Piano Recital for Alexander

It's been a whole year and it was time for the final piano recital before summer.  Alexander and Daddy did a duet, and it was "O'h to Joy" with another piano piece that was very good.  We are always so proud of Alexander for all his many talents.  We continue to be amazed by his ability to catch on to things so quickly.  He and his Daddy share the same talent of hearing something and then being able to figure it out without notes in front of them.  Mommy is very jealous of this talent...but proud of her boys.  We also had the treat of both Grandparents here at the same time and we were grateful that they could come and be part of this event with us. 

 Sister Heather McCook presenting each child with their certificates

 We are so happy and proud of him

 Farmor (Grandma is Swedish), Alexander, Grandma & Grandpa JJ (this is what Alex calls my parents)

Our happy family and George's first outing afer birth

George...George...George....

I am still trying to get everything done, but wanted to get these pictures up so I can catch up with some more fun activities

May 10th 2012, heading to Doctor appointment with mom, as you can see I was ready to go and have a baby...no matter what!  :) 

We went into the Doctor appt. and I was crying because I was so afraid they would tell me that I had not progressed.  When the Doctor checked me she striped my membranes for a third time this month. 
This time the Doctor said my water was bulging and helped it along.  The next thing I know she said, "Oops your water just broke".  I didn't even realize it all happened.  The Doctor told me and Mom to go over to the hospital and she would call over to tell them I was on my way. 

When I called Zac to tell him to meet us there he thought I was joking because we had just spoken on the phone and he had a big training meeting he was going to have to do at 1 pm, and he didn't want to do it.  So, when I called 5 minutes later to tell him my water broke he was happy that he could pass that along to another manager.  He was quick to meet us at the Hospital and get things going.

Water broke at 1:00 p.m.

All checked in and feeling good.  No contractions yet, so I was just hanging out with Mom and Zac..waiting for the action.  One thing I was sure to ask was "When can I get my epitural"?
I just knew that was all I cared about.  The nurse informed me that I needed to start having contractions before I could get one. 

Happy and excited....

waiting...contractions started but feeling good.

Ice...I was planning on getting lunch after the Doctor appt. so I was sad when I was so hungry and I couldn't eat until after the baby was born.  Ice chips became my friend.

We were at a 3 cm when I checked into the hospital at 1 p.m., we were at a 4 cm by 4pm, and 4 cm by 5 pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm....I was not progressing so I was frustrated...but I was having contractions and I had my epidural so I was happy about that.

Then they up my contraction medicine at 9pm and I started feeling some pain.  The more time that passed I was feeling more pain.  Then it started getting really bad, and I had to start using some of the breathing techniques that my Mom was teaching me.  Then I had to start using my husband's hand to make it through the pain.  My contractions were a minute apart and a minute long...so I was getting very little rellief.  They realized that my epidural line had slipped the Doctor came in took it out and started a new line.  I have never felt more grateful,  the pain was AWFUL...I would NEVER EVER choose natural child birth...EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By 11 pm when they got my new epidural in, everything happened fast and we jumped up to 9 cm. Then by 2:00 a.m. I was pushing and George was born at 2:41 a.m.

Here he is...into the world

Zac cut the cord and I was overwhelmed as I held this baby in my arms.

Zac cutting the cord

Seeing him for the first time was amazing

8 pounds 11 oz

He was such a good baby taking everything in and looking around.  Do we look tired or what??

Grandma Newell was there to help me through the tough natural birth for 2 hours (9pm to 11pm)...it was a blessing she and Zac were both there.

Our Nurse Julie (the one in the background) did all the hard work and then the Doctor on call came in at the last minute and delivered.  She was very nice but I felt like Julie should have been paid the big bucks.

Zac says George has my butt, so I guess he got the Toomer thighs too...

Big Brother, Alexander holding baby brother George for the first time. 

My birthday, Mother's day, and now George's birthday all within the week.  It looks like May will be a busy month for us.

After 24 hours George was taken to NICU due to his blood and my blood not mixing well.  He had a high white cell count and dangerous levels of jaudice

Zac surprised me and we took baby Georgie home the day after we were released (May 13th Mother's Day).  It was my late Mother's day gift but I was so happy to have him home.  I felt like we were complete.

Here we are getting ready to leave the hospital with Big Brother, Alexander.

Car ride for the first time.  Alexander finally has someone to sit by and keep him company. 

Alexander is the best helper in the car, he always looks out for George and makes sure he doesn't cry.  I am so grateful to have him.

Home sweet home...

Presenting the Lorenzen Family...

George's cousin's Luke and Jonah were waiting to welcome him home...great photo

All about George

Here are some pictures of life with George, from the beginning to present....  ENJOY!

 In the beginning....

still feeling good... 

 Not sure you can really see this...but I am  at the worst of my labor with no epidural.  Something happened with the tube and it wasn't getting to me anymore.  I was in ALOT of pain.  Natural labor pain for 2 HOURS...not GOOD!!!!!

 I got a new epidural and gave birth to our sweet boy, George

 This is one of my FAVORITE photos.

 Here he is...George Jack Lorenzen...I call him Georgie right now

 Not even having him for a full 24 hours and we had to have him put in NICU, it was hard for us

 We could only hold him for 30 minutes for feedings, and then we had to put him back in his tanning bed.

 It was so hard to have him hooked up to machines and see him pricket and tests run on him...It was very difficult.

Grandma getting in on feeding time...

I know Georgie looks chubby but really he isn't that chubby he just has the full cheeks.  I think he looks like a Newell from the nose up and Zac from his nose down.  He is such a good baby, we survived our 1st night all together...and these night feedings are a whole new way of life.

We love it and he is worth all of it!!!!! 

We will post more pictures soon...alot more.

For those that don't love the name, George Jack Lorenzen it will grow on you.  When you see him you will see why we called him George...he looks like a George.

George is named after Zac's Grandfather

Jack is the name Zac wanted as it is JJ and Zac put together (just like my name was my parents name put together)

Lorenzen...well of course...you can figure this one out.