Posted by Me
Sat, 20 Jan 2007 19:36:00 GMT
Here we are at the end of Week 2. Tomorrow Jack will be 2 weeks old. Wow, time sure flies by. :) Jack is doing well. He’s eating often and having a good number of wet and soiled diapers which helps me ascertain that my milk is getting to him. It’s amazing how much he is changing everyday. I mean I know people told me that the first few weeks are quite extraordinary in the way how they change. I believe he is getting a bit chubbier which makes his already chubby cheeks even fuller. He is having a few more “awake” hours where his eyes are wide open and exploring the world. He still sleeps a ton, but that is to be expected being that he is still itty bitty. :)
He still isn’t a fan of his bassinet so we ended up getting a co-sleeper/inclining sleep positioner thing for our bed to help transition him. We tried it out last night and he did pretty well. He only woke up for feedings every 2 to 2 1/2 hours or if he had a soiled diaper. It was nice not to have to sleep holding him in the recliner since though my Nursing Chair is pretty darn comfortable it is hard to really drift off in a reclined position. We’re hoping to get him used to the co-sleeper/sleep positioner, then slowly move it and him to the bassinet and once that works we’ll try the crib when he is a little older. We figure one day at a time and one step at a time. Hopefully, having the sleep positioner will help him feel more snug and get him more comfortable sleeping on his own.
Other than that, his color is looking better. He is less yellow/orange red which is a good thing. I think he is slowly pooping out the bilirubin and lowering his levels. He still has a slight yellow tint to him but it isn’t nearly as pronounced as it was a few days ago. Phew!
LOML & I are still adjusting to the limited sleep thing. Some days are better than others, but overall we are hanging in there and trying to figure out life after baby. We love, love getting to know this little guy and can’t believe that he is finally here. He is truly our little miracle and we are so grateful to have him in our lives after all that it has taken to create him. We hope that he continues to prosper and grow. My sister and her fiance are coming for a visit next week. That should be cool. My Mom and Dad are planning to come for another visit a week after that which should be nice since it’ll be a little longer than the last time they were here.
In any case, my heart is bursting with pride and joy as I am looking down at my lap where our son is taking a little nap while mommy updates her blog. I still can’t believe I am a mom. I never thought it would happen and now that it is here it is still taking some time to truly believe it. For so long, I only dreamed of this and most of the time was certain it would never happen. As I look at his sweet face in deep slumber, I am reminded by our journey and all that we’ve been through. As any infertile woman will attest that even if we manage to break through to the other side, our lives are forever changed by our experiences. I am not going to lie and say that these past 2 weeks have been a piece of cake. They haven’t. The no-sleep thing is something to get used to – getting a hang of the breastfeeding thing is a challenge and overall I am not entirely confident of my mothering abilities. However, no matter how tired I am or how challenging some days/nights might be – not one second do I ever forget how amazing I have it – how special this time is. I try my very best to acknowledge and experience each and every day. I can already see how quickly time flies and how quickly he changes. I don’t want to miss out on anything. I have waited for this chance for the longest time and now that it is here I do not want to take anything (least of all him!) for granted. I know I have been blessed and I promise to never forget it!
I am a Mommy and I know life will never be the same again! Thank goodness for that! :)
Posted in Hello, my name is Infertile, Everyday Livin', Baby G | no comments | no trackbacks
Posted by Me
Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:45:00 GMT
Thanks so much for all the congratulatory comments! :) I can’t believe my little guy is already 9 days old. The last week just whizzed by though with the whole limited sleep thing all the days have blended into one long stretch.
Sleep is still hard to come by but we are managing. Jack is still not a big fan of being left in the bassinette alone so that’s made the evenings a big challenging. We are hoping to work on that in the next few days. Right now, I am writing this post as he is sleeping peacefully in my arms.
The last week also has been a bit rough since when we saw our pediatrician she noted that he lost quite a bit of weight – he went from 7 lbs 14 oz to 7 lbs at the first visit. However, that day I had just gotten my milk in and since I was trying to breastfeed exclusively I guess he didn’t get enough to eat. Our pediatrician instructed me to breastfeed as much as I could to see if his weight gain improved. In addition to the significant drop in weight, Jack was also a bit yellow which can be a result of losing too much weight and being born early. We had a few bilirubin tests done to see his levels and only got the news yesterday that his levels seem to be on the downward slope. It helps that he has been feeding well and pooping/peeing well. Our Doctor said that he should be out of the woods, but to keep an eye on him. If we see him suddenly turn more yellow/orange, have a decrease in appetite, and/or decrease in peeing/pooping to bring him back in for a check-up. So far I think he is doing ok. He is due for another feeding soon which will hopefully yield a poopy diaper. I swear I haven’t been so excited about seeing poopy diapers than I have in the last few days. Welcome to Motherhood, I guess! ;)
Yesterday, we went in for our weekly check-up and his circumcision. The check-up went well. He has gained back his birth weight and is back at 7 lbs and 14 oz (Yay!). The circumcision went as well as could be expected. LOML was with him in the room. Jack was understandably upset – I mean who wouldn’t be. However, after nursing him at home and making him comfy he was able to slip into a nice sweet slumber.
LOML & I are adjusting. We consider ourselves so lucky to have this little guy home. He’s incredible. I can just sit there with him in my arms and stare at him for hours. At times, I still have to pinch myself to truly believe that our little miracle is home and hopefully on the mend. I was quite worried there for a while when I heard about his weight loss and jaundice, but hopefully we are slowly moving all passed that. :)
In any case, we are getting to know this little fellow and love him so much. Though it has only been a week since he made his arrival, I can’t imagine our lives without him.
As far as I am concerned, I am doing well. I still feel a bit poofy which you can see from the pictures. I had some serious swelling in my ankles and hands last week, but that has subsided. I know I am still retaining more fluid that I should but hopefully that will pass soon. Besides being a bit more tired, I can’t complain. I am a Mom. Jack is home with us and I couldn’t be happier. LOML has been amazing. A true hands on Dad and I know Jack & I are lucky to have him around. I swear he’s better than me when it comes to diaper changing. :)
I am sorry if this post is still a little all over the place. I guess not sleeping much for 9 days can take its toll. I hope that in a few more weeks we get a better handle on things. I know it takes some time to adjust and adjust we will. For now, we are just taking it one day at a time and making sure we get to know our son and ensure he has everything he needs to grow and be healthy.
Posted in Everyday Livin', Relating, Baby G | 1 comment | no trackbacks
Posted by Me
Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:28:00 GMT
Today we are 36 weeks. :) I can’t believe we are about a month away. Yesterday was a tough day since I didn’t sleep well at all the night before so I was dragging that day. Today is a little better since I did manage to get some sleep.
Now that I am the size of a house I am getting more and more people coming up to me inquiring about my humongous belly and its special cargo. I even had the Starbucks lady ask to rub my belly – a phenomenon I still find a bit strange. It’s one thing when people you know ask to touch your belly – but strangers – it’s just a bit odd. Also, LOML and I are getting more and more advice about our impending launch into parenthood – the main one being “Get as much rest and sleep as you can now!” I know that’s what everyone says and I nod and smile – but really how is that possible when my bladder has been reduced to the size of a pea and sleeping on one’s side makes getting comfortable next to impossible. I am trying to get as much sleep as possible but at the same I think my body is trying to prepare me for sleepless nights! :) It’s a push and pull. Last night though I didn’t feel the need to get up at 4am due to discomfort my left hip felt sore and made it impossible to drift off to sleep comfortably. However, at least I was able to sleep some and feel less groggy today. :)
I actually have enough energy to run some errands this morning which is always a good thing. As far as a New Year’s is concerned, LOML and I plan to make it a mellow one. Grab some dinner and stay home. As it is, I won’t make it past midnight and even if I do I’d like to do so in my comfy PJ’s and Slippers. Besides, Vegas is so nuts on New Year’s I’d like to avoid all the hoopla if possible.
As we are reaching the end of 2006, I can’t help but reflect on this past year. 2005 was rough. It ended pretty horribly with my grandfather’s sudden passing, my failed IVF cyle, and a case of pretty bad strep throat. 2006 was a rollercoaster that brought a lot of changes. Some trying – but some extraordinary. I am grateful to be where we are at. We are far from being out of the woods, but I just want to take a moment and be thankful for this precious cargo squirming inside my belly. With every kick, every hiccup, I am thankful for the opportunity. I keep praying that he remains healthy and beg him to stay that way until we meet him which shouldn’t be too long from now. I still worry (probably more as of late than normal), but I hope that all turns out ok.
Thanks to all who have commented on my journey thus far. We’ve had our ups and downs and your encouraging words have made all the difference. I am glad I started this blog even if it started as a way for me to record my thoughts. I hope 2007 will be a great year for everyone.
Be Safe this New Year’s Eve!
Posted in Hello, my name is Infertile, 'Tis The Season, Everyday Livin', Relating, Baby G | no comments | no trackbacks
Posted by Me
Wed, 27 Dec 2006 22:16:00 GMT
I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. Ours was nice. My best friend came up from LA and we were able to spend the holidays munching on some good food and company with my in-laws.
Overall, it was a lovely time spent by all. However, since I was a little out of my routine and spent way more time on my feet, I had quite the swollen ankles/feet Monday Night. I checked my blood pressure though and it wasn’t high so I figured it was just from being on my feet so much and not drinking as much water. I spent most of Tuesday with my feet up and guzzling water like there is no tomorrow. By the evening, my feet looked fairly normal again. Phew! :)
I am still working. I have a couple more weeks of my contract to wrap up before I’ll stop and take it easy before Jack’s arrival. We are pretty much done with the preparations so hopefully I’ll be able to read some books and relax before he makes his appearance. He got some more clothes for X-mas which I’ll be washing and I have to pack a few more things for the hospital stuff but hope to get that done this weekend.
In any case, between my puffy-ness and guzzling of water I am visiting the bathroom like every few minutes! Thankfully, I work from home and the bathroom is close by. :)
We’re 35 weeks and 3 days today. I’ll be 36 weeks New Year’s Eve. LOML & I are planning a very mellow New Year’s Eve. Staying in since really I don’t think I’ll make it to midnight. :) I get so tired these days. It’s all good since I am not a big New Year’s gal anyways.
We have another Dr. Appointment next Wednesday at which point we’ll see where Jack is at – heads down? Maybe. We’ll see. I think I’ll have my first internal exam then and get my Group B Strep Tests done! Fun! :)
So, we’re plugging along. I continue to do my Kick Counts and trying to stay comfortable. It’s getting closer. Goodness! I pray that all continues well and Jack remains healthy in there and arrives without any complications. :)
If I don’t get here again before – Have a safe and happy New Year everyone!
Posted in 'Tis The Season, Everyday Livin', Relating, Baby G, Dr. H | 1 comment | no trackbacks
Posted by Me
Wed, 20 Dec 2006 22:31:00 GMT
I am 34 weeks and 3 days today. I had my Dr’s Appointment this morning and it was pretty routine which we like. :) I got the new nurse again but at least my blood pressure wasn’t as high as last time. It was still a little higher than the readings I get at home. I just get nervous at the Dr’s office. :( However, I am measuring on target still and Dr. H was happy to see my Kick Count Sheet. In general, Jack doesn’t go above 15 mins. I even had some hiccups recorded which usually put him in the 1 min range. Dr. H was appreciative of the record since this way we’ll have something to go by in case the frequency in movement ever slows down. Hopefully, it won’t but it’s nice to have some kind of record to fall back on.
While we were there, Dr. H asked asked if we had a date in mind for when we wanted him to be delivered. I guess some of his patients like to schedule inductions. We opted to let it happen naturally and only schedule an induction if we go 1 week past our due date. So, as of right now, at the latest he will make his appearance is either February 4th or 5th of 2007. A week past his original due date. He may come before but if he hasn’t appeared by then we’ll induce. As LOML puts it, we may have a Super Bowl Baby. :)
We go back in another 2 weeks. I have gained 2 lbs in the last 2 weeks which I guess isn’t too bad. After the next appointment, I’ll be going every week. At the next appointment, I’ll have my Group B Step Tests done and also Dr. H will check and see if Jack is head down. He isn’t yet since I still have a harder time breathing and heartburn is at an all time high! :)
Overall, things are ok. Work has been really busy as have the past few days with Holiday stuff filling up the weeks. My SIL is hosting a Cookie Tasting Party tomorrow night so I have to actually bake some to share with the group! One more thing to do. It should be fun, but as I get so tired easily these days it all gets a little tough. :)
Tonight LOML & I are off to a dinner sponsored by one of our clients which should be nice and then of course there is X-mas this coming weekend. :) The days are just whizzing by and it’s weird to think the year is nearly over. Where has the time gone?
I still get worried, but trying to keep my fretting to a minimum. Jack is still thumping around in my belly which helps assure me and I sure hope he keeps it up. :) I am grateful to have gotten this far and pray that it keeps going this way. I hope Jack is healthy in there and remains that way.
Sorry my posts have been so sporadic and rather boring. I keep thinking of witty topics to write about but unfortunately haven’t really provided you guys with any of those. Life has been quite busy with wrapping up work stuff, preparing for Jack’s arrival, and all the holiday prep. Oh and of course trying to get some shut eye here and there which everyone keeps telling me to get plenty of before baby arrives.
All righty – back to work!
Posted in 'Tis The Season, Everyday Livin', Baby G, Dr. H | no comments | no trackbacks
