Christmas 2010

Christmas has come and gone. I am sad but at the same time, I was ready this year. I think it's because I really wanted my house back in order. Even though I am no longer pregnant, I still am nesting. I get OCD if things are messy or out of place. In some ways, I hope it passes but I also don't want it to. We will have to play it out and see what happens.

Let see, we spent Christmas Eve with the Janzen clan. We went to church and then headed over for dinner. It was our typical Christmas Eve dinner of ham, potatoes, veggies, oyster soup, rolls and raspberry jello for dessert. It's nothing too exciting but it's the normal and rounds out the the whole Christmas Eve vibe. It was a good evening with family.

Christmas Day was insane. We woke up and ate breakfast as a family. We read the Christmas story and then Jake opened all his gifts! We just let him have at it. 3 year olds aren't the most patient so we thought we would let him open everything first. He was super excited for everything! His big gift from us was a major hit! We bought him the Fisher Price iXL and he loves it. He will sit there for hours writing, coloring, reading, and playing games. It is amazing. I am just so thankful he likes it. He is more of manual toy child. He has all the Thomas the Train engines and a ton of cars and trucks, so this whole new electronic era is completely new. I am excited he is interested though! Michael and I put our gifts in our stockings! I was super excited that one of my gifts was a new iPod Nano. Ok, yes I have a barely year old iPod that has about 9000 songs on it and quite a few movies but it's huge. Not huge, but I wanted a small one that I could take on walks and all that. The new Nano's are so small. I need to get a wrist/arm band for it for sure. I think I have had almost every generation of the Nano and this one is the smallest. I was super excited though! Come one January 6th!

After cleaning the the disaster that was our living room after Christmas morning, I started to get everything ready for my sista,s house! Somehow, we made it on time. I really don't know how but we did. Since it wasn't quite dinner time we let the boys rip open their gifts. Can we say Grandparents spoil them? Man, seriously. We honestly were shocked we could fit everything in our SUV. It was packed full. We had bags stuffed on the floor and I had a few things on my lap coming home. It was just madness. We had an amazing dinner and the boys went sledding in the backyard. It was a great day filled with family and love. It was perfect. I will say, I was beyond exhausted when we got home though. Jake of course wanted to play with everything but it was way past his bed time also. Michael and I spent the rest of the night curled up in bed, watching a movie. It was perfection. Jax basically slept through the whole day. I didn't expect anything other then that from him. He did get an awesome floor play yard that he loves to already play with it. He reaches for the toys and loves his tummy time on it. He honestly thinks he is 3 months old instead of 3 weeks. It's crazy. I am sad because since he is the last Janzen we are producing, I want him to stay small longer. Although, Jake was the same way so I had little chance of that happening. He has rolled over twice now. He also holds his head up like a champ. He's such an amazing little man and we love him more and more!

The 26th, well, it all came down. I woke up and my OCD kicked in. I needed my house back in order. We packed up the tree, took down all the decor, put all the wrapping paper and trimmings away, deep cleaned and now my downstairs living area is clean and back to normal. We really needed the space. We honestly did. I forgot how much stuff you have with a baby. It's beyond ridiculous. I also want to get things kicked off to start packing up things we do not use or no longer need. March is going to be here before we know it and I have a few things to get done before we can put the house on the market. I do need to purchase some more packing boxes. That should be my #1 priority. The worst thing I need to do is pack up my china. I don't even know where to begin with that. I will tackle it soon enough!

The Christmas season has come and gone. It was a great time with family and friends and we loved every minute of it. From the parties, to the baking day with my favorites with the exchanging gifts which was amazingly hilarious, to all the family and friend time we were blessed with, the reason for the season, and the time I got to just spend with my three boys. I am so thankful for this time we had together as a family. I am so blessed for my boys and I love them all very much.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Christmas is 2 days away! This has been the most relaxing holiday season of my life. I know that probably sounds insane due to we just had a baby 2 weeks ago, but we had all our holiday shopping done in November. Most of the gifts have been wrapped also for quite some time. We had a few last minute items but this whole season has been the most enjoyable one I have ever experienced! It's also been a major blessing to have Michael home for 3 weeks. I know both boys have loved having him here. I find it funny that even though he has been off work, we have been extremely busy. Between Christmas parties, birthdays, friends being in town, and just running errands, we haven't been home much. I don't mind it one bit. It's been just a blast being able to spend days with friends and family. I have loved every moment of it.

Jax is doing awesome. Growing like a weed and eating us out of the house. The child can put his milk away like a champ. He is starting to stay awake for about an hour to an hour and a half at a time during the day. We love it of course. We try to play with him but he doesn't find anything too interesting at this moment. He does love his brother and Jake loves him. Jax will just stare at Jake if he is talking or playing. It's so sweet. Jake is very protective of Jax. He is always making sure he is warm enough. If he is crying he has to report why and what we can do to help him. It's so funny and very sweet. He loves helping at bath time, feeding time, diaper time, and just any time he thinks Jax needs him. I love it and am so thankful Jake has really been a fantastic big brother!

It's suppose to snow starting tonight. I am a little excited to have a white Christmas. It makes it really feel like Christmas! It's the icing on the cake! I just hope it doesn't cause chaos like last year. Church was even canceled and that made me sad. I hope that it isn't as bad as last year! I just love Christmas and the whole meaning behind it. Jesus is the reason for the season and I love focusing on that. God gave us one amazing gift, His Son, and because of Him, we are free today. I am so thankful for everything He has has blessed us with and even the hard times that He has challenged us with. We are stronger for it and I am thankful for that! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

2 week check up!

Jax had his 2 week check up today! 

Here were his birth stats:
Weight: 7lbs 9oz

Length: 20 inches

Here are his 2 week stats:

Weight: 8 lbs 14oz

Length: 20 3/4 inches

He is in the 90% for both! We know he is growing! He is perfectly healthy and is doing great! Always a good thing to hear!

SLEEP!!!

I have been getting sleep! This is fantastic! Little Jax has been sleeping about three and a half to four hours at night! This is fantastic. I know that I now have probably jinxed myself but the past three nights have been amazing! Only having to get up about once a night makes a huge difference in everything! Jake has gotten over a fear as well, which I won't mention, and this is day 2 and he has kept it going! I am stoked! I do not want that to jinx at all!

I have been in such a mommy fog that I didn't realize Christmas is next weekend. Yikes. I still have a few last minute things to get but all of our big things are done. We have about 5-6 things coming in the mail between tomorrow and Tuesday that will have to be wrapped up but we are good to go! We have 3 people that we still have to buy for. One is a gift card and the other two, well, we are hounding them tonight when they come over for dinner. I need to know these things! Seriously people!

Christmas cards are done and done! I left the stamps in the car so I have to wait till Michael gets home to finally finish them but they are stuffed, addressed, and ready to go. I am so thankful my parents were able to come over on Monday and take some quick photos for us. We needed to get an updated family photo obviously since it has changed in a week. I am so grateful they were able to do that! I don't look the greatest but hey, Jake and Jax are the ones that matter! It's extremely hard to get a photo of Jake too. Trying to contain a 3 year old for a photo is ridiculous. We got a few though! 

I have a scarf to knit but honestly, I think that will take only about 4 hours to do. It's only two colors and we have some down time this weekend so I will be getting my knit on! Which reminds me that I need to find the other spool of yarn that I need. Crap. I need to go digging for that. I had it two weeks ago, but that was before chaos exploded at our house. I am hoping that I can get a few things cleaned up too. I feel like I haven't been able to clean at all lately. It is really irritating! I enjoy and take pride in a clean house. I hate having things out of place. Once Christmas is over that will help in many ways. The piles of gifts and being able to take the tree down will help like crazy. I have a feeling I am taking it down a lot sooner then I have ever before. I am talking the day after Christmas. All this baby stuff is eating up our house!

First Christmas celebration kicks off this weekend! I am so excited! I need to get back in the mood. I have been so excited for it and since I have been off work, well, my Christmas spirit has gone down. Mainly because I am not out and about doing normal things I would have been. I need to blast the music and start baking! I think Jana, Becky, and I need to have a bake day while she is here! HA! 1 day!!! Ok that is my excitement coming out! Jana gets here in 1 day and I'm a little excited!

Since Jax is asleep, I better get my wrapping done!

Adjusting

(If this means anything, I wrote this entire blog and then it magically deleted itself. Then of course it saved it as a blank document. Boo!!)

Jax is a week old. A week and 1 day to be exact. I completely forgot what it was like to have a newborn around. Talk about a wake up call. I am thankful that we are still pretty young and can live with little sleep. Jax is eating like a champ. He takes in about 3 ounces every feeding. Unfortunately those feedings come every 2 hours. Seriously?! Ugh. We were so spoiled with Jake so I didn't expect anything less then a child this time around that didn't sleep in 4 hour increments right off the bat. He has a very mellow temperament though. The only time he cries is when he has to have his diaper change. Sometimes when he thinks he is going to starve to death he wails also. He is a fantastic little guy though and we love him so much already. Nights have been rough. I take the night shift so that Michael can sleep from 10-7 solid and take over in the morning. I get 3-4 naps twice a day so that helps a lot. I hope and pray he starts to stretch out his feedings. I can dream of day he goes for 4 hours and stays there. Just to have to only have to get up once a night would be amazing. Yet, him and I have a lot of fun during the wee morning hours. TV absolutely stinks but you can always count on the Hallmark Channel to have some Christmas movie going!

Unfortunately, I have been sick. For every good day I have, a bad one follows. I honestly think it was the flu shot I got before I left the hospital. It's just taking it's time to get out of me. I have no idea what I would do without Michael. He has been absolutely amazing. Over this past week we have grown even more closer and stronger as a unit. I never think I can love the man more, but then I do. My heart is overflowing with the love I have for him. It's beyond ridiculous. Last night and today I have been fighting this horrible stomach ache. It comes and goes in shifts and has caused vomiting and other unpleasant things. Michael has been fantastic with taking care of Jax and myself. He even went out and got me chicken noodle soup and saltines without even asking. It's been just a blessing to have him home during this time. He is even thinking about taking next week off work. I am so blessed!

Jake is in love with his brother. He refers to him as "My baby" and is always wanting to help. Not in annoying way at all. He helps with feedings, diaper changes, cleaning up, he shushes people if he thinks they are being too loud, he checks on Jax if he even makes a peep, and he very carefully rubs his head when he is sleeping or being fussy. It's so sweet. I was afraid he might rebel and go the other way but he has been amazing. he tries to play with him. He brings him his toys and reads to him. It's so sweet. He teaches him how to count to 65 (that is as high as he knows currently), count to 20 in Spanish, and the ABC's. It just so fun to watch them interact. Jax really focuses on Jake when he is around and cracks a smile in his sleep when Jake talks. It so sweet.

The whole experience was pretty good. I stressed for nothing of course. Everything went as plan. It was a completely different experience this time. No scary moments, no fear, hardly any pain, and a healthy baby to boot. We got to the hospital at 6am and no one else was there. We were taken care of by a fantastic nurse that had the same humor as us so we just had a blast with her till 8 rolled around. My least favorite part would have to be the spinal. I knew I would get sick and I did. I didn't throw up but I did have a few gag moments. Try gagging when you can feel anything below your chest. It's a weird experience. My anesthesiologist was hilarious and he took awesome care of me. The surgery went well and quick. When they said he weighed 7lbs 9oz, I think I about died of shock. Jake was only 6lbs 4 oz and I wasn't expecting a child that weighed more then that. Plus he had a ton of dark hair. Jake was practically bald till he was 2. I believe I asked Michael if he was sure that was the child that came out of me. Other then the food at that place, we had a great experience. We had a lot of family and friends that came and we are so thankful for their visits. Other then having this amazing little boy and seeing Jake with him for the first time, the next highlight was my shower. Your first shower after you have a baby, it's an amazing feeling. You just feel completely renewed and refreshed. It's just an amazing shower experience! =) The 4 days at Mercy flew by and we were so grateful for an amazing staff and great experience!

Christmas is fast approaching. We have 11 days. SCARY!! I hope I am feeling better tomorrow because we need to go out and get some last minute gifts. Jake is at my mom's tomorrow so I would love to get his stalking stuffers and all that jazz. Maybe even pick up a few last minute gifts for him.

Jana gets here on Friday and I am way beyond excited! I cannot wait for her to meet Jax! I also can't wait just to spend time with her and everyone. She is the piece that has been missing during this past week or so. It sucks but we make it through!

Other than that, we are slowly getting along and are just over the moon in love with the new little Janzen in our lives. We couldn't be more blessed and thrilled to have him. He is such an amazing blessing from God and we can't thank Him enough for him!

He is here!

Jaxson Charles Janzen

Born: December 6, 2010

Weighing: 7lbs 9oz

Measuring: 20 inches long

Last night in a silent house.

I am sitting here, in the quiet, just relaxing with my feet up, wondering what it will be like on Friday when we are all home. When I say all, I mean, the 4 of us (yikes) and the dogs. Our family of 3, well 6 with the animals, will become a family of 4 (7 with the mammals). My c-section got pushed up from 10AM to 8AM so we now have to be at the hospital at 6AM. That means my alarm is set for 4:15AM. That already makes me nervous. With the time being moved up, Jake went to go stay with my parents tonight. I already miss him. I think I will miss him terribly over the next few days. Not being able to tuck him in, wake him up, listen to him talk non stop, playing...ugh. I already miss it now. The dogs have been shipped off to the kennel until Friday. They are already living it up and having a blast. Figures. So the house is silent. The most silent it will be for a long time. To be honesty I am wigging out. I feel like I am about 15 minutes from just breaking down and crying. I am nervous for the surgery for starters. I don't want to vomit, I hope the spinal goes okay, and I pray that the surgery goes according to plan. I know things don't always go as you want them to but I really hope tomorrow does. I am also getting nervous about what he looks like. Is he healthy? How big is he? Are we sure it's a he? I have a million and one things running through my head and I hope I can just fall asleep tonight. I better be able to. I also have a nose thing going on. I don't have a cold or a sore throat but my nose is stuffed up something fierce and it's really causing me to not sleep well. Like I need that. I shouldn't be worried about it and I know God has a plan for everything. I am just hoping that tomorrow He will give me the comfort and strength I need to make it through the day. I am just praying for calm nerves at this point. I want to have a light heart and be relaxed and joyful tomorrow. Next time I write, we will have a new Janzen to talk about! =)