Bryce's 1st bath experience

Today we gave Bryce a real bath since he finally lost his umbilical cord. I have named him Sir Poops a lot because it seems like every time I need to change a diaper for him (which is very often) he has gone poo poo! I was very excited to move from sponge baths to soaking baths in the toddler bathtub. He has not been a fan of the sponge bath so I have been moving through these really fast. He was not very happy at first and so I was worried but after a few minutes, he calmed down and seemed to be OK with it. Of course as were were bathing him, Sierra was pulling at my pant leg and wanted to know what we were doing so we brought her up to the counter so she could watch and of course she wanted to play in the water. Shew is our little water lover. I decided it would be good for her to be a little helper so she washed her brother's feet.
All in all, it was a good 1st bath experience for all of us! Phew!
This was the before picture. He had no idea what was about to happen.
Not a fan here.Starting to calm down now.Such a proud sister!
Helping wash his feet.

First week home

This last week has been crazy! Every one except for Erik has had Dr appointments. Mom had her one week check up. Bryce had 2 appointments. One at the Lactation specialists to have his hearing test which he passed and he also had his one week appointment at his Pediatrician. Here are his new specs at 8 days old:
7 lbs 5 ounces (he gained all his weight back plus 2 ounces)
20 inches long (grew 2 inches since birth)=50th percentile

The doc said he looked great so far. I was concerned a little because he seems to sleep so much more than Sierra did but he re-assured me that it was fine.
This week also included Bryce's dad's and Auntie Kerstin's b-day so we had dinner together on Weds and Friday night. It was nice to have get togethers with friends and family. We also got to see Nina and her new baby Leah on Friday. It's a blast to know that our kids are so close in age and will be able to grow up together.

Here are some of the pictures of the week:
Bryce's mini porta crib/basinet that is in our room until we move into a larger house.
Sierra carefully kissing and hugging her brother.
Trying to get Sierra to hold her brother for the first time ever. She wasn't having it yet.
Snuggling up after being fed.
This was Bryce's first visit to the doctor's office. It's almost like he knew what was about to come. The doctor=shots.
Look at my guns ladies!

Snuggled up in his bassinet after a tiring day at the Doctor.

Last day in the hospital

Finally getting the chance to post the pictures from when we left the hospital. That day was a whirlwind from getting the Ok's from my doctor and Bryce's doc and getting everyone all dressed and packed up. Here are the pics from that day:

Little Bryce in his hospital bassinet one last time.

First time riding in his car seat.

Overlake Hospital stay

We stayed in the hospital with Bryce for 2 nights and had some friends and family visit us. On the first day we had both Grandma's, Auntie Kerstin, Uncle Ryan, Cousin Dresden and his big sister Sierra all come over and welcome our newest addition!
On the second day we had some friends stop by as well as family. Mira and and Janna from my work started out the showing, then my Mom came by and brought her long time friend Jim. After that my boss Tony stopped in to make sure I wasn't fibbing on the whole maternity leave thing and that I really had a baby (just kidding). To end the day we had Grandma JoAnn, Sierra, Auntie Kerstin, and Cousin Dresden. It was a wonderful day and so nice to see my work buddies again. I also thoroughly enjoy watching Sierra interact with Bryce. She can't stop giving him kisses!
On the third day we pretty much packed our stuff and had visits with doctors to make sure we were in the clear to be released. As usual for babies he was born at 7 lbs 5 ounces but lost weight in the hospital and was down to 6 lbs 12 ounces but that was not low enough for them to be worried.
Here are some pictures from our stay:
Official first weighing.

Just after he got cleaned off in operating room.
Acting camera shy. It was pretty bright in operating room.
Meeting Grandma Meredyth for the 1st time
Auntie Kerstin and Bryce
Uncle Ryan sharing bad habits with his son Dresden. Toasting on our honor!
Grandma JoAnn gets to meet the new bundle of joy.

Girls just having fun!
All my little babes!
Aarestad family plus 1
Mira came to see the new munchkin that she would be obsessed with. She LOVES Sierra!
Janna has been hearing about Bryce from Day 1 of my pregnancy (both good and bad).

Group shot! Can I look anymore tired??
Even Tony came by to meet the lil'one!
One of many kisses Sierra has planted on her brother!
Peek a boo! Notice the bear that was given to Bryce.

Bryce Jackson Carlson: welcome to this world!

Bryce was born on Tuesday, August 24th at 12:59pm via scheduled C-section.
I am creating this blog to record all of his accomplishments, funny stories and pictures because lord knows his mother cannot keep anything in her head for longer than an hour let alone keep her 2 children straight!
Bryce was 7 pounds 3 ounces. 18.5 inches long with a head circumference of 13.5 inches.
This pregnancy was a lot different than Sierra's. I had a lot more energy throughout and up until that last month, I felt really good. In the last month though, I was a bit uncomfortable because he was all ready to go with his head down on my pelvis bone putting some incredible pressure down there when I sat down and walked. The only comfortable position I found was laying down. The last couple of weeks, I layed down a lot (even at work)! The frustrating part of it all, was that I knew I was having a repeat C-section so it didn't matter if he was in the proper position!
I wasn't sick at all during the pregnancy but very early on had a loss of appetite. Hence, I managed to keep the weight gain to a minimum and even gained 4 ponds less than I did for Sierra.
That was the pregnancy in a nutshell! Nothing too exciting happened.