It's a Wonderful Life

Dear Kenzie,

2014-03-26T23:10:00.001-04:00

So she's now 3 years 2 months, but like I always say...better late then never. For the past 2 years we have had Kenzie's party at home. So this year we wanted to do something different, since she is a little older to remember and really enjoy something outside of the home. So we decided on Rolly Pollies since its one of her favorite places, since she took some baby tumbling/gym classes there over the years. Of course the weekend of her party there was a pretty nasty snowstorm so sadly many of our friends couldn't make it.

We celebrated her actual birthday with a trip to the Strong Museum of Play.

Dear Kenzie,
Oh my little love, my little peanut pie. How on earth are you 3 years old. I'm sure I'll say this every year, but the past 3 years of our lives have been the fastest yet, but with each year, you bring us more and more love and joy.

From 2 to 3 you have changed so much. It was just this time last year you tested a pregnant me more than any other time in our 3 year relationship...potty training. We transitioned you to your big girl bedroom, in your big girl bed. I love that you quietly sleep all night until we hear the pitter patter of your little feet running to your door, followed by a soft knock yelling "Mommy." And you always wait so patiently until I half asleep bring you into our bed. You rarely fall back asleep, but if you do, you always snuggle up to me and hold my face.

I know you're still little. You're only 3, but you have change so much and I never want to forget these things. I love that when you wake in the morning, you have one sock on because you play with your toes in the night. I love that you are so honest. Even when the refrigerator alarm, missing block of cheese, and the dogs give away your hiding place you still let me know "Mom I'm hiding and eating cheese under the table." I love your sensitivity for animals. Whether its sad animals on TV that need homes or commercials with puppies, you say "awww, those puppies are sad." Your sensitivity also makes you melt into a puddle on the floor when anyone yells at you, especially your Daddy. I really love how you sing. You not only sing, you belt! I hope you always love music, and always sing to me. You love to dance, and boy is it dramatic. Your facial expressions and movements are nothing short of broadway. You don't love to get food on your face, and you hate when you spill things...but you'll gladly stomp in puddles and play in dirt.

You continue to impress me with how smart you are. I'm sorry we picked a 9 letter name for you, but you spell it out so beautifully..even though it started out as M-A-C-K-E-N-GO! (You really love B-I-N-G-O). You know all your shapes, even the weird ones, I don't even remember ie trapezoid. You love puzzles and playdoh, and have such an imagination.

Daddy thinks you have a temper. He blames it on me. But if you got your "passionate" side from me, you also got my forgiveness. You never hold a grudge. In fact you're smart enough to know, that if you apologize, you get end up with what you wanted in the first place. You apologize quickly. Somedays you're ultra sensitive and will melt down at anything. Other days you roll along without a care in the world. You are so funny. You make us laugh everyday, and you're not even trying.

You have wrapped your daddy around your finger. You watch all sports with him, shouting your (his) favorite players whenever asked. You know the "magic words" are always.. "Let's Go Tribe." You should see some of the outfits he puts you in. We love your blonde hair, even though you know you and Fausto are the only ones in the family with blonde hair.

We threw you a curve ball this year when we brought your brother into this world. Before him, you were the center of our world. But we know you were the first step to our perfect family. Family will always be our number one.
In the months before he was born, I use to hold you with tears in my eyes, knowing things would never be the same for you, or for us. You made me a mommy. You taught me what love is. I know you will love and bond with Camden someday , and teach and take care of him. I know you do love him, even though you tell me you don't. I promise you you'll love him more than cookies, and he won't eat you. You just wait...

Yes we have difficult days, where you are being "rough". But I love these days...even the difficult ones. We love every single part of you. You will always be perfect to us. I wouldn't be me without these last 3 years of you. You are forever my favorite girl.

I love you the best.

A getaway for Don and Erin

2014-03-23T21:27:00.002-04:00

You always hear it... Parents, couples, etc etc should have some alone time. We really tried to do the once a month date night...that lasted a month! But we did do one thing I've wanted to make a point of doing. Back in the fall, we "stumbled" upon some credit card points, which we usually use to do travel with our little famil... But this time we did a little something big..just.the.two.of.us. We booked a 5 night cruise. 5 seemed perfect. Not too short, but not too long away from our babies. Kenzie had stayed away from us 1 night, and Cam..never! The anxiety of leaving them was horrible.
We knew they'd be in good hands, splitting the time with both grandparents. But the tears were already flowing by the time we hit the Cuba exit on Rt 86. I knew they'd be fine. I knew we'd be fine, and feel much better once we were on our way. They were angels for their grandparents (as usual) and we had a really great time. We are already eyeing up our next one!

After our arrival in Florida at 5:30am (whooo hoo for a cheap flight), we had plenty of time to spare on the boat! Here we are just waiting to depart from Miami.

Arriving in Jamaica

We went to the Bamboo Beach Club which served tapas Jamaican foods and drinks. We also did some shopping. I've heard a lot of negatives about Jamaica, but we really loved it!

In the Cayman Islands we fulfilled one of the items on my bucket list... note: swimming with dolphins was not on Don's bucket list. ;) But we swam with dolphins!! Ever since I saw Stephanie and DJ Tanner swim with the dolphins in the beach boys Hawaii episode (come on, I know you know which episode it is), I wanted to. I snagged a deal on black friday, and we made it happen.
We also go to visit the turtle farm, which I also reallllly loved!

It was beautiful all morning, until our time to swim. It poured the whole time. These pictures cost just about as much as the excursion alone, but we we had to! I love Don's no impressed fast, where I could not be more excited.

And here is our beauty of a ship, on our way out of the Cayman Islands.

Till next time carnival..

And we are back...

2014-03-22T22:36:00.004-04:00

Holy! It has been 2 weeks since I've blogged. Things are crazy crazy in the Burch household. Our days are busy, and so are our nights. So blogging (sadly) has been pushed to the back burner. There is so much I am needing to blog...and share so I don't forget! I take pictures of our babes, but feel like poor Cam has no real timeline of things!
So photo dump...lets commence!!

We take a lot of baths around here.

We love our Fausto

Sadly we don't see this face much anymore. But
that lip got him just about anything he wanted.

We also took a trip to Explore and More Museum which Aunt Katie got them a membership to for Christmas.

We sadly, also had a bunch of hospital visits this winter. Some routine, some specialists for Cam, and some winter sickiness.

We took Cam to the eye Dr, because I thought in some pictures he looked cross-eyed.
Turns out its an optical illusion with his nose bridge, and big cheeks!

He also went to see Dr. Kenzie.

Baby Led Weaning is going wonderfully! This boy can chow!

Camden -- 6, 7, 8 months old

2014-03-22T21:32:00.001-04:00

Dear Camden:
I'm so sorry I have not kept a better record of everything you've done the past 3 months. I swear I love you just as much as your sister. Your daddy says you are a boy and won't care at all when you're 20, but I still feel bad.
I tried my best to remember. I never want to forget my memories of you and your sister. These are the happiest days of our lives, and we never want to forget them!

Daily Routine:
Blessed with another fabulous sleeper. He doesn't nap as long as Kenzie did, but he goes to be earlier. Usually around 6:00 or so he's ready for you bottle and bed. He does wake up earlier then Kenzie did, and isn't as content in the crib for as long as she was.
As the months go on we can put him to bed earlier and earlier. Usually around 5:30 he starts to "wilt" and needs to get his bedtime routine started. He is still taking 2 naps although they are usually only 1-2 hours.

Feeding:
As from the last post...we started with avocado. He also eats sweet potatoes, carrots pineapple, apples, pears, cantaloupe, pumpkin, and has munched on peppers, peas, and kale chips. Still eating about 5 bottles with 8oz of formula!

Look at you Grow:
Cam was a whopping 22lbs at his 6 month appointment putting him in the 99th percentile and 90th for length.

Who do you look like?
Maybe you're looking more like mommy. I get more comments that you look like me, but I still see your dad a lot!

Milestones:
Sitting up. Clapping. Rolling all over the place

Big sister Kenzie:
Kenzie comes around here and there. She really likes to make him laugh, and will repeat things over and over if it means he'll smile or laugh at her. She really doesn't like it when he touches her, and he typically tries to grab anything she has. Which she of course hates!

Firsts:
Dear Camden, this is where my memory doesn't remember all of your firsts.... I'm sure there are others.
Solid foods
Hockey game
Trip to the museum of play
Sleepover with both grandma and grandpa
Blizzard x2
Big boy bath

See next post for what we've been doing the past 3 months!

Christmas time (was) here

2014-01-27T21:59:00.000-05:00

Christmas was so fun this year with Kenzie. She knew what it was, she knew who Santa was, and she knew what Santa was bringing her. She fell in love with Charlie the Brown this year, and we have since continued to read Charlie Brown's Christmas, and watch the show. Kenzie must be full of the Christmas spirit all year long! She can recite so many of the words, and always sings Hark the Herald Angels Sing at the end. It is really quite adorable
Cam loved Christmas too...really just the paper! We are always blessed with a fun, busy, and love filled Christmas with both of our families!

Traditional Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve!

Opening up our Christmas jammies!

Christmas morning

Dickinson Family Christmas

Burch Family Christmas

Let them eat cake...or Avocado

2014-01-27T21:20:00.004-05:00

Soooo...things are busy in Burch household, hence the lack of any blogging. I have lots of blogging events to do including Christmas, cams 6 months pics, 7months (I should take those huh), our cruise, and Kenzie's birthday, etc. I've been busy finalizing everything with my private practice, teaching TRX workouts 2 nights a week, and starting my Spring teaching at Trocaire!

So lets start with Cam's first solid foods. With Camden, we are starting right out with Baby Led Weaning (BLW). This concept completely skips rice cereal and any other pureed foods. We naturally turned to that after Kenz hated all of the delicious baby foods I made her. So we just hand him the food in a suitably-sized piece and if they like it they eat it and if they don’t they won’t. You don't force anything and baby learns, and is able to control his own intake. No purees, no ice cube trays, no food processor, no potato masher, no baby rice, no weird fruit and veg combos… just the babe eating the food we are eating! So far he has enjoyed avocado, sweet potato, apple, pear, and banana!

So here of course is the baby eating food pics that we all know and love!

Holiday Happenings!

2013-12-31T22:55:00.001-05:00

Phew! The holidays are over, and I felt like they just flew. Something about being a kid, and your paper chain seems to grow, then you're an adult and you are running around at 9 o'clock on December 23rd trying to finish your shopping. There is such a workup to the holidays with Christmas music way sooner then necessary and stores opening before we even had our Thanksgiving dessert. Then the 26th comes, and its over! I wish the excitement lasted a bit longer. So until next year, here are a few of our favorite moments from our first Christmas as 4!

Decorating the tree -- Kenzie was a really great helper this year, while I just dressed up Cam!

Visits with 2/3rds of my college roomies and Cam's pal Owen!!

And other random holiday type pictures I love!

We took Cam and Kenz to see the Nutcracker. She got a bit bored throughout, but it was also naptime! Clearly, Cam had no problem taking a snooze.

Our "Annual" trip to NYC happened this year when I thought for sure we were going to skip out in 2013. We've been to New York, New York the past 5 or so years, and as much as I enjoy going, the crowds and cold, along with TWO babies this time, was enough to have me say forget it - lets go in the spring. But when I was given the option to travel to Long Island for work, I figured what a perfect time to travel and get most of it paid for! So we hoped in the car and in 6 hours, no NINE, we arrived in our Times Square hotel!

We took a walk to Don's favorite restaurnt in NYC - Ellen's Stardust Diner. Kenzie was loving the singing and theatrics, and Cam wanted his Dad's brew! What little minis we have!

Then off for a walk to the tree!

Day 2 consisted of a lot of walking, partly because Don got us lost. He's lucky he was carrying the 20lb babe on his chest! We visited Central Park, FAO Schwarz, and pizza before heading to LI for the night!

Kenz was so excited to swim and Cam got to go in a pool for the first time. He was thrilled and by thrilled I mean chilled. This kid is so low-key!!

And finally, as we were arriving home from some Christmas shopping, a firetruck was announcing the arrival of Santa. And not only Santa, but Smokey the Bear, Rudolph, and chipmunk wearing fireproof pants, and a very jolly elf! I love this kind of stuff!

Thankfulness

2013-12-08T14:03:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving was filled with the usual. Both of our families travelled up to our house and enjoyed the usual turkey, sides, and desserts. We are super thankful and blessed as always to be surrounded by such love. But I was feeling doubly thankful this year, with the addition of our own little butterball, that has completed our family!

Camden -- 5 Months Old

2013-12-01T15:42:00.001-05:00

Daily Routine:
At daycare he takes two long naps, where at home the number of naps depends. He'll take a handful of smaller naps, especially in the car. He usually gets his last bottle around 6:30, and then is off to bed about 7:00. This is to bed, much earlier then Kenz, but he gets so cranky at night otherwise. He loves playing on exercise mat, or a blanket. And just like Kenzie, likes to sleep in his swing. He's a happy happy baby, and if he's cranky, its usually means he's tired.

Feeding:
Not too different. Still eating about 8oz, 5 times a day. And still puking about 2 ounces of it!

Look at you Grow:
He's still growing like crazy. He is especially long, which makes buying clothes pretty tricky. I put a 9 month outfit on him the other day and it was short on him. So I've moved on to 12 months and I don't think he'll be in those long. I wish it was summer and he could just wear shorts and Ts. We guess he weights around 20lbs. Which is only 10lbs behind big sis!

Who do you look like?
There is still the occasional "he looks like you." But most say "mini Don" "baby Donny"! His hair is still dark, although somewhat lighter. But Kenzies was lightening a lot at this age. His eyes are mostly brown, so I think he'll be a brown-eyed boy!

Milestones:
Besides jumping through clothing sizes? He is starting to put his hands together when we clap, and is babbling a ton! He's got quite the voice on him.

Big sister Kenzie:
Oh Kenzie...I wonder if she'll ever like him. She still doesn't care for him too much. She doesn't want to hold him, feed him, be near him, etc. Hopefully someday!

Firsts:
Cam celebrated his first holiday, Halloween! He loved being batman, he told me!

Halloween

2013-10-31T21:57:00.004-04:00

Classic Jack-O-Lantern carving at the Burchs. Cam enjoyed until he started getting sprayed by pumpkin mush.

Kenz got a Halloween breakfast, including ghostly pancakes and Boo milk! And cam was just a little monster!

Halloween costume selection was a back and forth battle this year. I knew I wanted them to go as a "couple" but couldn't decide what. I figured this is probably one of the last years I can force Kenzie into something. On any given day she wanted to be a pirate, and princes, and superhero, a pumpkin...anything! And thankfully she was all about being Robin to her little brother Batman! She has so much fun going door to door yelling "Trick or Treat". Our plan was to hit maybe 10 houses, but she was all about it and loved running house to house so we stayed out untill Batman was ready for a bottle and bed. He hung out in the bat mobile for most of the night and eventually slept his way through the neighborhood!

Just looking at these pictures....I'm reallllly hoping I can pair them up again next year! We shall see!

Camden -- 4 months old

2013-10-23T21:52:00.000-04:00

Daily Routine:

We are hitting our stride especially with feeding and sleeping. He wakes, eats, and usually has 2-3 really good naps throughout the day. He's happy laying under a fan, or on his exercise mat, although since he has learned to roll, he often gets stuck on his belly, and is not thrilled when that happens. He eats every 3 hours, except some nights. Sometimes he doesn't even go 2 hours and he's throwing fits and his fist into his mouth. We think he gets tired, so the past few weeks we have really started putting him to bed earlier and earlier. Within this past week, we can get him in bed by 8. He goes to bed awake, and usually just drifts off to sleep. Sometimes I have to wake him in the morning..to get to work on time. Otherwise he wakes usually around 7-7:30.

He does a lot of smiling and cooing, and we've gotten a few laughs out of him. His little face lights up, especially when he hears our voices. When he is being changed he is always looking towards the door to see if anyone is there to talk with him. I am completely in love with his little personality and how happy he seems when we interact with him.

Feeding:

We've added a few more ounces since last month. Right now he eats 8oz every 3 hours. Sometimes longer if he is napping, sometimes shorter if he is freaking (nightime)! He also recently started SCREAMING every time we burp him. Its like the poor guy thinks we are going to ration his food. He freaks! He also like to have his hands on the bottle now. If it wasn't glass, I'm pretty sure he'd be holding it! You wouldn't know based on his size, but the kids pukes... a ton!

Look at you grow:

"Biggie" as I affectionately call him, is sadly getting bigger and bigger. At his 4 month appointment today he weighed 17lbs 3oz (75% percentile) and was in the 99th percentile for length. Every time our Dr. sees Cam, he always says Wow, he's a big baby.

Who do you look like?

I'd say the majority say he looks completely like Don, there are the occasional times that people think he looks like me. He looks a lot like Kenzies pictures at his age.

Milestones:

Cam is no longer being swaddled at night, and is still sleeping great! He is beginning to smile and the belly laughs are starting, especially when he is tickled.

Big sister Kenzie:

I think Kenz is coming around. She has happily held him a few times for pictures. Today at his appointment, the Dr was using the stethoscope to listen to his heart and lungs. She walked over held his hand, and said, "It's okay Bro."

Firsts:

Cold and virus

Laughs

Sleeping swaddle free

Trip to the pumpkin farm

Bath in the big tub

Choo Choo

2013-10-06T21:17:00.000-04:00

A few weekends ago we took the kids (still so weird saying kid(s)) on a riveting adventure on the Arcade and Attica Railroad. Kenzie was really excited for about 10 minutes, but I-Spy kept her going. It was a quick little 2 hour trip, and a great way to spend a Saturday!

A weekend in Maine

2013-09-24T20:54:00.000-04:00

This past Labor Day weekend, we traveled back up to VacationLand to visit my college roommate, Chelsea, her husband Jason, and new baby boy Owen. Baby O is exactly 3 weeks younger than Cam, so sharing/supporting/complaining ;) about our pregnancies together was so fun.

Last time we visited, we flew. But with plane delays and cancellations, it actually took us longer than driving. So we piled in the Prius and ventured out on the 8hr or so trip. With stops it took us closer to 10, but both Mackenzie and Camden were SO good. Cam would eat every 3 hours and then crash until the next. And once again the Ipad and Ipod kept Kenzie busy.

After arriving very early Friday morning, we frolicked around Portland with Chels and Owen, while Jason was working. We went to the Portland Lobster Company for lunch and did some shopping at the Freeport outlets.

As you can see, Saturday we went to the beach....

Look at this little lady in her itsy bitty yellow polka dot bikini!

Kenz spent the afternoon playing in the sand, and the boys scoped out the beach babes.

Sunday we ventured out for a trip to Whole Foods and breakfast at the Miss Portland. I felt very wholesome with my crunchy babywearing self, shopping for my non-GMO organic treats! It was heaven. I consider any town with a Whole Foods an incentive to move there!

And then these BFFs shared a special moment on our last day. I can't wait to watch them grow up together!

It's Tribe Time

2013-09-24T20:53:00.000-04:00

At 9 weeks old Kenzie went to her first Indians game, which also was opening day. So we felt that it was only fair that Cam also went to his first game when he was 9 weeks old. So we headed out to OH to watch our beloved Indians and fireworks!

Camden -- 3 Months Old

2013-09-24T20:40:00.000-04:00

Daily Routine:

He seems to be settling into a bit of a schedule, although I still think he sleeps a lot...(No complaints!) He is waking up usually 6-7ish, but we've had a few early wakes up at 5. He then is up for maybe an hour or so and then takes a morning nap. He still plays a lot under his exercise gym, although he really prefers being held as much as possible!

Feeding:

We just upped his feeding amount to 5 1/2 - 6oz every 3 hours. We've noticed he is becoming more and more annoyed at burps. He SCREAMS everytime we burp him. It's like he thinks that he'll never be fed again! Ever! It makes feeding him quite unenjoyable since he screams in your ear and slams his face down into your collarbone over and over!

Look at you grow:

The big guy is still a big guy. We had a sick visit at the Dr's this past weekend, and Biggie ways 15.8lbs!

Who do you look like?

Daddy! Still wondering about his eye color, although both Don and I are thinking he'll have dark eyes. His hair is still dark and growing.

Milestones:

Biggie boy rolled over from back to belly a week before turning 3 months old! He is also sleeping in his crib.

Big Sister Kenzie:

Kenzie is still pretty indifferent about her brother, but she does let people know that he is her little brother, and his name is Camden. Daycare says she lets them know when he is crying...in case they didn't realize.

Firsts:

Cleveland Indians baseball game

Buffalo Bills preseason game

rolling over

night in his own room

train ride

long car ride to Maine!

Camden -- 2 months old

2013-08-22T21:48:00.000-04:00

Daily Routine:

We are still in the routine of letting him sleep when he wants, so there is really no nap schedule yet. We throw in a little tommy time, time in the swing, time in the bouncy chair, and playing under the gym and thats about it. He is defiantly awake more, and lots of smiling and cooing! He still prefers to be held and we've found that he naps best on us because he likes to sleep on his belly. Unfortunately thats a no-no in the babycare world, so happily I'll continue to let him snuggle on top of me, where I can keep an eye on him!

Feeding:

We are still rocking our feeding schedule although he is eating a bit more. He is now up to 5oz every 3 hours. His last feeding is anywhere between 8:30 and 10 and off to bed he goes. He has consistently been going to bed and sleeping until about 7 every morning. I don't know how I get these amazing baby sleepers, but we are so grateful. Also, Mr. Pukes-a-lot is in full affect.

Look at you grow:

He was a solid 12lbs at his 1 month visit, and he is now up to 14.2lbs, which is the 90th percentile. He is in the 99th percentile for length at 24 3/4inch. He's grown a whole inch sine his last check-up. The doctor said "He's a big boy, He's a really big boy." He also told us we may need a larger fridge sometime soon.

Who do you look like?

He looks so much like his daddy and everyone says it! His hair is still dark but may be lightening up? I'm wondering if we have a blondey in the works!

Milestones:

He is becoming a big ol strong boy, and holding his head up a lot. He also smiles and coos so much more than even a month ago! The cooing is my favorite because it really seems like he is trying to tell us something.

Big Sister Kenzie:

Oh Kenzie....I know she'll love playing with him, but she is not impressed with him. She is a great helper when it comes to fetching pacifers or burp clothes, but thats about it. She does let me know when he is crying (in case I didn't notice). She also always thinks he's smiling at her, even if he is in a dead stare at the wall.

Firsts:

trip to the Erie County fair

visit to Mommy's work

Camden -- 1 Month Old

2013-07-22T21:35:00.002-04:00

Our handsome little man turned one month old yesterday. I find it ironic that during pregnancy the months seem to stand still, but once you have little babes, the time flies. I find myself looking forward to the first time he laughs, when he sits up, and when he starts eating foods....but then I feel bad. This is (likely) our last baby. I get sad thinking that I"ll never have a baby turn 1 month old again and that deliciously sweet newborn smell will soon be replaced with sweat and dirt of a little boy. So for now, I kiss you lots and lots because I know there will be one day that you won't let me.
Look at how much he looks like his big sis at 1 month old.

Daily Routine:

Well we really don't have much of a routine, since our day consists of diaper changes, eating, and sleeping. Just like with Kenzie, I love taking naps with him on my chest, so those and snuggling you are what our days consist of. He seems to be a bit more needy then Kenz. He is a much happier baby if he is being held. When he is upset...holy cow does he scream. Like it hurts your throat scream!!

Feeding:

Still not sure he is really only 1 month old, because he eats like a 3 month old. Sadly, just like with Kenzie, breastfeeding didn't work. Regardless, we have him on a good feeding schedule: eating about 4oz (umm yes) every 3 hours. He surprised us with a few all night sleeps (11ish-6ish) but for the most part usually wakes up once in the night between 3 and 4 to eat. He also spits up much more then Kenz did. I think I can count on one hand the amount of times Kenzie spit up. This boy spits up quite often, so we have to keep him upright after feedings. I'm hopeful he grows out of this trait! Between that and his cloth diapers...I feel like all I do is laundry.

Look at you grow:

We go for his 1 month check up on Wednesday! The newborn clothes are out. 3 month clothes are in.

Who do you look like?

His hair is just as dark as it was when he were born, but we can't figure out what color his eyes will be. When he was born they were dark brown, but nowadays I mostly see blue. One thing thats for sure is they sparkle. I don't think he looks like either Don or I, but he does look a lot like his big sister.

Milestones:

Well changing a boy has defiantly been a learning curve for us. The first few days at home, I was actually terrified to change him. He poo-exploded and squirted us just about every changing. Luckily that is not as common these days.

He also smiles all the time. His first real smile came when he were 2 weeks old. Don was leaving for work and he gave him a big squinty smile. I thought it was a fluke but he did it again later on that day when the dogs were barking. My favorite is when I look down and he's smiling at me for no reason.

Big Sister Kenzie:

So far Kenzie hasn't shown much interest in him and I have to say I'm not super surprised by this. Kenz is pretty independent, and enjoys playing by herself. She has held him once, only because I pretty much placed him in her arms. She is a big help grabbing his pacifier or burp cloth. She has even held his bottle to feed him...once. She does give him kisses, and holds his hand in the backseat, which usually follows with "Look Moma, he's smiling at me." She also doesn't like when he cries, and has even brought me an empty bottle to help soothe him. I'm excited to see how their relationship develops.

Firsts:

trip to the zoo

chiropractic adjustment

photoshoot

real bath

trip to Grandma and Grandpas pond

real smile

full nights sleep

trip to daddy's baseball game

Meet the fam CAM!

2013-07-08T13:55:00.001-04:00

After Camden came into the world, Don wanted to go home to be the one to share the news with big sister Kenzie. He had to wake her up since it was about 6:30 in the morning, but she was still excited to hear the news. I hung out in L&D for the morning, since I caused a little commotion when I fainted! No worries, smelling salts are a magical thing.

Mackenzie couldn't come visit until 11:00, so Don came back for a few hours before going back home to get her. She was excited to see her "bro" but quickly was more interested in the gifts that he bought her.

And then our families came to meet the little man.

With Kenzie, Don never left me at the hospital. He slept there, used the shower there, and I ordered enough food for him. We knew things were going to be so different for Kenz, so we thought it was best if he went home to stay with her, and come back the next morning with her. I was dreading being by myself, but since I had been up all night, I figured I'd be able to fall asleep pretty early. When Kenzie and Don left me Friday night, it was rough. She cried, I cried. It was awful. So I was telling the nurse about it, and she suggested I ask the Dr. to leave Saturday evening, since I had him so early Friday morning. Great idea, get me the heck out of here!
Saturday we spent the day loving our little boy and hoping to go home later that night.

Yay! We got the go ahead to go home a day early!!

Meet your brothers! You're lucky they didn't bark in your face like they did when we brought Kenzie home!

Camden Brook's Burch Birth Story: Part 2

2013-07-05T20:34:00.000-04:00

So here we, about 1:30am and enroute to the hospital. I was excited we were finally going to meet our babe, but frustrated because I knew I wasn't really having contractions, which meant pitocin was going to be involved, and I might as well been induced. So I knew I was likely not going to eat, so I knew I needed to stop somewhere. From our house to the hospital there are about 7 Tim Horton's. I never eat bagels, but a plain toasted bagel, with butter sounded good. The 1st Tim Horton's we struck out and all they had were Jalopeno bagels. Wow, not what I had in mind. So we stopped at the next TH's, got my bagel and water, and continued on. Since my water broke, I had a few random contractions, but nothing timeable or too difficult to handle.

Since we didn't take a childbirth class this time around, we were trying to remember exactly what we were suppose to do if we got to the hospital in the middle of the night. We parked in the same area we did when we had Kenzie, and walked to the front door, only to find they were locked. At that point the lightbulb clicked and I remembered we had to walk around to the Emergency Room. I said to Don, man we are lucky I'm not having regular nasty contractions because this would not have gone over well!!
So after a walk through a busy ER, we got up to labor and delivery. They asked some questions and got us into Labor and Delivery Room #9. The nurse I had apologized for our wait, since she had a mom come in at 7cm, and things were moving. I said...oh lucky her!! Anyway, about 2:00am I had a resident come in and check if my water did in fact break, while my nurse got everything else started. It undoubtably did, and I was also 4cm dilated and 50% effaced. My nurse asked if I was feeling any of the contractions that were on the monitor. They were uncomfortable, but not manageable. The plan was to start Pit at 5:30-6 if they didn't come a little stronger on their own.
So fast forward to just about 4:00am. HOLY CONTRACTIONS. I was fading fast. In fact those were the exact words I said to my nurse. She had suggested sleeping, since she knew I wanted to do this drug-free. I told Donny I couldn't do it. I was weak. I had only been there 2 hours and was already begging for the epidural (very similar to Kenz). Before calling the anesthesiologist, they were waiting on the results of my bloodwork to see if my platelets were high enough for an epidural. And then..it happened! Remember when I had hoped my platelets were too low for an epidural? Well they were too low. So now I had to wait for them to be hand counted to determine a more accurate reading. In the mean time, I was dying. And my nurse realized it and suggested they check to see what was happen. It was 4:10am and I was 7cm. 7cm--what!! Maybe I can do this drug free. My nurse also said, it looked like I'd be having a drug free delivery after all. So 5 minutes past..5 minutes of doing the ridiculous breathing you see in the movies, and I was feeling a ton of pressure. They checked, and I was 9cm. Things started to get hectic. My nurse and Don were helping me with breathing, rubbing my back, and laying cold washcloths on my head. They had called Dr. Rush, but were calling for a Dr. Allen (no clue who this is), with the thought that Dr. Rush wasn't going to make it at this point.
The pain and pressure was crazy. So they got things all set up, Dr. Rush made it and joked about speeding, and 15 minutes and 5 contractions later...he was out!! The hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but he was here, he was perfect, and the labor and delivery was perfect!!
Camden Brooks was born at 4:44am, just about 3 hours after arriving to the hospital. I still can't believe it all happened so fast and I did it epidural free! He was a bouncing 9lbs 3oz, 22 1/4in long, and 14in head circumference. All his stats earned him the nickname "Buba", from Dr. Rush. We are in love, and so so blessed!

Camden Brooks Burch's Birth Story: Part 1

2013-07-02T22:52:00.001-04:00

So because I want to remember everything (and since I totally didn't stick with the weekly updates, like I did with Kenzie)..lets start back a few Dr.'s appointments....

So I was sitting pretty at about 2cm dilated, 50% effaced for a few appointments, including my 39 week appt (39 weeks 4 days). I talked to my Dr. about what the plan was, since I was feeling like things were very similar to my progress (or lack there of) with Kenzie. Since my due date was June 15th, she said the farthest they'd let me go was Monday the 24th, before they would need to do an induction. Okay, great plan! I really didn't want to be induced, and was hopeful this babe would come on its own. Well then 2 days later I get a call from the Dr's office, wanting to schedule my induction for June 20th. I froze. I wanted to cry. Luckily I was able to postpone anything until I could talk to someone at my appointment on the 19th. Also within this time, those stinkin platelets dropped so low, I had to be put on prednisone to hopefully boost them up before delivery. I secretly hoped they'd be low, just so an epidural wasn't even an option, since that was my birth plan this time around (ahhh hindsight).
So now overdue by 4 days, I had my weekly Dr appointment with my favorite NP, Lisa. She was the provider I saw the day before I went into labor with Kenz. I hoped it was a sign, and that she would have the magic touch to get things moving. She explained to me that one of the Dr's was recommending the induction for the next day, because of my difficult delivery with Kenz. I stood my ground, and she advocated for me, and we got the induction pushed back all the way until the 28th. Whoo hoo! So she did my exam and I had progressed to 3cm. I also asked if she could strip my membranes to get things moving. We rounded out the appointment with a non-stress test and sonogram. I was hoping we would have a weight estimate, but they were just checking amniotic fluid levels. Finally, the Dr. that read my NST said "I bet you'll go into labor in 48hrs"...Yes!! I like the way you think!!

Okay so here we are Wednesday night and I've got nothing happening. No contractions, no excitement. I did a lot of googling, which reported women going into labor within hours of having their membranes stripped. I was getting frustrated. I remember saying to Don, I wish that Dr. never even said that, because now my hopes are up.
So now its Thursday, and Kenz and I are enjoying some lunch on the deck when I feel a "splash." And I'm like uhh did I just pee my pants. So I stand up and have fluid running down my leg, in which Kenzie proudly asks, "Mommy, you peeing?" So I call Don and then call the Dr. The nurse I spoke with said the Dr. knew even before the nurse told her my name, who was calling, since she was confident I would be in labor within 48hrs. They suggested I monitor it over the next few hours, and give them a call back at 3. Over that time, there was no more fluid, so they suggested to stay home and to let them know if it happened again. So we did some shopping that night, feasted on some Pizza Hut, and finished the night watching the NBA Championship game in bed. Ok I wasn't really watching the game, I was actually texting with some friends, venting about my frustrations about my lack of ANYTHING! Just as the award ceremony was starting, I felt that same leaking sensation again. But this time it was a lot! There was no doubt, holy cow, my water just broke!
So it's about 11:15pm and I call the on call doctor, Dr. Rush. She said to head on into the hospital. So we call up Megan to have her drive up, and I hop in the shower. Don was like, What? You need to wash and curl your hair? I said Don, we are having our baby, there will surely be pictures taken! So I finished getting ready, packed some last minute things, and did some cleaning while we waited for Meg to arrive.
Then we had to do, what I dreaded most. It still brings tears to my eyes, thinking about Don and I going into her room, waking her up, and holding her one last time as an only child. She of course was out of it, so that actually made leaving her a bit easier. Meg snapped this last pregnant picture, crying eyes and all. (Holy cow was I huge)

Stay tuned for Part 2...

What have we been up to???

2013-07-02T21:58:00.000-04:00

Wellllll....what have we been up to? Besides loving on a squishy baby boy (which we will get to) I have some major catching up to do.

The past few weeks dragged on as I was waiting, and hoping to go into labor. So we spent lots of time with Kenzie, soaking up our final days as a family of 3.

We took a trip to the Hidden Valley Adventure park which was so fun. Kenzie loved all of the animals, and they seemed to love her too!

We took a stroll along the waterfront on my due date.

And took Kenz to a Bisons game...and she hasn't stopped talking about "Bustard T Bison" since.

We Grow 'Em Big

2013-05-27T21:42:00.001-04:00

Well I turned the big 3-0 on Wednesday. I had a pretty relaxing day with Don and Kenz, which included a lunch date, and frozen yogurt for dinner!

And to kick off this birthday, I was excited to start the morning out with a growth scan of Baby Burch, and the start of my weekly Dr's appointments.

So I was 36 weeks, 4 days on Wednesday, and our little porker is measuring at 38 weeks, and already 7lbs 6oz. Baby is head down, back along the right side of my belly, butt right in my ribs, and legs all the way across my belly, with its ankles crossed. So everytime this babe kicks, its butt slams into my ribs -- therefore explaining all of the back and rib pain I've had on my right side.

She also thinks this baby takes after big sister Kenzie and has a pretty good amount of hair already. Now take a look at the "little" peanut. Looks just like big sister Kenzie right? Which pretty much means, we've got another baby that looks just like its daddy....Good thing he's cute!

My appointment was good too. There was no talking of induction, which I was worried would happen since baby is running on the moose size. She estimates I'll have a baby around the same size as Kenz. Also just because baby is bigger, it doesn't mean they can come any earlier. BUT, I am happy to report that at first exam my doctor said I was just not quite 3cm. She eventually said I was 1-2cm, 50% effaced, and -2 station. So I'm excited to see what kind of progress we've made this week!

It's About That Time -- Boy or Girl?

2013-05-17T15:53:00.000-04:00

Well friends (and any complete strangers that may stumble upon this blog)...It is time to get your guesses in on what this bump has got in there!
I have a sonogram and appointment on Wednesday, which I'm sure may give us a good idea of how big this babe is, as well as if there are any signs of progression. (In case you want to cheat a little and wait for an update)
So if you're feeling confident, guess away..... Excited to see what you all thing!

I thought before you may feel absolutely confident with your guess, I thought we'd take a look at old wives tales and see where we fall with those! I'll say for the most part, most people, including complete strangers, are guessing girl. But these below are for sure, completely science-based, so I'm sure you'll be able to come up with your best guess just by these results alone ;)

Where are you carrying? Out front = boy

Fetal Heartrate? Higher than 140 = girl

Morning sickness? Ugh yes = girl

Female intuition = boy

Basketball or Watermelon? Basketball = boy

Craving fruit? Yes = girl

Craving sweets? Yesterday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, and I told Don I wish we could celebrate everyday! = girl

Moodier than usual? Oh holy cow, YES! = boy

Active baby? For sure! = boy

Graceful or clumsy? Ummm, I don't think I notice anything different, so I'd say Graceful = girl

Chinese lunar calendar = boy

Chilly feet or the same? Same = girl

What side do you sleep on? Left = boy

For the record,... I copy and pasted this same list from back when we did this for Kenzie. {Full disclosure}....I only had to change 2 (lunar calendar and gracefulness). So take your best "educated guess."

Baby Burch 2's Baby Pool

35 Weeks 3 Days

2013-05-13T20:55:00.003-04:00

So, I'm a tad nervous about our depleting time frame. I have a small feeling that maybe I'd go early this time. Maybe somewhere within 38 and 39 weeks? As exciting as that is, that also means less than 2 weeks to prepare. Kenzie's room still isn't done, the nursery (Kenzie's room now) hasn't even been touched. The hospital bag isn't packed. No baby outfits are picked out. Or big sister gifts!
We do have our maternity pictures scheduled for Wednesday. Hopefully the weather cooperates since we've already had to reschedule.

How Many Weeks: 35 weeks, 3 days. It's the final countdown.....

How Big Is The Baby This Week: Baby Burch is as big as a large cantaloupe, about 6lbs. I'm nervous this baby is BIG, like bigger than Kenzie big!! I am excited that we have a sonogram scheduled next week to measure this babe, since Kenzie was a bit bigger than expected.

Weight gain: About 30lbs. So if you're keeping track, that is up 10 in a few weeks! Eek!! I had gained 30lbs total with Kenzie, sooo I'm hoping the weight starts to slow down a bit.

Sleep? Still sleeping good. So thankful for that aspect of pregnancy.

Cravings? I text messaged Don today that I wished chocolate chip cookies were calorie free! They are my fav and would eat them everyday if I could (pregnancy or otherwise).

Aches and pains? Well this has changed over the past few weeks. I've got that annoying back/rib pain I had with Kenzie. I was hoping I wasn't going to get it this time, but it is here, and forceful. I'm thinking its a foot in my rib that radiates into my back. Its awful anytime I sit, which makes driving awful! I do go for an adjustment tomorrow, so maybe its something she can help with too?

Signs of labor? I'm having some Braxton-Hicks contractions (I think) but thats about it. Maybe I'll go early this time?

What I miss? I miss being comfortable. It really wears on me how painful it can be to sit and do work, drive to a workshop, or even just put on my shoes. I'm trying to stay positive and active as much as possible.

Reaching Milestones: I am now not doing as many workshops for work, and those I have scheduled, I have a coworker helping me with lifting.

Lets Go Camping

2013-05-12T21:07:00.001-04:00

Well the Burchs went camping this past weekend. And not in a tent type of camping, but we got a cabin at Allegany State Park with 2 other couples! This was our first camping trip as a family of 3. Thankfully we had a cabin, since this weekend's weather was far from superior. But we had a great time, relaxing with friends, and roaming the grounds.

Kenz with her pal Jack

Kenzie being a ham

We took a trip to the stone tower.

The whole gang on our last morning!