On Saturday, March 21st, we were able to go to Granny's house and introduce David Michael to other friends and family. We had a great time!
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Saturday, March 28, 2009
It's the Horrells!
Our good friends Erik, Leslie, Matthew and Sophia came out last Friday to visit us! Buzz Lightyear made a guest appearance as well!
Meet Mr. Grumpy-Grump!
Every once in a while, he smiles... and every once in a while he makes the grumpy-grump face!
Week 2 - CUL Party
My co-workers at Catholics United for LIfe held a party for David Michael! He got all kinds of great gifts! Plus, I got Coca-cola, cake and ice cream!
Other week two moments!
Naked baby time! David Michael has to air out every once and a while, so he enjoys naked time!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
First giggle!
Wednesday March 11th after about 6:15 pm, while I was on the phone with my aunt Peggy, David Michael let out a giggle with a little smile! It was so cute! Since then he giggles every once and a while. He is a bit ticklish under his arms and if you play with his feet, sometimes you can get a smile!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Day 6 - Tuesday
On Tuesday David Michael had tummy time and was introduced to Mister Squirrel! This odd little animal I made out of a sock a while back. Turns out, they are great friends! I think maybe second best friends to David’s own hands.
We also discovered that David Michael loves Bob Dylan and so he listens to him quite frequently. Stuart’s parents are concerned that it may encourage David Michael to talk funny when he gets older! I could just see it now!
We also discovered that David Michael loves Bob Dylan and so he listens to him quite frequently. Stuart’s parents are concerned that it may encourage David Michael to talk funny when he gets older! I could just see it now!
Day 5 Monday
On Monday David Michael was introduced to tummy time, and boy does he not like it! The doctor said he should be on his tummy for ten minutes, three times a day. Daddy helped him by distracting him with music. David Michael loves listening to Daddy play his guitar. In fact, second to nursing, I would say it is his favorite activity.
He also tried out his swing, which he wasn’t so happy with (don’t worry after a week or so he got to liking it as well.)
Since it seemed like he was having trouble distinguishing night and day, we read up on some great tips. First, give him two distinct places to sleep – one for day time and one for night time. I think this may be helping.
Another funny thing happened. Stuart brought the baby to me and said, “I think he wants to eat.” I said, “What’s new? He always wants to eat!” Stuart looked at David and said, “Is that true? Do you always want to eat?” David started shaking his head back and forth as if to say no, but really he was rooting around to find a source of food!!! Then I said, “See, the boy is avarice!” Stuart asked David if he was a glutton and – no joke- David Michael let out a noise that sounded very much like “Yeah.” Hilarious. Of course, probably not as funny on the blog as in person!
Day 4 - Sunday
Saturday night was a little rough. Not too bad though. Just a good transition to reality! When Stuart left for Mass and I found myself alone with the baby, I started crying again! I just felt terrified in a way and very sad that Stuart wasn’t with me to take care of this guy. In reality, he wasn’t gone but for a couple of hours and my Mom and Dad were on their way over to stay with me.
When they got there, I started crying again. Just who was the baby here anyway?!? I guess that is the emotions of a first timer. Mom made a great breakfast casserole for us, and later in the day Father Hayes came to bring me the Eucharist.
It was very generous of him to do that. Plus, he blessed and prayed over David Michael. We’ll be scheduling his baptism soon. Father Hayes was good company – we had many discussions with him and my parents about the civil war and what not. Very interesting.
Father Hayes even offered to burp David Michael and then he easily swayed the little tyke to sleep! I told Father that David Michael likes to eat a lot. Father said, “Avarice starts at an early age!” How funny.
When they got there, I started crying again. Just who was the baby here anyway?!? I guess that is the emotions of a first timer. Mom made a great breakfast casserole for us, and later in the day Father Hayes came to bring me the Eucharist.
It was very generous of him to do that. Plus, he blessed and prayed over David Michael. We’ll be scheduling his baptism soon. Father Hayes was good company – we had many discussions with him and my parents about the civil war and what not. Very interesting.
Father Hayes even offered to burp David Michael and then he easily swayed the little tyke to sleep! I told Father that David Michael likes to eat a lot. Father said, “Avarice starts at an early age!” How funny.
Day 3 - Saturday
On Saturday we had even more visitors. I was feeling a little better, but ready for the prescription strength Motrin! Our friends Malia, Jason and Stephanie came bearing gifts! Also, Grand Aunt Lisa, Grand Uncle Jimmy, and Great Aunt Peggy came to visit him. It was really cool to see everyone holding him and loving on him. David Michael passed his hearing test, after failing in his left ear twice – we aren’t sure what happened there. Then we were released from the hospital.
Coming home was a scary thing! I started crying wondering if having moved out ot New Hope was the best idea, whether or not David Michael would like it, thinking that the apartment needed cleaning and decluttering. I was overwhelmed. But, Stuart quickly reminded me that this is all in God’s hands. I guess all first time moms go through feelings like that.
Stuart’s family came over that night with chili and vegetable soup, plus a load of groceries! It was very thoughtful of them. It was good to have someone else there for a little while – in the hospital you have people with you 24/7, even if it’s just the staff. Coming home and realizing that you don’t have that same support was scary. But, we are making it through!
Coming home was a scary thing! I started crying wondering if having moved out ot New Hope was the best idea, whether or not David Michael would like it, thinking that the apartment needed cleaning and decluttering. I was overwhelmed. But, Stuart quickly reminded me that this is all in God’s hands. I guess all first time moms go through feelings like that.
Stuart’s family came over that night with chili and vegetable soup, plus a load of groceries! It was very thoughtful of them. It was good to have someone else there for a little while – in the hospital you have people with you 24/7, even if it’s just the staff. Coming home and realizing that you don’t have that same support was scary. But, we are making it through!
Day 2 - Friday
On Friday, David Michael was circumcised. Poor thing. He did very well though. He stopped crying a long time before the other babies. Good thing there were plenty of people to visit him that day! Great Grandpa and Grandma Wilcher came, Grandpa and Grandma Hamilton, Aunt Lindsay, Granny and Pawpaw, and some friends too - the Kusch family and the Horrell's.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Day 1
After David Michael was born, Granny and Pawpaw (my mom and dad) came to visit. Aunt Lindsay and Uncy B (my brother Ben) came as well. Everyone was so excited, but I was glad to see Ben who had come to fulfill a mission given to him by me - go bring me a cinnabon after delivery! I had gestational diabetes and hadn't been able to eat anything that good since before Christmas! It was so good.
9 month pic
Here is the final post. Click on the label listed as "pregnancy pics by the month" and see the growth!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A baby is born!
David Michael was a little late in coming out (according to the midwife.) They wanted to do an ultrasound and non-stress test on him, which I wanted to avoid. Stuart and I decided to use some methods to encourage the little guy to come out - Meican food!!!
About 3:45 on Thursday morning I woke up with contractions. According to our Bradley classes instructions, I ate something, drank something and took a shower. By that time the contractons were coming every 4 minutes. We called our doula (midwife assistant) to see what we should do. She suggested waiting a few more hours. Around 8:00 the contractions were harder and I had to be a bit more vocal. I vowed that "mooing" was out of the question - so I went with a good solid "hooing" sound!
Finaly we decided that I was around late first stage and should head on to the hospital. A couple ladies from the community had to come to check on me by that time. We got in the car and set out.
When we got to the expressway Stuart had to use the potty!!! While I was laboring the car, he got some gas and McDonalds! Well- he knew it would be a long day! I was pretty delirious anyway, so time was not something I was too aware of at that point.
When we got to the hospital, I had a contraction in the parking lot and hung on Stuart through it. A lady thought that I had passed out, so she ran to get me a wheelchair. We got into registration and our paperwork wasn't there. The people seemed completely confused and I had to direct them to just register us from scratch - at least to feel like we were making progress!
We got up to our room and questioned whether to get a heplock (for the IV if needed). We thought that if the heplock was in my arm, it may be distracting. We went ahead and got it just in case something happened. It didn't bother me much really, but was difficult when I got into the tub.
OUr doula, Allison, was there quickly. She was very encouraging and helped remind me to relax and breath SLOWLY! They checked my dilation and was 7 centimeters. That's pretty far along, but I was real upset that I wasn't already ready to push!
I was able to labor in the bathtub for about 3 hours. I just kept saying "This is ridiculous!" "Why do people do this?" "How can women do this in the field?" It was kind of funny. Actually, I told Stuart that we were not going to have a big family and all other kids were to be adopted!
Everyone kept asking me if I wanted anything and I just kept saying that I wanted the baby out! It was crazy. At just the right time someone suggested orange popsicles! They were fantastic! I chewed on those in between contractions and was quite happy about it!
Just after finishing my popsicles, I felt the urge to push with some of the contractions. So, I had to get out of the tub and move to the bed. They checked my dilation and I was completey dilated and effaced, which was good news. I was able to use the squatting bed and pushed for about an hour or so.
After a little bit, the midwife suggested breaking the bags of water since I was already pushing and ready to go. I had been so engrained about not letting them do that (since it can be dangerous to do too early.) My midwife, Beth Bary, got a little snippy with me - for good reason! Reminding me the the danger period for that was over and we could speed the pushing up a bit by breaking the water. So, we agreed to do that.
It was pretty ridiculous at the time because I just kept thinking that his head ought to be out and it wasn't. They kept saying, "You are making good progress", "You are a great pusher" and such. I didn't beleive much of it until the head was crowning.
They asked if I wanted to feel the head and I was like - No way! Let's just get him out!
Finally he came and he was bloody and slimy, but beautiful! It was a completely unreal experience. For those of you who know my aversion and gag reflex toward bodily fluids, you sould be proud of me - didn't bother me at all.
They let me breastfeed while stitching me up - level two tearing. ouch! And birthed the placenta. Then Stuart went to the other side of the room with the baby. Allison was talking with me and I just passed out. It was a good thing that the Heplock was in, because they were able to put me on pitossin and liquids. My uterus was failing to continue to contract, to stop the bleeding. I think I had a blood clot too. They quickly got me stabilized.
I had to stay in the birthing room for a lot longer than normal. Stuart went with the baby to the nursery for observation. I passed out once or twice more before they brought me to my staying room. The first night I stayed on the fluids and was not able to get out of bed on my own. They aren't exactly sure what the problem was - but probably my body just completely exhausted!
David Michael was 8 lbs and 4.5 ounces, 21 inches long. Dad pointed out that his length is a full third of my height! How funny! I think he is the biggest baby in my family! Well, if we end up with a seven foot son, that would be really funny.
About 3:45 on Thursday morning I woke up with contractions. According to our Bradley classes instructions, I ate something, drank something and took a shower. By that time the contractons were coming every 4 minutes. We called our doula (midwife assistant) to see what we should do. She suggested waiting a few more hours. Around 8:00 the contractions were harder and I had to be a bit more vocal. I vowed that "mooing" was out of the question - so I went with a good solid "hooing" sound!
Finaly we decided that I was around late first stage and should head on to the hospital. A couple ladies from the community had to come to check on me by that time. We got in the car and set out.
When we got to the expressway Stuart had to use the potty!!! While I was laboring the car, he got some gas and McDonalds! Well- he knew it would be a long day! I was pretty delirious anyway, so time was not something I was too aware of at that point.
When we got to the hospital, I had a contraction in the parking lot and hung on Stuart through it. A lady thought that I had passed out, so she ran to get me a wheelchair. We got into registration and our paperwork wasn't there. The people seemed completely confused and I had to direct them to just register us from scratch - at least to feel like we were making progress!
We got up to our room and questioned whether to get a heplock (for the IV if needed). We thought that if the heplock was in my arm, it may be distracting. We went ahead and got it just in case something happened. It didn't bother me much really, but was difficult when I got into the tub.
OUr doula, Allison, was there quickly. She was very encouraging and helped remind me to relax and breath SLOWLY! They checked my dilation and was 7 centimeters. That's pretty far along, but I was real upset that I wasn't already ready to push!
I was able to labor in the bathtub for about 3 hours. I just kept saying "This is ridiculous!" "Why do people do this?" "How can women do this in the field?" It was kind of funny. Actually, I told Stuart that we were not going to have a big family and all other kids were to be adopted!
Everyone kept asking me if I wanted anything and I just kept saying that I wanted the baby out! It was crazy. At just the right time someone suggested orange popsicles! They were fantastic! I chewed on those in between contractions and was quite happy about it!
Just after finishing my popsicles, I felt the urge to push with some of the contractions. So, I had to get out of the tub and move to the bed. They checked my dilation and I was completey dilated and effaced, which was good news. I was able to use the squatting bed and pushed for about an hour or so.
After a little bit, the midwife suggested breaking the bags of water since I was already pushing and ready to go. I had been so engrained about not letting them do that (since it can be dangerous to do too early.) My midwife, Beth Bary, got a little snippy with me - for good reason! Reminding me the the danger period for that was over and we could speed the pushing up a bit by breaking the water. So, we agreed to do that.
It was pretty ridiculous at the time because I just kept thinking that his head ought to be out and it wasn't. They kept saying, "You are making good progress", "You are a great pusher" and such. I didn't beleive much of it until the head was crowning.
They asked if I wanted to feel the head and I was like - No way! Let's just get him out!
Finally he came and he was bloody and slimy, but beautiful! It was a completely unreal experience. For those of you who know my aversion and gag reflex toward bodily fluids, you sould be proud of me - didn't bother me at all.
They let me breastfeed while stitching me up - level two tearing. ouch! And birthed the placenta. Then Stuart went to the other side of the room with the baby. Allison was talking with me and I just passed out. It was a good thing that the Heplock was in, because they were able to put me on pitossin and liquids. My uterus was failing to continue to contract, to stop the bleeding. I think I had a blood clot too. They quickly got me stabilized.
I had to stay in the birthing room for a lot longer than normal. Stuart went with the baby to the nursery for observation. I passed out once or twice more before they brought me to my staying room. The first night I stayed on the fluids and was not able to get out of bed on my own. They aren't exactly sure what the problem was - but probably my body just completely exhausted!
David Michael was 8 lbs and 4.5 ounces, 21 inches long. Dad pointed out that his length is a full third of my height! How funny! I think he is the biggest baby in my family! Well, if we end up with a seven foot son, that would be really funny.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Baby's Room!
Well, it's not complete, but closer and closer! I know, I know, you are probably thinking - "Well, honey, you are already overdue! How much longer are you going to procrastinate?" Well, it's not so much procrastination as it is lack of space and inability to make decisions. So, here it is for now and I think a much better place for our little guy to come home to!
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