4 Months

So I'm ridiculously bad at updating this thing...but we have been busy!

Playing in his wagon! 16 week

Things have calmed down tremendously and we have really settled in to our new life as a threesome. I guess this is when things start to get "fun." Personally, I live for his little laughs and can't get enough of him. It's getting harder to leave him to go to work, as his little personality is really starting to shine. The best is getting him out of his crib in the morning and getting a big toothless grin :)

I have been working- 2 days doing home health pediatrics during the week through Sunshine and every Saturday at the hospital. We are fortunate in that both Grandmother's are great babysitters and have been helping us out during the week.

Chris has his daddy days every Saturday with him while I'm at the hospital. I have no idea what they do all day, but Harrison LOVES his daddy. It's pretty cute. Chris definitely gets the best laughs out of him...I feel like they have some secret connection or inside jokes or something. Or maybe it's just because daddy only does fun stuff ...and doesn't do the not fun stuff like sucking out boogers :)

Harrison is BUSY as well! He has been drooling everywhere, laughing, smiling, rolling over (he's very proud of himself), putting anything he can in his mouth (a little scary!) and babbling all the time. Chris and I think he might be teething, as the drooling is getting a little out of control and he is having a little harder time sleeping. It's not bad, but he is sleeping a little less. Anywhere from 9ish to 6/7ish. We started putting his pacifiers in the freezer, per my mom's suggestion, which has helped a little. Don't see any teeth though...I'm skeptical that he's actually getting any, as I didn't until I was over one. Who knows! We are taking everything in stride, as we still don't know what we're doing!

18 weeks- Getting ready for Valentine's Day

Sometimes you need to eat blocks :)

We had out 4 month check up and Harrison is 15.9 pounds (75%) and 26 inches (75-90%). He got some more shots, and handled them pretty well (better than me!).

We have been experimenting a little with baby food this month as well. Rice cereal and now stage 1 foods (pretty much just apples and pears). Although I would like to make his food myself, I'm not sure how to go about doing this and feel like it would probably make more sense to try the organic stuff in smaller quantities first to figure out what he likes before I invest in 2 weeks worth of squash...or whatever. I don't know.

Rice cereal...not so sure about this :) He really likes pears though!

life is pretty good :)

Me and my little buddy <3 (still trying to master the self timer on the camera)

The Santa Progression

Harrison's First Christmas :)

3 Months!

Wow time has flown by!

I have been a little slack with my updates, but things are going well!

Let's see...Harrison started sleeping through the night at 10 weeks (3 weeks ago). We are elated, as we are starting to feel "normal" again. That being said, I'm still up early enough to see that traffic in Atlanta is still moving (a little early for my liking, but I'll take it!). I started working a few days a week this December, and it's going really well. Granted, I'm not doing much, but I really have enjoyed getting back into physical therapy. I'm going to be working more regular hours in January doing home health pediatrics as well as working in the hospital. My mom is watching Harrison for now- we're trying to keep him home as long as possible. I'm not breast feeding him anymore (didn't make it very long), which I feel guilty about, but it is what it is.

I've decided to do a little monthly survey so I can keep track of things that are happening with little guy (because I'll forget if I don't write it down).

Weight: Little buddy is 15 pounds- he is huge and my arms are sore all the time! ...not that anyone probably cares, but mine is finally back down to normal-- I am very excited about this! I've worked really hard and am very proud of myself :) ....also, Chris appreciates that I'm not buying anymore clothes

Length: As of 8 weeks he was 25 inches-- not sure what has transpired in the last 5 weeks, but he is wearing 6 month clothes (and they fit perfectly!).

Pediatrician Visit: We went at 8 weeks and got a bunch of shots. It wasn't too terrible at the time, but the 2-3 days following were miserable. Dr. Weiss says everything looks good and he's growing nice and strong (and that he'll probably be pretty tall!). We go to see him again in 3 more weeks...for more shots :(

Milestones:  He's been holding his head up for a few weeks, and is "talking" to me a lot during the day...Lots of "O" sounds. He is also starting to chuckle a little bit. He kind of laughed a few days ago for our friend Jill, but I have yet to hear a full on baby giggle. I can't wait :) He can roll from his stomach to his back, but not the other way yet (supposedly this will be around 5 months). I started putting him in his little jumpy chair for a few minutes- he loves it, but his feet can't reach. I prop them up with a pillow and he tries to bear weight a little bit. I am hesitant to do this a lot, even though he likes it, because I don't know that it's a good idea for his little knee joints....and I'm a bit of a hypochondriac?! :) Maybe??


Here's a few pictures from the past  few weeks...

8 weeks

10 weeks

10 weeks

13 weeks

13 weeks

1 Month Old!

Wow, this has been the longest day month of my life. The days and nights seemed to have blurred together with all the feedings, changings, laundry, and not sleeping, but everyone keeps saying "it gets easier."

What does that REALLY mean?

I suppose it's sort of like when you get pregnant and everyone tells you "your life is going to change forever."

No one really tells you HOW.

Everyone also says that the first few months are hard, but that they are "worth it" and become "funny stories and memories" before you know it. I am starting to see this now and feel it's already worth it, but it's still a long road before these times will be "funny."

I would like to document what exactly my life has become so that anyone planning to welcome a little miracle into their life (or me in a few years) can know what they are getting themselves into.

First off, I would like to say that I am completely in love with my little boy and could stare at him all day. Babies blow my mind...such an incredible miracle. I can't believe we are so lucky to have our very own beautiful, perfect little boy.

That being said, the first four weeks of his life have been, at the risk of being vague, "life changing."

I had anticipated less sleep, less showers, and less going out.

Some of the "life changes" I wasn't expecting...
1. taking a shower has become a luxury
2. drying my hair has become flat out fancy (I have done it 4 times in the last 4 weeks)
3. wearing makeup/ perfume has lost its glamour as the perfume makes H sneeze and who the hell is going to see my makeup? Instead I smell like sour milk all the time and look ridiculously tired-- always :)
4. going somewhere like Target or the grocery store is not only terrifying, it's nearly impossible
5. my diaper bag is bigger (and infinitely more important) than my purse
6. 3 hours of sleep in a row is not only enough to get by, it's actually refreshing.
7. "sleeping when he sleeps" is a cruel thing to say as it is almost impossible
8. doing laundry every day is necessary...and somehow ends up being the same things every day that get washed (burp clothes, onesies, and the 3 things that fit me)
9. nursing bras and tops are awesome and all I wear...if I wear clothes. I have a bit of a nudist thing happening.
10. the baby blues are real!!! the first week was so intimidating and filled with anxiety for me I barely slept a wink or ate anything (kind of a positive- I lost 20 pounds in the first few days of being home...but not a pound more since then!).
11. the linea negra doesn't go away immediately- I read up and it can last up to a year! mine is starting to fade, but it's weird to still have this little stripe on my tummy.
12. I really, really miss Chris and the first two weeks I cried when he went to work.
13. 9pm feedings
14. 11pm feedings
15. 1am feedings
16. 3am feedings
17. 5am feedings
18. 7am feedings...just get up at this point.
19. poopy diapers have actually been something I've been excited about.
20. the DVR is my best friend :)
21. A new born baby can fart like a grown man! hehehe

There are some other little gems, but that pretty much summed up my life for the first 4 weeks.

Now we're onto 5 weeks and things are getting a little better. I'm much more emotionally stable (which everyone appreciates). We went to Jon and Ally's wedding this past weekend and had to leave Harrison overnight with my mom and Pete. It was nerve racking for all, but little man survived and I didn't have a stroke like I thought I was going to :) AAAAAAAND it was VERY nice to go out with my husband for a grown up night out.

Here's a few pix...a lot changes in a month!!

3 days old
"Has his Daddy's Jeans"

First Game Day- 1 week

1 week old
"Baby Bear"

With Uncle Justin after my first doctor's apt
7#14oz

2 weeks old
"At the Office"

With Aunt Sammy, 3 weeks old.

With Carlie- 3 weeks old

Big Yawn

Ridin' in the stroller

1 month old!

Hangin' out

Eyeing my Pacifier

Tummy Time

He's Here!!

So this post is a couple weeks late, but I've had my hands full to say the least!

The Birth

The night before our little one was born :)

Chris and I went to the hospital Sunday September 18th around 4pm for our induction "prep." For whatever reason, I imagined Sunday night as being a relaxing, comfortable evening complete with cozy pajamas and walking around the hospital followed by a good night's sleep in preparation for a leisurely induction Monday morning (whenever I woke up).

...I was a little off.

We got there and were immediately put in a room where I had to wear a "one size fits all" gown that really fits no one. My ties weren't even all there! I was put in a delivery bed that encourages you to lay on your back (a position that I HATED being 9 months pregnant). So, being stubborn, I layed on my sides and made Chris put on my cute, fuzzy socks for me (a task that had become impossible for me to do on my own). I couldn't really walk around because the baby and I were hooked up to all kinds of monitors. Going to the bathroom was more than an ordeal.

By 6pm I had cervidil applied (something that is supposed to soften the cervix). You're really not supposed to move at all once this is applied, so needless to say, I was REALLY comfortable after that...I felt like quarantined orca.

In my cantankerous state, I was letting my hormones get the best of me and I became a bit emotional: Chris got me ice chips and I got all choked up because I was so thankful. He apparently had been talking to my sister (who lives in Nashville) all weekend without me knowing and convinced her to come into town to be there for me.When she showed up a few hours after we got to the hospital, I had another nice crying session. They were both incredible all weekend, and made the whole experience so much better!

The nurses gave me ambien around 9pm to get some sleep in preparation for the next day. I was reluctant to take it, but knew I would never sleep on my own with all the dings, IV machines, BP cuffs going off every 15 minutes (my right arm was sore for three days!), and other miscellaneous sounds. I slept like a champ from 10-1, at which point I woke up with some pretty solid contractions- about every 5 minutes. I had only gained 1cm over night (in addition to the 2cm I started with), and was pretty miserable. I think they gave me the pitocin around 5am, but I am not the best historian concerning this night. Shortly after I got the pitocin, the pain was so intense, I asked for pain medicine. They gave me a shot of something (heroin?!?), and I felt MUCH better. I channeled Christopher from the Sopranos during his best shooting up scenes, and melted right into my bed. I fully comprehend drug addiction now.

The heroin-shot wore off by 10ish, at which point the contractions were so intense, I was shushing all the people in the room.  They called the epidural guy and he swept in with his magical needle around 11am. By 11:05, I was feeling pretty good again!

I have to say, I did feel guilty about taking the meds. I didn't drink carbonated beverages or eat deli meat for nearly 10 months, so a shot of heroin seemed like a bit of a cop out. However, I think my delivery would have encouraged me to entertain sterilization had I not had the meds.

At around 1pm I felt as though I needed to push (strange feeling). I can't really explain what this even felt like, and it could have just been me being tired of not having this baby, but I kept calling my nurse to tell her it was time to go! Also, I could hear other women nearby having their babies and I was jealous that they were done being pregnant.

She came every time I called, but kept telling me I wasn't quite ready... I must have called her every 10 minutes until she told me it was really time. Chris, Dr. Ayres, Staci our nurse were all in the room at this point, and Dr. Ayres kicked all the family out (my sister, mom, and mother in law). Once they left, he said "it's better with less people, unless you really want them here." I didn't care about anything at that point except getting this little boy OUT.

A few moments later, a random woman who was a pediatric nurse came in and stood by my head. While everyone else was very helpful and was encouraging, this crazy woman kept screaming into my ear "shoot him to the ceiling!! push him out like he's a bowel movement!" I LOATHED her!!! First of all, babies are NOT bowel movements and it's NOT the same kind of action. She was a broken record and it was all I could do not to swear at her. I didn't want Harrison's first moments on earth to be me cussing out the delivery team, so I refrained, but I did shush her to no avail though.

Also, the woman across the hall was also in labor and was too late for her epidural. She didn't speak English and kept screaming obscenities in Spanish. She screamed bloody murder the entire time I was pushing. I felt awful for her, and incredibly thankful for my epidural. I started to get upset about how much pain I could tell she was in, but Chris was my saving grace. He was incredible the whole time, always saying how much he loved me and saying a bunch of crap about how great I was doing (I didn't think so at the time). He was a good coach :)

I couldn't be more appreciative to have him as a husband and as the father of our baby boy.

FINALLY by 2:31pm (after about 30 minutes of active labor), our little buddy made it out into the world! I have never felt love the way I did the moment I saw my son. The intense love I have for my son and my husband moves me to tears on a daily basis.

...Though I do love them both so incredibly much,  I would like the crying to stop :) Damn hormones!

I have to say the labor wasn't as bad as I imagined. I think people like to tell first time mom's all their horror stories about how awful it is. Please don't be mistaken, it was no walk in the park, and I had my amazing epidural, but it was really only the last 5 minutes that were hellacious and miserable. It was still traumatic enough that Chris and I will be waiting a while before we embark on this type of life adventure again, but I'm not scared of SOMEDAY giving this little boy a baby brother or sister (by someday I mean YEARS from now).

Harrison Everett Maxwell
7 pounds 11 ounces
20.5 inches in length

Chris meeting his son for the first time <3

There isn't a great family picture that doesn't include my naked chest,
so this is my first pic with my baby boy :)

...I was pretty exhausted and Chris and I were having a moment.

I LOVE my boys!!!

Week 39/ Early Week 40

Week 39

*Total weight gain?: 163..32 total. 

* Pregnancy Symptoms:  I look like a beached whale?? Ummm...let's see the newer ones: Well, I've had the same 'heavy' feeling in my lower abdomen, I've had 3 ultrasounds since last visit. My amniotic fluid levels have been low and I've had to be on bed rest for a full week and "take it easy" precautions since Monday. According to the all-knowing google, normal ranges of amniotic fluid go from 5-25cm depending on what week you are. Apparently, after 34 weeks it naturally gets less due to the baby is bigger than there is space for it. Mine was 6cm the first US, 7cm the second one and 8+ on the third one. The 3rd one is what got me my "take it easy" precautions, in which I'm allowed to go do simple things like get manicures and get a couple things from the grocery store, but nothing more intense than that. Still a bazillion times better than bed rest!

*How big is baby?:  According to ultrasound #1 (about 10 days ago), he was about 7 pounds +/- 14 ounces. By that rationale, I'm thinking he will be closer to 8 pounds when he is born. I'm also guessing about 21 inches. 

Here's his little face :)

At birth, I was roughly 7 pounds 14 ounces and 20 inches and Chris was 10+ pounds and 24 inches (a freaking toddler!!!).

*Sleep: Lots.

Sex:  a little boy!!

*Movement: Yes, he's still wiggling, though not as many major movements these days. This is good because he is 'in position to make his great escape.'

*Food cravings: TCBY! I've been playing with a business proposition to add a delivery team to said or any other fro yo stores. Ice cream by means of wasting 10 calories or less of effort is EXACTLY what America needs.

*Labor signs: Still 1-2 cm and 60% effaced. Definitely had more Braxton Hicks contractions lately, but nothing super exciting. The MD wants to induce labor on Monday morning (9/19/11), because of the risky amniotic fluid levels. I'm dreading this because I've heard horror stories about pitocin. That being said, I've being trying EVERY wive's tale I've heard of to get this baby a little more motivated to see the outside world! 

Here's my personal research/ lessons learned thus far:

1. spicy food = terrible heart burn

2. eggplant parm from Maggianos = delicious, but didn't work.

3. eggplant parm from Scalinis = Much better than maggianos and more pieces (4 vs 2). We might have had more success here if we didn't leave half of it at the restaurant. So sad!

4. Marital relations....Not helpful. Nough said.

5. Deep squats = REALLY hard, and uneventful.

6. My signature 'shimmy dance' with hamstring curls (per Chris' request)  = laughable.

7. Reflexology: I spent $150 at my favorite nail salon to activate specific pressure points associated with labor: The inner ankles, web space of the hands, and upper trap areas. This did get the baby to kick like crazy, but the only change was that he went from having one foot on my ribs to 2 feet on my ribs. They REALLY hurt. And my doc says he still hasn't dropped, so that's great.

8. Chinese food followed by a specific chain of events per a friend's recommendation: didn't work for me!

*Belly button in or out: I'm usually an outie now. It's a little sensitive to touch, so I cram it back in and cover it with a bandaid so I don't accidentally hit it on things (you'd be surprised!).

*What I miss:: not having to tape my belly button, bending, rolling over, sleeping through the night (I hear this gets better), wearing normal clothes (even the maternity clothes I have are getting a little too tight for me)....you get the idea.

*What I'm looking forward to:  Tuesday!!! The hard part should be over by then?!?!?

*Best Moment of the Week:  Finding out that our little guy is still doing great in there and passed all his ultrasound tests. His heart, lungs, kidneys, and body is all developing normally. He's also practicing breathing- which blew my mind to see. I'm so proud :)

Also, not being on bed rest is pretty awesome!

Week 38...He's the length of a leek!

*Total weight gain?: 159...28 total. Math is hard.

* Pregnancy Symptoms:  Well we had another ultrasound, and yes I'm STILL pregnant. We had the ultrasound to ensure that this baby wouldn't be as big as Chris (which thankfully he's not). During the ultrasound they took measures of his head, spine, heart, kidneys, liver and amniotic fluid. Although the nurse told us the baby looks great, she sent the doctor in the reevaluate the amniotic fluid levels. They are low (I'm not sure how low), and require me to be on partial bed rest. This means I get to be home, but I'm really only allowed to get up for food/ bathroom needs. I've been trying to lump them in the same time frames, and have created a "nest" around my area of the couch. Chris came home from work and commented that I was really settling into the couch over here. I have to admit, I do have probably too many empty glasses, cans of coconut juice (thanks Justin!), and plates around me, but I am not supposed to be up doing anything unnecessary, like cleaning dishes! (I'm milking this!).

*How big is baby?:  I have something more exact for the first time this week: according to his measurements, they are guessing (+/- 14 ounces) that he is roughly 7 pounds. They really want me to stay pregnant for another 7-10 days, so he might get closer to 8. We shall see! I'm happy with 7 though :)

*Sleep: Better- I actually took not one but TWO naps today. They were both glorious. I am so bored.

*Movement: Yes, but he's slowing down. Today I realized I hadn't felt him in a while and he didn't get his 11:30 hiccups (he really gets them every day at 11:30!), so I freaked out. I tried everything I could think of to make him kick, and he wouldn't budge. I called Chris and told him I was giving this little guy 30 more minutes before I marched into the hospital and demanded some fetal monitoring. I took a shower and then he decided he would wake up a little bit. Then he kicked like a maniac for 2.5 hours straight and got a nice case of the hiccups, making his mommy very happy :)

*Food cravings: Not really. Chris did bring me some eggplant parmesan from Maggianos today. I thought it was just a wives tale that if you eat eggplant parm you go into labor, but apparently eggplant has pitocin in it which can induce labor. I figure its a long shot, but why not? I love the stuff!

*Labor signs: We went to the doc Tues, and saw the midwife, Barbara. She did my exam and found that I have made no progress since last week. This is probably not a bad thing, as he could stand to cook a little longer (as long as he has enough fluid in there!). That means we're still 1-2 cm dilated and 60% effaced.

*Belly button in or out: it can be flat, or if he wants to the baby can kick it way out and I hate it. I wonder if it will ever look like a belly button again??

*What I miss: everything.

*What I'm looking forward to:  Seeing this little guy come out healthy!

*Best Moment of the Week:  Finding out that our baby is practicing breathing in utero, and, according to the docs,  will likely do well when he gets out. I'm getting anxious about delivery though!


Oh, and it feels good to be done with work for now!