Christmas

We were the idiots that went to the mall on Christmas Eve with everyone else in the world to see Santa. Over an hour later - Jack would not sit on Santa's lap without his dad. Once P sat there - all was great!

Twas' the night before Christmas

Corie got Jack a Woody hat AND cowboy boots! A huge hit!

Grandma Shirley MILLER Teasdale - Stenn's middle name is after her

Matching Christmas get-ups! So fun :)

survival

The lack of postings have been a result of simple survival around here. Between Stenn's circumcision, Gina's high fevers due to her double mastitis for 6 days now, sleeplessness, making sure a 2 1/2 year old still feels loved and is entertained and oh, getting those last minute Christmas tasks complete - the blog postings have been a last priority. It may seem like the second child syndrome already, considering Jack has 30 postings a day practically. But no, it is simply survival with the new mom of two down most of the time and the new dad of two trying to manage. But the most important thing is we have two healthy beautful boys :).

More pictures

Jack meeting Stenn - the first time as a family of four

Discharging from the hospital. When Stenn came home Jack showed pulled the moses basket over to Stenn and said "This is your Moses Basket Baby Stenn, this is where you will be sleeping." Then he said "Come on Stenn, come to my room. These are my toys. These are my cars. These are my trains. Sit right there, right there, right there (pointing to the chair)." So Patrick sat down with Stenn and Jack said "No STENN sit there, not Daddy!"

Jack helping to burp Stenn

STATS

Stenn Miller was 6 lbs. 15 oz. 19 3/4 long!

Yesterday he was 6 lbs. 7 oz. Need to keep the feeding up!

We're home!

Gina is Miss Popular! Jack wants to be close to mom and Stenn. Gina's
mom is on the phone checking in.

This shot makes my heart melt! My whole family snuggling on the
couch. Life IS good.

Time to go home

Stenn is wearing Jack's going home outfit and bundled for December.
Let journey begin.

Christmas did come early in the Woods house!

The first 24

Stenn and daddy! It's really hard to get Stenn to hold still for the
camera!!

Big brother meets little brother!

Jack is introduced to Stenn. You can almost read his lips...

Stenn was thoughtful enough to bring Jack a Buzz Lightyear toy. He has
learned early how to win over the big brother.

Ok... One more Stenn picture

Yes! I am a proud papa!

Another shot of Stenn

Freshly bathed and under the heat!

Welcome Stenn!

Introducing Stenn Miller Woods, born at 10:07 pm. Mom was amazing and
this delivery was so much easier than Jack (her words, not mine).

Thank you everyone for your comments, thoughts and prayers! Hopefully
we didn't keep you up too late.

10cm!!!!

Here we come baby! Baby team is setting up in the room now!!

A post for Sarah

Here is where the shower cap went after gina's mom found out that I
posted a picture of her daughter in it on the blog!

At this rate...

No news is good news. Inch by inch here in sacramento. It's Deja Vu
all over again!

Seriously though. We are slow and steady, but Gina is doing great. Who
knows we could have a dec 8th baby... (blog hits just dropped through
the floor with that comment as everyone decides to go to sleep ;-)

Feeling much better now!

Gina is all smiles talking to Nicole!

I am so amazed at the strength of my wife. What she goes through to
provide us with a family...

Thank you for all of your comments! I read tem to her in between
contractions.

Second epidural was the charm

Night and day difference! Still 6 cm but much more comfortable now!

Moving right along...

Bad epidural!

Well the first epidural was not good. Wrong place and Gina went numb
from her chest down. She couldn't feel herself breathe or swallow. We
put her on oxygen and it was VERY scary for about an hour.

She is almost all better now and we are moving right along. She is 6 cm!

Gina's quote of the hour " this is sooo typical!"

Laboring really hard...

No epideral yet.

5 cm

5 centimeters, ordering epideral. Gotta run. My wife is a tough
cookie!!!

Poor Auntie Eleanor

She drove up from Pacifica to Cameron Park to be here when the baby is
born. She is 25 minutes away and SNOWED IN!!! Gina would send sled
dogs to get her here if she could!

Room with a view

This is the view from our room. You can't really see in this photo but
our hospital is near Gina's favorite neighborhood in all of Sacramento.

Gina is a trooper. Her contractions have started and while they aren't
super intense yet, the anxiety of what is to come is mounting.

Our nurse Alison has been amazing and of course she is gina's new bff!

And ACTION!

Pitosin drip has begun! At noon the dr will break her water.

I have the most amazing wife!!

Keeping up with tradition...

What would the baby blog be without a picture of G talking to Foo
(Erin Fox).

Checked in and ready to go!

It is now very official! We are going to be having a baby!!

Here we go!

Starting the morning off with some starbucks before game time! My
wife looks amazing and even though she says she is anxious, she is so
much calmer than I would ever be!!

Jack

My Sweetest Boy -

Two and half years ago I was given the greatest gift of my life - you. I will never forget the moment I laid eyes on you - I could not believe that you had just come out of me. What a miracle. And now, tomorrow, we will be given another gift from God - a baby brother or a baby sister. I am so excited to see who you are going to play with, be an example to, and share a life with as a sibling.

Jack I thank you for teaching me about love that is so incredibly indescribable. Everyday you make me laugh, smile, and love you more and more. I light up when I hear your little voice in the morning calling out to me. I love that the first thing you want in the morning is a snack and a snuggle. I love that you incessantly ask me questions when we are in the car. I love that you take a bow in music class every time a song is over, although no one else is bowing. I love that everything is an adventure with you. I love playing pirate ship on my bed and you asking me to buckle up with the pillows and you sing "yo po yo po a pirates life a me!" I love watching you kick a soccer ball, hit a baseball and trying so hard each week to be a good catcher! I love that you practically have an out of body experience each time you see a tractor, a train or a dinosaur. I love dancing with you and wrestling with you. I love that you tell me the choo choo train needs batteries when you see them parked in the train yard when they are not moving. I love that you get excited about EVERYTHING I get excited about - pumpkins, fall leaves, Christmas decorations, flowers, new toys, Sunday football game watching with Daddy. You LOVE life and you are only two.

God specifically gave YOU to ME and to our FAMILY. You have taught me about what it means to be a mother. You have taught me what it means to see life through a little boy's eyes. You have given me more gifts in 30 months than is even conceivable. You are my best buddy and I thank you for being my pal. Daddy and I are so thankful for you. I will miss our Jack and Mommy only times - but promise to still give that to you even though someone else is joining us. Now the three of us will pal around during the days and three of us will run to the door when Daddy gets home. I love you my sugar and I thank you for giving me everything that you give. You will always be my first born, my first everything when it comes to parenting - you are how I learn each day to be a mom. Thank you.

Love,
Your Mommy

So long belly . . . (and swollen nose)

Induction scheduled for 7:00 AM Monday, December 7th!