See Kale Grow!

Friday, September 12th. 

We didn't know it at the time...but it was our last night as a family of three. 

Sage and I had some cuddle time on the couch after a long day at work and school. You can see my giant belly engulfed in a tie dye.

After our relaxation time.... we decided to take on one big baby task that had been hanging over our head for quite some time. The Hanging of the Letters! After many rounds of painting and sanding we were finally ready to display them on the wall. And we LOVE the finished outcome! This is Kale's new room. And he must have been waiting for this final touch...because only hours later...he signaled to his mama that he was ready to make his debut.

Saturday, September 13th.

I started to feel some cramping around 2:30am, but didn't jump to any conclusions as I had been having cramping for the last couple weeks. But by 7:30am, the cramping turned into real contractions. Just like with my first labor, I didn't want to admit that this was real labor. So I talked the family into a walk around the neighborhood. By the time we returned from our walk, I knew beyond a doubt that THE BIG DAY had arrived. And things were progressing very quickly! We didn't even have a hospital bag packed. Sage's labor was a 24 hour process. So I assumed I would have "all day" to prepare for Kale's. But nature sped things up quite a bit this second time around, giving me only 10 hours from beginning to end. So we had to quickly pack an overnight bag for Sage and get him to his first babysitter's house. While Matt drove Sage to our friend's house, I made several important phone calls to the doctor, the hospital, the birth photographer, and my mother...to alert them all about the impending birth. Contractions were coming very quickly and were getting incredibly intense. I did my best to pack an overnight bag and then desperately waited for Matt to get home. I wanted to get to the hospital! We checked in around 1pm in the afternoon. I was already 7 cm dilated. By 5:11pm I was holding my son - Kale Alexander - in my arms. I only pushed for 38 minutes and the little stinker was born face up! (They call it occiput posterior.) I accomplished the entire labor drug free. Thank god it went so fast. The pain was much more intense than I remember with Sage. But the natural high you get from overcoming such a physical challenge is one of the most amazing feelings of your life. I was in pure ecstasy following his birth. Elated. Energized. And quite stunned. It all happened so fast, it seemed like a dream. A very very good dream. 

Kale came out at 7 pounds 7 ounces. He was 20 inches long. And he scored a 10 on the apgar scale, which is almost unheard of in Colorado due to our altitude. Smarty pants! 

I was pampered from head to toe with warm blankets and fruit smoothies, then wheeled down to my recovery room. I really like giving birth during normal business hours. Because you don't disrupt your sleep cycle too terribly much. And...full room service is still available. I ordered a huge dinner for myself!

And here he is! My precious newborn baby boy!

While I was at the hospital giving birth, Sage was having a blast with his first set of overnight babysitters. Many thanks to Toni-Lee and Dan! 

Then next morning, on Sunday, Matt went to fetch Sage and bring him to the hospital to meet his brother for the first time. Michelle, my birth photographer, was there to capture this moment on film. She calls it the "afterglow session" and I can't wait to share the images with you once they are done. I also videotaped the first interaction between big brother and little brother. And it's a very tender moment. Sage was so excited to meet the baby. He squealed. He jumped. He kissed and caressed Kale from head to toe. Then he passed out. It was definitely naptime for my toddler.

After a good 2 hour nap, Matt transported Sage to his second set of overnight babysitters. Many thanks to Andy and Lainey for their assistance! And from the photos, it appears Sage had another fun action-packed evening.

After another round of naps....

...and the infamous Poudre Valley Hospital "new parent" bistro meal...

...it was time to head home. 

We went home Sunday evening around 8:30pm. We could have spent another night in the hospital but were anxious to have uninterpreted sleep and the comfort and privacy of our own home. And so we were officially discharged. 

This is the same exact outfit that Sage left the hospital in. 

Kale sure does pull off the monkey look well!

Sage and Kale certainly each have their own unique physical characteristics. But...there is no mistaking they are brothers. In some photos, I can't actually tell who I'm looking at. Depending on the light, the angle, and the facial expression, you might think you were looking at twins!!

This top photo is Kale.

 And this bottom photo is Sage.

The similarities are uncanny!

And here is Kale again in the top photo....

 And Sage in the bottom.

On Monday the whole family was reunited. Sage was dropped off at the house around 10am... and then it was time to start some real family bonding. We kept him home from daycare because we had missed him so badly over the weekend. That might not have been the smartest decision, as day #1 at home with a newborn is challenging enough without a toddler running around. But we survived.

Another fun brother comparison. 

Kale on top.

 Sage on the bottom. 

And back to Kale again...

This is Kale in black and white.

And here is Sage in color. 

Same lips. Same eyes. Same nose.

 And back to Kale...

The weather had been perfect lately. Just perfect. Light breeze. Clear blue skies. Bob Marley knew what he was talking about when he said that heaven is on Earth. It really is. 

Sage has handled the transition so well. In fact, he seems to like being the "big kid" in the house. Not only has he miraculously potty trained himself (pooping in the potty almost 2 times a day now), but he wants to do near everything else himself too (like taking his shoes off). "Sage do it!" he says. 

On Monday evening he was doing stunts on his four wheeler. He figured out several impressive tricks, many of them performed while the vehicle was in motion.

All my boys bonding.

Sage is quite fascinated with Kale. Always wants to rub his back, touch his toes, and kiss him. 

He's accepted him as a member of the family.

On Tuesday we sent Sage to daycare. Time for him to get back into routine. Sage showered with Daddy that morning.

My two little boys all cuddled up in bed watching cartoons. 

The first of many mornings to come... 

Kale on top.

 Sage on bottom.

 Brothers bonding.

Sage's foot next to Kale's foot.

Kale's first bath.

Not a happy camper. :(

Much better now that he's warm and dry.

Kale in the top photo.

 Sage in the bottom photo.

 And back to Kale....

I can't tell you how in love I am. 

My heart has doubled in size. I'm overcome with joy. 

I love growing babies. I love giving birth. I'm trying to figure out how to slow down time; how to preserve every hour. My two birth stories, Sage and Kale, are the most magical stories of my life. I wish I could bottle up time and relive them over and over. Each contraction, each push, each baby placed on my chest for the first time. It already seems like forever ago that I pushed this little guy out into the world. But I have to remember, this is not the end. This is the just the beginning.