Brother's by Picture Message

This past week Tianna has been visiting at Grandma's house and has been a great distraction while I have gotten things straightened out with insurance and made final arrangements before baby was born...little did I know how much distracting he would need. Since Raleigh was born two days early Aden has been staying with Grandma too so they have really palled around together and had tons of fun. These are picture messages I have gotten of his adventures while I have been distracted...

Now these are the picture texts that I have sent to my dad so that Aden could see his little brother...I don't know exactly how well the concept is working but Aden always replies enthusiastically with "Oh BABY" and "Oh baby sad :(" I am hoping it is enough to get him through one more day...and that he will have at least a little idea of what is going on....the miracles of modern technology allowing nothing, not even the flu season, get in the way of new brother bonding :D

Raleigh is here!

Finally here and perfect in every way! I say finally but really he was early! Wednesday at 3AM I was no longer able to sleep...not uncommon if you have ever been pregnant. I started cleaning house because I had stuff that still needed to be done and well what else do you do at 3AM when sleeping isn't an option. So with two days before the scheduled surgery I had yet to pack anything and still had laundry to do before I could pack. Did I mention durring this time I was haveing contractions?...another reason sleep was not happening. They were really inconsistant and weird...with Aden they were very regular and progressivly worse....so I wasn't stressed or at all concerned I may be in labor. I started timeing contractions and writing them down after Chris left for work in the morning and decided I had better call the doctor since I had a two hour drive to get to the hospital. Well upon hearing about the contractions and the travel time the on call nurse contacted the doctor and I was informed he wanted me to get to the hospital as soon as possible. So I threw together a bag for me, and a bag for baby and Chris got off work and came to pack his stuff....finally we were on the road. We got to the hospital and went through the usual monitoring and checking, then the doctor was called and the next thing we new we were scheduled for surgery. Well I am happy to report dispite my hope to avoid labor this time, I must say the C-section the second time around was much easier. I had great doctors and nurses and the whole team was super supportive and great at their jobs. Raleigh was born at 3:54 PM and weighed in at 7lbs 4oz and 19in long. We are both still in the hospital recovering well and I am just enjoying the time I get to spend with him. On the down side, because of flu season Aden is left out of the story...for now...he can't be in the hospital at all and is staying over and grandma's house. I have talked to him on the phone a little and am thrilled with what a trouper he is being. We have had lots of visitors and have loved seeing everyone love and adore our new little man. I will post pictures of all our guests once we get home so I can dedicate a post to that. Thank you to all who have come, to all who have called, or shown support in anyway, thanks also for those who have brought gifts. We can't tell you how much we appreciate all the supportive and loveing family and friends in our lives.

Belly Pictures

I made a promise to myself that I would be as equal as possible with my kids....well I did some belly pics during my pregnancy with Aden so naturally I knew I would need to do them with Raleigh...but I have been putting it off for a long time....I decided today I needed to do it or it may not get done while Raleigh is still in there. For those who haven't guessed yet on the poll this may help you decide how big he is :).

Just for Fun!

So I came up with the idea today to do a last minute poll....Raleigh will be here in a few days and I want to know what every one thinks....Now here are some photos and stats to help you decide:
Christopher Michael- 10lb 3.5 oz, 21.5" long, and a full head of red hair!
Monica Jean- 7lb 5oz, probably 21" long, and a nice head of short dark hair.

Aden Christopher- 7lb 3.5oz, 21" long, and a FULL head of long dark hair!So here is what you do....I want to know what everyone thinks Raleigh's Weight, Height and Hair will be when he comes out...every one guess please, it will make it more fun to compare and see who was right on what!
Monica's guess is:
7lb 5oz (like his mommy), 21" long and a little less hair than Aden...but dark like his brother's.
Chris's Guess is:
8lb 3 oz, 21" long, with lots of red hair (like his daddy)!
Now it's your turn...

Blog Neglect

I usually pride myself on keeping my blog updated....but the last couple of weeks have been a whirl wind trying to get the house and everything ready for our impending arrival :)...I have updated the count down on the right side of the blog...I had made it with the tentative date of the 17th of November and have been meaning to change it since we found out that Raleigh will be here on the 20th. I have a few pictures of Halloween to share...I know it's half way through November and I am way behind. First I have some more of the cute pictures from our photo shoot that I loved but didn't get a chance to edit...until now. And a bonus of Aden's first carved pumpkin! It goes with the Spiderman theme :D

Spiderman!

You can feel safe knowing that Spiderman is out there keeping the city safe :)

Happy Halloween every one! Here is Aden all dressed up for the City Halloween party. He loves being Spiderman and would live in his costume if we would let him :).

Deer Hunt and Crafts :)

This weekend we had friends and family down for the deer hunt! We loved having the extra company and fun was had by all. The hunters were successful with Dale, Mom and Dad getting their deer. We still feel bad Nate was unable to get one while he was down but 3 out of 4 isn't too bad. While the hunters were out on Saturday we enjoyed some crafting at the Bingham house hold. Aden and Tianna put some fun Halloween stickers on some mini totes. It was so much fun and so cute! They were both very creative and loved it! I made some toddler aprons...that turned out sooo cute, while we visited Mary got to spend some much loved mommy time with Adelia.

The Date is SET!

So I got a phone call today to confirm the date of our C-section! Raleigh Bert Bingham will be joining the family November 20th! We are so excited and can't wait to see this little guy on the outside!!! So anyone who wants to see him when he is first born is more than welcome to come visit us at the hospital...with a couple conditions (not mine, the hospitals). Because of the swine flu and regular flu for that matter, they won't allow any visitors who are sick or fevered. Also no visitors under the age of 14.....this one gives me a big sad because that includes Aden :(
If there is any more information I will post and let everyone know. But for now, unless any unforeseen complication should arise, we are planning on having a happy healthy surgery and baby on the 20th!

Last Minute Popsicle!

Aden got to discover the joys of the Ice Cream Truck! I was leaving for work and Chris and Aden were going outside to play, when we heard the chimes of the Ice Cream Truck! Now I have heard it around before but it has never come all the way to our house before....well the lady must have seen us outside and decided to come on down. Aden was all excited, although I don't think he knew why. I handed him a dollar and Chris helped him pick out which one to get.....well Aden picked a HUGE Popsicle! In fact he wore safety goggles for the occasion....would just hate to loose and eye to a tragic Popsicle accident. :)
From the blue grin and the sticky mess he made you can tell that this boy's first Ice Cream Truck experience was a complete success!!! The perfect way to end the hot days of summer!

Aden Loves Nemo!

I doubt you could ever find a more devoted grandpa than my dad. He has named his only surviving colt for Aden. Nemo is this cute little guys name and Aden loves him pretty well as much as he does the cartoon fish that is his namesake (if not more). I got this cute little picture on my cell phone and just thought it was such a priceless picture I couldn't not share it. Aden has the cutest smile under that pucker and Nemo seems to like the loves too!

Takes After His Mommy

So you have seen him fishing and hunting and doing things with daddy....but now it is mommy's turn for quality time with Aden doing something she loves!
As most of my close friends and family know, I have a real passion for all things artistic. From painting and sketching, to photography and digital scrap booking, I dabble in a little bit of everything. Well on Saturday morning since Chris had to work and Aden had spent the night over at Grandma and Grandpa's house, I was patient and well rested enough to get out the paints and let Aden dabble a little in the arts. I had some wood little figurines I got for 88cents at Wal-Mart and Aden went to town....notice the helicopter, train, and car on his tray plus he had enough paint and ambition left to paint a picture on some paper.....and himself....and his high chair.....luckily all the paint came off of all the subjects that were not meant to be painted :).

Happy Birthday Chris!

Happy Birthday Christopehr I love you!

Dove Hunting and the Unexpected Find

So Chris has had the opportunity the last couple of weeks to go dove hunting with a friend from work few times. He even takes Aden with him....who by the way LOVES it and even spots birds for his daddy to shoot and is excellent at doing what he is told while on the hunt. Every time he has gone he has come home with at least 2 birds sometimes more. The first trip they took Chris found something that wasn't a dove, but was a welcome site (to him anyway). He found a den of rattle snakes....to most people this would be a bad thing....but not to Chris, who dreams of one day becoming a snake scientist (herpetologist). Any ways because they are poisonous and Chris isn't stupid he didn't even attempt to pick any of them up...he settled for a few excited phone calls and a couple pics with the cell phone to document the occasion.

Labor Day Outing

Labor day we took advantage of the beautiful weather and fantastic company and went to the Rochester Panel....for those who don't know, this is a panel of great Indian writings that takes a little hiking to get to. Aden hiked most of the way but spent some time on his daddies shoulders just enjoying the view. Tianna was a trouper! she hiked the whole way without being carried at all!

Dad is still recovering from hip surgery so he was missed but my Mom made the trek with us.

Aden is obsessed with Adelia....I think he might be ready for his little brother to get here.

Here is a good family photo...including the little bump that will soon be a baby :)

We loved spending the weekend with Luke, Mary and the girls!

Aden was so lovey and I really liked this picture....Tianna found a stick that she had to have in all her pictures.Adelia spent much of the trek asleep but was awake for some pictures and was a champ the whole time....not to mention adorable :D