Saturday, February 27, 2010
Snowing, Sleeping, and Spitting Up
It snowed in the ATX this past week. While we did not dress NAP in his snowsuit (yes he has one and yes we realize we missed our one opportunity to use it), we enjoyed our day inside snuggling with our little guy.
Waking up is hard to do.
Nash likes his new Friends.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
My Favorite Sight and Nash Update
Daddy and baby. They spend the mornings and late evenings cuddled just like this.
We love how Nash puts his little hand under his chin when he sleeps on us.
He still eats all the time! I have been on antibiotics, which seem to really bother his stomach. In fact, it bothers him so much that no one is sleeping around here and we're spending most of the night soothing our baby who is wrenching his body around. I have decided to stop taking the antibiotics (a major no-no, I know), but we can't live like this and I just don't feel comfortable supplementing with formula. Frankly, I don't want to. We're going to see how today goes and see if my doctor calls me back and reprimands me (I left her a vm this morning with my intent to quit the antibiotics!).
When not suffering from an upset stomach, Nash (NAP) is an absolute delight. He moves so much that we have had to retire one swaddle blanket that he's able to "roll" over in and may have to retire the sleep positioner, as he kicks off of the top, leaving his head hanging off. Yep, he's got his Daddy's ants in the pants syndrome.
He sleeps like a champ during the day, everywhere but his bassinet. Nights are not great right now, but hopefully will get better with a better stomach. Nash focuses on toys, especially his little giraffe from Kori, and his mobile. He also likes the light and one of KP's sculptures.
Today when I woke up, KP had NAP on the changing pad. When I asked what they were doing there, KP said that that was the only place NAP was happy. So, we all hung out playing there for a while. Whatever works!
Oh, and thank you all for spoiling us rotten with help, food, and gifts. We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family. I took a picture of one of the cutest things before I dismantled it for practical purposes. Thanks O'Loughlin family for the diaper cake!
Dogs in Baby Gear
The dogs are doing awesome. I know that they are feeling a little left out, but we try to pay them special attention. Plus, with our frequent baby walks, the dogs are getting out more often than before.
Every now and then, we'll look around and find a pug in baby gear. Luckily Nash has not been in the gear at the same time. No worries, we never leave Nash unattended on pug level.
Mac in the Moses basket (with a warm blanket set up for Nash's photo shoot).
Zeus curled up in the boppy. We change the boppy cover often as all of the dogs think it was made for thier cuddling.
Every now and then, we'll look around and find a pug in baby gear. Luckily Nash has not been in the gear at the same time. No worries, we never leave Nash unattended on pug level.
Gus in the bouncer.
Mac in the Moses basket (with a warm blanket set up for Nash's photo shoot).
Zeus curled up in the boppy. We change the boppy cover often as all of the dogs think it was made for thier cuddling.
Sue Sue and Tim Visit
Sue Sue and Tim came up for a visit on Saturday. They cooked us dinner, including Mac n' Cheese. You see, they bribed me with the promise of mac n' cheese if I called them first when I went into labor. So I did! It was delicious.
KP and I kept apologizing for how boring we are now, but Sue and Tim promised us that they go to sleep early too. Nash had a good time being oodled over by his youngest Aunt.
Check out the serious face (aka Stink Eye) that Nash is giving Sue! Love the new 'do, Tim!
Aww!
KP and I kept apologizing for how boring we are now, but Sue and Tim promised us that they go to sleep early too. Nash had a good time being oodled over by his youngest Aunt.
Check out the serious face (aka Stink Eye) that Nash is giving Sue! Love the new 'do, Tim!
Aww!Friday, February 19, 2010
Hello Grandma
Grandma (KP's Mom) came up on Wednesday to spend some time with us. She and Nash have a little love affair. He coos for her unlike any of his other "talking."
Grandma has been cooking for us and helping tons with Nash. They spend hours bonding, giving me a chance to sleep, get some things done (unfortunately the world did not stop when I gave birth), and chill out. Plus, Grandma is a nurse and answers all of my questions. KP has been working his tail off, so it has been very nice for me to have some company around here.
I know Grandma is going to miss her first grandson tons when she leaves and I have a feeling that Nash will miss her too. Luckily, Grandma and Grandpa will be up to visit lots.
Grandma holding Nash right after a bath. He loves his baths and his Grandma.Bye Bye Mimi
On Wednesday, Buddy drove up from Houston and to pick Mimi up and take her back home. I know he was getting a little worried that I would never let her leave. Mimi spent 11 nights in the ATX, 9 of them we were home for.
I am not going to lie; I bawled when she left. Aside from cooking, cleaning, going to the store, holding the baby, making sure KP's work shirts were clean, buying the detergent I like, sticking fruit stickers (our thing) in places for me to find, encouraging family time, and just generally rockin', she made me feel sane in my very emotional and hormonal state and made me feel like a good Mom. It's pretty cool being a Mom and still being babied by your Mom.
Buddy held Nash for the first time on Wednesday. I think he's pretty smitten with his third grandson. I hear rumors that go-karts may be on the horizon out at Three Sisters Acres (Mimi and Buddy's place).
Thank you Mimi for everything. That you Buddy for coming to get her. Thank you Midge and Midge's Mom-in-Law for shifting your lives to accommodate us.
I am not going to lie; I bawled when she left. Aside from cooking, cleaning, going to the store, holding the baby, making sure KP's work shirts were clean, buying the detergent I like, sticking fruit stickers (our thing) in places for me to find, encouraging family time, and just generally rockin', she made me feel sane in my very emotional and hormonal state and made me feel like a good Mom. It's pretty cool being a Mom and still being babied by your Mom.
Buddy held Nash for the first time on Wednesday. I think he's pretty smitten with his third grandson. I hear rumors that go-karts may be on the horizon out at Three Sisters Acres (Mimi and Buddy's place).
Thank you Mimi for everything. That you Buddy for coming to get her. Thank you Midge and Midge's Mom-in-Law for shifting your lives to accommodate us.
Mimi went to mass for Ash Wednesday, hence the mess on her forehead.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Nash's Birth Story
All: I know no one is holding a gun to your head making you read this here blog. You probably come for the pictures of Nash and every now and then, my ridiculousness. Personally, I write this blog because I like to write. Now that our baby has arrived it will also serve the purpose of chronicling our life to share with our family and friends. It will also serve as an online scrapbook for our little clan: KP, Nash, and me.
Below is my labor and Nash's birth story. Please know that I am writing this on the blog because I want to remember it. It is already fading from my memory. It's more than you want to know to know; I guarantee that. Skip over this post or read if you like, but consider yourself warned with some of the details. Oh, don't sue me if this story has already changed. It's strange how quickly you can forget such a huge event. Here we go...
What I didn't share on the blog the Friday before I went into labor is that my OB asked me if I wanted her to "strip my membranes." After declining the week before out of sheer terror, I decided to let her do it. It hurt. In fact, the nurse who came to draw my blood afterward said she could hear me in the hall. I think I expressed my pain with "Holy Mackrel!" several times.
After that appointment, I was crampy, but had been with every check, so I really didn't think anything about it until about 8pm when I realized that I was crampy about every 10 minutes. I called my doc and she sounded skeptical, but encouraged me to get some rest and said that those were signs of early, early labor. After eating very spicy Thai food, I took a bath and shaved my legs, just in case. I tried to sleep in bed, but at about 1 am the cramping became even more obvious to me and I moved to the living room, encouraging KP to get some rest.
I watched some episodes of Weeds on DVD, timed contractions every now and then, and slept. At about 4:30 the contractions were strong enough that I could no longer sleep. I went in to take another bath, just to relax and change the scenery. I called Rachel, my friend and a nurse and mama who I knew was working the night shift. At this point the contractions were about 7 minutes apart and lasting 30 or so seconds, but sometimes a second contraction would piggyback on the first and that kinda scared me. Rachel said 7 minutes apart is pretty far but to call my doc if I was unsure. So, I woke the doc up and she encouraged me to wait until they were 5 mins apart, lasted at least 1 minute each, with the pattern holding for at least 1 hr, if not getting closer together.
At 5:30ish, I woke KP up and asked him to start timing me. We were good students and did just like we were trained in Lamaze. I lay on the floor with all of my pillow props. The pugs curled up with me under a blanket to show their support and concern. They were so sweet and loving. KP had his stop watch and pen and paper. While he watched some car show on Discovery, I waited and slept between contractions. At this point they were severe enough that I had to breathe through them. They felt like my tummy was crunching up and that my back had a sporadic cramp. KP helped with some of the back labor by applying counter pressure. After an hour of this, I was in a dream-like state. ( BTW, My cold had still not gone away, so I was on Benedryl, Afrin, and cough meds.) That may have encouraged my dream state. I felt so focused and in tune with my body that it was difficult to make the decision to get up, pull some final things together at the house and head to the hospital. We called the doc again at 7:45 and told her we were heading to the hospital.
We arrived at our sleepy little hospital at about 8 am. We had to go through the ER to get some service. I had a couple of contractions on the drive over and a few more in the waiting room while getting checked in. We called our families and put them on notice. I told them not to spring into action just yet as I had not been checked and had no idea if this was the real deal.
We were greeted my dueling nurses. They each wanted us. It really is a sleepy little hospital, with great service. It was settled that we'd have Nurse Julia, who was 6 months pregnant herself. After getting settled, they checked my bp, which was high, but not shocking to anyone. They then checked me and I was STILL only dilated at 2 cm. When I expressed that I was having back labor, they felt around on my stomach and discovered that Nash was face down, not face up which is much preferred for delivery. We were give the opportunity to try to turn him over before I took pain meds and was confined to my bed. For an hour, I danced bed-side and with each contraction, leaned over while KP pushed on my back. We were hoping that gravity would help turn him over, but it did not. I tired of this and wanted to get some rest.
I was told that I'd be given something to help me sleep and take the edge off of the contractions while we waited to see if I would progress. The doctor made rounds and said that if I did not progress that she would send me home, either to wait for real labor or for my induction on Tuesday. I was so certain that I was in real labor. It just felt so REAL. The contractions hurt like hell and I felt ready to have my baby. But, being a newcomer, I said nothing. I was given a shot of morphine and phenergan and told to relax. I liked this, as I hadn't really slept in a while. KP decided to go get something to eat and check on the dogs at home.
Just as I settled into a sleep, still mildly breathing through contractions, I felt a kick and then a gush. My water broke! I pushed the call button to tell them and the nurse said, “What leads you to believe that your water broke?” When I told her of the gush, she checked and said, "You're right!" Unfortunately, Nash pooped in the amniotic fluid, so our entire time line sped up. Pooping in the womb is a sign of stress on the baby. I called KP, who by then was in the parking lot and told him to hurry back. I also called the families and told them that we were a go. My doctor checked me again and I was at a 5, I was told that if I did not dilate faster, we'd move to the Pitocin and then c-section if necessary.
Just then my contractions got REALLY strong. I immediately asked for an epidural and relayed that in my family, we go from a 3 to a 10 in an hour. No one believed me, but because of the meconium (first poop) in the amniotic fluid, they obliged my request. I was told I would have to take down a bag of fluid while we waited for the anesthesiologist. Here's where things got a little harry.
The nurse inserted the IV into my left hand and as she did it, I almost passed out. I was given oxygen and told to relax. It occurred to me that I was a little anxious and the combo of pain medication, sleeping medication, cold medication, and nerves was a little overwhelming. KP and I then breathed through contractions for the next hour or so until the epidural man arrived. The epidural was no problem at all. The only part that hurt was the local anesthesia, which stung some. As the large needle was inserted, I was breathing through a contraction and had no time to think of anything else. Sneaky nurse if mine. Then I felt the meds flowing and legs becoming dead weight. It was time to relax.
At some point my entire family came in and we chatted for a while, but I don't really remember it. I felt some anxiety again and had Nurse Julia kick them out. For the next period of time, I was rolled from side to side to keep the epidural equal. This was quite a process as I could not help at all. I seriously could not feel ANYTHING from about my chest down. Mostly my legs felt like mountains, which is what every girl wants. And, the amniotic fluid was still gushing each time I was moved, which meant that I had to be cleaned up. All modesty was out the window, and frankly, had been since I arrived at the hospital.
After the epidural set in, I rested and waited to dilate. My nurse came in and told me she was going to check me but not to be surprised if I was still at a 5 as epidurals tend to slow progress. I again reminded her that I was from a long line of quick dialters. She told me that the next progressive step would be to feel some pressure in my nether region. I told her I had that. She said it would come and go, but I told her it was staying. She left the room and came back with my doctor. My doc checked me, and then asked KP if he’d like to see his son’s head! In a short period of time, I had dilated fully, Nash turned face up, and he descended to be delivered. I have those good Marz genes that go from 3 to 10 in an hour, thank God!
Things started moving very quickly at this point. I started shaking vigorously, which my doc said was very normal and to let loose and go with it. The respiratory therapist was called because of the meconium issue, the stirrups were pulled up, lights on, nurses called in, and it was show time. My doc told me that pushing is generally very uncomfortable as it’s like taking a BM in public and to try a test push with the next contraction. I guess I could poop in public if I had to (I have not), because I was told that I am a good pusher and to please stop. My doc suited up and we got ready for the next contraction.
All I could feel was some pressure and was told to push. It’s just like the movies: “push, push, push, push, push. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, again. You’re doing so great.” With all of the praise, I thought that the baby should have been out in 2 pushes, but he wasn’t. With the first two contractions, I pushed 3 times each and with the third contraction, I pushed 4 times, and pushed him out! In fact, I was pushing so hard that amniotic fluid shot out all over the room and all over everyone. Laughter and joy erupted in the room.
Nash was quickly swept away to get all of the poop out of his lungs and I went into a coughing fit, exactly what every person wants to do in the seconds following labor. Nash was declared perfect and his stats were called out around the room. My doc worked on sewing me up (side tear, not down, which I hear I am lucky for) while the nurses vigorously pushed on my uterus and I delivered the beautiful placenta (I had no idea this was happening). Really, it wasn’t that gross. In fact, nothing was as gross or scary as I thought it would be. Plus, the prize IS amazing.
So, that’s it. Nash is here. We’re doing great and I am sure the stories will keep on coming. There are so many and he’s only 10 days old!
Oh, and if you are looking for a time line, I think it went something like this:
8pm on 2/5: noticed cramping
4am on 2/6: cramping much stronger
7am on 2/6: timing contractions. 3-5 mins apart, lasting 1 min, duration 1 hr
8am on 2/6: at the hospital
12pm on 2/6: water breaks
2-3pm on 2/6: epidural
5:27pm on 2/6: Nash arrived!
Below is my labor and Nash's birth story. Please know that I am writing this on the blog because I want to remember it. It is already fading from my memory. It's more than you want to know to know; I guarantee that. Skip over this post or read if you like, but consider yourself warned with some of the details. Oh, don't sue me if this story has already changed. It's strange how quickly you can forget such a huge event. Here we go...
What I didn't share on the blog the Friday before I went into labor is that my OB asked me if I wanted her to "strip my membranes." After declining the week before out of sheer terror, I decided to let her do it. It hurt. In fact, the nurse who came to draw my blood afterward said she could hear me in the hall. I think I expressed my pain with "Holy Mackrel!" several times.
After that appointment, I was crampy, but had been with every check, so I really didn't think anything about it until about 8pm when I realized that I was crampy about every 10 minutes. I called my doc and she sounded skeptical, but encouraged me to get some rest and said that those were signs of early, early labor. After eating very spicy Thai food, I took a bath and shaved my legs, just in case. I tried to sleep in bed, but at about 1 am the cramping became even more obvious to me and I moved to the living room, encouraging KP to get some rest.
I watched some episodes of Weeds on DVD, timed contractions every now and then, and slept. At about 4:30 the contractions were strong enough that I could no longer sleep. I went in to take another bath, just to relax and change the scenery. I called Rachel, my friend and a nurse and mama who I knew was working the night shift. At this point the contractions were about 7 minutes apart and lasting 30 or so seconds, but sometimes a second contraction would piggyback on the first and that kinda scared me. Rachel said 7 minutes apart is pretty far but to call my doc if I was unsure. So, I woke the doc up and she encouraged me to wait until they were 5 mins apart, lasted at least 1 minute each, with the pattern holding for at least 1 hr, if not getting closer together.
At 5:30ish, I woke KP up and asked him to start timing me. We were good students and did just like we were trained in Lamaze. I lay on the floor with all of my pillow props. The pugs curled up with me under a blanket to show their support and concern. They were so sweet and loving. KP had his stop watch and pen and paper. While he watched some car show on Discovery, I waited and slept between contractions. At this point they were severe enough that I had to breathe through them. They felt like my tummy was crunching up and that my back had a sporadic cramp. KP helped with some of the back labor by applying counter pressure. After an hour of this, I was in a dream-like state. ( BTW, My cold had still not gone away, so I was on Benedryl, Afrin, and cough meds.) That may have encouraged my dream state. I felt so focused and in tune with my body that it was difficult to make the decision to get up, pull some final things together at the house and head to the hospital. We called the doc again at 7:45 and told her we were heading to the hospital.
We arrived at our sleepy little hospital at about 8 am. We had to go through the ER to get some service. I had a couple of contractions on the drive over and a few more in the waiting room while getting checked in. We called our families and put them on notice. I told them not to spring into action just yet as I had not been checked and had no idea if this was the real deal.
We were greeted my dueling nurses. They each wanted us. It really is a sleepy little hospital, with great service. It was settled that we'd have Nurse Julia, who was 6 months pregnant herself. After getting settled, they checked my bp, which was high, but not shocking to anyone. They then checked me and I was STILL only dilated at 2 cm. When I expressed that I was having back labor, they felt around on my stomach and discovered that Nash was face down, not face up which is much preferred for delivery. We were give the opportunity to try to turn him over before I took pain meds and was confined to my bed. For an hour, I danced bed-side and with each contraction, leaned over while KP pushed on my back. We were hoping that gravity would help turn him over, but it did not. I tired of this and wanted to get some rest.
I was told that I'd be given something to help me sleep and take the edge off of the contractions while we waited to see if I would progress. The doctor made rounds and said that if I did not progress that she would send me home, either to wait for real labor or for my induction on Tuesday. I was so certain that I was in real labor. It just felt so REAL. The contractions hurt like hell and I felt ready to have my baby. But, being a newcomer, I said nothing. I was given a shot of morphine and phenergan and told to relax. I liked this, as I hadn't really slept in a while. KP decided to go get something to eat and check on the dogs at home.
Just as I settled into a sleep, still mildly breathing through contractions, I felt a kick and then a gush. My water broke! I pushed the call button to tell them and the nurse said, “What leads you to believe that your water broke?” When I told her of the gush, she checked and said, "You're right!" Unfortunately, Nash pooped in the amniotic fluid, so our entire time line sped up. Pooping in the womb is a sign of stress on the baby. I called KP, who by then was in the parking lot and told him to hurry back. I also called the families and told them that we were a go. My doctor checked me again and I was at a 5, I was told that if I did not dilate faster, we'd move to the Pitocin and then c-section if necessary.
Just then my contractions got REALLY strong. I immediately asked for an epidural and relayed that in my family, we go from a 3 to a 10 in an hour. No one believed me, but because of the meconium (first poop) in the amniotic fluid, they obliged my request. I was told I would have to take down a bag of fluid while we waited for the anesthesiologist. Here's where things got a little harry.
The nurse inserted the IV into my left hand and as she did it, I almost passed out. I was given oxygen and told to relax. It occurred to me that I was a little anxious and the combo of pain medication, sleeping medication, cold medication, and nerves was a little overwhelming. KP and I then breathed through contractions for the next hour or so until the epidural man arrived. The epidural was no problem at all. The only part that hurt was the local anesthesia, which stung some. As the large needle was inserted, I was breathing through a contraction and had no time to think of anything else. Sneaky nurse if mine. Then I felt the meds flowing and legs becoming dead weight. It was time to relax.
At some point my entire family came in and we chatted for a while, but I don't really remember it. I felt some anxiety again and had Nurse Julia kick them out. For the next period of time, I was rolled from side to side to keep the epidural equal. This was quite a process as I could not help at all. I seriously could not feel ANYTHING from about my chest down. Mostly my legs felt like mountains, which is what every girl wants. And, the amniotic fluid was still gushing each time I was moved, which meant that I had to be cleaned up. All modesty was out the window, and frankly, had been since I arrived at the hospital.
After the epidural set in, I rested and waited to dilate. My nurse came in and told me she was going to check me but not to be surprised if I was still at a 5 as epidurals tend to slow progress. I again reminded her that I was from a long line of quick dialters. She told me that the next progressive step would be to feel some pressure in my nether region. I told her I had that. She said it would come and go, but I told her it was staying. She left the room and came back with my doctor. My doc checked me, and then asked KP if he’d like to see his son’s head! In a short period of time, I had dilated fully, Nash turned face up, and he descended to be delivered. I have those good Marz genes that go from 3 to 10 in an hour, thank God!
Things started moving very quickly at this point. I started shaking vigorously, which my doc said was very normal and to let loose and go with it. The respiratory therapist was called because of the meconium issue, the stirrups were pulled up, lights on, nurses called in, and it was show time. My doc told me that pushing is generally very uncomfortable as it’s like taking a BM in public and to try a test push with the next contraction. I guess I could poop in public if I had to (I have not), because I was told that I am a good pusher and to please stop. My doc suited up and we got ready for the next contraction.
All I could feel was some pressure and was told to push. It’s just like the movies: “push, push, push, push, push. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, again. You’re doing so great.” With all of the praise, I thought that the baby should have been out in 2 pushes, but he wasn’t. With the first two contractions, I pushed 3 times each and with the third contraction, I pushed 4 times, and pushed him out! In fact, I was pushing so hard that amniotic fluid shot out all over the room and all over everyone. Laughter and joy erupted in the room.
Nash was quickly swept away to get all of the poop out of his lungs and I went into a coughing fit, exactly what every person wants to do in the seconds following labor. Nash was declared perfect and his stats were called out around the room. My doc worked on sewing me up (side tear, not down, which I hear I am lucky for) while the nurses vigorously pushed on my uterus and I delivered the beautiful placenta (I had no idea this was happening). Really, it wasn’t that gross. In fact, nothing was as gross or scary as I thought it would be. Plus, the prize IS amazing.
So, that’s it. Nash is here. We’re doing great and I am sure the stories will keep on coming. There are so many and he’s only 10 days old!
Oh, and if you are looking for a time line, I think it went something like this:
8pm on 2/5: noticed cramping
4am on 2/6: cramping much stronger
7am on 2/6: timing contractions. 3-5 mins apart, lasting 1 min, duration 1 hr
8am on 2/6: at the hospital
12pm on 2/6: water breaks
2-3pm on 2/6: epidural
5:27pm on 2/6: Nash arrived!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Mimi Head
My Mom is in town and has been helping us in this transitional time. She goes to the grocery store, cooks, cleans, does laundry, changes the baby, takes the 2-6am shift, and provides tons of emotional and new parent support. She also provides lots of entertainment.
Needless to say, we're a little sleep deprived. So, we've been taking naps when KP is home and can be on baby duty. Each time my Mom comes back down the hall from her naps, she reports back on her dreams. So far, they have included not being able to get ready for a funeral, seeing Brad Pitt at Los Tios, being less than courteous to an old friend about "seasonal" weight loss, and purchasing a beach house large enough to hold a wedding reception for $58,000 in Galveston.
I am already freaking out a little bit about Mimi leaving at some point, as she has just been so wonderful, but we'll keep on enjoying her for now.
Oh, and Davis, my 21 month-old nephew, calls my Mom Mimi Head when he is joking.
Needless to say, we're a little sleep deprived. So, we've been taking naps when KP is home and can be on baby duty. Each time my Mom comes back down the hall from her naps, she reports back on her dreams. So far, they have included not being able to get ready for a funeral, seeing Brad Pitt at Los Tios, being less than courteous to an old friend about "seasonal" weight loss, and purchasing a beach house large enough to hold a wedding reception for $58,000 in Galveston.
I am already freaking out a little bit about Mimi leaving at some point, as she has just been so wonderful, but we'll keep on enjoying her for now.
Oh, and Davis, my 21 month-old nephew, calls my Mom Mimi Head when he is joking.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
About Nash
He's really freaking cute. At each feeding, he eats like there's never going to be another meal. He's already chunkin' up. He has just a couple of noises: crying, the hoarse throat crying for when he's serious, and kitty cat noises when he's happy. His face is perfectly round. He has a little stork bite on his forehead (should go away in a couple of years) and a real birthmark (little and red) on the back of his head. He has his Daddy's hands, identified by his knuckles and long fingers and he has his Momma's feet, identified by his crooked fourth toe and narrowness.
Nash was a little jaundiced when we left the hospital (as you can see in the pics below in the blue and brown outfit), but his coloring is getting better and it seems he is passing all of the bilirubin now that I have milk and not just colostrum. He's doing great. He eats every 2-4 hours. Unfortunately he has his nights and days mixed up, but today we have instituted the Miracle Blanket and hopefully Mimi and Momma will get some more sleep tonight. Daddy gets a reprive at night so that he can work during the day, but he does mornings.
And for what you came for...
Miracle blanket in the swing.
Momma, Nash, Gus, and Mac.
Miracle blanket in the bouncer.
First sponge bath at home. Daddy thinks it's very funny!
This is the face we call Milk Drunk.
Brothers.
A little closer sniff.
Nash was a little jaundiced when we left the hospital (as you can see in the pics below in the blue and brown outfit), but his coloring is getting better and it seems he is passing all of the bilirubin now that I have milk and not just colostrum. He's doing great. He eats every 2-4 hours. Unfortunately he has his nights and days mixed up, but today we have instituted the Miracle Blanket and hopefully Mimi and Momma will get some more sleep tonight. Daddy gets a reprive at night so that he can work during the day, but he does mornings.
And for what you came for...
Miracle blanket in the swing.
Momma, Nash, Gus, and Mac.
Miracle blanket in the bouncer.
First sponge bath at home. Daddy thinks it's very funny!
This is the face we call Milk Drunk.
Brothers.
A little closer sniff.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Nash Archer
Nash Archer made his way into this world yesterday at 5:27pm. Our little guy weighed 7lbs even and is 19 1/4 inches long. His head is 14 inches in circumfrence. He has some blonde hair and blonde eyelashes and eyebrows. He has KP's hands, my nose (at least from the front), and it looks like to Paczosa genes are even more dominant than Davison genes. He is perfect.
I will save the birth story for another post (when I am not on narcotics), but I will tell you that he came out via the birth canal after 22 hours of labor, though only a few of those were active labor. All in all, he was pretty easy. I am a little sore; KP and I are both over the moon; and Nash is a precious gift.
So far, Nash has been visited by all of this Aunts and Grandparents, as well as the Daugereaus. Next week he will meet his Uncle and cousins, and hopefully lots of his parents' friends!
Here are some pics. I promise I will post some more when we get home. Thanks for all of your positive thoughts, friends. We can feel the love!
Right after delivery. So alert. Mom, on the other hand, could use a nap. Dad is super-proud and ready to take on the role of swaddler and diaper-changer!
The Paczosas. Garndma is over the moon! I hear she ran down the hall each time to see Nash. Grandpa says Nash has very nice lips and I even heard Ade say she would babysit!
Midge and her first Nephew on the Davison side.
Sue Sue and Buddy. Buddy's already dreaming of the day when his grandsons are 6, 4 1/2, and 3. What trouble! Sue said at least a zillion times, "he is so cute!"
Mimi and grandson #3. Mimi is staying a while to help us get settled at home.
Paul and Amy came to see Nash. Miss Lilly, in Amy's belly, kicked Nash a few times while Amy was holding him. They are going to be best buds in a few months.
Friday, February 5, 2010
39 Weeks: A Mini Watermelon
I was taught that if you don't have anything nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all. So, bye for now.
Just kidding, though my list of nice things is short.
Nash should be about 7lbs and 20 inches. I think he's more like 8lbs. He's such a busy boy. He's constantly moving and making his presence known. I am so thankful that Midge got us a Miracle Blanket. I have a feeling this boy's going to stay wrapped up all the time!
I went to the doctor this morning praying for an induction today, but she said it was a little late in the day to get things going. Boo. Though I'd rather go into labor naturally, this cold is really beating me up and I cannot take any decongestants because my blood pressure is volatile. Because the sinus pressure has been so severe, I have taken 3-4 baths/showers a day, gone through 2 boxes of Puffs Plus Lotion, have a Rudolph nose and ears that feel like they should be on fire, and have been microwaving wash cloths to apply warm pressure to my face. It's been fun around here!
Thankfully the doc turned me on to Afrin, which does not affect the baby if used properly, so maybe, just maybe I will get more then 3-4 hours of sleep in the next 24 hours. For you skeptics and health professionals, she did say that normally Afrin is not a great option, but in this case, it's really the only option.
By the way, it seems that pregnancy-induced hypertension is what's causing my blood pressure issues, which is much preferred to pre-eclampsia.
Back to the induction...if Nash does not come this weekend, we will induce on Tuesday. Tuesday seems to be a popular induction day, as both of the nephews were induced on Tuesdays.
I hope that Nash decides to come this weekend. I sure would like to experience going into labor, but at the same time, I am ready to meet him.
This is my sad face. I so wanted things to have progressed and to be checked in today. In fact, we loaded our bags, pillows, and electronics bag into the car this morning. We even cleaned the house and I did my hair and makeup. Now I know what not to do this weekend!
Here's the happy momma. 39 weeks, 5 days, +42 lbs, 2 cm dilated, 50% effaced. (With some chunky arms and no rear end!)
Just kidding, though my list of nice things is short.
Nash should be about 7lbs and 20 inches. I think he's more like 8lbs. He's such a busy boy. He's constantly moving and making his presence known. I am so thankful that Midge got us a Miracle Blanket. I have a feeling this boy's going to stay wrapped up all the time!
I went to the doctor this morning praying for an induction today, but she said it was a little late in the day to get things going. Boo. Though I'd rather go into labor naturally, this cold is really beating me up and I cannot take any decongestants because my blood pressure is volatile. Because the sinus pressure has been so severe, I have taken 3-4 baths/showers a day, gone through 2 boxes of Puffs Plus Lotion, have a Rudolph nose and ears that feel like they should be on fire, and have been microwaving wash cloths to apply warm pressure to my face. It's been fun around here!
Thankfully the doc turned me on to Afrin, which does not affect the baby if used properly, so maybe, just maybe I will get more then 3-4 hours of sleep in the next 24 hours. For you skeptics and health professionals, she did say that normally Afrin is not a great option, but in this case, it's really the only option.
By the way, it seems that pregnancy-induced hypertension is what's causing my blood pressure issues, which is much preferred to pre-eclampsia.
Back to the induction...if Nash does not come this weekend, we will induce on Tuesday. Tuesday seems to be a popular induction day, as both of the nephews were induced on Tuesdays.
I hope that Nash decides to come this weekend. I sure would like to experience going into labor, but at the same time, I am ready to meet him.
This is my sad face. I so wanted things to have progressed and to be checked in today. In fact, we loaded our bags, pillows, and electronics bag into the car this morning. We even cleaned the house and I did my hair and makeup. Now I know what not to do this weekend!
Here's the happy momma. 39 weeks, 5 days, +42 lbs, 2 cm dilated, 50% effaced. (With some chunky arms and no rear end!)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Nothing but Pregnant (and maybe a little Sick)
As a woman, I am inherently a multi-tasker. Wait, wait, I was a multi-tasker. Right now, I am nothing but pregnant, and maybe a little sick.
I'll admit, I can still get laundry going, start the dishwasher, and make my bed at nearly the same time, but beyond domestic chores, I am pretty much worthless. Plus, I am sick. Like really sick. I have a cold, which I chalked up to allergies for so long that I may have made it worse. My throat hurts, there is snot somewhere that I cannot get to, and now I am coughing.
I know what you're thinking...it's just a cold. Sure, maybe, but what the heck am I going to do when I pop a newborn out and I am sneezing and coughing on him? Plus, I cannot imagine feeling this crappy while going through labor.
I am headed to my GP this morning. I am envisioning a miracle cure! (They save it for people as pitiful as me.)
I am also envisioning a cure to another problem in the Pac house. KP's side burn problem. Last week, KP got his usual $40, well-trimmed haircut. He then came home to shave his face, as we were concerned that I might be admitted to the hospital after our last appointment. We both wanted to make sure that Daddy's kisses will be soft on our soon-to-be-born baby boy.
Our good intentions were for naught. KP had to use trimmers first to get the majority of the hair off and that's were the problem comes in. With one slip of the wrist, his nice side burn went from trim to a 1990's sculpted basketballer's side burn.
Will it grow back before Nash is born? If not, expect KP to be on my left side in pictures!
My 39 week update will come after my OB appt tomorrow morning. Wish me luck with my miracle cure this morning.
I'll admit, I can still get laundry going, start the dishwasher, and make my bed at nearly the same time, but beyond domestic chores, I am pretty much worthless. Plus, I am sick. Like really sick. I have a cold, which I chalked up to allergies for so long that I may have made it worse. My throat hurts, there is snot somewhere that I cannot get to, and now I am coughing.
I know what you're thinking...it's just a cold. Sure, maybe, but what the heck am I going to do when I pop a newborn out and I am sneezing and coughing on him? Plus, I cannot imagine feeling this crappy while going through labor.
I am headed to my GP this morning. I am envisioning a miracle cure! (They save it for people as pitiful as me.)
I am also envisioning a cure to another problem in the Pac house. KP's side burn problem. Last week, KP got his usual $40, well-trimmed haircut. He then came home to shave his face, as we were concerned that I might be admitted to the hospital after our last appointment. We both wanted to make sure that Daddy's kisses will be soft on our soon-to-be-born baby boy.
Our good intentions were for naught. KP had to use trimmers first to get the majority of the hair off and that's were the problem comes in. With one slip of the wrist, his nice side burn went from trim to a 1990's sculpted basketballer's side burn.
Will it grow back before Nash is born? If not, expect KP to be on my left side in pictures!
My 39 week update will come after my OB appt tomorrow morning. Wish me luck with my miracle cure this morning.
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