Saturday, July 31, 2010

Being a Mommy

A few pictures from my cell phone of my handsome little man
Tummy Time! He's SO strong!




Not too sure about the car ride


Loving the Ergo Baby Carrier! He fell asleep as soon as I put him in there. Literally like a minute.



Being a mommy is amazing. It's better than I could have imagined and more tiring than I could have ever expected. I sometimes wonder how I got so lucky? How is it possible that we made this perfect little baby? I feel incredibly blessed. I think about my friends that are unable to have children or my friends that have lost their babies and wonder why I am so lucky? I thank GOD every single second for blessing us with this little miracle. He's truly a blessing. Amazing in every single way.


He turned three weeks old yesterday. And yesterday was a bit of a rough one. He is going through a growth spurt, so all he wanted to do was eat, and eat, and eat. He was attached to me for pretty much the entire day. He nursed for a total of six and a half hours. No joke. He's usually at around five hours, but yesterday was special. He's a growing boy and needed his food! He usually naps anywhere from 2-3 hours two times a day. Yesterday his longest nap was an hour and a half which was just enough time for me to pick up and take a shower. I felt so bad for him because he just seemed so hungry and couldn't get comfortable. So, I held him and nursed him ALL DAY. I ate dinner while he nursed.


Our night went okay since he was up most of the day I prayed that he slept well and he did. We had a nice long stretch from 11-3 which was so nice. Granted, it was on me and we slept on the couch, but it worked. After 3 though he was pretty much up every hour and a half and has been that way all day today. He kept fighting sleep! My amazing hubby suggested we try swaddling again. He has hated it since day one because he likes his arms to be free, but guess what? It's working. He's been asleep for about an hour - IN HIS CRIB. He naps pretty well in his crib which is amazing. He hates his bassinet. We haven't been able to get him to sleep in it since we brought him home. We have been sleeping in his recliner in the nursery. I know it's not the best, but it works, so we do it.


We moved him into size one diapers a few days ago. The newborn ones still fit for the most part, but he was having lots of accidents, so we figures we would move him up to a bigger size and they seem to be doing the trick. They are pretty big on him, but I roll down the top so they don't mess with his cord (which has yet to fall off) and they seem to be doing the trick. Thank goodness! He was wetting through a few diapers a day which meant we were changing clothes a ton! I never realized how much laundry comes with a baby! Good thing I like doing laundry.


I tried pumping for the first time two days ago and it went great. I was able to pump a few bottles and had planned on having Alex giving him his night time feeding, but he's going through a growth spurt right now and they don't recommend supplementing during a growth spurt. We did give him just a little bit on Thursday night to see if he would take the bottle and we had no problems there! He likes to eat! We got the Tommee Tippee bottles and they are fantastic! We ended up going back and getting the ones for sensitive tummies which should help reduce the amount of air he takes in since we aren't giving him a whole lot with the bottle.


We went for his two week check up this past Monday and our little boy had GROWN! He was 8lbs 1oz and 20in when he was born. He went down to 7lbs 12oz in the hospital and on the Tuesday after he was born at his weight check he was 7lbs 14oz and 20 1/4in. Well, at his two week check up he was 9lbs 6oz and 21 1/2in! Oh ya, he put on a little weight and grew like a weed! Looks like my milk is doing it's job! haha.


A little about what Jacob is up to:
  • You love to eat. When you aren't going through a growth spurt, you eat every 2-3 hours during the day and about every 3 hours at night.
  • You get so mad when you don't get food when you want it. You want to eat the minute you decide you are hungry and will scream until you get what you want.
  • I can't change your diaper right when you wake from a nap because you are too hungry. I have to wait until we nurse on one side and in the middle of your feeding, before I switch you to the second breast is when we get our shot.
  • You usually don't mind getting your diaper changed - you just hate when it's time to close the diaper.
  • You love warm wipes.
  • You love your little giraffe that we put on the changing table. He plays "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and he seems to calm you a little. You've actually started to notice him more in the last few days.
  • You like the bottle and we can't wait to give it to you more. Daddy really enjoyed feeding you for the first time, even if it was only a little tiny bit.
  • You don't like the paci. You will take it every once in awhile, but you would much rather have mommy.
  • You love to look at the artwork in the house. When Grandma was here, she would take you around the house and you just love checking it all out. You have one favorite that you can't stop looking at.
  • You are in size one diapers, but newborn still fit you. Size one seem to help with the accidents.
  • You LOVE to pee and poop when you get your diaper changed. Sometimes I think you plan it that way.
  • You fart. A lot.
  • You don't like sleeping in your bassinet at all, but will sleep pretty well in your crib which is amazing.
  • We had two outings with Grandma this past week and you did an amazing job! We were even able to go out to lunch and you slept the entire time.
  • Your belly button is still attached but we think it might fall off very soon. We hope so because we really want to give you your first "real" bath! We think you will really like it.

We love you so much Jacob. We can't wait to watch you grow. It seems that each day brings new and exciting changes as you grow. You're very loved.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Pictures of Jacob!

Not in the right order, but I don't have the patience to fix it. The first one he is almost 2 weeks old.




























Tuesday, July 20, 2010

He's Here!

This is so late! Little man is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went in to get induced on Friday, July 9th. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 in the morning and started to get things going. Everything seemed to have happened so fast! As soon as I got there they started the iv and shortly after that they came in and put some kind of gel on my cervix to soften things up. I was already 3cm and 75% effaced, so things were already looking really good.


The doctor came in about 10 minutes after the gel was inserted and decided to break my water. At this point I had only been there for an hour! He broke my water and they clocked me in as being in labor as of 8:34 that morning. Wow.


It took awhile for the contractions to kick in. They were somewhat uncomfortable for a little bit. They started the pitocin, but soon realized they didn't need much of it because my body was so ready! I was progressing pretty fast. By 11:45 the contractions were getting unbearable and I was between 5-6cm. I ordered the epidural at this point and was pretty proud that I lasted as long as I did because I seriously thought I was about to die. The nurse made me feel good because she said I must have a high tolerance for pain as most people don't last that long (people that are planning an epidural anyways). I was so proud! haha.

The epi didn't hurt at all, it was more uncomfortable than anything. I was worried about nothing of course. It hit my right side more than my left which was so weird. I could move and mostly feel my left leg, but my right was DEAD. It was so odd. I was thankful for the epidural because shortly after I did the contractions started getting closer together and much more intense. Thank you drugs! I could slightly feel the contractions in my left side, but it wasn't bad. It actually helped when it came time to push because I could tell when a contraction was coming on.

At about 3:30 it was time to push. I was slightly in shock at how fast things were going. He was ready to come! We started pushing off and on while the nurse prepared things. She waited awhile to get the doctor. I was a little shocked at this point at how fast things were going. I really couldn't believe it was time to push! It was so weird because it didn't feel like I was doing anything when I pushed, but the nurse reassured me that I was doing everything just fine and was actually an excellent pusher. She finally went and got the doctor and I knew he was coming soon. We pushed a few times and I finally decided I was done! I wanted him out! Pushing is VERY hard and took so much out of me. I told them "I'm on a mission." I knew I was going to get him out with the very next push and sure enough, I DID! It was cute because as I was pushing before the doctor got there, the nurse showed Alex his head and he instantly got tears in his eyes. He was so excited to see his son coming.

I can't begin to explain the feeling I had when I first heard his cry. It's unbelievable. We both cried. It all happened so fast. They took him to get cleaned off as they stitched me up and got me cleaned off. All I could do was stare at my sweet son who seemed so far away. I just wanted to hold him and kiss him! Daddy was so proud. I've never seen my husband so happy and excited in all the years we have been together.

We stayed in the hospital for two days and came home on Sunday, July 11th which was our one year wedding anniversary and my dad's birthday. It was such a fantastic day!

Pics coming in a seperate post.

Jacob Alexander
Born July 9th, 2010 at 4:23 p.m.
8lbs, 1oz and 20 inches long

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

39 Weeks!

How far along? 39 weeks 5 Days! I can't believe I'm just a few days away from my due date!!
Total weight gain/loss: 42 pounds. It's right around there. I haven't been gaining anymore, so that's a good thing.
Maternity clothes? Of course.
Sleep: Still pretty much the same. Not too bad.
Best moment this week: Being off work and at my last appointment I was told that I'm progressing! 2cm and more thinning and he is in the birth canal! Yay for progress!
Food cravings: Fresh fruit.
Gender: BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Belly Button in or out? It's still in and I don't think it's going to pop either.
What I miss: Just miss having a back that doesn't hurt. He still favors my right side and it's pretty painful. Nothing seems to help either. Not much longer.

At my appointment last Thursday I was 2cm and thinning more. We set up an induction date for THIS FRIDAY! AHHHH! I have talked badly about inducing, but I don't feel too bad. I will be one day overdue if he hangs out until Friday. It's time!

The nursery is officially done! My MIL made the curtains which were kinda a pain in the ass. I felt bad for her!




I'm huge and he's LOW! I feel like he's going to fall out!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

A day of silence for Cohen and his family


A day of silence for Cohen and his family

I will not be blogging today but I will be participating in The Moment of Silence for Baby Cohen....


What: Moment of Silence for Cohen

When: Thursday July 1st from midnight to 11:59 pm.

How: Bloggers participating will post the Cohen banner (above) or simply post Cohen’s name in large letters on their blog.

Why: July 1st Megan and Brent will be holding Cohen’s memorial service. The moment of silence is an opportunity for Megan’s blog community to stand behind her and support her on this difficult day. Linking up will give Megan a chance to see the support at a glance.