Latest Addition!

We are beyond excited to welcome our little baby boy to our family. I am thrilled to have a healthy little guy in my arms arriving with no complications after such a long, emotional pregnancy. We are so very, very blessed.

Introducing

Cole Albert

My middle name is Nicole--so in a roundabout way after me

Albert is after Jared's dad and many, many other Wandry men

Born 7.27.11 at 1:17pm
7 lbs. 9 oz. 21 inches long

And the overload of cute pictures:

Grandma Laura holding him for the first time just after birth

Grey & Elise checking out their new brother
(Grey said, "Oh he is so cute and tiny!" Elise was scared)

 So excited to have a brother

 Cole's namesake

First bath

Daddy is roughing him up already

Going home

A visit from Grandpa Dave

The Labor & Delivery

I am recording my labor story, mostly for myself--it is really long and may make some uncomfortable, so feel free to skip it! Heather don't read this until AFTER baby girl comes. :) 

35 weeks arrived and the doctors gave me the green light to start walking and returning to more normal activity. I was thrilled, and also convinced that between the complications and the early arrival of my other babies that he would come early. I scrubbed the house, finished organizing, made many stock-up costco trips and kept things ready for going into labor at any time. 37 weeks -- dilated to a 2 and not effaced. 38 weeks -- still dilated to a 2 and not effaced.

Sunday morning (7.24 and almost 39 weeks) I woke up with tons of cramping and semi-regular contractions. Went to church and kept watching for things to get more intense. We went for long walks, I sat on my ball rotating my hips a lot, did lots of squats and things just kind of stayed the same without getting more intense. I was pretty much in early labor from that point on. Good times...

I had an option to be induced on Wednesday morning because of my GBS and agonized over the decision. My mom was leaving town Saturday and I really wanted my mom to be here for the delivery as well as taking the kids to her house. Ultimately I decided against it. I wanted to keep things as natural and healthy as possible and my experience with pitocin previously was extremely painful. So I went in for another appointment on Tuesday and found out I was dilated to a 3 and 75% effaced. I was very hopeful that the "labor" I had been in for almost three days at least did something.

Wednesday morning I woke up at 4:30 to go to the bathroom and noticed that the contractions were strong enough that I couldn't go back to sleep. So naturally I got up to fold laundry. At 6-ish I called my mom to come over. They were getting pretty regular. I had been having so many contractions for so long that I was kind of used to the pain and kept wondering between each contraction if it was going to stop. Since I was Group B Strep positive, we needed to be at the hospital a good 5 hours before delivery, so we decided to head over and arrived around 9:30am. At that point I was dilated to a 4-5. They got the saline and antibiotics going around 10.

Leaving for the hospital

Getting settled in for the day

My contractions were still going strong, but I had been so anxious to get things going for so long that it felt good! I was excited and walked around and around the whole third floor doing lunges and working that baby down. My doctor came by at 11:40 and I was dilated to a 5 and 90% effaced. She went ahead and broke my water. We went for another walk and quickly my contractions got a lot closer together and extremely intense. I got in the jacuzzi tub for about half an hour which felt amazing and really helped me relax. Then got out and tried a few different positions. I started getting a little nervous with the intensity, but we had an amazing nurse that was so helpful and by my side almost the whole time. I finally found comfort lying on my side with Jared pushing into my back and my mom rubbing my feet. My poor mom had left to grab lunch while I was still smiling and laughing and came back to find me throwing up and in pain. I kept wondering if I should ask to get checked again because I felt that I was either close to or in the transition phase but I was so in my little world that speaking took too much energy.

Suddenly at the peak of a contraction I told my mom & Jared I had to push. My mom went running out yelling to the nurses to get in there. I was still lying there with my eyes closed, but could hear everyone rushing in and shouting things. They started yelling to page my doctor and the resident doctor because the baby was coming out!! They made me hold the baby in for THREE contractions which was the most unbearable thing I have ever done. It was so powerful and intense and I was freaking out pulling on the side of the bed begging for the doctor. She finally came running into the room in her stiletto heels yanking the scrubs on and trying to get her gloves on as fast as possible. I don't even know if she had sat down yet, but in one push his head was out. The cord was around his neck, so she hurried and cut it. Next push they had me watch the rest of him be born (1:17pm). They laid his warm little body on my chest and I was in so much shock at everything that had just happened. It was the most intense and amazing experience of my life. To be able to feel every sensation and every pain was absolutely incredible.

Tired...

He didn't make the full time with the antibiotics so we had to stay 48 hours afterwards, but luckily it didn't cause any problems. He was absolutely perfect!!

36 weeks (late)

Third baby already getting less attention... I couldn't get my act together (aka showering and drying my hair) to take my 36 weeks pics so these are almost a week late. And my hair still wasn't washed--haha. Can you tell I am EXHAUSTED? This has been a long pregnancy and emotionally draining. Glad to be meeting my little guy soon!

I have been so worried about the health of this baby and myself the entire time. Now that I know he is okay and still growing well in my belly, it has hit me that I am going to be a mother of THREE! I am panicking a little bit and wondering how I am going to do it. I can barely handle the two I have. Whew! Wish me luck.

Strangest thing is that I had Elise at 37 weeks and Grey at 38--so this baby could be here pretty soon.

I am almost embarrassed posting the size of my belly. I didn't realize how massive it has gotten. I am counting down until I can get back to the gym. I hate that I haven't been able to work out most of this pregnancy.

And my pregnancy series:

3 months

6 months

9 months

30 weeks

I am a little behind on blogging... Now I am just about 32 weeks, but I haven't posted a recent belly shot lately. I am still on major restrictions--luckily not complete bed rest. But I can't do a whole lot and it is getting pretty depressing! 8 weeks feels like FOREVER away when I think about not being able to clean, grocery shop, take the kids anywhere I have to walk much, etc. etc... I am trying to focus on one day at a time instead of feeling anxious and overwhelmed by the meaningless day ahead of me.

I went in for another baby check and he is growing perfectly! He is measuring a week ahead in the 75th%. YAY! And they still can't find any obvious problem, so that is hopefully good news... And hopefully he won't make me wait the whole 8 weeks.

And more baby face pics. It is hard to tell what everything is--he had his hand, a knee, a foot and the cord in front of his face and wouldn't move.

Baby Boy

I am still dealing with a few pregnancy issues. This baby sure likes to stress me out! I had to go to my doctor's office today to do a couple ultrasounds after another little scare. Luckily they can't find any source of the problem and everything looks good--but it is a little frustrating. I hate not having an answer and worrying about what it could be since they can't really see everything. I go in again Friday and the plan now is to continue keeping a close eye on me and this baby. And I just have to be extra, extra careful. I am sure missing my active life and workouts. But I am glad this baby is healthy and growing bigger and fatter every week!

Good news is that I got to watch this sweet boy in the ultrasound moving around, sticking his tongue out, opening and closing his eyes and pretty much being adorable. She switched it to 3D for a few minutes too--so that was fun to see his cute little face. And he definitely has the full Gogarty lips like my other kiddos. She also saw some hair growing on his head. Gets me so excited to snuggle this little guy!

Baby's profile

Baby's face

More face shots--he was all smashed up against the side

Foot-long

Remember this? Pop!

Well, things are growing.... Apparently this baby boy is about a foot long now and just over a pound. I am just about 2/3 of the way done with this pregnancy.

Six months

People don't lie when they say the third pregnancy FLIES by. I just don't have the time or brainpower to think much about it. Part of me is so excited and cannot wait to snuggle this little guy and the other part of me is terrified. THREE kids. That seems like quite the handful. Especially as I sit by myself through church with two kids fighting over who sits on my lap or who gets my arm. And how will I ever leave the house?

But then I think of that soft, warm newborn snuggled up against my bare chest with that sweet newborn scent and my worries can hold off a bit. This little boy is going to be so loved.

Frogs & Snails

And puppy dogs' tails.

That's what little boys are made of.

We are so excited to have another boy in our house. Boys are so much fun! Grey is especially thrilled to have a baby brother. When we asked him about it he said, "I already have a baby sister. I don't want another one. I want a baby brother. We can name him Junior." I hope we can come up with a better name than that!

This little one kept his hands in tight fists down by his butt the entire hour except for this one moment. So hopefully he has all fingers--it was hard to tell.

And the low-quality photobooth belly shot! I am popping out and definitely looking full-on preggers now.

I am going in for additional ultrasound testing tomorrow, so hopefully I will have some more good pictures of our baby boy.

Pop!

I have made it to the end of the first trimester and the baby belly is starting to show. I am a lot happier to watch the belly grow this time around since I am dealing with the pregnancy issues. Gives me reassurance that the baby is growing! They are monitoring me regularly and the baby is growing right on track. I just wish I weren't so dead tired all of the time. When is the energy supposed to come back?

I find myself sneaking pickles, sauerkraut and salsa as much as possible. I can't get enough vinegar! If my cravings our any indicator, I would say we are having a boy. We will find out in seven and a half weeks. YAY! Then I really need to start thinking about bringing another baby home and configuring the rooms. Ugh.

The first of the 3, 6, 9 month pictures

Swimming

I thought it was time to finally get Grey into swimming lessons. I haven't had the energy to deal with it since he is terrified of water. Even more reason to put him in lessons. But it has been amazing! He is already pretty much swimming and dunking way under water after only a few lessons. He loves it. I am pleasantly surprised.

This is possibly the best picture ever.

So Studious

I came into our bedroom to find this on Jared's side of the bed.

Grey had turned on the reading lamp, put on Jared's glasses and was intently 'reading' an anti-Hillary book (Hillary's Secret War--if you are interested). Good boy. My first thought was, "Uh-oh. Jared is going to flip!" Then I had to get a picture. Luckily no damage was done to the thin, breakable glasses. He just wanted to be like his daddy. Funny thing is that I remember doing the same thing with my mom's glasses as a little girl.

Lime Green Frogs

Grey started soccer this past Saturday on the Lime Green Frog team. He has been excited and waiting for it for so long. He told me everyday all summer long that "it was taking too long to get here!" He has been practicing lots and wore his shinguards around as much as I would let him.

The night before his excitement got to him and he could not fall asleep for two hours and then woke up at 6AM ready to go.

As soon as we got to the field, he grabbed a ball and started kicking it around and making goals. With each goal he would jump up with his hands in the air and yell, "SCORE!" Then high-five Jared or whoever was around to see. Hahaha.... What a hilarious boy! He was also pretty pumped about snack time. Juice and Nutri-grain bars. You would have thought they gave him handfuls of doughnuts and candy for how excited he was about it.

And a little video--he is in the red shorts with the orange ball and high-fiving Jared at the end.

An outing... finally

I am attempting a few outings here and there now that I am getting a bit of energy back. Although I am doomed to bed all afternoon still if I try to do too much. Like taking them to the museum. Ugh. When will I ever be normal again?!!

Last week I used some free coupons I had for the Children's Museum. I hadn't taken Grey there since he was about Elise's age. And obviously Elise had never been. They both had a blast! And were worn out enough that they both threw fits as we were leaving. Nice.

But before the meltdowns, Grey got to try his hand at many different career paths:

Firefighter G (his favorite--we did it twice)

Fisherman G

Scientist G? (Catching big bubbles is a stretch)

Woodworker G (check out the nerd glasses-hah!)

And Elise of course had a blast just running all over and getting into everything humanly possible. So glad it is a place that it is okay to do so.

Perfect

This has been posted on facebook but if you haven't read it--you MUST. If you are a husband or childless person that wonders why stay-at-home mothers are so busy, PLEASE read. And if you are a mother--this should make you feel better. I always look back on my day and say, "What did I do today?" I never even get a quarter of the way through my to-do lists. You would think that since I don't have an "official" job I would be sitting around watching TV, reading books, and lounging all day. Um, no.

Thank you Carolyn Hax for putting it in perspective!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052201554.html

TELL ME ABOUT IT

By Carolyn Hax

Wednesday, May 23, 2007 

Carolyn:

Best friend has child. 

Her: exhausted, busy, no time for self, no time for me, etc. 

Me (no kids): Wow. Sorry. What'd you do today? 

Her: Park, play group . . .

Okay. I've done Internet searches, I've talked to parents. I don't get it. What do stay-at-home moms do all day? Please no lists of library, grocery store, dry cleaners . . . I do all those things, too, and I don't do them EVERY DAY. I guess what I'm asking is: What is a typical day and why don't moms have time for a call or e-mail? I work and am away from home nine hours a day (plus a few late work events) and I manage to get it all done. I'm feeling like the kid is an excuse to relax and enjoy—not a bad thing at all—but if so, why won't my friend tell me the truth? Is this a peeing contest ("My life is so much harder than yours")? What's the deal? I've got friends with and without kids and all us child-free folks get the same story and have the same questions. 

Tacoma, Wash.

"Internet Searches?" "Relax and enjoy?" You're funny.

Or you're lying about having friends with kids.

Or you're taking them at their word that they actually have kids, because you haven't personally been in the same room with them.

I keep wavering between giving you a straight answer and giving my forehead some keyboard. To claim you want to understand, while in the same breath implying that the only logical conclusions are that your mom-friends are either lying or competing with you, is disingenuous indeed.

So, since it's validation you seem to want, the real answer is what you get. In list form. When you have young kids, your typical day is: constant attention, from getting them out of bed, fed, clean, dressed; to keeping them out of harm's way; to answering their coos, cries, questions; to having two arms and carrying one kid, one set of car keys, and supplies for even the quickest trips, including the latest-to-be-declared-essential piece of molded plastic gear; to keeping them from unshelving books at the library; to enforcing rest times; to staying one step ahead of them lest they get too hungry, tired or bored, any one of which produces the kind of checkout-line screaming that gets the checkout line shaking its head.

It's needing 45 minutes to do what takes others 15.

It's constant vigilance, constant touch, constant use of your voice, constant relegation of your needs to the second tier.

It's constant scrutiny and second-guessing from family and friends, well-meaning and otherwise. It's resisting constant temptation to seek short-term relief at everyone's long-term expense.

It's doing all this while concurrently teaching virtually everything—language, manners, safety, resourcefulness, discipline, curiosity, creativity. Empathy. Everything.

It's also a choice, yes. And a joy. But if you spent all day, every day, with this brand of joy, and then, when you got your first 10 minutes to yourself, wanted to be alone with your thoughts instead of calling a good friend, a good friend wouldn't judge you, complain about you to mutual friends, or marvel how much more productively she uses her time. Either make a sincere effort to understand or keep your snit to yourself.

Write to Tell Me About It, Style, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071, ortellme@washpost.com.

Spotlight

Grey was spotlighted in Primary this past week. Obviously he is my oldest and this was the first time. I almost cried it was so cute!

I had him pick out a few things to show the group. He chose his Ironman action figure because "he is strong and fast." Then he took a medal Jared won at one of his triathlons. He also brought The Friend magazine and his Airports book. He was not shy at all in front of everyone. I'm such a proud mamma!

These are the questions he answered that they read:

What is your favorite day of the week? Christmas Eve
What is your favorite ice cream? Black (chocolate??)
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas Eve
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with my 4-wheeler
What is your favorite story about Jesus? Jesus was born and angels came
What is your eye color? Brown
If you could have any pet in the world, what would it be? White Tiger
If you could make it rain something, what would it be? Bananas

Grey's baby

Elise got this adorable stroller for her birthday. On the first day I caught Grey pushing around his jaguar singing and talking to it. It made me smile.