Mothers Day

I could not think of a better way to spend Mothers Day than at Priest Lake.  We traveled up to my parents lake house to help them move one more load of furniture.  We also took a lot of furniture over to my grandparents old cabin because it is going to be rented out for the summer.  It was wonderful to get away from the house for the weekend (lots of time spent at home when you have an infant).  The weather was amazing!  Brendan LOVED it (ran all over, played in the sand, put his toes in the water, and was a total lake kid).  Evan did great as well, he is such a good little traveler (he sleeps in the car so much better than Brendan does or ever did).  It was a great weekend as a family, made us all ready for summer.

A Smiling Boy

Evan is growing so fast, hard to believe he is already 9 weeks old.  We all love him and already have a hard time remembering life without him.  He is a very flexible, go with the flow baby (takes after his dad).  He loves to sleep and doesn't like to be woken up.  He loves his brother and has a smile that will melt your heart. 

 

Visit with Friends

My dear friend Kim and her adorable son Graham came a few weeks ago to stay with us and help me.  It was so nice to have some company, being home with an infant can be very lonely.  Brendan was home from Stacey's for spring break so he LOVED having someone around to play with.  Graham is 16 months (9 months younger than Brendan), this was the first time that the boys truly played together.  There was lots of Brendan stealing whatever Graham wanted to play with, and Brendan trying to get Graham to do what he wanted (such a big brother already), but they did have a good time!  Kim was AWESOME!  She helped bring a bunch of food for meals, let me get a good nap in, ran errands for me, hung out with Brendan, and was the best company I could ask for.  It was the shot in the arm I needed to continue on with this new baby stage.  Thank you Kim for driving all that way, doing so much, and for being the best friend I could ever ask for!!

Here are a few pics of the boys.  They drove these cars around for hours, hard to get a picture of them because they don't stand still very long, if at all  :)  

Brendan Memories from the past year

Once again we had everyone at Brendan's birthday party write memories they have about Brendan from this past year.

Grammy:

My favorite memory of Brendan this last year is when we went on our hike in Pullman and Brendan had his hiking outfit on and was so cute!   One of my favorite pics are Brendan and his Mom and Dad on that hike.  I also remember earlier last year we (Grampy and I) came to Pullman and we got to take Brendan to the fair and show him the animals--he was so excited and it was so special to experience that with him. 

Grandpa:

My Lil Buddy--
I always like it best after we haven't seen you in awhile and you come running down the hall to greet me when we come for a visit.  I love your laugh, cheezy smile, and all around good nature.  I love reading and playing cars with you.  I especially love the hugs!! We are going to have so much fun together now and forever!!

Daddy:

Brendan--
There have been so many fun memories from this year from going to Hawaii, time at the Lake, going to Arizona for Zech's wedding, and many more.  2011 you became able to vocalize your emotions and I've been thankful for the ways you tell me please, thank you, bye bye, and love you!  I love to hear your sweet little voice!  You're a compassionate little man who loves your little brother.  I love you so very much !



Mommy:

Brendan--
You are one joy-filled kid!  I love to watch how you make all those around you smile.  You make people feel loved and show others that you care.  So many cool things happened this year, learning to walk, talk, jump, throw, and be so much more independent.  So fun to watch you become the kindest, sweetest, best big brother ever.  What I want to remember the most is our play time together in the morning, cars, cars and more cars, your laugh, time playing on the bed, getting you up from your naps with your sweet smile, and how flexible, easy, fun, and sweet you are.  I am proud to be your Mama and so thankful God gave you to us!  I love you!

Ba:

Brendan and Grandpa Age 1-2
Walks at the Lake
Rocks in the wagon
Boat Rides
Sleep Overs
Cars, Cars, Cars
Swimming in the pond :)
Can't wait for many more years!  Love ya!

Mimi:

Dear Brendan-
You have brought such Joy into our lives little man--now two--how can that be?  We love getting to see you and be with you a lot--what a blessing.  So fun to have you and your folks visit us at our timeshare in Kauai...seeing the ocean, playing in the surf, in the pool, wearing your aloha shirt out at Hanapepe and lots of walks!!  You're starting to use your words and LOVE to read mostly about trucks, front-loaders, combines, trains.  You like to take naps at "Bibi's (Mimi) house and then get up and snack on blueberries!  We have fun at the lake--you love to run little match cars all over!!  xoxxo!

Brendan is SO FUN right now! Here are some other things he is doing that we don't want to forget.

•  He loves to play "bas-keet-ball" and be outside.  He wakes up from naps saying "bas-keet-ball" "outside" and also has melt downs with crocodile tears when he has to leave a park, go inside, or leave the gym.  
• He is understanding most of what you say.  If you ask him to do something he will respond with "ok mommy" or "ok daddy"...I wish this one would last
• He is telling us when he has to go to the bathroom...potty training is not too far away
• He loves to play the stacking hands game with us at the dinner table, whoever hand is on the bottom moves it to the top over and over. 
• He can jump and toss a ball in the air, throw a ball to us, kick a ball and catch if it land directly in his arms.
• He is learning his numbers and can count to 10 (with a little help).  He likes to pull out a number book he has and a number puzzle and match up the numbers from the book with the number in the puzzle.
• He wants his little brother to see everything he does.  "See Evie, See" is a familiar phrase around our house.  
• He can put on his own coat by laying it out in front of him upside down, sliding his arms in and putting it up and over his head.  
•   He loves a game that Stacey let us borrow called Zingo...played like Bingo.  Brendan recognizes all the tiles and can keep up with just about everyone he plays with.  He'll play his card and everyone elses.
• He still loves to line up cars and has begun to color code them.  He knows most of his colors.
• He continues to love to read
• HE LIVES LIFE WITH SO MUCH ENERGY, JOY, SMILES, and FUN!

Curious George Birthday

For Brendan's second birthday party we did a Curious George Theme.  It was fun to celebrate this little dude...I have been so proud of him, he is the best big brother ever, he shows so much care and love to Evan.  He has been so brave, flexible, and awesome the past few weeks as his life has been drastically changed--he continues to live with so much joy and very little whining and complaining.  Therefore, it was fun to have a special party for him.  Unfortunately, Brendan had a bad cold, but it didn't keep us from having a fun time.

Josh's parents were able to come for the entire weekend, and we were so glad they were here.  Life in the Smart household was a little chaotic, Evan's stomach was pretty upset and therefore he wasn't sleeping much, Brendan had a cold and fever, Josh had the flu and then caught Brendan's cold, and Jamie was still trying to recover from a c-section.  Needless to say we were very thankful for some extra help all weekend...it was good timing.

BRENDAN'S TWO YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY PARTY:

Invitations:

We watched a Curious George Episode together as we ate popcorn and then had sub sandwiches for dinner.

Grandpa, MiMi and Evan, Grammy, Daddy, Ba and Brendan, Mommy

After dinner Brendan opened some pretty sweet gifts.  He got his first bike from his Grammy and Grandpa, a new soccer set, some sweet new bath toys (he is showing you the boat below) and lots of new books.  He had opened his gifts from MiMi and Ba on his actual birthday.

 

We finished the night with cake (unfortunately by this time Brendan wasn't feeling too good).  He is a trooper!

Thank you Cards:

Brendan, we couldn't be more proud to be your parents.  Thanks for being our adorable little monkey!

Brendan Boy turns 2

It is so crazy that it has been 2 years since we were in the hospital with Brendan.  He is such a cool little dude and we are so thankful that we are the ones that get to raise him.  He lives life with so much joy and spreads it to everyone he is around.  He is a gentle, social, sweet, joy filled, fun guy.

Taken at the hospital the day Evan was born...his brother gave him a football :)

Mom, Dad, and Auntie Jenni woke Brendan up on his birthday with a cinnamon roll (that Auntie Jenni had bought for him) and a candle.  He smiled from ear to ear and was thankful for the attention.

After a fun b-day breakfast we had to say goodbye to Auntie Jenni and then Brendan and Dad headed to feed the animals at Sunnyside Park and play outside.  They had so much fun Brendan was bummed when it came time to leave.  After running a few errands they decided to stop by Krugel park as well.

After Brendan's nap, MiMi and BaBa came over for dinner, presents, cake and celebration.  Brendan was so excited to see them (they had just returned from a 2 week trip to New Zealand and were missed).  We had a fun night celebrating the life of our amazing Brendan Boy. 

We look forward to telling you about his big birthday party that we had when his Grammy and Grandpa were here.

Brendan's two year dr. appointment went great too...such a miracle to have a completely healthy boy when you think back to how sick he was two years ago.  THANK YOU GOD FOR BLESSINGS OUR FAMILY WITH BRENDAN ROE SMART!!!!

Welcome Evan Jonathan Smart

We have had so much fun welcoming Evan into our family.  We felt all the prayers for a peaceful delivery.  The delivery was as calm and peaceful as Brendan's delivery was chaotic and stressful.  Both with amazing outcomes!

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 AM on Thursday March 1st.  We were both very tired as neither of us slept well the night before (if really at all).  Jenni (Jamie's sister) came from Missoula the night before to stay with Brendan.  We both were anxious, excited, and nervous all at the same time.  Jamie was struggling with the emotions of having surgery (even though it was what was recommended and what we both felt was the right decision, it is hard to choose to be cut open).  Everything went SO SO SO very smooth.  We were put at ease to know so many people.  Shelby (the nurse who saved Brendan's life) was our nurse for the surgery and entire recovery.

Shelby...truly a lifesaver and AMAZING nurse

Our anesthetist was a parent of several students Jamie had in class and coached, someone who we both knew and someone who we both really liked.  Dr. Richards and Dr. Trinh did a great job with the surgery.  There were several varicose veins lying on top of the uterus that they had to remove and Evan was really stuck (they had to vacuum him out) but other than that, things were very routine and were very calm.  At 8:29am Evan Jonathan Smart arrived with a cry.

BUDDHA BABY

WHAT A GREAT SOUND TO HEAR (one we didn't hear with Brendan).  Josh was able to cut the umbilical cord (barely, he said he won't be able to do it again), help get Evan cleaned up and then Mom got to see/touch him for the first time.  After a few minutes Josh and Evan went to the nursery while Jamie was stitched back up.  

Cutting the Umbilical Cord

Proud Dad

Mom Meets Evan

What just happened to me?

 
Jamie's recovery went great.  Evan was able to join her in the recovery room to nurse for the first time.  Things could not have gone better.  We arrived back in the room around 10 and were greeted by Jenni.  Josh was able to spread our good news to family and friends.  So fun to all be together.

 

Evan came out hungry, he latched on great, most of the first day he nursed.  Even with eating that much he still seemed so hungry.  After a long first night of unhappy, unsettled, hungry baby we were able to meet with a lactation consultant who evaluated him.  Her, along with a nurse from the night before noticed that his frenulum (the tissue that attaches your tongue) was really tight, making it hard for him to eat efficiently.  In the morning we met with Dr. Boyer who was able to do a really minor procedure to slightly clip that tissue making it easier for him to move his tongue.  After this procedure Evan was able to  eat so much easier, more efficient and was a much happier baby.  


He has been super sweet and so very easy.  He sleeps so much, eats so well, and is fun to cuddle with.  We are enjoying the first week of a babies life that we didn't get to have with  Brendan.


Speaking of Brendan, he is a CHAMP!  He has to be the BEST BIG BROTHER EVER!  He truly has done so well with this huge transition in his life.  We couldn't be more proud of him.  Once again he has shown us how very brave, kind, and amazing of a boy he is.  


Brendan was able to come and meet Evan in the hospital Thursday afternoon.  He jumped up and down with excitement, gently touched his brother, gave him a kiss, poked him in the eye and then began playing with a football we had given him from Evan.  He has continued to be very gentle using his big brother hands.  He likes to bring him toys and has tried so hard to be patient with Mom not being able to play or hold him like he wants.  We keep telling Evan how lucky he is to have such a great big brother like Brendan.  Christine was able to meet us at the hospital to capture Brendan and Evan meeting for the first time.  What a huge gift to have so many great pictures.  Thank you Christine for continuing to bless our family in so many ways.   

We came home on Saturday afternoon.  Jenni helped us make a yummy chicken, rice, veggie dinner (something Jamie had been craving), it was very special to sit down for dinner as a family.  So fun to finally be home and start our life as a family of four!  

Brendan's birthday was the next day...We'll look forward to telling you about it in our next post.  

Thank you to all our friends and family who prayed for a peaceful delivery...it defiantly was, it has been a very special couple of days.  Thank you to all the people at Pullman Hospital who helped us so much.  Thank you especially to nurse Shelby and nurse Whitney who have helped bring two amazing boys into our world.  You both mean a lot to the Smart family.  We have so much to be thankful for.

GiGi

Auntie Jenni

Whitney my AMAZING nurse