Best Friends for Life

As a mum you hope that your kids will get along but there is no guarantee that they will. Luckily even kids who fight, many times become friends in adulthood, but even that is no guarantee.

When we found out we were expecting another child I wondered how Carter would handle it. Being an only child he had attention almost non-stop and I wondered what would happen when that changed. I was especially worried when he would say "don't want one!" any time we brought up him getting a brother or sister.

Luckily things changed when we found out we were having a boy and gave him the nickname JoJo from Carter's favourite movie. All of a sudden Carter was excited about getting a brother. He would ask to see my belly and we would talk about what it would be like when "JoJo" got here. We explained how babies cry and what they need when they cry. We talked about where "JoJo" would sleep, the clothes he would wear, and how he will get bigger and bigger and some day be big enough to play.

Then Lincoln was born. Dan's parents had Carter while we were in the hospital. I missed Carter and couldn't wait to see him! We had read that it's best not to be holding the baby when their sibling comes to meet them so we made sure Link was asleep in the bassinet when Carter first came to meet him at the hospital.

Carter came in holding a gift for Lincoln (a musical lamb). He looked quite nervous when he walked in the room but the nerves seem to fade once he got a big hug from mum and dad. Then he started looking for his brother. It took a few looks around the room before he spotted him but once he did, he instantly reached over and touched him. When Link moved his hand Carter pointed out that Link has hands just like him. When Link cried he said "dad, make him feel better!" And after asking what it was, Carter pointed out that he doesn't have an umbilical cord. Carter got some gifts from Link and he gave Link his little new musical lamb. It couldn't have gone better!

Things only got better when we got home a few days later. Carter went looking for Lincoln as soon as he got home. He seemed to be in awe of his little brother. He got a new game from Gramma and Papa and wanted to show Link right away so he dropped it in the bassinet (luckily its the first and only time he's dropped something hard in there!)

Since then the love has only continued to grow. Carter always wants to see Lincoln first thing in the morning. He gives Link his lovey when Link is crying, tells me to "take care of Link" as he leaves the room, he asks if Link is hungry when he hears him cry, gets really upset when Link is crying in the car and we can't make him feel better quick enough, and gives Link lots of hugs and kisses. Even when Carter gets to do something special on his own he always asks if Lincoln can come too! And a couple times a day Carter asks "he getting bigger mom?" He just can't wait for Lincoln to be big enough to play.

Now, I'm under no illusion that things will always be this pleasant but it does give me hope! My brother and I fought like cats and dogs but I love him to death now, so I know that two fighting kids doesn't really mean anything. But I still hope that they will get along (at least most of the time) and if not, that they will always respect each other. And on days when they don't get along, I just may have to read them this blog post!

Lincoln John Craig

Well, I'm a week late but JoJo, aka Lincoln John Craig is here! He was born April 15th at 6:05 pm. He was 9 lb, 2 oz and 22 inches long.

I really really wanted to do a VBAC this time but it just wasn't in the cards for me. I waited until I was 42 weeks, tried every natural way to induce (including a foley catheter), and there was still no sign that Lincoln was ready to come earth side.

I had two options, have a c-section or start on a rough path of oxytocin in which the OB and midwife said it would take at least 12 hours for it to just get me ready to start "real" labour. Then it would most likely be another 12+ hours of a tough labour.

Although I so wanted a VBAC and truly believed that's the way it would go throughout the whole pregnancy, my instincts told me to opt for the c-section. I felt my body was telling me something by not preparing for labour. Also, as with any induction there is a high rate of cesarean and with the fact that my body was no where ready to give birth I felt that I would end up there anyway, after 24+ hours of labour.

Well, it turns out my instincts were right. Lincoln was wrapped up in his umbilical cord multiple times. The OB said afterwards that we made the right choice. He felt that if we had gone the other route we would "have had trouble." Although I am disappointed in having to have another c-section I am just glad to have my precious baby boy here with us.

We are all adjusting well to life as a family of four. Carter is turning out to be such a great big brother. He loves talking to Link and spending time with him. He is always concerned when Link cries and loves talking about what they will do together when Link is older. Now I just hope this continues!