So much to catch up on...
Henry had his 6 month appointment on November 8th. He measured at 27.75" (90%) and 18lbs8oz (75%). Both the nurses and the doctor commented on how tall he was. Apparently he has a good chance at being a tall boy. He was very personable at his appointment and, as usual, everyone loved him. The doctor cleared him to start solids, which of course we already had.
He is now eating 3 meals a day of baby food. He pretty much likes anything we put in his mouth. At first he did not like squash or carrots, but now he likes both. I think, however, we are supposed to wait on carrots, so no more for a month or two. He has moved on to stage 2 foods. He has no issues with any foods to date.
The doctor also mentioned on the 8th that he would have a tooth or two popping through any day. I couldn't see it, but the doctor was right. On my birthday, 2 days later, a tooth started poking through. A few days after that, Henry had his two bottom teeth! I was amazed at how fast it seemed to go from nothing to two teeth.
He is turned into quite the crawler and explorer now. He is constantly on the move. His crawling has gotten faster and he pulls up on anything he can get his hands on. He has even started cruising. He actually has stood up for a few seconds on his own a time or two. I had him standing on his own for 5 seconds yesterday (don't worry, I was protecting him if he were to fall).
Diaper changing time has become a nightmare. He does not want to lay still. Instead he'd rather turn over, butt in the air, and play around with whatever is nearby. You can tell he has started to understand things, like when he can cry to get our attention or try to get something from us. He falls and bonks his head, we have to wait a few seconds to react. Half the time he is fine and keeps going. If we react to it, that is when he starts crying. He wants to be picked up for a minute or two then he is fine.
He is SUCH a boy, already! We spent Thanksgiving with my family in the Beaumont area (then went back to Houston). My cousin's daughter Hailey is 54 weeks older than Henry. Already he was trying to tackle her. We even got a shot of him pulling her hair. He tackled her more than once, and they both enjoyed tearing up Black Friday ads together.
He also met his new friend Edie as well the day after Thanksgiving. Edie is our friend's daughter. She is 4 months older than Henry and they got along very well. Edie is a very laid back, yet active, little girl. She does not let much bother her and enjoyed playing with Henry. It was so wonderful to see him playing with another baby. I so wish he had another kiddo to play around with. Soon he will. Our friend's here in Weatherford havea son 7 weeks younger than Henry. It won't be long where he will be crawling around and they can get into trouble together.
It was so funny how vocal Henry was down in Houston. There were more people than he was use to being around, so somehow this translated to him being loud. Lots of babbling and squawking. He wanted to be heard! His uncles thought he was crazy I do believe, but they also seemed to enjoy him. We can't wait to go back for Henry's first Christmas!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
About to pull my hair out...
Henry is officially in to everything. We need to do some serious baby proofing and I don't even know where to start. I cannot get a single thing done anymore because he is into everything. I leave him for 2 minutes and in that time, he has tried to escape. Usually his attemps are successful. Then there is the constant whining. I am guessing he is teething. I cannot feel anything, but the doctor said he was teething 2 months ago. I just do not know what to do other than to be gone from the house all the time. That is the one thing that typically calms him down - being out. It has been rather yucky these past few days, yucky and cold, so that has waylaid some of my attempts to get out.
We have officially started Henry on solids. For now we are just using the prepacked Gerber foods, but eventually we want to make our own. So far Henry really seems to like peas, sweet potatoes, pears and bananas. He does not seem too crazy about carrots, but we will be giving them another try soon. For some reason, everytime we feed Henry, he tries to turn sideways in his bumbo (we're using that with the tray). We cannot get him to face forward! Best be going, he is flipping out for the 5th time today.
We have officially started Henry on solids. For now we are just using the prepacked Gerber foods, but eventually we want to make our own. So far Henry really seems to like peas, sweet potatoes, pears and bananas. He does not seem too crazy about carrots, but we will be giving them another try soon. For some reason, everytime we feed Henry, he tries to turn sideways in his bumbo (we're using that with the tray). We cannot get him to face forward! Best be going, he is flipping out for the 5th time today.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Henry the Crawler
At about 5 months and 1 week, Henry made the transition to crawler. He had been trying for weeks, but most of the time he would just end up stuck in the crawling position, and as I posted before, he'd thrust himself forward. Typically he just ended sprawled on his stomach. It took time, and he worked at it daily (if not all day every day, he is a very determined baby), and he finally got it.
Hopefully that worked - this is a video of Henry crawling last week. Every day he gets better at it. Which pretty much means he just gets into more and more stuff every day. We've had to start baby proofing, but really this is just us moving stuff out of his reach. We will need to do the heavy duty proofing very soon! I was reading something on babycenter about crawling. Most babies start attempting crawling between 6 and 10 months and are full on crawling by 9 to 10. Then, some time after that, they start going from the crawling position to the sitting position. Then, closer to a year, they can start crawling using opposite arm and leg, as in left arm, right leg, instead of one side at a time. Well Henry isn't 6 months yet and he can do all of this.
I hate even telling people this because I am afraid people will think I am bragging, that somehow my son is gifted. I don't think that at all. I am sure every other child will catch up and by a year he will be no different from his peers. He is also pulling up. He loves to grab hold of my hands and pull himself up. He also crawls over to me on the couch and uses me as an anchoring device to get himself into the standing position. I think we will have an early walker on our hands. The rate he is moving, I cannot imagine it will be another half a year before he figures out walking.
We have no started on solids yet, but we will very soon. I wanted to wait until 6 months as that is what our peditrician recommended, but with the rate that Henry is developing, we might start a little earlier than that. We have some rice cereal already to go, so we might just do that until 6 months. I know most people start earlier than that, but I just was in no rush.
We have his 6 month appointment in 2 weeks. Hopefully I will remember to update this then!
Oh yeah, Henry is going as a dragon for Halloween. He makes a rather adorable dragon might I say.
Hopefully that worked - this is a video of Henry crawling last week. Every day he gets better at it. Which pretty much means he just gets into more and more stuff every day. We've had to start baby proofing, but really this is just us moving stuff out of his reach. We will need to do the heavy duty proofing very soon! I was reading something on babycenter about crawling. Most babies start attempting crawling between 6 and 10 months and are full on crawling by 9 to 10. Then, some time after that, they start going from the crawling position to the sitting position. Then, closer to a year, they can start crawling using opposite arm and leg, as in left arm, right leg, instead of one side at a time. Well Henry isn't 6 months yet and he can do all of this.
I hate even telling people this because I am afraid people will think I am bragging, that somehow my son is gifted. I don't think that at all. I am sure every other child will catch up and by a year he will be no different from his peers. He is also pulling up. He loves to grab hold of my hands and pull himself up. He also crawls over to me on the couch and uses me as an anchoring device to get himself into the standing position. I think we will have an early walker on our hands. The rate he is moving, I cannot imagine it will be another half a year before he figures out walking.
We have no started on solids yet, but we will very soon. I wanted to wait until 6 months as that is what our peditrician recommended, but with the rate that Henry is developing, we might start a little earlier than that. We have some rice cereal already to go, so we might just do that until 6 months. I know most people start earlier than that, but I just was in no rush.
We have his 6 month appointment in 2 weeks. Hopefully I will remember to update this then!
Oh yeah, Henry is going as a dragon for Halloween. He makes a rather adorable dragon might I say.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Long time, no update!
Two months since my last update, so many things have happened! I really need to start updating this thing more often. Don't I always say that?
Well we survived our Alaska trip quite well! Henry was a pro. The plane ride there was a little difficult at first but he adjusted and several people commented as they were getting off that he was the best behaved baby. He went all over the place with us. We left August 26th and came back September 4th (overnight flight, leaving the 3rd out of Anchorage). We came home with Grandma and left Daddy and Grandpa behind. Henry and I spent 19 days home without Jason. It was challenging, I won't deny that. Having to deal with every feeding, every dirty diaper, every fit, it made me a stronger person. Now really I cannot say I dealt with every single one. My mother in law, Connie, was wonderful. She watched Henry in the mornings for me as I was getting very, very little sleep. Some nights I didn't sleep more than an hour. I worried all night. There was no one else there to hear anything in case Henry was in trouble.
Before we left for Alaska, we decided that we would put Henry in his room when Jason got back and we were back from Santa Fe (we left for NM the day Jason got home for my cousin's wedding). Well about a week into being home alone, a friend of mine, Kerri, recommended maybe if I put him in his own room I could get more sleep. Well I didn't really, but the transition was flawless. He slept just as well if not better in his own room than he did in our room. So he went into his room at right about 4 months.
Henry started his 4 month regression when we got home. He was sleeping through the night every night in Alaska and before. When we got home, he woke up at least twice to eat every single night. That was another huge part of my sleep deprivation. I was afraid that as soon as I would fall asleep, he would wake up and need me. Some nights he woke up 3 times screaming for food. I guess it was a regression as well as a growth spurt. He is getting so big! He was 26.5" and 15lbs 6 oz at his 4 month appointment on September 8th.
He started sitting up all on his own at about 4 and a half months. It was while Jason was gone, probably around September 15th or so. Every day it would get longer and longer. From there he decided he wanted to start attempting to crawl. He would get on his hands and knees and just stay in that position, trying to figure out how to move. He then eventually started thrusting himself forward, not understand that he needed to move his hands to make the crawling motion. He pretty much face dove into the carpet lol. We wanted him to wait until Jason got home to crawl anyway. I knew he wouldn't start crawling until after 5 months. Babies don't crawl until after 5 months!!
Well there is so much more to post, but this is good for now.
Well we survived our Alaska trip quite well! Henry was a pro. The plane ride there was a little difficult at first but he adjusted and several people commented as they were getting off that he was the best behaved baby. He went all over the place with us. We left August 26th and came back September 4th (overnight flight, leaving the 3rd out of Anchorage). We came home with Grandma and left Daddy and Grandpa behind. Henry and I spent 19 days home without Jason. It was challenging, I won't deny that. Having to deal with every feeding, every dirty diaper, every fit, it made me a stronger person. Now really I cannot say I dealt with every single one. My mother in law, Connie, was wonderful. She watched Henry in the mornings for me as I was getting very, very little sleep. Some nights I didn't sleep more than an hour. I worried all night. There was no one else there to hear anything in case Henry was in trouble.
Before we left for Alaska, we decided that we would put Henry in his room when Jason got back and we were back from Santa Fe (we left for NM the day Jason got home for my cousin's wedding). Well about a week into being home alone, a friend of mine, Kerri, recommended maybe if I put him in his own room I could get more sleep. Well I didn't really, but the transition was flawless. He slept just as well if not better in his own room than he did in our room. So he went into his room at right about 4 months.
Henry started his 4 month regression when we got home. He was sleeping through the night every night in Alaska and before. When we got home, he woke up at least twice to eat every single night. That was another huge part of my sleep deprivation. I was afraid that as soon as I would fall asleep, he would wake up and need me. Some nights he woke up 3 times screaming for food. I guess it was a regression as well as a growth spurt. He is getting so big! He was 26.5" and 15lbs 6 oz at his 4 month appointment on September 8th.
He started sitting up all on his own at about 4 and a half months. It was while Jason was gone, probably around September 15th or so. Every day it would get longer and longer. From there he decided he wanted to start attempting to crawl. He would get on his hands and knees and just stay in that position, trying to figure out how to move. He then eventually started thrusting himself forward, not understand that he needed to move his hands to make the crawling motion. He pretty much face dove into the carpet lol. We wanted him to wait until Jason got home to crawl anyway. I knew he wouldn't start crawling until after 5 months. Babies don't crawl until after 5 months!!
Well there is so much more to post, but this is good for now.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Getting over it
After doing some serious thinking, I've decided I should view these weeks without Jason as more bonding time with my son than this horrible tragedy that is being bestowed upon me. Yeah, I'll miss Jason terribly, but it is fact, it will happen, there is nothing I can do to change that. There are so many single moms out there, or moms with husbands overseas right now that have month after month without their husband. What is 3 weeks really? A challenge. A pin for my mom hat. Something I can say I accomplished all by myself. We can do this.
It doesn't hurt that my son just keeps getting cuter and more charismatic every single day.
It doesn't hurt that my son just keeps getting cuter and more charismatic every single day.
Henry turns 15 weeks!
So we leave for Alaska (Anchorage to be exact) on Thursday. 4 days! Yikes! I feel it has totally snuck up on me. For the longest time it seemed like forever away, like it would never really happen, and here it is, right around the corner. I think Henry now has more winter clothes than Jason and I combined. It won't be terribly cold there, but we figure babies need layers. He has like 3 jackets, and somewhere around 14 outfits for an 8 day trip plus about another 5 pairs of pants and some onesies. I think we're good in the clothes department lol.
Now as for myself, that's a whole other story. We will be heading to the store here shortly. I'm not too concerned except for the fact I only have like one pair of shoes and no raincoat.
I cannot really explain how nervous I am about coming home without Jason. He will be gone for nearly 3 weeks. When returns we will be heading to New Mexico almost immediately. Like, that say day. He gets in at 5:15 am and about 14 hours later, if not sooner, we will be in the car driving. We hope that Henry will fall asleep and we can make decent headway. Oh yeah, the reason for the NM trip is that my cousin Phillip is getting married.
In Henry news, we recently got his activity center from his Auntie Alicia (a friend of mine) and he absolutely adores it. It is becoming more and more apparent that he has discovered his hands and he knows what to do to do with them - a bit anyway. He is grabbing for things and putting everything in reach in his mouth. Toys are a new favorite word around our house. He actually has toys now! And he loves his stuffed animals.
Also, for the past 3-4 mornings we've woken up around 7:30 to find Henry wide awake in his pack n play, on his back and playing with his blanket or feet or just staring at things. Not crying, just staring at things. He does, however, sitll wake up at 3am-4am and want to be fed. Bah. If only he'd sleep all the way through the night! He's killing me! That's one thing I am not looking forward to, there will be no one to help with those late night feedings, they're all on me. I know people mean well, but I am tired of being told "oh, you'll be fine." Like this is nothing. Like I have nothing to worry about. Pretty much like I'm being completely silly for any worry or concern. My husband is being dropped off in the middle of nowhere Alaska by a bush plane that only carries 2 people and will get maybe 1 thirty second phone call to me in nearly 3 weeks and I have nothing to worry about? It's not like I'll be getting daily calls from him. Also, the one set of friends we have here in Weatherford will be gone the entire time we are away. And the moms group I'm apart of happens to have nothing much planned on the days we are free and everything planned on the days we are gone on either trip. The three weeks inbetween are fairly barren, except for the library trip on the day he gets his shots, a stroll through the gardens (looking forward to that) and something geared towards bigger kids. I am afraid I'll lose it here alone with not anyone to talk to really.
On top of all that I have school work! I have no idea what to expect from this semester, but hopefully it won't be too rough. I hope to stay on top of things, get things done early in the week so I have the rest of my time free to spend with Henry. Hopefully I'll look back on these three weeks and say "What was I so worried about?" I really, really hope so. In the meantime, I'll just worry, thank you very much.
Now as for myself, that's a whole other story. We will be heading to the store here shortly. I'm not too concerned except for the fact I only have like one pair of shoes and no raincoat.
I cannot really explain how nervous I am about coming home without Jason. He will be gone for nearly 3 weeks. When returns we will be heading to New Mexico almost immediately. Like, that say day. He gets in at 5:15 am and about 14 hours later, if not sooner, we will be in the car driving. We hope that Henry will fall asleep and we can make decent headway. Oh yeah, the reason for the NM trip is that my cousin Phillip is getting married.
In Henry news, we recently got his activity center from his Auntie Alicia (a friend of mine) and he absolutely adores it. It is becoming more and more apparent that he has discovered his hands and he knows what to do to do with them - a bit anyway. He is grabbing for things and putting everything in reach in his mouth. Toys are a new favorite word around our house. He actually has toys now! And he loves his stuffed animals.
Also, for the past 3-4 mornings we've woken up around 7:30 to find Henry wide awake in his pack n play, on his back and playing with his blanket or feet or just staring at things. Not crying, just staring at things. He does, however, sitll wake up at 3am-4am and want to be fed. Bah. If only he'd sleep all the way through the night! He's killing me! That's one thing I am not looking forward to, there will be no one to help with those late night feedings, they're all on me. I know people mean well, but I am tired of being told "oh, you'll be fine." Like this is nothing. Like I have nothing to worry about. Pretty much like I'm being completely silly for any worry or concern. My husband is being dropped off in the middle of nowhere Alaska by a bush plane that only carries 2 people and will get maybe 1 thirty second phone call to me in nearly 3 weeks and I have nothing to worry about? It's not like I'll be getting daily calls from him. Also, the one set of friends we have here in Weatherford will be gone the entire time we are away. And the moms group I'm apart of happens to have nothing much planned on the days we are free and everything planned on the days we are gone on either trip. The three weeks inbetween are fairly barren, except for the library trip on the day he gets his shots, a stroll through the gardens (looking forward to that) and something geared towards bigger kids. I am afraid I'll lose it here alone with not anyone to talk to really.
On top of all that I have school work! I have no idea what to expect from this semester, but hopefully it won't be too rough. I hope to stay on top of things, get things done early in the week so I have the rest of my time free to spend with Henry. Hopefully I'll look back on these three weeks and say "What was I so worried about?" I really, really hope so. In the meantime, I'll just worry, thank you very much.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
3 months, or 13 weeks!
It has been far, far too long since I posted here. 2 months! I don't know how many times I've told Jason I HAVE to update this thing. I am going to start forgetting everything that Henry did and when. It has to be come more of a priority!
Well first things first, today (well much later today) Henry will turn 3 months old! Already a quarter of a year. Pretty amazing to see how much he has grown and changed in the past 3 months. It seems every single day something new happens.
Backing up some, Henry started sleeping through the night, for the most part, at around 3-4 weeks. He has stayed fairly consistent with the number of hours he sleeps, however, he wants to go to bed earlier now. This means he wakes up earlier. He will adjust eventually, but it is nice he sleeps about 8 hours a night at the moment, usually 8 or 9 to 4 or 5.
He went to his first wedding (my cousin Paul and his wife Delaney). They got married June 26th in Houston. Unfortunately I got VERY sick with a stomach virus. One of the sickest times of my life if not THE sickest. Luckily Jason did not get sick with it until we got home and then it wasn't as severe as mine. His parents both ended up sick and my mom fought it off for a week afterwards herself. Amazingly, Henry was perfectly fine. That is why I pump, even though breastfeeding did not work for us. It keeps my son healthy, it is better for him, and it makes him happy. He has unfortuantely had to have a little formula because he has been eating more than I can produce. Like today, he ate 36 oz! Luckily I had enough for him, but geez kiddo, slow down! I can only get like 30 a day. Anyway, I know it was the breastmilk that kept him from getting sick. I am 100 percent positive of this.
Moving on, on July 8th Henry had his 2 month appointment. He weighed 11 lbs 12 oz (exactly 4 lbs more than his birth weight) and was 24 inches long (he grew 2.5 inches). He is such a long boy! He is finally starting to get a bit chubbier, but for the most part he is fairly lean. The last time Jason weighed him on the postage scale they have for the business (yes, we've done that a few times!), he was 13.5 and that was about a week ago. He goes for his 4 month appointment September 7th I think it is. He took the shots relatively well, however, he started screaming about 3 hours after the shots were done. We gave him some baby Tylenol and he seemed to calm down. He spent a few days just really tired after that. Oddly enough, and this is just for my own personal reference, he also had really green poos for like 9 days afterwards. Gross, yeah, but I want to remember that for future reference if it shows up again.
Another huge step for us: he is no longer sleeping in the swing! I want to say this happened on about July 21st or so. He had already started taking naps in his pack n play, so he was getting accustomed to sleeping there. We had just gotten home from a visit to my mom's and grandparents. I want to say the next night after getting home, he woke up at 2am, very grumpy, we put him in his pack n play and he fell right back to sleep. Now I will go ahead and admit that he sleeps on his stomach. I know many will crucify me for this, but it is the only way he will sleep. He fussies and carries on if he is on his back and he always hated being swaddled. He is an anomoly apparently. He would spend all his time trying to kick the swaddle off of himself instead of getting any rest. Really this isn't exactly surprising since he spent 9 months kicking the heck out of me. Well ok, more like 6, but he enjoyed all 6 of those months lol.
We really feel he is safe this way since he has excellent head control and has since he was like 8 weeks old. Maybe longer actually because the doctor was very impressed at his 2 month appointment. I really think Henry is a bit advanced in that area. I mean it will eventually even out with all the rest of the kids, but for now he seems to have more head control and strength than the average baby his age. He also has a new game he loves called Standing Up While Someone Supports My Arms. He loves, loves, loves standing up. He gets those legs straight as he can and just stands there for a minute or two. He went from maybe doing it a few seconds to being about to do it for a full minute or more now. And that was within a matter of a week or so. He's been doing this now for about a week or two. His dad and grandfather work with him every day, so he has a leg up on the competition. :) Literally!
He absolutely abhors laying down unless he has to, like sleepy time and time to change his diaper. Well still he fusses sometiems when he gets it changed, but once it is changed he might lay on his changing table and coo at us for a while. Then he gets bored and wants up. He has also decided he doesn't really care for our living room anymore. He gets in these fits when we try to sit on the couch sometimes. He wants to be up moving around. He is a peculiar baby in that regard. He has no desire to sit still. There is far too much to see!
Which brings me to another thing we've been doing. We found a Moms group here in Weatherford! I was so hesitant to go, mostly nervous that I would not fit in, but finally decided I am doing this. I RSVP'd for a playdate at the local splash park even though Henry is way too young for it really, but at this age it isn't really about Henry anyway. Stay at home moms need to get out, they need to interact with other adults. It is so important! Especially to interact with other moms going through the same things you are going through. Well that was over 2 weeks ago and we had a great time! There were a few other moms there that were new and we have sorta gotten to know each other a little better. All the moms I've met so far have been super nice, very friendly and ladies I could see myself becoming good friends with. And most importantly, even though Henry is only 3 months old, he LOVES IT! He is so intruigued by the older kids. We went to Storytime at the Weatherford Library this last week and he was the happiest I'd seen him in a while. Not that he isn't normally happy, but he gets bored. Well there wasn't a dull moment that day. Once he was out of his carseat, he never once fussed. He just say there watching all the other kids, eyes wide open, taking it all in. I love that little guy to death.
He is starting to drool like crazy - not my favorite thing ever. That has been going on for 2-3 weeks now. It seems to be getting worse. Some days we have to put a bib on him just to keep his clothes dry! Not sure when he will start teething, but I am really hoping it is after Jason gets back from Alaska. That is one last thing - we are leaving for Alaska in less than 3 weeks now. We leave August 26th and come back September 4th. Jason won't be back until September 22nd. You do the math. Ugh. Not looking forward to this at all. I will be starting a new semester and I am so worried about how I will get it done with just us. I know my mother in law will be around, but I worry so much about taking advantage of her. I already worry about that as it is. I guess for now I need to enjoy the fact Jason is here and just deal with him being gone when the time comes.
We also leave the day after Jason gets back from Alaska for Santa Fe, New Mexico. My cousin Phillip is getting married! Wooo it is going to be quite a month. Traveling with an infant to Alaska then NM (driving at that) should be interesting. I look forward to the trips, just not so much the traveling part of it. At least my mom will be there for both trips and my MIL will be in Alaska as well. There will be tons of help for Henry while we are there. My brothers are going as well. I cannot wait to have a family vacation! We have not gone anywhere as a family since 2001. Almost 10 years! Wowza. This needs to change - more family vacations for us!
I need to wrap this up and get some sleep since I have to wake up in 3 hours and it takes me 30 minutes just to fall asleep. Hopefully I can find time to update this thing again. I know no one reads it but me, but it is really for my records anyway. Well maybe my mom will read it. She's usually interested in this stuff.
Well first things first, today (well much later today) Henry will turn 3 months old! Already a quarter of a year. Pretty amazing to see how much he has grown and changed in the past 3 months. It seems every single day something new happens.
Backing up some, Henry started sleeping through the night, for the most part, at around 3-4 weeks. He has stayed fairly consistent with the number of hours he sleeps, however, he wants to go to bed earlier now. This means he wakes up earlier. He will adjust eventually, but it is nice he sleeps about 8 hours a night at the moment, usually 8 or 9 to 4 or 5.
He went to his first wedding (my cousin Paul and his wife Delaney). They got married June 26th in Houston. Unfortunately I got VERY sick with a stomach virus. One of the sickest times of my life if not THE sickest. Luckily Jason did not get sick with it until we got home and then it wasn't as severe as mine. His parents both ended up sick and my mom fought it off for a week afterwards herself. Amazingly, Henry was perfectly fine. That is why I pump, even though breastfeeding did not work for us. It keeps my son healthy, it is better for him, and it makes him happy. He has unfortuantely had to have a little formula because he has been eating more than I can produce. Like today, he ate 36 oz! Luckily I had enough for him, but geez kiddo, slow down! I can only get like 30 a day. Anyway, I know it was the breastmilk that kept him from getting sick. I am 100 percent positive of this.
Moving on, on July 8th Henry had his 2 month appointment. He weighed 11 lbs 12 oz (exactly 4 lbs more than his birth weight) and was 24 inches long (he grew 2.5 inches). He is such a long boy! He is finally starting to get a bit chubbier, but for the most part he is fairly lean. The last time Jason weighed him on the postage scale they have for the business (yes, we've done that a few times!), he was 13.5 and that was about a week ago. He goes for his 4 month appointment September 7th I think it is. He took the shots relatively well, however, he started screaming about 3 hours after the shots were done. We gave him some baby Tylenol and he seemed to calm down. He spent a few days just really tired after that. Oddly enough, and this is just for my own personal reference, he also had really green poos for like 9 days afterwards. Gross, yeah, but I want to remember that for future reference if it shows up again.
Another huge step for us: he is no longer sleeping in the swing! I want to say this happened on about July 21st or so. He had already started taking naps in his pack n play, so he was getting accustomed to sleeping there. We had just gotten home from a visit to my mom's and grandparents. I want to say the next night after getting home, he woke up at 2am, very grumpy, we put him in his pack n play and he fell right back to sleep. Now I will go ahead and admit that he sleeps on his stomach. I know many will crucify me for this, but it is the only way he will sleep. He fussies and carries on if he is on his back and he always hated being swaddled. He is an anomoly apparently. He would spend all his time trying to kick the swaddle off of himself instead of getting any rest. Really this isn't exactly surprising since he spent 9 months kicking the heck out of me. Well ok, more like 6, but he enjoyed all 6 of those months lol.
We really feel he is safe this way since he has excellent head control and has since he was like 8 weeks old. Maybe longer actually because the doctor was very impressed at his 2 month appointment. I really think Henry is a bit advanced in that area. I mean it will eventually even out with all the rest of the kids, but for now he seems to have more head control and strength than the average baby his age. He also has a new game he loves called Standing Up While Someone Supports My Arms. He loves, loves, loves standing up. He gets those legs straight as he can and just stands there for a minute or two. He went from maybe doing it a few seconds to being about to do it for a full minute or more now. And that was within a matter of a week or so. He's been doing this now for about a week or two. His dad and grandfather work with him every day, so he has a leg up on the competition. :) Literally!
He absolutely abhors laying down unless he has to, like sleepy time and time to change his diaper. Well still he fusses sometiems when he gets it changed, but once it is changed he might lay on his changing table and coo at us for a while. Then he gets bored and wants up. He has also decided he doesn't really care for our living room anymore. He gets in these fits when we try to sit on the couch sometimes. He wants to be up moving around. He is a peculiar baby in that regard. He has no desire to sit still. There is far too much to see!
Which brings me to another thing we've been doing. We found a Moms group here in Weatherford! I was so hesitant to go, mostly nervous that I would not fit in, but finally decided I am doing this. I RSVP'd for a playdate at the local splash park even though Henry is way too young for it really, but at this age it isn't really about Henry anyway. Stay at home moms need to get out, they need to interact with other adults. It is so important! Especially to interact with other moms going through the same things you are going through. Well that was over 2 weeks ago and we had a great time! There were a few other moms there that were new and we have sorta gotten to know each other a little better. All the moms I've met so far have been super nice, very friendly and ladies I could see myself becoming good friends with. And most importantly, even though Henry is only 3 months old, he LOVES IT! He is so intruigued by the older kids. We went to Storytime at the Weatherford Library this last week and he was the happiest I'd seen him in a while. Not that he isn't normally happy, but he gets bored. Well there wasn't a dull moment that day. Once he was out of his carseat, he never once fussed. He just say there watching all the other kids, eyes wide open, taking it all in. I love that little guy to death.
He is starting to drool like crazy - not my favorite thing ever. That has been going on for 2-3 weeks now. It seems to be getting worse. Some days we have to put a bib on him just to keep his clothes dry! Not sure when he will start teething, but I am really hoping it is after Jason gets back from Alaska. That is one last thing - we are leaving for Alaska in less than 3 weeks now. We leave August 26th and come back September 4th. Jason won't be back until September 22nd. You do the math. Ugh. Not looking forward to this at all. I will be starting a new semester and I am so worried about how I will get it done with just us. I know my mother in law will be around, but I worry so much about taking advantage of her. I already worry about that as it is. I guess for now I need to enjoy the fact Jason is here and just deal with him being gone when the time comes.
We also leave the day after Jason gets back from Alaska for Santa Fe, New Mexico. My cousin Phillip is getting married! Wooo it is going to be quite a month. Traveling with an infant to Alaska then NM (driving at that) should be interesting. I look forward to the trips, just not so much the traveling part of it. At least my mom will be there for both trips and my MIL will be in Alaska as well. There will be tons of help for Henry while we are there. My brothers are going as well. I cannot wait to have a family vacation! We have not gone anywhere as a family since 2001. Almost 10 years! Wowza. This needs to change - more family vacations for us!
I need to wrap this up and get some sleep since I have to wake up in 3 hours and it takes me 30 minutes just to fall asleep. Hopefully I can find time to update this thing again. I know no one reads it but me, but it is really for my records anyway. Well maybe my mom will read it. She's usually interested in this stuff.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
4 Weeks!
Sometimes, when Henry is sleeping, I want so badly to just go over, pick him up and cuddle with him for hours. Then I realize that would be ridiculous. NEVER WAKE A SLEEPING BABY!!! I have learned that quickly. He makes the cutest grunting noises when he is sleeping.
Speaking of sleeping, he refuses to sleep in his pack n play. For now he sleeps in his swing. I was completely opposed to it at first when Jason suggested it. Then I decided we could try it, see how it goes. And then when he slept "like a baby" (where the heck did this term come from anyway?), I thought maybe this isn't a bad idea. He HAS to be strapped in, and he is right by my side of the bed. And I check on him constantly. It's like he knows when it is night time now and when he goes in his swing, that means sleepy time. Whether or not he REALLY knows that, I have no idea, but it seems to be working for us right now. A few nights ago he actually slept 7 hours straight. Even when he doesn't sleep that many straight, he gets up, eats, goes back to bed until around 5:30. That's the magic wake up time it seems. Luckily Jason takes that shift. Henry will usually eat then fall asleep on Jason's chest until 7am. Then he's really up. No going back!
He's getting so big and strong now. He lifts his head up all the time, away from our chests and looks around. He really is taking notice of our faces too, and everything around him. He wants to see things and he gets frustrated sometimes when he cannot. He likes to be sat up, like on my knee, so he can look around. He still loves to be burped, especially now because it means he gets to look around. He'll sit up straight as a board for 20 seconds or so, really alert, looking around then crumble for 5 seconds or so and do it again.
He's taken to his paci. Now I know a lot of people say no pacifers are bad, bad, bad, but it really calms him down. He loves to suck and sometimes he'll be "eating" for an hour straight, 30 minutes each side, sometimes longer, but mostly just because he wants to suck. He'll be flipping out, give him the pacifer (which we do while still playing with him, or holding him, paying attention in general) and it calms him right down. He never figured out how to use his hands or his thumb, not yet that is. Maybe he still will
We went to JC Penney's on Friday, his 4 week birthday, and got his picture taken. He wasn't too thrilled about it, mostly the being jostled around, being made to change clothes, and the unfamiliar poses and people, but after he was done he sacked out for several hours. We got a chance to go to lunch while he slept the entire time, then Central Market, which he also completely slept through! We were so happy to get a chance to do some things without a screaming baby.
We've come to realize that he does not like to be left in his carseat when we're in a store. He is generally ok if we're moving, but as soon as we stop and look at something, he starts getting fussy. So I ordered a baby sling (ring sling to be exact). It's being made, so hopefully it will be done in the next week or so. I REALLY hope it works out because I think it will be perfect for us. He loves to be held and this way we can hold him, or at least I can, dunno if it will fit Jason or not, and move around. He quiets down in stores when he is being held, out of his carseat. Cross your fingers it works!
Tomorrow he will be a month old! Well Monday that is. I cannot believe time has flown so quickly. My little man is growing up! Things are getting easier every day. I cannot wait until he is a little older and we can start playing and interacting with him more. That being said, he's becoming a lot more interactive lately. We can tickle his feet and he'll squirm. Today he even smiled and wiggled around. It wasn't a fluke either, we got it on video! And he went to his grandparents' house so we could go to dinner and he did it for them too!
Now if only I had more energy to get stuff done around the house.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
2 weeks and 4 days. That is how old Henry is today. Getting close to 3 weeks! I spent all this time on the April Baby Board on Babycenter, but everyone I sorta got to know over there has 6 week old babies or even 2 month old babies. No one was at the latter part of April with their due dates and none of them went into May. Now I'm a May Mama!
Henry is doing well. He really is a good baby. It's just at night he doesn't really want to go to sleep. I think he just doesn't like not being held. He looooves to be held. He loves to lay on our chests too. Jason lays down with him on his chest a lot. He had to start wearing a shirt at night though, the little guy tries to rip his chest hairs out! Amazing though, it calms him down almost immediately. Well unless something else is wrong, like he's hungry or a dirty diaper, then his legs start going. He kicks and kicks and kicks and works his way up your chest until he has no where left to go! It is pretty hilarious to watch, except for the fact he needs something.
Our baby boy is SO strong. He has the longest legs and people keep commenting on them. And loves to use them. He already tries to scoot around on his blanket during tummy time. He's not even 3 weeks old! I have no idea what this means for the future, but I don't think he'll be sitting still a lot.
He also loves to be burped. That calms him down really more than anything. He has loved being burped since day one, since the first time Jason sat him on his knee, put his hand under his chin and started patting him on the back. His face goes into an immediate look of satisfaction. Sometimes we burp him just to calm him down. He rarely spits up, except this weekend when he spit up EVERYwhere! He's spit up three times total, and two of the three times we know for certain he got too much to eat. The other he had a gas bubble. 3 times in 18 days is pretty dang good I'd say.
He also loves his swing. He takes naps in it daily. We've used it for nap time so much that we already had to replace the batteries (yikes, three Ds!!). I dunno if that is a bad thing, letting him sleep in his swing, but he loves it, he's right near me and I can see him from where I sit. That's surely ok, right?
We've tried to stay away from the pacifier so far. We've given it to him twice now, just because he clearly needed to suck and he just isn't finding his hand to do so. He will get it a bit but he moves SO much when he is awake, he keeps yanking it out of his mouth, but I do not think it is on purpose. He doesn't understand his arm movements yet, just that he needs to move. He doesn't get that when he moves his hands or arms, they won't be where they were a second ago.
We love him to pieces. Looking forward to the days he sleeps through the night though. Might have to take my mother in law up on that offer to watch him while I nap.
Henry is doing well. He really is a good baby. It's just at night he doesn't really want to go to sleep. I think he just doesn't like not being held. He looooves to be held. He loves to lay on our chests too. Jason lays down with him on his chest a lot. He had to start wearing a shirt at night though, the little guy tries to rip his chest hairs out! Amazing though, it calms him down almost immediately. Well unless something else is wrong, like he's hungry or a dirty diaper, then his legs start going. He kicks and kicks and kicks and works his way up your chest until he has no where left to go! It is pretty hilarious to watch, except for the fact he needs something.
Our baby boy is SO strong. He has the longest legs and people keep commenting on them. And loves to use them. He already tries to scoot around on his blanket during tummy time. He's not even 3 weeks old! I have no idea what this means for the future, but I don't think he'll be sitting still a lot.
He also loves to be burped. That calms him down really more than anything. He has loved being burped since day one, since the first time Jason sat him on his knee, put his hand under his chin and started patting him on the back. His face goes into an immediate look of satisfaction. Sometimes we burp him just to calm him down. He rarely spits up, except this weekend when he spit up EVERYwhere! He's spit up three times total, and two of the three times we know for certain he got too much to eat. The other he had a gas bubble. 3 times in 18 days is pretty dang good I'd say.
He also loves his swing. He takes naps in it daily. We've used it for nap time so much that we already had to replace the batteries (yikes, three Ds!!). I dunno if that is a bad thing, letting him sleep in his swing, but he loves it, he's right near me and I can see him from where I sit. That's surely ok, right?
We've tried to stay away from the pacifier so far. We've given it to him twice now, just because he clearly needed to suck and he just isn't finding his hand to do so. He will get it a bit but he moves SO much when he is awake, he keeps yanking it out of his mouth, but I do not think it is on purpose. He doesn't understand his arm movements yet, just that he needs to move. He doesn't get that when he moves his hands or arms, they won't be where they were a second ago.
We love him to pieces. Looking forward to the days he sleeps through the night though. Might have to take my mother in law up on that offer to watch him while I nap.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Two weeks
Well I never really continued my last post. I haven't really had much time to do so lately. Finding time with two hands where I am not completely exhausted is rather difficult. I have so much to get off my chest. I am feeling rather lonely right now. I have Jason, and believe me, I am very grateful to have such a supportive husband, but I feel so alone outside of him. I spend all day in this barn, mostly in the living room, except at night. Nights are by FAR the worst. I hate nights. When the sun goes down I actually get nervous. I get nervous that I will get no sleep, that I will be too drowsy to hear Henry cry, that I will finally get to sleep and he will start crying. He loves to take naps right before bed time so he doesn't like to go straight down to sleep. I hate waking up at 4am to pump if he HAS fallen asleep. Mostly because he will invariably wake up in the middle of my pumping and start crying. He will fuss until he gets food and then be awake. For hours. I dread he will get hungry again. I cannot feed him upstairs, not breastfeeding. I can pump and give him a bottle, but our set up is for downstairs. I am too large up top to feed in bed. There isn't enough support in the bed to let me feed while sitting in bed.
Also, I feel completely abandoned by my group of friends. For the most part, none have kids, very few are married, and none are interested in kids. None of them have called me since I gave birth. None have even left ONE single comment on a single picture on facebook. No one replies to my tweets. They respond to each other, but not me. I got a few text messages the day I gave birth, but I got about 60-70 messages that day. There was no way at the time I could respond to them all then they started getting deleted. I dunno if they are offended because I didn't have time to do so on the day I gave birth or not, either way I feel like it is time to step back. If they want to continue their friendships with me, they're going to have to make the effort. If not, I just need to make new friends.
I want to post about Henry, I really do, but I am so down right now I don't think I can. Baby blues I guess....
Also, I feel completely abandoned by my group of friends. For the most part, none have kids, very few are married, and none are interested in kids. None of them have called me since I gave birth. None have even left ONE single comment on a single picture on facebook. No one replies to my tweets. They respond to each other, but not me. I got a few text messages the day I gave birth, but I got about 60-70 messages that day. There was no way at the time I could respond to them all then they started getting deleted. I dunno if they are offended because I didn't have time to do so on the day I gave birth or not, either way I feel like it is time to step back. If they want to continue their friendships with me, they're going to have to make the effort. If not, I just need to make new friends.
I want to post about Henry, I really do, but I am so down right now I don't think I can. Baby blues I guess....
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Henry is here! Part 1
It is a long story, but I want to document it all so that I don't forget any of it. It might have to be done in pieces though, if Henry doesn't let me finish.
Jason and I spent most of Thursday getting things done around the barn, making sure things were clean and put away. We knew we would have guests after Henry arrived, and we just didn't want to come home to a dirty house. Around 2 or so we ran over to Wal Mart for our last run without a child. Ever. That was a surreal experience. Knowing it was the last time we would walk in there without being parents sorta hit us both pretty hard.
After we were done, we ran home, I got a shower and we made sure we had everything we needed. BTW we needed about 1/3rd of the things we brought. First time parent overpacker syndrome kicked in. Did we really think we needed that many books?
We made sure we got to the hospital by 5pm, and after being redirected to three different places, we found the right place to be. I felt bad for all the mothers I saw coming in there having contractions, looking worse for wear, and I just waltzed up to the front desk and filled out my paperwork. They had me in a room within 5 minutes. I was shocked really! I figured it would take forever.
I should note that earlier in the day, I started having stronger contractions, or at least what I thought were contractions. I hoped that this would help things along and maybe he would come on his own. by 6:15 they administerd the Cervidil. BTW that hurt! Wowza. They have to shove it up behind your uterus. They said at that point I was 2-3 cms, leaning towards 3cms. So we definitely had progressed since Monday. They hooked me up to the baby heart rate monitor adn the contraction monitor which was very interesting to watch. I took an ambien around 8pm to help me sleep. It helped a little bit, but I did start feeling contractions so it woke me up. I slept maybe an hour and a half.
I should also note that the nurses both had told us that most people did not react to the Cervidil and that probably at most I would feel mild contractions through the night. When the night nurse said this, I was watching the monitor and my contractions were already timing themselves at like 5 minutes, if not less. They were consistent too, but then nurse seemed very adament I was NOT in labor. These were just pre labor contractions or Braxton Hicks. I knew better, or thought I did.
The contractions just get stronger and more painful through the night. Poor Jason had to help me to the restroom, it was too painful to try to go alone. Neither of us got a lot of sleep. By about 6am the contractions are about 1.5 minutes apart, and yet the night nurse still seems to think nothing of this. I finally decided to get the Staydol or whatever it is called for the pain, to help take the edge off. In order to get this, I needed to get an IV. Three people and an anesthesiolgist later and finally I had an IV. Once the meds started going in, the contractions were so painful it did not work at all.
I had to ask for an epi at that point. I couldn't continue going through that every 45 seconds basically, that's about how long it was before another one started. They checked my cervix beforehand and low and behold I was a solid 4. After the epi went in, my doctor came in, around 7:30 or so, and at this point I was a 5. Around this time she decided to break my water since she could see it bulging out at that point, could even touch it. She also could see that there was meconium, meaning Henry had pooped in the womb. We were sort of afraid of this since he was late and that is not uncommon at all. Jason did the same, so he takes after his daddy!
They checked me every 45 minutes to an hour after that and by 11am I was 10 cms. No Pitocin at all was necessary. I dilated all on my own. I don't know if the Cervidil helped or not, but if it did, it was all I needed to get it going.
Dr. Carnevale had a procedure to do at 11:30 am and she said if she had to, she'd get another doctor to do it, babies come first, but my mom wasn't there yet and he hadn't dropped into the +3 station yet. He was still at 0 to a +1. I told her to go ahead, we'd start trying to push afterwards. It should only take an hour or so, and again, I wanted to wait for my mom. Actually she had me try a practice push first, nothing happened, so she was comfortable with this decision.
My mom shows up shortly after, and come to think of it, this was probably more like 10:30 or so. Through all of this my doctor was so surprised that I was moving as quickly as I was. I was too, and happy about it, for sure. Well I sent my mom, Jason, his parents and my grandparents to go get some lunch. In the meantime, I could start feeling more, mostly pressure but some pain, so they came and gave me another round of epi meds into the epi catheter. I went back to being completely numb and I was perfectly fine with this. Also, they found out I had a fever that ended up peaking at around 101.5, so some IV meds were required. They are not sure why, but it could possibly be because of the meconium.
Fast forward to about 1pm and the nurse comes in letting me know that a team from the NICU were on their way. They were going to have to clean Henry up and get the meconium out of his lungs ASAP. They didn't even want him crying first, to help make the cleaning up part easier. The nurse, Jolene, who was wonderful by the way, started prepping me for delivery. They got the stirrups out and she and Jason got my legs up in those. That was quite a feat btw. They had to roll me over a lot during the hours leading up to delivery because Henry's heartbeat would go down every time I had a contraction. They had to monitor him pretty closely, but they figured it was because since he had dropped, the cord had wrapped around some part of him, head, neck, legs, arms, etc.
Once I was up in the stirrups, Jolene went to check on the baby. About this time a team of three nurses come in from the NICU and my mom comes in with her lunch. She even sits down to eat it and then Jolene looks down and says "I see a head!" Sure enough, Henry's head was poking out. I didn't even know it happened like that, or could. My mom decided at that point maybe this wasn't the best time to eat. The nurses then were all staring at my parts, which was a tiny bit uncomfortable, but at this point you just don't care. Their eyes were as big as saucers. Apparently they did not see this that often. Dr. C was still not there and Jolene had called her and even paged her at this point. She needed to get there NOW, this baby wanted out.
The nurses jokingly told me not to laugh or sneeze, he might fall out. They weren't kidding! I started to feel something a bit like a tear, but it didn't hurt. It is hard to describe how it felt really. After frantically trying to call the nurses desk and get them to find Dr. Carnevale however they could, Jolene looks down and says, "Well, we're having a baby." Within 10 seconds, she plops him on my stomach, completely covered in slimy meconium. I was in total and utter shock. My doctor burst through the door 30 seconds later and I just gaped at her with my hands out with this look of total and utter surprise on my face. Apparently the look was priceless. Henry came out without a single push. He just simply came out. I did NOTHING. I still, four days later, cannot wrap my head around this. No one could. The nurses and doctor all said they had never seen a first time mom do this before. Maybe a second time mom, but never a first timer.
At least Dr. C was there then to clean everything up, get my stitches taken care, deliver the placenta, etc. Good thing I had that epi. Because I did not push, the placenta did not want to deliver itself, so she had to get it out one way or another. The NICU nurses whisked him to the other side of the room from my stomach and got to work cleaning him up. They were fast, but because it took so long to get ME taken care of, it was almost 40 minutes before I ever got to hold my son. I was in too much shock to worry about it too terribly much until I remembered we needed to try breastfeeding right away. Jason was able to long before I was, because of the position I was in, it just was not possible. He was so handsome, right away, I knew he was a beautiful baby. Of course I am a very bias mother. Who wouldn't be? :)
I'll continue the rest of the hospital story some other time. This is already really, really long and I doubt anyone else will ever read it besides me lol.
Jason and I spent most of Thursday getting things done around the barn, making sure things were clean and put away. We knew we would have guests after Henry arrived, and we just didn't want to come home to a dirty house. Around 2 or so we ran over to Wal Mart for our last run without a child. Ever. That was a surreal experience. Knowing it was the last time we would walk in there without being parents sorta hit us both pretty hard.
After we were done, we ran home, I got a shower and we made sure we had everything we needed. BTW we needed about 1/3rd of the things we brought. First time parent overpacker syndrome kicked in. Did we really think we needed that many books?
We made sure we got to the hospital by 5pm, and after being redirected to three different places, we found the right place to be. I felt bad for all the mothers I saw coming in there having contractions, looking worse for wear, and I just waltzed up to the front desk and filled out my paperwork. They had me in a room within 5 minutes. I was shocked really! I figured it would take forever.
I should note that earlier in the day, I started having stronger contractions, or at least what I thought were contractions. I hoped that this would help things along and maybe he would come on his own. by 6:15 they administerd the Cervidil. BTW that hurt! Wowza. They have to shove it up behind your uterus. They said at that point I was 2-3 cms, leaning towards 3cms. So we definitely had progressed since Monday. They hooked me up to the baby heart rate monitor adn the contraction monitor which was very interesting to watch. I took an ambien around 8pm to help me sleep. It helped a little bit, but I did start feeling contractions so it woke me up. I slept maybe an hour and a half.
I should also note that the nurses both had told us that most people did not react to the Cervidil and that probably at most I would feel mild contractions through the night. When the night nurse said this, I was watching the monitor and my contractions were already timing themselves at like 5 minutes, if not less. They were consistent too, but then nurse seemed very adament I was NOT in labor. These were just pre labor contractions or Braxton Hicks. I knew better, or thought I did.
The contractions just get stronger and more painful through the night. Poor Jason had to help me to the restroom, it was too painful to try to go alone. Neither of us got a lot of sleep. By about 6am the contractions are about 1.5 minutes apart, and yet the night nurse still seems to think nothing of this. I finally decided to get the Staydol or whatever it is called for the pain, to help take the edge off. In order to get this, I needed to get an IV. Three people and an anesthesiolgist later and finally I had an IV. Once the meds started going in, the contractions were so painful it did not work at all.
I had to ask for an epi at that point. I couldn't continue going through that every 45 seconds basically, that's about how long it was before another one started. They checked my cervix beforehand and low and behold I was a solid 4. After the epi went in, my doctor came in, around 7:30 or so, and at this point I was a 5. Around this time she decided to break my water since she could see it bulging out at that point, could even touch it. She also could see that there was meconium, meaning Henry had pooped in the womb. We were sort of afraid of this since he was late and that is not uncommon at all. Jason did the same, so he takes after his daddy!
They checked me every 45 minutes to an hour after that and by 11am I was 10 cms. No Pitocin at all was necessary. I dilated all on my own. I don't know if the Cervidil helped or not, but if it did, it was all I needed to get it going.
Dr. Carnevale had a procedure to do at 11:30 am and she said if she had to, she'd get another doctor to do it, babies come first, but my mom wasn't there yet and he hadn't dropped into the +3 station yet. He was still at 0 to a +1. I told her to go ahead, we'd start trying to push afterwards. It should only take an hour or so, and again, I wanted to wait for my mom. Actually she had me try a practice push first, nothing happened, so she was comfortable with this decision.
My mom shows up shortly after, and come to think of it, this was probably more like 10:30 or so. Through all of this my doctor was so surprised that I was moving as quickly as I was. I was too, and happy about it, for sure. Well I sent my mom, Jason, his parents and my grandparents to go get some lunch. In the meantime, I could start feeling more, mostly pressure but some pain, so they came and gave me another round of epi meds into the epi catheter. I went back to being completely numb and I was perfectly fine with this. Also, they found out I had a fever that ended up peaking at around 101.5, so some IV meds were required. They are not sure why, but it could possibly be because of the meconium.
Fast forward to about 1pm and the nurse comes in letting me know that a team from the NICU were on their way. They were going to have to clean Henry up and get the meconium out of his lungs ASAP. They didn't even want him crying first, to help make the cleaning up part easier. The nurse, Jolene, who was wonderful by the way, started prepping me for delivery. They got the stirrups out and she and Jason got my legs up in those. That was quite a feat btw. They had to roll me over a lot during the hours leading up to delivery because Henry's heartbeat would go down every time I had a contraction. They had to monitor him pretty closely, but they figured it was because since he had dropped, the cord had wrapped around some part of him, head, neck, legs, arms, etc.
Once I was up in the stirrups, Jolene went to check on the baby. About this time a team of three nurses come in from the NICU and my mom comes in with her lunch. She even sits down to eat it and then Jolene looks down and says "I see a head!" Sure enough, Henry's head was poking out. I didn't even know it happened like that, or could. My mom decided at that point maybe this wasn't the best time to eat. The nurses then were all staring at my parts, which was a tiny bit uncomfortable, but at this point you just don't care. Their eyes were as big as saucers. Apparently they did not see this that often. Dr. C was still not there and Jolene had called her and even paged her at this point. She needed to get there NOW, this baby wanted out.
The nurses jokingly told me not to laugh or sneeze, he might fall out. They weren't kidding! I started to feel something a bit like a tear, but it didn't hurt. It is hard to describe how it felt really. After frantically trying to call the nurses desk and get them to find Dr. Carnevale however they could, Jolene looks down and says, "Well, we're having a baby." Within 10 seconds, she plops him on my stomach, completely covered in slimy meconium. I was in total and utter shock. My doctor burst through the door 30 seconds later and I just gaped at her with my hands out with this look of total and utter surprise on my face. Apparently the look was priceless. Henry came out without a single push. He just simply came out. I did NOTHING. I still, four days later, cannot wrap my head around this. No one could. The nurses and doctor all said they had never seen a first time mom do this before. Maybe a second time mom, but never a first timer.
At least Dr. C was there then to clean everything up, get my stitches taken care, deliver the placenta, etc. Good thing I had that epi. Because I did not push, the placenta did not want to deliver itself, so she had to get it out one way or another. The NICU nurses whisked him to the other side of the room from my stomach and got to work cleaning him up. They were fast, but because it took so long to get ME taken care of, it was almost 40 minutes before I ever got to hold my son. I was in too much shock to worry about it too terribly much until I remembered we needed to try breastfeeding right away. Jason was able to long before I was, because of the position I was in, it just was not possible. He was so handsome, right away, I knew he was a beautiful baby. Of course I am a very bias mother. Who wouldn't be? :)
I'll continue the rest of the hospital story some other time. This is already really, really long and I doubt anyone else will ever read it besides me lol.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Quick update
This will be brief, they gave me some ambien to help me sleep and I cannot really see what I am typing. This tray is up too high at the hospital.
We checked in around 5pm. Around 6:15 they had the Cervidil in. That was no fun, no sir. Nurse said I was a good 2cms but closer to 3cms. About 50% effaced. Have the baby heart rate monitor hooked up as well as the contraction monitor. Interesting to watch. I am not in active labor but my contractions are around every 6 minutes or so.
We've been watching tv and the monitors since they are rather fascinating. No food or drink after midnight. They will wake me up around 6am to get the cervidil out then start the Pitocin thirty minutes later.
MawMaw and PeePaw came to visit, which was nice. We will be seeing them more later on.
I have to get off this, it is messing up the monitors, picking up my heartbeat ad not his. Blah, hopefully can update later.
We checked in around 5pm. Around 6:15 they had the Cervidil in. That was no fun, no sir. Nurse said I was a good 2cms but closer to 3cms. About 50% effaced. Have the baby heart rate monitor hooked up as well as the contraction monitor. Interesting to watch. I am not in active labor but my contractions are around every 6 minutes or so.
We've been watching tv and the monitors since they are rather fascinating. No food or drink after midnight. They will wake me up around 6am to get the cervidil out then start the Pitocin thirty minutes later.
MawMaw and PeePaw came to visit, which was nice. We will be seeing them more later on.
I have to get off this, it is messing up the monitors, picking up my heartbeat ad not his. Blah, hopefully can update later.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Appointment update
Well the appointment went well, I'd say anyway. The doctor said I've definitely progressed. I'm about 2cms now, possibly 3cms. The cervix has started to soften, but it is still high up so no labor yet. She did some membrane stripping in hopes it might get some activity going. It feels like it might have helped, I've definitely been feeling a lot more pressure since then. Pressure and just general achiness. Let me tell you though, that was NOT fun. I am glad she did it, if it will help, but that is not something I want to have happen all the time.
The way I figure it is even if he doesn't come until I am induced Friday, at least he is further along in progress than he was before so it will only help things on Friday. That being said, Jason and I are determined to make him a Cinco de Mayo baby. Cmon, how cool would a birthday of 5/5/10 be?! CMON HENRY! You have 48 hours to make your eviction.
The way I figure it is even if he doesn't come until I am induced Friday, at least he is further along in progress than he was before so it will only help things on Friday. That being said, Jason and I are determined to make him a Cinco de Mayo baby. Cmon, how cool would a birthday of 5/5/10 be?! CMON HENRY! You have 48 hours to make your eviction.
40 weeks and 5 days
And still no baby. It is becoming glaringly obvious to me at this point that he just isn't going to come on his own. I cannot explain how much this breaks my heart. I know most people do not understand this, but I wanted him to make his own appearance so very badly. I have a doctor's appointment in about 3 hours, so we'll see if there has at least been any progress, but honestly, I am not counting on any. While I definitely feel increased pressure and more cramps, they don't seem to be anywhere near to the point where a baby could come at any time. I also have yet to lose my mucus plug to my knowledge - TMI I know. It's like his due date arrived and no one gave him the memo.
I'm so over this. I cannot sleep anymore. I might sleep in 2 hour stretches if I am lucky, some nights I don't sleep at all. And then last night, for the first time in a very long time, I started freaking out about the actual birth. What have I gotten myself into!? Another reason I really, REALLY don't want to be induced, just sitting around a hospital all day waiting for him to come. Just waiting.
I'm so over this. I cannot sleep anymore. I might sleep in 2 hour stretches if I am lucky, some nights I don't sleep at all. And then last night, for the first time in a very long time, I started freaking out about the actual birth. What have I gotten myself into!? Another reason I really, REALLY don't want to be induced, just sitting around a hospital all day waiting for him to come. Just waiting.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Full term tomorrow!
Well, one more day and Henry will be 40 weeks. Hard to believe, but at the same time it feels I've been pregnant forever. It looks like our little boy is going to be late. We went to the doctor yesterday and found out that there had been no progress made since my last appointment. I still seem to be fairly high, well rather HENRY is rather high, and I'm just about a centimeter dilated. No effacement yet. Soooo the doctor went ahead and scheduled me for inducement. I'd go into the hospital Thursday evening for the Cervidal or however you spell it and then the Pitocin would start the next morning at 6am, roughly. This would be May 7th.
I really, really do not like the idea of choosing my son's birthday. I know technically I am not choosing it, but ever since I came to grips with this pregnancy, I've always just assumed he would come on his own, when he is ready. I knew he'd be late. I was, Jason was, just seemed likely, especially being the first, but it never occured to me that'd he'd be late enough to need to be induced. I am keeping every bone in my body crossed in hopes that he will come before then. This weekend would be nice.
Every day I wake up thinking maybe today will be the day - well rather I stay up way too late, not able to sleep, thinking wow this might be a super stupid idea because what if my water broke RIGHT NOW and I had gotten no sleep? But the other half of my brain is telling me he won't come that day, not yesterday, not today, not tomorrow, because I haven't felt any huge progress. I've had some cramps but they aren't enough to make me go WOW LABOR!! That and I have not had any other signs that he was on his way other than dropping. He still isn't all the way dropped from what I gather, but he's definitely lower than he use to be.
I cannot really accurately describe the feeling of just sitting here waiting for my life to completely and irrevocably change forever. It is exciting and terrifying all at once. I keep thinking there is no way I am ready for this. I get scared out of my mind, but then I have to remind myself that I am not the only new mother out there and that I have a very supportive husband. I am so lucky to have the man I do for the father of my child.
I think we are pretty much ready for him to get here. Clothes all washed, bags packed, for the most part, save a few toiletrie items that have to wait. Maybe he will take me totally by surprise and just decide to come, out of no where. I'd love for him to come today - my doctor is on call and would be able to deliver him. What are the odds of this happening? Slim to none. BTW I think almost all of the self induction methods are bull. There are only a few that I can see that would actually help. Most of them are just old wives tales, which makes me sad because I want him here NOW!
I really, really do not like the idea of choosing my son's birthday. I know technically I am not choosing it, but ever since I came to grips with this pregnancy, I've always just assumed he would come on his own, when he is ready. I knew he'd be late. I was, Jason was, just seemed likely, especially being the first, but it never occured to me that'd he'd be late enough to need to be induced. I am keeping every bone in my body crossed in hopes that he will come before then. This weekend would be nice.
Every day I wake up thinking maybe today will be the day - well rather I stay up way too late, not able to sleep, thinking wow this might be a super stupid idea because what if my water broke RIGHT NOW and I had gotten no sleep? But the other half of my brain is telling me he won't come that day, not yesterday, not today, not tomorrow, because I haven't felt any huge progress. I've had some cramps but they aren't enough to make me go WOW LABOR!! That and I have not had any other signs that he was on his way other than dropping. He still isn't all the way dropped from what I gather, but he's definitely lower than he use to be.
I cannot really accurately describe the feeling of just sitting here waiting for my life to completely and irrevocably change forever. It is exciting and terrifying all at once. I keep thinking there is no way I am ready for this. I get scared out of my mind, but then I have to remind myself that I am not the only new mother out there and that I have a very supportive husband. I am so lucky to have the man I do for the father of my child.
I think we are pretty much ready for him to get here. Clothes all washed, bags packed, for the most part, save a few toiletrie items that have to wait. Maybe he will take me totally by surprise and just decide to come, out of no where. I'd love for him to come today - my doctor is on call and would be able to deliver him. What are the odds of this happening? Slim to none. BTW I think almost all of the self induction methods are bull. There are only a few that I can see that would actually help. Most of them are just old wives tales, which makes me sad because I want him here NOW!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
38 weeks today!
I've been horrible about updating this thing. I think about it often, but actually taking the time to do it is another thing.
Today I am officially 38 weeks, one week into being full term. Apparently this means very little to Henry. We had an appointment on Friday only to determine he's made no move to get out, at all. I am not dilated, effaced, stationed or whatever, nothing. In fact the doctor had to realllly dig around to even get to the cervix. Yeah I know, lovely picture, but that is the case.
Because we had no reason to worry about him coming this past weekend, we went down to Houston for a family reunion. Well technically the reunion was near Woodville 2 hours away, but we went to my mom's Friday and then drove up for the day that day. All in all, we were probably in the car 13-14 hours this weekend. I am thinking probably not the best thing for a 37 weeker, but oh well, didn't seem to do any harm! It was so wonderful to see everyone one last time before Henry gets here. My family is SO excited.
I'm being a horrible slacker lately. I don't even have my hospital bag packed. For some reason I cannot do it. I keep worrying that I will forget something or do something wrong, etc, so I just don't do it at all. And then there is the matter of school. All of my projects are coming to a head. A huge powerpoint presentation is due Monday. I'm about three slides in and it probably needs to be about 18 long. Hey, that's progress right! Plus the huge project that is due next Sunday, April 25th. Just thinking about it makes my blood pressure skyrocket.
Speaking of which, I should get back to it.
Today I am officially 38 weeks, one week into being full term. Apparently this means very little to Henry. We had an appointment on Friday only to determine he's made no move to get out, at all. I am not dilated, effaced, stationed or whatever, nothing. In fact the doctor had to realllly dig around to even get to the cervix. Yeah I know, lovely picture, but that is the case.
Because we had no reason to worry about him coming this past weekend, we went down to Houston for a family reunion. Well technically the reunion was near Woodville 2 hours away, but we went to my mom's Friday and then drove up for the day that day. All in all, we were probably in the car 13-14 hours this weekend. I am thinking probably not the best thing for a 37 weeker, but oh well, didn't seem to do any harm! It was so wonderful to see everyone one last time before Henry gets here. My family is SO excited.
I'm being a horrible slacker lately. I don't even have my hospital bag packed. For some reason I cannot do it. I keep worrying that I will forget something or do something wrong, etc, so I just don't do it at all. And then there is the matter of school. All of my projects are coming to a head. A huge powerpoint presentation is due Monday. I'm about three slides in and it probably needs to be about 18 long. Hey, that's progress right! Plus the huge project that is due next Sunday, April 25th. Just thinking about it makes my blood pressure skyrocket.
Speaking of which, I should get back to it.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Shower pictures!
I can't sleep, and I promised shower pictures (even though the few people who do read this blog actually have already seen them, oh well!) a long time ago. Time to deliver!
Don't mind that I look very puffy and gross. BLEH.
Don't mind that I look very puffy and gross. BLEH.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
32 Weeks and Counting!
I haven't updated in several weeks, shame on me! Well I survived my fantastic shower. I will have to post some pictures later of the wonderful job my cousin, grandmother and aunt did in decorating. They carried out the owl theme throughout the entire shower and it was absolutely adorable.
We ended up with about 40 people there, which includes some of the men folk that came and hung out in the kitchen doing the dishes. Yes, that's right, they did the dishes! We ended up with far more stuff than we ever imagined getting. We are so grateful for the wonderful friends and family that were so generous.
We also started our Lamaze classes a few weeks ago. Due to the snow storm we ended up with last month, the course got shortened from five to four weeks. We have one more class to go to this next Thursday, which I'm looking forward to because we finally get to have a tour of the hospital.
Also happening Thursday, and a bit more exciting for us, is our final ultrasound. I wasn't going to have the doctor do it at first, since we will have to pay for it, however, the more we thought about it, the more we realized we really want to know everything is going ok in there. I don't have a lot of time left, so knowing whether or not things are looking good for delivery is important to us.
I will have to do another post with the nursery updates. It's coming along! They are going to start mudding the walls in the next few days so maybe we will be painting in the next week or so. That would be fantastic!
We ended up with about 40 people there, which includes some of the men folk that came and hung out in the kitchen doing the dishes. Yes, that's right, they did the dishes! We ended up with far more stuff than we ever imagined getting. We are so grateful for the wonderful friends and family that were so generous.
We also started our Lamaze classes a few weeks ago. Due to the snow storm we ended up with last month, the course got shortened from five to four weeks. We have one more class to go to this next Thursday, which I'm looking forward to because we finally get to have a tour of the hospital.
Also happening Thursday, and a bit more exciting for us, is our final ultrasound. I wasn't going to have the doctor do it at first, since we will have to pay for it, however, the more we thought about it, the more we realized we really want to know everything is going ok in there. I don't have a lot of time left, so knowing whether or not things are looking good for delivery is important to us.
I will have to do another post with the nursery updates. It's coming along! They are going to start mudding the walls in the next few days so maybe we will be painting in the next week or so. That would be fantastic!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
I guess it starts now
The lack of sleep. 5:20 this morning I am wide awake. I might have fallen asleep at 1:30am at the earliest. This is getting ridiculous. I cannot sleep for more than 4 hours at a time anymore. I did not sleep at all Thursday night. I did get a small nap Friday during the day, but not enough to cover even half a night's worth of rest.
Well, the guy my father in law hired to come help with the baby room was supposed to come today. And he did show up. And then left again to go get more tools at home. Two hours later, he's no where to be found. My father in law calls him and he says, "Oh sorry, my wife got called into work. I have to play Mommy." So he is coming tomorrow. Seriously though, wouldn't you have the decency to call as soon as you found that out? Jason has been sitting around all morning waiting. I even cleaned a bunch downstairs to make sure the space was ready to be worked on.
I am sure this is normal, to some degree, but I'm feeling really alone lately. It's great talking to my cousin, as she just had her baby nine months ago and it gives me someone to relate to, but for the rest of my friends, for the most part, I feel really distant. I feel like I am losing them. It breaks my heart. Don't want to make this post too depressing, but had to get that off my chest.
Well, the guy my father in law hired to come help with the baby room was supposed to come today. And he did show up. And then left again to go get more tools at home. Two hours later, he's no where to be found. My father in law calls him and he says, "Oh sorry, my wife got called into work. I have to play Mommy." So he is coming tomorrow. Seriously though, wouldn't you have the decency to call as soon as you found that out? Jason has been sitting around all morning waiting. I even cleaned a bunch downstairs to make sure the space was ready to be worked on.
I am sure this is normal, to some degree, but I'm feeling really alone lately. It's great talking to my cousin, as she just had her baby nine months ago and it gives me someone to relate to, but for the rest of my friends, for the most part, I feel really distant. I feel like I am losing them. It breaks my heart. Don't want to make this post too depressing, but had to get that off my chest.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Week 29, Snow, School, Stress, and some other S words
S words....that reminds me of a Celebrity Jeopardy episode from SNL. I'll take Swords for $200 Alex. That's S Words, oh nevermind.
Well I've reached week 29. Sleep (ah ha, another s word!) has been very hit or miss. As I type this, it is 10:30am. I never went to sleep last night. I tried, believe me I did. It just never came. I cannot lay in bed awake too long. I start thinking about all of my stressors and it just worries me even more, making matters worse.
School has been totally kicking my butt lately. I'm taking two courses this semester, and while one of them is cake, the other one is a mess. I have to create a course, beginning to end, on a topic of my choice. I do love my topic though - Baby Sign Language. Jason and I are completely on board for teaching Henry to sign. I took over 3 years of sign language while in high school and college, and it is amazing how much of it I still know.
This book has been our favorite and I highly, highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in teaching their baby to sign. The benefits of baby sign language are countless. I could spend an entire post on just that. But I won't!
So, the snow. Yesterday we received the largest amount of snow that Texas has seen in one day in recorded history. It's completely insane how much we got. The DFW airport reported 12.5 inches. I know to my MD/VA friends, this is nothing. But for here, it is completely unprecedented. While it is a bit frustrating being stuck at home (we cannot make it out of the neighborhood in our Civic, well ok, I don't want to try), it is also absolutely beautiful outside.
It's been a lot of fun walking around in it with Jason. He's been very reminiscent of his childhood up in Washington. They spent a lot of time skiing. Me, personally, I've never seen more snow than this and of course have never been skiing. Absolutely beautiful! Especially since Jason and Mike (my father in law) were able to dry out the satellite. I MUST be able to watch the Olympics tonight. Opening ceremony! SQUEEEE!!!! (another s word!)
One week from tomorrow is my shower (oh my, there's another one!). Can't wait. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful family that cares so much about me to throw this for me. My grandmother has really outdone herself. I think she's just as excited about Henry as we are. From the way she acts, possibly even more so!
Ok, that's enough S Words for one day.
Well I've reached week 29. Sleep (ah ha, another s word!) has been very hit or miss. As I type this, it is 10:30am. I never went to sleep last night. I tried, believe me I did. It just never came. I cannot lay in bed awake too long. I start thinking about all of my stressors and it just worries me even more, making matters worse.
School has been totally kicking my butt lately. I'm taking two courses this semester, and while one of them is cake, the other one is a mess. I have to create a course, beginning to end, on a topic of my choice. I do love my topic though - Baby Sign Language. Jason and I are completely on board for teaching Henry to sign. I took over 3 years of sign language while in high school and college, and it is amazing how much of it I still know.
This book has been our favorite and I highly, highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in teaching their baby to sign. The benefits of baby sign language are countless. I could spend an entire post on just that. But I won't!So, the snow. Yesterday we received the largest amount of snow that Texas has seen in one day in recorded history. It's completely insane how much we got. The DFW airport reported 12.5 inches. I know to my MD/VA friends, this is nothing. But for here, it is completely unprecedented. While it is a bit frustrating being stuck at home (we cannot make it out of the neighborhood in our Civic, well ok, I don't want to try), it is also absolutely beautiful outside.
It's been a lot of fun walking around in it with Jason. He's been very reminiscent of his childhood up in Washington. They spent a lot of time skiing. Me, personally, I've never seen more snow than this and of course have never been skiing. Absolutely beautiful! Especially since Jason and Mike (my father in law) were able to dry out the satellite. I MUST be able to watch the Olympics tonight. Opening ceremony! SQUEEEE!!!! (another s word!)One week from tomorrow is my shower (oh my, there's another one!). Can't wait. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful family that cares so much about me to throw this for me. My grandmother has really outdone herself. I think she's just as excited about Henry as we are. From the way she acts, possibly even more so!
Ok, that's enough S Words for one day.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Third Trimester, Here I Come!
Well I've officially survived the entire 2nd trimester and have started the last leg of the run. I'm 28 weeks as of today. It seems like the weeks pass more slowly lately. I think it is because I think of him so much, and every week I get more and more excited to meet him.
I had my glucose tolerance test on Monday to check for Gestational Diabetes. I'm in the clear! I tested with a 121 and they want you to be under 135 before the test again. What a relief! I was really worried I'd turn up with GD - the last thing I wanted. I think I just assume the worst far too often. So many people seem to have to take the 3 hour test or even end up with GD these days. I'm very fortunate to not be one of those people.
We had to go back today for the actual appointment after a scheduling issue on Monday. The doctor wasn't at the office we normally go to Monday, buuuut no one ever told us that. The doctor checked everything and all my numbers are pretty much bang on. Blood pressure is fine, urine samples fine, glucose fine, heartbeat of the baby fine, size of uterus, fine. Pretty much everything is exactly as it should be.
Next appointment will be February 25th at 31 weeks. We start our Lamaze Class February 11th and are having the baby shower on February 20th. Busy busy month for us!
Now if I can just avoid the stress from school eventually killing me, we'll be great!
I had my glucose tolerance test on Monday to check for Gestational Diabetes. I'm in the clear! I tested with a 121 and they want you to be under 135 before the test again. What a relief! I was really worried I'd turn up with GD - the last thing I wanted. I think I just assume the worst far too often. So many people seem to have to take the 3 hour test or even end up with GD these days. I'm very fortunate to not be one of those people.
We had to go back today for the actual appointment after a scheduling issue on Monday. The doctor wasn't at the office we normally go to Monday, buuuut no one ever told us that. The doctor checked everything and all my numbers are pretty much bang on. Blood pressure is fine, urine samples fine, glucose fine, heartbeat of the baby fine, size of uterus, fine. Pretty much everything is exactly as it should be.
Next appointment will be February 25th at 31 weeks. We start our Lamaze Class February 11th and are having the baby shower on February 20th. Busy busy month for us!
Now if I can just avoid the stress from school eventually killing me, we'll be great!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Week 25
Well I have officially made it to week 25 and STILL am not showing. I can definitely tell more and more every day that I have a little one growing inside of me, but the world has no clue. While I know to some people this might be a blessing, as they'd be glad to keep people from asking them questions and wanting to touch their stomach, and while I do not welcome the touching part, I would like very much for people to see me as a pregnant woman. I feel like a fraud walking around Babies R Us and Target with a scanner in my hand. Or people must think that I am really early along, so why am I Even registering yet? Yes, I know these are silly and crazy, but you can be silly and crazy when you are 25weeks pregnant, right?
Speaking of registries, that was our big accomplishment of the weekend, going to both BRU and Target to register. BRU was having a baby shower that day with games and I guess prizes, so tons of people were there. There was actually a waiting list for the scanners. We lucked out and happenedto be there when someone returned it and we were top of the list, but there were about four couples behind us waiting.
What hassle BRU turned out to be. I had started a registry online but only had three items on it. They convinced me in store to delete the old one and start a new one since I will get some sort of coupon for 10% off whatever is left on the registry. So we fill out all the paperwork, give them a password to use and they say they will delete the old one and create the new one.
WRONG! They never deleted the old one and on top of that they never entered our password on the new registry. So basically there were two registries floating around and we could not access the correct one since it had no password on the account. I had to call customer service this week and get it straightened out, but luckily they were really easy to deal with.
Our Target was rather disappointing in the baby section. There were maybe 6 rows to look at and half the stuff was useless to us. Only three crib sets to look at. They didn't have the bedding we want either. We're going to have to go to another Target in Houston when visiting my mom and get more stuff put on the list. I know people are going to want to buy this little boy stuff for his shower!
Speaking of registries, that was our big accomplishment of the weekend, going to both BRU and Target to register. BRU was having a baby shower that day with games and I guess prizes, so tons of people were there. There was actually a waiting list for the scanners. We lucked out and happenedto be there when someone returned it and we were top of the list, but there were about four couples behind us waiting.
What hassle BRU turned out to be. I had started a registry online but only had three items on it. They convinced me in store to delete the old one and start a new one since I will get some sort of coupon for 10% off whatever is left on the registry. So we fill out all the paperwork, give them a password to use and they say they will delete the old one and create the new one.
WRONG! They never deleted the old one and on top of that they never entered our password on the new registry. So basically there were two registries floating around and we could not access the correct one since it had no password on the account. I had to call customer service this week and get it straightened out, but luckily they were really easy to deal with.
Our Target was rather disappointing in the baby section. There were maybe 6 rows to look at and half the stuff was useless to us. Only three crib sets to look at. They didn't have the bedding we want either. We're going to have to go to another Target in Houston when visiting my mom and get more stuff put on the list. I know people are going to want to buy this little boy stuff for his shower!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Crying Game
It seems everything makes me cry these days. This of course was true on New Years Day. It was a gift my mother in law gave, and it wasn't even to me, it was to my father in law. She made an appointment for him to go to the doctor to get fitted for hearing aids. He wants to be able to hear Henry.
Now my father in law is a big, tough man. He doesn't cry. At least I didn't think he did. When realized what they were he actually had to leave the room he was so choked up.
What a beautiful thing, he cares so much about this baby who isn't even here yet that he is willing to get hearing aids at 58.
On a side note, I'll be very glad we won't have to watch the tv on mute when we go over there anymore because the sound of the tv and us talking bothers him. Nothing is more boring than watching golf on mute.
Now my father in law is a big, tough man. He doesn't cry. At least I didn't think he did. When realized what they were he actually had to leave the room he was so choked up.
What a beautiful thing, he cares so much about this baby who isn't even here yet that he is willing to get hearing aids at 58.
On a side note, I'll be very glad we won't have to watch the tv on mute when we go over there anymore because the sound of the tv and us talking bothers him. Nothing is more boring than watching golf on mute.
Monday, January 4, 2010
23/24 week appointment today
Everything looks normal. Apparently I did not gain any weight between my last appointment and today. I am VERY pleased with this, considering this was over the holidays. My goal is to have the same result next month. Don't worry, I am not starving myself. I am a bigger girl to begin with, and my doctor only wants me to gain like another 7 lbs TOTAL. I still have a long way to go! The baby looks good as far as she can tell, pretty much a smooth, easy going appointment.
My grandmother informs me that she has my shower set up for February 20th and plans on inviting around 60 people, yowza! Well, if she wants to and they want to come, more power to them, right? She also went to Target today and bought my travel system which is being discontinued soon. She got 20% off!
On a heavier note, I am getting more and more confused about how we're supposed to pay for the hospital stay. We do not have maternity (which I cry over at least once a week), just regular insurance. My husband is self employed and I'm currently in grad school and unable to find a job to save my life. They're quoting us around $4200 but that doesn't include the anesthia, pediatrician and she said something else. The epidural is $850!!! This is only if we pay BEFORE I go into labor. If we don't? It could cost $2800 to $3800. Just for the epi. RIDICULOUS! What makes the price jump $2k? I really want to know.
We were not planning on having this baby. He is a total surprise. And while I grow to love him more and more each day, I kick myself at the same time for not doing this the "right" way. Me in a stable job, us in a house instead of living next door to his parents in a place that only has one bedroom. I just hope he understands someday that we did the best we could.
My grandmother informs me that she has my shower set up for February 20th and plans on inviting around 60 people, yowza! Well, if she wants to and they want to come, more power to them, right? She also went to Target today and bought my travel system which is being discontinued soon. She got 20% off!
On a heavier note, I am getting more and more confused about how we're supposed to pay for the hospital stay. We do not have maternity (which I cry over at least once a week), just regular insurance. My husband is self employed and I'm currently in grad school and unable to find a job to save my life. They're quoting us around $4200 but that doesn't include the anesthia, pediatrician and she said something else. The epidural is $850!!! This is only if we pay BEFORE I go into labor. If we don't? It could cost $2800 to $3800. Just for the epi. RIDICULOUS! What makes the price jump $2k? I really want to know.
We were not planning on having this baby. He is a total surprise. And while I grow to love him more and more each day, I kick myself at the same time for not doing this the "right" way. Me in a stable job, us in a house instead of living next door to his parents in a place that only has one bedroom. I just hope he understands someday that we did the best we could.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Baby Prep Time!
It is time to start signing up for all the fun classes that will teach us how to not suck at being parents. At least they will attempt to do so. We've decided to take a 5 week Lamaze course, Babycase Basics and Breastfeeding. I plan on trying to breastfeed Henry. I've done a good deal of research on it and it just seems like the right thing for me to do, especially since I am at home and will have the time to do so, at least in the first months. I have no idea how long I will breastfeed, but I figure I'll start out setting small goals for myself and move from there.
Also, while reading the info the doctor gave us on the hospital I will be delivering at, I found out something rather neat. The baby stays in the room with me, if I choose for him to. This way I can be there at all times, learning to recognize his needs and queues and the nurses will be able to better help me in recognizing them. I don't know if this is standard or not these days, but it is the first I've heard of it. Very cool!
Also, while reading the info the doctor gave us on the hospital I will be delivering at, I found out something rather neat. The baby stays in the room with me, if I choose for him to. This way I can be there at all times, learning to recognize his needs and queues and the nurses will be able to better help me in recognizing them. I don't know if this is standard or not these days, but it is the first I've heard of it. Very cool!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Jason felt a kick!
We've been waiting for that for some time now. Every single time Jason tries to feel the baby, he stops kicking. It's as if he is playing games with us. Well last night we were determined and eventually Jason found the right spot. I think he was pushing back as Daddy was pushing forward. He was a very active little bugger last night! I probably just felt him more since we were up so late.
A few weird things have happened to me since being pregnant. One is random, I'll have it one week and not again for a few more. When drifting off to sleep, or even after I fall asleep, I'll make sounds. Usually just a monotone pitch sound, I guess like a mumbling, but it often times will wake me up, especially if I am almost asleep. I am contributing it to pregnancy just because I have no idea what else it could be.
Another one is sleeping in the car on long trips. My entire life I was one of those people who could NOT, for anything, fall asleep in a car. I slept for an hour on our way back from Houston. On the way there it was probably 30 minutes, and I felt guilty. Every time we're in the car for more than an hour I want to fall asleep.
The last thing is probably a bit more on the serious side, I am not sure. It went away for a week and a half and now it is back. In my right foot, in the ball of the foot, if I don't wear shoes pretty much all the time, it starts to feel swollen, especially when walking. It actually is NOT swollen, I've had Jason check many times, it just feels really tight. I think I just need the support of the shoe. I've researched everything I can and nothing comes up that sounds like it. It's not exactly painful, it's just annoying and makes my feet feel uneven.
Anyway, wrapping this up, and even though no one even knows this exists except Jason now, Happy New Years!
A few weird things have happened to me since being pregnant. One is random, I'll have it one week and not again for a few more. When drifting off to sleep, or even after I fall asleep, I'll make sounds. Usually just a monotone pitch sound, I guess like a mumbling, but it often times will wake me up, especially if I am almost asleep. I am contributing it to pregnancy just because I have no idea what else it could be.
Another one is sleeping in the car on long trips. My entire life I was one of those people who could NOT, for anything, fall asleep in a car. I slept for an hour on our way back from Houston. On the way there it was probably 30 minutes, and I felt guilty. Every time we're in the car for more than an hour I want to fall asleep.
The last thing is probably a bit more on the serious side, I am not sure. It went away for a week and a half and now it is back. In my right foot, in the ball of the foot, if I don't wear shoes pretty much all the time, it starts to feel swollen, especially when walking. It actually is NOT swollen, I've had Jason check many times, it just feels really tight. I think I just need the support of the shoe. I've researched everything I can and nothing comes up that sounds like it. It's not exactly painful, it's just annoying and makes my feet feel uneven.
Anyway, wrapping this up, and even though no one even knows this exists except Jason now, Happy New Years!
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