2 Months Old

Dear Liam,
You are growing so fast! I can't even believe my eyes! You weigh in at 14lbs 8oz!! Mommy has a bin full of your newborn (which you never really wore) and some of your 0-3 month clothing that no longer fits. It's strange to have a bin of things you no longer need. We are getting more and more used to your cues and know what you need when you need it. You are eating about every 3 hours during the day, and sleeping through the night. Everyday I count my blessings that you let me get so well rested. You wake up so happy and smiling it just melts our hearts! We usually wake for your big morning feeding around 6:15am. You fall back asleep for an hour and then we play a bit and you usually fall asleep again for 30 mins before waking up happy and ready to eat again. The day continues like that, and you have now let Mommy get dinner cooked (and sometimes eaten) before you need to eat again. Around 8:30 we start our bedtime routine which consists of singing and putting lavender lotion on the bottoms of your feet and your chest/belly, getting your night-time diaper on, and your jammies. You love this routine, and I love the little sigh you give when you get all snapped up and ready to snuggle. Sometimes you get your diaper changed in the middle of your feeding since you fall asleep. This helps you wake up enough to eat a bit more before falling asleep for the night. Otherwise I feed you after, and snuggle a bit before putting you in your bed. You love your aden+anais blanket tucked up next to your head, your nuk, and sometimes your bunny under your other arm. We play summer night sounds on the sound machine as well as turn on the twilight turtle. Sometimes you fuss a bit, but for the most part you are out for the night. Mommy and Daddy go to bed around 11, and Mommy wakes around 6:15 when you fuss. Since we have realized this new schedule you are so happy all the time! Always smiling and babbling about.

Best.Picture.Ever.  (like father like son...)

Playing on the Mat

You still love the swing, but we moved it into the kitchen now so Mommy can get more things done, so you dont use it as much. You also have recently just started liking your bouncer more. It is interactive, and you are kicking around so much more and making it go off. We have been working on tummy time more each day, but you still don't enjoy it very much. You would much rather be on your belly while laying on Mommy or Daddy. When you are on one of us, you use your arms to lift yourself up and look around. You also love love love to stand up! I can't wait to bust out the Exersaucer and the Johnny Jump Up in the upcoming weeks, you are going to love it! You are flailing your arms around  with more intent and catching objects on your playmat. It amazes you when you make things move around. You also enjoy seeing yourself in your mirror. You just watch this cute baby copying you, even when you are crying. You have also begun to search out your left hand to suck on your fingers. You have recognized Mommy a few weeks ago, but have recently recognized Daddy. You also turn your head to follow us if we cross the room, or if we start talking.

Napping with his bunny.

Your hair is beginning to grow back, it looks dark brown--like Daddy's. It is still very fine and short, so we'll see if it has any curl like both Mommy and Daddy's hair. I know I will probably say this every month, but I am so excited to see what month 3 brings! You are growing and learning so much already, I cant wait to see what the next thing will be!
Love,
Momma

Leg Rolls Starting! :-)

4 Weeks Old

Today marks Liam's 4th week! I cant believe it!! I feel like the first week doesnt even count--after 4 days in the hospital and 2 days stuck on the bili-blanket at home, we didnt have our baby home and off machines until the 7th day. Anyways, I wanted to write a bit about what my son is doing these days so I can remember.

4 Weeks today!!

Dear Liam,
Today you are 4 weeks old! Everyday with you is so amazing! Breastfeeding is going pretty well. You love to eat! We are still using the nipple shield, which bums Momma out. We are trying to nurse without it, but you only latch for a few sucks, then get frustrated. You currently like to nurse for about 10 minutes and fall deep asleep before you've had your fill. And of course, you wake up within an hour and want more. At night before Mom and Dad go to bed (around 11:30), you get a 4-5 ounce bottle of breast milk, your nighttime cloth diaper (lotus bumz pocket with hemp soaker), and you get rocked to sleep by Momma. You usually wake again to eat around 4am, and again at 7. Lately, Daddy has been getting up with you around 8 when you fuss, and rocks you back to sleep. Dad goes to work, and you and I wake up for the day around 9:30.

Proud Daddy :)

You love the swing! Anything with constant motion you are digging right now. Many times while Momma is cooking, you  hang out in your swing in the kitchen. You also love your rocker chair to sleep in when you are gassy at night. Momma can reach you from her bed to sooth you if needed. You also enjoy your play mat. You love looking at the patterns and colors! You unintentionally hit the toys which surprises you  and makes Momma laugh.

SMILES!!

You smile when we play with you and even laugh in your sleep. You are so expressive it's unreal! Daddy says you get his looks, but Mama's expressions! Momma's favorite is when you purse your lips together as if to whistle. You can melt Mama's heart in a second when you push out your bottom lip as if to pout. Hopefully you don't realize the effect this has on Mama, or you will probably get your way an awful lot! You love to snuggle and fall asleep on Momma. You especially love being tummy to tummy with her! You even lift your head to look around and look at the windows or other light sources.

I just cant handle this lip!! Agh! So precious!

You are growing so fast! You already are out of all newborn clothing, and with your cloth diapers, some 0-3 month are hard to snap. You seem to have a long torso, and short legs--maybe the diapers make it look that way? We haven't been to the doctor yet to know your stats, but Daddy weighed you at home, and you are a whoppin' 11 lbs 4 oz! That's up almost 2lbs from birth! You are beginning to lose your baby hair, and Momma hopes it grows back quick. She was didn't have hair for along time! Everyone comments on how adorable you are! And Daddy's family thinks you are the spitting image of him! We cant wait to see what the next few weeks bring!

Love,
Momma

Labor Update 3

We've called in reinforcements. My doula is on her way. Gosh I hope she can help with the pain. I wont lie, the contractions are insane!! Currently 7 mins apart, lasting 1 min.

Labor Update 2

So, my labor stalled around noon today, but there was a lot going on around me, and it was definitely distracting. I had a few contractions, but nothing compared to what I had been having. They still were just as intense and painful, however, not in any sort of pattern. At 2:00 I tried taking a nap in the recliner, and managed to fall asleep for about 30 minutes. I woke up extremely disappointed since I thought everything had stopped. I messaged my doula and told her what was up. She said that my body probably needed a break, and to make sure I ate a protein snack/meal and try to relax/sleep again. I ate, and Billie gave me an amazing foot rub while I was laying in my cool dark room. A few hours later, I began having a few contractions again (yay!) I didn't time them, but they were definitely more patterned. I was hungry again and decided to make some rice and veggies for dinner. It was so tasty! After dinner (about 8pm) my doula called again to check on me. I mentioned that I thought things were starting to pick back up since the sun was setting. She recommended for me to take a light walk and get settled in for the night. I have since walked and took a nice long shower. And here I am...about to crawl into bed time some contractions and read or just plain pass out. I have to admit, my body is tired, my brain on the other hand...has other ideas. We'll see who wins out. Hopefully my next post will be when I have my little boy in my arms! :)

40 weeks + 6 days Pregnant

Tomorrow marks 41 weeks! Yikes! So here's the update so far. I had a midwife appointment yesterday. Here's the stats:
Weight: +.5lbs, total of +44lbs for the pregnancy! UGH! oh well...
Blood pressure was a bit higher for me, I typically have near perfect blood pressure. 130/88
Fundal Height: 44cm--pretty consistent with my measurements lately
Fetal Heart rate: 120bpm
Fetal position: ROA
Cervical check: .5cm dilated, 80% effaced.

If she could have gotten through my cervix, she would have done a stretch and sweep for me, but I wasn't quite open enough. She told me not to expect to go into labor that day (fri) or saturday.

So from the exam, I had a bit of spotting, which I know is normal. But this morning, Scott and I were going to help get things moving (wink, wink) but I had to pee first (of course) and when I went, I noticed I still had a bit of spotting--which had pretty much stopped last night around 10:30pm--and when I went to flush, I noticed something in the toilet. I am 99% sure it was some of my mucus plug! Heck Yes!! FINALLY! I feel like something is happening!! So Scott came to see it, and was grossed out...so we didn't have sex lol, but that's alright. I'm enjoying this little moment I'm having :) My back is crampy, but it seems more constant, than in any pattern, so I'm not sure what that means, if anything. My sleep could be contributing to it as well, I feel like I have two positions to sleep in, comfy for ten minutes,  and GOD if i could only sleep on my belly!! I wake up sore as all get out and my body hates me! At least my calves are feeling better after all that curb walking. It felt like I had done 8,000 stairs!!

So since Wednesday night, when everything came to a haulting stop, I have decided to stop timing, stop thinking, and start enjoying the last few days I have alone. I'm not saying I'm not anxious for him to be here, but I've totally stopped focusing on it. It's easier emotionally not to get my hopes up every time. I dont like to get depressed when nothing is happening, its not fun for anyone. Wednesday afternoon Scott and I went to a local burger/ice cream place and enjoyed a walk around the mill ponds, and Thursday we went to our local honey farm and bought a gallon of honey. I love the drive out to these places, country roads with the windows down and fresh air blowing in! I have also been working on some sewing projects for Liam.




 I would definitely recommend that when you are getting to that point of being depressed when labor isn't happening, you forget about it. I realize how hard it is, but honestly, it is a heck of a lot easier to distract yourself with fun things, than to be mopey all day long! Besides, you wont miss labor. It will definitely get your attention. Enjoy that last few days of a family of two, three, or whatever. Get out of the house, turn off your phone, dont check facebook. Everyone wants to know how you are feeling, but they dont understand that it is even more difficult when they are in you face, even if they mean well. I hope this helps someone. It sure as hell has helped me cope with the last few days. On my list for today: finish the dishes, vacuum, laundry, make curtain for Liam's bedroom, and take a walk. I'm sure I wont get all of these things done, but it would be an accomplishment to finish half of them. :) Enjoy your day!!

40 Weeks + 3 Days Pregnant

So last night...

I woke up at 3am from a terrible contraction. I tried going back to sleep, but couldnt. I tossed and turned, and sat up on my phone for 2 hours before finally falling back to sleep. I knew I could sit up and wait for the next contraction which would eventually wear myself out, or I could try to go back to sleep and save my energy for real labor. I woke again at 7:30 to my alarm, I had a chiropractor appt at 8:15, so I got up and took a shower. I was still having a few contractions, but they were much more spaced out and mild than the 3am ones. The chiropractor adjusted me, and did my pressure points again. They definitely kicked up my contractions a bit. I got home and made some oatmeal with raisins, chia seeds, hickory nuts, and brown sugar. Strawberries on the side, and a tall glass of milk. :) I called the midwife to reschedule my appointment (it was supposed to be today at 12:30, I was hoping not to ride in a car for 2.5 hours round trip while having contractions) I figured I'd reschedule for friday since they don't take appointments on thursdays. Anyways, after that my doula called me and asked how I was doing. I gave her the low-down, and she thought it sounded like baby's head wasn't lined up all the way to keep labor constant.

So she suggested a "mile-circuit"
This consisted of 30 mins laying knees to chest like this:

 











Then immediately 30 mins on my left side with my right leg elevated to help open the pelvis.


Then 30 minutes of curb walking...(15 mins on one side, 15 on the other). This was the hardest part!



So here I am, fresh off my curb, and sweaty...No contractions yet. But I am still hopeful.

Basically the first position helps move baby out of the pelvic a bit, and then laying on the left helps line him up, and then the curb walking helps bring him back down into proper position.

I'm not sure what the rest of the day holds for me, but I am excited to see.
Nikky

39 weeks + 4 days Pregnant Midwife Update

Midwife update:

Had my 39 week appointment today, here's the stats:

weight up 2 from last week--seriously!?! come on! total for pregnancy 43lbs

Blood Pressure: 124/68

Pulse: 70

Fundal Height: 43cm

Fetal Heart Rate: 130bpm

Fetal Position: LOA

Estimated Fetal Weight: 9lbs!! Holy Schnikies!


I also must mention that Monday, I had a bout of diarrhea and then was crampy all day. I really thought that was it...it was labor time...but alas, no contractions. I still have crampy-ness throughout the day here and there, but its not like it was on Monday. Either way, I know labor is coming. My doula thinks it will be Monday. Something about first time mommas having diarrhea one week from labor. Fingers crossed!!

PS, my last day of work is tomorrow! Hurray!!! 

Labor Watch #3 plus small update

Well, I wish I could say the reason I've been not updating the past few days is because my little one finally decided to come. ... but alas...he has not. I know every mother and soon to be mother understands the crabby disappointment that comes with the last few weeks, when things start happening and then stop abruptly. Yup, that's where I'm at. Figures though, we probably all need to feel this way a little bit.

Anyways, many things we have been trying are just repeats of the last few. We have tried nipple stimulation. While this does cause some mild contractions, it hasn't built into anything measurable.

Method #4 Sex and Orgasm

Attempted: 6/5/13

How far along: 38 weeks, 4 days

Purpose: ripen cervix, and cause contractions

Results: a few minutes afterward I had one of the strongest contractions yet. I continued to have a few more milder ones and ended up going to sleep. Throughout the night I had a few that woke me up, but they eventually tapered off.

The chiropractor also did some pressure points again today. (38weeks, 6 days) It has seemed to slowly work. I had some pressure at the top of my uterus, and some contractions that range in intensity. I haven't timed them. I think I'm at the point where it's easier not to focus on them. I hate to keep getting disappointed.

Midwife Update:

I had my 38 week midwife appointment on wednesday. I gained 5 pounds!! WTF! haha, hopefully its just fluid. My blood pressure was 118/78, pulse 80, fundal height dropped to 42.5cm--was 44.5cm last week. She said its dropped since he is much lower and very well engaged. (yay!) Fetal heart rate 130, Estimated fetal weight 8.5lbs! I expressed concern about going to 42 weeks since my insurance will expire by then, and she mentioned that we could start doing some ways to facilitate labor next week. I'm going to email her on Monday to see if they will do a membrane sweep at my next appt on Wednesday. But she mentioned that she didnt think I would make it to 42 weeks. Here's to hoping!!

All I can say is I hope that all these methods we have been doing are at least thinning and dilating my cervix!

More soon. :)

Oh boy! Where have I been?!

First off, I am so sorry I have been MIA for almost 4 weeks! At first I was waiting until my baby shower came and went so I could write about all that excitement. But then I realized what all was going on the weeks following and I got very stressed out and not to mention, exhausted. That's right, exhaustion has set in. In full force I might add.

My baby shower went swimmingly! Everything was fantastic, tons of food, cake, games and gifts for baby boy! I knew my cousin was my cake hero before, but dang! She did such a fantastic job!! Not only did she make a monster cake, but she made THREE! All were different flavors too! Here is a similar photo of what mine looked like:


 Anyways, there was tons of delicious food, and punch all made by my in-laws. The best game we played was "The Price is Right--It's in the Bag" Game. That one where you have to guess the price of the item. We had 6 baby related items and the most anyone got correct was 3! It was the funniest thing to see the women's faces when we revealed the prices! My grandma was like..."But it's just plastic!" to the $7.99 2pk snack catchers! lol.

Some of my favorite gifts for Liam were the cloth diapers! Yay! I was so excited to receive these! I got one weehuggers diaper cover found here. and 2 pockets by Imagine found here. We also got lots of cute clothes, and our pack n' play. Here is a photo of it.

We also got 3 sound machines! We kept the one we registered for, and returned the other two to buy some fun summer clothes and the Twilight Turtle. We actually use the sound machine every night already! It has fantastic sound quality and you can choose to have a timer or not. We love the Summer Night option, sounds like a hot summer night back home in the country. Find it here.

There were so many other things that I cant wait to have Liam use! Lots of handmade blankets and a few sweet books. We are so blessed with the family and friends that helped us celebrate our little boy!  <3

So after the shower, we were crazy busy trying to clean out his bedroom (which was used for storage, hobby, craft things). Also, our doula was coming for a home visit and we needed to clean the house up--big time! I also had missed my 34 week midwife appointment due to car issues, and had to reschedule during my busiest week so far. This is what my week looked like...

Saturday: Work 10-6:30, Scott needed new rear tires so badly that when I followed him to the garage, I was seriously praying they would hold up. They looked so terrible! At work, my stress about the upcoming week just hit an all time high, and when a pile of boxes and product went spilling to the floor in the backroom, I couldnt handle it anymore. I broke down and cried. That coupled with my stress, anxiety, swelling, and braxton hicks, just did terrible things to me. I ended up going home after 2 hours of work. After that, when Scott left for work, he called me a few minutes later saying that some douche pulled out in front of him, and he had to avoid hitting this guy's truck and had to put his car (new tires and all) in the ditch!! Worst part was the guy didn't even stop, and he had his kid in the front seat--which Scott would have hit if he didn't take to the ditch! So anyways, after all that I ended up taking a nap, and feeling a lot better. I even managed to get more boxes packed up to move downstairs.

Sun: Work 6am-12pm, Mother's day at my mom's 1pm-3:30, Mother's day at Scott's mom's 4-6pm. *try to clean-ended up with a terrible sinus headache and used my netipot and took a nap*

Monday: 7:45am chiro appt, work 9-5:30, *try even harder to clean*

Tuesday: leave house at 6am to see the Dali Lama in Madison with Billie. Spent all day in Madtown. Walked State street, it was hot, and I swelled up terribly. We hung out by Vilas Park for a few hours, it was beautiful!

Wednesday: Midwife appointment 9am (1hr 15 min drive) made it back by 11:30 :) Cleaned a like a mad women! Exhausted myself :( 6pm Doula Rachel came over for our home visit! She is so fantastic! She left at 7:30. I made dinner, and then sat down to enjoy our clean house! PHEW!! I also tried to take a bath, but the water wasnt very hot due to the dishes being done earlier. So I ended up crawling in bed, and passing out.


So I guess that pretty much catches you all up to speed. Things were so crazy, and hopefully now they will settle down, and I will enjoy these last few weeks. :)