I feel like we just went through a tornado and came out better than ever! All through my pregnancy I was worried that I would end up in the hospital on Bella's 2nd Birthday, May 4th. As we got closer to the date I realized this was an even bigger inconvenience for more people. As most of you know, My parents have become jet setters but not by choice. My parents love their children dearly and would do anything for them but when it comes to their grandbabies, watch out. They don't mess around. In exactly 16 hours, three new bundles of joy joined our family and they couldn't be more thrilled!
On Tuesday May 4th, my parents came back to St. Louis to fly out to Dallas and be with Amanda, Todd and Carson to welcome the twins, Carolina and Colton. Amanda was supposed to be induced on Tuesday evening so they expected the babies to arrive on Wednesday (Cinco de Mayo!) Lissy and I had fun all day with Bella. She spent her birthday going to the park for a walk, playing on the playground, coming home to play in the sprinkler with bubbles and sidewalk chalk, then as I baked her birthday cake she and Aunt Lissy watched "Over the Hedge" and ate popcorn. When Grandma and Papa got to town we visited for a bit (cakes just went in the oven) then went to lunch with Grandma and Papa. We wound up at Seamus McDaniels and she had her favorite food, "hot" which is a hot dog. I was tired and feeling a little out of sorts all day but I tried to stay upbeat because who likes a crabby mommy on their birthday. At lunch my parents decided that I was going into labor but I wasn't having contractions, I just felt yucky. I told them I wasn't in labor even after they explained to me that their tickets were transferable and they could change it and fly out tomorrow.
After lunch we dropped them off at the airport and they flew off to Dallas (I think with a little hesitation.) After we survived 270 (it was insane) I told Lissy I was going to go home and take a nap. I just couldn't get comfortable. When Ryan called at 4:30 to say he was wrapping up a few things then heading home he figured I was in labor. I still thought there was no way. By the time he got home, it all hit me. I was trying to ice the cake, decide if we should even start Bella's "taco" dinner (I think she just likes saying the word), finish up 3 loads of laundry, empty and reload the dishwasher, and get the house ready for people to come over for cake and presents after dinner. The contractions had kicked in at this point but since our power had been off earlier that day, I had no clue how far apart they were.
All this time, there was my large list of "things to do before I leave for the hospital to have the baby" that I didn't even think about starting. It had things such as pack the last minute items, decide where Bella was going to stay and pack her bag, change sheets for any guests, put new pillowcases on our pillows to take to the hospital, make sure we had all of our cameras, etc. By the time Ryan got home, I was completely overwhelmed. Ryan shows up and after I tell him we may have two babies with the same birthday, I lose it. I am still embarrassed to cry in front of him but I always do it. I break down because I should be starting Bella's party but instead I am ditching by baby girl on her birthday. About this time my Dad calls. They landed safely and Ryan has to break the news to them that we are pretty sure I am in labor. We really don't know how far apart my contractions are but they are coming on fast and furious. He asks me all the typical questions and then says "Well Sara, it sounds like you need to call your doctor and get going to the hospital."
I start to do this but I just keep jumping from one thing to the next trying (very unsuccessfully) to cross things off my list. Finally Ryan gets me to call my doctor as he is running around trying to calm me down and get everything we need together. His parents are already at the house and Lissy soon shows up. Bella the whole time is running around fresh from her nap like a mad lady with crazy bed head because she gets really excited when people come over. We try to get her to open her gifts while we are there and maybe do her cake but she is too excited and just keeps running around. Finally, we have to leave because we are afraid we might miss the chance for my epidural with how fast the contractions are coming. As I walk out the door crying Bella, still very excited, looks at me a little confused. Apparently, they kept the party going and she loved her Handy Manny tool set and having Happy Birthday sang to her. They had to do this many times.
While this was going on. Ryan and I got to the hospital, checked in, and made it to a waiting room where they took all of my information. During this time, Ryan called everyone to tell them how things were progressing and when he talked to my Mom and Dad, they informed us that they were on their way back! They pretty much landed, made it to Todd and Amanda's and then purchased their tickets to fly back. Southwest is amazing by the way because in all of the rush, my Mom accidentally purchased tickets from St. Louis to Dallas again but my sister called and they changed them in a matter of minutes without any hassle. By this point, everyone at the hospital new the story of my parents and kept asking for updates.
By the time they got us to an actual delivery room we were pretty much ready to go. Ryan called for the next update and the birthday party gang headed up to the hospital (of course after switching Bella into her "big sister" shirt!) My doctor showed up rather quickly, they gave me my epidural, we let it kick in then after a few pushes we got to meet our precious baby boy!!!!
Brady Matthew Sedlak joined our family at 9:15pm weighing in at 7 lbs. 10 Oz. and measuring a little over 20 inches! We got a healthy baby boy and when he started to cry they all decided he was the loudest newborn they had ever heard! Luckily he has quieted down a little since then!
I was blessed to have a very smooth and quick delivery but there was a little bit of a rat race going on with our families. You will have to check out my sisters blog post of this day to read about the timeline of May 4th and May 5th. Ryan's parents had themselves prepared to wait a while for the baby to arrive and so when I started to push, the girls went to get some snacks from the vending machine as Ted was waiting to go get my folks from the airport. Their flight got in a little after 10. Ryan texted my sister about 10 minutes after to let them know that Brady was here. They raced back from the snack machine and started to make all of their calls. Lissy, Grandma Bev, Kaitlin and Big Sister Bella got to meet Brady pretty quickly. Bella was immediately smitten with lots of kisses stored up for him. She was like a pro and took to her big sister role easily. We were in our room by the time Ted and my parents made it to the hospital. Brady was a little chilly so he had to go under the lamps to warm up for awhile. By the time he got to meet them, it was close to 12. They were all thrilled and even though I felt horrible that my parents flew all the way back, I couldn't have been happier that they were there!!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! Brady and Bella say thank you also! Ryan too because he might have had a very emotional wife on his hands! Don't worry - Lissy and Bella took them back to the airport at 5am the next morning to fly back to Dallas so they made it there in plenty of time for Colton and Carolina!
On Tuesday May 4th, my parents came back to St. Louis to fly out to Dallas and be with Amanda, Todd and Carson to welcome the twins, Carolina and Colton. Amanda was supposed to be induced on Tuesday evening so they expected the babies to arrive on Wednesday (Cinco de Mayo!) Lissy and I had fun all day with Bella. She spent her birthday going to the park for a walk, playing on the playground, coming home to play in the sprinkler with bubbles and sidewalk chalk, then as I baked her birthday cake she and Aunt Lissy watched "Over the Hedge" and ate popcorn. When Grandma and Papa got to town we visited for a bit (cakes just went in the oven) then went to lunch with Grandma and Papa. We wound up at Seamus McDaniels and she had her favorite food, "hot" which is a hot dog. I was tired and feeling a little out of sorts all day but I tried to stay upbeat because who likes a crabby mommy on their birthday. At lunch my parents decided that I was going into labor but I wasn't having contractions, I just felt yucky. I told them I wasn't in labor even after they explained to me that their tickets were transferable and they could change it and fly out tomorrow.
After lunch we dropped them off at the airport and they flew off to Dallas (I think with a little hesitation.) After we survived 270 (it was insane) I told Lissy I was going to go home and take a nap. I just couldn't get comfortable. When Ryan called at 4:30 to say he was wrapping up a few things then heading home he figured I was in labor. I still thought there was no way. By the time he got home, it all hit me. I was trying to ice the cake, decide if we should even start Bella's "taco" dinner (I think she just likes saying the word), finish up 3 loads of laundry, empty and reload the dishwasher, and get the house ready for people to come over for cake and presents after dinner. The contractions had kicked in at this point but since our power had been off earlier that day, I had no clue how far apart they were.
All this time, there was my large list of "things to do before I leave for the hospital to have the baby" that I didn't even think about starting. It had things such as pack the last minute items, decide where Bella was going to stay and pack her bag, change sheets for any guests, put new pillowcases on our pillows to take to the hospital, make sure we had all of our cameras, etc. By the time Ryan got home, I was completely overwhelmed. Ryan shows up and after I tell him we may have two babies with the same birthday, I lose it. I am still embarrassed to cry in front of him but I always do it. I break down because I should be starting Bella's party but instead I am ditching by baby girl on her birthday. About this time my Dad calls. They landed safely and Ryan has to break the news to them that we are pretty sure I am in labor. We really don't know how far apart my contractions are but they are coming on fast and furious. He asks me all the typical questions and then says "Well Sara, it sounds like you need to call your doctor and get going to the hospital."
I start to do this but I just keep jumping from one thing to the next trying (very unsuccessfully) to cross things off my list. Finally Ryan gets me to call my doctor as he is running around trying to calm me down and get everything we need together. His parents are already at the house and Lissy soon shows up. Bella the whole time is running around fresh from her nap like a mad lady with crazy bed head because she gets really excited when people come over. We try to get her to open her gifts while we are there and maybe do her cake but she is too excited and just keeps running around. Finally, we have to leave because we are afraid we might miss the chance for my epidural with how fast the contractions are coming. As I walk out the door crying Bella, still very excited, looks at me a little confused. Apparently, they kept the party going and she loved her Handy Manny tool set and having Happy Birthday sang to her. They had to do this many times.
While this was going on. Ryan and I got to the hospital, checked in, and made it to a waiting room where they took all of my information. During this time, Ryan called everyone to tell them how things were progressing and when he talked to my Mom and Dad, they informed us that they were on their way back! They pretty much landed, made it to Todd and Amanda's and then purchased their tickets to fly back. Southwest is amazing by the way because in all of the rush, my Mom accidentally purchased tickets from St. Louis to Dallas again but my sister called and they changed them in a matter of minutes without any hassle. By this point, everyone at the hospital new the story of my parents and kept asking for updates.
By the time they got us to an actual delivery room we were pretty much ready to go. Ryan called for the next update and the birthday party gang headed up to the hospital (of course after switching Bella into her "big sister" shirt!) My doctor showed up rather quickly, they gave me my epidural, we let it kick in then after a few pushes we got to meet our precious baby boy!!!!
Brady Matthew Sedlak joined our family at 9:15pm weighing in at 7 lbs. 10 Oz. and measuring a little over 20 inches! We got a healthy baby boy and when he started to cry they all decided he was the loudest newborn they had ever heard! Luckily he has quieted down a little since then!
I was blessed to have a very smooth and quick delivery but there was a little bit of a rat race going on with our families. You will have to check out my sisters blog post of this day to read about the timeline of May 4th and May 5th. Ryan's parents had themselves prepared to wait a while for the baby to arrive and so when I started to push, the girls went to get some snacks from the vending machine as Ted was waiting to go get my folks from the airport. Their flight got in a little after 10. Ryan texted my sister about 10 minutes after to let them know that Brady was here. They raced back from the snack machine and started to make all of their calls. Lissy, Grandma Bev, Kaitlin and Big Sister Bella got to meet Brady pretty quickly. Bella was immediately smitten with lots of kisses stored up for him. She was like a pro and took to her big sister role easily. We were in our room by the time Ted and my parents made it to the hospital. Brady was a little chilly so he had to go under the lamps to warm up for awhile. By the time he got to meet them, it was close to 12. They were all thrilled and even though I felt horrible that my parents flew all the way back, I couldn't have been happier that they were there!!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! Brady and Bella say thank you also! Ryan too because he might have had a very emotional wife on his hands! Don't worry - Lissy and Bella took them back to the airport at 5am the next morning to fly back to Dallas so they made it there in plenty of time for Colton and Carolina!
Brady was wonderful both nights in the hospital and I was just happy to have him next to me. He is such a good baby boy and makes me smile all of the time. He also has lots of smiles for you right after you feed him. He has a little tuft of hair that sticks up in a spike and likes to pass out kisses when he is fussy. If you put him up on your shoulder, he attacks your face like he is trying to eat. He is absolutely perfect and we are very excited about our little guy! He got to meet many people at the hospital. He got to meet both sets of grandparents, Lissy, Kaitlin S., Scott, Emily, Tim, Kelly, Olivia, Dani, Priyal, Amy and Baby Jacob, Niki, Shaun and Chase and more! Chase was pretty funny. We were trying to decide what to order for lunch and he kept requesting a grilled cheese and he really wanted Ryan to tell him he looked pretty in Bella's green bow.
The next day brought the Bobzien Twins, Colton and Carolina!!! Congratulations Amanda, Todd and Carson! They are absolutely precious (and teeny-tiny) and I can't wait to meet them. It was actually a lot of fun sharing a due date (May 19th) with my sister but the hardest part is not getting to meet each others babies till later. Especially when we live so far apart we have to wait till they are ready to travel. I have always thought that Bella and Carson resemble each other and some people say that Bella looks like Amanda did when she was little. I also think that Brady, Colton and Carolina have some similar features so it is almost like a small, medium and large version!
Lissy also had quite the adventure with little Miss Bella the next day. Probably due to her diet of sugar for the last couple of days Bella threw up all over the back of Ryan's car as Lissy and her were heading to the hospital. Lissy and Bella had gone shopping for a monkey for Brady, flowers for me and other gifts in hand. Bella was all dolled up to come see her little brother and then she wound up in frilly socks, pink converse and a diaper in West County Mall parking lot talking about how she threw up her fruit snacks. She found this pretty funny! Poor Lissy took the car back to clean it up and had Ryan take Bella to the hospital.
I really don't think Lissy has slept since all of the babies came because she ran around like a mad woman cleaning up my house, taking out our trash, emptying the humidifier, purchasing a bunch of baby boy attire and accessories for Brady from her and my folks as well as getting the house ready for Brady to come home! I think she even dusted my room! On top of all of this, her and Ryan's parents took care of Bella while we were in the hospital. After we got home we started our newborn photo shoots. She normally does about three days worth for each grandbaby. After wrapping up with us, she went to KC then off to Dallas with the Farwells and turned a 3 day trip into a 2 week trip in order to help out Amanda who is feeling a little under the weather. Lissy and Caroline are actually having a blast with the twins. Check out her blog to see what they have been up to!
Everyone has been so kind and Brady has really enjoyed (at least I think he has!) meeting all of his cousins. Bella doesn't care why people keep coming to visit, she just loves it. Grandma Bev has brought over many yummy meals and entertained Bella. Lissy has been my sidekick. The Farwells and Caroline and Jared came to visit our first weekend home and although we didn't do much (it was really cold) I hope they had fun. Bella was really missing her cousins after they left but she didn't mind that Ellie left her barbie for a couple of days! Of course Ali brought some yummy treats and a great pasta that we had for dinner later that week. That is another recipe I will have to get from her. Molly got to swing in and meet Brady quickly before she flew off to Dallas for her birthday. She may have turned 18 but my parents still have a hard time being away from their baby on her birthday!
My Mom came and stayed with us for the rest of the week. They flew back to STL from Dallas on Tuesday and she stayed. I swear she has the energy of a 5 year old. She ran all around my house keeping Bella and Brady happy, assisting with newborn shoots, doing laundry, meals, dishes, cleaning, diapers, baths, dressing, etc. THANK YOU MOM! My dad came back on Friday and Andy, Autumn, Briley and Baylor came to visit on Saturday. We had a very active trip to the Magic House but Bella is pretty certain she went to a "Magic Show" because she keeps hopping into her cozy coupe, waving and saying "Bye, Bye! I go to da Magic Show!" Briley had a blast and wore her parents out, Baylor and Brady had fun chilling with Grandma and Papa, Bella had so much fun that when she walked out the door, she sat down on the porch and just stared off in a zone! Thank you Mom and Dad for a good time and some more delicious food! Andy and Autumn also brought some yummy treats and a meal we will enjoy some time this week! As a matter of fact, Emily just brought by another meal complete with brownies. I know I have to shove myself into a swimsuit in about a month and half so after I finish all of these treats I will pull out the elliptical machine and start paying attention to what I am eating. Till then, I think I will just enjoy!
I know there was a lot of writing with this post but the whole experience was almost like a movie! We are starting to settle in to our new life. I am now a stay-at-home mom and I couldn't be happier about my new job! I am actually going up to the school this week to pack up my teaching supplies and pass it on to Kaitlin and Caroline! My new little students are just perfect. Brady is such a sweet (and easy) baby and Bella loves being a big sis and having mom home! I think she misses her friends though so we will have to get together with the Verslues girls soon!
Aunt Lissy took some amazing newborn pictures of Mr. Brady and some with his big sis Bella. She even has a contest going for Energizer employees who comment on Brady's pictures to win a free mini-shoot! He was awesome for his photo shoots (we still are going to do a family one when Lissy gets home) and it might have had something to do with the space heater we pointed towards him. He melted like butter!
The start of May 4th, 2010...Bella's 2nd Birthday! We went to Francis Park and went for a short walk! This is how Bella sits when we walk. She is on the look out for "tids" and "puppy dawgs".
Hey There Birthday Girl! Don't you love those pigtails and pink kicks!
Shoes are courtesy of Aunt Lissy!
Walking may be too much for mom so lets go to the playground. That is all Bella wants anyways!
She is a bit of a chicken but this red slide makes her feel really brave!
But she is always very "tareful"!
Now we head home to play in the water, blow bubbles and play with sidewalk chalk!
Lissy trying to recreate a sprinkler since we can't figure out how to work ours!
Looking a little worn out but Bella still has enough energy for movies and popcorn! 
On our way home from Lunch with Grandma and Papa but we forgot to get pictures while we were at lunch. Bella didn't worry as much as her mom and aunt did about the ride down 270.
I can't get over her pink converse. She wears them with everything and when you are 2, pink converse go with anything with that is pink! After nap, it is time for a birthday party... 
Or maybe a BABY BROTHER!!!!!
Walking may be too much for mom so lets go to the playground. That is all Bella wants anyways!
She is a bit of a chicken but this red slide makes her feel really brave!
But she is always very "tareful"!
Now we head home to play in the water, blow bubbles and play with sidewalk chalk!
Lissy trying to recreate a sprinkler since we can't figure out how to work ours!
Looking a little worn out but Bella still has enough energy for movies and popcorn! 
On our way home from Lunch with Grandma and Papa but we forgot to get pictures while we were at lunch. Bella didn't worry as much as her mom and aunt did about the ride down 270.
I can't get over her pink converse. She wears them with everything and when you are 2, pink converse go with anything with that is pink! After nap, it is time for a birthday party... 
Or maybe a BABY BROTHER!!!!! Welcome BRADY MATTHEW SEDLAK!
He is already trying to fit into the family. He can be very LOUD when he wants to!
He was also a good healthy size! 7 lbs 10 ozs and a little over 20 inches long! Complete with a spike!
Proud Mommy and Daddy! It is just as neat the second time around but maybe even cooler... 
This time we get to introduce him to his big sister. She is already an awesome sister because she is sharing her most loved possesion, her blankie, and Bella is not what you would call a sharer!
She has to check him out one more time then...
Then back to her skittles and with a little cry from Brady, parenting of 2 has officially begun! 
Meeting Grandma Bev! She is going to spoil you rotten!
This one could be a thumb sucker (I was) if I didn't keep putting his mittens on. He likes to scratch up his little face.
She has to check him out one more time then...
Then back to her skittles and with a little cry from Brady, parenting of 2 has officially begun! 
Meeting Grandma Bev! She is going to spoil you rotten!
This one could be a thumb sucker (I was) if I didn't keep putting his mittens on. He likes to scratch up his little face. 
Finally getting to meet Papa and Grandma Early (it is about 12:30am)! They don't care! Look at these two. I think they have been functioning on a grandbaby high for about 2 weeks now! Who needs sleep or food when you have Grandbabies on the way! 
The calm has come and it is time to relax with my dad! Don't get too used to it buddy. He has big plans for you as his assistant. Although Bella really likes to be his helper also!
Hey there little guy! So bright eyed and ready to go!
Time to go home! Grandma and Papa Early welcomed him home with blue hydrangeas since they had to head back to Dallas to meet Colton and Carolina!
Grandma Bev, Lissy and Bella welcomed us home with balloons, a sign and lunch! Thank you for everything! See Bella underneath her sign! 
I don't know for sure but I think Ryan might be trying to escape. Maybe 2 is more than he can handle??? Just kidding, he is a great daddy! 
Bella is really getting a handle on this whole sharing thing. She got the monkey for Brady but everything else is hers. She truly thinks he needs them at all times.
Bella got these cute little chairs for her birthday. One for her and one for her little brother. She also loves to read! Hopefully she keeps this up! 
Brady checking out his mobile! 
Bath time! Babys just love these washcloth baths they have to endure before their cords pop off! Luckily for Brady, Grandma helped him out so that he could take a tub bath.
A paci and a cozy towel makes it all better.
Bath time is exhausting! How cute are the little blue sleeper and cap. Thanks Amy!
Ryan and Bella went out to fly her Elmo kite on Friday and I think they had a lot of fun because it was pretty windy! They were out there for awhile and Brady and I watched from the house because it was a little chilly. 
Bella is obsessed with pez dispensers (she even says pez dispenser) and her papas make sure she always has one. She got 2 on her birthday. A baseball one from me and a madagascar (another one of her favorite words) penguin one from Papa Early! She is munching on some here!
Bella sharing her baby doll with Brady. AWWWW! 
Cooking in the kitchen with Ellie. You need your fairy skirt and wings to do this. At times they sounded like Elsie and Freeda (our cooks at Mary Immaculate who fought all of the time) but overall they worked pretty well together.
Jackson and Ali goofing around! He did very well that weekend considering we didn't go do anything which is what he is used to.
Brady getting to know Caroline and Jared. He hears they are a lot of fun! 
Check out this little guy! Lincoln sort of reminds me of a rowdy leprechaun right here. He gets to be ring leader of the 2nd half of Early grandchildren!
Brady with the Farwell kiddos. Bella was a little too close to naptime to be cooperative for this picture but you will see that below. We are soooo happy they got to come and meet him!
See... a little too close to nap time!
Ali never gets in the pictures (like all moms and Lissy) because she is always taking them! Brady knows she is a pro!
Monday Ryan came home to a messed up dishwasher and 2 dead fish. Welcome back to the real world. That evening was pretty entertaining as I tried to cook dinner between 2 counter tops, Ryan was all over the floor trying to fix the dishwasher, Bella helped him with her Handy Manny tool set and Brady didn't want to be left out so he sat in his swing in the kitchen as Bella stacked her Handy Manny tools at this feet. This is a picture of Bella going back later to make some adjustments. Apparently Ryan didn't get the job done the first time around! She likes to tell us to move because "I'm workin' mama, I'm a helper!"
Trying to snap a picture of Brady's early morning smiles when he is all full and happy! Not near as cute as in person!
Bella likes to be close to Brady but we will have to work on what is okay and not okay! 
Oh snuggle bug!
I think we have a belly sleeper. He was very relaxed on Papa Ted's chest!
Bella heard we were going to use Brady's tub so she wanted to make sure it was ready. TOO SWEET! She filled the whole tub with her bath toys but I had to explain to her that Brady still had to fit in. 
Brady's first tub bath and notice how my helper is making sure that Brady gets some toys at least! 
I will post later with pictures from this past week and weekend. I have some cute ones and with my Mom being here for the week and both of my parents as well as Andy, Autumn, Briley and Baylor coming to visit for the weekend there is lots to talk about. Like I said, I have some really cute pics but I didn't get to download them yet and my battery for the camera is charging. I have been working on this post for a few days and just want to get it up so please excuse my lateness. I am just not as polished at this blogging stuff as my siblings! If you want current news, look at theres! By the way, Congrats Andrew on the the new office. I can't wait to see it for real!
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