Of Course, The Best Part...

...of any new gift is ALWAYS the box. The stroller came in a nice, big box...a perfect 'fort' box. Cut out a door, cut out a window... throw in a dog and voila! - A perfect fort for any 21 month old boy!

Fancy New Stroller

I have had my eye on this really nice double stroller for quite some time. I knew it was something we were going to need; but, it was so pricey, it was something I kept putting off buying. Lately the weather has been so nice and I have been taking Hayden to the park - and I have been dreaming of being able to take both boys. Today, a lovely stroller arrived from the UPS man! Shirley and Mike had bought it for us as a great surprise present!! How lucky are we?! Of course, I could barely wait for it to be out of the box before we took it for a test drive! We took a family walk to the post office. It 'strolls' so nice. It is so easy to drive and light and...oh, just wonderful! Thanks, Mike and Shirley for such a great gift - we love it!

Two Week Appointment

Elliot had his two week check up yesterday. He is still a little yellow from his jaundice; but, Dr. Watson is encouraged with it's decreasing visibility. He has a little thrush on his tongue; but, not enough to warrant treating it. So, those are good things.
His belly button is clear and his circumcision has healed nicely...so, Elliot has been given the green light to have his first 'real' bath! This will likely happen tonight.
Elliot behaved himself extraordinarily well. Hayden used to get upset when he was stripped off and put onto the scales; Elliot just wriggled and voiced his complaints in a couple of quick grunts. In fact, despite being very hungry (he tried suckling from the Dr's hand!), Elliot did not really make any noise during the whole check up. I seem to have lucked out with another easy-going baby.
So, down to the important stats: Elliot was 7lb 15oz when born...yesterday he weighed in at a staggering 9lb 8oz! Nearly two pounds in just over two weeks! His length has increased to 22" which means that he has stretched out by 2.5". If I had not seen the nurse measure him to 22", I would not have believed that this was even possible. It makes me wonder if he was mismeasured when born - surely he cannot have grown by 2.5" in two weeks?! I must be making some pretty damn special milk! Regardless, I have two healthy, good sleeping, excellent eating boys and I am the happiest mummy ever!

Peaceful Slumber

A good feed, a clean bum...and night-night, Elliot!

A Sight Never Seen...

...this is how you can tell that Hayden is not feeling well. He never lays down (except for when he sleeps!) and has never sat to watch a movie.

This Is What Contentment Looks Like

Elliot is proving to be a cuddly baby...of which there are no complaints from any of the adults in the house - especially from mummy!!

Playing In The Back Garden

Yesterday afternoon Hayden and I played in the back garden. The weather has been so nice lately that we had to go out to enjoy it.
Yes, I know his hair is getting crazy and out of control. We are heading to the barber this weekend to get it taken care of. Shane and I have been resisting going; but, the craziness that is Hayden's hair has to be tamed...there is no putting it off anymore!

The View From Our Back Garden

Beautiful!

Farmer Hayden

It was a really warm, sunny evening tonight; so, Hayden "helped" Daddy put some new grass seed down. He did really well until he realized that he could take handfuls of grass seed and put them in the wheelbarrow rather than on the ground. Daddy had to remove that grass seed and put it where it might actually grow...

Moses Basket

Precious!

The "Twins"

My friend, Vanessa, and her husband, Billy, had their little girl two days after Shane and I had Elliot. Julianna Grace ("Gracie") was supposed to have made her grand entrance on March 2; however, she showed up (under protest and an induction) on March 10. Elliot, on the other hand, was not supposed to be here until March 22; however, he chose March 8 as his birthday! Despite being two weeks early, Elliot outweighed Gracie by four ounces; although, he was one inch shorter.
This is the first time that Vanessa and I have seen each other since March 5 and it is the first time the children have been in each other's company...well, outside utero, that is! It was nice getting together for a couple of hours and having our first photo opportunity. Elliot slept through the whole deal; Gracie was a social butterfly.

Mumma's Boys

These are from last night's story time...I just didn't put them on the blog last night.
It only hit me yesterday that I have two little boys. Although I confess to thinking that Elliot was a girl when I was pregnant; I have to admit that I am over the moon that he is a boy. I would have loved having a little girl; but, secretly I was really hoping for a boy. I lucked out.

Family Storytime

I had a visit from a friend today who bought Hayden and Elliot a book each ( - thanks, Jen!). Hayden loves his books to be read to him over and over again...and he was even willing to share this storytime with Elliot.

Special Blanket

When Hayden was born, my grandparents (Nan & George) had a really nice blanket made for him. It is called a 'Christening Blanket' and is an English tradition for when the baby is baptised into the church - the blanket itself becomes a family heirloom and is always treasured. The blanket arrived too late for Hayden to use it (it arrived in mid-summer) and so it has been lovingly stored until now. Elliot is getting to take full advantage of it's beauty and warmth. In fact, it was the blanket that we brought him home from the hospital in. I just wanted to show it off.

Mummy and Me Morning

Hayden and I went to the park this morning to spend some time together. We met up with Tamara and Brooke so that Hayden could play with his friend; unfortunately, Brooke was not feeling too well, and so she did not play with her usual adventurous spirit.
Shane and I are trying to help Hayden adjust by making sure we both spend some quality time with him. It was also nice for me to be out of the hospital and out of the house and into the fresh air. We didn't stay long as Elliot needed to be fed back at the house; but, it was nice while it lasted.

Beautiful Flowers

We are so spoiled! Thank you to Kaila, The Baker's (Tamara and Jeremy) and Mum & Dad for these beautiful flowers to welcome Elliot. Along with the flowers that Shirley has received (thanks, again, to Kaila!) our house smells like a florist...which is amazing considering we currently have two children in diapers in the house!!

Curled Up On The Couch With Nana

Shirley is continuing to be my saving grace. It is so nice that I can give her something back in return...cuddles on the couch with her new grandbaby!
Take a look at those long fingers and big hands in the first picture. This kid could be playing the piano by his first birthday with fingers like that!!

Looks Can Be Deceiving

It may look as though Hayden is interested in his little brother - showing an interest in the diaper change that Nana is conducting; but, that would be inaccurate.
You see the cowboy blanket that is under Elliot? THAT is what Hayden is interested in. No sooner had Nana finished, then Hayden had that blanket at the other end of the house where Elliot couldn't get to it. It appears that certain things are on the "Not To Be Used By Elliot" list, including: blankets, books and trucks.
Poor Hayden. He really just doesn't know what to think at this point. He is trying really hard to maintain some form of normalcy for himself - which includes his blankets, books and trucks.

At The Ranch

On Sunday morning (the morning I went in to labor), Hayden and I went and visited with Diane out at the horse ranch. One of Diane's mares had just had a foal and I was hoping that her good luck would rub off on me! As usual, Hayden had a great morning and spent two hours playing with the pitchforks, baling twine and cones. Diane's dog, Katie, also likes to play with baling twine...so she and Hayden took each other for a mutual walk around the property while playing tug-of-war with the twine. It was actually pretty amusing.

Home and Adjusting

Hi everyone! Thank you for all the very sweet, supportive messages both on here and on Facebook! We are grateful for all your love and best wishes!
Well, Eli and I were discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon around 1pm. It was a very uneventful hospital stay (just how you like them!) and we were both glad to be in the car on our way home. I am feeling really good...much, much better than I have been for the past couple of months AND much, much better than I felt after having Hayden. It is true what everyone told me - "the second one is much easier."
Hayden does not know what to think about Eli...so, so far he chooses to not really think about him at all. He has been all business - trucks and books. It is amazing how much I missed him though - it was nice to get back and be able to share in his truck playing and book reading.
Boone has been temporarily relocated to a friend's house so that he can play with their dog and continue to go to work in the woods while we get settled here. It will be interesting to see his reaction when he gets back! - Poor dog!
Here are a couple of pictures of Eli from last night. He is still pretty swollen around the eyes; but, his nose is not as 'squished' has Hayden's was and his head is a real nice round shape. He has been awake quite a bit tonight and is proving to be much like his older brother in the eating department! Oh, I need to start saving money now for when they are both teenagers!
Thanks once again. Lots of love, Marisa

Elliot James Compton

Look out world, #2 has hatched!

7 pounds 15 ounces, 19.5 inches long. Heavier but shorter than Hayden. Momma Bear and Cub Bear are still in the hospital for one more night. I have come home to help Shirley with the Hayden Bear, then will go and pick up the other half of my family tomorrow if all goes well. Thanks so much for all the flowers people are sending, maybe something for the Daddy would be nice as well...just saying. Nothing says "congratulations dad" like beef jerky or a new set a wrenches.

Guest Blogger Daddy Bear

Update: Baby #2

Went to the OB-GYN again today....we are down to the weekly visits. I have been having numerous contractions for the past few days. They are still not painful; however, they are definitely getting more intense. I was hoping for some good news - and I got it! I have progressed to 4cms in terms of my dilation and I am 50% effaced. The doctor said it could be any day now. I am 19 days away from my due date today. How funny would it be if I have the baby on Friday?...Both Hayden and Baby #2 would be born 17 days early then!! A matching set!
So, keep checking back to see when s/he arrives!