A week, plus a few

We have been busy since Andy's arrival. I am sure most people stay in and be mellow the first few weeks of a baby's life, but Andy is blessed with a sister (and parents for that matter) who don't much like to sit still. So here is a run down, including some pictures, since the camera is being used a lot these days.


I think I left off with taking my mom and brother to San Jose to go back east. Julie was at day care, so John, Andy and I went shopping on the way home. Gilroy is our friend!

Then, on Thursday, we took the kids to Solvang. I know it sounds like a random outing, but my Memere and Pepere used to take us to Solvang all the time when we were younger and since I couldn't go to the service for Pepere, we went to Solvang. We actually had a really good time. The stores were a little small for the double stroller, but there were tons of fun shops, lots of ice cream and wine places and tons of toy stores. There was also a really nice park for Julie to run around in. There was a fun gazebo that she really liked.

On Friday Julie was with Grandma, so we took Andy to get his "pawprints" done. We got a gift certificate to do them so we wanted to make sure we got them done when he was super small, they are so much cuter that way. He also got his very first real bath. He didn't like it very much, but when we were done, all of his hair stuck straight up. It was really cute. After cleaning the house and doing laundry for the afternoon, we headed out to celebrate Pop-pop Dave's Birthday out at the ranch. It was fun and we were glad we got to help him celebrate.

On Saturday we took a walk and showed Andy around Santa Margarita. We ended up at Grandma Hazels house. Julie helped clean up the yard by raking leaves with a cool mini rake. We stayed and visited while Andy had a bottle and Julie serenaded us on the piano. That evening I took Andy with me to a wedding shower. It was the first girly thing that Andy was dragged to against his will, and I am sure it won't be his last. :) It was really fun though, and nice for me to get out of the house with some fun ladies. Julie stayed home with daddy and watched football and ate grapes. Ask her, that is what they did.

Sunday we got up and went to church. After that, we all came home and had a nap. Mom and Justin got home, so after Audrey picked them up they came by to say hello. It was nice to see them, even if they were only gone for a few days.

Today, Chris came over and he and John replaced the sprinklers in the front yard. They are experts now after doing the back yard. So after only 2 trips to Decou, the front yard will be green again in no time! While they were doing that, Julie played in the mud and I cleaned up droppings from the redwoods and pine needles. Then did dishes and folded the kids laundry. So exciting! When the front yard was beautiful again, Julie got a bath, and Andy kept on sleeping.

Then, Julie enjoyed a video game or two with Daddy and Uncle Chris (no she is not really playing!)

That about sums everything up for the past week. Julie is saying so many new words too. she says socks and shoes, milk, hat, bottle, brother, rock, truck, work, two, three, four (no one...weird) and helper. Andy still sleeps a lot, including at night, so that's good. So far, he wakes up 2 times a night, eats and goes right back to sleep. He is starting to take his naps in his crib too, so we really can't complain! Here are just a few more pictures, mostly of Julie giving Andy love, and Andy sleeping!

Ode to Pepere

If you have met me for more than a minute, you have probably heard me talk about Memere and Pepere (aka my Grandma and Grandpa Jutras, the ones who live in New England). The day we brought Andy home from the hospital, Pepere passed away. He has been struggling with cancer and it was his time. With all the emotions of having a new baby, I am grieving for the amazing man that showed us what family should be. I am upset that I am not able to go to the services, I knew that it would be harder for me to leave Andy, basically impossible, but it is still really hard not being with all my loved ones right now.

Today John, Andy and I took my mom and brother up to San Jose to the airport so they could go back to the services. On the way home, John and I talked about Pepere and all the great stories that we remember. Obviously I have more than John does, but even in just 7 years, John had many to contribute. I am just going to share a couple of the classics.

The first time John met my grandparents, we had not even been dating a year. We flew back for Christmas and my grandparents picked us up from the airport. I had warned John that my Pepere was a little direct, but John was the same way, so I don't think he was too worried about it. On the way home from the airport, we were starving, so Pepere stopped at Cracker Barrel for dinner. John was on his best behavior. Pepere ordered meatloaf and mac n cheese. John was trying to be polite and asked how his dinner was. Pepere responded, "It's just like my mother used to make, except she didn't put sh*t in it."

This was one of Pepere's favorite sayings. He also enjoyed:
"Never get the twin lobsters, its impossible to find 2 identical ones!"
"Hello Ladies" (this was every time we passed a field of cows)

One of my favorite memories with Pepere was when I was about 8 and Justin was 10ish and we talked Pepere into riding bikes with us. We were riding up and down our gravel driveway and Pepere totally ate it! Pepere was about 6'4" and Justin and I had to get him into the house with his knee bleeding everywhere. We got him in the house and all set up in a kitchen chair. Memere came in and Pepere started looking for sympathy over his bloody knee. Her response...."Damn it Larry! You ripped your pants!!"

I don't think that it will fully sink in that Pepere is gone until I go back again and see it for myself. He was a rock that never faltered. He spoiled us rotten, no matter how old we got. I will not be there physically to say goodbye with the rest of my family. But my heart will be there all day tomorrow.

Andrew Justin Hunter

As my last blog said, we went to the hospital on September 17th to be induced. We got there and got all settled in. The nurse put in the medicine to get things going. About 12 hours later the Dr came in to check me and I was making progress. So they started the evil Pitocin. But actually, it was not as evil this time as it was last time. It made my contractions hard and consistant. Around 5 pm, I got an epidural becuase things were really starting to hurt! An hour after that, while I was resting confortably, the Dr came in and broke my water. After that, I kept progressing nicely, but with the epidural, I didn't really notice anything. Then, after some sleep, about 3 am, I started being able to feel the contractions again, and feel him dropping. They checked me at 4 am and I was at 9 centemeters. Then at 4:30, I had her check me again and she could barely check becuase Andy's head was right there. She ran out of the room and called the Dr. He got there at 4:50 (thank God he lives close by!!) and I pushed about 5 times and he was born! Quite the contrast to his big sister!!

He was born at 4:55, weighing 8 lbs 14 ozs and was 20.5 inches long. He was doing really well, but when they hooked him up to the oxygen tester, his levels were going up and down, so they decided to take him to NICU to make sure everything was ok. Of course it was and he was back with us in just a few hours. He is a great sleeper and an even better eater! He has pooped more in his life than Julie did the first 2 months of her life!!

We got home Sunday morning and have been laying low ever since. Andy has done really well watching his sister play and enjoying all his visitors. He slept well last night, waking up whenever he wanted to eat. He is staying awake for a few minutes now after he eats, so we get to see his eyes even more each day.

Andy seems to be fitting in beautifully and we could not be more excited that he is here.

Big Update

I had a Dr apt today and everything is looking good. The Dr was a little concerned because I told him that since I caught my cold the baby has been really mellow. So he sent me to the hospital to be monitored and to make sure that the baby had enough fluids. This meant they had to do an Ultrasound. Of course we were excited for the ultrasound because we got to see the baby again. They hooked me up to a monitor and he is great. Then we got to see him and we know for sure that he is still a he! Then they did a measurement and he is measuring...are you ready....9 lbs 6 ozs!! That's right, at 37 weeks 3 days, he is already over 9 lbs! In the ultrasound, you could really tell that he is SQUISHED in there! The poor guy is crammed!

So, my wonderful Dr told me that he was completely comfortable inducing labor tomorrow night (he is out of the office in the afternoon tomorrow, otherwise they would have induced tonight). This means that Andy will be here by the end of the week.

I know, pretty crazy! I am so happy that Julie will be at day care all day tomorrow which gives me time to get the house ready and change the sheets for my mom to stay here and watch Julie. Yay! I am still in a bit of shock, but I am excited and I know this is the best thing we could ask for. So keep us in your thoughts, the next few days will be exciting and scary all at the same time.

Mini Update

We had a doctor apt today, but there is nothing too exciting to report. I am 37 weeks tomorrow(full term already!), so next week when we go, he will check to see if I have made any more progress and then we are going to come up with a "plan". I am not really sure what this means, but he said we would talk about it next week. Because his office is really busy, I go on Tuesday next week, so I only have about 4 days in between my appointments.

On top of being incredibly tired and sore, Julie and I both have a cold. She seems to be much more of a trooper than I am though. She was only really sick for one day, she still has a little bit of a runny nose and seems to be feeling much better today.

Julie has a new word. We were waiting for this one and we are glad that it didn't come until now. It is the dreaded "NO" and she uses it often. Honestly, I am not sure she knows completely what it means because she will say it when she really wants whatever we are asking. For instance, last night I asked her if she wanted to go night-night and she said "no night-night" and proceeded to go into her room and get Karl and her blankie. She has a lot of other new words too, like Uncle, pig, and kiss. But No is definitely used the most!

Justin and Audrey's Wedding

Justin and Audrey got married on Saturday and it was absolutely beautiful! The rehearsal was a lot of fun, we got to meet all of Audrey's family that we haven't met before. Audrey looked amazing in her handmade dress. Julie found a new buddy in Audrey's nephew Jackson. They had a lot of fun playing and running around outside on the deck. All of Audrey's friends from college are so nice. I had a lot of fun getting to know them and am so happy that Audrey lives here now so that I will get to see all of the girls when they come visit!!
The next day, us girls got our hair and makeup done. We went to the hotel, got dressed and down the aisle we went. There was not a lot of sitting around before hand, which was great for all of us!Me, Julie and Jackson walking down the aisle. Audrey's girls.

Justin waiting for Audrey.When the officiant asked for the rings, the boys had a plan. The groomsman on the end pulled a crackerjack box out of his coat and handed it down the line. Each groomsman took some crackerjacks for a snack until it got to John and he pulled out the rings. It was really clever and everyone loved it.

The reception was a lot of fun. The food was AWESOME!! We are all still talking about it and trying to figure out how to recreate some of the dishes. There was dancing and good times had by all. These are just a few pictures so if I get anymore, I will put some up.