The Donaldson's

Running.... in all different directions

2010-01-24T12:37:00.000-08:00

This month has been something else to say the least!! Of course the week school started back we had the wonderful time off due to the "snow storm" that did not happen! Then Donaldson was blessed with a very painful kidney stone. I have never seen him in so much pain in my life. And in the mix of this our normal life has continued which includes never stopping. I think about 1 year ago and the anticipation of what our life would be like with a new baby and I don't think I could have expected all that is involved!!!! You think adding an additional kid is nothing but when you have a child who is very self-sufficient and then you go back to having a baby it can be a little challenging, but I would never ever change it for anything. Henry will be one this Tuesday and I am so sad that he is growing up. He is starting to walk a little (of course crawling gets him to his goal location quicker). Also, he is getting to be so verbal. He finally has started saying Ma Ma even though I think he is meaning "more more". Will has really started interacting with Henry more since he is getting bigger. Will thinks that as soon as Henry turns one they will be able to hold conversations with one another. I have told Will it may be a little longer!!!

"I want more Cocoa Puffs" Henry and Will on a wagon ride!

Also this month I have been training for the Mercedes Marathon Relay Team (10K leg) and never in a billion years would I think that I may actually enjoy running, but I do. I ran a 10K yesterday in Mtn Brook and it was so great. I ran with my step sister, Nicki, and good friend, Natalie! Here is a pic of us before the race.

January 1st... lets start this again...

2010-01-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

So here I am after a LONG hiatus! I have been told by several people they were going to take me off their "following" list and to those people I sincerely apologize but boy I didn't realize how hard "blogging" was going to be one. For one, I want to make sure my page looks pretty and I am still totally stumped on how to customize my heading, so any input would be much appreciated and second, do people really want to hear about what I am doing! And then I thought, I love to read other people's blogs but most important years from now I will love to read it as well as my children. So part of my New Year's Resolution is to blog more!!!!

This past year has been a very busy one to say the least. Our family was so blessed in 2009! The Lord blessed us with our second son, Henry and he is the funniest kid. Donaldson and I have enjoyed Henry more than we did Will at this age. Only because we know what we are doing. We were so worried about every little thing with Will that we didn't appreciate the funny thing kids do under the age of 1. We were also blessed to have Will start kindergarten. Unreal to think we have a 5 year old. He LOVES school so much and even tells us that he LOVES homework. I think I want to get that on tape :-) Below are so pictures of my boys this past year!

Henry at Daycare -- 1st Easter Will and Daddy at Auburn A-day Game

Will and Henry in the bath (Henry's first time in the real bathtub)

The Donaldson's -- July 2009

I am looking forward to what 2010 has in store for our family. We will be celebrating Henry's 1st birthday at the end of January. I am going to be running my first 10K race in February as a part of a Mercedes Marathon Relay Team (and hope to run a half marathon sometime during this year). We are also looking forward to family trips. During the summer Will will turn 6 and then get ready for 1st grade. 2009 went by so quickly... so here we are 2010!!!!

P.S. --fellow bloggers.... when uploading pics do you always have to move them. When I uploaded these I had to move them down to where I wanted them. Any help?

Almost 2 weeks old.....

2009-02-08T16:11:00.000-08:00

Its hard to believe that Henry will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. He has been such a good baby (knock on wood!). Its just so different than with Will, I guess cause we actually know what we are doing. Henry has adapted to his schedule so well and only wakes up twice during the night, only to eat and then go back to sleep. We are so blessed. Will still hasn't "warmed" up to his baby brother yet. Its something we decided not to push with him and instead let him warm up to Henry on his own time. Henry will be crying and Will just continues doing what he was doing without missing a beat.

Yesterday, we took Henry for his first real outing (besides doctors appt). Will was in desperate need of a haircut so we went to do that and then went to Old Navy. I really hate this part of post-pregnancy.... you can't wear your old clothes and heaven forbid you have to still wear maternity clothes. So I decided I needed a few things to wear until I get this last bit of weight off. Henry slept the entire time we were gone. It was so nice!

Today, I got the chance to spend a little one on one time with Will. He and I went to church, then to eat with my mom and niece, Bella, and then to Target. It was wonderful to have some alone time together. Although its only been 2 weeks since Henry was born, I have missed those times.

Below are some pictures from the last 2 weeks. Its amazing how big Henry is getting

everyday!!!!

Henry is home... YAY!!!!

2009-01-31T17:45:00.000-08:00

We got to bring Henry back home today!!!! YAY!!! They checked his billirubin levels at noon today and it came back 11 which was right where they wanted it. We had to wait a little while before being discharged because they had to transport a very sick baby to Children's Hospital. We didn't mind waiting because unlike the parents of the other babies in the NICU we were taking our baby home!!!!

We had such amazing nurses while in the NICU (even for the 2 days we were there). Ms. Jean was so wonderful. She had worked for Medical Center East (St. Vincent's East) for over 30 years. And let me tell you she could make a mean baby "burrito". I asked if we could just take her home with us. Also, Dr. Karle was so compassionate and knowledgable. It makes you realize what special people go over and behind their jobs. And we will be forever thankful.

I have to share a sweet and funny story of Henry's stay in the NICU. As you all can imagine, Henry's over 9# self was the biggest baby in there. There was a baby that weighed only 1# 6 oz at birth and her dad asked one of the nurses how big she would be when she got to go home. The nurse pointed to another baby who weighed about 3 lbs and then he asked "You mean she won't be that big" (pointing to Henry). And the nurse said "Maybe when she goes to kindergarten!!!" I am so glad I am able to make big boys!!!!

Now that we are home I promise to post more pictures very soon!

Henry's arrival week

2009-01-30T13:35:00.001-08:00

Wow, what a week we have had!!!! Henry finally decided to join us on Monday, January 26th at 5:08 pm. We had a very long day awaiting his arrival. The doctor broke my water around 7:00 am and by 8:00 am I received my epidural (what a wonderful thing!). Then waiting time..... I stayed at 4 cm for most of the day. It was okay though because Donaldson and I both got a really good nap (which was needed for what we were about to endure). At 3:45 Dr. Dey came back to check me and in a matter of a couple minutes she said I went from an 8 to a 10 and was ready to push. We were all a little shocked. I proceeded to push for about an hour with just a little progress. Dr. Dey then had to get the wonderful forceps to urge Henry out!!! Then finally after a lot of tugging Henry entered the world at 5:08 weighing a wopping 9# 4 oz, 20.5 in long, and a head circumference of 15 in!!!!! No wonder he had such a rough delivery. Below are some pictures after his delivery:

We were able to take Henry home on Wednesday, which also happen to be Donaldson's birthday -- what a great gift! It felt so nice to have my family home and complete. The first night my sweet husband took shift so I could sleep and recover which was amazing. The following day we had to take Henry to see Dr. Lytle to check his billirubin levels since they were a little elevated when we left the day before. That was when we received some shocking news... Henry had to go back to the hospital and be admitted to the NICU. I cried so much. How hard to have your baby at home and then have them taken away from you.

So Henry has been in the NICU since yesterday morning and he is doing great. His billirubin levels were 21.9 at the pediatrician's office and 18 at the NICU (they say its common to have 2 different results). They placed him under 3 phototherapy lights, started antibiotics (in case of infection) and ran fluids. As of this afternoon his billi had dropped to 12.5 (which is considered normal). The neonatologist said that they would continue to monitor him and have him under the lights in hopes that his billi will drop to around 10. Then they will take him off the lights in the morning and check his re-bound billi levels and make sure they don't rise about 12 or 13. If all goes as plans we will have him home as early as tomorrow afternoon!!!! We pray that we will be able to hold him in our arms tomorrow evening! I will update as soon as we hear anything else!!!!

He is such a handsome baby (I may be a little partial) and has such a strong willed personality. He does not want his arms tied down in a swaddle at all. He loves to kick (no wonder my ribs always hurt) and he is just perfect!!!!

T minus 24 hours

2009-01-25T06:01:00.000-08:00

The clock is offically counting down. In less than 24 hours we will be at the hospital. Absolutely unreal. We are now 39 weeks pregnant and Henry is growing, growing, and growing some more. At my 38 week appointment I was measuring 42 weeks so we could possibly have another big boy. Donaldson and I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 am tomorrow and then Dr. Dey said she would be by around 6:30 am to break my water and then see what happens!!!! We are so ready to meet the new addition to our family but also a little anxious. Its been 4 years since we have had a baby in the house and we know life is going to change drastically. However, we know its completely worth it. I will post pics as soon as I can. I hope everyone has a great day!

Awaiting Henry's arrival

2009-01-16T17:28:00.000-08:00

Its crazy to actually think that we are approaching Henry's delivery. It seems as though we all have felt that our lives are about to change! Will has been extra loving and "clingy" the past week and Donaldson and I feel it is definitely related to Henry's soon arrival. We are trying to spend as much quality time with him as possible. Will is so excited cause tomorrow he is going to Toys R Us with both Mommy and Daddy. Also, he will be staying home with me on Monday for some more quality time. As ready as we are for Henry, I really hope I am able to have this special time with Will.

As for our update, we will be 38 weeks tomorrow and are well on our way to delivery. At my doctor's appointment this week I was 2 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and measuring 40.5 weeks!!!! If Henry doesn't come before the 26th then they will induce me on that day. So 10 days.... It will go by so quickly.

I just ask for prayers that when Henry arrives we will have a healthy baby boy!!!

Henry's Nursery is Done!!!!!

2009-01-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

We finished Henry's nursery this week while I was off work. I love the way it turned out. I really wanted a modern nursery that could transition to a big boy room. Now all we need is a precious baby boy!

Pregnancy Update

2009-01-03T18:39:00.001-08:00

Well we have officially hit 36 weeks. YAY!!! At my latest doctor's appointment she said I am measuring 2 weeks ahead and would induce me at either 38 or 39 weeks... which is 2-3 weeks away! Its so hard to believe we will be meeting Henry very shortly.

I also have a prayer request: One of my employees lost her 17 year old daughter this past Sunday night. It is so sad and I feel so helpless. Please pray that their family will be able to find a way to get through this.

First Blog

2008-12-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

It seems that blogging has become a popular way to update friends and family of life, so I have decided to give this a try. Its so hard to believe Christmas is approaching so quickly. This is the first Christmas that Will has really been so excited and amazed by the Christmas spirit. Yesterday he was a wiseman at his pre-school Christmas performance and he was of course the best wiseman ever (I am not biased or anything!). Once I figure out how to post pictures I will post some. He is also very specific of what Santa brings him.... a Nintendo DS. Yes, he is only 4 and plays video games. What do I have to look forward to?

This is also a very special time because we are getting ready for our new addition, Henry David, next month. Its been a little difficult trying to get Christmas ready as well as a nursery, but its all coming together slowly but surely. Its so hard to believe that we will soon have 2 little boys! WOW!!!!

I am hopefully going to get this blog figured out, so bare with me until I do!!!!