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?

Random Monday Thoughts

1. Don't attempt a new recipe for Easter brunch with pregnancy brain. Lemon blueberry bread with baking soda instead of baking powder is a complete disaster.
2. How can I go to a Baby Basics class at the pediatrian and a childbirth class at the hospital and still feel like I know nothing.
3. I really wanted a mimosa with brunch.
4. My husband should never be charge of getting beverages for thirsty children. Coca cola for a 4 year old at 11am does end well.
5. Next Easter I will have a little boy to make an Easter basket for!!!

Registry Woes

My baby registry has been stressing me out since day one.  The hubby and I went to the register with my mom (who obviously has had kids and also works at a day care) and my sister (who has 3 kids).  Big mistake!  Talk about too many cooks spoiling the soup! 

I was super overwhelmed, the hubby just want for what looked cool (plus if is generally of the mind set that if it is super expensive it must be good), and my mom and sister had differing opinions on everything. 

I also feel weird even having a registry.  I know proper etiquette says you shouldn't, but really, I think every one expects you too.  The hubby and I are fortunate enough that we can afford to buy a lot of the stuff that we need, so I tried to just put basics on registry and nothing too expensive.  But I also didn't want to have a bunch of cheap items that I could just get myself. 

I thought I did a pretty good job picking things, but apparently not.  Once my shower invites went out, my aunts and cousins started complaining to mom that I had "nothing" on the registry.  So, I had to go back to the drawing board and keep adding stuff.

Once the shower came, I was very fortunate and got lots of great stuff.  Then on a quick run to Babies R Us, the hubby saw a Graco pattern he loved.  He also decided that everything we care gonna keep downstairs in the house should match.  So we ended up returning a few items that originally registered for and repurchasing a pack n play and swing in the Graco Elephanta pattern (which also matches the travel system we got). 

I love it!  I think it is so perfect for a little boy! 

But I still so stressed out about whether we have the stuff we need, or whether we just have a bunch of junk we may never use.

What items did you find most useful for your baby?

Jealous

It is a cold, rainy and depressing day in Connecticut.  Yuck!  And to make matter worse, my husband is on a business trip in sunny warm Miami. 

I was already jealous he was there, but the crappy weather here just turns the knife. 

Oh well, I think I will just take a nap and waste this yucky day away. 

Long Distance Pregnancy

So, as I previously said, we had just moved to Connecticut when I found out I was pregnant.  I had left my job in Kansas City when we moved, and hoped to find something once we got here.  The pregnancy definitely threw a wrench in my plans. 

I knew instinctively that I would want to stay home once the baby came.  But I was not prepared, mentally or financially, to stop working 8 months before the baby even arrived. 

I had no idea what to do.  I started looking for jobs and sending out my resume, but it did not seem right to interview for permanent positions knowing that I would leave once the baby came.  Given that it was my first pregnancy, I was also nervous about how I would feel.  I think that starting a new job is the most stressful thing on earth, I couldn't imagine doing it while also fighting morning sickness (luckily I never got morning sickness at all). 

Of course, this whole time my husband and I were living in a small hotel room while trying to find a place to rent, which only added to my stress levels.  But I keep busy by finding a doctor, visiting family, and what became my new favorite activity...napping.

I thought about doing temp work, but it really did not pay much, and I wanted to save as much as possible before the baby came.  Then I thought of a super crazy idea.  When I left my job in Kansas City, they had instituted a hiring freeze and could not bring anyone new in.  I knew they were super swamped. 

With my doctor's permission, I was able to sweet talk my former boss into bringing me back in a temporary capacity for a few months.  The deal was that I would go back to Kansas City, stay in a extended stay hotel and work the exact same job I had just left.  My company agreed to pay for me to fly home for a extended weekend once a month for my doctor's appointment. 

My whole family thought that I was insane for leaving my husband and going back to work half way across the country.  While it was a hard decision, I was pretty comfortable with it.  I felt great, I had lots of friends/coworkers in Kansas City that could help me if I need anything, and I still had a doctor in Kansas City if necessary.

So in October, less than one month after I left my job, I was back.  Same seat and everything, they had never even removed my name plate!  Expect for a few weekends home, I stayed until mid December, then I took a long break for the holidays and went back again in January.

I stopped working and returned to Connecticut for good March 1.  It was definitely time.  I missed my husband; I was sad he was missing out on my growing belly and the kicking baby.  My mind was also starting to play tricks on me in a hotel all alone.  "Is the baby moving enough?  Am I eating enough?"  For a while, I was actually worried I was not gaining enough weight!

So now I am happily at home.  Settling into the house my husband moved us into months ago.  Instead of just setting up the baby's room, I am still setting up the whole house the way I want it.

There is no place like home!

How I got in this situation

My husband and I have been married almost 5 years now.  I decided to go off birth control in Jan. 2011.  It took months for my system to regulate - months of zits, never ending periods and bloating.  But finally by May 2011 my periods were fairly regular and we decided to start trying to conceive.  Then all hell broke loose.

At the time my husband and I were living in Kansas City and working for the same organization but in different departments.  A big work crisis occurred and we were both sent to work about 4 hours away.  The first week or so was great, we were there together and staying in the same hotel room.  Then, he got to go home, and I had to stay - for 3 more months.  At the time I was working 7 days a week, so I only got to go home one weekend a month.  So much for our baby making plans (or so I thought).

In early August the hubby saw a job listing for his dream job in CT.  Now I am originally from CT and all my family was still there, so of course I encouraged him to apply.  After a whirlwind couple weeks of interviews, the hubby landed the job and we were CT bound.  There were a couple more crazy weeks of giving notice and packing and then we were on our way to our new life in CT.

The move was so fast, we did not have time to find a place to live.  So the hubby's company agreed to put us up in a hotel for the first month.  So after a 20+ hour drive we arrived at a Hilton late one Friday night in early Sept. with a full car and our 2 dogs. 

The hubby started his new job on Monday and tried to find something to do to occupy my time.  On Tuesday (our 4th day in CT) I decided to hit the hotel gym.  Well, I felt like it hit me like a ton of bricks, I knew I was out of shape but I didn't think it was that bad.  The more I thought about it, I was also super tired, maybe just from the crazy past few weeks?  And hmm, wasn't I supposed to have my period??

I decided to buy a test and wait til the hubby got home (or back to the hotel, actually) to take it.  Before I could even pull up my pants, that stick had turned to a plus!  We were shocked!  Of course we had been trying, but after our crazy summer, it was the furthest thing from our minds.  We still can't even figure out when we conceived.  We barely saw each other all summer and when we did, we were too tried for sex.  I still half think it may have been an immaculate conception.

Next up, how I ended up pregnant, homeless and left my husband to move 1200 miles away....

Is this thing on?

I decided to join the blogging world as a way to chronicle the adventures, and I am sure catastrophes, of my life as a mother.  I plan to focus on stories, recipes and review of the piles of baby paraphernalia that is now taking over my house.  I hope you enjoy my babblings.