BB2 was due December 2, but because Nolan did a number on me we decided to have me induced a few days earlier, hoping that a slightly smaller baby might make things easier. So we set the date with Dr. Loewen and planned to meet our sweet angel on November 28.
Our last ultrasound of BB2. The stinker was covering his face with his arm the whole time, but finally showed his cute face at the very end.
On Monday morning we got the call to come to the hospital at about 9:30 am. So we excitedly got ready, packed everything up, and went to Jeanni's to drop Nolan off before heading to the hospital.
Our last picture as a family of 3!
All set. Let's do this thing! So ready to meet BB2!
Everyone I talked to told me that their second delivery was easier than their first so I was hopeful it'd be the same for me. But...it wasn't meant to be. Well, I shouldn't say that. The actual delivery was better in that I only had to push for about 20-25 min instead of 3 1/2 hours, but I suffered a bad tear again! Ugh. No fun.at.all. My pregnancies are pretty darn easy so apparently my body is made for carrying these sweet babies, but not made to deliver them. Oey.
But you know what? In this moment, I didn't care one bit how difficult and painful the next days, weeks, and months might be. My sweet baby was in my arms safe and sound and nothing else mattered.
He apparently didn't want to exit his comfy environment because he came out crying pretty hard. Dr. Loewen handed him to me right after he was born. He was all purple and slimy ☺ but perfect! After a minute they took him to get him cleaned up and things. Justin hovered and watched them clean him, weigh and measure him, etc. Daddy bear making sure everything was ok with his newest little buddy ♥
6 lbs 10 oz and 21 in long
He was still crying when they handed him to me again and my mother heart about burst when as soon as they laid him on me and I held him close, he stopped crying. He laid there, totally content, for the entire 45 min it took the doctor to stitch me up ♥
So happy to finally meet our little guy! ♥
(p.s. Justin is SO handsome in this pic. But I digress)
Look at all that dark hair! Justin and I spent many moments in the last 9 months wondering what our second child would look like. Would he look kind of like Nolan? Or totally different? Would we have another blondie? What color eyes will he have? Still, all that dark hair surprised me!
Proud dad ♥
I also want to take a minute to say how great Justin has been during both child births. He is always so attentive and caring. Getting me anything I needed, rubbing my arm while getting the epidural, etc. And he thanked me more than once for going through so much for our family. I sure love him ♥
Still no name at this point ☺
That hair!
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While we waited for our new little man, Nolan spent the day with Jeanni and then got some special time with Grandma and Grandpa Bailey. From the looks of it, they had a good time!
Dinner at Olive Garden, of course Nolan had spaghetti.
Then some shopping
And back home for bedtime.
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The next day it was time for big brother to meet his newest best friend/arch nemesis (we hope the former haha).
On his way to meet baby brother!
He's was still a little 'deer in the headlights' at this point☺
On his way to meet baby brother!
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We've been talking to Nolan for a few months now about how he's going to be a big brother, that baby brother is in mommy's tummy, that we'll need him to be a big helper, etc. When we'd ask him where baby brother is he'd point to my tummy and sometimes he'd even come up and give my belly a kiss. Or when I'd leave him at Jeanni's he'd say, "bye mommy and baby brother!" (be still my heart) But he's still pretty little and doesn't quite understand what's going on.
And...he's over it already. He just wanted to play with the remote attached to the bed and he was happy☺
Baby brother got Nolan Cookie Monster numbers and he was so excited!
Our first picture as a family of 4!!
Those lips!
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It took us quite a while to settle on a name for our newest little guy. Nolan's name was pretty easy to choose, even though we didn't actually settle on it for sure until he was born and we spent some time with him. It just sort of naturally rose to the top of both of our lists and when it came down to it we both really liked it. Easy peasy.
BB2 was a little different. We knew from the moment we found out we were having another little boy that his middle name would be Michael, after his Grandpa Mathews (that was decided when Nolan was given Douglas as a middle name ☺). But his given name was a bit harder for us. After lots of stress (on my part) and deliberation we finally chose...
Branson Michael Bailey
A little background on the name: When I was younger there was a guy in our ward named Branson Neff. I always thought it was a pretty cool name, and even thought about the name years later. But somehow, as we were thinking of names for BB2, it never entered my mind. Then one day, about a month before he was born, I saw it on a name list online and it shot right to the top of my favorites. Justin liked another name or two, but I only had eyes for Branson after that ☺. Justin was sweet and gave me my choice. I hope our Branson Michael loves his name as he grows older.
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This is absolutely my favorite picture of Branson from the hospital. He's so handsome it takes my breath away! I can't believe we made something (well, 2 somethings) so perfect!
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Now for lots and lots of pics!
Like father, like son.
I'm a lucky girl to have this man by my side. And these boys don't understand yet how lucky they are to have such a great dad ♥
Heading home
Baby feet are my favorite!
Branson in the nursery. It's so fun to see these pics since I couldn't get up to see him in the nursery.
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Somehow we talked them into letting us go home after about a day and a half. Here's Branson, heading home in the same BYU football shirt his brother wore coming home from the hospital 2 years and 1 week ago.
Leaving the hospital!
All wrapped up and - our personal favorite - the burp face.
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Oh Branson, I hope you never question how much you are loved. Our hearts have expanded in a way we didn't know was possible. We love you more than you know and can't wait to learn everything there is to know about you!!
