Andrew has been enjoying having a shop to work in- and Jude loves his train table inside and now has a sand table outside. He has some crocks that he can put on and off by himself so on sunny days he’s been enjoying the freedom of going in and out on his own and playing for long stretches with his new sand table Andrew built. Now I can plant my garden and Jude will still have a place to dig!
My Mum and Papa were here for a fun but too quick weekend…
Owen gave Mum some big smiles- here’s the start of one:)
The West’s stopped by for a visit!
Lemon cupcakes with vanilla frosting & coconut to celebrate Molly’s b-day-
Lots of playing cars and reading books for Jude…
Some brotherly love to start out our Monday right!
Clean and happy!
Owen is already 2 weeks old! Jude is adjusting more, Owen is nursing like the milk is about to dry up, Andrew has been able to help me catch up on sleep in the mornings, and I’ve even done a load of laundry! At this point in my life it’s the little things that feel like a huge accomplishment- like a clean load of laundry. Folded? Not necessary. Put away? Maybe in a few days. But it’s CLEAN!:)
We took Owen in for his 2 week check up yesterday and he has gained yet more weight! He is now 11 lbs, 1 oz! The check up was quick and everything looks great. (Although I question their record keeping as the nurse read through our computerized chart saying, ’so you’ve had the hep B shot at the hospital…’ and went on reading- I didn’t have time to correct her because it seemed she was in a big hurry. No hospital, no shots yet or for a while!)
Today we decided we should wash away the curdled milk smell and get Owen’s newborn smell back so he had his first bath- and didn’t cry at all during or after. He actually seemed really relaxed afterward and I lathered him up with oil, remembering all the infant massage I did when Jude was a baby. Enjoy the pics!
I think he might outgrow this ‘tub’ a bit quicker than Jude did…
Slippery when wet!
Don’t you just want to squeeze those cheeks?!!
Happy Earth Day! It’s about that time in our area to start sewing any seeds that need to be started indoors. I’m trying out the egg carton method- sowing seeds in a bit of soil in egg cartons, then when it’s time to transplant them to the garden you simply scoop the seedlings out and into the garden soil. Did you know that after you hard boil eggs the water can be cooled and given to plants to give them an added boost from the protein in the water? Egg shells can also be dried and crushed and added to soil for the same reason. Jude and I planted some seeds last weekend- Jude loved putting the soil into the egg cartons and Owen had his first little ride in the sling. Peppers and tomatoes- check!
The funny thing about a blog is that the most sweet pictures are chosen, the funny and happy stories most often typed out, and what you see does not show the whole picture. Like Mama in tears because of macaroni and cheese (I don’t remember the details- I just remember the emotions had something to do with said pasta), or Jude yelling ‘NO’ and disobeying for the 100th time that day, or newborn poop flying everywhere during a diaper change, including into Mama’s glass of water. No, what you see on here are the sweet and peaceful Fouche moments, but don’t let that fool you for a second. Now to go get a new glass of water before I post some pictures…
Owen’s birth came much differently than Jude’s- although both babies were birthed naturally with the help of Andrew and a midwife. Jude was born in a small rural hospital in California, I felt great up until his birth- woke up on his due date with cramping and contractions and he was born that afternoon. Things were much different this time around, and as my due date approached I thought for sure I’d be having him a bit early or on time because I started experiencing several rounds of regular contractions and cramping, only to be false alarms. His due date came and went, I felt fine but wanted him to come so I walked and raked and cleaned and moved around until it seemed like nothing would help him out!
Nine days after his due date I woke up with early labor like contractions and had them throughout the day. I was trying not to count on it being the real thing so as Andrew left for work I told him to keep his phone handy but was sure this would be another false alarm.
About 5 pm I realized the contractions were a steady 10 minutes apart so I started paying more attention to them, and they got closer together and more intense as the evening went on. I laugh now that I was in labor with Jude, (Andrew was going to be gone until after leading youth group that night) by bed time as we read books together I had to stop and breathe through a few contractions and was so thankful when I could get him to sleep and go downstairs to call Andrew and let him know he better come home as soon after youth group as he could! I also called my midwife to give her the heads up and was to call back when contractions were three minutes apart. That was about 7pm.
An hour later I was so relieved when Andrew came home because my contractions were becoming intense and I was ready to have him encourage me through them. He realized when he saw me that we needed to call the midwife right away, and by 8:45ish she was at our house, setting up her supplies. She had been there about 20 minutes and had just barely gotten set up and changed when I felt the need to push. I was surprised at how fast everything was happening and remember feeling so thankful that this was finally the real thing- Baby would soon be in our arms! Andrew was a huge strength to me as he was during Jude’s birth- encouraging me to keep going, that baby was almost here, telling me I was doing great. His words and his presence were essential to both births and I love that about the memories from both.
I pushed for 17 minutes on my knees, leaning on the bed and Andrew. My water broke and then came the intense feeling of baby’s head crowning and finally out he came, upside down into the midwife’s hands. He started crying immediately after she turned him over and handed him to me, a loud protesting cry that made me laugh with joy that he was finally here- our Owen Peter. (Peter is my Papa’s name) We also laughed when our midwife, Linda, weighed him and told us he was 9 pounds 9oz! We never would have guessed how big he was going to be and I am still amazed at how he fit inside me! He nursed within the first 20 minutes he was born, calmed down and opened his eyes, looking at Andrew as he lay on the bed getting cleaned up and dressed. Jude slept upstairs through the entire birth and met his baby brother the next morning- not too sure of him at first but warming up to him ever since. We are forever grateful that God has blessed us with two amazing sons and grateful for the beautiful home birth we got to experience with Owen- we wouldn’t have had it any other way. Welcome to our world, Owen Peter- we love you more than words can express.
Owen is 4 days old- such a joy and so far a very peaceful baby. Jude is working on a molar and adjusting to life as a big brother- not such an easy combination but he’s doing alright, needing lots of love, cuddling and sleep! He is more and more excited about his baby brother as the days go by and has even asked to hold him a few times. Jess’s parents left yesterday and we were blessed with lots of love, extra sleep, and a full fridge during their visit! We’re so thankful for all the support and well wishes from our families and friends- we are truly blessed!
Our midwife, Linda, weighing Baby O shortly after birth.
Linda has delivered almost 1,000 babies and did such a great job.
Family of 4!
Jude holding ‘Baby Brother’
Sleepy boy
10 fingers, 10 toes!
p.s.- I love my Hubby’s thoughts about life on his blog from today- Happy Easter!
Our second son Owen Peter Fouche was born at home last night at 9:35 PM weighing in at 9lbs 9oz, and 22 inches long! Momma did amazing and the whole family is happy and healthy. You can see some pics after the jump. More pics and special video to come!
Our little butterball getting dressed for the first time.
Happy parents!
Proud Papa
Owen finds his thumb shortly after birth.
The boys!
In love all over again.
First morning nap
Old man Owen 
Vintage button magnets- made by gluing (hot glue gun or tacky glue) a button onto a small bit of magnet- in this case a magnet that was recycled from the back of a magnetic list pad of paper and cut to smaller proportions. So cute! This would work with bottle caps as well.
Jude woke up with a fever and threw up several times last night, poor guy. Thankfully he is much better this morning and it looks like this will be a quick little bug. Nothing like your little one to be sick to make your heart ache! Meanwhile, the wait for Baby continues but the sunshine is amazing and Jude and I have loved being outside this week- digging in the garden, playing tee ball, and throwing open all the windows until we go to sleep so it feels bright and airy inside too.
Not only for wine glasses- a little idea for guests…
When we have more than one guest all the cups and glasses can get used pretty quickly in a day, so to keep things straight and use a glass more than once I bust out our barely used wine glass charms to go on mugs or on our handled mason jar drinking glasses. Works like a charm!
