Time Flies

You'd think with me staying home, Alexander in school three days a week, and family in town to help, I would have time to write the blog, but somehow the days fly by!

Somehow, we have already enjoyed our sweet Nikolai for five weeks today!

Last week, my dad enjoyed his first trip to Vegas and got to meet his second grandson.

As always, Alexander was eager to soak up Papa time, but was very generous in also sharing Papa's attention.  The first day Papa was here, Alexander did say, "Give the baby to mommy so you can play with me!"

Nikolai, like his brother, is also happiest when fully involved in everything

We explored Vegas with Papa, taking on The Linq's High Roller for views of the city

The weather was GORGEOUS the whole time my dad was in town!

Alexander continues to practice his swimming skills at the indoor pool at the YMCA.  He even went all the way to the bottom with Papa.  My dad couldn't believe it!  He played a game he used to play with me...hold on and go to the bottom, or let go and swim.  I always chose the latter, but daring Potatoes went right to the bottom, bounced off, and shot up to the top!

Brother snuggles continue to be a daily occurence

We took a day trip to the Hoover Dam

Every Hero needs a Sidekick

Nikolai battled breastmilk jaundice and struggled to gain weight.  Papa took the job of window sun seriously.  During Papa's visit, Nikolai gained enough weight to be removed from the doctor's watch list!  With his weight up and his bilirubin down, Papa was able to witness a visible difference in eye contact, awareness, chubbiness, and all out personality!  While I know my dad had wanted to make the trip sooner, it was a wonderful week for witnessing major milestones! 

I am blessed to have parents that get along and respect each other's space, maintaining a friendship that allows us to all enjoy the grandbabies together

Nikolai filling Papa's Fort Walton Beach visor like a pro

Our little burrito baby

Papa's last night was spent enjoying the container park

We are so thrilled with how this month wrapped up and are excited to see what the next month brings!

Two Weeks of Memories

Between eating every two hours, lots of snuggles, and outings with the older two, the first couple weeks of Nikolai's life have flown by!

Uncle Adam planned his trip for just before the due date, but his newest God son decided to welcome him to our home by getting released from the hospital just hours before Adam's plane landed.

As the known baby whisperer AND one of Potatoes's favorites, Adam had his hands full all weekend with entertaining young Martin boys.

I don't think he minded one bit!

Bryan came by that night too and got to meet the newest addition.

It was like old times!

Alexander may have felt just a tinge of jealousy, having Ahgo wrap him up as a baby burrito.

He is the most loving big brother with only occasional reminders needed to be gentle and cautious. 

This little guy is so easy going!

He eats well, didn't ever spit up until the past two days, and goes right back to sleep at night after eating.

We try to keep him up for 20-30 minutes in the evening to encourage night sleep.  His favorite activity is watching his big brother and hearing the silly songs Potatoes makes up for him.

Our first two weeks also included an in home vet visit for Zoey- such a good decision for our high stress princess.

Gammie has been such a huge help with baby, bug brother, and housekeeping!

We have made sure to have lots of fun so Alexander doesn't feel like Nikolai equates to house arrest and boring mommy.

A quick chiropractic adjustment

Our week also included quartz countertops

Fall Fair

Traveling bouncy fair

Even baby and me climbed in for a bit

(On a portion with virtually no jumping)

Baby's first game day against Tennessee 

These two look so much alike

We love you, Nikolai!

Martin Crew, Party of Five

I am so excited to introduce our newest crew member!

Nikolai Darius Martin

September 24, 2019

8lbs 6oz

21.5in

Our first picture featuring both the boys

Almost looks like I have mama's boys doesn't it?  Those close to us know that little Spiderman sure loves his mama, but is a Daddy's Little Dude all the way!

On Monday, I had an appointment and was 38 weeks 4 days.  Because we live 40 minutes from the base hospital without traffic, and with Potatoes rushing into the world in a rapid 22 minutes,  I opted for a membrane sweep and a room for the night at the base hotel.

After my mom and I said goodbye to Uncle Ryan, checked in and had a hotel nap, Daniel and Potatoes came to meet us.  The Martin trio headed out for some bowling while my mom got her things together for the night. 

We played disc golf hours before I was admitted to have Alexander, so I was hoping going bowling might help move things along. 

After bowling, my contractions started getting stronger and more frequent to the point I felt it was time to give L&D a call.  This meant Daniel wasn't yet going home to Zoey, and my mom and Potatoes posted up in the hotel room.

I progressed quickly at first, and they said they were going to keep me based mainly.on the fact that Alexander's delivery was so very fast.  I opted for the epidural this time, since I was a bit traumatized by the experience of last time.  Unfortunately, it made me itch like crazy- from the inside- which is apparently a side effect experienced by nearly.half of people to various degrees. 

At 10pm I was nearly 7cm; by 2am I was still at 7cm and my contractions had slowed down.  They kept.advising me to rest but the itching skin was too intense.  Luckily, at 4:45 they opted to manually break my water.

It was a far different experience pushing with the epidural and required some coaching from the doc.  Though it felt like the whole process took forever, Nikolai came into the world at 5:59am, just over an hour after my water broke.

This boy is strung like his brother!  He lifted his head and tilted it towards the voice of both his daddy and his brother within 30 minutes of entering the world.

He looks a lot like his big brother!

Because of the timing, that night was the first night Zoey was ever left alone all night.  We were so sure he would come by midnight and then Daniel could run home to snuggle her when baby and I fell asleep, but this guy had other plans.

When Gammie told Alexander his brother was here, big brother jumped out of bed, got dressed and brushed teeth in record time; racing to meet the new addition.  Finally, Daniel was able to go see Zoey, who smelled the baby hat, ate her meal from the previous day (hunger strike!) and promptly passed out.  She was probably up all night stressing- poor princess.

Gammie is in love already 

Alexander is absolutely smitten.  He has been so gentle and giving lots of kisses, but also keeping things true to Alexander style at the same time.  Hopefully Nikolai has some spunk!

He wanted to sing songs to his little brother.  We started with Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Wheels on the Bus.  Then I told Potatoes that this day was his brother's birthday so he could sing him a special song, expecting Happy Birthday.

"I'm your big brother! You're my little baby! I will always protect you, but when you get big we will be able to FIGHT!!"

Big Brother is a perfect balance of sweet and salty!

We had the BEST team!!! I cannot begin to explain how much love everyone poured into our stay.  We had so many laughs and hugs and just a beautiful experience.   I didn't know if it was weird to ask for the phone numbers of my favorite nurses, but I absolutely would've loved to.

We are battling jaundice and trying to figure out feedings but after three days, they finally sent us home!

Here's to our first night all together under one roof!