Rowen went camping

Rowen has been asking to go camping since our one and only camping trip in June. Grammy and Papa have not gone camping all summer because they wanted to stay close to home in case baby decided to make an early arrival. Well, finally a few weekends ago Rowen got to go camping with Grammy and Papa. He had the time of his life! Eric, Paxton and I met them at the campground on Sunday, enjoyed the sunny day together and celebrated Grammy's 50th Birthday.

Our 3 1/2 year old LOVED tubing. Uh oh- I am so in for it with two boys :). I might have an early heart attack!

Catching frogs- such a big milestone for Rowen. He hasn't been willing to touch bugs or frogs ever but he caught tons of frogs over the weekend and even tried to scare mommy with one.

Rowen also just all of a sudden became very comfortable with the water. He jumped into Daddy from this log over and over again with no hesitation.

Happy Birthday to Grammy! She is truly beloved by her Rowen and the rest of our family.

Playing with cousin Matt, or as Rowen says "my Matt".

Sleeping in the camper with Grammy and Papa is so much fun!

And of course Paxton had his first lake day at only 2 weeks old. He was an angel the entire time.

We can't wait to watch our boys grow up spending time with family at the lake- catching frogs, tubing, jumping off of logs, climbing trees, playing in the sand, and just being little boys in one of the best places on earth.

First Day of Preschool

Rowen's first day of preschool was yesterday, September 7th, 2011. We had visited his preschool 2 days before Paxton was born so Rowen was familiar with the classroom and his teacher. He has been very excited, asking me when does he get to go to school and talking about what he plans to play with when he gets there.

The night before preschool we gave him new Lightning McQueen light up shoes. He LOVES them! He couldn't wait to put them on in the morning but he was a bit anxious about going to school. He kept asking where daddy and mommy and Paxton were going to be. He also wanted to be sure that he was going to get to show Paxton off to his friends, however when we got there he completely forgot about little brother- just as it should be :).

Daddy and Rowen made french toast together for breakfast then it was time to eat and head out the door. We tried to keep it very low key, not talk about school too much and it actually worked best for Rowen this way.

Our big boy... he is so special.

Standing in front of his cubbie.

I had to get one photo with my preschool boy.

As soon as we got to school he posed for photos and then walked into the classroom, found the cars bucket right away and began playing. As soon as we felt he was busy and happy we said goodbye and walked out.

When we came back to pick him up he was playing on the playground, having a great time. According to his teacher he did great the entire time! He loved every minute of it. We knew he would.





Rowen told us about everything he could possibly remember doing at preschool... blue play dough, his teacher reading aloud Brown Bear, Brown Bear, cheese and crackers for snack, the purple car and the car that looks just like Daddy's bronco, the little boy who got stung by a bee outside, coloring a picture for mommy, how Miss Rachel and Gail like his light up shoes, the names of all the boys in his class (he didn't know a single one of the boys until that day- he knows a few of the girls), measuring things with his teacher, and how much he wants to go back to school! We couldn't be more proud!

Paxton Eric Volk

We are proud to introduce Paxton Eric Volk

Paxton was born on August 27th at 9:18 p.m.
Weighing 8 lbs 3 oz and 19.5 inches


On Friday August 26th I went in for one of my regular OB appointments. I was a little concerned that maybe something might not be right because I had been feeling a bit off over the last 2 days. It is hard to explain what it feels like but I just know it isn't right. I didn't hurt or have any major symptoms at all but I wasn't surprised when my nurse took my blood pressure and it was high. Not scary high but certainly on the higher side. I was told to lay down so that they could take it again in about 10 minutes. 10 minutes later my doctor came in and took my blood pressure again, instead of going down it went up slightly. He sighed and said that he had a decision to make... "When are we going to have this baby? This weekend?". He wasn't really asking me my opinion because a moment later he said, "Tomorrow sounds good. You will be induced tomorrow morning." I have to admit I was a bit taken aback. I shouldn't have been but I thought that maybe he would give me a few more days however he went on to explain that due to my history with HELLP syndrome that he didn't feel comfortable waiting any longer to deliver. So, I was told to go to the lab for blood work and then to schedule the induction.

We went home and immediately got to work on the last minute details. Checked to make sure our bags were perfectly packed, gather everything in the living room so it would be ready to go in the morning, took a few photographs of my 37 week belly and then finally tried to settle down with dinner and our bedtime routine for Rowen. All of this with the help of Grammy and Papa and Nana (Grandpa was out of town).

That night was probably the longest night of my life. I was so excited to meet this little person that I loved already so very much and also scared about how everything was going to go. I knew I wasn't going to sleep hardly at all and sure enough Eric and I were up late into the next morning when we finally both got a few hours of sleep. To make matters worse our air conditioner went out that day so our house was VERY HOT! It took until about 2 a.m. for it to cool off enough outside for us to even be able to sleep in our bedroom with the windows open and fans blowing. We laid around in the living room watching a movie and a few TV shows and talking about how our life was about to change forever once again the next day.

The next day we got up early to get ready to go. Grammy and Papa came over to take care of Rowen while Eric and I headed to the hospital. We arrived right on time but it took about another 2 hours to get the induction going. I labored from about 10 a.m. until about 4:00ish before I decided to go ahead and get an epidural. My doctor didn't come to break my water until 6:22 (yes, I know the exact time because I was very irritated that it took so long) and at that point things picked up very quickly. By 8:15 p.m. I was dilated to a 9 and at shortly after 9 pm I was ready to push. My nurse checked me again and said very calmly that baby was right there. She asked Eric to push a button behind my bed and when he did she once again calmly asked for a delivery team right away. My doctor and a few other nurses walked in very slowly but quickly realized that baby was coming like right now! I gave one big push and 2 little ones and baby had arrived into the world! Eric announced, "It's a boy!". We looked at each other and laughed and cried. Paxton was put up onto my chest immediately (something I didn't get to experience with Rowen's emergency delivery) and I fell immediately even more in love with my baby boy. We stared at him and talked to him as he cried and made all sorts of adorable noises. He looked absolutely perfect and beautiful and adorable. I couldn't stop staring at him and kissing him. Finally I said it was okay for the nurses to weigh him. I was very curious to find out how big this boy was. When they said he was 8 lbs 3 oz everyone in the room was amazed but not surprised. We were so thrilled to have such a healthy big boy! Soon after Paxton got his footprints taken and Eric and I got stamped with his tiny precious feet too!

Then Paxton was wrapped up and daddy got some time to get a good look at his second son.



Soon, it was time for Rowen to meet his little brother. The introduction was one I will never forget. Rowen was thrilled, smiling from ear to ear and giggling. He climbed up on the bed to get a good look at Paxton. Paxton got a few kisses from big brother then it was time to go to the room we would be staying in for the night.

Rowen and daddy got to ring the bells after Paxton's birth.



Before Rowen left to go home with Grammy and Papa, Paxton gave Rowen a big brother gift... dinosaurs! Lots of dinosaurs. Rowen entertained himself at the hospital with his new dinosaurs until late at night.


The next day...


Our family of 4 the morning after Paxton's birth.
We couldn't be happier with our two sweet boys!

Rowen brought Paxton this outfit as his gift to his little brother. Rowen wore his Big Brother T-shirt and Paxton was immediately dressed into his "little brother" outfit.

Big bro and little bro
As you can see from the photo, Rowen is very proud and excited to have a little brother.

After a few good friends came by to meet Paxton, we celebrated Paxton's 0 birthday with our family. Rowen had a great time singing happy birthday to his little brother and blowing out the candles.

Eric and I are so happy to welcome Paxton into our family. We can't stop staring at him, kissing him and snuggling him. He is ours, our sweet little boy.

Rowen's letter to the baby

Rowen has recently become very interested in writing letters to his relatives and friends. He will sit at his little table and talk aloud as he writes down his thoughts and questions to each loved one. Then he works very hard to fold each letter and place it into an envelope. On the front of each envelope he usually writes at least the first letter of the person's name that the letter is going to. We have been surprised lately at how many letters he knows how to write.

The letter below is to the baby. He "wrote" this at Grammy's house then as he "read" it to her she wrote his exact words down on a separate piece of paper. It is precious! Something I will keep forever to share with Rowen when he is a grown man, maybe even when he is about to have a baby of his own someday; and also to share with Rowen's sibling someday to show him or her how excited Rowen was for his or her arrival.

It is difficult to see in the photograph above but Rowen
has "written" (scribbled) his thoughts down.

More Summer Fun

We have been doing lots of fun summer things over the past few weeks.

Golfing with Grammy and Papa is a big deal for Rowen. He loves to go on golf cart rides with Papa in the evenings when it cools off.

We enjoy watching our neighborhood bunny hop through our yard and hide in our garden!
Rowen discovered the rabbit one weekend morning. He went out to the garden to plan a seed (something he will randomly do here and there) and came running back into the kitchen exclaiming, "I saw a bunny in the garden mommy! It ran really fast past me then went under the fence!". I thought he was making up a story because Ro has a big imagination so I said, "Is that a story or the truth?". Immediately Rowen said, "It is the truth mommy!". Eric overhead all of this so he told Rowen to show him where the bunny went under the fence. They walked outside and I hear Eric yell for me to come out right away. Sure enough there was the bunny sitting in our garden! I felt bad for not believing Rowen then.

Grammy, mommy, daddy and Rowen spent an evening at Splash Down. Rowen enjoyed the little kid slides but didn't care for going down one of the big slides with daddy. Maybe next year.

Grammy and Papa got this slip and slide for Ro. They have a gradual hill in their backyard that works great! Ro has finally got the hang of running and sliding on his belly really fast!

Grammy knows that Rowen LOVES to stay at hotels- mostly so that he can swim in the pool. She set up a night at a nearby hotel that has both indoor and outdoor pools. Rowen had a blast swimming with Grammy and his cousins. Then Ro got to stay the night with Grammy and Gigi in one of the hotel rooms with his Aunt and cousins in the room next door. We had pizza for dinner then celebrated Liz's 17th birthday with cheesecake. He loved every minute of it!

Mommy and Daddy swam with Rowen on the evening we dropped him off. We had a great time watching Rowen float and swim around in his life jacket.

Rowen and his beloved Grammy. Thank you Grammy for such a great experience. As you know, Rowen will NEVER forget it!

We have also had a great time playing with friends. On this particular day we had a great time playing in Cooper's back yard. The boys played in the pool and the sprinkler.

We spent a Saturday morning at Riverfront Park. Rowen loves to feed the goat. This kept him busy for a long time.

Rowen and Daddy rode the Carrousel 6 times this day! Way to go Daddy! I could hardly watch them ride on it 6 times without feeling sick to my stomach so I am impressed.

Aunt Erin and Uncle TJ came home for a family wedding in early August. We spent one morning together at Riverfront Park again where Uncle TJ and Rowen rode on the Carrousel another 3 times then TJ and Erin got to watch Rowen ride on all his favorite rides.

A new friend... Porter Kriegh Sackmann

We have a new little friend...Porter! One of my dearest, best friends had her second son on July 28th. Porter is darling and precious. As you can see from the photo below, Big Brother Bennett is a pro at helping mommy take care of Porter. Bennett is such a great role model to Rowen. One big brother teaching another soon to be big brother how to be a good helper and how to be gentle with a new baby.

Bennett, Porter, and mommy Josie (who by the way is doing amazingly well! I hope I can do half as well as she is doing with a newborn and an active 3 year old boy!)

All the boys- Cooper, Porter, Bennett, and Rowen.
It brings a smile to my face to see these 4 boys together. Our families are growing and it is so special to me to see my best girlfriends children growing up with Rowen.

As you can see, Rowen LOVES babies. He couldn't wait to hold Porter. Rowen was truly amazed with his new friend.

Welcome to our family Porter! We will love you forever.

35 Weeks!

All I can really say at this point is that I am feeling so grateful, so fortunate... we have made it to 35 weeks! Still pregnant and healthy- wow! I wasn't so sure a few weeks ago that we would make it to this point. However, right now I feel like we could go much longer. I am feeling really good. By this point with Rowen's pregnancy I was no longer pregnant but in the hospital either delivering a pre-term baby or just learning to be a mama.

I can't complain about much, even about the "end of the 3rd trimester" uncomfortableness. Yes, I know it will get worse- I potentially have 5 weeks to go but I feel 100 times better at this point than I did with Rowen's pregnancy that I just feel "good". IF I felt like complaining....My sciatica is pretty ouchy right now, my nose is stuffed all day and all night long, my face is getting so fat (becomes more and more apparent in every photo I see of myself), I toss and turn all night adjusting and readjusting about 4 pillows, and I get up at least 3 times each night to go to the bathroom. This is the normal stuff, the stuff all pregnant woman experience at some point to some degree. I like having the "normal" stuff and not the scary, worrisome stuff.

BUT I don't feel like complaining because... I am not swollen in my hands, ankles, or feet yet (I was massively swollen by 31 weeks with Ro), I am not too hot yet (only at times but nothing I can't handle right now), I just feel healthy, my blood pressure has been really good over the last few weeks (I check it at home), my carpel tunnel is still non existent (thanks to the cortisone shots), I feel like my body is doing the right things to help this baby grow and be ready to enter the world.

So, at this point we are hoping for another 2-5 weeks. Two weeks would get this baby to term and five weeks would get us to 40 full weeks! IF that happens you may get to read a post all about my pregnancy complaints but isn't every full term mama aloud to have a few at that point? :)

My doctor has told me that if my blood pressure shows any signs of rising into the scary zone he will want to induce me- even if I am not actually pre-eclamptic. He thinks this may happen between 36 and 38 weeks. However, he did say that if there was no indication of this that I would go the whole way- like it or not! So, only time will tell. My next appointment is next Tuesday- ultrasound then an appointment with my doctor. Until then keep thinking positive thoughts for this sweet baby and me.