Ouch!

Yesterday was Alex's first set of vaccinations. I held him on my lap and the nurse held his legs while giving him three shots. One in one leg, two in the other. As soon as she poked him, his head turned bright red and he cried so hard. Then, with the other two shots, it got worse. I have never heard or seen him like that. I teared up too just thinking about how I couldn't make it go away for him. I had to let him hurt for his safety. Well, one of the side effects of two of them was vomiting. Dr. Collins said that it is more like spit up, so I didn't think much of it when he spit up his dinner yesterday. But today was different. While feeding him lunch, right before he finished, he acted like he had a big burp working up, so I decided to sit him on my lap and work the burp out. He vomited everything up. It was like I had the Excorsist on my lap. Milk went everywhere! Poor thing did not feel well after that and ate very little later even with an empty stomache. He is fussy and sleeping a lot today. Keep my baby in your prayers.

A visit at Grandma's

Last weekend, we went to visit my parents and had a special surprise. Gianna came too! We had a great time and ate very well.

Sweet Rolls

Smiles and Coos

Alex is beginning to smile and is trying out his voice quite often. He will coo, gurgle, and grunt to tell us his thoughts. It is very sweet to hear. I even love hearing him cry. (It reassures me that he really is real.) He has begun sleeping about 4 hours at night with an occasional 5-6 hour stretch. The longer he sleeps, the more cranky he is when waking because he is so hungry. He gets mad at me for taking so long to fill his tummy.

When I think I am beginning to learn a little bit of his schedule, he decides to change it up on me. Since he has been so gassy lately, he is more cranky and won't sleep as well. It has begun to settle down, though.

Last night, I had Patrick feed him formula because I heard he would be fuller and sleep longer. Patrick was a bit nervous, but enjoyed his first feeding time with Alex. I got to take Roman for a walk to get the mail and just sit around while Patrick did the feeding. It was nice. (Although, I was a little upset that he took to it so easily because Alex is supposed to want Mommy, not bottle and Daddy.) This morning he was really gassy. I am wondering if it was the formula because usually, his fussy/gassy time was in the evening, not first thing in the morning.

I am beginning to ready myself for going back to work. It is really upsetting. I am trying to gather a good supply of breastmilk for Anita and am planning for my excuses to run away from school early every day. I don't think I will get away with that for long, though. I think the scariest thing for me to think about is the fact that I might not be that upset to go to work because I will have rewired myself to accept it. (Would that make me a bad Mommy?) Deep breath and sigh. Boredom has not yet crossed my mind with all my at home time. I am even enjoying cleaning my house everyday while Alex naps. Will that continue after school starts back up?

Well, here are pictures to keep you updated on his temendous growth.

One Month Check-Up

He is now 10 pounds 15 ounces!!!!!!! Wow, that is 4 pounds in 5 weeks. He is in the 75th percentile for weight and at 21 1/4 inches, he is at the 25th percentile in length. I told the doctor, "So, he is basically short and fat." She laughed and said that since he just fine and I shouldn't worry. All of the questions I took to the visit were answered and all is well. The biggest problem is a little irritation on his bottom. Vaseline should help that, though.

I am so proud of my little boy! Almost 11 pounds. I wonder what he will be at the next visit. His vaccinations are scheduled for next month on the 4th.

How sweet is this?!

Look at what I can do!!

Not too exciting, but that's his life. We are getting very excited about how well he holds up his head now!

fun facts

Fun Birthday Facts:

Alex's half birthday is November 30
Alex's birthstone is Pearl (Health and Longevity)
Alex's Astrological Sign is Gemini
Alex's Flower is Rose or Honeysuckle (Light Blue, White and Cream)
He was born in the Chinese Year of The Brown Earth Cow

Alex will start kindergarten in 2014,
be old enough to drive a car in 2025,
finish high school in 2027,
and will graduate from college with the class of 2031, give or take a year. Can you imagine?

This time last year I wasn't even pregnant yet!

more pictures

Three Weeks and growing

My baby is getting a double chin! He is really getting chubby now. His clothes that were fitting are now a little tight. He can look at me and I think he actually sees me and knows who I am. Awake times are getting more often and longer which is kinda nice so I can spend tummy time with him. It is working out really well, because his little head is staying up instead of flopping all over the place.

I love being a mommy! I went to the store yesterday while Patrick stayed home with Alex. I felt so naked without my baby! It was as if I left my left arm at home. I try to hold him as often as I can during the day and my arms felt too light.

I am taking in everything I can in these few beginning days because I know he is growing up so fast. Three weeks is one week away from a month. My baby is growing up!

Update

Thursday, Alex went to the doctor for his 2 week check-up. He weighed 7 lb 10 oz! The doctor said I could start letting him sleep as long as he wants to at night and not worry so much about him eating every 2-3 hours. Of course, as soon as she says that, he goes from wanting to sleep 4-5 hours at night to 3 hours. I think he hit a little growth spurt because he is wanting to eat all the time.

Some of you already know that my little boy is quite a sucker. He was put on a pacifier the second day! Now, he doesn't want it anymore. He will spit it out when offered. He makes a really cute "that's gross" face before rejecting it.

He is filling out his wrinkles and is fitting into some clothes that were too big at first. His newborn diapers are getting a little tight already, too. Speaking of diapers. . . he goes through so many each day!!! I never thought a little baby could pee and poop that many times! I can't tell you how many times I have tried to change a dirty diaper, just to have him immediately potty in the new diaper-sometimes before it is even fastened. God bless those of you who bought diapers for us!

Here's More!

The proud daddy.

Hearing testing. They hook him up to a machine that measures his brain waves to see if he hears the sounds.

A very happy Grandma.

Baby Pix

IT'S A BOY!!

Alex came at 12:10pm 6/1/09. He weighed 7lbs 1oz and was 21" long. He came very fast. The doctor said it was a text book birth and Laura should write a book.

Alas, I Am Awake

Well, as if I needed to say it. . I couldn't sleep much last night. Not only did I go to sleep saying "tomorrow I will have a baby," (it was after midnight), but I also woke up at exactly 5:30 AM thinking that at this time tomorrow morning, I will be at the hospital!! This is the last day Patrick and I will be just us two! What a shocking thought. I hope that I can sleep today taking a couple naps, because I know that I will have a hard time going to bed tonight. My little boy is coming! I am so excited I can't stand it! (I sound just like my mother there! tee hee!)

They have wifi at the hospital, so I will be able to download pictures and post them ASAP. I know how anxious I was to have my nieces' pictures, so I will try to be as thoughtful to you guys, too.

Many people ask me why I chose to have an elective induction. The simple answer is that I couldn't stand waiting any longer. He is getting heavier by the minute and I am more and more uncomfortable. Supposedly, if he follows the rules, he should be about 8+ pounds. If I were to wait until my due date or longer--should he be like his parents and be stubborn, he could get to 9+ pounds. I don't want my little baby that big. Plus, the doctor is okay with it. I like knowing that there is somewhat of a plan in place. I don't do well when things are so uncertain.

Look for the blog tomorrow so you can see updates and/or pictures of the little guy!

T minus 6 and waiting

My doctor visit today went well. I am not quite 3 cm, everything else is the same. She said that it is my choice to induce early or wait until nature takes its course. I opted for induction. I have to be 39 weeks and that will be Monday. So Monday it is!! I will go in at 5:30 AM to have my water broken and then a baby will be soon!

Monday!!!! I love knowing he won't be getting too much bigger. He should be about 8 pounds this Friday. Who knows how big he would be if I waited until the 8th--or later! I am so excited. He is getting heavy and waiting is not something I do well. Six more days!!

I am going to be a Mommy this time next week. How exciting is that?!

Dr. update

I had another appointment today. I am 2 cm dialated and 80% effaced. She said his head is much lower than last week, too. Other than that, not much to report. I am ready and waiting. Please keep praying for my patience. I know that God's timing is best.

The Waiting Game

Only two days into my time off, and I am already thinking I may run out of things to do. I am finishing up on my thank you cards, getting the house spotless, and washing all those new baby clothes and blankets. Patrick and I put the car seat in the back of my car just in case and adjusted the baby mirror. We bought and tested the video baby monitor which is pretty cool--it has night vision! I also bought the breast pump and read up on using that-not quite yet ready to test it. There are new curtains hung in the nursery and front bedroom and the old puke stains from Candy are almost completely gone from the carpet. Roman is getting a short walk to and from the mailbox every day which he has not done in quite a while since he has been lame on his back hips.

What am I going to do if Alex waits for June!!! I will be bored. Well--At least I don't have to worry about going to work and having my water break in front of the kids. My feet aren't swollen any more because I can put them up whenever they start to puff. My back still hurts a bit, but hey I have a 7 pound baby in my tummy! That back pain is inevitable.

I know that God's timing is perfect and that nothing I do will alter His plan, but I still pray that I can see Alex's little face and hold his hands within the week. Pray for my patience and Alex's good health.

Cut Ties

My cerclage is out!! Yeah, it hurt, but it is now gone. Dr. Berry said that I was already dialated to 1 cm and 60-70% effaced. That should make my labor a little shorter, hopefully.

Thursday was my last day of school for the year. I couldn't handle the swollen feet and emotional instability. The kids weren't getting the teacher they deserved-they had a Dr. Jekyl. I could turn in an instant into someone not so nice or fun to be around. On my Thursday visit to the regular ob, my blood pressure was a bit elevated beyond my normal, though still within a good level. The stress was getting to me and neither Patrick nor I could stand the thought that Alex was having to go through all of it with me. He is too little to be dealing with adult-level stress. I didn't tell my boss until Thursday morning because I had fought it so hard. I thought I could make it through the year in order to save up my leave days. Mary was, thankfully, supportive of my decision.

I am really glad that I did that because after getting that stitch out, I am in super-hyper nesting mode. I am organizing the nursery, making lists of things still needed and trying to get all the new clothes and blankets washed and ready to use at a moments notice. I even took the plastic off the crib mattress and put the sheets on it!!! We packed Patrick's baby bag and I am catching up on some preparation reading and much needed rest.

All I ask is that Alex gives me one more week to make sure everything is ready to go before he decides to let me see his beautiful face. (Which, by the way, I got a great picture of on the ultrasound. I will try to get it on here soon.)

Shower

My wonderful friend, Anita, and my sweet cousin, Julie got together and threw me an amazing baby shower yesterday. I got lots of great stuff and ate lots of yummy food. I had a wonderful time, as I hope everyone else did, too.

One of the games was for everyone to try to guess the size of my belly by using streamer tape as a measure. My mother, who thinks that I am absolutely huge apparently, cut a piece so long it was taller than me!! That was really funny. Aunt Lisa got right on the nose! Kudos to her.

Thank you to everyone who came and for those who couldn't, thank you for thinking of me.

This is my first semi-mother's day as well. Only a few more weeks and I will truly be a mom. What a scary and exciting thought that is.