No I Have Not....

No I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I am alive and well...and so is my little man. It's just that this whole mom thing has been quite the adjustment and when I do have a few moments to myself on the computer I have to do things like check email and pay bills. I have been reading a few blogs here and there...but typically while breastfeeding and I don't comment because I hate typing with one hand - which is typically all I have free while doing so. But....I continue to add things to my multi-tasking while nursing repetroire. As I type this I am using both hands AND I am feeding the man. I am good. I also can blow dry my hair and do my make up while nursing. It can be tough to get a straight eyeliner line...but hey, you do what you got to do.

I am currently working on my "birh story" post. But that's a long one so it's taking some time. I hope to have it up for your viewing pleasure soon.

Here are some other highlights from the last 8 weeks. (Yes it has been 8 weeks which is CRAZY!)

- Fussy baby. Yep...that's what I have. His reflux sure makes him collicy (is that a word?). It sure stretches my patience but I keep telling myself something a good friend told me to keep in mind. That "this too shall pass".

- Sleep. On this I can't make too much complaint. He is so close to sleeping through night. He typically does a 7 hour stretch from like 9 to 4. He's even gone as long as 8 1/2 before. I LOVE him so much when he does this.

- Car seat. He thankfully has been in a real car seat since about 4 weeks. Our lives became so much easier on that day. Slings, swings, and strollers are such a lifesaver.

-Travel. He is already quite the jetsetter. We succesfully flew to Vermont...just he and I, which was a fun adventure. And....we are currently in Denver with his Dad. He does great on the plane which is nice...I'd hate to have everyone else on the flight hate me.

-6 weeks. My 6 week check up is behind me now and I was approved for all activities. I've been going to the gym a few days a week. It's been great to be proactive in shedding the poundage left to get back to PGW (pre-grayson-weight). I still have 25 pounds to go though....grrr. I also was approved for "relations". I was quite afraid of how this was going to feel because of my awful labor (more on that in my "birth story" post to come), but I was pleasantly surprised. And...we are sans birth control from this point on. Possibly a stupid move....but we just are gonna let whatever happens happen. I unfortunately know that a pregnancy does not always end happy, and I don't want to waste any time on baby # 2.

That's all for now...more to come as I have time....

First Father's Day

My husband celebrated his first real Father's Day on Sunday. For the occasion I bought him and Grayson matching burberry polo shirts. It was also a special day because we dedicated the little man at church.

Here are some pics:


Having their 1st beer together


Dedication


4 generations - husband & Grayson with his Dad and Gpa

We are Home

Grayson is HOME. He got to leave the NICU on Monday morning around 10 a.m. Since then we've been busy trying to get adjusted to life at home and get in a routine. He initially had fluid in his lungs and a chance of infection. The fluid cleared up after a few days on it's own. The infection disappeared...if there even was one in the first place. (They were concerned because I spiked a fever during delivery). Then his issue was his oxygen level. It kept dipping down too low. So...they ended up doing and upper g.i. test and figured out he has reflux. When the reflux comes up, his reaction is to hold his breath, causing the oxygen dips. They put him on zantac, observed him a few more days then finally sent him home with us. It was a long 9 nights that he was in there, and it is great to be done with all that and be home as a family.

He had to leave the hospital in a car bed - not a car seat - and has to avoid anything that puts his body in a "c" shape (swings, bouncy seats, slings, etc., - basically anything that would make my life easier at this point). He failed his car seat challenge in the NICU - where he has to sit in the car seat for 2 hours without his oxygen dipping. Within 5 minutes he dipped. So now he lays flat in the car til we have some follow ups with the pulmonolgist.

That's all I have time for at the moment...but wanted to give an update and some pics. More to come in next few days as I have time about labor and all the rest.

Welcome Little Man

Well...I got my wish and had a May baby. Grayson David was born on Saturday evening May 31st at 11:20 p.m. He was 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long. Currently he's sporting blue eyes like his mama, but we imagine they'll turn to brown like his daddy over time.



Keep this little guy in your prayers cause he is currently in the NICU because of issues with fluid in his lungs. It is quite frustrating to be sitting in my hospital room minus him. Not quite how I imagined things. But...he does seem to be improving and we've both gotten to hold him today which was wonderful.

It looks like he will be in here for a few more days than me, but I'll have more info on all this later as we get more updates from the doctor. And...I'll have some better pics too once we have the right cord for the camera.

I'll post more on my water breaking and labor later on, but wanted to let everyone know he's arrived for now and get you all to pray and cross your fingers for him. Thanks!

T.M.I.

I will warn you all right off the bat that this post falls into the "Too Much Information - T.M.I." category. So...if you don't want to know gross details of my girly parts....please read no further.

First off - had my 38 week appt. today and I am now 3 centimeters dilated. Woohoo!

Then, after lunch I used the restroom and to my surprise had what I guess is called bloody show. I got so friggin excited about this grossness on my tp. I actually screamed "yeah!". But...no one was around to hear me. I then preceeded to skip down the hall and cheerily tell all my female co-workers my news to much excitement and glee on their part. How funny are we women as a species? My mom was especially excited. (yep - I work with my mom - and my dad actually - and my sister and her husband).

So I've done my reading up on this whole bloody business and have found that on average, most people go into labor within a few days of having this appearance. But...of course there are exceptions to every rule and it could mean a big fat nothing. And...as I polled my friends and family, I found mostly that they went into labor within 48 hours of this occuring. One even within 8 hours of it occuring. But then there was the one who ruined it all for me and she went 3 more weeks after seeing it and then had to be induced (But I love you anyway honey, even though your news was a downer). I have also had a lot more pressure going on down there, along with decent cramping now and then.

So my question to all of you is.....what do you think? 48 hours? Or possibly 3 weeks and an induction in my future? Oh how I would love for this baby to come in next few days - I so want that May birthdate and I'm running out of time.

So...please share your gross details with me so I can figure out what to expect here.

Not So Bad

I managed to squeak through another Sunday without people saying anything obnoxious. Maybe it's the holiday weekend and everybody is just too happy with time off and decent weather to say stupid things. Whatever the reason...I'm thankful.

So it's Sunday night and still no signs of impending labor. I'm guessing I'm not gonna get my weekend wish. But that's ok. I'm trying to appreciate the rest of the time I have with him inside me. I'm sure I'll miss his wigglings once he is out. I also have had a few anxiety attacks over the past few days about his arrival. I've shed some tears and done some freaking out about the change that is to come and not knowing what the heck to do with a baby. Luckily, these panics don't last too long, but still, I'd prefer they'd go away. I like being excited about his coming...not scared. Hopefully it's just my crazy hormones.

At Friday's check-up I was 2cm dilated and 75% effaced. Not bad progress. More to come at next Wednesday's appt. I'll keep you all posted.

Reasons Why This Memorial Day Weekend....

Reasons why this Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect time for Grayson to arrive:

1 - Husband has time off work and wouldn't have to use too many vaca days post-birth. Also, this is a great time for my sister who lives 3 hours away to get up here for the festivities as well.

2 - As of yet, I have somehow managed to steer clear of any stretch marks. I know that this luck continuing to 40/41 weeks is a statistical impossibility. And I really don't want them!

3 - I am creeping oh so close to having gained 50....yes that's right 5-0....pounds with this little guy. I have at this point made my peace with this. But....should this pregnancy progress a few more weeks, I fear that the scale will creep over that 50 mark and i am so NOT ok with that prospect.

4 - Our pool opens on Saturday, and on the agenda is going to the pool. It sure would be nice to avoid having to suit up. I don't think whaling is allowed at my pool and it is possible someone could mistake me for one and try to harpoon me.

5 - The fat band I've been wearing on my ring finger since February is starting to get way too tight. I think it may need to come off because of all the water retention and swelling. I really hate the thought of not wearing a ring. So, Grayson, please come out so I can keep it on.

6 - So far we have avoided insane heat this May here in NOrthern Virginia. This is quite unusual...normally we have a few 90 degree days thrown in by now. So nice to have avoided the heat thus far in my huge state...but I bet by next week the temps start to rise and I will have to start to suffer even more swelling and canklage in the heat.

7 - Work is 100% handed off. I'm still doing all my duties til I go into labor. But...all is fully covered for when I'm gone. So I'm totally ready on the work front.

So c'mon buddy....be a good little boy, listen to your mom. Come out and play with us this weekend. Even tonight. Pretty please?