Three Weeks

I can't believe I am only posting on a weekly basis. It seems so difficult to find the time (and peace and quiet) to complete an entire post.

Have I mentioned in any past posts how much you are eating? I am sure I have, but I will do so again. Mostly because that is all that is on my mind. When is he going to want to eat again. Do I have long enough to ____ (fill in blank with any random task here).

The list of tasks that are unfinished is ridiculous. I am barely getting out to do anything because I feel like the house needs to be in perfect condition before I can justify doing anything else. And I am starting to get this unsettling feeling that the house is never going to be perfect and that I am wasting away my maternity leave trying. I just need to get a maid already. Think we can find any volunteers?

You are awake so much these days. And when I say awake, I mean your gorgeous eyes are wide open! I love actually seeing you when you are eating. And you hold my hand. It is the most amazing feeling. Oh, but the best is when you smile!!! I am sure it isn't intentional yet, but you have the happiest, sweetest little smile and I just cannot wait to catch it on camera.

This past Sunday you went to the nursery during Sunday School so that I could help Daddy with the lesson. Luckily we made it through the story before I was paged to come and feed you! And you ate so much that I thought SURELY you would be content through service. Yeah right!! I was again rushing to the mother's room to feed you and watching service on the TV! It seemed like everyone in the nursery wanted to hold you and others that are in different rooms were sad to find out that you weren't in their room so they could hold you.

You really are so precious to hold. I find myself hugging and kissing on you non-stop. I just want to cuddle you and keep you like you are now a little longer. I know it will all be over before I am ready and it saddens me when I remember that...

Last night I almost broke down and gave you formula. I don't know if I was just extra sleepy or if you had really just eaten so much that I wanted a break, but it was about 3 in the morning and I didn't think I could take anymore. And I know that formula is more filling and would help you sleep more than one or two hours. And we have it on hand from the hospital and the free samples they mail. But you finally feel asleep right about the time I was crying to Daddy that I didn't know what to do, and when you woke up at 5ish, I was fine again.

Some nights are great, and some nights you seem to want to eat more frequently than I am prepared for. I don't know if I have mentioned this in a while, but I really (I MEAN REALLY) like to sleep. But for the most part, we are getting through just fine! I just hope your eating regulates by the time I go back to work. Otherwise that will be very difficult.

You stayed with a "sitter" for the first time this past weekend. If you can call Noni a sitter! It was Mommy and Daddy's five year anniversary. I think that I probably drove Daddy crazy because after about an hour away, all I wanted to talk about was my babies! Of course, it didn't help that anytime I think or talk about you, my chest starts to get a little sore because it figures you are probably ready to eat.

I wish I had an update on your height weight, but our next appointment isn't until May 18! Maybe I will try to weigh you with me on my scale... just for our records.

Here are a couple more pictures!!

This one was actually two weeks, look at that blond hair!

Your first outdoor outing, the Outdoor Learning Center

Hanging out at an Easter playdate... this was about all you did (besides eat)

Three weeks old

Two Weeks

How do I slow down the clock. I cannot handle how fast this time is flying by. Or how fast you are growing. We had your two week check-up yesterday. You are now 8 pounds and 20.5 inches and your head is 14.25 inches. You just keep growing on me. I know that technically is a good thing... but I really wish it would slow down some.

Obviously you are eating plenty, and don't I know it!! You have mostly gone back to normal eating patterns, but you have your moments when you decide to eat every hour or so.

I felt horrible when they did the second round of the newborn screening and had to prick your heel and squeeze the daylights out of your foot. You were doing the newborn cry that I haven't heard since two weeks ago!! No amount of kissing or loving was calming you down. But you immediately stopped crying when she stopped messing with you.

Here are a couple pictures of you at two weeks! Mimi took some tonight too that should be pretty cute.

Showing off your eyes

Hanging out with your eyes open

Sleeping with your daddy.

You are trying to hold your little head up on your own occasionally. It is very cute! Oh, one thing that I never reported was your tendency to pee. First it was as soon as I took your diaper off. I don't remember ever having that issue with Austin though I was always warned that little boys do that. Now you just wait until I put a fresh diaper on. I am not sure which is worse!!

And just for kicks... my 40 week belly pic!!

That's it for now... until I think of more!

An Eventful Weekend

This was a very eventful weekend for you. First off though... your umbilical cord fell off yesterday! I thought it was on pretty tough and then Saturday night when cleaning it I realized it was actually only on by a tiny little strand. It had started bleeding a tiny bit and spotting your clothes. Then when I took your onesie off yesterday morning, it was gone. Well, it was in your onesie, but not part of you anymore.

Besides that, Saturday we went to a crawfish boil for you to meet a bunch of your future friends. There were about four pregnant women there, all due between now and June. And of course Austin and that generation of babies that are all friends. It was a good time.

And yesterday you attended church for the first time. Of course, you got hungry as soon as service started... I will have to work on timing. I brought a bottle with 3 oz of milk thinking that should be plenty, but no. I dashed out of the sanctuary before you started screaming and down the stairs where a nice woman saw me looking around frantic and took me to the "mother's room". I was so excited to find out there is a room for nursing mothers that has a TV so I could continue to watch the sermon! Hopefully next weekend will be a little easier.

Speaking of easier, I realized just how much life has now changed. Getting ready for church (or even to just run a quick errand) now takes FOREVER! Getting Austin around and myself and you. Having to put everything on pause throughout the process for you to eat. And then eat again.

Did I mention how much you have been eating the past 48 hours? I don't think I got nearly enough sleep last night because it felt like you were eating all night. Probably a slight exaggeration, but I can't be sure! It has been about the same story so far this morning. So much so that I wasn't even able to get around in decent time to take Austin to daycare. So he is spending a nice day at home with us. Luckily, he is starting to finally adjust and go back to being himself. Potty training and all!!

Got to go, time to eat... again!!

More Pictures

Here are just a couple more pictures from the first week...

Daddy giving you your first (and only) bottle.I couldn't get a good pic of you in this outfit!
Hanging out with your brother!
He is trying to give you another kiss, it looks like you are pushing him off!
Your favorite past time!

Oh, and I am very happy to report that last night was the first night I did not have to get up in the middle of the morning to pump! Looks like things are finally regulating. Oh, I haven't really discussed your sleeping/eating patterns. You sleep through the night like a champ, only waking up about every 3-4 hours to eat and then return to sleep. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for that and I pray that does not change. I don't know that I could handle less sleep. Especially with an energetic (and rebellious lately) toddler.

Alright, off to do more cleaning and thank you notes! If nesting was supposed to end when you were born, maybe it wasn't time yet!! Yesterday I found myself cleaning the bathroom door!! If this keeps up, the house will be immaculate by the time I go back to work. If only it would stay that way!! I wish I had had about a week at home to do all of this before I brought you home... I cannot even imagine how much I would have accomplished then!

Your Birth Story

Well, as much as I prayed, stressed and cried (I know, counter-productive)... We packed up the car, made plans for Austin and headed to the hospital at 5:30 this morning. Surprisingly, I slept better than expected. Though daddy was not quite as lucky.

We got into the hospital, signed the necessary paperwork and got all set up. (Noni has some cute "before" pics) I was right about the contractions, every five minutes. However, they were not helping things along. They started me on a low dosage of pitocin and broke my water at 7:30. For the next couple hours, I had more frequent contractions, but they must not have been doing very much and they weren't painful. I was thinking that I just had an incredible labor tolerance... ha, was I wrong!

Sometime after 11, they increased the dosage of pitocin and almost immediately, the pain ensued. Horrible, intense, intolerable pain!! The only thing that helped me through it was holding Daddy's hand. It didn't take but a couple of those and I was crying (literally) for the epidural. There went the birth plan!! As soon as those contractions started though, things happened so quickly. Just like with Austin. I had the epidural and then they checked and I was at about 8 cm. The nurse started rushing around getting the room ready and calling for them to get the Dr. there ASAP. She also made me wear an oxygen mask from then on because she was concerned about your heart rate.

Thank goodness the anesthesiologist was right down the hall and able to respond immediately. Here is a picture after the epidural... once I stopped sweating and squirming uncontrollably! Feeling good!

This time around, the epidural wasn't so strong that I couldn't tell what was going on. I had to wait for the I had to wait for the doc again this time once I hit 10 cm. When the doctor got there and was ready for me to push, I was actually able to. It made things much easier and with a little cut and a few pushes, you were born in a matter of minutes. They handed you right to me, without even wiping you down. That was pretty interesting, but you were beautiful and immediately brought tears to my eyes.

You were born at 12:52 p.m. Weighing 7 pounds 6 ounces and measuring in at 19 inches. Daddy and I are so happy!! You are absolutely perfect and healthy.

Big brother was so excited to finally meet you! He already loves you so much.

You aren't having any problems with breastfeeding... except for when you decide sleeping is more important than eating! Speaking of, that is about all you do so far! Sleep, sleep, sleep. It is a rare treat for us to see your eyes. Eyes that (at this point) have a blue color to them. I am very curious to see if you lucked out and were able to not inherit Mommies brown eyes?!

To Eat or Not to Eat

I just finished my delicious strawberry and cream cheese danish pop tarts and the whole time I was eating them (and obviously still to this moment), I was thinking about POWDERED DONUTS!

So here I am conflicted. Do I go to the vending machine a couple steps away with my trusty dollar bill that I happen to have in my purse and quench this craving? Realizing that if I do, I am subjecting myself to more cottage cheese (on my thighs). Or do I tell myself that I just had my oh-so-healthy breakfast or just ignore this voice that so desperately wants powdered donuts?

What to do, what to do!!??

I know this is a completely random post. I was just hoping that by taking the time to stop and write about it, the impulsive side of me that was getting ready to go knock over the vending machine and shred the wrapper off so I could scarf them down as quickly as possible would subside. They say that if you want something you should wait. Then if you still want it, get it.

I waited. I still want. I think I am caving. Need donuts NOW!

By the way... 33 week update and picture coming later today!!

Random Thoughts from a Very Pregnant Cow

At least that is what I feel like today. I have been eating Non.Stop. I am sure that I have probably made up for not gaining weight lately just today.

On top of that I have apparently become somewhat claustrophobic in my growing state and don't understand why the jolly red freaking giant that would probably require two tickets on an airplane feels the need to sit next to me on the bus. Squishing me between window and the large red windbreaker he is wearing. Seriously, he is double the size of a normal male. Your dad is not a small man and I don't think I would feel this squished sitting beside him right now. And this is not the first day this man has chosen the seat beside me. I am going to start sitting beside a small person when I get on the bus (even if it is almost totally empty) just to avoid this very situation. I am so incredibly unhappy being smothered right now and squeezing my arms tight by my body so I can type and vent this out while it is happening!

And I don't think the problem is that I am too big. Although, back on that topic I am continuing to get conflicting reports. At the daycare yesterday I was told how small I look. Seriously, the people that seem shocked when they find out I am 8 months... Do they not see this massive stomach I see? Then today I get "your growing" from someone that I hadn't seen in ages at work. That seems like such an odd statement. Did she just not know what else to say? Yes, I am growing, I am pregnant... That is what happens.

Sorry for the crabbiness, but really... UNCOMFORTABLE! Giant.man.needs.to.move.STAT!!

And darnitall if I am not hungry AGAIN! I just finished a bag of snack mix like 20 min ago! I have eaten half of Austin's snacks in the pantry and fridge (which I might feel bad about except he keeps eating my breakfast bars - so we are even).

That is about all the ranting I can do in the squished state. I am sure you understand since it can't be much better in there for you.

How Sweet It Is

Yum! I am probably the ultimate sweet freak. I can't help it, I just love my sweets. But as I am chilling here enjoying a giant fudge bar - Weight Watchers (1 point) - I can't help but to be a little paranoid. Most of the sweets that I enjoy these days are full of fake sugar and I just can't help but to be a little worried. What if something is wrong when you are born? I will have only the artificial sweetener or your father to blame. Okay, so maybe I wouldn't really be able to blame your dad, but I am trying to make sure he really reads my blogs and get him to defend himself! But really, my Diet Dr. Pepper, the "sugar" that I put in tea or coffee, the Crystal Light lemonade, and half the sweets that I eat. It is insane how many things are made with fake sugar these days. While they haven't actually proven that it does anything, the jury is still out. I know that I am probably just being a crazy, over paranoid mom, but I can't help but be a little scared.

Your First Thanksgiving

Well, kind of! You got to enjoy your first Thanksgiving meal this week. Although, I don't really think that we ate all that much. You must have been pushing just right to make me feel full quickly, which is a good thing. I always feel so guilty if I overeat during the holidays! As expected, it was all delicious and you didn't seem to have any objections!

So we are now to what might very well be the best time of pregnancy. Right now I get to feel you all the time, but I still feel great. I literally feel you all the time, and Daddy gets to as well! I think that you are going to be more of a handful than Austin as you seem to have more energy than you know what to do with. Luckily, he should be able to help wear you out plenty when you are big enough to really wear me out!

Speaking of Daddy feeling you, I want to add a little note in case I ever need to refer back to figure out when certain milestones occurred! The first time he ever saw you moving around was at our doctors appointment on November 11 when I was about 20 weeks. Since he is so impatient, it took a little longer for him to start feeling you, but during week 22 he very obviously felt you for the first time! You gave him a nice little kick!! He doesn't have to be very patient to feel you these days though. Now that it has started, I don't see it stopping!

For the most part I feel great. (Excluding my bout with some nasty bug this past week - not your fault - although it did have me worrying about you for a bit). The only thing that I have noticed is that you sometimes like to move up high into my lungs so that I can hardly breathe. I find that on those days, I am extremely irritable with most people. I am convinced that a lack of oxygen has a very negative impact on a person's mood.

I have less than two weeks to go until my next appointment, which I did reschedule to morning. I just can't go all day without eating very much!! Speaking of eating, I am doing really good about not overeating and I am staying right on track with the recommended weight gain so far. The result... a super-cute baby bump instead of a blimped up mommy!!

I started looking into the hospital tours, but it looks like our options for December are limited, so I am going to schedule that for January. They recommend doing all that in the 5th or 6th month and I will actually be well into the 7th month, but that should be okay as long as everything continues to go smooth with the pregnancy.

It is so crazy to think about how far along I am and how soon you will be here. This time really is flying. According to the sites I look at, starting next week you will have a fighting chance at survival if for some reason you had to be born. As scary as the thought of you being born so early is, it is reassuring to know that each week we go after next week equals a stronger, healthier baby boy.

Yes, I am still calling you baby boy because we still do not have the perfect name picked out. Even though we spent the whole weekend practically going through names with family!! I told Daddy last night that we are just going to have to leave it in God's hands and the perfect name will present itself between now and time to take you home from the hospital!

Rest easy and know that you are so loved.
~ Mommy