You are a whole half a year old today honey! Your mama can't believe it!
You met Santa for the first time on 12/15/11.
We just had your first Christmas. Halley got you a hammer rattle, a tub o' toys, an alligator teether, and 2 beanie baby things. Santa gave you your first Christmas ornament, a book, and some sippy cups. Gramma/Aunt Mary Ann gave you a book and a cool little tunnel/tent thing. Dad and I gave you some clothes and a toy piano.
You started getting up on your hands and knees around 12/17/11, and now can scoot backwards on you hands and knees. Today you started army crawling forward, and are so quick at it!
We started giving you oatmeal cereal mixed with breastmilk on 12/10/11, but didn't start giving you it every day until last week. You spat it out-a lot!- until a couple days ago as well. I gave you sweet potatoes twice and half a banana once. You smushed the banana up more than anything, but did lick it a couple times. The sweet potatoes you were not a fan of until today.
You can sit up unsupported still, but still prefer to be on your tummy.
You are so smiley and happy almost all of the time. Such a pleasant baby.
You are trying to stay up later and wake up in the middle of the night the past couple of days as well. I don't know if you're having a growth spurt or if being at Grandma's had anything to do with it. You usually go to bed around 8, wake up by midnight, then wake up either once more or twice more. You wake up for the day at around 8 or 9.
You are becoming more and more dextrous every day. Mama did not even realize how much control you now have over your fingers.
You can still fit in some 3-6 month clothes and are starting to move into 6-9 month stuff.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
5 months!
You're 5 months. Mama can't believe it!
Still breastfed. I'm getting excited for you to start trying foods, though as well! We had your first Thanksigiving, though the only taste of turkey you got was through mama!
You can sit up unassisted for a few minutes at times, the first time was 10/28. You are pretty close to being able to stand, too! You also found your feet at right around the same time that you started being able to sit.
You scoot yourself around a little bit. You scoot yourself around a lot when you are mad hehe.
We had your first Halloween and you went trick or treating as a shark! You are so damn cute.
You starting blowing raspberries. I love it.
You spent your first night without mama or papa on 11/11/11. You stayed with Grammy, Aunt Mary Ann, Great Grandma Bailey, and Halley at the Howard Johnson hotel in Waterloo.
You also went swimming for the first time on 11/12/11. You seemed to enjoy it much more than I thought you would. You even kicked your legs a whole bunch!
You seem to like reading books even more now. It's so fun!
You're still waking up usually twice at night to eat, though now it's more like at 12 then 5, so the long stretch is getting more convenient for mommy!
Still in 3-6 month clothes.
Every day you do new things or make new faces or sounds. I love you so much, more than I ever though was possible. You are the cutest little boy and you'll always be my baby.
Love, Mommy
Still breastfed. I'm getting excited for you to start trying foods, though as well! We had your first Thanksigiving, though the only taste of turkey you got was through mama!
You can sit up unassisted for a few minutes at times, the first time was 10/28. You are pretty close to being able to stand, too! You also found your feet at right around the same time that you started being able to sit.
You scoot yourself around a little bit. You scoot yourself around a lot when you are mad hehe.
We had your first Halloween and you went trick or treating as a shark! You are so damn cute.
You starting blowing raspberries. I love it.
You spent your first night without mama or papa on 11/11/11. You stayed with Grammy, Aunt Mary Ann, Great Grandma Bailey, and Halley at the Howard Johnson hotel in Waterloo.
You also went swimming for the first time on 11/12/11. You seemed to enjoy it much more than I thought you would. You even kicked your legs a whole bunch!
You seem to like reading books even more now. It's so fun!
You're still waking up usually twice at night to eat, though now it's more like at 12 then 5, so the long stretch is getting more convenient for mommy!
Still in 3-6 month clothes.
Every day you do new things or make new faces or sounds. I love you so much, more than I ever though was possible. You are the cutest little boy and you'll always be my baby.
Love, Mommy
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
4 month stats
Birth (6/27/11): 9 pounds 0.4 ounces, 21 1/4 inches, 14 1/4 inch head circumference
1 day old (6/28): 8 pounds 10.8 ounces
2 days old (6/29): 8 pounds 5 ounces
3 days old (6/30): 8 pounds 6 1/4 ounces, 20 3/4 inches
2 weeks 1 day (7/12): 9 pounds 1 1/2 ounces, 21 1/4 inches
2 months (9w4d on 9/2): 11 pounds 14 ounces (50%), 23 5/8 inches (75%), 15 3/4 inch head circumference (40%)
4 months (11/1): 14 pounds 3/4 ounces (30%), 25 inches (50%), 16 inch head circumference (40%)
1 day old (6/28): 8 pounds 10.8 ounces
2 days old (6/29): 8 pounds 5 ounces
3 days old (6/30): 8 pounds 6 1/4 ounces, 20 3/4 inches
2 weeks 1 day (7/12): 9 pounds 1 1/2 ounces, 21 1/4 inches
2 months (9w4d on 9/2): 11 pounds 14 ounces (50%), 23 5/8 inches (75%), 15 3/4 inch head circumference (40%)
4 months (11/1): 14 pounds 3/4 ounces (30%), 25 inches (50%), 16 inch head circumference (40%)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
4 months!
Eek! He's 4 months!
We have been really busy this month. The young man rolls onto his tummy from his back nearly every time you put him down. He smiles so much and also laughs! It is so cute!
You can now reach your feet to the floor in your walker. You love spinning this sphere thing that's on there.
You can pick up things! We hadn't been putting toys down on the floor with you because you were uninterested. Then, on 10/18 you were sitting with Papa in the chair and you tried to grab the remote. Since, we've put your toys in front of you and you grab and shake your rattles.
You are starting to like reading books with Mama now. Before, you didn't have very much patience, but these days (as long as you're not too tired), we can read several books and you seem to pay attention.
I don't want to jinx it, but we can usually put you down for naps or at night awake and you can put yourself to sleep. You usually go to bed for the night at 8:30, wakeup sometime between 11-2, then once more at 4-6. (AKA, you are waking up 2-3 times a night, up from once a night at 3 months). Now, we put you in your crib when you go to bed, after your first feed, and then at your second wakeup we bring you into the bed. We usually get up for the day between 8-10. Then, usually naps are at 10 or 12 depending on what time you got up, then 3, then 5ish. Mostly, you will nap for 45 minutes to an hour.
We are still breastfeeding and it's still going well. I think you sometimes get impatient when you have to wait for the milk to let down, so then you don't feed for as long during the day, and I think this has translated into your more frequent wake-ups and wanting to nurse all night long. I don't think you are ready to skip any night feedings since you don't eat too often during the day.
You met your uncle Rob and aunts/uncles/cousins from Mommy's side at your great-grandma Ruby's funeral. You did really well during the service, just looking around.
You've found your feet and grab at them frequently!
You can roll over both ways now! You would much rather be on your tummy these days, and you can scoot yourself around a bit.
You're wearing all 3-6 month clothes now.
You're still my smiley baby, and even laugh now. That melts Mama's heart. You have the sweetest little giggle.
Mama loves you more than anything in the whole entire world!
We have been really busy this month. The young man rolls onto his tummy from his back nearly every time you put him down. He smiles so much and also laughs! It is so cute!
You can now reach your feet to the floor in your walker. You love spinning this sphere thing that's on there.
You can pick up things! We hadn't been putting toys down on the floor with you because you were uninterested. Then, on 10/18 you were sitting with Papa in the chair and you tried to grab the remote. Since, we've put your toys in front of you and you grab and shake your rattles.
You are starting to like reading books with Mama now. Before, you didn't have very much patience, but these days (as long as you're not too tired), we can read several books and you seem to pay attention.
I don't want to jinx it, but we can usually put you down for naps or at night awake and you can put yourself to sleep. You usually go to bed for the night at 8:30, wakeup sometime between 11-2, then once more at 4-6. (AKA, you are waking up 2-3 times a night, up from once a night at 3 months). Now, we put you in your crib when you go to bed, after your first feed, and then at your second wakeup we bring you into the bed. We usually get up for the day between 8-10. Then, usually naps are at 10 or 12 depending on what time you got up, then 3, then 5ish. Mostly, you will nap for 45 minutes to an hour.
We are still breastfeeding and it's still going well. I think you sometimes get impatient when you have to wait for the milk to let down, so then you don't feed for as long during the day, and I think this has translated into your more frequent wake-ups and wanting to nurse all night long. I don't think you are ready to skip any night feedings since you don't eat too often during the day.
You met your uncle Rob and aunts/uncles/cousins from Mommy's side at your great-grandma Ruby's funeral. You did really well during the service, just looking around.
You've found your feet and grab at them frequently!
You can roll over both ways now! You would much rather be on your tummy these days, and you can scoot yourself around a bit.
You're wearing all 3-6 month clothes now.
You're still my smiley baby, and even laugh now. That melts Mama's heart. You have the sweetest little giggle.
Mama loves you more than anything in the whole entire world!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Love and loss
My dad passed away on June 11, 2007. He was 53 years old, and I was a mere 17 and SO not ready to lose my father. I think about him frequently, especially since Max was born. My dad, while he had his faults, was fun and loving and would have made the perfect grandpa for my son. I can't help but feeling robbed of this, and feeling that my son was robbed as well. Robbed by whom, I don't know, and I don't blame anyone or anything, but it's hard not to be bitter.
Anyway, my grandmother (my dad's mom) passed away on Friday morning. She was 90 and her quality of life had diminished significantly, both physically and cognitively. Ever since my dad died, Grandma rarely remembered that he was gone, especially in the past year. Max and I had been there about 3 weeks prior and she refused to get out of bed. She loved the baby so this was totally out of character. Then, last week, she looked in a corner told my aunt that "they" were waiting for her. When my aunt asked who, my grandmother told her that [grandma's] parents and brothers were there. Grandma then whipped her head back to the corner. My aunt asked her if someone else was there... and my grandma said, "yes, Steve!"
On Monday night, after clinical I decided to go to my grandparents' since I knew Grandma was not doing so well. While driving, I tried to call my mom, whom I have on speed dial. She didn't answer, so I was scrolling down my contacts to find her house number. Usually, I would open the slider and press the letter, but since I was driving, I figured it would be better to have a hand on the wheel. All of a sudden, I noticed it had stopped scrolling, so I glanced down to see what the heck the deal was. I looked and gasped. All I saw was "Dad". I had inadvertantly clicked on his number, which after four and a half years I still keep in my phone. Instantly, I knew Dad was with me.
I know my dad is out there, or up there, or wherever. But he is there. No one can tell me that he was not present in the car that night, or that he wasn't with my grandma a few nights before. It is bittersweet to have this knowledge... knowing he is so close but unable to hug him, to hand him his first grandchild, to laugh at his dumb jokes.
Anyway, my grandmother (my dad's mom) passed away on Friday morning. She was 90 and her quality of life had diminished significantly, both physically and cognitively. Ever since my dad died, Grandma rarely remembered that he was gone, especially in the past year. Max and I had been there about 3 weeks prior and she refused to get out of bed. She loved the baby so this was totally out of character. Then, last week, she looked in a corner told my aunt that "they" were waiting for her. When my aunt asked who, my grandmother told her that [grandma's] parents and brothers were there. Grandma then whipped her head back to the corner. My aunt asked her if someone else was there... and my grandma said, "yes, Steve!"
On Monday night, after clinical I decided to go to my grandparents' since I knew Grandma was not doing so well. While driving, I tried to call my mom, whom I have on speed dial. She didn't answer, so I was scrolling down my contacts to find her house number. Usually, I would open the slider and press the letter, but since I was driving, I figured it would be better to have a hand on the wheel. All of a sudden, I noticed it had stopped scrolling, so I glanced down to see what the heck the deal was. I looked and gasped. All I saw was "Dad". I had inadvertantly clicked on his number, which after four and a half years I still keep in my phone. Instantly, I knew Dad was with me.
I know my dad is out there, or up there, or wherever. But he is there. No one can tell me that he was not present in the car that night, or that he wasn't with my grandma a few nights before. It is bittersweet to have this knowledge... knowing he is so close but unable to hug him, to hand him his first grandchild, to laugh at his dumb jokes.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
TIBMTD: October
- Work on Max's scrapbook.
- Cook actual meals for dinner on the days I don't work or have school.
- Print off wallet size prints of his 3 month photo.
- Attend class every day it is in session.
TIBMTD: September UPDATE
- Call to get this medical bill I have sorted out. I think there was a mess up with my insurance, but I need to call and see if it is or if I need to pay it. Done! (And it was an insurance mess-up)
- Fold/ hang up every load of laundry I do right after it's dry so we don't have 3-4 baskets of clean clothes sitting unfolded in our bedroom. I've been pretty good about folding hanging clean stuff, but I've been pretty behind on the washing/drying part. I'm going to give myself a half-done.
- Get a few more pages of Max's first scrapbook done. Not done. Not done at all.
- Update the baby book! Mostly done... there are some parts that I don't know what to write.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
3 months old!
My baby boy is 3 months old today. I have no idea how this happened! You are the cutest little boy I've ever seen. Ever.
Mommy going back to work hasn't made you too sad, it seems. I miss you a whole lot though. Your auntie Brandi watched you for 8ish hours one Sunday while your Papa and I went with your Grandma Bielenberg and Darren on their boat. You did well, although she said you were a little whiney. Other than that, no one has babysat for more than 4 hours when Grandma Karen did back in July.
You are not hating tummy time nearly so much anymore, and you're able to hold your head and shoulders up really well. You also can get your legs under your butt and are so close crawling it seems. You just haven't figured out how to make it all work together yet.
A couple days ago you "dove" out of your swing while I was writing checks for bills. I still don't even know how you managed that. I looked at you one second, looked down the next, and heard BOOM, WAHHH!
While I was at work last night you fell asleep in your walker. Papa took a picture and it was soooo cute.
You smile so much and "talk" to us quite frequently.
Naps have been going better. We started letting you fuss a little bit before going back in to pat you and turn on your mobile and usually it only takes once if at all before you fall asleep.
At night, you usually go to sleep around 8:30. Sometimes you wake up at 11ish, sometimes you sleep until 3-4. A couple of weeks ago you slept 8:30-6:30 two nights in a row! That was amazing. I've started just bringing you into the big bed with us when you wake up. I am much more comfortable cosleeping than I used to be.
You are still a boobie baby and going strong. We have an appointment in a few days so hopefully we'll get your weight and such then.
You're wearing mostly 3-6 month sleepers, 0-3 or 3-6 month onesies and pants.
I just love you so much I can hardly stand it!
Mommy going back to work hasn't made you too sad, it seems. I miss you a whole lot though. Your auntie Brandi watched you for 8ish hours one Sunday while your Papa and I went with your Grandma Bielenberg and Darren on their boat. You did well, although she said you were a little whiney. Other than that, no one has babysat for more than 4 hours when Grandma Karen did back in July.
You are not hating tummy time nearly so much anymore, and you're able to hold your head and shoulders up really well. You also can get your legs under your butt and are so close crawling it seems. You just haven't figured out how to make it all work together yet.
A couple days ago you "dove" out of your swing while I was writing checks for bills. I still don't even know how you managed that. I looked at you one second, looked down the next, and heard BOOM, WAHHH!
While I was at work last night you fell asleep in your walker. Papa took a picture and it was soooo cute.
You smile so much and "talk" to us quite frequently.
Naps have been going better. We started letting you fuss a little bit before going back in to pat you and turn on your mobile and usually it only takes once if at all before you fall asleep.
At night, you usually go to sleep around 8:30. Sometimes you wake up at 11ish, sometimes you sleep until 3-4. A couple of weeks ago you slept 8:30-6:30 two nights in a row! That was amazing. I've started just bringing you into the big bed with us when you wake up. I am much more comfortable cosleeping than I used to be.
You are still a boobie baby and going strong. We have an appointment in a few days so hopefully we'll get your weight and such then.
You're wearing mostly 3-6 month sleepers, 0-3 or 3-6 month onesies and pants.
I just love you so much I can hardly stand it!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Nook Color
My mom bought a Nook Color this past week. I absolutely am in love with the thing already. The ability to obtain any book I want at any time is awesome. It's just like magic! Hehe. I never thought I would want an E-reader. Ever. I love the smell of an old paperback book, and I still do, but the sheer convenience outways my love (at least, at this point in time). I hadn't read a novel since giving birth (which was 12 weeks ago tomorrow!), and so far I've finished one in 3 days. I read while I'm feeding baby boy, while I'm lying in bed (probably feeding baby boy), while I'm pumping (to feed baby boy while I'm at work)... Do you see why I hadn't had time to go get a book?
I adore the backlight feature. Once of the other reasons I hadn't been reading is that a lot of the time that I'd like to read, I really didn't want to have the light on. Reasons being: sometimes the baby is in our room, sometimes AJ is watching a show on TV, and sometimes I am just too damn beat to have to get back up to switch the light off when I'm ready to fall asleep. I literally fell asleep the other night while reading. It was awesome. I woke up to AJ pulling it from my palms... It reminded me of "you'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands" :).
So far I've read 1st to Die by James Patterson, and I'm a couple of chapters into 2nd Chance. They're both part of the Women's Murder Club series of his, and I like it so far. My favorite books are murder-mysteries, especially ones that have some steamy interludes, if you know what I'm saying. I enjoy the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, but after the 15th one or so, they all seem to have pretty much the exact same story line. I'm open to any suggestions!
I adore the backlight feature. Once of the other reasons I hadn't been reading is that a lot of the time that I'd like to read, I really didn't want to have the light on. Reasons being: sometimes the baby is in our room, sometimes AJ is watching a show on TV, and sometimes I am just too damn beat to have to get back up to switch the light off when I'm ready to fall asleep. I literally fell asleep the other night while reading. It was awesome. I woke up to AJ pulling it from my palms... It reminded me of "you'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands" :).
So far I've read 1st to Die by James Patterson, and I'm a couple of chapters into 2nd Chance. They're both part of the Women's Murder Club series of his, and I like it so far. My favorite books are murder-mysteries, especially ones that have some steamy interludes, if you know what I'm saying. I enjoy the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, but after the 15th one or so, they all seem to have pretty much the exact same story line. I'm open to any suggestions!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Things I've been meaning to do... September
September is almost half over so I am not going to make this too long in hopes that I will actually get these done... I am SUCH a procrastinator.
- Call to get this medical bill I have sorted out. I think there was a mess up with my insurance, but I need to call and see if it is or if I need to pay it.
- Fold/ hang up every load of laundry I do right after it's dry so we don't have 3-4 baskets of clean clothes sitting unfolded in our bedroom.
- Get a few more pages of Max's first scrapbook done.
- Update the baby book!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Breastfeeding
Easy parts:
- It's cheap. Like zero dollars. Enough said
- It is (after the initial phase) so easy. Guess who never had to leave her bedroom if she didn't want to when baby boy woke up (and again, and again) in the middle of the night? This girl.
- Another point, it burns like 500 extra calories a day. Hot dang.
- Lastly, my favorite perk, breastfeeding my son created a bond that I never want to give up. I can't even describe the way my heart melts when those little beautiful blue eyes gaze up at me and then when he gets so tired and milk-drunk that he simply cannot keep his eyes open any longer. I could stare at him for.ev.er.
- It sucks at first. It(or he) sucks a LOT at first. That baby boy ate and ate and ate the first few weeks. When he was about 2 weeks old my nipples were so sore, but they eventually toughened. Someone told me to every time ask myself if I could make it through one more feed, and I did. It was definitely better by the time he was a month old.
- Clogged ducts are no fun. I had one when he was a few weeks old after I went like 6 hours without pumping one night when I was at clinical. It certainly did not help my sore nipple problem and feeding on the affected side was nightmarish and I remember actually crying once. Thankfully after massaging and massaging during hot showers for a few days it cleared up. Clogged ducts can lead to mastitis.
- You might feel tied down to the baby. I know I did a bit, not because I necessarily wanted to go anywhere, but because feeling like I couldn't go anywhere made me crazy. I have never been one for staying at home all day every day for more than a couple days. Having a pump and building a freezer stash is really a lifesaver. It was really awesome to be able to get away for an hour or two, even if it was just to get groceries. A note, though: even if your baby eating pumped milk, your boobs will still produce milk. I have gone 6 hours before without feeding or pumping, and by that time I am engorged, leaking, and sore. Be sure to bring your pump, or learn how to hand express (I haven't tried that yet).
- Getting the hang of and becoming comfortable breastfeeding in public takes a bit (or at least it did for me), but it is awesome. You barely have to pause what you're doing to get the babe to latch on. Nursing tank tops rock. I only have one, but it's a lot easier (for me) to unsnap part of it instead of plopping my boob out overtop.
When I was pregnant, I set a tentative goal of breastfeeding for 6 months. There were many times in those first days that I thought that I wouldn't make it; wouldn't even make it one more day. Now, 6 months is shorter on the spectrum than I'd like. Having support is infinitely important when something is so new and so completely different than anything I'd ever experienced before. My family and friends encouraged me, and while that was completely wonderful, no one really close had a lot of expertise on the subject. My online friend added me to a face.book group for breastfeeding mothers, where new (and old) moms can ask questions about their problems. I have only asked a couple questions, but reading everyone else's concerns helped a lot, too. Knowing that I was not the only one to have issues relieved me. Usually everyone comments positively with suggestions; but even an, "Oh, man, I've been there," alleviated my stress. Now, I even have some suggestions on others' concerns, which is awesome.
These are my breastfeeding experiences. No mom is the same as another, just like no baby is the same as another. For some moms/babies, formula is the best option, though I have never met a mother that wished she hadn't tried breastfeeding her baby.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Baby boy has huge noggin... 2 month stats
Birth(6/27/11): 9 pounds 0.4 ounces, 21 1/4 inches, 14 1/4 inch head circumference
1 day old (6/28): 8 pounds 10.8 ounces
2 days old (6/29): 8 pounds 5 ounces
3 days old (6/30): 8 pounds 6 1/4 ounces, 20 3/4 inches
2 weeks 1 day (7/12): 9 pounds 1 1/2 ounces, 21 1/4 inches
2 months (9w4d on 9/2): 11 pounds 14 ounces (50%), 23 5/8 inches (75%), 15 3/4 inch head circumference (40%)
1 day old (6/28): 8 pounds 10.8 ounces
2 days old (6/29): 8 pounds 5 ounces
3 days old (6/30): 8 pounds 6 1/4 ounces, 20 3/4 inches
2 weeks 1 day (7/12): 9 pounds 1 1/2 ounces, 21 1/4 inches
2 months (9w4d on 9/2): 11 pounds 14 ounces (50%), 23 5/8 inches (75%), 15 3/4 inch head circumference (40%)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
5 Best Baby Items: 2 month edition
A lot of blogs that I follow have been posting about what they think the best baby items are. I think I will jump on the bandwagon, because as I agree with some items, others weren't as big of deal for us. These won't be in any order.
1. A quality breastpump. This is invaluable in my opinion. It helped my disposition to be able to leave for an hour or two of alone time, even if it was just to go get groceries. I can honestly say that if the pump and I wouldn't have had such a good relationship, babyboy would have become a formula fed baby rather quickly. And now that I've gone back to work, I appreciate it even more.
2. A bassinet. Babyboy slept in his bassinet all of the time when he was a newborn since he would wake so often to eat. Sleep was so precious in those early days, so it was fantastic to not have to get up and go get him. Now, he starts out in his crib in his room so we don't wake him when we go to bed, and then Papa or I bring him to the bassinet the first time he wakes. The one we have folds up and is on incline, so that is nice too.
3. A rocking chair. We have this in our room and I couldn't love it more. I sit and watch Netf.lix while I feed babyboy or while I pump. It is so nice to have somewhat designated spot for pumping and middle of the night feeds.
4. A changing table. This is something we don't have that I WISH we would have gotten. I just saw a lot of our friends/family always changing their babies on a blanket plopped down wherever they were, but it is so nice to have everything all in one spot and not strewn about everywhere. We really don't have the space for it, though. Right now we change babyboy in his crib. I am thinking we might get a changing pad for on top of the dresser for when we have to move the crib to a lower setting.
5. Long sleeve sleepers. Our son HATES blankets. He also hated being swaddled since he sleeps with his arms up by his face the majority of the time. He would wake up with his little tootsies feeling cold, so we have him in long sleeve sleepers every night.
1. A quality breastpump. This is invaluable in my opinion. It helped my disposition to be able to leave for an hour or two of alone time, even if it was just to go get groceries. I can honestly say that if the pump and I wouldn't have had such a good relationship, babyboy would have become a formula fed baby rather quickly. And now that I've gone back to work, I appreciate it even more.
2. A bassinet. Babyboy slept in his bassinet all of the time when he was a newborn since he would wake so often to eat. Sleep was so precious in those early days, so it was fantastic to not have to get up and go get him. Now, he starts out in his crib in his room so we don't wake him when we go to bed, and then Papa or I bring him to the bassinet the first time he wakes. The one we have folds up and is on incline, so that is nice too.
3. A rocking chair. We have this in our room and I couldn't love it more. I sit and watch Netf.lix while I feed babyboy or while I pump. It is so nice to have somewhat designated spot for pumping and middle of the night feeds.
4. A changing table. This is something we don't have that I WISH we would have gotten. I just saw a lot of our friends/family always changing their babies on a blanket plopped down wherever they were, but it is so nice to have everything all in one spot and not strewn about everywhere. We really don't have the space for it, though. Right now we change babyboy in his crib. I am thinking we might get a changing pad for on top of the dresser for when we have to move the crib to a lower setting.
5. Long sleeve sleepers. Our son HATES blankets. He also hated being swaddled since he sleeps with his arms up by his face the majority of the time. He would wake up with his little tootsies feeling cold, so we have him in long sleeve sleepers every night.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
2 months!
2 months?! Where has the time gone? I go back to work Monday and am pretty sad about it. Your 2 month doctor appointment is on Tuesday so I will update stats at that time.
You rolled over from your tummy to back on July 30th at 1 month and 3 days old! We were at Gramma's and Gramma and I were sitting and watching you and we couldn't believe what we saw! You did it once again about 2 weeks later and Papa got to see you that time.
You are smiling so much these days. Big sis can always get you to smile, it seems. She really loves holding you and taking care of you.
We are still nursing and I think it is safe to say we both love it. I would like to continue until you are at least 6 months, but am slightly worried because you seem to eat so much so quickly when I am gone. I need to have a talk with Papa about that. You rarely will take a pacifier, and sometimes I think you appear hungry when you just want something to suck on.
You usually are ready for bed at about 8 or shortly after. The past 3-4 nights I have been holding you for about 15 minutes after you are done nursing as you sleep because that is usually when you stir. This seems to be working so far, as 2 nights ago when we did this you slept from 8PM-5AM straight. You had been waking up 10 minutes after I put you down and/or at 11PM. You always wake up at approximately 4AM, though when you hadn't slept straight through it's usually more towards 3AM. I usually put you in your crib at bedtime then bring you into the bassinet the first time you wake up. Occasionally, I will bring you into the big bed when you wake at 6 or 7 to try to sneak in another hour or two of sleep. Other times we come out into the living room and end up napping in the recliner.
This month you met your great-great aunts Neda, Charline, Maxine, and Catherine; your great-great uncle Owen; and your great uncle Kenneth. You traveled out of state for the first time to Rock Island, Illinois on August 13th.
You seem to be chunking up a bit more, hehe. Your little thighs each have a roll on them now-adorable! You are completely grown out of newborn sized clothes now. You are about to be too big for 0-3 month sleepers as well. You still fit in 0-3 month onesies and pants, though definitely not for too much longer.
I think you are the cutest thing ever known to man. Your eyelashes have gotten much longer and frame your big blue eyes so perfectly. I never could have fathomed how much I would love you. I even find you adorable when you cry. On one hand, I wish you would stay my baby boy forever, but on the other I can't wait to see you grow and become your own little person.
I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.
You rolled over from your tummy to back on July 30th at 1 month and 3 days old! We were at Gramma's and Gramma and I were sitting and watching you and we couldn't believe what we saw! You did it once again about 2 weeks later and Papa got to see you that time.
You are smiling so much these days. Big sis can always get you to smile, it seems. She really loves holding you and taking care of you.
We are still nursing and I think it is safe to say we both love it. I would like to continue until you are at least 6 months, but am slightly worried because you seem to eat so much so quickly when I am gone. I need to have a talk with Papa about that. You rarely will take a pacifier, and sometimes I think you appear hungry when you just want something to suck on.
You usually are ready for bed at about 8 or shortly after. The past 3-4 nights I have been holding you for about 15 minutes after you are done nursing as you sleep because that is usually when you stir. This seems to be working so far, as 2 nights ago when we did this you slept from 8PM-5AM straight. You had been waking up 10 minutes after I put you down and/or at 11PM. You always wake up at approximately 4AM, though when you hadn't slept straight through it's usually more towards 3AM. I usually put you in your crib at bedtime then bring you into the bassinet the first time you wake up. Occasionally, I will bring you into the big bed when you wake at 6 or 7 to try to sneak in another hour or two of sleep. Other times we come out into the living room and end up napping in the recliner.
This month you met your great-great aunts Neda, Charline, Maxine, and Catherine; your great-great uncle Owen; and your great uncle Kenneth. You traveled out of state for the first time to Rock Island, Illinois on August 13th.
You seem to be chunking up a bit more, hehe. Your little thighs each have a roll on them now-adorable! You are completely grown out of newborn sized clothes now. You are about to be too big for 0-3 month sleepers as well. You still fit in 0-3 month onesies and pants, though definitely not for too much longer.
I think you are the cutest thing ever known to man. Your eyelashes have gotten much longer and frame your big blue eyes so perfectly. I never could have fathomed how much I would love you. I even find you adorable when you cry. On one hand, I wish you would stay my baby boy forever, but on the other I can't wait to see you grow and become your own little person.
I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Maximilian Charles' birth story
Maximilian Charles Joel was born at 6:20 AM on June 27, 2011. He was 9 pounds, 0.4 ounces and 21.25 inches long at birth.
On Saturday 6/25 I began noticing a lot of discharge that I assumed was my mucus plug. Later that evening when I wiped I saw a bit of a pink tint. I think this may have been a bit of "bloody show," so I began to get excited that labor might be about to begin. At about 2 AM on Sunday 6/26 I started having contractions. AJ was at work and Halley was asleep in her room so I just tried to relax. They weren't really painful at this point and mainly just felt like period cramps every 15 minutes or so. I finally fell asleep at about 4 until 6AM and then again 8-10AM. I got up and took a shower to shave in preparation of possibly going to the hospital soon. Then, I texted AJ's sister Brandi to ask what contractions felt like. She said they felt like a warm tightening. That wasn't really what I was feeling at this point so I kept waiting. I had a bit of diarrhea so I began to question whether the cramping was related to that or to labor.
I timed them and they were pretty consistently coming at 7 minutes apart and lasting about 30 seconds so I really started to think that this was it. AJ took Halley fishing and left me in peace to work through contractions with strict instructions to call if something happened. I mostly lay in bed and just attempted to stay rested. Brandi had told my mother-in-law that something was up so she was texting every couple hours and so was my mom. They both live about 2.5 hours away so were very anxious to get "The Call" to head up. I fell asleep from 2-3PM so that was nice. AJ dropped Halley off at her mom's and got home at about 5. He lay in bed with me and we timed them for a while. At this point they were coming every 3-5 minutes and I was definitely having to breathe through them. I took a bath and it didn't help too much. At 6:15 I decided to call the midwives. We didn't think it was time to go in yet, but we didn't know how long we should wait to call and didn't want to wait until the middle of the night to give her a heads up that something was going on. It seemed to take forever for Sandy to call me back. We finally got the call at 6:45ish. She said that I sounded too comfortable to go in and that the fact that we didn't know if it was time yet meant that it wasn't time. She said to try to rest and stay hydrated and eat lightly and to call her back when we thought it was time. After we talked to Sandy, AJ suggested that we go for a walk down the block. I agreed, hoping that it would take my mind off of the contractions. Walking didn't really help, but didn't seem to be awful, either. After we got home, again I went into bed and lay down. From then until about midnight I spent trying to stay comfortable in bed. The pain was getting pretty intense, almost all of it was in my back, not in my stomach. I tried so hard to fall asleep, but it was a lost cause. AJ would come in and lie with me off and on and time them for me. He tried to be supportive, but I pretty much was in my own zone and wanted mostly to be left alone. I started to roll over onto my hands and knees during each contraction, as that was the only way I got at least a tiny bit of relief. I also began vocalizing during contractions.
I began to think it was close to being time to go to the hospital. I decided to take a shower and we agreed that we would call Sandy again after I got out. During the shower, my contractions got simply awful. Later, it was suggested that the water hitting my nipples released more oxytocin (the hormone that causes contractions). I think I started to cry while in the shower. I again called Sandy and told her it was time to go to the hospital. She said she would call and let the OB unit know and she would be on her way as well. AJ grabbed our bags and we both tried to think of anything else we wanted to take with us. Sitting in the car sucked even though we only have a 5 minute drive.
When we got to the hospital we parked and left the bags in the car just in case we were to get sent back home. I really really hoped that I was dilated at least some because it would've totally frustrated me because it seemed like I had been through so much already. We registered at the admissions desk at about 1:30AM. I didn't like having to stand still while we went through the demographic questions. The admissions lady recognized me and asked if I wanted someone to walk us up to the OB unit. I declined. AJ and I headed upstairs.
When we reached the unit at was about 1:40, we were placed in a triage room. I changed into a gown and sat on the cart while we waited for the nurse, because lying felt not so good at this point. The nurse came in and checked me. I was at 5-6 centimeters dilated and 100% effaced with a bulging bag of waters. She put a contraction monitor and an external fetal heartrate monitor on me for about 20 minutes until we transferred into our L&D room, room 362. Sandy got there as we were walking to the room. I sat in the rocking chair while Sandy talked with us and the nurse asked me admission questions. After this, Kristen the CNM student got there. They asked if I wanted to take a bath and I was completely for it. It felt pretty good. I didn't like the jets on though, it felt better to just sit in the still water. Kristen sat with me in the bathroom while Sandy and the nurse were in the main room talking. Kristen was a huge help in distracting me when I wasn't having contractions. She has just the right tone and volume of speaking that was very calming. AJ went to get our bags and when he got back he could tell that the talking in the other room was disrupting my focus and he asked Kristen to ask them if they could speak more quietly. She did and after that it was much easier to concentrate on getting through the contractions.
Since I wasn't being continuously monitored, the nurse had to dopple me and check my vitals every half hour. After she did this I decided to get out of the tub and try something different. I decided to sit in the rocking chair for a bit. This was slightly comfortable if I leaned forward onto my arms during them. I think I they asked to check me again during this time period so I lay down. I was at a 7-8 at sometime around 3:30 I believe. Then they asked if I wanted to do knee-chest position as they could lower the bottom part of the bed so I could kneel and lean on the bed. I agreed and I liked this position, although my arms got tired because I would lean on them during contractions. I stayed there for a while and then they asked if I wanted to try the birth ball. I agreed. I did not like this position. I think I might have liked it better if it wasn't so low, I didn't have the leverage I needed or something. I tried it for a few contractions and would stand up during and then sit and rock/sway during. It wasn't really feeling too great. I went into the bathroom and leaned on my hands on the vanity for a few contractions until I decided to get into the tub again. At this point the contractions were next to unbearable. I think I jokingly asked for something for pain since I knew it was unlikely they could give me anything since I was so far. I might have been crying or screaming at this point, I couldn't really tell. They thought I was beginning to transition because I started saying I couldn't do it and also began to shiver.
They had me get back into bed and checked me once more. I was at 9. I assume this was sometime around 5 or maybe a little after although I am not sure. My bag of waters had still not broken and they decided to break it. That felt pretty awful. I just remember a big gush. They then asked if I wanted to try to push past the "lip" of cervix. I wasn't sure but they said it would probably feel relieving so I agreed. After I pushed a couple times apparently Sandy noticed that baby's heartrate was having decelerations so she told me not to push anymore. Also, the external monitor was not reading the HR very well so they kept messing with that and put a nonrebreather oxygen mask on me. She informed me that she was calling the OB on call (Dr. Moussa). She said that we might need to use the vacuum. This was right about the time that I felt like I NEEDED to push. Not pushing was the worst feeling I've ever had.
Dr. Moussa got there shortly after. The first thing she did was to insert an internal monitor. That hurt. A lot. Then she said I could push. AJ said he could see baby's hair. I'm not sure how many times I pushed, but Sandy and Dr. Moussa had me stop. I was freaking out at this point, not because I realized anything was wrong, but because not pushing was next to impossible. Dr. Moussa came up by the head of the bed and explained that he was not down low enough into my pelvis to use the vacuum, but since he was distressing we needed to get him out now- via cesarean. She then explained what a c-section was in order to get my informed consent. I wanted to punch her in the face because I knew what a c-section was and she was distracting me from putting all of my energy into not pushing.
I didn't understand how dangerously low baby's heart rate was going. Then as I was screaming that I had to push, AJ told me that I had to stop and the look on his face said it all. He does not scare easily and he looked terrified. I really started to worry. Up until then, it never even crossed my mind that something could actually go wrong and that my baby could be harmed. It was so hard not to push... I know I've said that a lot, but really, I can't stress it enough.
Next, Dr. Moussa had the nurses call the anesthesiologist. One nurse gave me a shot in the back of my arm that was supposed to stop the contractions. A few other nurses scrambled to unplug my bed and the oxygen and began running it down the hall. Since this was an emergency c-section, AJ was not able to come with me past the OR door. As this was happening, a "Code Section" was called overhead. I have worked at the hospital for 2.5 years and I've never heard this type of code called. Basically, on a Sunday night/Monday morning at 6 AM, all of the normal c-section team are not there. AJ's mom and my mom, aunt, and grandma were in the waiting room and said a bunch of people ran by, including respiratory therapists and a few floor nurses. I guess a chaplain came (they come to any type of code) and that really scared them.
Back in the OR it seemed like everyone was running around, busy doing something. I was moved from my bed onto the table. Lying on that damn table was awful, as the contraction stopping medication had not kicked in yet. A foley catheter was inserted. Waiting for the anesthesiologist seemed to take forever, even though it was only about 15 minutes. Thank God Kristen was there after she had gotten her mask, gloves, and gown on talking with me or I think I might have gone insane with worry. Also, right before the anesthesiologist arrived, Katie the other midwife came in and was also talking to me. I trusted her more than anyone so that was very soothing. She kept telling me how great it was going to be that I would meet my baby so very soon. Once the anesthesiologist got there, I remember waiting and waiting to fall asleep. He didn't even tell me when I was going to be going under lol. I guess it was like 4 minutes from when the anesthesiologist got there until Max was born. His APGARs were 8 and 9.
The next thing I knew, I was being wheeled back into my room where AJ, Paula (AJ's mom), Mom, Aunt Mary Ann, and Grandma were passing around baby Max. AJ recorded a video during this time and my Grandma said, "he's SOLID!" three or four times hehe. The nurse asked what his name was because AJ had told her to not write it on the board until I was back. She then asked me to spell it. I, in my half-anesthetized state, spelled M-A-X-I-L-I... Wait, that's not right... AJ, spell his name, please! :)
AJ asked if I wanted to hold him. I don't really remember holding him for the first time, which sucks. He seemed so tiny, though. The nurse told me I had to feed him, so I did. That felt bizarre. I thought he was so beautiful though, so content once I was holding him to my breast. It is hard to remember my emotions at that time, though, which is pretty much why I didn't want a c-section, but oh well, he was happy and healthy for sure.
Sandy (MW) stopped in the day we left the hospital to talk about what had happened. Apparently, baby boy had his umbilical cord wrapped around his wrist twice, and he was holding onto it. Also, it was bunched up by his shoulder. Sandy thought that when they broke my bag of waters that a lot of pressure was placed on the cord during contractions and that was why his heart rate keep decelerating. She said that if/when I decide to have another baby I'd be an excellent VBAC candidate, since it wasn't because he wasn't fitting or anything, just because of how the cord was. (Not that I'm even coming close to thinking about another possible baby yet!)
During our 3 day stay at the hospital Grandma Karen, Grandma Paula, Great Aunt Mary Ann, Great Grandma Bailey, Betsy, Sharon, Mallory, Kristen (midwife student), Jamie, Christine, Ernesa, Tim, Kim (boss), Sherri, Kayla, Sandy (midwife), and Katie (midwife) came to visit. I ate a lot of orange jello the first day because I couldn't have any real food. We were so excited to get to go home.
On Saturday 6/25 I began noticing a lot of discharge that I assumed was my mucus plug. Later that evening when I wiped I saw a bit of a pink tint. I think this may have been a bit of "bloody show," so I began to get excited that labor might be about to begin. At about 2 AM on Sunday 6/26 I started having contractions. AJ was at work and Halley was asleep in her room so I just tried to relax. They weren't really painful at this point and mainly just felt like period cramps every 15 minutes or so. I finally fell asleep at about 4 until 6AM and then again 8-10AM. I got up and took a shower to shave in preparation of possibly going to the hospital soon. Then, I texted AJ's sister Brandi to ask what contractions felt like. She said they felt like a warm tightening. That wasn't really what I was feeling at this point so I kept waiting. I had a bit of diarrhea so I began to question whether the cramping was related to that or to labor.
I timed them and they were pretty consistently coming at 7 minutes apart and lasting about 30 seconds so I really started to think that this was it. AJ took Halley fishing and left me in peace to work through contractions with strict instructions to call if something happened. I mostly lay in bed and just attempted to stay rested. Brandi had told my mother-in-law that something was up so she was texting every couple hours and so was my mom. They both live about 2.5 hours away so were very anxious to get "The Call" to head up. I fell asleep from 2-3PM so that was nice. AJ dropped Halley off at her mom's and got home at about 5. He lay in bed with me and we timed them for a while. At this point they were coming every 3-5 minutes and I was definitely having to breathe through them. I took a bath and it didn't help too much. At 6:15 I decided to call the midwives. We didn't think it was time to go in yet, but we didn't know how long we should wait to call and didn't want to wait until the middle of the night to give her a heads up that something was going on. It seemed to take forever for Sandy to call me back. We finally got the call at 6:45ish. She said that I sounded too comfortable to go in and that the fact that we didn't know if it was time yet meant that it wasn't time. She said to try to rest and stay hydrated and eat lightly and to call her back when we thought it was time. After we talked to Sandy, AJ suggested that we go for a walk down the block. I agreed, hoping that it would take my mind off of the contractions. Walking didn't really help, but didn't seem to be awful, either. After we got home, again I went into bed and lay down. From then until about midnight I spent trying to stay comfortable in bed. The pain was getting pretty intense, almost all of it was in my back, not in my stomach. I tried so hard to fall asleep, but it was a lost cause. AJ would come in and lie with me off and on and time them for me. He tried to be supportive, but I pretty much was in my own zone and wanted mostly to be left alone. I started to roll over onto my hands and knees during each contraction, as that was the only way I got at least a tiny bit of relief. I also began vocalizing during contractions.
I began to think it was close to being time to go to the hospital. I decided to take a shower and we agreed that we would call Sandy again after I got out. During the shower, my contractions got simply awful. Later, it was suggested that the water hitting my nipples released more oxytocin (the hormone that causes contractions). I think I started to cry while in the shower. I again called Sandy and told her it was time to go to the hospital. She said she would call and let the OB unit know and she would be on her way as well. AJ grabbed our bags and we both tried to think of anything else we wanted to take with us. Sitting in the car sucked even though we only have a 5 minute drive.
When we got to the hospital we parked and left the bags in the car just in case we were to get sent back home. I really really hoped that I was dilated at least some because it would've totally frustrated me because it seemed like I had been through so much already. We registered at the admissions desk at about 1:30AM. I didn't like having to stand still while we went through the demographic questions. The admissions lady recognized me and asked if I wanted someone to walk us up to the OB unit. I declined. AJ and I headed upstairs.
When we reached the unit at was about 1:40, we were placed in a triage room. I changed into a gown and sat on the cart while we waited for the nurse, because lying felt not so good at this point. The nurse came in and checked me. I was at 5-6 centimeters dilated and 100% effaced with a bulging bag of waters. She put a contraction monitor and an external fetal heartrate monitor on me for about 20 minutes until we transferred into our L&D room, room 362. Sandy got there as we were walking to the room. I sat in the rocking chair while Sandy talked with us and the nurse asked me admission questions. After this, Kristen the CNM student got there. They asked if I wanted to take a bath and I was completely for it. It felt pretty good. I didn't like the jets on though, it felt better to just sit in the still water. Kristen sat with me in the bathroom while Sandy and the nurse were in the main room talking. Kristen was a huge help in distracting me when I wasn't having contractions. She has just the right tone and volume of speaking that was very calming. AJ went to get our bags and when he got back he could tell that the talking in the other room was disrupting my focus and he asked Kristen to ask them if they could speak more quietly. She did and after that it was much easier to concentrate on getting through the contractions.
Since I wasn't being continuously monitored, the nurse had to dopple me and check my vitals every half hour. After she did this I decided to get out of the tub and try something different. I decided to sit in the rocking chair for a bit. This was slightly comfortable if I leaned forward onto my arms during them. I think I they asked to check me again during this time period so I lay down. I was at a 7-8 at sometime around 3:30 I believe. Then they asked if I wanted to do knee-chest position as they could lower the bottom part of the bed so I could kneel and lean on the bed. I agreed and I liked this position, although my arms got tired because I would lean on them during contractions. I stayed there for a while and then they asked if I wanted to try the birth ball. I agreed. I did not like this position. I think I might have liked it better if it wasn't so low, I didn't have the leverage I needed or something. I tried it for a few contractions and would stand up during and then sit and rock/sway during. It wasn't really feeling too great. I went into the bathroom and leaned on my hands on the vanity for a few contractions until I decided to get into the tub again. At this point the contractions were next to unbearable. I think I jokingly asked for something for pain since I knew it was unlikely they could give me anything since I was so far. I might have been crying or screaming at this point, I couldn't really tell. They thought I was beginning to transition because I started saying I couldn't do it and also began to shiver.
They had me get back into bed and checked me once more. I was at 9. I assume this was sometime around 5 or maybe a little after although I am not sure. My bag of waters had still not broken and they decided to break it. That felt pretty awful. I just remember a big gush. They then asked if I wanted to try to push past the "lip" of cervix. I wasn't sure but they said it would probably feel relieving so I agreed. After I pushed a couple times apparently Sandy noticed that baby's heartrate was having decelerations so she told me not to push anymore. Also, the external monitor was not reading the HR very well so they kept messing with that and put a nonrebreather oxygen mask on me. She informed me that she was calling the OB on call (Dr. Moussa). She said that we might need to use the vacuum. This was right about the time that I felt like I NEEDED to push. Not pushing was the worst feeling I've ever had.
Dr. Moussa got there shortly after. The first thing she did was to insert an internal monitor. That hurt. A lot. Then she said I could push. AJ said he could see baby's hair. I'm not sure how many times I pushed, but Sandy and Dr. Moussa had me stop. I was freaking out at this point, not because I realized anything was wrong, but because not pushing was next to impossible. Dr. Moussa came up by the head of the bed and explained that he was not down low enough into my pelvis to use the vacuum, but since he was distressing we needed to get him out now- via cesarean. She then explained what a c-section was in order to get my informed consent. I wanted to punch her in the face because I knew what a c-section was and she was distracting me from putting all of my energy into not pushing.
I didn't understand how dangerously low baby's heart rate was going. Then as I was screaming that I had to push, AJ told me that I had to stop and the look on his face said it all. He does not scare easily and he looked terrified. I really started to worry. Up until then, it never even crossed my mind that something could actually go wrong and that my baby could be harmed. It was so hard not to push... I know I've said that a lot, but really, I can't stress it enough.
Next, Dr. Moussa had the nurses call the anesthesiologist. One nurse gave me a shot in the back of my arm that was supposed to stop the contractions. A few other nurses scrambled to unplug my bed and the oxygen and began running it down the hall. Since this was an emergency c-section, AJ was not able to come with me past the OR door. As this was happening, a "Code Section" was called overhead. I have worked at the hospital for 2.5 years and I've never heard this type of code called. Basically, on a Sunday night/Monday morning at 6 AM, all of the normal c-section team are not there. AJ's mom and my mom, aunt, and grandma were in the waiting room and said a bunch of people ran by, including respiratory therapists and a few floor nurses. I guess a chaplain came (they come to any type of code) and that really scared them.
Back in the OR it seemed like everyone was running around, busy doing something. I was moved from my bed onto the table. Lying on that damn table was awful, as the contraction stopping medication had not kicked in yet. A foley catheter was inserted. Waiting for the anesthesiologist seemed to take forever, even though it was only about 15 minutes. Thank God Kristen was there after she had gotten her mask, gloves, and gown on talking with me or I think I might have gone insane with worry. Also, right before the anesthesiologist arrived, Katie the other midwife came in and was also talking to me. I trusted her more than anyone so that was very soothing. She kept telling me how great it was going to be that I would meet my baby so very soon. Once the anesthesiologist got there, I remember waiting and waiting to fall asleep. He didn't even tell me when I was going to be going under lol. I guess it was like 4 minutes from when the anesthesiologist got there until Max was born. His APGARs were 8 and 9.
The next thing I knew, I was being wheeled back into my room where AJ, Paula (AJ's mom), Mom, Aunt Mary Ann, and Grandma were passing around baby Max. AJ recorded a video during this time and my Grandma said, "he's SOLID!" three or four times hehe. The nurse asked what his name was because AJ had told her to not write it on the board until I was back. She then asked me to spell it. I, in my half-anesthetized state, spelled M-A-X-I-L-I... Wait, that's not right... AJ, spell his name, please! :)
AJ asked if I wanted to hold him. I don't really remember holding him for the first time, which sucks. He seemed so tiny, though. The nurse told me I had to feed him, so I did. That felt bizarre. I thought he was so beautiful though, so content once I was holding him to my breast. It is hard to remember my emotions at that time, though, which is pretty much why I didn't want a c-section, but oh well, he was happy and healthy for sure.
Sandy (MW) stopped in the day we left the hospital to talk about what had happened. Apparently, baby boy had his umbilical cord wrapped around his wrist twice, and he was holding onto it. Also, it was bunched up by his shoulder. Sandy thought that when they broke my bag of waters that a lot of pressure was placed on the cord during contractions and that was why his heart rate keep decelerating. She said that if/when I decide to have another baby I'd be an excellent VBAC candidate, since it wasn't because he wasn't fitting or anything, just because of how the cord was. (Not that I'm even coming close to thinking about another possible baby yet!)
During our 3 day stay at the hospital Grandma Karen, Grandma Paula, Great Aunt Mary Ann, Great Grandma Bailey, Betsy, Sharon, Mallory, Kristen (midwife student), Jamie, Christine, Ernesa, Tim, Kim (boss), Sherri, Kayla, Sandy (midwife), and Katie (midwife) came to visit. I ate a lot of orange jello the first day because I couldn't have any real food. We were so excited to get to go home.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
One month!
I can't believe my baby boy is a month old. It totally seems not long ago, but also forever ago that we were meeting you for the first time. This month has been filled with joy as we watch you grow. You already are grown out of some of the newborn sleepers and onesies, lengthwise more than width. Your cheeks have gotten pretty chubby, but they don't seem as relatively chubby as when you were born. I am going to try to go to the breastfeeding support group at the hospital on Friday as I am very curious how much you weigh right now.
You are really good at holding your head up and can support it yourself for about 15 seconds before you start wobbling. You are still nursing and I think it's still going really well. Another thing that's improved a lot is your eye function it seems. I think you actually look at us on purpose and can even see us!
I want you to be my tiny little baby forever. I love sitting with you in my arms either with you looking back up at me or watching you sleep. When you are falling asleep you do this thing where it seems like you're having a good dream because you smile every few seconds. It is the most adorable thing ever. Your little chin quivers when you cry, and I also think this is adorable. Your dad says my chin does the same thing when I cry. You love to be held and sometimes you wake up when I try to put you in your crib or bassinet.
I am going to try to schedule you for one month pictures for tomorrow.
You are really good at holding your head up and can support it yourself for about 15 seconds before you start wobbling. You are still nursing and I think it's still going really well. Another thing that's improved a lot is your eye function it seems. I think you actually look at us on purpose and can even see us!
I want you to be my tiny little baby forever. I love sitting with you in my arms either with you looking back up at me or watching you sleep. When you are falling asleep you do this thing where it seems like you're having a good dream because you smile every few seconds. It is the most adorable thing ever. Your little chin quivers when you cry, and I also think this is adorable. Your dad says my chin does the same thing when I cry. You love to be held and sometimes you wake up when I try to put you in your crib or bassinet.
I am going to try to schedule you for one month pictures for tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Weight and Length
Birth(6/27/11): 9 pounds 0.4 ounces, 21 1/4 inches
1 day old (6/28): 8 pounds 10.8 ounces
2 days old (6/29): 8 pounds 5 ounces
3 days old (6/30): 8 pounds 6 1/4 ounces, 20 3/4 inches
2 weeks 1 day (7/12): 9 pounds 1 1/2 ounces, 21 1/4 inches
1 day old (6/28): 8 pounds 10.8 ounces
2 days old (6/29): 8 pounds 5 ounces
3 days old (6/30): 8 pounds 6 1/4 ounces, 20 3/4 inches
2 weeks 1 day (7/12): 9 pounds 1 1/2 ounces, 21 1/4 inches
Friday, March 25, 2011
27w2d
We are at 27 weeks 2 days already! I am starting to get nervous as we have less than three months left until your due date.
We have your crib set up in Halley and your room. Your grandma Paula is getting us your mattress and so we should have that soon. Your great Aunt Mary Ann got your crib bedding but it is at her house until we have a chance to get it from her. Also, we are getting a dresser from Great Gramma and a glider rocker from Gramma Karen that she has in storage. Your Auntie Brandi has offered to buy us your car seat and stroller so we are very grateful for that.
I am not sure what we need yet. Obviously clothes, but I am planning on buying a lot at garage sales and waiting until after my baby shower to see what we will still need. Becca from work is throwing us a baby shower for my work friends and I am so excited to hang out with everyone outside of work.
We have your crib set up in Halley and your room. Your grandma Paula is getting us your mattress and so we should have that soon. Your great Aunt Mary Ann got your crib bedding but it is at her house until we have a chance to get it from her. Also, we are getting a dresser from Great Gramma and a glider rocker from Gramma Karen that she has in storage. Your Auntie Brandi has offered to buy us your car seat and stroller so we are very grateful for that.
I am not sure what we need yet. Obviously clothes, but I am planning on buying a lot at garage sales and waiting until after my baby shower to see what we will still need. Becca from work is throwing us a baby shower for my work friends and I am so excited to hang out with everyone outside of work.
Monday, February 28, 2011
23w5d
Yep, I'm 23 weeks and 5 days pregnant! According to "The Bump" you are roughly the size of a papaya. We found out several weeks ago that you are a boy! And at the ultrasound they guessed you were about a pound in weight. Ahh! I felt you move for the first time on Valentine's Day. I was standing at clinical at Covenant and leaning my belly against this fold-down table thing and I couldn't figure out what the heck it was. Then, it dawned on me! I don't even know how to describe the first time I felt it. Since then, I have been able to feel you with increased intensity. Usually I feel it a lot midmorning and later at night. Your dad was able to feel you move from outside my tummy on 2/25 I believe it was. Sometimes when I feel you move I feel like I am getting seasick. It feels like my stomach is flip-flopping. It is the weirdest thing. All in all, I love being pregnant with you. I love when I forget and then you start to move and for a second I freak out until I remember it's just my baby boy wiggling around in there.
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