Jakey-Boy is one month old!

Just home from the hospital!

Jake, furrowed brow. 

Snuggling with Daddy, three days old

Auntie Katie is here!

Lucy loves her baby brother

Baby toes

So tiny! I can't believe how much he has already grown

Marc is a good sport

So sleepy!

Lucy and her puppies

Sean and Jake

Grammie Pam and Grampy Dave got Jake a swing!

So serious!

Special girl! 

Lucy loves her Grandparents. At Portland's Rose Garden.

Grampy Dave with his first grandson

In love!

Jake's first concert!

We had a good time at the show

Lucy danced the night away!

So sleepy!

Happy 4th!

Jake slept through most of the 4th

Little Buddy

Jake is now one month old! It has been a great month of getting to know Jake, having family and friends visit, and adjusting to being a family of four. Jake has begun to smile, which is the best! It is still unpredictable as to when you might catch a smile, but when you get one it is fabulous. He squints his little eyes, coos a little...it is so sweet. He is a good sleeper as newborns go, and usually we get two 3-4 hour stretches of sleep at night. It is great. Like most babies, he loves to nurse! His eyes are grey, but look blue if he is wearing blue...we will see what they do over time. When he was three weeks old a birthmark showed up on his left shin! I guess birthmarks can appear anytime in the first month. He has grown a lot...it is hard to believe how big he has already gotten. He loves to snuggle and be held in the daytime.  He is a happy and healthy baby boy!

Lucy is adjusting and is a fantastic big sister. She likes to help change his diaper, get his clothes on, and will tell me "Mom, he's doing his lips, he needs Momma's nummies." This means he is rooting, and needs to nurse. She helps with his baths as well. She sometimes spontaneously comes up and squeezes his chubby cheeks, and gives him kisses. She loves taking care of her babies just like I take care of Jake. She has "nursed" her baby, changes their diapers, puts them in their jammies, and even wears them in a sling. A few days after we got back from the hospital she put her baby doll crib next to her bed, just like Jake's bassinet is next to my bed. My hormones were going and it made me cry, knowing that she still identifies with me. It has been hard at times as I am so busy with the baby, and she understands to a point, but I also know she has probably felt let down by me as well. Lucy has needed lots of extra attention from Marc and I, but she is starting to settle into our new normal. She is still really into doing artwork, and her favorite thing at the moment is cutting pictures out of magazines and using them in collages and cards. She adds stickers and paint...some of her creations are really quite cool. Before the baby, she had found a picture of a pregnant Mom and daughter which she cut out, and after the baby she started cutting out all sorts of pictures of babies. It's pretty cute. Lucy often says, "I love you really much." Lucy, we love you really much!

My sister Katie came to town for a bit, as did my parents. We were happy for their help, and so glad to introduce them to Jake. Lots of friends have come to visit, and we have spent a ton of time out at the farm. Rose and Robin's second son Sean was born 4 days after Jake. It is so exciting having a friend with a newborn at the same time. Lucy and Evan's birthdays are 4 days apart as well (plus a year)...it is clear that our families are connected! We took Jake to his first concert at the Oregon Zoo, and appropriately it was to see Jake Shimabukuro, his ukulele playing namesake. Leo Kottke played as well. Several of our friends came and we all enjoyed the show. Summer is in full swing here in Oregon, and although we aren't quite able to do all of the things we generally do in summer, we are loving getting to spend time with our little Jakey-Boy. We are so blessed to have such a happy, healthy family, and so lucky to have each other.

Welcome to the world, Jake Carson!

Minutes after Jake's birth...what just happened??? :)

Daddy, Mommy and Jake

Jake was crying...probably thinking the same thing I was, what just happened to me??!!

Proud Papa

Lucy sees Jake for the first time!

Grammy TuTu and Lucy admire Jake

Siblings!

Happy Family

Jake and GrandPappy Bobby

Jake Carson

Lucy and Jake

Baby Jake Carson Leisenring was born on June 12, 2012 at 8:10 pm, 12 minutes after we got to the hospital. He was 8 lb, 11 oz and 20 3/4 in.  His birth was quite the adventure, as all births are! 

The day before he was born, Lucy and I had a really fun day together. We walked to Starbucks, then to the park, then the library and finally to lunch at a Thai restaurant and then home. We did quite a bit of walking, and had a really nice day together. It has proved to be the last Mommy-and-Lucy day as that night, at 11pm I woke up to the feeling of a release and a gush of fluid...my water broke! What a strange sensation!  After talking with the midwife, I decided to try and get some sleep. This was easier said then done, as the anticipation really takes over...once your water breaks you know the baby is coming sooner rather then later! I got a few winks here and there, in between mild contractions. Once morning arrived, I got Lucy up. I told her we were taking her to her friend Yulana's house, because my body was telling me it was time for Baby Jake to be born. Lucy looked at me, covered her eyes with her hands, and fell back onto her pillow. She stayed that way for a while. Lucy knew there was big change coming, and now it was coming soon!

Marc and I went to the midwives clinic to check on the baby and make sure everything was ok. We were given the option of going to the hospital and starting pitocin as I was not in active labor yet, or I could go home, try to rest and see what happened. We decided to give it more time and headed home. I actually did take a nap, and when I got up my contractions were stronger and more regular, but manageable. Marc's parents arrived from North Idaho at about 4pm, and I was still able to hang out, and chat in between contractions. I talked with the midwife and said I wanted to wait until morning to start pitocin, to see if my labor could really get going on its own overnight. Although I was having contractions, I did not feel they were long enough, and I was able to breathe through them, so I did not want to get to the hospital too early. I really wanted to avoid pitocin, as long as Baby Jake was ok. I was disappointed a bit though, as my co-worker had had her baby earlier in the day, and as we had such similar pregnancies, I had a feeling our babies would be born on the same day. I resigned myself to Jake being born on his due date, June 13th. 

Little did I know that in the space of an hour I would go from coping with labor just fine to totally loosing it internally. All of the sudden things got very intense, and I decided I should try and lay down. I started to think that this was crazy, women were crazy to do this, what was I thinking, why would I not want to be at the hospital with an epidural...I started feeling like I needed to get to where I was going and I was also having the urge to push, which I didn't give too much credit as I had the urge to push way to early with Lucy. Good thing that the instinct to get to the hospital was so strong, and that I didn't delay further. 

The car ride was crazy and I felt like I was barely hanging on. We got to the hospital, found a wheelchair and made it to the maternity floor. Marc was irritated with me as I insisted we bring all of the luggage. He was envisioning hours of labor. It was a relief to be there. I told the staff that I had the urge to push but that it was probably nothing...good thing they did not believe me, and started getting things ready for delivery! The midwife got there right after we did and when she checked me she said I could push...this made me feel both relieved and scared out of my mind. I did not want to face pushing out a baby without an epidural, even though in visualizing the birth I had been hoping to go without. I guess most everyone wants one in the moment, labor is hard!  The nurse teased me later for calmly asking if it was too late for one when my baby was crowning. Once I accepted my fate, I got down to pushing and 12 minutes after we arrived to the floor, Baby Jake was on my chest and screaming! It was like, what just happened??? It took a while to catch up. Hours, really. Jake was perfect and beautiful and screamed for 2 hours. It was great. I apologized for being so out of control, and everyone said I was so calm the whole time. Marc had no idea it would happen so quickly as he said I was so calm on the car ride over. He says, "I wasn't even speeding!" All I can say is that I was nowhere near calm internally and my perception was that I was shouting and screaming. Interesting how what was going on on the inside was not what I was projecting! What a wild ride! Welcome to the world, Jake Carson. May you always take us by surprise, and keep life interesting! We all love him so much.

Spring 2012

Lucy loves to dress up!

We love you, Lucy Kat!

Easter!

Before school one morning, such a sweet little girl!

Lucy has her own tools now!

Auntie Katie and Lucy, good friends.

Sophia, Yulana and Lucy. 

Lucy has a green thumb!

Rose and I, both pregnant. Yes, there is only one baby in my belly!

Lucy and Evan

The last few months have been full of activity and change. When we returned from our trip to Hawaii, we began furiously packing for a move to a new home. We have moved across town into a lovely house with lots of room, close to our jobs and some friends, and a fantastic neighborhood. We are feeling pretty settled now, although we still have moments where we can't believe our luck at finding something so close to our ideal. There are many wonderful places to easily walk to along sidewalks, including restaurants, grocery stores, yoga, library, parks, shops, the high school and elementary school, a farmers market, and I could go on. We are near all of these conveniences of the city, but feel like we are in a small town, and downtown Portland is only about 10 minutes away! Our house is south-facing and gets some great sunlight, and is very spacious. We can imagine staying here for a long time!  Thank goodness Marc's Dad and my Dad came to help us move, and my sister Katie came for a week to help me, as the move and associated stress left me exhausted for a good month and a half.

Lucy is growing and learning and amazes me everyday. She is very sweet and will tell Marc and I spontaneously that she loves us. "Mommy, I love you." Yesterday she said "Mommy and Daddy, I love BOTH of you."  It was pretty special. She loves her stuffed animals, and has a whole puppy family. All of the dogs are named and she often plays doctor with them.  Before we moved, I was sick and laying on the couch trying to get through the day moment by moment. I heard Marc say "Lucy, do you have the scissors in there?" In my misery I thought, ut-oh, but was incapable of moving. About ten minutes later I heard Marc ask the same question. As I was certain by now that she had cut her hair, I roused myself finally and found the first lock of hair in the hallway, and lots of hair on the floor in her room. Lucy immediately began sobbing, and cried for 30 minutes, despite me telling her that I wasn't mad. If it happens again, well then I will be upset, but every kid cuts their hair at least once, right? The damage was easy to hide!  She has used her first "bad" word, she said "dammit!" when she spilled some water. I am sure she got it from me. She has shown me her "beautiful painting" and will tell us to be quiet so she can sing a "beautiful song". Often she sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow. On a walk, right after picking her nose, she said to me, "Mommy, I don't eat my boogers anymore." It was pretty funny. She loves to help me clean the house. One night while helping her fall asleep, she said, "Move over, your big body is in the way!" Indeed, my body is big!!!

One of the most endearing things about Lucy in the last several months is her belief that she is pregnant alongside me. She has put lots of detail into it. She ran into the bathroom, and pretended to puke. She says "That dress doesn't fit me anymore because of the baby in my belly." When she sees baby girl clothing in the store, she wants to get it for her baby girl. She has named her baby girl Shawna. She will say that her baby is kicking her, or her baby is sleeping, then ask me what Baby Jake is doing. She does say that her baby won't be born until she is big and grown, but other times she says that her baby will be born when Jake is.  She was also saying for a while that she was working on her masters. Our realtor thought that was pretty funny and said we must be proud of our pregnant three year old who is also working on an advanced degree! I have a special little baby doll and some accessories to give her in the hospital when Jake is born.

Baby Jake Carson should be here soon! Every day I feel more and more ready for his arrival, and I know he will be here when the time is right. We chose the middle name Carson as he is the son of a Karr :) and we have a good friend named Carson who was an important part of the concert-night that Marc and I connected at. He is like a big brother to us, and the name seems fitting, to honor both our friend, and my family at the same time. We are getting excited to meet Baby Jake, and learn all about him. It is still hard to believe sometimes! Lucy is going to be such a good big sister, and our family will be complete. Friday night we went out to dinner, and the waiter said "table for three?" In all seriousness I said no, that there was four of us. I was thinking, can't he see? I guess this means that I am ready! (And that I still have pregnancy brain at times!)

Aloha Hawaii

Sun, sand, surf...what more could you want?

Daddy and Lucy kayaking at Waimanolo

Our 13th anniversary dinner

Waikiki Aquarium

Lucy and Grammy Tutu at Ko Olina

Loving life!

"Byodo-In-Temple" on Oahu, and Baby Jake-In-Mommy

Elizabeth and Lucy

Sunset and big waves near Sharks Cove on the North Shore

Our family, Waimea Waterfall, Oahu

"Secret" Falls in Kauai

Waimea Canyon, Kauai, The Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Too bad we are blocking the view!

Hiking above the Napali Coast, Kauai

Sunrise in Kauai

Roosters love the beach in Kauai too!

Way back in February Marc, Lucy and I traveled to Hawaii to visit Marc's Mom Randy, and to relax as a family. I feel so lucky to have family in Hawaii and the perfect excuse to go there every few years. Each time we learn more about the Islands, explore new places, and get to know our favorite spots better. Randy is an excellent host and always makes us feel so welcome. After about 6 days there an incredible sense of relaxation and well-being comes over me and it just feels so good.

This was Lucy's first trip (well, she did go in utero!) and boy did she have fun! Three months later her first memory is of Grammy Tutu, then of making sand castles. We spent lots of time at the beach, and we also went hiking, to the aquarium, and to visit the North Shore and our friend Elizabeth. We did the Pineapple Maze at the Dole Plantation. It really helped having Marc there! I never would have found all of the stations on my own. On our 13th anniversary as a couple Marc and I got to go by ourselves to see Jake Shimabukuro, a really amazing non-traditional ukulele player at a fancy restaurant. It was awesome. Before the show we realized there was something we liked about the name Jake, and sure enough, that is what we are naming our son. Jake Carson Leisenring!

Randy took care of Lucy for a few days, and Marc and I got to go to Kauai by ourselves. It was so nice, spending time together. We did some great sight-seeing, going to Waimea Canyon, hiking above the Napali Coast, and visiting a couple of waterfalls. We relaxed on the beach and went out to a memorable Valentines Day at a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant, where they cook the food in front of you...yum!  The highlight, besides just being together, was seeing migrating humpback whales jumping in the water offshore. We got up at sunrise and walked, looking and looking and seeing nothing. The sunrise was beautiful, so we weren't totally disappointed. After a beach-side resort breakfast, we walked back to our hotel and lo-and-behold, there they were, swimming and jumping. Clear out of the water! It was from a distance, but so cool to actually see whales. Back on Oahu, Lucy and Tutu had a great time together. We were so grateful to Randy for taking such good care of our little Lucy. 

We can't wait to take Baby Jake to Hawaii! And I can't wait as my last two trips there I have been pregnant! ;)

Happy 3rd Birthday Lucy!

"Winter Blast 2011" was not too crazy, but we did get a little snow.  

Lucy and her good friend Gracie!

Birthday Party!

Three years old

Grampy Dave and Lucy

Pinata!

Birthday Girl

Present time

Thanks for coming Grammy and Grampy!

Lucy turned three! Wow, I really have a hard time believing that three years has gone by since the day she was born. Lucy arrived one week after her due date. Boy, that last week of waiting was hard! I had a feeling that she would be born on a Tuesday, and I also had a feeling that it would snow the day she was born. As Monday, January 26th rolled around, I remember thinking that I was going to be pregnant for another week as I could not even imagine that I was going to go into labor and have her the next day. But, sure enough, as the day wore on labor started. By 9pm I was sure. I didn't outright tell Marc yet, I just hurriedly went to bed to try and sleep (this was futile, as the contractions made sleeping impossible). At about 3am I woke Marc up and told him. By 6am I called the midwife and she agreed with me that it was time to come into the hospital. As we drove (boy, that ride was hard!) the snow began to fall. It was so pretty, and when we got into the room that Lucy was born in, it was still snowing, and I remember watching it through the window. So peaceful. Well, except for the contractions. It pretty much goes without saying, but labor is hard! Without a long story of pain (the urge to push way to early, ugh!), I made it until 6pm, and with my ability to cope lost, I got an epidural. What a trip to go from the craziest experience ever, to relief. Woah. Lucy was born at 9:57pm on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009, after some last minute drama (her cord was wrapped around her neck, her heart rate was dropping...), with a roomful of nurses, the midwife and doctor, Marc and our friend Liz present. Liz drove 5 hours that day to be there! I remember how strange it was to feel her come out and how instant was the sensation that I was no longer pregnant. When Marc brought Lucy over to me, I just remember thinking, "Wow." Her spirit was so much more then I could have ever anticipated. I remember thinking, really, this special little spirit has chosen us as her parents? Her presence was so intense to me. She also looked so different than I expected, with her full head of dark hair! She nursed well right away. That was great. The day Lucy was born was so amazing!

Welcome Lucy!

Now that she is three, she was so excited about her birthday! She talked all about her birthday party for days and days, and about Grammy Pam and Grampy Dave coming. We had some of her friends over for dinner, and I don't know why a table full of kids with birthday hats on is so cute, but it is! We had a pinata, and it was pretty funny to watch 2, 3, 4, and 5 year olds try and bash it. :) When it came time to sing Happy Birthday, she was so sweet to watch. Little Lucy, we sure do love you, and are so happy that we have been so blessed to have you in our lives.