Predictions

Believe it or not I have 6 pregnant friends right now, all due right around the same time. And believe it or not, they are on my mind all the time. It mostly happens when I'm nursing Maggie in her nursery late night and my mind starts to wonder. The house is so quiet and it's just me and my baby girl.

I think about all they have to look forward to. How number two doesn't mean second place, it just means you are a little wiser and much more relaxed. I think about how another baby will make their family so much busier and much more hectic, but in a fabulous way. I remember the anxiety I felt before Maggie arrived and I wonder if they feel the same way and I want to tell them not too. (side note-- However, I'm not saying it's easy.) And I can't wait for them to feel this love a second time around even through the exhaustion.

But, the one thing that crosses my mind every time I think of them is--boy or girl? Yes, none of them know the gender of their little ones yet. I use to be pretty good at predicting the sex of unborn babies. Working as a teacher, somebody was always prego and 99% of the time I guessed right. Now somehow with my own pregnancies I've been wrong both times--go figure! But, just for the fun of it I wanted to document my predictions and see how accurate I am. So here it goes ladies...


Tasha....girl

Andrea...boy

Erin...boy

Karen...girl (she already found out it was a girl, but I SWEAR that was my guess)

Erica...girl

Allison...girl

And I couldn't resist sharing a picture of my sweet Magpie on Thanksgiving night. Note the paci in an effort to have a somewhat peaceful Thanksgiving dinner. Too bad my 2 year old decided to steal the show and throw peas. He landed himself in the time out chair right in the middle of dinner. Ahhhh...so much to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving Greetings

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from our "Wild" Little Indian!

Highlights From Home

We've officially been home for 10 days now. I thought I would let you all in on how things are going at the Cibula cottage with our beautiful new addition. Because it will probably take me ALL Day to write this post, in between feedings, diaper changes, potty breaks, disciplining, soothing, playing, etc., etc., I'll use the handy bullets to update you....

• Jack is still in love with his "baby". He wants to give her "bear hugs" (oh know!) and lots of kisses. However, his biggest problem seems to be me. Yes, he can't stand that I can't physically do the things I use to do with him--like drive, wrestle, pick him up. He asks daily, "is your ouchie all better?" We have a count down going on around here...16 more days Jack. I hate C- sections!
• Maggie is a jewel...oops did I speak too soon? Jack's colic kicked in right at the 3 week mark. I'm holding my breath for another week.
• I am tired...very tired. But, it's different this time. I can't really explain it. I guess you just have to keep going, so you do. Plus, after being up with Maggie all night I can't wait to see Jack in the A.M. so I muster up any of my left over energy just for him.
• Speaking of nights, Maggie is kind of making her own schedule right now. Which is perfectly fine with me. She is only 2 weeks old. I'll turn into the schedule Nazi around the 3 month mark. But lately, she goes down around 7:00-8:00ish, depending on how the day went, and she usually sleeps anywhere from 4 to 5 hours for that first round (she even did 6 hours night before last). Then when she wakes at 11:00p.m or so, it's every 3 hours from there until the morning. I know that 4-5 hour stretch sounds nice, IF I just could get myself to bed at that time. It's yet to happen though.
• Maggie's umbilical cord just fell off yesterday, so I suppose we will be adding bath time to the bed time routine here soon.
• During the day she's eats every 3 hours. On occasion I have to wake her for feedings during the day--not normally though.
• We had our pediatrician appointment last week. She had already gained her birth weight and then some...the DR was very pleased.
• I busted some capillaries in my C-section scare. I really don't how--I thought I was being careful, but it's totally impossible to follow the DRS rules. Come on...no stairs for 2 weeks, no driving for 4 weeks, no bending or lifting, yea right! Anyway my Mom had to bandage me up for several days until it healed. I can't wait for December 9th. Did I mention, I hate C-Sections?
• I have been so blessed with family to help me since we got home. My Mom just left today (boo hoo!). She was amazing--toting Jack to the zoo, the aquarium, the park, etc. , doing laundry, cooking, and holding Maggie. It was REALLY hard to let her go. My Grandma is here now and so far she has cooked cake, cupcakes, dinner, and lunch. I think we will be well fed for the next week. Then Grammy (Clay's Mom) comes for that first couple days in December. After that, we are on our own...yikes!
• I don't know if it's 2nd Baby Syndrome or what, but I find myself holding Maggie a little longer, rocking her a little later, and oohing and gooing over her more often. I think you realize how fleeting this time is the 2nd go around and with the extra helping hands around here, I'm going to do it while I can.
• Okay,this is soooo not like me. But, I've been letting Maggie take one nap a day with me. We snuggle up during Jack's nap time and snooze for an hour or so. It's my Maggie time and it also gives me that little bit of rest to get through another painful night. Mmmm...I love her coos and grunts when we are snuggling.
• At night she is in her crib in the nursery. She slept in our room in the Pack n' Play for 2 nights--it so did not work for anyone, so she was off to her crib on night 3. We all sleep better and usually at her 5 or 6 am feeding I bring her in bed with me until morning...I know so not like me again. I figure I have a couple more weeks before it can become a bad habit for either of us. In my defense, it began as a way to avoid waking Jack before his 7:30 wake time.
• Cosby has been a nut. I know that doesn't surprise anyone. But, I kind of was. He didn't even acknowledge Jack when we brought him home from the hospital. Now, Maggie is a different story. He is super over protective of both her and me. If I'm holding her, you better give him fair warning if you are coming near. He whines when she cries and he wants to sniff all over her when she is close. As the days have progressed he has mellowed out a lot. My Mom said he needs about another week or so to chill out completely. HA! I was worried about Jack and its Cosby who's been the most effected.
• And lastly, I haven't been anywhere but to the Pediatrician's office for 2 weeks, unless you count the hospital, of course. Can you say cabin fever? And that's also the only day I've had make-up on.
• Oh and one more thing....I say this with GRAVE caution...but, it's really not as scary as I thought it would be--you know, the whole having 2 little ones thing. But again, Maggie hasn't hit the 3 week/does she have colic mark yet and I still have lots of family helping me. Check back with me in a week or so. I could be singing a whole other tune:)

A few "Coming Home" Pictures...

Maggie's coming home outfit...thanks Steph!

I still can't believe I have a baby girl!

Look how tiny she looks in her car seat. Jack grew out of this seat at 9 months...nuts, huh? Oh, and I told you that I would be using that blanket a lot...thanks Erin! It's perfect for car seat rides and so cute too.

Mommy, Daddy, and Maggie are on their way home. (Jack was at the Zoo with Grandma)

It cracks me up how they have to wheel you out of the hospital to your car. If they could only see what I did once I got home!

Big Brother Jack

Dear Jack,

You've been a big brother for 6 days now. From the minute you met your baby sister at the hospital you loved her. You searched the room high and low for "your baby". And the minute you found her, your sweet face lit up. You wanted to hold her, kiss her, and squeeze her a little too tight. When Maggie reacted with crying to your signs of affection, you asked so concerned, "What happened to Maggie?". You patiently took a dozen pictures on Mommy's hospital bed with your new sister and acted silly and happy for each one.

Since we've been home, I come to look forward to your cheerful morning wake up call. After Daddy or Grandma get you up from your bed, you race into my room, searching and chanting, "where is Mommy and Maggie?" We both soak in your morning kisses and your contagious smile. I couldn't think of a better way for Maggie and I to wake up.

Tonight I was so proud of you. Without anyone asking you were such a big helper . When Maggie seemed a bit distressed in her swing, you raced over and put her pacifier right on top of her head. So proud of yourself, you came into the kitchen and announced to everyone, "Look what I did, I helped Maggie".

We love you Jack and we especially love the big brother that you are growing up to be. Maggie is very lucky to have you and we are all very lucky to have her.

All our love,

Mommy, Daddy, and Maggie

A Cibula Is Born

We welcomed Margaret Grace Cibula on Monday, November 9th. Our family has been blessed beyond measure. After a somewhat eventful labor and delivery our baby girl was born at 7:49 a.m. I promise to share more about our little blessing soon. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We are loving the quiet life at the hospital!

Our little sumo wrestler...she weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. Just a bit smaller than her big brother. There's hair under that hat too!

In the Operating Room minutes after she was born. You would never know by looking at me that I was super sick--seeing Maggie's sweet face was the best medicine I could have asked for.

We've had Maggie bundled in pink since she entered the world. In only two days she has already shown us her feisty side, but how could this sweet face intimidate you? (and I don't know what those red spots are--whatever they were, they're gone now)

Tomorrow...

It's the day before Maggie's birth date and as I try to sit here patiently, it's impossible not to think about all that will change Tomorrow...

Tomorrow we become a family of four.


Tomorrow I can physically count all of her fingers and toes and individually kiss each one...yum!



Tomorrow we will know how much she weighs, no more guessing.



Tomorrow is the first of many sleepless nights.



Tomorrow Jack will be a big brother for the rest of his life.



Tomorrow I have to start watching what I eat and, and more importantly, how much.



Tomorrow I have two kids to worry about....forever.



Tomorrow I have a little girl.



Tomorrow I'm no longer just Jack's Mommy, I'm Jack and Maggie's Mommy.



Tomorrow everything changes.

Halloween Havoc...But In a Good Way

I kid you not, when I say we have never had a busier weekend than this past Halloween. Between a Halloween school party, Halloween Birthday parties, neighborhood festivals, and actual Halloween night there was not a moment of rest. Well, except for nap time. But as soon as naps were over, we were up and at em' again. Here is a little peek into our weekend so you can see what I mean.

FRIDAY- Wesley Kate's 2nd Birthday Party

Here is part of the crew from the party. It was nearly impossible to get a group shot. Our mistake?...waiting until the end of the party to try to get sugar wound over tired kids to sit still. I just had to share this one--check out Sophia picking Jack's nose, Wesley Kate crying, and Ansley's goofy face. Gotta love toddlers!

Keep trying and see what happens. Well, a little better, except sweet little Nate was standing on the other side of Ansley trying to escape. I just couldn't get a good angle with him included. But, the rest of the costumed tots seem to be a little more tame.

And that is why I had to include this picture of cowboy Nate and Jack playing--proof he was there and oh, so sweet.






SATURDAY--Baby Ansley's 1st Birthday Party

Sophia and Jack--two peas in a pod. These two were not scared to get the party started.

A very patient pirate waiting for baby Ansley to have her Happy Birthday song done so he could have a "cu cake". Jack would check in with me just about 5-6 minutes to see if it was cake time yet.

SATURDAY NIGHT--Halloween

Okay, so I am so glad that Jack requested a photo session on Thursday before school, because it was misty and sprinkling on Halloween evening. It was near impossible to get pictures in the yard, so we took a few under the covered porch. I just had to share this one. How great is the "playing it cool" pose?

He snapped out of his "too cool" pose long enough to give me a gigantic smooch.

And then he even posed with me without a single complaint. (Gotta love the one who makes your costume)

We started the evening at the neighborhood pre-party. Luckily, the drizzling took a break until later in the evening. I just love this picture of Jack and Daddy walking to the festivities.

A few games before Trick-or-Treating begins. And by the way, this is not cheating, he's only 2.

Gotta fuel up for the big night. Jack must have asked 10 times 'where the hot dog stand was?'. Apparently it did not disappoint once we found it.

And let the Trick-or-Treating begin...

This was Jack's reaction after he came back from that first house...do you think he enjoyed Halloween night?