First doctor's appointment for Colin

The pediatrician wanted to see Colin in his office only a few days after we were discharged. It's standard practice, basically just to see how he's adjusting to life outside of the hospital. Dave's aunt works in the pediatrian's office we chose, so when we came in, she made a huge fuss over Colin.

We had to strip him down to weigh him. Once Dave got him on to the table, and naked, he started to projectile pee! Dave was quick though and caught it with the diaper! It was truly impressive. He weighed 6.123 and was 6.112 when we left the hospital, so he had gained a little weight. The doctor said from now on, he wants him to be gaining an ounce a day so we can get him back up to his birth weight quickly.

The doctor listened to his heart beat and tested some reflexes, end the appointment with saying that Colin looks "AWESOME!" That made me feei really good. Before we left, he asked us about feelings, sleep patterns and some other behavioral questions. Looks like he's right on track. Our first week as parents was great. I'm looking toward to getting to know this little guy as he grows up. :)

We are home!

We have been home since Sunday. Having Colin in our home has been wonderful. He is a wonderful baby and is infatuated with Dave. He's a true Daddy's Boy and I'm sure as he grows up, he will want to do everything "just like Daddy." 

In order to survive the nights and make sure we are each getting some sleep, we are taking shifts at night. My mom has come to help us out for the next few days since I'm recovering from my c-section and still moving a little slow. It's been huge to have an extra set of hands at night. He's only 5 days old and feeding him every 3 hours and throwing in his "witching hour" (he screams around 1:30am and can be inconsolable for a good amount of time) makes for long nights. As the weeks go by though, he will start growing more sleeping longer stretches, so we just need see the light at the end of the tunnel (until sleep regression hits about 4 months old, ha!). In the few days he's been home, we have already learned so much about him:

1. He HATES being cold (he picked the wrong time of year to be born)

2. He only likes the green binkies. Lord only knows why...

3. Tummy time with Daddy is his favorite thing to do.

4. When he really doesn't want something, he shakes his head and it looks like he's saying "no." This is my favorite cue lol

5. I'm pretty sure he talks in his sleep. He is the noisiest sleeper ever,

Now that Colin is here, I obviously won't update as much, but there are still things I would like to share about early motherhood and epilepsy. I have a postpartum neurology appointment scheduled fir the end of February to check on how I'm doing and also Colin's development since AEDs can cause developmental delays. However, I doubt that's anything we have to worry about. He's already so alert and vocal. :)

Pictures:

Tummy time with Dave (Daddy)

In his Penn State hat

He was on the billiblanket for 24 hours. This is what Dave calls his "rock star" picture

 

Baby Colin has arrived!

Warning, this is LONG!

Yesterday, via c-section, our baby boy Colin David was born!

Colin entered the world at 7 lbs 2.5 oz and 20 inches long (much smaller than we anticipated). He is incredibly alert when he's awake. I thought I would share my eventful birth story with you all:

On January 22, I woke up feeling wet and really uncomfortable. I sat on my exercise ball to relieve the pain. It was working temporarily. The second I stood up though, the pain came shooting back. We had snow the night before so Dave went out to snow blow the driveway out. After he got back, I hopped in the shower.

When I got out, my water broke - everywhere. I called the Ob nurse and they told me to head to the hospital. I had already started minor contractions when we got there. Little did I know how ugh worse they would get. ;) I didn't get the epidural until around 6cm and 70% effaced. In order to get me to there though, they had to use a foley bulb. It definitely did the trick though, along with the pitocin. 

However, for hours I stopped progressing. My Ob tried something called an amnio infusion. Basically, they put a little amniotic fluid back to give him room to move and figure a way out. They restarted the pitocin and the baby's heartbeat started to decelerate. The doctors didn't like that, so they told me they'd prefer I go in for a c-section.

The idea of a c-section really freaked me out. I couldn't move my legs at ALL and I hate that. However, it was literally over before I knew it. They told us he probably wouldn't cry because of the epidural and anethesia. Instead, he came into the world SCREAMING his little heart out.

He's sleeping pretty well and feeding like a champ. However, since he was a c-section, he is more mucousy. They said that'll subside though.

Although I'm disappointed I didn't get to try a vaginal delivery, it brought Dave and me the most amazing gift in the world - our son, Colin! :) 

40-week appointment

Yesterday, I had an OB appointment basically to discuss why I'm still pregnant (haha!). He checked the baby's HB, which sounded loud and clear. :) I still haven't gained more weight, I've been teetering in between 1 lb for the past four weeks (about a 28 lb weight gain, which is awesome, considering about 12-14 lbs of that is baby and pregnancy-related).

Baby boy is moving great :) he's been more active the past few days and constantly squirming. Dave's been talking to my belly, trying to get him to come out. I think with this snowstorm, though, he realizes how cold it is out there and wants to stay warm. Haha!

To see if they can determine what's going on, I'm doing what's called a biophysical profile and non-stress test tomorrow. It essentially measures the baby's vitals and makes sure that he's still doing well in there. 

If the doctor doesn't like the results, they could induce tomorrow! If he's doing fine though (which I hope he is, obviously), we will still induce on Sunday. Either way, we are getting a baby in less than a week! Can't wait to meet this little guy!

Week 40

Week 40

How far along? 40 weeks (turkey's done!)

How are you feeling? Ridiculously uncomfortable. My hips hurt, my feet are swollen and I constantly feel like I'm being kicked in the groin.

Baby is the size of a(n): small pumpkin! Average baby is in between 7.5-8.5 lbs and around 30 inches long.

Cravings: Nothing.

Aversions: Nothing.

Testing/appts this week? Tomorrow, I have my 40 week appointment. We were hoping I wasn't going to need it, but I guess there's no avoiding it now.

Milestones?: Today is my due date! We never thought I would make it this far.

Baby boy had other plans though and is doing great. Can't wait until he's here!

Due Date

It's January 19. That means today is my due date. The day they estimated our baby boy would exit my belly. So far, nothing. Not even consistent back pain. Although, I can feel him moving around.

I'm looking for signs of early labor (there are three stages of labor):

<b>Early Labor:</b> Dilated under 3cm

<b>Active Labor:</b> Dilated 3-7cm

<b>Transition:</b> Dilated 7-10cm (This is when the baby is delivered)

To read more about the stages of labor, visit the American Pregnancy Association website at:

http://americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/firststage.html

I will update if anything happens, but I think I am making it to that induction next week.

39 week appointment

I had an appointment yesterday and everything went well. Baby's heart beat is in the 140s still. My blood pressure looked good too (125/80-something. I can't remember).

We talked a lot about how uncomfortable I am. I'm having more increasing pain in my hips, my cold is taking its sweet time going away and I'm having a hard time breathing. Baby boy currently has his foot wedged nicely at my right lung. It constantly feels like I can't catch my breath. Dave has even woken me up a few times because of the way I was breathing.

The good news is that I'm getting enough oxygen. The bad news is that I more than likely will feel this way until he makes his appearance. Ugh.

Being so close to my due date with no real progress, they scheduled an induction for the 26th of this month. I would absolutely LOVE for him to come on his own terms, but they aren't going to let him stay in there forever.

Also, depending on my weight on my appointment on this upcoming Monday (40 weeks) is, I may ask them if everything is okay. I haven't gained weight in the past 3 weeks. No one has said anything, but I think it's odd and just want to make sure he's okay.

I'm glad the baby is doing so well, but mommy and daddy are more than ready to meet him!

Oh I forgot to mention!

My dad is officially home from the UK and has no more travel plans until the baby comes. I'm so happy that he's not going to miss anything. Good job, baby boy, on waiting until Pop Pop got home :)

Week 39

Week 39

How far along? 39 weeks 

How are you feeling? I still have a slight cold/allergies. Definitely not as bad, but I wish it would go away. I am paranoid that I'm not going to be able to breathe during labor. I'm also so ridiculously uncomfortable. My hips and lower back are KILLING me. Both Dave and I are ready for the baby to be here. We are officially done.

Baby is the size of a(n): mini-watermelon (that sounds terrifying). He is estimated over 7 lbs and around 20 inches long.

Cravings: Yesterday, it was fruit. Really bad.

Aversions: Nothing.

Testing/appts this week? I have my 39-week appointment on Tuesday. Hoping they'll tell me that I'm progressing and that they aren't going to let me go past my due date.

Milestones?: as of today, baby is officially full-term! This means they would be happy to have him come out at any time and he is fully developed. Come on, baby!

38 week appt

I forgot to post this. I had my 38 week appointment on Monday. It was actually a day early because all weekend, I had been having contractions that were consistently 12-15 minutes apart. It wasn't soon enough to go to the hospital, but they say that if you have more than 4 contractions in an hour, even if they are Braxton Hicks, that you should be seen.

Baby boy was doing great. The HB was in the 140s, he's moving a lot and my fundal height was right on target. My blood pressure was in a normal range (134/72) and all looks good.

They started checking me to see if I'm progressing in any way towards labor. Turns out, my body is doing the correct things and I'm on my way. Hopefully, that means that I won't have to be induced (my due date is officially 10 days away!)

Come on, baby boy! Let's get this show on the road! Mommy is incomfortable and wants to meet you!

My dad is traveling

I cried hard last night.

My dad is pretty high up the chain in his company and actively involved in acquisitions. His company is acquiring a company in the UK and they are trying to finalize the deal this week, early next week.

This means he had to go over to the UK. He didn't have a choice. He is supposed to be there at least until the 9th, but more likely coming back on the 13th. He broke my heart last night. He hugged me and choked up and whispered, "You're going to do great. I can't wait to join you guys on this new journey." The second he was out the door, I started sobbing.

Again, I'm aware he didn't have a choice, but it still sucks. 

Week 38

Week 38

How far along? 38 weeks 

How are you feeling? Yuck. I jinxed myself last week by saying I'm sleeping longer stretches. I now have a cold and haven't really slept in two days. Everything about my face hurts and I've now gone from having a completely stuffed up nose to the runniest nose on the block. Accompanied by a sore throat and cough.

Baby is the size of a(n): a leek. He is estimated at 6.8 lbs and 19.5 inches tall.

Cravings: Right now, no food sounds good.

Aversions: Everything.

Testing/appts this week? I have my 38-week appointment on Tuesday. Probably doing my trough level once I'm feeling better. 

Milestones?: I've started getting actual contractions. They are waaaaaaay too far apart to call the doctor about though (we aren't supposed to go to L&D until they are 5 minutes apart, lasting a minute for one hour). It's driving me nuts though because it lets me know that baby boy is coming, but he's just taking his sweet time.

How can I be sick NOW?!

I haven't been sick my entire pregnancy. I've been very lucky. Now, it's 12:30am, I'm just about 38 weeks pregnant and I am sick.

I have some serious congestion and a sore throat. I feel miserable. I'm currently sitting on the couch downstairs with a blanket and watching TV. Dave is upstairs asleep. With all of my sniffling, coughing and tossing and turning, I figure at least one of us should sleep. 

I took an allergy pill just in case, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. I'm now having the irrational fear that I will go into labor while sick. I think I'll take my temperature in the morning and call the after hours number for my Ob and make sure they don't want me to do anything specific.

So gross.

Something's definitely going on...

I feel like baby boy and I are in a stand-off, haha. 

Since Monday, I've been getting a ridiculous amount of Braxton Hicks contractions. They are pretty much all day, every day. They are now more intense and lasting longer. I told the OB about it and he said that it's my body "getting ready."

I also have cramping (higher up under my chest) when the BH aren't happening, my insides feel like they are burning and my belly is pretty hard. Not to mention the crazy back and hip pain. At almost 38 weeks, this HAS to mean he's coming soon. I am so uncomfortable.

Dave thinks before the weekend. I'm hoping to hold out until the 8th. My dad is going to be in the UK until the morning of the 9th and I know he wants to be here when the baby is born.

Let Baby Watch 2014 begin!