So big!

Emily Tyler
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Snug as a bug!

Emily Tyler
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Boy, my life has changed

Boy, has my life changed. I say this, not surprisingly, but more of a reflection. I knew, Lord did I know, that our lives were about to be flipped upside down once Harrison arrived, the extinct of how much change was yet to be determined. 8 days in, 5 days of being home, has proved to be quite the adventure for the Tyler household.

Before we dive into my crazy thoughts: Here are who our boys are named after.

Jackson: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Jackson

Harrison: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Henry_Harrison.
The cool thing about Harrison is he was the 9th President. He was also the first President to die in office. And who took over???? That's right you history buffs. John Tyler!!! My great great (how ever many greats it is) Uncle. 

Wouldn't say he was a good President, in fact, most would say he was horrible. But none-the-less. Their campaign was Tippecanoe and Tyler Too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tippecanoe_and_Tyler_Too

 My vote for Middle name was John, which was Emily's Dad and Brother's. So, Harrison John Tyler...Cool I know. ha. But it was her choice, and Russell won out, which I like just as much.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tippecanoe_and_Tyler_Too)

Truman: (Cat): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman

Sir Winston McGruen of Dogwood (Winston for short): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill

So there you go, enjoy those links.

            What promoted this whole “Boy has my life changed,” was from Friday night. We had 2 of our very dear friends over for dinner and a few drinks,  Andy & Brooke Saitz. We sat around, chatted, Andy and I had a few more drinks than the wife’s, watched 2 episodes of Duck Dynasty and by 10:00 we were all exhausted and ready for bed. Emily and I went to bed and I thought: Man, I had a great evening, got to spend time with great friends, have a few drinks. Then I laughed. 7 years, this would have been the worst evening ever, I don’t think Andy & Brooke would ever come back over. I look at the college girls that I coach and they tell me about their fun weekends, and I remember the days, but I don’t miss them any more. And to be honest, I am not sure what point me missing those days past, but next thing I know, I am 31, 2 boys, live in Suburbia and having an evening to 10:00 with friends wears me out!

            But, as always, I digress. Back to the boys.  Harrison is small. He was born 1lb and 1” smaller than Jackson on Monday. I feel like I will break his legs when I change his diaper. Total opposite of Chunky McGee, Of the Charts Jackson. Friday he went to the doctor and he has lost 13% of his body weight, he was down to 6 lbs. Not a 5-alarm fire, but something of minor concern. We had to bulk this kid up…fast. We spend the weekend feeding him every 2-3 hours, like it not. Lance Armstrong stopped by with a needle and said this will help, but we told him to go away. Go back 3 days later and he had put on 14 ounces! In the words of Cartman…”BEEFCAKE” So Harrison needed to bulk up, I am still fighting this stupid cough for a week, but we keep on keeping on.

           

Tonight was my first night alone with the boys. Emily went with her Mom to see Carrie Underwood, whom I have NO interest in listening to…staring at yes…but listening to…no. Overall, great night for me. Jackson went to bed, as always, without any fussing, I am waiting to feed Harrison and put him to bed, then have a drink, bowl of popcorn, veg out and off to bed. This whole 2 kids thing is easy. HA HA HA.

            So far, the hardest thing is just getting the whole family moving. Trying to get Harrison ready with Jackson running FULL speed everywhere has been the biggest challenge. For the most part, Harrison just sleeps. Jackson does love his little brother, although he just doesn’t know how to be gentle. He wants to hug him, but he will squeeze him like Tommy Boy. 8 days in, he has not really shown much sign of jealously. Jackson and I have gotten to spend a lot of time together though, which I cherish those times.

            Emily has been an angel, as normal. She has been getting up in the middle of the night with Harrison. Before all the angry Mom’s give me the rolled eyes, I offer. I offer every night and then again in the morning. Emily likes her time with Harrison and I like my time with my pillow, so it actually works out very well. Again, this whole 2 kids thing is easy.

            Just like Harrison, life will continue to change every day. Every day, every week will bring the Tyler a new challenge, and a new joy to celebrate. I look forward to the challenges and will relish in the joys that we have.

Watch "Jackson dancing to Mickey"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3I4hs6_OUc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Emily Tyler
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Jackson & Norah watching Toy Story

Jackson and Harrison

Getting ready to head home

I am a Dad of 2 Boys??? Holy Crap

At one point in my life, I thought I would feel “old” enough to be a father of 2 boys, but with Harrison Russell Tyler just a day old and Jackson now 18 months, I don’t feel anywhere close to be “old” enough to be a Father of 2. Being 31, the ages seems just fine to have 2 kids, good age, good timing. I remember being 18 thinking I don't feel old enough to go to college, and then being 26 and not feeling "old" enough to be married and the same feeling when Jackson arrive. I keep waiting for my brain to catch up with my life. Hey, my Pops always said, you are only as old as you feel. 

            So, here I sit in the hospital with Emily and Harrison, who at this point, is perfect. The reality has yet to set in that we will have another baby at home. Everyone keeps asking if we are ready for baby #2, and the answer was always NO. Jackson was a perfect baby, slept through the night at 6 weeks, never cried, never fussed, was just perfect. And the thought of midnight feedings again has not yet sunk in. But regardless if we WERE ready, we now HAVE to be ready.

            Harrison was due Nov 29^th, so 2 weeks early was not in our plan. And I know what everyone is saying, you can’t control this, God has a plan for everyone, blah blah blah. That still doesn’t make it easier or make us more prepared. Emily woke up Monday morning at 2:30 with left side of her stomach cramps. After a few hours and a few Google scares later, we heading into the hospital at 4:30, still no convinced we were heading into labor. Even checking in, we were telling them that Emily was having stomach pains, and they kept saying contractions. “No No, stomach pains.” We were just in total denial. We did not even bring our bag of stuff for a stay. After a few hours, the nurse came back and said “You guys are going to be celebrating a birthday today.

            We had 2 names going into the birth. Harrison Russell (Russell is her Dad’s name) or Camden John (John is her Dad’s and Brother’s middle name). For those of you who don’t know, we have a famous leaders theme rocking. Jackson is after Andrew Jackson (16^th President) Winston (our dog) is after Winston Churchill, Truman (the cat) is after Harry S. Truman. So, Camden was  bucking this trend, but we liked the name. I am from Lake of the Ozarks, which is located in Camden County. The ultimate decision came down to the little one. If he had dark hair, it would be Harrison and light hair would be Camden. No real logic to it, but it seem to work for us.

            So, there is the back-story: back to me and not being ready for baby #2.  Don’t get me wrong, super pumped to have 2 boys, just not super pumped to go through the first 3-4 months, but all part of the job though. We have NO clue what to expect. I wish we had this grand plan, but we are just winging it and letting it all work out on it’s own.  Our biggest concern right now is how Jackson is going to react to Harrison. He has been perfect for the last 18 months and we are hoping the arrival of Harrison does not throw him into some jealous rage.

            The whole process of having a baby really opens my eyes to the joy of life. You tend to forget how amazing it is, even after 18 months. You look at this little 6 lb baby all wrapped up and the thought that I had a hand in that is mind blowing. I helped create another human life. Hell, as a kid I couldn't keep a hamster alive: now I have 2 boys. 2 amazing boys at that. 

     Emily is amazing, just amazing. I smile when I think about her strength and what she does for this family and what she just went through. Right now, she is asleep holding Harrison. Just amazing sight to see. Mom and Baby.  I bitch when I get a sore throat and she just pumped out a 6 ½ lb kid that she carried for 9 months. All Mom’s for that matter are great and wonderful to go through that process.

            This morning when I got Jackson up and ready, he gave me an extra long hug and it brought a tear to my eye just thinking about how lucky we are. Today, I have a different outlook on life. Yesterday at 2:30, I just wanted to go back to sleep, not have a baby. Today, I woke up with a different purpose, different outlook on life. I looked at Jackson differently, more lovingly. And I know he knew it. I always get a hug in the morning, but this was a different hug, this was a “It’s all going to be okay” hug. “I love you Daddy so much” Hug. Those hugs are worth every sleepless night that I will endure the next few months.

            A huge thank you to the outpouring of love and support. Thanks to those who followed along on Twitter, sent us text, emails and Facebook love. We greatly appreciate it. We have loved the visitors we have gotten and welcome more. Kay, our Nanny, was with Jackson all day Monday. My Mom came over at 4:00am to stay with Jackson until Kay could come over. Elise stayed with Jackson until I got home at 10:30, and then swiftly went to bed. I heard it takes a village to raise a child, so now we have 2, so come on village, let’s get to work! I am just a freaked out Dad who has another baby to care for, and has no clue what to expect. 

Good morning world!

Emily Tyler
Sent from my iPhoneNOTICE TO RECIPIENTS: Any information contained in or attached to this message is intended solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient of this transmittal, you are hereby notified that you received this transmittal in error, and we request that you please delete and destroy all copies and attachments in your possession, notify the sender that you have received this communication in error, and note that any review or dissemination of, or the taking of any action in reliance on, this communication is expressly prohibited.