Photo Bomb

I am so tired I can barely speak in complete sentences, let alone type in them.  So just a quick update and lots of super cute (in my humble opinion) photos. 

Brady is really chunking up.  At his 1 month doctor's appointment, he was up to 11 lbs 2 oz (77%), and 22 3/4 inches (82%) and all around healthy and happy. 

We have given up on breastfeeding, it was getting frustrating for him to nurse and still need a full bottle.  So we are only doing bottles.  I have been pumping several times a day, and am able to give him a couple bottles a day of breast milk.  I plan to keep doing that as long as can, hopefully at least 6 more weeks. 

Brady is doing well at night, we can usually count on stretches of at least 4 hours.  Last night, he slept for 5 1/2 hours!  But I am not naive enough to expect that from now on, but I hope we are headed that way.

I find I am struggling to find things to do during the day. When he wakes up, he eats and then plays on his playmat. But I feel like he gets bored and fussy after a bit. I not sure what else to do to keep him entertained. I take him for walks, but he falls right asleep, and I don't want him sleeping all day. Any suggestions?



First Bath.  I hate to see him cry, but I do think he looks so cute with this lower lip like that. 

Trying to fly out of his Pack N Play

First Memorial Day Parade...he was not impressed

 

Pure joy

Baby Brady

I have no idea where the past 4 weeks have gone.  Baby Brady arrived on May 7 at 7:59 am, and everything since then is lost in a blur of exhaustion, dirty diapers and pure happiness.


He was an even 9lbs at birth, much less than we thought he would weigh.  Two weeks before he was born, the ultrasound had him at 9lbs 2 oz.  His projected large size was the whole reason we went with the c-section.  Granted, I have nothing to compare it to, but my c-section was no big deal at all.  By the next day I was moving around without a problem.  I felt so good, that I left the hospital a day early.  Once I got home, I felt so good that it was actually hard to limit myself physically.

We had a rough patch the first few days out of the hospital.  I thought nursing was going just fine, but Brady was losing too much weight.  After a few appointments with lactation consultants, it turns out my supply was low.  He was nursing for 45 minutes and only getting 1/2oz.  So we had to start supplementing with formula.  4 weeks later, not much has changed.  My milk is still next to nothing.  The LC put me on vitamins that are supposed to increase milk supply, and I have been pumping after every feeding to increase, but nothing is working.  I am lucky if I can give him 10oz of breast milk a day, so he is mainly on formula.  It is so discouraging.  But he is definitely becoming a little chubster.   I keep trying to tell myself that as long as he is getting the nutrition he needs, he shouldn't matter whether it comes from breast of formula.  And I guess any breast milk is better than none, but I still feel a little like a failure. 

Other than that, things are going well.  It is amazing to me how you can learn to function on such little sleep!  But he is getting better with the sleeping and we can usually count on him for sleep 3 hours at a time at night.  And I love listening to him snore!

He's here!

Brady Robert arrived at 7:59am.  He weighs exactly 9lbs, much less than they predicted. 

He is perfectly perfect in every way!

Last Hurrah

Last weekend, the husband and I took a quick one night trip to Mohegan Sun.  We figured it was the last time for a very long that we will be able to have a night alone in a hotel.   The casino/hotel is less than 2 hours from home, so I was comfortable that I could get back home and to my hospital if I went into labor. 

Through my husband's work, we were able to get a hotel room for $79.  Which is pretty awesome because on the weekends the rooms typically cost close to $400.  While the rooms were very nice, there was no way I would ever spend full price on the room. 

This is going to sound so crazy, but I do have one complaint about the room, the kind of complaint only a 38 week pregnant woman could have....the bed was way to soft and cushy.  My husband absolutely loved it, but I sunk right in like dead weight.  It was almost impossible to roll over during the night and it took all of my might to pull myself out of bed to use the bathroom.  Crazy, I never thought I would have a complaint like that. 

Mohegan Sun is really nice, and really really big.  I am not too big on the casino, I played a couple slot machines, but the place is really smoky.  But we were able to just walk around, have a nice dinner and enjoy ourselves. 

All in all, I am really glad we made the trip.  It was a good chance to relax and enjoy some time just the two of us, before our whole world is rocked. 



Holy Moly

Well, the little nugget will be here before we know it.  He is scheduled to arrive Monday, May 7th!!  Based on his size (estimated at 9lbs 2 oz) and he huge head, and a couple other medical issues, my doctor thinks it is best to deliver him via c-section.

It was not what I planned, but I really trust my doctor and her opinion.  It feels so weird to have an exact date and time to expect him (I know he can come early, but still.)  But part of me is happy to know when instead of just waiting for labor to start.

I am really nervous about the actual surgery.  I have never even had stitches, let alone surgery or anesthesia.  I am also nervous about the recovery, I don't have the best tolerance for pain. 

Now i just need to get through the next 10 days until I can meet my little man.

Random Monday Thoughts

1.  As of this past Friday, I am now officially full term.  This boy can come anytime now.  I am both super excited and terrified!

2.  I have down and out with the worst cold for over a week now.  I would kill to take a decongestant.

3.  My heartburn is out of control.  I think there are only about 10 minutes a day that I don't have it.

4.  My belly button still has not popped out.  My sister keeps telling me it will, but I optimistic I can remain an innie.

5.  For the past couple weeks I have not been able to sleep.  Of course, I get up to pee, but I have not been able to get back asleep.  I think that is cruel.  I only have a very short window of time where sleeping through the night is even possible. 

Nesting

Well the nesting urge has kicked in...big time.  Now that we are down to less than a month before the nugget will be here, I am going crazy trying to get ready. 

I know I am doing crazy stuff that won't even affect the baby (like reorganizing all the cabinets in the kitchen).  This weekend I want to move some extra furniture and kitchen stuff we don't use to my moms.  I know the baby stuff will take up lots of room and I don't want to be tripping over stuff, especially things we haven't used in months.  Next weekend, I want to get all the carpets cleaned and then set up the bassinet, pack n play, etc.

I also want to prepare and freeze some meals.  But I am at a loss.  I am going a couple lasagnas and probably a meatloaf.  Anyone have any other ideas for meals that freeze well?