Jack is OFFICIALLY a big boy now!

Jack has just started to sleep in a big boy bed! He is SOOOOO excited about that. Everyone who enters this house and mentions the words "big boy" has to go and see his new bed. He loves showing Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Joy and Hudson his new bed every time you enter his room. He did such a great job with the first couple of nights. He has not tried to get out of his bed ( although i am sure that will change soon enough) and he simply yells for us in the morning when he's awake.
As a mom, it makes me a little tearful that he has entered yet another phase of growing up. I am so excited for him but I also mourn a little over the fact that my little baby is no longer a little baby...he's a big boy now!

Before:


After:


He just loves his new bed!

Hello Again Cyber-World

My New Years resolution this year was to start back up on our blog. Well it's now the end of February and I am just getting around to it. Life in the Leach household is hectic. With two boys, a dog and a new aunt addition-- there just hasn't been any time left in the day to spend blogging. But I have made the decision to make more time. Everyone keeps telling me that they want to be informed with what's going on with the boys....so here is my hope to you that I will find time to keep everyone updated!






We were so incredibly blessed to have our sweet Hudson born on August 13th. The delivery went well ( another c-section) and my recovery was so much easier this time around. Unfortunately breastfeeding issues arose again so Hudson is strictly a bottle fed baby-- just like his big brother. Jack opened his arms and his heart to his little brother. He is absolutely, insanely in love with Hudson. Ever since he met him for the first time in the hospital room, he can't seem to give him enough kisses. It just secretly makes my heart melt every time I see them interacting together-- it's a mom's dream. Hudson is a sweet, lighthearted little man. He rarely cries, and is usually laughing or making us laugh. He turned 6 months this month ( I know, that means I haven't blogged for 6 months) and he is starting to really interact with everyone and I think he may be on the verge of an army crawl.

Jack is doing so great. He is still a happy, loving kid who just loves to give hugs and kisses to everyone he knows. We have just started him in speech therapy in hopes of kick-starting some words in that brain of his. He completely understands what everyone is saying and can get his point across but really only says one or two words. So we officially start his sessions next week-- we are very excited to get this boy talking!! Jack is also about to move into a big boy bed-- I think that will be a project for the next coming weeks. We know he can do it-- it's just one of those things that makes my heart hurt a little because it reminds me that he is definitely no longer a baby-- hes a BIG boy now.
We have just truly been blessed with two great sons. They make me want to have a million more....( then i remind myself that I would like to sleep through the night again sometime in the next 10 years or so...). I love them more than I ever thought I could. ( okay...its getting mushy now)
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We had a new addition to our little family this January. Aunt Joy moved in with us!! We were so excited to welcome her into our house and although we could only offer her a closet and a couch, everything is working out great! She has graduated from Calvin College and is in the process of finding jobs! We are SOOOO excited to finally have some family in Richmond with us-- she truly is a HUGE blessing to us. We love her!
As with JJ and me, we are still chugging along trying to get used to having another little man in the family. It is definitely harder with two- but thankfully, our two are quite easy and we are grateful for the family God has chosen for us. I absolutely love being the only female in our little family of four-- i know i always wished for a little girl, but i would not have it any other way. I love all three of my boys.
JJ is still working with Henrico county as a paramedic- firefighter and really enjoying his job. I am still staying at home with the boys and enjoying every second of it. It is exactly what i want to be doing at this time in my life.
We hope everyone is doing well. We love you and I hope you enjoy these few pictures I have had time to download on to the computer!!
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Love,
The Leach's

Please Welcome Hudson William Leach

We would like to introduce everyone to the New Baby Leach, Hudson William Leach born August 13th at 0151. Weighing in at 7 lbs 11 oz and 20.5 inches long. Although 3 weeks earlier than expected he is still a big boy. Below are some pictures with more updates to come shortly. The Newly Expanded Leach Family.

Mixed Emotions

I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed lately. I am so excited to have another baby. I am excited to be blessed to raise another son and show him the ways of the world. I am excited about having a teeny tiny cuddly baby again that smells so good. I'm excited to see Jack be such a good big brother. I'm excited about going through all the milestones that little babies go through again( lifting their head up, rolling over, sitting up, etc.). But I am also extremely scared and anxious. It is frightening to think that our worlds are about to change completely again. We now have to worry about burping, feeding every three hours, waking up during the night, etc. etc. And as excited as I am about having another little guy around, these thoughts are overwhelming my mind right now. How am I going to have the energy to take care of two kids for 24 hours straight? How am I going to take a shower? How am I going to make meals for all of us? Will JJ and I find any alone time for each other? Is nursing going to work this time around? Is Jack going to be jealous? Is he going to feel like we don't love him as much anymore? This last question haunts my mind all the time. I don't want Jack to feel like he is being overlooked. But he's so young; he's not going to understand that I can't hold him while I'm nursing the baby and I can't roll around on the ground with him after I've had a c-section. He is not going to understand that. I just hope that we can find a way to show him how much he is truly loved and what a blessing HE is as well.
Another HUGE thought that goes through my head most of the day and keeps me up at night is that I'm also mourning our little family of three. Every time we do something now, it is never far from my mind that this could be the last time we do this as just the three of us. The last time we go to the park, the last time we go to the pool, the last time Jack and I go to the store, or the last time we all sit down together for dinner every night. I know, I know, duh, we will obviously still do these things, but there will be an addition. It will no longer be just mommy, daddy, and jack. That terrifies me. I like routines. I don't like change. Most women that I talk to always say that going from 1 to 2 kids is the hardest adjustment. You are so used to only putting your attention towards one child and now you have to break that attention up to two kids. I hope I do it right. I hope that both of my sons know that they are the world to me and I love them more than life itself. I know there will be jealously, I know there will be lots of clinging to mommy, but I just hope that I am patient ( because that is truly something I lack) and give them each the time they need to know how much they are loved. Equally.

It's been too long....

I know, I know...it has been a crazy crazy long time. I think my last post was in February....yes, I do realize that was almost five months ago but hey, life has been quite busy in the Leach house. I finished up my Masters ( YAY!) and finally have that important piece of paper in my hands. JJ has been working hard at work but also having to become a "Mr. Mom" in sorts because I was working all day everyday. He did a great job at it but is happy to have me back in the "Mom" position ( as am I). Jack has been growing and growing and growing. He is officially a walking machine and is trying to conquer the run. He loves having more independence and being able to catch up with mommy and daddy more quickly now. He is almost 20 months old ( YIKES!!!!) and is weighing in at about 27 pounds and 35 inches long-- tall and skinny just like his daddy! His favorite things to do these days is torture Abby with kisses and hugs, playing outside at his water table and with bubbles, and climbing up and down, up and down, up and down the stairs. He has definitely transitioned into a little boy and is no longer a baby anymore which makes me a little emotional to think about.
The baby is doing well. We've had a few scares with some kidney issues with the new baby but have been told that it's not truly a big deal and it can easily be fixed ( if it needs to be fixed) when they are out of utero. So although we have been told not to worry, I of course, am still worrying about it-- I'm a mom, it's my job. Other than that, this baby boy is growing fast and strong. He is already weighing in at about 4 1/2 pounds ( I'm 31 weeks pregnant) and is in about the 95th percentile for his weight. They have already let me know that they will not let me go full term ( 40 weeks) because he is going to be a 10 pounder probably. If I have not naturally gone into labor at 37 or 38 weeks, they will take him at 39 weeks by c-section. Although I really wanted to try for a VBAC ( vaginal birth after Cesarean), I realize that my body probably will not be able to push out a 10 pounder since I couldn't push out a 7 pounder. So I'm leaving that all up to the doctors. So far, ( knock on wood), my blood pressure has been fine. Although, the closer I get to 33 weeks ( that was when I had to go on bed rest with Jack), the more nervous I get about it. I can't be on bed rest people, I have a 20 month old ( and a husband!) to run after!! We have been praying a lot and just hoping that this pregnancy will be different and I will be able to be off bed rest and have a normal end of pregnancy.
As for baby preparation, we are moving Jack into the extra bedroom and giving him a "big boy" room. Right now, Jack is at Grandma's house until tomorrow so JJ and I could work on the room without interruption. The room is cleared out and the crib is set up! I am excited to give Jack a big boy room and I know he is going to love it. Once the room is done, I will post some pictures of it. We have been trying to prepare Jack for the arrival of his baby brother because realistically, its probably less than two months away. He knows that there is a baby in mommy's belly and he is always excited to give the baby some of his kisses. I think he is going to be a great big brother and also a huge help to me. Jack listens SO well and is extremely well behaved. We rarely have to say "no" to him twice. I'm blessed to have such an easy, laid-back little boy-- I am praying the next one will be as easy as Jack.
We go to the beach on Saturday and I am PRAYING that jack does not eat the sand this time around. I'm so excited to see how he does on the beach-- I know he is going to love it and never want to go inside. I will post pictures of the beach when we get back.
I have to admit, I have not been GREAT with my camera. We have just been so busy with life that the camera kindof gets left at home a lot. But don't worry, I do have some pictures to share
with you!!

Update

The Leach house has been a crazy busy place the last few months. Not only did we find out we are expecting another baby, but we have had TONS of snow just about every week, I have been doing my internship, and we have a little man who is trying to walk!
We had our first doctors appointment yesterday for the new baby. We are due September 2nd and I am 11 weeks tomorrow ( almost out of my 1st trimester, YAY!). We got to get some great pictures of the new baby and even got to see he/she moving all around on the screen. This kid is a mover just like their big brother. Jack still doesn't really understand the whole idea. We showed him the pictures and keep talking about his new baby brother and sister and he kindof looks like us like we are crazy. But one day he will understand especially when my belly gets bigger and bigger and bigger....you get the picture. Here is a picture from out first doctors appointment. I know right now it looks like a blob but isn't it an adorable blob?









This is Jack looking at the picture of his new brother or sister. He loves them already!!







The snow here in VA has been absolutely crazy. We are used to getting one big snow storm about every 5 years so this season has completely thrown us all off. We began with a crazy big snow storm in December which dropped more than foot of snow, then we had a little break and now the month of February has been absolutely insane. Two weekends ago, we got about 11 inches of snow, a week later we got about 8 more inches of snow and ice and then and a few days later ( right now) we are getting about five more inches. So we have TONS of snow and I keep having to remind God that we live in Virginia, not Michigan! But the snow has given me A LOT of snow days off from school, which have been really great.



















My internship is going pretty well. With having morning sickness and being absolutely exhausted all the time, it is definitely a struggle to get there in the mornings. But once I am there, I do love it. We have had almost two weeks off because of all the snow so I haven't really felt like I have gotten into a routine yet but I'm sure the time will come!
We have really been working hard with Jack on his walking lately. He really has no desire to do it but he does try for us when we want him to. Just yesterday, we were using his bubba to encourage him to walk and he did take a few steps by himself so we are getting there--slowly but surely, one day he will walk.


Anyways, love to all of you!

Our New Years Gift

Well 2010 started out with a bang for the Leach family. January 2nd, we found out that we are expecting another baby. It came as a HUGE surprise...and although it was unplanned, we are embracing this pregnancy and looking forward to being a family of four. I have been experiencing some morning sickness the last couple of days but I have mostly just been really tired. JJ is being really great with picking up the slack and has even forced me to take naps during the day when he knows I need them. Jack is super excited to become a big brother and we hope to really prepare him well for the new arrival in the upcoming months.
Hopefully our already laid out plans will still be going on for 2010 including me going back to finish up my Masters by doing my internship. As long as we get the okay by the doctor, I will graduate in May and finally be done with school! I am excited to get back into the schools but I am also dreading leaving Jack everyday. Grandma Nancie and Mimi have generously given up their free time to watch Jack on the days that we need them. They are truly a blessing to us and we feel so lucky to not have to put Jack into daycare. I feel sad that I won't be getting to spend as much alone time with Jack as I used to and now i feel even more sad due to the fact that these next nine months are the last times we will have just being the three of us. But I am sure that this semester will go fast and it will be summer soon.
We hope you all had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!!