Train of Lights and Christmas ...

This has definitely been a very busy holiday season. We certainly anticipated it to be this way. And it hasn't disappointed. We hit up the Train of Lights on the 20th only to be slightly disappointed. We headed out to enjoy the ride but the rain had other ideas. The rain, the rain, the rain. So much rain. And guess that rain did ... stopped our train ride. At least we got a good 40 minutes or so down the tracks before the track had been washed out and had to return. Just enough to be on the train and enjoy the ambiance. And even watch Santa. :) Too bad it wasn't enough time for photos though.

Then just a few short days later ... Santa visited our HOUSE!!! It was such a busy day with a 2.5yr old and a 1month old. Oh man ... I look back now only to realize ... not enough photos were taken. It makes me sad. I'm searching ... and I find a handful. A handful of photos to document Caleb's first Christmas. Not enough. But memories of loved ones and laughter and food and fun ... will remain in our hearts.

It went by so quickly. In a blink. It was gone. Over. Not captured. Ugh ... gives me that feeling of not being a good mom. :( Missing the moments on film. But then I remember ... I didn't miss the moment in my heart. With my own eyes.

Many of moments to come ... a months worth of them down ... oh boy ... they're gonna keep me busy.

 

 

 

 

 

First family zoo trip ...

To celebrate Caleb's 1st month on Earth ... we headed to the zoo as a family. We'll be getting ready to head to Colo soon and we are taking in as much as we can and enjoying our time together as a unit of 4. Sleepless ... yes ... rundown ... yes ... loving every moment ... yes. It's the hardest job to be a parent but it's so worth it.

School isn't quite out yet so the zoo wasn't too busy and although a cool Oakland afternoon it was quite enjoyable. Getting the exercise and having some fresh air was great for all four of us.

 

Caleb's first photos ...

This past weekend we got the chance to take photos with our favorite area photographer, Brian Gross. It was a gorgeous weekend so we even got to head outside for some shots without being cold. It took a while to get everything we wanted but both boys did a great job. Even with a small little snack break for both. And as always ... Brian took great care of us.

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

Home with the little men while the big guy is away

Newly home with a truly adorable bundle of joy and our first holiday behind us, Mike is now out of town leaving me to figure out being a parent of two on my own for a few days. But guess what ... we survived and so did the house. :P It certainly Mike to leave home for several days for work just days after bringing home our new son but it pays the bills and we have nearby family to help if necessary.

David has been extremely helpful and I'm healing well so we mainly snuggled and enjoyed the time in each other's arms.

Visiting Santa with our new brood ...

Of course we had to go check out Santa. Might as well see him before the insane crowds come to show up just before Christmas. Santa was honored that brought him such a new gift to take photos with. David was NOT interested in taking photos with Santa but Caleb slept right through it all. Rain and all. If it's a sign of what's to come with him ... I'm thrilled for this chill little man.

 

 

Introducing Caleb Clyde Civello

We'd like to take a moment and introduce the newest addition to our family ... Caleb. He was born in Dublin, CA at Valley Care Hospital and arrived on Monday November 19th, 2012. He weighed in at a whopping 9lbs 7oz and was 21.25inches. Caleb, just like his big brother David, made his arrival 5 days late. And just in time to get home for Thanksgiving.

 

 

Wednesday November 14th came and went in a blink and no baby. On Sunday November 18th, we strolled into Valley Care Hospital ready for my induction as the Broncos game was coming to an end. I had to suffer through the end of the Raiders game to know what happened with the Broncos game.

Everything went great. as far as getting Caleb here with a bang. Slow start to my induction but progressed well. Pain kicked in to high gear around 6am and moved from iv narcotics to an epidural rather quickly.  I had been seen by the anesthesiologist before he came on because he had learned that I was trouble. He took a good look at my spinal column and seemed to devise a plan of attack. And the anesthesiologist actually got my epidural to work! At first only my left side was numb but my right side got numb just in time for pushing. Of which I actually got to do very little of.

Although my pain not only brought me to tears but made me shake as well, it got managed. Epidural took forever to wear off. My left leg was literally useless and I couldn't move it on my own til more than 2hrs after. My ribs and back did just fine through all of it so that was definitely a blessing.

All in all ... nursing has started out great this time around so I'm hopeful we don't have any issues. I'm definitely beat as is Mike, but hopefully we can catch a few z's tonight.  
 

 

 
 

 

 

David is so excited to have his new baby brother. Thrilled actually. And of course showed him his new crib and which screws he put in so he'd be safe in their room. He's giving kisses and hugs and loving on him. He's being such a great help. I hope this never changes.

I was induced on Sunday the 18th in the late afternoon and had Caleb at 11:32am on Monday the 19th. We were discharged on Wednesday the 21st at 8am. Headed to Safeway for medicine and groceries for Thanksgiving. Thursday the 22nd we headed to grandma and grandpa Civello's for Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. Everyone was shocked but honestly, what else were we supposed to do? Everyone was happy and healthy so we came to show off the new guy.

Then in normal Danielle fashion ... we put the Christmas tree up on Black Friday. Yup. Monday the little man entered the world, Wednesday we got home, Thursday was Thanksgiving and Friday we put up our tree. What? Why not I figured. It's as good a time as any. I felt good. It was tradition. So we put up the tree. I wasn't sure if/when I'd feel as good to put it up any other day. David was a great help and so was Mike.
 

 

This big guy has overwhelmed us and taken our hearts by storm. Including David. He is also incredibly smitten. As we all are. So many things to watch, teach and enjoy with Caleb ... and we'll love every single minute of it.

A little sick ... a lot of pain ...

I got a cold. Then another. Guess what. It got worse. And what do you know ... I ended up with walking pneumonia. Yea! Ok no. Not only that ... but I've been coughing so badly that one morning ... I heard a 'pop'. Mike had to make me sit up. I could do nothing. He physically sat me up in bed and I yelped out. Scaring him and myself. I needed his help. And his mom's. I needed to figure out what was going on with me. I was sick. Real sick. In pain. Lots of pain. I couldn't take care of myself let alone David. I was scared.

Went to my doctor and her concern was that I had a broken rib. Off to the ER we went. As we strolled into the ER with my very pregnant belly the nursing staff got excited for the arrival of a baby. I had to break the bad news to them. I wasn't there to have a baby. I was there to make sure my rib wasn't broken prior to having a baby. They were very confused. Needless to say ... I got stuck with a very large needle stuck in my hip to give me some very necessary pain relief. Then they did their best to get me on a table to take some xrays of my rib.

Waiting ... waiting ... waiting ... keeping David occupied and not scared one bit in the ER was semi daunting but we did it. Mommy was real hurt, we were in a very white and weird place. Doctors poking mommy. Here ... color this coloring book. OOOOoooo look ... stickers! But as per the usual David ... he was amazing. More calm than we were.

Results ... no break. Phew. Just some torn ligaments/cartilage between ribs. Pain will continue because ... well ... I'm alive and breathing. But it will subside more quickly than a break. The catch ... will it be before Minius makes their arrival? Ugh ... I sure hope so. Labor, let alone delivery will be unbearable with this pain.

Not only do I have to worry about the pain ... but alas ... I have to get better. Because if my cold gets worse then I could end up with pneumonia prior to delivery and really get a hospital stay.

Off to rest and get healthy ... Minius could be here any day ...

Last chance for the pumpkin patch

Since David has been obsessed with the pumpkin patch and Halloween marked the official last day before they closed we headed out for some last minute pumpkin patch fun. We were just two of very few people there. The staff was working on breaking down everything. There were very few pumpkins out and the people were focused on other things other than selling pumpkins. They were ready to move on it seemed. But it was still the early afternoon of one of the kids' favorite holidays because afterall it was socially acceptable to dress up and wander around asking for, receiving and eating candy. :)


 
 

 

 We enjoyed our quiet time at the pumpkin patch together. It was a cool afternoon. I wanted a few more 'lasts' for David before his sibling showed up. Last things where he was the only one vying for attention. Before he had to share the lime light. But in the end ... he is very excited for the new arrival and looking forward to sharing the spot light with Minius. He's such a wonderful little boy. So joyous Loving. Spirited. He's going to be an excellent big brother. Afterall, he has two parents that they themselves are little siblings. So we'll be the ones to create the best big sibling. :)
 

 


 
 

I had such a fun time watching him play. Live life fully. No regrets. Full steam ahead.

 

 

David took the below photo himself. Not bad for just over 2yrs. :) Mind you, my heart was racing and praying that he didn't drop the camera.

 

 
more cheap fun.

A little party before Minius arrives ...

The party may have been for Minius and our family and friends to celebrate him/her but it did happen to fall on my birthday because it's the day that guaranteed more of our loved ones could be there. It may have been my birthday but, regardless, it was also a great day to be at a park and be with people we love to relax and enjoy before the craziness of the arrival of an infant AND the holiday season. In fact, most people didn't know that it was my birthday. It was quite nice to have everybody together for the afternoon. A spectacular afternoon at that. Including having my folks in town and helping us get ready for Minius.

I did get one spoil in for myself ... a Halloween cake. That has always been my favorite type of cake for my birthday. So I through that in for me. We enjoyed some food. The kids played at the park. The adults chatted and goofed. And we welcomed the setting sun as most people weren't willing to leave the party when in fact it was over. I can't believe that Minius will be here soon and we'll finally know if we have a son or daughter to add to the brood.

 
 

 

 *My mom's beautiful chalk work

 

Capitola ...

It was a beautiful day at the beach with Grandma Civello and her good buddy Karen Kupetz. David ADORES Karen and Stuart Kupetz. Driving there was hilarious. Printed out instructions. Car navigation system. Two I-phones and my Android. All with directions to get to Capitola. All which had slightly different ideas of how to get there at the very end. I, on several occasions, suggested that we follow only ONE set of directions but was told this was the best way. :) I enjoyed the ride with a slightly dopey David falling asleep at the end of the ride.



 
 

 

We had a great day. Unusually early nap but it worked to everyone's benefit. Then he had a blast in the surf with grandma and didn't even flinch when the cold water crashed into him. He wasn't so thrilled at first with the sand but then got over it more quickly than usual. Maybe he's a little more like dad than mom afterall. Karen worked with David on how to build sand castles and how to bury his feet in the sand. He ate really well all day and had a blast! He was super well behaved the whole day and worn out. He even told me that he needed to go to sleep.
 

 


It was so great to sit back and enjoy watching him relish in the surf, sand and warm fall weather at the beach. Why is it that October is so gorgeous incredibly gorgeous in the Bay Area? How is it possible? But I'll take it. October is stunning in the Bay just like February is randomly stunning in Colorado.