A Letter to Marcus - 3 Months

Dear Marcus,

Today you are three months old and it feels like yesterday I was looking at you for the first time and wondering who you resembled.  My fare-skinned, blond haired, blue eyed boy!  I thought for sure those blue eyes would turn brown like your brothers; but so far they've just gotten brighter and more blue!  You are gorgeous, Marcus!  The first thing people comment on when they see you are your big bright eyes followed by your cupid's bow grin.  One thing is for sure, Marcus - you are a happy baby.  You grin and giggle at me all day long and you seem content no matter what we're doing.  You're happy in my arms.  You're happy in your swing.  You're happy on your playmat, driving in the car, laying on the bed, running errands with me, going to the park with your big brother... anywhere!  You are a true joy!  I make you laugh by kissing your neck, kissing your cheeks, giving you pepper poops on your tummy, nibbling your toes and making silly faces.  You are particularly fond of your toy giraffe, Sophie.  She squeaks when I squeeze her and your eyes get wide as if you're surprised then a grin crawls across your face and you say "oooooohhhmmm"  You melt my heart, little man.

Your brother Aaron loves you to pieces.  He calls you "little buddy" or "Tooty toots" and takes care of you so well.  He gives you lots of kisses and hugs and is very concerned about making sure you are happy.  He helps Mommy and Daddy with diaper changes, replacing your pacifier when you grin and it falls out of your mouth, he keeps you company while I make dinner, he sings "you are my sunshine" and ABC's to you in a soft voice, he shares his toys with you and he LOVES to help burp you!  He tells you stories about finding golden caterpillars on Draco Mountain (something he made up on his own).  He is so proud to be your big brother.  It makes me so happy to see you two together.  One day you boys will undoubtedly get on each others nerves and I will remind you of these moments.  I will remind you how Aaron would hold you while watching his cartoons and how he absentmindedly kissed the top of your head while holding your hand.  I will remind you how your head turns when you hear his voice and how you stare at him adoringly.

My sweet sweet Marcus, Monkey Man, Mr. Tooty toots, Sir Toots a lot, Poodle, my Angel Boy, Baby, Bigga Boy, Monkey Shine, Marky darky doo, Marky Mark and the funky bunch, on your Marcus get set go - I am so happy you joined our family.  You make me happier than I could have imagined and I am so proud to be your Mommy.

Love you biggest!

Photo Shoot - by Samantha Louras Photography

My cousin, Sam is a fantastic photographer... here are some of the photos she took of our guys in November

Wooo Hoooo! I'm a full time mommy!

On Friday, 11/12/10 I resigned from my position as Program Manager for the Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Childrens Hospital, Boston. 

I was a nervous wreck... I wasn't sure how they would respond.  I'm happy to say that it went great... my boss was extremely supportive and happy for my family.  She revealed to me that she took some time to stay home with her children after they were born - I had no idea! 

I am looking forward to my life as a full-time mommy.  Aaron will remain in preschool 3 days a week which allows me to have some one-on-one time with Marcus.

Catch up...

Ok... lots to update!  Here it goes...

Marcus' first few weeks were a challenge!  He had reflux which was causing him to choke and ultimately stop breathing.  It was a scary few weeks.  He is doing great now and we haven't had an incident since he was 2 weeks old.  His pediatrician assured us that, while scary, it is a fairly common thing to happen.  We were given some suggestions on things to do to minimize the reflux... sleeping upright (car seat or swing), burping Marcus after each ounce he drank, remaining upright for 30-45 minutes after eating, tummy time prior to eating and others.

He is 3 months old and the happiest little guy I've ever seen!  He smiles all day long and is such a joy.  He has been sleeping through the night since he was 3 weeks old!  Every night at 11:00 when I put him down for bed I think to myself "this could be the night he stops sleeping through the night" and every morning I wake up at 7:00 I am grateful for another wonderful evening.

Aaron has taken to being a big brother like a pro!  He is so wonderful with Marcus!  He likes watching cartoons with him in his lap, he helps with diapers and bottles and replacing his pacifier when it falls out.

Here is a photo montage of the first few months as a family of four...

This was Marcus' first bottle... Aaron is a big help!

Going home... 9/6/10

Home at last... "He smells yummy, Mommy!"

First sponge bath at home with Mimi

Aunt Alexzndra meets Marcus when the Louras Family came to Boston on 9/10-9/12

Aunt Emmy and Uncle Adam

Apple Picking in VT - 9/25/10

Ace and GG with their boys

Hike to the top of Killington - 9/26/10

Kristi Baleno came for a visit - 9/30/10  She and Aaron had a blast... "I like ketchup on my oatmeal"

Happy Little Pumpkin!

Buzz Lightyear - "To Infinity and Beyond!"

Gainfully Employed

I'm not sure how this didn't get posted... it was written on 8/2.  Anyhow, a little out of order but worthy of posting just the same.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

This post is over due... my apologies, Brad.  We are so proud of you and excited for your new adventure!

Brad got a job offer on Thursday, 7/22 from Haemonetics - "The Blood Management Company".  It is in Braintree, MA which is only a 25 minute commute from our townhouse in Chestnut Hill.  He is the new Marketing Manager, North American Blood Bank - Donor Division. 

They wanted him to start right away and even invited him to join the sales team in Chicago from Wednesday - Thursday last week.  We obviously didn't have daycare lined up so Mimi was kind enough to fly to Boston and stay with Aaron while Brad was away and I was at work.  It was great to have her here - Thank you, Mimi!  We did ultimately secure daycare and the great news is that it is through Haemonetics!  Aaron will be commuting in with Brad starting on Wednesday, 8/4.  He is insisting we call it "little work" and he is very excited. 

Joyfully announcing the birth of Marcus Jeffrey

Marcus Jeffrey Libertore

September 2, 2010

11:18am

7 pounds, 10 ounces

19.5 inches

We are very excited to announce that Marcus Jeffrey joined our family on 90210 (yup! I went there!)  My cesarean went really well... it was very different than Aaron's delivery.  I was able to feel my arms this time, which was great but along with that came the pulling and tugging that I've heard other moms describe.  Yuck!   It was a great feeling to hear Marcus' first cry.  He had his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck THREE times!  I'm so grateful I had a c-section... we would have inevitably ended up there. 

My first kiss for Marcus...

Proud Daddy

 

 

Holding Marcus for the first time... 

 

I wasn't able to hold him for long... my temperature went down to 94 degrees and the nurse was concerned that I would "rob" Marcus' heat... :( 

Me in the "Baire Hug" trying to get my core temp back up to at least 97 so I could hold my baby... it was really cozy in there!

Mimi, GG and Ace were all at Brigham and Women's Hospital waiting for the news of his arrival.  They were able to meet Marcus when we were transferred up to my room. 

Brad went to get Aaron from Nanay, Katie and Lola's house so he could meet his baby brother on his birthday...

The exact words for his baby brother were... "He's BEAUTIFUL! Can we take him home now?"

"Look! He has blonde hair just like me!"

My boys!

We are home and happy with our little bundle of joy. 

Pregnancy update - 35 weeks down, 4 to go

That's right... 35 weeks down and only 4 weeks to go before my c-section.  I filled out and signed a release for delivery following a previous cesarean today.  After speaking with Dr. Vincent last week and re-visiting the VBAC/Cesarean talk, we decided to give a VBAC a try IF (and this is a big IF) I go into labor naturally before 9/2/10, my water breaks naturally and the stars are aligned for a safe birth.  The statistics are not in our favor but the worst that can happen is I end up with a c-section which is the plan anyway.  I'm very pleased with this decision. 
I'm feeling really great - braxton hicks contractions have slowed down considerably in the past few weeks.  I am anxious for the baby's arrival.  I am in full nesting mode which is a strange feeling... I have an overwhelming and virtually uncontrollable urge to organize are prepare.  I vaguely remember doing this with Aaron but this feels stronger somehow.  I've had the pack and play set up for a few weeks now... awaiting the baby's arrival.  We misplaced the bassinet insert, changing table and diaper organizer for some time but got a call from my mom last week saying she found them - thank God!  It is driving me up a wall that they are in VT and not on the pack and play but I'm working on that.  My bag is packed for the hospital and I've marked my makeup with stickers (for Brad) in the event that we go early and I am unable to put them in my travel kit myself. 
The outfit we are bringing the baby home in has arrived and I love it! Thank you, GG! 
I am excited about my ultrasound appointment next week... Tuesday, 8/10 at 8am.  I hope I am able to see him in 3D!