Marley Farms

Trey with the LADIES--Elliana and Katrina were both born within a month of Trey
He had no fear when it came to touching the animals

This llama really liked Trey's hair

Today we went to this little petting zoo by the house--Trey loves it there!!! You get to feed the animals and touch them so he was in heaven. Normally he thinks they are all dogs but we added the work goat to his vocab today. Boston slept the whole time in the stroller so that was nice!!

Some Pics from the week...

1st bath (March 7)
You didn't cry at all



This is size newborn but obviously its still HUGE
I walked in on Trey and he had decided he would take up the BINKY!
Such a handsome boy!

Where did my week go?

I just think Trey looks so old now-its crazy!!!!
*Thanks to my friend Mikel Anne for this picture!! (www.mikelanne.com)

I can not believe that Boston is 9 days old already! So far he has been such a good baby! I am not sure how long I am suppose to wait for his habits to change on me, but as of now he is giving me a 4-5 hour stretch at night which is lovely! He is sleeping in his bassinet--by now Trey was already in my bed or sleeping on me because every time I put him in the bassinet he would cry. He loves his binky which is also really nice because I tried to get Trey to take one and he never would. We have been to the pediatrician three times now--1st at 1 day to do his newborn screen then at 48 hours for a weight check and then this past Monday for his circumcision. (He dropped down to 6 lbs 7 oz but by this past Monday was back up to 6lbs 10oz) We also have seen the midwives 3 times (this is included in the package) so they came to the house twice to check his weight and jaundice and then I had my 1st outing with both boys alone to their office! We all were dressed and on time so I considered it a success. Then yesterday we had his newborn photo shoot which took about 4 hours, and then today a friend of mine came by and took some pics too--needless to say we have been busy around here! The biggest change I see so far from going to a family of 4 is the amount of laundry!!!!! I used to do laundry 2 times a week and now for some reason I do it everyday lol!

Trey is doing good for the most part adjusting--he loves touching Boston but obviously is very rough. He does not seem to mind when I nurse, but he has started pointing his finger at whoever tells him NO and tells them no so we are working on nipping that in the butt. Anyways I LOVE being a family of 4--I know there are tough days ahead with the 2 boys 19 months apart but I wouldn't have it any other way!!!!!

Brothers...

Boston 2 days old
Trey 2 days old

Rub-a-dub-dub Boston was born in the tub!

We are so humbled and blessed to introduce to you all the 2nd biggest miracle the Lord has Blessed our lives with...

BOSTON SEAN SMITH!!!

Meeting my 2nd little man-of course LOVE at first site!
Wendi wiping off Boston
Daddy 1st getting to hold him

Daddy showing MiMi

Resting-lol-FYI people I have a bathing suit on
Poppy letting Trey peak in at the action
Trey pointing to the tub--he wanted to get in with me lol--he loves bath time
Meeting his new best friend

Wendi looking him over
getting weighed


Trey Wondering what all the screaming is



Still getting examined and his vitamin K shot



*This is for people who have asked millions of questions about a home birth so if you are a guy or not into labor stories DO NOT read this!
This is a experience I will NEVER forget!!! Today around 11 in the morning I started having random crampy pains in my back-nothing serious so I was going t0 go and meet my mom and sister at a store. Then as they got closer to the store I knew I was going to back out of going just out of being uncomfortable and laziness-lol. (Home goods is literally on the corner of my intersection like I could walk there so it was laziness) So when they were done they brought lunch to me and Trey. (keep in mind I have had contractions since 18 weeks so I never think its the real deal) So we randomly started counting them (mainly because my sister has a IPHONE and there is a APP. to count contractions-lol)and they were 6 minutes apart. Mark is still at work at this point because I hadn't said to come home yet because what if this wasn't it? I really didn't want to be that girl who cried labor every other day. After 1 hour and a half my mother made me tell the midwife what was going on even though I said it was nothing right now. So she came and stopped by to make sure heart rate was good, set up everything in case there was a baby later, and to see if I had progressed since my app. the day before...I had NOT so I was now annoyed-lol. So Mark got home right after she told me I was a 4 1/2 cms. still so I said lets go on a walk. So we walked and walked and cars would drive by and I'm sure they were thinking what is this chick doing? But I payed no attention to them-- actually to anyone because all I wanted was to be left alone. (I kept pondering the thought that I am in pain but not active labor so can I do this?) So we returned home--the midwife had waited so she could check me again--NO DILATION-so I am pissed-so she leaves and I tell my mom and sister to go too since nothing was happening like I said earlier so I could be alone. Well pretty much not 10 minutes after I send everyone away my contractions move to 2 mins apart and I HAVE to get in the tub for some relief. So Mark calls the midwife back to the house and they tell me I am now a 5 and they think it will be 2 hours--What??? I am thinking 30 mins ago we were saying sometime tonight maybe and now it was 5:00ish and now they thought 2 hours! So Mark called the moms and said they could head over. (also another side note- I forgot I had told someone off Craigs List they could come look at these old speakers between 5:30-6:00pm so they showed up too lol right at the beginning of my hardcore contractions) So maybe 45 mins later if I remember correctly they checked me and I am now 9 1/2 cm. Now this is the time I am pretty sure I started making noises that I didn't know I was capable of. Imagine a 600lb grizzly bear grunting and yelling--no joke! It just felt better to make these noises- which is why I didn't really love knowing that there were people in the house but I was in so much pain I had to let the embarrassment go and not tell them to leave even though at 1st it was all I could think about but soon the pain got so bad it slipped my mind and a screamin I went. PAIN--the pain was like nothing I have ever felt in my life-lol-but I would absolutely do it again this way at home vs. the hospital. The massive pain when I wanted to die was when I had to hold his head and let myself stretch so I didn't tear. I can not even tell you about the pressure-it felt like I was going to poop out a bowling ball. This was when I said all of my (repeatedly)"I want to die, I cant do this anymore, and Can you please just pull him out" Mark, Wendi, and Jennifer (my midwives) were SOOOO amazing! They were all so positive and kept telling me I was doing great, and I could not have done it without the 3 of them. Mark actually had to partake in this delivery vs. Trey's. He sat on the edge of the tub for the entire 3 hours and let me squeeze his hands. He would put the cold rag on my head and give me water all while I was probably not the nicest person. It was such an amazing thing to experience and feel once I pushed Boston out! I felt NOTHING with Trey so this was all new--to actually feel him moving down and then the relief of pushing his head thru and the rest of his body was unreal. *A side note--my water never broke, it literally broke like 15 minutes before Boston was born. I almost got excited because I thought it was his head lol but it wasn't!
So immediately after Boston came out they placed him on my belly and let us lay there for about 25 minutes. Then Mark got to cut the cord and Mark got to hold him while I did the placenta thing. Then I was able to go from my tub to the shower--something I had to wait all day to do with Trey because I was numb for 12 hours after and has such a awful episiotomy I could not walk. So I showered and got into my own PJ's and into bed. Then Mark, Trey, Boston and I layed in our bed alone for 20 mins which was so nice! Then the midwifes came back in and brought out the scale and weighed him and did the other tests and his vitamin k shot.
So now we get to the PLACENTA-- she asked if I wanted to see it-lol-I immediately said yes --why not its only been inside me for 9 months. Then they proceeded to tell me how much good nutrients, vitamins, and hormones that were in placenta for a quick healing and less bleeding and asked if I wanted to eat a couple pieces. Now I never thought I would do this and I still didn't just eat it--I had my dad blend it up in a ONEBODE CRAVE mix smoothie and I couldn't taste a thing. I figured if God designed the placenta to have all that nutrients in it for women after birth why wouldn't I--after all HE does everything for a reason, and if the women in biblical times could naturally birth tons of children and then get up and go about their day like nothing happened obviously they were doing something right. Which brings me to my recovery just 15 hours later--I feel AMAZING! Of course I am sore but I have no swelling and can walk and overall just feel pretty normal. There were no stitches & no glue which was one of my main goals. So a million thanks to Mark who was awesome at handling me and to Wendi and Jennifer who made me feel so at peace--never once did I worry something was wrong...just if I could handle the pain! After experiencing both hospital and home I would absolutely 100% do it at home again. I am sure I am forgetting things already but that's pretty much the way it went.
*And yes I wore my bikini in the tub the whole time-lol-that is a popular question I have been getting-- because otherwise these pics would not be on here people! I am actually shocked I am posting these as it is--but Jackie did such a awesome job and I know people are very intrigued about this whole situation.
*The day before I went into labor I was talking to my AMAZING photographer and she had brought up if I was comfortable with the idea and it worked out timing wise she would love to come shoot the birth-after talking with Mark of course we loved this idea because she just takes awesome pictures and we knew we could trust her because we have used her so much before--so anybody that is out there that wants "Labor of Love pics" in a hospital or home she did great as you can see!
All these pics are by Jackie Lindfors http://jackielindforsphoto.com/blog/

37 Week Check-up

So I am 37 weeks and 3 days and am 4 1/2 cms dialated! They also said that Boston can not possibly drop any more otherwise he will be crowning-lol. Now I seriously think with Trey being sick last week and us doing nothing it was like being on bed rest again otherwise I think the baby would have come by now, but with Trey being so sick it was a blessing for Boston to wait! It really is different with your 2nd baby--I remember thinking last time that 7 days was not enough time for Mark to take off after Trey--this time I told him stay home 1 day after so we can have some nice time as the 4 of us getting to know each other and then I'll be fine lol. I think it was all the bed rest that I just want to get back in to a routine and be by myself (no offense to our wonderful family who helped with Trey for 3 weeks I really do appreciate it) So I guess it is a waiting game from here on out...

Trey...

I am so happy that the baby has not come yet and gave me some extra days to go do fun stuff with you before you got soooo sick! I was getting a little scared my last days alone with you were going to be with just me trapped on a bed or couch, but now all YOU want to do is lay and sleep on me--which is nice to cuddle so much before Boston comes but I am ready to be back off the couch lol! This has been the worse thing you have been sick with even with all your colds/ear infections you have never had a fever that wont go away!! Looks like we will be staying home for a good 4-6 weeks after Boston comes because this is just NOT worth it! You are miserable and I don't feel like having 2 miserable boys quite yet.

I just LOVE this poem and read it often...

First Born Son
I used to study parents and dream of a day
When I'd be called "Mommy" by a child at play.
I imagine the kind of mother I'd be
Rocking a baby upon my knee.
I'd be faithful and patient, creative and fun,
A friend and a mentor all wrapped up in one.
I'd love him a lot and offer him grace,
And surely the rest would fall into place.
Then my dream dawned; and I was with child.
God looked upon me, and knowingly smiled.
He bid all His angels to gather nearby.
He pointed me out with a twinkling eye.
He said, "see that woman, a daughter I adore?"
She's asked for a blessing, but I'll give her more.
She dreams of a child whom shortly she'll see.
I've got one in mind, a gift straight from me.
I've known him since time had its start.
He's full of spunk with a passionate heart.
He's got a strong will and determination;
He's smart and noisy, my prized creation.
Yes, this child is perfect, I know.
He'll mold her and shape her and cause her to grow.
He'll challenge her wit and knock off some pride.
He'll test the boundaries 'til her patience is tried.
He'll hound her often with impossible pleas,
And daily he'll drive her to her knees.
She'll turn to me for strength and grace
To raise a child who will run the good race.
She'll quickly learn the task at hand
Is not as simple as she'd planned.
She'll cling to my Word and fervently look
For wisdom and guidance in My precious Book.
And though he will test her, on days, wear her out:
This child will teach her what love's all about.
He'll be her laughter, her purpose, her joy,
Her greatest blessing, her firstborn boy.
She'll love him with a love so great
That some days her whole heart will ache.
And then she'll understand my loss
When I sent my Son to Calvery's cross.
Oh, yes, this child, a work of my hand,
Will grow my daughter into ALL I HAVE PLANNED!"
-Alicia Bruxvoort

36 week App. & The Zoo

Well today I had my midwife app. I am now 3 1/2 cms. and 75% effaced so we will see what happens... I am 36 weeks and 4 days! The 3 of us also decided to go to the ZOO today!!! Daddy had never been with us before. So we showed him how we like to spend FOREVER in the petting zoo. It felt sooo good to get out and walk around!

Valentine's Day!

To start the day off we took Trey out to breakfast and then to the park to feed the ducks. Then we came home and laid around all day just to make sure the baby would not try and come before our date-we decided we for sure had to go out on Valentine's Day especially since this was my 2nd day off bed rest!!!! Shayla & Arie volunteered to come to the house and watch Trey so he could go to bed at his normal time.

Opening his Valentine gifts from MiMi & PaPa
Thanks for the VERY loud cars and plane lol


Feeding the ducks with Daddy