Delivery, and Carson's 1st Week

What a week! Cory and I are so happy to finally have our sweet baby here with us. The journey has been long and sometimes diffucult but all the weight gain, heartburn, discomfort, fatique, lack of sleep (still ocurring) were well worth it.

The story...
We went to the hospital for our scheduled C-section on Sunday at 7AM. I wasn't able to sleep much the night before, I was awake at 3AM and never went back to sleep. We were prepped for surgery from 7-9AM. I was so nervous during the prep and the surgery, words can not describe it. I was so embarrassed during the prep b/c there are so many people (men included) who are coming in and out of the room, doing their different jobs which included me being on display naked from the waist down. Nothing really hurt during the prep and the surgery, the epidural was very uncomfortable but other than that, everything was easy to endure (until the next day).

The surgery began at 9:08 and Carson was born at 9:21. He weighed 7lbs 10 oz and was 20 inches long. It went very fast, I could only feel a little tugging and pressure at times. There were some menstrual-like cramps at the end, they weren't too bad. And by that time, I was listening to my baby crying so nothing was really bothering me. It was such a surreal moment to see Carson and also to hear him for the first time. Cory got to watch them "pull Carson out" and when Cory told me he was out we both cried like babies ourselves.

We then went to recovery and they ran some tests and bathed Carson beside me where we could see eachother and I could talk to him. I did get sick while in recovery but soon felt better and got to hold Carson.

We were sent to our room and began to see family all day. The first day was actually really easy for me. I had no pain b/c they kept the epidural in for 24 hours; btw epidurals or at least the one I got was not what I expected, I was able to move, lift myself a little, I was not paralyzed (I thought epidurals paralyzed you from the waist down).

That night however, things changed...After 12 hours I was able to get up w/ the help of 2 nurses; words can not describe this pain...but I will try: it was like my uterus was trying to lift a house.

The next day was very hard, they removed the epidural and started me on oral pain meds. The 1st pain med they tried made me sick and dizzy so we had to switch. I was usually fine after I got my pain meds, but it was SO hard and painful to stand up.

It was also hard emotionally because with all of my pain and reaction to meds, I wasn't able to feed Carson when I wanted and Cory had to do most of the work to take care of him at first. I hated feeling so helpless and I just wanted to take care of my baby but I couldn't at times. But it got better.

We got home on Wednesday, and Carson wasn't wanting to sleep by himself, so Cory and I surrendered him to the grandma's so we could get a couple hours of sleep. Then I woke up crying and having bad chills. I had a fever and bad headache. So we called the Dr and he wanted me to come in. Everything was fine, no infection...turns out it was just a fever due to my milk coming in. I felt much better once I got the fever down.

Carson is doing so good and is such a joy to have around, I want to hold him constantly, I have to remind myself to share. He had his 1st Pediatric apt today, and everything looks good.

I will be posting on our family blog from now on, so for updates on us go to www.andtheycallitpuppylove.blogsot.com.

Goodbye pregnancy blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carson's website

Website: http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=ae68c6b9-dc0b-41a5-9122-2e18c588661d

Customer #: 04431273371542

Big Update

I had told everyone that this Dr. apt today would be uneventful...and I couldn't be more wrong. The nurse asked me if I wanted to be checked for signs of labor and I was curious so I said ok. Thank goodness I did, b/c the Dr. discovered that Carson has turned and is a "footling breech". So he mentioned that he could try to manually turn the baby which only has a 30% success rate given how far along I am, that there is not very much amniotic fluid left, and that I have never had children before. So he wants to do a C-section on Sunday, the 2nd. So I get to meet Carson then! I was a little upset and overwhelmed this morning, but am fine with it now. Its just not how I pictured it. I have appointed my sister-in-law, Becca to post pictures on her blog when she comes to visit me in the hospital, so next week keep an eye out for Carson's arrival update and pics on www.asouthernboyandacitygirl.blogspot.com.

Family Baby Shower

This weekend was fun, a few ladies in my family threw me a baby shower, and it was also a bit of a family reunion (I don't get to see my family very often). My immediate family stayed the weekend and we cooked out as well, so needless to say I am exhausted. But it was so nice to see everyone.

I have one more week of work before I begin my leave of abscence. It is getting so hard to just make it through the day...on Friday I worked from home for the 2nd half of the day b/c I just couldn't make myself stay there all day.

Next Dr. apt is on Tuesday, will probably be a quick one since I have had no issues this week and I won't ask him to check me just yet for signs of labor.

Here are some pics from the shower, the ladies did sucha great job, the food was amazing and the decorations were so cute. Carson got a lot of clothes at this shower, so I think we are all set now.

Me with the hostesses: (L to R) Aunt Kay, my cousin Melissa, sister Caroline and SIL Ginger.

We had 2 cakes at this shower, somehow Melissa and Caroline got confused on who was in charge of the cake.....but we all didn't mind!

CAKE #1

CAKE #2

Example of the cute decor:

Dr. Apt; and some DIY Maternity Shots

Dr. Apt was good, Carson's heart rate was 140's as usual, everything else is fine. I asked the Dr. to estimate the baby's weight....and wow, he said he thinks Carson is almost 8 lbs! So I am very interested to see what he turns out to be.

On another note, I had my camera in my purse, so on a whim, I asked my friend Kelly to take some pictures of me outside of my work building. We have a really nice nature trail and picnic area..so we gave it a try. Thanks Kelly, I think we got some good ones!

36 weeks and 3 days, Dr. Apt, and baby products

Went to the Dr. today, met another Dr. in the practice who was very nice, I really liked him as well. Everything is looking good, Carson is still head down and unlikely to turn. The Dr. said I was "In the window" now so he explained what to do when I went into labor. I will be going every week now. This practice doesn't really do internal checks of dilation, effacement, etc...Since they don't induce labor until 42 weeks unless medically needed, there is no need for them to check me unless there are any concerns. They actually said that those manual checks are quite painful before week 38. After that they said they would check if I wanted them to (they said some women want to know, we'll see if I get curious)
I am really hoping that Carson isn't 2 weeks late; I have decided to take the 1st week of August as vacation then begin my maternity leave the next week. I am so tired of working, and when I come home, I am simply good for nothing. It is so hard just to cook dinner, and I can't remember the last time I did the dishes. I still do laundry b/c Cory despises laundry and at least I can sit down to fold clothes.


Ok Candace....I am not a mom yet, and I have little experience with babies (it has actually been 8 years since I have changed a diaper!), but here are a few things that I would recommend.
Oh, I agree w/ Becca about the dreft detergent and the formula dispenser. I have actually been washing our clothes with dreft since the baby will be in contact with our clothes as well, and plus it does smell really good.

I think Candace recommended these bottles a while back, I have not heard anything negative about them yet. I have other friends who use them and I saw many in the refrigerators at daycares I visited. If Carson doesn't like these then I will try Avent.






In the baby care class we went to, they showed us how to swaddle. The nurse there said that the best blankets are these larger flannel ones. I ordered some today, they go up to 24 months. This particular brand is carters and they are buy one get one 1/2 off on babies r us.com. I was also given a miracle blanket so I will be trying that as well.

In this class they also gave us a DVD of soothing techniques for babies, Cory and I have already watched it and I must say that there are things in there I never would have thought to do. The DVD is called the Happiest Baby on the Block. http://www.thehappiestbaby.com/

And now that I do have experience being pregnant here are a few things I recommend for moms to be.

1. Gaucho pants: for me have been great, I use them as lounging/pj pants and lately now that I am so big I have been wearing them to work since they look a little dressier than denim.
2. Pre-natals: I recommend women's one-a-day prenatal. Every Dr. and midwife I have seen said that over the counter pre-natals are fine. And these days they recommend that you have a prenatal that also has DHA. Well the one I was prescribed was about $60 per month, so I asked the pharmacist and did some pricing and this one is the best for me. Its only about $15 for a month, and it has everything I need.
3. And lastly I suggest each pregnant couple take a vacation in the 2nd trimester. I didn't b/c I thought I would need my paid time off for being sick during pregnancy or exhaustion. Now I have a lot of vacation time and am SO burnt out at work.

Dr Apt. 34 wks and 2 days

Nothing special to report. Everything was normal...weight gain, baby HB, and blood pressure, etc...

I got to see one of the Dr.'s this time, and I really liked him - he was very sweet and warm. You can tell he enjoys his job. He made me laugh a lot and put me in a really good mood. Up until this point I had been seeing midwives, and I liked them ok, but would prefer a Dr. deliver the baby.

He did say that the baby's head is down, which is good. And I was wondering but forgot to ask if the baby will rotate anymore, if there is any room for him to go back to the head up position, or if he was just head down at the moment. Guess I will check baby center.

Tuscaloosa Baby Shower, Hugeness, etc...

In this week's news, I have really started to swell! The picture below is last Thursday, then Friday it was twice as bad. I feel like it is too early for swelling, since I have 6 weeks to go still. The joints in my fingers still hurt at night and in the morning, and now my jaw and ear have started hurt around those times too. Steady sleep is impossible as usual, and I am so exhausted at work. Have a Dr. Apt tomorrow, and will post the stats.


More fun news:

I had another wonderful Baby Shower this weekend hosted by 2 of my very best friends, Crystal and Cyndee. Carson got some really awesome gifts. This shower was really special to me because I got to see some friends that I haven't seen in a long time, it was so nice to catch up with everybody.

We really have been lucky with all of the showers so far, I have often heard that people get a ton of clothes, but that has not been the case. We really have gotten almost everything that we needed; we got bibs, burp cloths, baby monitor, bottle sterilizer, bath accessories, the boppy, hangers, organizers, bottle brush, diapers, and the list goes on. I am so thankful to everyone that came, I can't wait to use all of this stuff when Carson arrives (hopefully in 4-5 weeks, please Lord). I really don't know how it is possible for me to get bigger, see below :)

This is a diaper bag that my friend Brecca gave me, so cute!

Here is a pic of my mom, sister and me:

Me and the hostesses:

Here are all of the girls with the whale!

Me opening gifts which will also serve as the 34 wk belly pic:

update

Ughh...... I did it again! I posted a baby update on my other blog!

For the recent baby activity:

www.andtheycallitpuppylove.blogspot.com

Dr Apt Update, 31 weeks and 4 days

Went to the Dr. on Monday, forgot to post the stats.

• Blood pressure was up a tad, but still in normal range.
• Carson's HR was in the 130's-140's.
• My fundal height measured 32 inches, I got excited b/c the measurement is suppose to coincide with how many weeks you are, so I was hoping I was maybe a week further along than they thought. But she said anywhere from 28 to 33 inches was normal for 31 weeks. :(
• Weight gain was +5 lbs from the last visit which was 3 wks ago. It always concerns me but they always say I am still in the normal range.
• She gave me the option of coming back in 2 wks or 3 wks, so I am going back in 3 wks.

Rude

Have I mentioned lately how SICK I am of rude people? This is an angry post in case you haven't caught on.

Just a few words of advice for people who aren't pregnant:

1. Don't tell a pregnant lady she is as big as a house.
2. Don't ask if she is having twins if you don't know that for sure, it IS offensive. And on top of that, don't insist that she is having twins when she tells you she isn't (this happened to me at a wedding this past weekend). The woman argued w/ me!
3. Don't tell people they look like they are ready to pop when they are not close to their due date.
4. Don't tell a pregnant woman that there is no more room in there and that she won't make it another 2 months.

Seriously, don't people know that pregnant women are emotional, sensitive and going through enough without rude comments. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK.


I have a Dr. Apt this afternoon, hopefully they will tell me that they were wrong about my due date and he could come anyday! YEAH RIGHT!

Baby Shower in Berry, AL

I had another great baby shower last weekend hosted by Cory's Mom and Aunts. We got a lot of things for Carson, and I can't wait to use it all.

This is me with the hostesses:

The Ladies on Cory's side of the family:

My mom and sister:

Me and Becca taking a belly shot:

These are the diaper bags that Cory's mom made for Carson, they turned out really good!

Cory's mom and sister also make cakes for events, they made this one for the shower, and it was very tasty as well!

Cory's mom, sisters, and sister-in-law went in together and got us our stroller and car seat, this is Cory putting it together and charlie being nosy :)

Carseat:

COMPLAINTS:
I will be 31 weeks on Saturday, and it is creeping by.......I am so exhausted from working and the commute to and from work, I don't know how much longer I can take it. My ribs hurt, and it is so hard getting comfortable at night, and just rolling over to change sides is a task. Getting up out of bed and out of a chair is uncomfortable too, just feel so much pressure from the extra weight. I don't know what my current weight gain is and I really don't care anymore b/c it just upsets me, I quit weighing myself at home couple of weeks ago. And when the nurses tell me my weight, I try not to fixate on the number I just make sure that the midwife has no concerns with it. I go back to the Dr. next Monday, was suppose to go today but didn't need to be late for work this week since my boss is out of town. They only seem to have apts at 9:30 or at 3:00. And when you work in an office environment, that is hard to do every 2 weeks.

THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

We will be starting baby classes soon, and I have 2 more baby showers!

1st Baby Shower!

My friends from work, Kelly and Alison had a baby shower/luncheon for me today, it was so much fun. And Carson got a lot of needed items! Thanks ladies, I had a great time!


You can't really see it that well, but Kelly painted the letters in Carson's name to go in the nursery, I can't wait to hang them!


My friend, Georgia had pacifiers made especially for Carson, they have his name on them!

Kelly and Ali, the hostesses:

The cake, SO cute and delish!

Test Result

I passed my Glucose Test! Thank Goodness!

26 wks/3 days, Dr. Apt.

I had my Glucose Test today and should know the results in a couple of days. Fingers Crossed! That drink was pretty nasty...glad it was only 10 oz. I hope I don't have to do that again.

Everything else was good, blood pressure was normal, weight gain (only 1 pound) and heartbeat in the 140's. I go back in 2 weeks and at that visit I will get the Rhogam shot for the 1st time.

I will be finished with the 2nd trimester on Saturday! I am so ready for August to be here. I have done almost everything that I can do for the nursery. I have my first baby shower on Friday and can't wait to see what Carson gets!

Nursery Sneak Peak

We are almost finished with the nursery! Here are a few pictures. We just need a dresser, decorations, and a few baby essentials and we should be good to go!

Little Project and Belly Watch

Over the weekend I had some time to do a little project. I had some plain onesies and some plain bibs. I found some really cute "iron on" patches. I did about 5 onesies and 3 bibs...here are a few.

This is my belly at 24 weeks and 3 days (I will be 26 w on Sat.). I can't believe I still have SO much growing to do. I am already experiencing a lot of discomfort in my ribs while sitting (my commute to/from work is lovely), turning over from side to side while sleeping is a task, and getting up from the bed or my work chair is also uncomfortable...I can really feel the extra weight pressing down.

24 wk Check up, New Dr.

Cory and I went to the new Practice today for my 24 wk check up. I really like them, they are very friendly (unlike the other practice) and it is so much more convenient for us. Their practice includes 3 Doctors and 3 midwives, I will be rotating through all of them and then I can decide who I prefer to deliver Carson (obviously will depend on whose on call as well). From here on out I will see them every 2 weeks. I can't believe it! The stats look really good, no issues at all :). And.....I was very proud, I have only gained 2 pounds this past month! Carson's heartrate was 145. I have my glucose screening in 2 weeks, so I am dreading that.

In nursery news...we are working steadily on the room, we decided to put chair molding on the wall and have blue and tan paint. I think its gonna look really good. We ordered a bed and changing table last week, I can't wait to get it in. Our glider came in this weekend and I love it already, it is so comfy (thanks mom). I will post pics of our progess soon, and a belly pic.

My close girlfriends came over Friday night for a cook out, and they surprised me with gifts. We had a great time catching up!
Here are some pics from the weekend:

Becca, me and Cyn in this one. Becca is my sister in law and she just found out she is expecting a "Little Phillips" in November! Carson will have a cousin close by to play with, and I have now have pregnant friend to complain to!!!!!!

All of my girlfriends Ashley, Becca, Crystal and Cyndee.

Me and Cyn, and THE GIFT (you know what that means if you are a Sex and the City fan):

Finally Cory and I took a picture together..I think the last one was around Christmas!

Me and Crystal:

For Cory....

Since Cory is away from home (working at the Masters'), I thought he might like this:
My sister was kind enough to pass down my nephew Andrew's baby clothes and as I was going through them tonight, I noticed a few that might excite Cory...so here you go babe...I love you!

And thanks again Caroline!

This first one has doggies in their little dog houses:


A camo sleeper:

And a little fishing outfit :)