Carter is One Month!

Carter One Month

Landon One Month

We are so sorry that we've been so bad at updating our life with two boys.  Things have felt totally nuts and we are still trying to get used to life with an infant again.  Shani has mentioned more than once that she must have newborn amnesia because she doesn't remember waking up so often with Landon but of course she did.  Good thing she didn't remember otherwise there might not have been a Carter :-)  

This month has been really great.  John was able to take most of it off which was very helpful and a lot of fun.  A lot of projects around the house were done because of being home.  Landon loved having so much time with Daddy.  John going back to work is going to be tough on him (and Shani)!  It was really great because Grandma Mac got to come visit and help us out for a few weeks.  It was so wonderful having her here and she was a blessing to have around!

Carter turned one month last week.  He weighed in at 10 lbs!  He is quite the chunker and such an alert baby.  He's holding his head up strong and looking all around.  He seems quite different to us than Landon and we are enjoying seeing his personality starting to grow already.  Landon has been fantastic with Carter and we are so proud of how great of a big brother he is!

Although there is so much more we have to update the time just isn't there to write it.  So please enjoy the pictures (we know they are the best part) and know we'll try to be better about staying on top of these blogs.  

And his name is....

Carter Rei-Kelley

Big yawn

After 4 long days of not knowing, we finally named our son.  We really like to see our baby and get to know him before we choose a name but committing to a name is definitely tough for us too (especially for Shani).  So we prayed and prayed and asked Landon what his brother's name should be but we still couldn't decide.  Our midwives recommended asking the baby about the different names so that's what we also did.  We are a little worried about how much Carter is jumping up in popularity but we figured that we couldn't base everything on that.  In the end it was between two names and Carter seemed to really fit.  So there we have it, his name is Carter!  

As for his middle name we chose to do the same thing we did with Landon.  A Japanese hyphenated to Grandpa's name.  Landon's is Soich-David for Shani's Poppa and John's Dad.  Carter's is Rei-Kelley.  Rei was chosen in honor of Shani's Mom who's middle name is Reiko.  Rei also means salute, ceremony, thanks, lovely, companion, or wise which we also feel is appropriate.  Kelley for Shani's Dad.  Our boys are lucky to have been named after such meaningful people in our lives! 

It's a Boy!

On April 8, 2013 at 10:50pm our second son arrived weighing in at a whopping 7 pounds 9 ounces (a whole pound heavier than Landon) and 20 inches long.  Baby Snake (he is currently being called until we have a name for him because that is what Landon called him as he pointed at his umbilical cord) is doing really well and is as healthy as can be.  Shani is also doing great and recovering well.

Nothing beats having a baby in the comfort of your own home with the people you love and midwives that are as amazing and caring as Marlene and Kaleem.

Welcome Baby Mac #2!  We'll have your name picked out soon hopefully!

Last picture as a family of 3

Just born and meeting his Big brother

The boys always look so little in Daddy's arms

Nonni and grandbaby #3

Our wonderful midwives: Marlene and Kaleem from One Heart Midwifery

Mommy is all smiles with our new boy

Daddy reading out his weight: 7lbs 9oz (we are all shocked he's so big)

Landon giving his little brother kisses

Showing us where his armpit is :-)

Landon helping Daddy change the diaper and put goldenseal on the umbilical cord

Maternity/Family Pictures

Thank you to Shani's cousins Crystal and Steve from Thorns Photography (facebook.com/thornsphotography) for doing our Maternity/Family Pictures.  We think they turned out amazing and could not be happier.  We feel they did an amazing job at capturing the love we have for each other, our unborn child, and our fun son.  We hope you enjoy them as well! 

The pictures were taken when we were at 36 weeks pregnant.  We are now 11 days from the due date (yes we are counting down).  The waiting game has been a lot tougher on us this time.  Since we expected Landon to be late, it was a shocker that he was 10 days early.  Now we are trying to not expect to go early, but we are feeling ready and just waiting.  The hard part is Shani continues to feel great giving us no signs that this baby is ready to come out.  Keep checking back because baby is coming soon!

Yes, Landon does actually play the Ukelele (aka "uke") but in his own way...and no, he hasn't gotten it from his parents because we have no music talent at all!