Family Photos!

 Sherry stopped by for a visit today, and took some great family photos. We love her and we love her work. Thanks Sherry! (I'll be uploading more pictures as I get time to edit them.)

Owen's Movie

Family of Four

We knew that some day this would happen. We knew it would be crazy and exhausting and wonderful, and it is. We are a family of four.

There were many things I hoped for as I prepared for Owen's arrival, but there have been so many blessings above and beyond what I could have hoped for. Where do I even start?
I guess I'll start with Leif. I had a lot of anxiety about Owen's delivery because of Leif. What do we do with Leif? We don't have family in town, and Leif had never stayed overnight with friends. I was so worried that he would be traumatized by our sudden disappearance, seeing me in labor, etc, etc. Our good friends Mark and Donna-Marie (who live only 5 minutes away!) offered for us to drop Leif off at their house whenever I went into labor. DM watched Leif several times while I was pregnant so that I could get the nursery ready and rest, and Leif is great friends with their kids Will & Gwennan.
The day I delivered Owen, I dropped Leif off in the afternoon to go to a doctor's appointment, and ended up starting labor on my way home from the appointment, so Leif just stayed. Leif enjoyed the Rothnie house so much that DM had to bribe him to leave by sending him with his favorite toy! She also watched him every Monday & Wednesday of June! I was able to catch up on rest & housework- what an amazing blessing. (Of course now Leif wants to live at their house!)
My dad flew down as soon as I was in labor and helped out with Leif while we were in the hospital. What he didn't know was that we were naming Owen after him- I waited until he was in the hospital holding Owen. I said to him, "Dad, meet Owen Warren." Then we both cried.



My mom came down once we were home with Owen. I knew that she would be helpful. I didn't realize just how helpful she'd be. She had my house sparkling clean- she did my laundry, she helped me with the baby, she was amazing. What I enjoyed more than all that she did for me was her companionship. It was hard to let her go home.


Jen Greenwald has come over several times to help with the baby and help clean up the house. She and Ben babysat the two boys last weekend so that Charles and I could get out for a date night.



My in-laws came for a visit. They always help with food and house projects and had some good times with Leif and Owen.











My dad and Patricia came for another visit because Patricia wasn't able to come the weekend Owen was born, and she wanted to see him while he was still so little.
Several friends brought us dinners. We have been showered with blessings.




My delivery this time was much easier on my body, and I had much more strength and energy much earlier on than I did with Leif.
On top of that, Leif has welcomed Owen so well, and is gentle with him and so helpful. (most of the time!- he IS only 2!) He calls Owen "his baby" and kisses him all of the time!

I am starting to really enjoy my days with the two boys, especially if I time nap time correctly! We're learning how to get out with the two boys, and even enjoying ourselves sometimes!

Overall, these first 2 months have gone better than I could have hoped, and I am so thankful to everyone who gave so generously of their time and attention to make it so much easier for us.

Owen's Story

Owen Warren Spoelstra
was born on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 10:40pm. He weighed 8lbs 10oz, and was 21.5 inches long.

Here is his story...



We found out that we were pregnant mid-September. I didn’t suspect I was pregnant until I started feeling nauseous and having strange cravings. I took two pregnancy tests and finally scheduled an appointment. The midwife was able to confirm the pregnancy, but we were unable to find a heartbeat, and suspected a miscarriage. That was September 29th, our 7th anniversary. A very long four days later we went in for a hi-res ultrasound, and were able to hear Owen’s heartbeat!
My pregnancy with Owen was fairly similar to my pregnancy with Leif, except I was craving chocolate. So, I figured I was carrying a girl, or a little boy with a sweet tooth!
In early January we went in for our 20 week ultrasound and found out we were having a boy. I was excited that we could finally name Owen, and start preparing for his arrival. More than that, I had a great excitement about having brothers. Leif had entered a wonderful boy-stage of loving trucks, trains, and airplanes, and was so excited about driving around and shopping at Home Depot. It was exciting to think of having another little boy on the way.
Leif came with me to almost all of my doctor’s appointments, and started looking forward to several things. When we would turn down the road to the doctors office, he would say, “Baby Owen heartbeat” because each time we would get to hear the heartbeat. As I would check in at the desk, he would start saying, “Mommy potty. Mommy potty in cup.” (Yes, Leif, mommy has to go pee in a cup again.) And then, of course, there was the lone fish in the waiting room. We had to go sit by him, and Leif would always insist that there were two fish. The fish sat in the upper back part of the tank, staring at his reflection, which I suppose Leif thought was the second fish. As we left from our appointment, we would always go back past the fish and say, “Bye fish, see you soon!”

Throughout this pregnancy, I had hoped to deliver early. Leif was eight days early, and was over 9lbs. So, I hoped if I delivered earlier, the baby would be smaller, and I might have an easier recovery.
At 37 weeks, I thought that was a good possibility. I was already 4 cm! Thirteen days later, 8 days before my due date (same as Leif), labor finally started. Just as each pregnancy is different, each labor is different. With Leif, labor was fairly textbook with labor pains like clockwork. With Owen, labor pains were irregular, and often painful contractions were followed by barely painful ones.
Still, the doctors had warned me that this labor would be quick, so we made the decision to head to the hospital. On our way, a few strong contractions convinced me that this was real labor, although shortly before reaching the hospital I had a lull in contractions, which was good because Charles missed the hospital exit and we were able to laugh about it!
Labor began at 5pm, and Owen was born at 10:40pm, with the cord wrapped three times around his neck. Apparently that is really unusual, but fortunately, the midwife said that the cord was not tight, and she was able to cut it free. Charles and I both laughed when we looked at Owen. It was like we were brought back 2 years to Leif being handed to us- they looked identical!
Owen needed to be taken to a transitional nursery shortly after delivery because they were concerned about fluid in his lungs. Thankfully, he was only there for a few hours and they released him to the regular nursery. The next day, Leif came to meet his little brother, and the following day, we drove home with Leif and Owen, our two miracles. We are so blessed!