Hello World

Benjamin Robert came out to play this morning.  He weighed 6 pounds and measured 19.25 inches.  Mom and baby are doing well.

Avery was very excited to meet her baby brother.

 

24 Hours

The last 24 hours has been a bit...full.  The results of this morning's NST and ultrasound indicate that baby boy needs to come sooner rather than later.  He looks good on the NST but my fluid level is still pretty low.  So tomorrow morning we head to the hospital.  I'm nervous, anxious, excited-all of it.

Avery and I spent about 2 hours at the doctor and pharmacy yesterday evening.  She has a bad cough that won't go away.  The doctor said it's a bronchial flare-up related to allergies.  So the good news is that it's nothing contagious or anything, but the bad news is that she is basically coughing non-stop.  So not only can she not sleep, she actually threw up twice last night from coughing so hard/much.  Wednesday morning she was up at 6 (my kid doesn't get up at 6) and this morning she was up at 5:30 (fortunately we got her to go back to sleep).  It's pretty miserable to hear her cough so much.  She has a few prescriptions so hopefully it will clear up very soon.

Breathing treatment at the doctor's office

Another at home

Yesterday she was pretty emotional from having so little sleep.  She was crying when I picked her up at school (which practically never happens).  They said she had been crying and saying "I want my baby brother."  And as soon as she saw me she ran over and said "I want my baby brother." Not sure if she thought he was already born or something?

After we all got home last night (Avery and I from the Dr/pharmacy, Rob from a day out of town for work) we spent the rest of the evening trying to get everything ready for baby boy's arrival.  We did a few things in his room and around the house, I finished packing our hospital bags, did laundry, and washed bottles.

This morning wee finished with the NST and u/s just in time to head over to Avery's last swim lesson.  The parents were invited on the last day to see what the kid's have learned.

Avery seemed to really enjoy herself.  There were five little girls in Avery's group.  They all play on the pool steps while the instructor works with each one for a minute or so at a time.  They practiced floating on their back, swimming on their stomach, jumping in the water, and getting to the edge of the pool and getting themselves up and out (important one!).

Some other things:
-fully submerge for 10 seconds
-retrieve objects in chest deep water
-submerge and blow
-turn over with help
-front and back float and kicks

The instructor said Avery did really well overall, but that she wants to hang on to you.  The next step would be getting her to be more independent in the water.  The kids either "completed" or "participated" in Level 1 and I'm proud to say Avery "completed" it:)

A few videos:

Nursery Tour

About 85% complete.  It is all ready for him, I just have a few more things I'd like to put on the walls.

The big blank space above his crib is for his name.  I would like to do something like this:

http://www.harpershappenings.com/2010/04/07/nursery-tour/

Also, I wanted to hang all the lanterns together but one was just too big, so we put it over the glider.  I might revisit it later.

Lots of toys and books

Glider and lantern.

Changing table and alphabet decal

Alphabet decal from Etsy 

Diapers, wipes, clothes, diaper bags, more toys

Lanterns from Just Artifacts

Big blank space:(

Breathable bumper from Target
Crib sheet and blanket from Pottery Barn
Crib skirt made by my mom.  Fabric from Jo Ann's (about $7!)

This was going to be his going home outfit but now
I think it's going to be too big. From Carter's.

Little lovies waiting for him

Prints made by a co-worker

Black frames from Big Lot's painted gray 

Curtains from Target

37 Weeks

When a regular doctor appointment turned into a not-so-regular appointment.

4 Grapefruits

37 Weeks

Congratulations! You've got what is officially considered a full-term baby, even with three weeks to go. That doesn't mean he's finished growing — in fact, he's still packing on about a half pound a week (at this age, the average fetus weighs about 6.5 pounds). That makes it a little crowded in your uterus, so he’s probably not kicking as much, though he’s probably stretching, rolling a bit, and wiggling (all of which you’ll be able to feel!). Right now, your little superstar is busy rehearsing for his big debut, inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid (to get the lungs ready for that first breath), sucking his thumb (to prepare for that first suckle of milk), blinking, and turning from side to side.

Possibly last picture

She had on her swimsuit for swim lessons but wanted to wear her new
"puddle jumper" from Gigi and Pepaw 

So at my doctor appointment this morning the doctor heard another "blip" on the baby's heartbeat.  This happened a few weeks ago as well.  This can happen due to a kink in the cord, baby pulling on the cord, low fluid levels, etc. so in and of itself is not a huge cause for alarm as it happens from time to time.  But the fact that she had heard it happen twice in just the 30 seconds that she listens to the heartbeat every couple weeks was a red flag. When she checked a few weeks ago my fluid levels were ok, but when she checked following the blip today, they were very low (5-7 being low/normal, mine being 3).  I am only measuring 35 weeks (and I'm 37) so likely he isn't growing at a rapid pace due to the low fluid.  According to my doctor, I am "all baby" in the literal sense (not much fluid).

She sent me to the hospital for a NST (non stress test) to make sure the baby wasn't in any kind of immediate distress and with the warning that I might not be leaving the hospital today.  During the 40 minutes of monitoring there was only one additional dip in his heartbeat but everything else was good (no distress, reactive, etc.).  Based on those results, she let me leave.  I am going back on Thursday for another NST.  Unless there is a dramatic change (increase) in my fluid level I will be having my c-section Friday morning.  

Didn't want to get too comfortable-left my shoes on

Waiting on the results

The only thing I can do is try to drink a lot of fluids.  According to the nurse this may or may not directly effect (increase) my amniotic fluid level, but it won't hurt.  Likely it will not cause a dramatic increase.  Unless my fluid levels are a 6 or so on Thursday, we will be meeting him on Friday morning.  

I am full term, so there are no major worries about his health should he be born this week.  We definitely were not expecting this, though.  With Avery trying to get me to take her to kindergarten in my uterus (my doctor's words) and having no complications thus far with this pregnancy, we didn't have any reason to think that he might be coming early. 

I wasn't exactly physically or mentally ready to meet him this week (remember last week I said I was going to need every day until the 13th), but if it's best for him to be on the outside instead of the inside, then we will obviously do what is best for him.  My doctor thinks he will be around 6 pounds, so those newborn sizes will come in handy.  

We still have some things to do (finish up a few things in the baby room, pack hospital bags, install car seat, get last minute items, wrap up everything at work, complete all disability and FMLA paperwork, etc.) and just a few days to do them now.

Weekend Recap: Birthday Party & Baby Shower

Saturday we went to a birthday party.  Avery said "I hope they have juice!"  Easily pleased.

Zoe, Bryce, and Avery

Not only was there juice, there was cake too.

It was super hot but Avery wanted to play outside all afternoon and evening.  She then wanted to eat dinner at her play set.  Not sure how much she ate and how much Arthur ate...

We had some dessert-still outside...

Sunday we got up and did a few things around the house and in the baby's room.  Everything is slowly coming together.  I just have to get a few things framed and the room will pretty much be set!

Avery and I got ready to go to the baby shower hosted at Summer's house.

Lynn, A, and Mimi

Being silly with Mimi

Cute cupcakes made by my mom-including the little bears!

She couldn't wait to get her hands on one.

Jennifer & Summer

The shower was wonderful.  Great food (which I forgot to take a picture of), great family, great friends.  And so many thoughtful and useful gifts for baby boy.  It was so nice of Summer and my mom to put together such a nice shower for me (and baby)!  I actually got all the blankets and such washed and put away last night and all the diapers and wipes stored away in the closet.  We are very close to being totally ready for baby boy!

Which is good, because we have 18 days.

18.

gulp

36 Weeks

3 Pomegranates

Other comparisons:
Honeydew
Large cantaloupe
Swiss Chard

Ah, the ninth month – the home stretch. By now you might not be feeling as chipper as you were three months ago. After all, your growing belly might make it hard to sleep, as do common issues like heartburn and frequent urination. In fact, third-trimester insomnia affects three-quarters of all pregnant women, which is either due to previously mentioned physical problems, mental distractions (there’s so much left to do!), or simply your body getting used to the upcoming sleepless nights.

He's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own.

His skin is getting smooth and soft and his gums are rigid.

His liver and kidneys are in working order.

Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too.

She wanted to give baby a hug

So...THREE AND A HALF WEEKS.

24 Days.

But who's counting?!

I know it sounds crazy but this is really kind of sneaking up on us.  It seems like we have so much going on between spending our last weeks together as a family of three, preparing for the new addition, continuing to get everything settled in the new house, and of course, working.

We are basically ready.  We have the necessities on hand (car seat, diapers, wipes, clothes, place(s) for baby to sleep).  We are still putting the room together and there are definitely some essentials that we're lacking, but nothing that can't be picked up in a trip to Target and Buy Buy Baby.  Oh.  And a name.  We probably need one of those too.

Physically, I'm doing fine.  Tired?  Yes.  Heavy? Yes.  My back definitely lets me know when I'm on my feet for too long.  But I can't complain too much.  I sleep pretty well most of the time.  I can't wait to see what this little guy that gets hiccups after I eat and pokes me with various body parts looks like.  We are definitely excited to meet him but for the next 3.5 weeks I'll try to enjoy what is (99% most likely) my last pregnancy.

Father's Day Weekend

Friday night I took Avery for ice cream.  Believe it or not there were no open tables at Braum's (you know you live in a small town, when) so we had to eat on the go.  Big mess. Oh well.

Saturday morning my mom came over and we organized the baby's room.  The clothes were completely out of control-just piles of them everywhere.  We washed them all, organized them, and put them away.  The amount of clothes is really incredible.  Three dresser drawers full plus some hanging in the closet.  This kid definitely has clothes-at least for the first 6 months of his life!  We also put the crib back to infant settings and put the sheet on the mattress.  Anyway, it was nice to get the room organized.  Now we just need to finish the decor (start the decor).

Later that afternoon we went swimming with Gigi and Pepaw for a bit.

Avery had a lot of fun and clearly was worn out when we left.  We decided to kick off Father's Day by getting pizza for dinner.

We started Father's Day off with Rob's favorite bagel from Panera and of course Avery had a card and a few little gifts for Rob.

Rob jokingly told Avery we were going to leave Pepaw at the restaurant, resulting in tears and complete uncooperation for a picture.

Don't joke about Pepaw

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing in our new pool.  The finest Aldi had to offer.

No diving

Feeding the ladies some carrots

Avery was a fish yesterday.  She played outside and mostly in the pool from 2-7, when I made her come in and get out of the sun and cleaned up for dinner.  She was all about swimming and being a "diver."

Rob made dinner-he insisted.  He wanted ribs.

When they were playing in the pool Avery told Rob that he was her best friend.  I think that was the best Father's Day present.  Hopefully that let him know what a great dad he is.