hectic on our first bloody event. Finley of course was just getting ready to eat and Brock in general doesn't handle those situations well. We're lucky to have a brand new hospital up the road. Drake dodged a bullet and just had to glue his cut up. The biggest fight is putting a band aid over it and taking it off. No water activities for the week. Drake acted sad when I mentioned that meant no swimming lessons. But on the inside I knew he was jumping for joy. He's not a big fan of the water or the back float.

Finley supporting her brother.

Father's Day

Drake has been going to a summer pre school. He loves spending time with other kids and I'm pretty jealous I can't go there. They have so many fun activities daily. He loves every part of it, but nap time. We had just transitioned out of a nap and then started school. So he tries to cut me deals everyday to come get him before it.
I also got a surprise when I went to go get him yesterday and he was in "time out". He tried to tell me Braedon was making dinosaur hands (whatever that is) and all he did was do it back....Hmm....right! It's funny because as I'm giving him the "speech" I'm hearing the exact lines come out of my mouth my parents told me. ...Um...yikes...

Drake at school on Bring Your Bike To School Day. 

Father's Day gift for Daddy

                                

                                  Daddy and Drake headed to Donuts for Dad's before Father's Day. 

Finley's first visit with the Great Grandparents

We took Finley's first road trip to the Denver/Cedar Falls area. She's a good traveler and slept the whole way. I remember now how much I hate not being able to see their faces in the carseat. 

With Great Grandpa Duane

Grandpa Donnie

Visiting Great Grandma Frieda..Drake held still for two seconds to take this picture. He was busy getting out every toy and asking for cookies.

Out of all the toys to play with at Nana's he was obsessed with this ACE bandage. 

Finley snuggling with Aunt Bethy

Tee Ball

Drake started his first year of tee ball and had his first big game on Tuesday. He loves to bat. But spends a lot of time playing in the sand while out in the field. It's a work in progress=)

Bath time

Finley enjoyed her first bath at home. Drake wanted to help, but would often get frustrated with us because he couldn't pour the water. His favorite place is hiding under her bed to let off some steam. The big brother role is an adjustment for Drake. He loves her so much, but wants to grab her by the head. We know she's going to be tough.=)

 Drake showing his gentle side.=)

ALL CLEAN!

Welcome Finley Marie.....

Finley Marie Traetow arrived on May 26th at 37 weeks. She weighed 7.1 pounds and was 20 inches long.

 I wasn't feeling the best at my appointment and had some symptoms of pre-clampsia. They decided it would be best for everyone if I was induced the next morning. Drake's birthing experience was rather easy and I think I was fooling myself thinking this would be the same.

Saturday morning started pretty easy. Got my epidural and was slowly dilating.  I was so lucky to have my doctor be on rotations that day. She broke my water and it was basically straight blood. They call it a placenta abruption.  I was rushed to the OR to have an emergency c-section. Brock had to wait outside until Finely arrived.
It was a very scary moment. I truly knew that I was in God's hands the whole way by being at the hospital when my water broke and not at home. Finley also had the cord wrapped around her next twice. When
I woke up I just hoped Brock stuck with the name we decided on.

She's absolutely perfect. The whole hospital stay was a rough one, but totally worth it when looking at her. I can't believe how much hair she has. Brock always laughs because I mentioned she had black hair on the ultra sound. Um obviously..since it's a black and white photo. Maybe it was mother's intuition.=)
She was a little jaundice, but is eating like a horse. She really only cries when hungry and loves to hang out at night.=)

 Proud big brother wheeling her in from the nursery.

 Nana/Papa Ruiter

 Aunt Bethy/Uncle Chris

 Nana/Papa Traetow and Uncle Chris

 

 My cousin Tom and his wife Barb

 All ready to go home....The outfit was a little big

 Brotherly love

 Tanning herself...trying to get rid of the jaundice

 My Aunt Jane and cousin Evan

 Aunt Megan

We're so thankful for family and friends who have visited us and helped us transition into a family of four.

IS THIS NORMAL??

Brock and I keep asking each other this question. Drake has an obsession with garbage trucks and garbage cans. He gets up early on garbage day and sits on the front porch waiting to catch a glimpse of the truck. We also have to leave early for the day to cruise around the neighborhood to look at everyone's garbage cans. He gets the biggest enjoyment if the lids aren't all the way shut. Once again.....um is this normal?  Many kids play Star Wars or Legos. Nope not Drake. He spends hours setting up our neighborhood on garbage day. Tearing up shreds of napkins and leaving messes everywhere. We know it's a phase. When this phase does pass....What am I going to do with the 8 large garbage trucks we have?

 We happen to hit the jackpot when at the Downtown Farmer's Market. They had all the community vehicles out to enjoy. We walked by the helicopters and police cars where all the kids stood wide eyed to explore. Forward marching towards the garbage trucks. Drake was excited because there was a front loader and a side loader. He also spent some time discussing lids and yard bags with the garbage men. Here we spent all that money taking him to Disney last year and we should of just visited Metro Waste.=)

Highlight of our Thursdays....smelling the garbage (mom and dad skip this part) and then dropping it on its side so the lid opens. I'm pretty sure this isn't normal.=)

Cleaning out the smelly garbage can. 

Drake's Growing Up...

 We can't believe how fast Drake is growing up. He finished his first year of Pre-School at Westview Church and has definitely grown. He slowly is becoming more confident and branching out. Brock and I weren't the most out-going as kids, so we're excited to see this.

Drake with his pre-school teachers- Ms.Diana and Ms. Shelley

 We were also so sad to see Drake's years at his in home daycare come to an end. Diane has taken care of Drake since he was 6 months old. She has played a big part in shaping him into the person he is today. We're so lucky that the baby will be going to her in the Fall, so Drake will still get to see her and Papa Rob.=)

Drake's buds at daycare   Dylan and Grant