Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Sun Bathing

Jack has been a little orange since we brought him home, so he gets to bathe in the sun every day. Of course, George gets to do anything that Jack does.....including "breast feeding" with Zoe ;-)


Saturday, August 28, 2010

Baby Jack's Story

We decided to have a family date night at the park before we went to the hospital. We had to be there at 11pm on Wednesday, the 25th. We really had an awesome time at the park and enjoyed just the 3 of us (no electronics allowed, including cameras). By the end of the date, I was starting to feel quite a bit of pressure, but figured it was because I had been on my feet all day getting things ready followed by going to the park and running around with Zoe.
After getting everything registered and filling out a ridiculous questionnaire to get his birth certificate, we got into our room. At this point, we found out I was dilated to a “good 4cm, almost 5”. No wonder I was feeling pressure, but still no timeable contractions and water still in-tact. So, I got all hooked up to the IV, got my meds, sleeping pill and attempted to sleep. Through the night, I continued to have contractions and decided to just go ahead and dilate to almost 7cm on my own. After a lot of contemplation and confusion and changing plans throughout the night, the doctor decided he would not break my water until around 8 (which was the original plan, but had been thrown out the window a few times through the night).
They then changed the plan that I would go ahead and get my epidural before breaking my water just in case things went really fast after. I can remember getting it with Zoe, but don’t remember it hurting. I just remember the after effects of the horrible headache. This time, it hurt terribly the entire time and I’m still having issues from it.
It wasn’t until some time after 9 that a doctor actually made it in to break my water. Which was somewhat ironic because at about 4am, they were all making bets that we would have a baby by 9.
I absolutely hated the epidural this time. I was so extremely numb that I could hardly move at all yet I could still feel the pain of it being in my back. I also pretty much stopped dilating and became quite nauseous. After some phenegran and some sleep, I woke up with a ton of pressure. At around noon, the nurse came in and checked and I was dilated to 9. She said she was going to talk to my doctor, who was right in the hall, to let him know that I was almost ready and that she would be back in about an hour to check.
Well, after about 10 minutes, I was ready to push a baby out and told my mom to go get the nurse and get a move on  She came in, checked and as she held one leg and Ryan held the other, I gave about 3 “practice” pushes and another nurse came in. Jody, the first nurse, then moved to a front seat view, while Ryan and the other nurse held my horribly numb legs. I pushed again on the next contraction and all of a sudden, half his head was out. Ryan moved over to the other leg, my left leg weighed 100 pounds and was glued to the table. Jody was calling for the doctor and respiratory. The other nurse left and got the baby table ready. They’re telling me to breathe in some crazy way and whatever I did, Don’t Push! The next contraction comes and goes and somehow I manage to not push…..still no doctor. Jody then says, “Honey, you’re going to have to push”…..I pushed o so slightly, and out onto the table flopped a little baby. Jody was there and put him quickly onto my stomach.
The bed was still a regular bed, not a birthing bed, nobody was in any sort of scrubs, nobody was expecting or ready for a baby – but there it was. Ryan was then just concerned about seeing what he was and announced “We got a boy”!
After some stimulation of the ooey gooey white stuff and lots of love talk, Jack started to cry….and in walked Dr. Pawlosky. He just stood there in disbelief with a look of “what in the world is going on here” and all I could do was laugh!
So, the short version is that I pushed some practice pushes with Ryan and Jody, pushed him out in about 10 minutes, while the doctor was in the hallway on his way to the room!
Because he didn’t spend hardly any time in the birth canal to “squeeze out the fluids” and wasn’t suctioned the way he should have been once he was out, he has had some minor issues with choking on fluids that are still in throat and belly. Overall, he is absolutely perfect and Zoe says she loves baby Jack!

Here are just a few pictures to hold you over - many more to come.






The Little Man

He is here!
Jack Raymond Howard was born Thursday, August 26th at 12:51pm. He weighed 8lbs 12oz and was 23 inches long.
When I have time, I will post his birth story (it's quite a good one) and lots of pictures.
Until then, you will have to settle for his hospital pictures.
http://www.khnetwork.org/southviewob/babygallerysvh/

or go to

http://www.bellababyphotography.com/
Click view photos
password: 0826jack
And then take a look at the wrinkled old man.

**Family: we have ordered some pictures to share, so there's no need for you to order :)**

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Shower?

Several people have asked if I was going to have a baby shower once the little one is here. I really see no need to have one because we have all of the basics from when Zoe was born. I decided I would post a few items that we may need in case you would want to contribute :)

-Diapers - and lots of them :)
-Burp cloths
-Clothes (if it's a boy - no new girl clothes!!!!)
-Play mat for the floor (one where the baby lays under it and the toys dangle above)
-Diapers :)
-Video monitor (ours bit the dust)
-Diaper Bag (not sure which one I want though)
-Diapers :)
-Hooded towels because Zoe refuses to give hers up!

And that's all I can think of for now! We definitely do NOT need toys or girl clothes!

:)

Only a few more days and baby Howard will be here :)

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Craft Day!

With the baby's birthday fast approaching, I wanted to do a few fun crafts with Zoe in some of our last few days before the chaos!
On Thursday, we made pine cone bird feeders. I wasn't sure how this one would go because I figured it would be a little messy and we all know how wishy washy Zoe can be about that one!
We started off with walking around the yard and picking up pine cones. Ryan mowed yesterday, but thankfully missed 2 cones and we found another in the garage. We had to wash them, of course, because Zoe didn't like the few bugs that had crawled off of them.
We then started by putting a string around them and then putting peanut butter on them.
She started using a spoon...



Then switched over to a knife...



And then little miss "never get my hands dirty" decided on her own to use her hands!



Next, she used a spoon to put bird seed all over the cones :)



The finished product...



On our way outside to hang them (in places that Zoe picked), the butterfly bush was abuzz with tons of butterflies, so of course we had to take some pictures of them!



And here is one of our final products hanging in the tree (and one more butterfly)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Trip to the Park

Zoe has been making the trip with me each morning this week to help Kelley set up my classroom. I was very happy that I was able to get in and help her to get things organized and set up so that the first week of school runs that much more smoothly for her! Zoe was very helpful on the first day and very good the rest of the time she was there - THANKFULLY! On Wednesday, I had promised that she could play on the playground when it was time to go. Well, when that time came, she was dead tired and we were all hungry. We decided to put the park off until later and went home for a nap. We really like a park in Beavercreek called Shoup Park because all of the equipment is "low" (Zoe calls it the "low park"). She then decided to tackle the BIG slide - her decision, and she did it all by herself! After the first time of being a little scared to let go after sitting down, she was a pro and went about 10 times! I was quite proud of her because this thing is a monster for a little peanut like her :) Here it is! YIKES! A little scared to let go... Look at that face! Back up for more! Hi Mom! Here is a video of her going down....(I'm not sure why, but I can't get the sound to work when I've taken the video on my phone - but you get the idea :) )

38 Week Update

We have surpassed 37 and on to 38!
First the logistics - We went for the check up on Tuesday. I'm measuring 38 weeks, baby is where it's supposed to be, and I'm still dilated to 3ish cm. Which means, not a lot of progression over the past week.
The doctor knows how miserable I've been with back and pelvic pain and promised at 37weeks that I wouldn't have to go past 39 weeks. I quickly reminded him of this when he told me my "numbers".
After a lot of contemplating (we aren't sure what about) he asked if Thursday, August 26th sounded like a good day. Which of course, fine with us because it gave us a date to look forward to :) I tested positive for Group B Strep, which I guess is common, but this also means that I have to go in for antibiotics before they can induce me. We have it set up to where we will be there next Wednesday night at 11 - the antibiotics have to have 8 hours before they will break my water. So, we will basically be going to the hospital to sleep and then the action begins Thursday morning around 8am. We have really been talking to Zoe about how Valerie will be here for her when we have to go to the hospital, so we though it was important that we kept it that way. Val will be coming Wednesday night and spending the night with Zoe and then dropping her off at Donna's. Zoe is being quite adamant that daddy picks her up from Donna's and taking her to see "her baby". So, hopefully, the baby doesn't take forever and we can make that work!
So, we have a date, and I'm quite excited about that! However, I'm also a little sad. I try extremely hard not to complain because I know that not everyone has the opportunity to carry children..... It makes me sad because we once again will not have the opportunity to go through all of the at home chaos of timing contractions or water breaking or getting stuff together or figuring out whats best to do with Zoe. The nice part is that Ryan is feeling the same way ;-)
Zoe was unexpected when I had her, but I never had contractions with her and the hospital broke my water. This time will be very similar, but we will actually know that we are going to the hospital to stay.
All this being said, the doctor said there is still a good chance that the baby may decide to come on its own before next week....and that makes me nervous :)
Anyway around, I just hope for a speedy delivery and a healthy baby in the end.

I can't wait for my two babies to meet! :)

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Little Suzy Homemaker

The weather has been unvelievably hot, esp. when you have a built in oven like I do! I've been doing all that I can to stay in the AC and try to stay cool. I feel really bad because Zoe doesn't get the pool time or outside play time like she probably should, but I feel like if it's too much for me, then it's too much for her also.
We have been trying to find different activities to do inside to keep us busy. One of her favorites has been cooking. She likes to do as much of it as she can "All by me self, mom". While Krogering, we found Martha White muffin mix on sale and bought some.... These are super easy for her to do and she does most of it with supervision.
When you ask her about them, she says she made them, but mommy helped. Funny thing is, she doesn't even like to eat them - well, other than licking the butter off the top :)

Tonight, she made us Strawberry "big ones" for dinner.








She was quite proud of her finished product!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

August 14th...

...is a very special day for many reasons!
Happy Birthday Mom! Happy Birthday Robbi! Happy Birthday Keyairra! Happy Anniversary to my great grandparents!
AND Happy 6th anniversary to my loving hubby :)
I was wondering if this baby would make it's grand appearance and share this day with everyone else, but it seems that it will be like it's mommy and not share very well :)
Ryan and I have been together for a total of 13 years! It seems like our wedding was forever long ago, but it sure doesn't seem like we've actually been married for 6 years!
I'm very lucky and very blessed not only to have an awesome and loving husband, but to also have such a great daddy for my babies! For anyone that knows anything about our relationship, knows that it was very interesting for about the first 4 years. From only being allowed to see each other once a week, to being "grounded" from each other for renting the wrong movie, a tough year of staying together through college and volleyball, and a very tough long distance relationship between Dayton and Toledo....we have survived!
I'm proud of who we have become as individuals, but even more proud of who we are together!
Here's to another 100 happy years together!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

I've made it (continued).....

...but that means nothing to the doctor! :)
I am dilated to a "good" 3cm with 70% effacement. He said he "suspects" that my water will break soon and said "I hope to see you sooner than later". However, he also said "see you next week"! :)
He told us that the baby's size isn't of concern at this point. He doesn't think I will make it to 39 weeks, but if I do, he will induce.
Understandably, me being uncomfortable isn't enough to induce at this point. The longer the baby beluga is swimming in the deep blue sea, the longer it has for it's lungs to develop.
So, for now, we continue to wait....and be bored.....and anxious....and uncomfortable....and..well, you get the point ;-)

Oops!

I was looking at one of the picture collages that I made just after Zoe was born and saw one of my favorite pictures of Ryan and I from when I was pregnant. For our anniversary, I surprised him with a tour of "The Shoe". We had a picture taken out front that I absolutely love! Ryan has his hand on my belly and it is just a sweet picture! I don't have it on this computer or I would post it to share.
Anyway, it hit me that we didn't really have a picture like this for this baby. Valerie was here one day, so I took advantage of it! We took a picture of Ryan and I and a picture of the three of us with the belly :)
Thankfully I took the time to look over that frame and admire that picture or we would have had a big OOPS! on our hands once this kiddo is born. I don't think that post baby belly pictures count ;-)




I now realize that I desperately need to wear my hair down! :)

Monday, August 9, 2010

I've made it...

...now come on baby!
The "target" week to get to for any pregnancy is 37 weeks. The doctor told us that they now will not stop a labor at 35 weeks, but the healthiest for the baby is to get to at least 37 weeks. I went to the hospital at exactly 37 weeks for Zoe and had her just 38 minutes after midnight. She was very bruised and had jaundice, but was overall quite healthy!
We have known for quite a while now that this baby is measuring quite big. The doctor reassured us however that it was still best to make it to at least 37 weeks. He said that white male infants esp. have difficulties when born before 37 weeks and with us not knowing the gender, I really have taken it easy the past few weeks hoping to get to today.
I have had some HORRIBLE back pain and a lot of pelvic pressure for a while now, but some times are way worse than others; like this past Friday night. It was a long day, followed by a lot of walking at the fair, followed by a very late night of pulling up laminate flooring in the basement (which may make it as another post at another date). We finally went to bed around 1am, but I maybe slept an hour between then and when we got up. My back felt like it was going to explode! As Saturday went along, I started feeling better, but Ryan was persistent that I at least go to the hospital and get checked.
After an hour and a half there....they sent us home. I was still just dilated to 3cm. I was definitely having contractions, but nothing timeable. The baby was just fine. So they had no reason to go ahead an induce.
So, now I HAVE MADE IT to 37 weeks! Today is the day!
I did quite a bit yesterday, even had about an hour long dance party with Zoe in her room trying to dance the baby out - and had nothing but a sleepless night last night! I decided that I would take it easy today. I have sat on my tush almost all day working on stuff for work. This afternoon I had some pretty heavy cramping with a few contractions, but it has now eased off and I'm back to just having an exploding back with occasional contractions.
We go to Dr. P tomorrow afternoon. I'm getting a little concerned with how big this baby is going to be! My back is killing me! The pelvic pressure is getting unbearable! I'm bored out of my mind just sitting around! But in the end, I know that the longer the bun is in the oven, the better, and I'm thankful every day that I made it that much longer.......
BUT come on baby! I want to know what you are! :)



I posted all of these pictures because the only one around when I remembered to take pictures was......Zoe! She didn't do too bad, but I love the one that is just of the nursery and leaves me completely out. She said "Op! I missed!"

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Bored and Uncomfortable!

Bored and uncomfortable.....that's the way to describe how I'm spending my days. Along with Anxious, excited, nervous, uneasy, restless, eager, enthusiastic, scared, ready, impatient, agitated, calm, peaceful, fidgety, edgy, busy, active - it just depends on what minute of the day you ask me!
This pregnancy has been so different from Zoe in so many ways, but also the same in so many ways. I have noticed that I have been much more "grouchy" this time around and really have no patience for anything or anyone. I have said that I have lost the filter for my mouth and whatever I think comes right out. So, instead of saying mean things to people who aggitate me, I just try to stay quiet, which in turn makes me grouchy.
I am carrying this baby completely different than Zoe. She was completely in my hips and tush, but this baby is ALL belly. I can still get my regular pants on, I just can't snap them because of this basketball that I'm carrying around. With Zoe, I wouldn't have attempted to put on my regular pants!
I had a ton of heartburn with Zoe, hardly any with this one. Zoe had tons of hair and we have been told in the past couple of ultrasounds that this one also has hair (there goes that myth!).
When I got to 36 weeks with Zoe, I felt like I was walking like I just got off a horse and that she was ready to fall out. This one I just have TONS of back and pelvic pressure - I now know why some women waddle!
Zoe had a name at 3 months and we didn't have a boys name picked until I was pushing. This time around, we didn't really know until last night. We finally said, "ok, let's finalize the names!" :) We have a name for each and no, I'm not telling. You will know soon enough!
With Zoe, I had a real nesting instinct just the night before we went to the hospital. This time, I have been nesting from the day school got out. I only have 2 closets left in my house to clean and some little things for work to do that I'm saving so that I have something left to do over the next 3 months. Our bags are packed, baby's bag is packed, toiletries are pretty much packed, and the delivery room bag is packed. My house is cleaned up. Laundry pretty much done. Nothing left to nest about!
The past few days I have been extremely uncomfortable and have seriously thought about going to the hospital to just be checked. I don't think I'm in labor, but the doctor said that if I dilated to a certain point, he would go ahead and have them break my water... Am I at that point, who knows!!!! He also said that he notices the most women go into labor when there is a change in pressure - guess what came through last night! Storms! Probably just wishful thinking and the manatee will keep swimming another couple of weeks! :)
Now that I've rambled on and on, I better go take a shower so that if it does come today, they don't think I'm some stinky person off the street who never showers!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Cookin' up something good!

I was hoping to make it to one of the local "make and freeze" places before the baby came, but each one was pretty much booked until next week and I just wasn't comfortable enough paying for it and then not being able to make it. Also, Lindsay said that Schwann's was better anyway. Well, we don't get Schwann's, but I did decide to just make some meals and freeze them myself.
Of course, I had my mini me chef to help along the way! We decided to make stuffed shells, spagetti, shreaded beef, and ham and potatoes. Turns out that we had enough to make 2 meals from each recipe and will probably have left-overs from each! I'm sure that I saved a lot of money doing it on my own and had a lot more fun that way too! :)




Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Baby Update - 36 weeks

So, for about a month or so, I have dreamed that I was having a baby elephant. Well, this week, the baby morphed into a manatee. I haven't actually had any "birthing" dreams of manatees, but every dream has had at least 1 manatee in it, even if the manatee was on land and walking around with me. I need to add though that I have read it is common to dream about large animals. :)
We went for the 36 week check up today. My weight has stayed the same. Overall, I have only gained 9 pounds, but that's not a big deal since I had a little extra to start with ;-) My blood pressure was also fine. The baby's heart rate has consistently been 139....whatever you think that means! Two weeks ago, I was about 2cm dilated, last week was a good 2cm dilated, and today was a definite 3cm! YIKES! I broke the cycle of pregnant ladies in the office today because he had told almost everyone else to the hospital....
When he asked how I was doing, I told him I was hoping I would continue the trend, but that he would probably just say "see you next week". He just laughed! After checking me, he said "see you in a week" followed by "the baby could be here any time though."
So, since I've been home, I've had several contractions, but none worth timing. For now, we will just keep relaxing and waiting......with high anticipation and even higher anxiety!

This picture was taken on Saturday - a few days shy of 36 weeks, but it gives you the full torpedo effect! Thank goodness it's summer time and I can wear my hubby's clothes :)

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Chestnut

This morning I told Zoe we would go to a movie (she loved the Marmaduke commercials and it is now at the cheap theater). Ryan convinced me that taking her to a movie probably wasn't a good idea because she doesn't really watch tv and she is hardly ever quiet! After our lazy day, I decided he was right, mainly because I didn't want to drive all the way to the Dayton Mall, and told her we were going to rent a movie about a dog. With my fingers crossed, I went to the Redbox at Walmart in hopes to find a movie with a dog. The first one I saw was called Chestnut. Kids movie, sounded cute, we were in luck.
After dinner and a bath, we all settled in to our bed and put the movie in. Zoe was excited right away because there was a cute little puppy from the start! Without giving away the movie, one of the little girls tells Chestnut to run away. The sisters are then very sad.
Zoe sits up, looks at us, and has the biggest tears in her eyes and is crying because the little girl made the puppy run away. Ryan and I immediately start crying and then had to convince her that it was going to be ok. Then, again without giving it away, Chestnut gets hurt and the family is all crying. Zoe again starts crying and wants to know why everyone is sad. I had to tell her it was because they were happy to have Chestnut back.............
Anyway, in the end, everyone was happy and Zoe put a smile on her face!
Who knew that a 2 1/2 year old would be so emotional over a movie?!?! Guess I will have to pay extra close attention to the movie description the next time I rent and make sure there is no reason for us to cry!
**Just as a side note, I'm so glad I didn't decide to take her to a movie - the entire time, she kept asking "Where's Chestnut? Where's their mommy? Where's their daddy? Where's Chestnut? Why do they have tears?" and on and on and on**