Calvin's first 2 months

1 month stats:

8lb 14oz (10%)

21 inches (70%)

head: 41th percentile

Oh little Cal. These past 2 months have been exciting and tiring! Calvin is my hardest baby yet. This is partly due to him having acid reflux, a gassy tummy and not sleeping well. The first month was the hardest. healing from a c-section, moving, taking care of 3 little boys and not getting much sleep was rough! Thank goodness for my mom and Haws' mom who came to help during the hardest parts. 

It's funny... I am writing this at the 2.5 month mark and I am already starting to forget just how rough it was that first month. I'm still not sleeping as much as I would like, but I am usually up only 2 times in the night and then up by 6:30. Now he goes right back down with out fussing where before he would sometimes be crying for an hour straight or on and off for a couple of hours. Things are getting better. We are settled into our new home, Calvin is on medication for his reflux and starting to take naps better. He still spends time sleeping on the go and has been on so many outings that he sleeps though. Calvin is sweet and I can see a very happy baby underneath all his tummy problems. 

My mom gave Calvin his first bottle and he took right to it! Thank goodness. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't escape for a few hours. Date nights and girl nights are important to me. I love my kids... but mama needs a break once in a while to be a wife, a friend and just have some time alone. Calvin also takes formula well which is nice in case we can't bring the breast milk.

James loves Calvin. Sometimes too much :) James likes to get right in his face a talk to him. I wish I could hear what Calvin was thinking. "Hey buddy, give me some space!"

I am not the only one who is sleep deprived. Calvin is still in our room because Davis is still in the crib. We wanted to wait until we had been in the new house a month before we put Davis in a bed. He will also be going into James' room! Big boy bed and sharing a room with James... we aren't sleeping anyway right? 

So when Calvin gets up at night, Haws sometimes wakes up too. That and the fact that Haws gets up super early for work. I don't know how he does it!

Calvin's first bath was a family affair.

Having friends come and meet Calvin has been one of the highlights these past couple of months. There are still so many people I want him to meet!

At 2 weeks old, Calvin went to his first basketball game. The Clippers were in town to play the Jazz and my dad got us all hooked up with tickets to the game. It was so much fun and felt good to get out. Calvin slept through the whole entire game! What a good baby :) He cried the whole way home.

2 month stats:

10lbs 8oz (10%)

23 inches(50%)

Head: 44th percentile

We blessed Calvin at 6 weeks old. I didn't get a single picture of him that day! So I had to recreate it later. He is 8 weeks old in this picture.

We had family and friends come into town for his blessing. It was a very special day. 

A few things I remember about the blessing are:

blessed to follow Christ. To be like the Apostle Peter and have a zeal to follow Christ.

Live by Christs example. Stand up for what he believes in. If he is righteous he will have opportunity to serve a mission and marry in the Temple. 

There was much more but those are the things that stood out.

Our friends gave us this as a gift for Calvin. Isn't it perfect? He may have been born in Utah, but made in CA. His name IS Cal :) 

  

Calvin can be pretty smiley at the right moments of the day. I have even heard come giggles come out of his cute little mouth. I love this picture. Every time I see it I smile right back at him. Calvin is finding his voice and will coo and have little conversations with me. It's the sweetest thing. 

Although these last couple of months have been challenging, I just love this little man! I am so lucky to have these boys in my life.

Davis is 2!

Davis stats at 2 years old:

Weight: 25lbs 6oz (30%)

Height: 35 inches (65%)

Head: 47.8cm (40%)

My sweet little Davis is not so little anymore. He has finally graduated out of the 10th percentile for weight! He is a good eater, I am not surprised. Now that Calvin is around, Davis has automatically grown into a full blown toddler. He has reached the stage of exerting his independence and his favorite word is "no". It is pretty funny when he tries bossing James around (who is the king of bossy) by telling him "no, no, no!" We have enjoyed some public tantrums, but I can't help but laugh at him when they happen. For some reason I just can't take him seriously. James has broken me in I guess.
Davis is such a funny kid. There is just something about the way he carries himself that makes me laugh. He has a little strut and when he runs around his cheeks giggle. The kid has some awesome cheeks. He is behind in his speech and will be starting speech to help him catch up. He still communicates pretty well and understands pretty much everything I say. He is a smart kid and follows directions well (unless he his trying to be naughty). James and Davis have the most fun together when they are doing something they know the shouldn't. If I can hear them laughing a lot, I know I better hurry and see what is going on before too much destruction occurs.
Davis still loves being babied. When he gets up from his naps he wants to be carried around. He will cry at the drop of a hat. I don't know why my boys cry so easily! I guess they are just sensitive.
Davis is going through a phase where he hates taking off his pjs. Sometimes I don't care and just let him wear them all day. I figure this is a time in his life he can get away with it and it's one less person that I need to get dressed :) He is pretty opinionated about what he wears when he does get dressed. Davis loves to dance. Anytime music is playing that he likes, he starts moving his body to the music. Davis loves playing with cars, trucks and dirt. His favorite foods are yogurt, pizza, and snacks foods... but he will eat pretty much anything!
Davis, although he has a mischievous side, is a very cautious kid. It is fun to watch him do things he is unsure of. I've seen him get down on his knees to crawl down a curb! But then today he was standing on top of a table!
Davis is affectionate. Lately, when we are wrapping up dinner he will walk over to Haws and I and hug our legs. There is nothing better than an unexpected leg hug from one of your kids. He loves his brothers. He can call them both by name (he calls Calvin "Cal") and looks for them around the house. I have to watch him around Calvin because his idea of soft is not always very soft. He will touch his head and say "soft" and waits for me to say it back to him.
I love this boy with all my heart! I never thought I would have room to love 3 little boys so much!

Davis loves dressing up.

We had a construction truck birthday party at a park with family to celebrate his birthday.

This was the best idea I had! I bought a Costco cake and then doctored it up to make a construction site. It was the easiest cake ever! He loved that cake.

2014-02-27

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Baby Calvin has joined the crew!

Calvin Allen Hexberg

Born February 25th, 2014 at 7:48am. 

6lbs 15oz and 19.5 inches

The last 7 weeks have been a whirl wind! In the last 5 months we have moved twice and had a baby. The first move was a big one and I am glad I was only 7 months pregnant then. I don't recommend moving with a 4 week old. Especially if you have had that baby via csection. I will talk move about the 2nd move later... this post is about Calvin.

Feb 25th, I was scheduled for a 7am csection. Haws and I had to be there by 5:30am, so my mom (who came into town to help after I had the baby) got to our condo around 5:15am and we headed for the hospital, which was conveniently less than 5 minutes from where we were living.
As we were driving we talked about how surreal it was that we were going to have a baby in a few hours! With everything going on, neither of us had given a lot of thought to how things were going to change or "tune in" to Calvin. The only thought I got was that he was going to be active... maybe a little feisty?  I didn't get the feeling that he was going to be calm and easy like Davis was as a baby. (and what I was hoping for with #3)
The hospital was great. I was nervous switching doctors and hospitals... but I was really happy with both. The nurses were great and got me all prepped for the c-section. I really liked the anesthesiologist. He was friendly and made me feel relaxed. Until I got the drugs!

I remember with Davis having a slight panic attack when the drugs kicked in, but it passed quickly. This time I had the attack again. My blood pressure dropped and I felt like I was going to throw up and pass out. I remember looking at Haws feeling like I might die. Then they gave me some drugs for the blood pressure and some morphine. The panic went away but I still felt like I could pass out any second. I remember just trying to stay awake during the surgery... I didn't want to fall asleep and miss seeing Calvin! I tried to focus on what the docs were talking about... vacations, spouses and how strong my abs were :) All that pilates and Barre work must have paid off even though I hadn't worked my abs for months! (if they could only see them now... not so strong). I also found out that I had extra fluid again this time. That explains why I thought Calvin would be an 8 pounder but he ended up weighing less than 7lbs.
Finally I heard them say he was out and they lifted him over the sheet so I could see him.

I was immediately in love! My first thought was he looked like my nephew Hunter... but I think he just has his own look. When his eyes are closed he reminds me of James, but when they are open he looks like a combo of Hunter and Davis. So really... he just looks like himself :)
He was a good crier in the delivery room and has continued to be a good crier!

I love the hospital stay. It is so nice to have alone time with your baby and get to know them. I stayed 4 nights and thanks to my mom, Haws was able to stay with me the whole time. It is amazing how much your body heals from day 1 to day 4. It took a while for me to get the feeling back in my legs. I wanted to wiggle my toes so bad and couldn't for at least 24 hours! By day 3 I was getting around pretty good considering. The nurses were great and so was the food! I always love getting visitors and they were good about letting you have visitors.

The boys came and saw us later that day. They were so excited to see baby Calvin (even though it doesn't look like Davis was). They were really sweet with him and have been pretty good with him so far. I haven't notice any major problems with them since he was born. We have been going through so much change, I don't know if I would be able to pinpoint what was causing any issues if I tried!

Our family of 5. Love these boys!

My friend from our ward and neighborhood had her baby 3 days after me and we were able to visit with each other in the hospital! Here are our cute little babes.

After our lengthy hospital stay, it was time to head home. It is always crazy how little the babies look when you put them in the car seat for the first time.

The boys were so happy to have us all home. They were especially excited to hold baby Calvin. James is such a good big brother to Calvin and is really sweet with him. Davis is also really sweet with him. I just have to watch him a little more because you never know what a 2 year old is going to do :)

One morning I came down and put Calvin on the floor to have a little "play time". The boys immediately came over to join him. My heart was so full looking at these three little guys loving on each other. I am such a lucky lady! I would have never thought 4 years ago that I would quickly have these 3 guys in my life.

I think James has a thing for older women

Since we moved to Utah, James has become attached to some older women.

There is the worker, "Laura" at the Rec Center childcare who he calls his favorite worker. She is probably around 65 years old. When I have gone to pick him up, he has asked her if she can come to our house sometime. I told her if she ever wants to babysit... we would be happy to have her!
Then there is the Primary President at church who looks like she is in her late 50's. James is in Sunbeams now and Haws and I have wondered how he does sitting for 2 hour instead of playing with toys. So we looked into primary and saw him sitting up at the front. We were wondering if he was giving a prayer or if he was in trouble. So after we picked him up, I asked the Primary President and she said that he just likes sitting with her. She said he does great and she doesn't mind so he often sits with her during primary. When we see her in sacrament he exclaims "My favorite primary teacher is in Sacrament!". He always wants to go over and say hi to her and show him whatever toy he has with him. Davis now joins him :)

Then there is my neighbor Dorthy who is probably in her mid 70's. She is the sweetest lady and has watched my boys a couple of times for me. Whenever the boys play in our little back patio area they always want to go into Dorthy's yard to see if she is home. Dorthy has come to the house to sit while Davis naps so I can go and pick up James from preschool. Now every time I pick James up he asks if Dorthy is at our house. After having Calvin and coming home from the hospital, some people in the ward have been nice enough to bring us meals. Dorthy brought us dinner last night and James was so excited to see her! He wanted her to stay and watch Curious George with him, but we let her go. When she left the boys stood at the door yelling thank you and goodbye. Then James shouts "YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!!!" Wow! She left feeling pretty good and I started to wonder if he really has a thing for older women.

I love this silly kid!

Davis right now

Davis has a few nicknames.  DQ, big D, Davis doodah and sweetheart. 

Davis is still cuddly and sweet. But he is heading into the 2's and I can already see his mischievous side coming out!

He likes to play behind closed doors, like in the bathroom where he can play with the toilet seat or unroll toilet paper. I think he also likes playing behind the door because he can take a toy or 2 with him and not worry about someone (James) snatching it from him!

Since we've moved, we have all had our share of sickness. Davis can be clingy on just a normal day, but when he is sick, I can't get far with out him wanting me to hold him. I'm hoping he will become more independent once the baby comes home. 

Davis loves his hippo, his stuffed dogs and moose, he loves playing with cars and trucks and absolutely loves eating yogurt!!

Davis and James have developed a special bond. You know James thinks your special if he lets you wear his fireman outfit!

What James doesn't know, won't hurt him :) while James is at preschool, Davis and I have a chance to hang out and I let him play with James' prized cousins!

The boys love stores where they can have their own little carts. It always gives me a little bit of anxiety, but they love it so much I just deal. The last time we did this, James had a full on melt down because Davis got something in his cart that James wanted. This shopping trip, the boys were being really good until Davis found the  baked goods table that had some cookies on it. He wanted to get them and I told him not this time. So he threw himself on the floor and had mini tantrum. It was actually kind of cute. His tantrums are pretty mild so far.

Davis loves his big brother and James loves Davis right back. 

They definitely have a special brother bond.

If we have a movie night or a little midday show, the boys like to get in their special set up. They share a blanket, need a pillow behind their back, a sippy and a snack. Davis enjoys the set up and being close to James. I love how he is looking at James in this picture.

Davis is a little behind in his speech, but I think he is further than James was at this point. He has about 30-40 words and does some word combinations. I am waiting until he is at least 2 to get him evaluated. I just think he will turn 2 and the language will come. 

Davis has good fine motor skills. He can eat with adult sized utensils like a champ. He likes to color and paint. He also loves messing with our computer. He knows he is not suppose to so its funny when I catch him, he just gives me this little smirk like he got away with something.

Davis had major separation anxiety when we moved, but in the last month he has gotten so much better. He goes to nursery at church and actually stays! He also has not had any problems going into the child care center at the rec center.

Davis is still the sweetest little boy. He has a kind heart and is sensitive. Even now while he is approaching two... He still has a sweetness about him.

James right now

Our sweet baby James is 3.5 years old now... And not always so sweet :(

Age 3 has been a challenging time, but with that has come a lot of personality! 

James is a chatter box and comes up with the funniest stories and perspective!

He has a huge imagination and still can easily entertain himself. Just give him a box, some toys and game pieces and he is set for an hour or so. 

Is ewe moved, he has collected a group of toys that he call his cousins. He is protective of them ( he still is not the best at sharing) and likes to take them places. "Little bee" is one of his favorites and likes to go almost every where with us!

I think the move has been the hardest on the kids. Out of their normal routine, in a new place and feeling unsettled. James reverted with his potty training, which stinks! Literally! 

James is a strong willed little boy and knows what he wants, but doesn't always get it. So we have some power struggles.

James loves the snow! It's just like white dirt to him and he likes pushing his trucks around it it. He is also really into ninja turtles which is funny because he has never even seen the cartoon or movie! He is also into dinosaurs. I think he picked this up because of Tate and porter. We go to the library here at least once a week to pick out books about dinosaurs and "the land before time" DVDs .

James started preschool in Jan and loves it! I'm so glad that we found one that  had room for him mid-school year. He loves going to school, his teacher and the kids in his class.

James takes little bee with him to preschool. He tells me that everyone loves little bee and they are nice to bee.  He has also imaginary friends called "the saws" that follow us in their car. I don't know where he came up with those guys, but apparently they look like people. Not saws.

James loves chatting it up with people and is outgoing. He is also becoming more of a boy. He is more aggressive and one day during a play group he punched a little kid right in the face for taking away his toy! He got in serious trouble for,that one! I'd never seen him do so,etching like that!

James has grown attached to a lady child care worker at the rec center and also his primary president. They are both in their 60's and I think he misses his grandmas.

James says some of the funniest things! Here are a few of the recent I can rember. A lot of it has to do with going to the bathroom:

The other day he had diarrhea and was so good about letting us know that he has to go , when he was on the toilet he was telling us all about it and called himself Dr. diarrhea!

He will ask things like "do you go poo poo on your pee pee or pee pee on your poo poo?"

A couple weeks before baby was coming he kept asking when we are having a girl... He really wants a sister. I tried to explain the Heavenly Father sends us the people who are suppose to be in our families. So if we go for another baby, will will get what we are meant to have.  I also told him someday he will be a daddy and maybe he could have a daughter. A few days later he informed Haws that he is going to be a daddy someday and grow hairs on his chin.

Haws took James to the monster truck jam in salt lake. He loved it and talked about the monster trucks and monster cars. On the way home from the event he said to haws, "dad, today was a great day". I think it was the tone of his voice was the best part.