Andrew is 12 days old today, and we went for his 2-week check-up with our midwife (Note: In Texas, CPMs are trained & licensed to provide newborn care to both mom & baby through 6 weeks). The highlight (not!) of the visit was his second heel stick for the metabolic disorders screening. At least Andrew is a pretty good bleeder. He also weighs 9 lbs. 8 oz. Way to go, champ! I forgot to weigh myself, not that I am at all concerned about my weight at this point, but I thought it might be a bit of a boost to see how many pounds I dropped without even trying, especially since I can fit into only one pair of pants in which I am willing to appear in public.
I'll try to get some new photos of the boy up soon.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Saturday, January 21, 2006
More Photos
Here is Andrew at 1 week old. Sorry about the shadow.
Here is Andrew with his brothers. Christopher is about to turn 5 and Timothy just turned 3.
Friday, January 20, 2006
One Week Old
Andrew is one week old today. Hard to believe! He is so precious. He is cute and perfect and smells good and I am just in love with him.
The boys are adjusting well to their new little brother. There has been a slight increase in fussing, partially attributable to having been spoiled by grandparents for the last two weeks. DS2 (oh, let's call him "Timothy") has only asked me twice to "put him down" in the bassinette or bouncy seat, and yesterday wanted to know what Andrew's favorite color was. DS4 (we'll call him "Christopher") will pat him and give him a kiss, and explains things to Timothy. They are both very helpful.
My recovery is going pretty well. I'll post a birth story here, of course, when I have time to write it. But I'll just say that while most of labor was a piece of cake, the actual birth part was extremely intense. Everyone tells me I had great control and didn't make a whole lot of noise, but all I remember is groaning and roaring and saying things like, "get him out!". But other than being tired and my gimpy hips which are taking their sweet time returning to normal, no major complaints. I had a small tear which I elected not to have repaired and boy, am I happy with that decision, at least so far. I guess I hadn't realized the extent to which the pain and swelling I experienced with the first two was not a normal result of childbirth, but was due to the trauma of the suturing. I wish more of an attempt was made to prevent perineal tears in childbirth. It would make a big difference for a lot of women.
His second night out, Andrew blessed us with 5 hours of sleep, then after a quick snack another 3 or 4 hours. By the third day, however, my milk had started to come in and sleep was hard to come by. I'm thinking, I don't care if he does eat every 2 hours, as long as he actually falls asleep in between feedings. By the fifth night we were back to a normal sleeping and waking pattern.
More when I get a chance.
The boys are adjusting well to their new little brother. There has been a slight increase in fussing, partially attributable to having been spoiled by grandparents for the last two weeks. DS2 (oh, let's call him "Timothy") has only asked me twice to "put him down" in the bassinette or bouncy seat, and yesterday wanted to know what Andrew's favorite color was. DS4 (we'll call him "Christopher") will pat him and give him a kiss, and explains things to Timothy. They are both very helpful.
My recovery is going pretty well. I'll post a birth story here, of course, when I have time to write it. But I'll just say that while most of labor was a piece of cake, the actual birth part was extremely intense. Everyone tells me I had great control and didn't make a whole lot of noise, but all I remember is groaning and roaring and saying things like, "get him out!". But other than being tired and my gimpy hips which are taking their sweet time returning to normal, no major complaints. I had a small tear which I elected not to have repaired and boy, am I happy with that decision, at least so far. I guess I hadn't realized the extent to which the pain and swelling I experienced with the first two was not a normal result of childbirth, but was due to the trauma of the suturing. I wish more of an attempt was made to prevent perineal tears in childbirth. It would make a big difference for a lot of women.
His second night out, Andrew blessed us with 5 hours of sleep, then after a quick snack another 3 or 4 hours. By the third day, however, my milk had started to come in and sleep was hard to come by. I'm thinking, I don't care if he does eat every 2 hours, as long as he actually falls asleep in between feedings. By the fifth night we were back to a normal sleeping and waking pattern.
More when I get a chance.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
It's a Boy!
Announcing the arrival of
Andrew Josiah
Date: Jaunary 13th
Time: 8:50 pm CST
Weight: 8 lbs. 10 oz.
Height: 21.25 in.
Details: not long after Mom sat in the "La Bassine" birthing tub her water broke. Total labor time in the tub was appx. 1.5 hours. Contractions progressed rapidly (and consequestly were strong). The "La Bassine" is very sturdy - so you can really lean on the side without fear of a tidal wave. Once Andrew's head was lifted out of the water he cried a little (so we knew his respiratory system worked) and then he quickly became quiet and calm - even after Dad took him out of the water (so Mom could deliver the placenta).
Andrew Josiah
Date: Jaunary 13th
Time: 8:50 pm CST
Weight: 8 lbs. 10 oz.
Height: 21.25 in.
Details: not long after Mom sat in the "La Bassine" birthing tub her water broke. Total labor time in the tub was appx. 1.5 hours. Contractions progressed rapidly (and consequestly were strong). The "La Bassine" is very sturdy - so you can really lean on the side without fear of a tidal wave. Once Andrew's head was lifted out of the water he cried a little (so we knew his respiratory system worked) and then he quickly became quiet and calm - even after Dad took him out of the water (so Mom could deliver the placenta).
Friday, January 13, 2006
Labor Part II
After a lot of close (2-4 min.) but short (<30 seconds) and not very strong contractions, they actually moved farther apart to more like every 5 minutes, but 45-60 seconds and pretty intense. Finally I laid down for a while and got a break, even slept a little. Within the last hour, the midwives (2), apprentice, and my mother arrived. The midwives actually just came for a birth this morning, and that following another one yesterday. My mother-in-law has been here since last Saturday, so she helps keep the kids entertained and they have shown very little interest in what mommy is doing. The birth pool is all set up. I just don't feel like I need it yet.
Little boy is being helpful. He kicks me in the ribs right before I have a contraction (like right now) ... (deep breath) because apparently he feels it before I do.
So I'm going to get up, walk around a bit, and try to get things going.
Little boy is being helpful. He kicks me in the ribs right before I have a contraction (like right now) ... (deep breath) because apparently he feels it before I do.
So I'm going to get up, walk around a bit, and try to get things going.
Labor!
Unlike last night's contractions, which were low, irregular, and painless, this morning's are bigger and 6-7 minutes apart. And I definitely feel the need to use some active relaxation techniques. I think they started around 5:30 a.m. - at least, that's when they woke me up - but I started timing around 6:40 and decided at 7:15 to get out of bed. Then, a bathroom surprise! The always-anticipated blood-tinged mucous.
Can you imagine, actually having a baby on his due date? What are the chances?
I think I'll have some breakfast and let everyone get a few more minutes of sleep before I start waking people up. May or may not blog again, depends on how it goes.
Can you imagine, actually having a baby on his due date? What are the chances?
I think I'll have some breakfast and let everyone get a few more minutes of sleep before I start waking people up. May or may not blog again, depends on how it goes.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Labor?
So, I'm having some irregular contractions. I know they are contractions becauase they feel just like the ones I had at the beginning of labor with #2. Very low and painless. I'll have two or three, maybe 7 or 9 minutes apart, then nothing for half an hour, then another couple. We'll see if this keeps up. I'm not calling anybody yet.
39+6 Week Update
I was quite disappointed not to wake up this morning in labor. DH and I had decided that this was the day. Apparently, baby feels differently. Both his brothers were born on Thursdays, and tommorow is both my due date and a full moon. So it would be a good day.
On the other hand, babies #1 & #2 made me wait, so why should this one be any different? Why on earth did I think he would come early? Oh, I have a whole piece to write about due dates and how they are wrong and don't mean anything. Maybe I should write it, then read it to myself over and over and over. Sigh...
Well, the day's not over yet!
Anyway, the last several days I have felt a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen, back & pelvic floor, mostly in the evenings. It comes and goes. I've never quite figured out what a Braxton-Hicks contraction is, so maybe this is it. Feels completely different from pre-labor with the first two.
I've completely lost all motivation. Last week I had that nesting instinct, but this week I don't really want to do anything but sit around. I am bored and discouraged.
Not much else to report. My prenatal visit was fine, nothing new.
Hopefully will post an update later.
On the other hand, babies #1 & #2 made me wait, so why should this one be any different? Why on earth did I think he would come early? Oh, I have a whole piece to write about due dates and how they are wrong and don't mean anything. Maybe I should write it, then read it to myself over and over and over. Sigh...
Well, the day's not over yet!
Anyway, the last several days I have felt a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen, back & pelvic floor, mostly in the evenings. It comes and goes. I've never quite figured out what a Braxton-Hicks contraction is, so maybe this is it. Feels completely different from pre-labor with the first two.
I've completely lost all motivation. Last week I had that nesting instinct, but this week I don't really want to do anything but sit around. I am bored and discouraged.
Not much else to report. My prenatal visit was fine, nothing new.
Hopefully will post an update later.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Blogging Birth
Found this new blog : Babes in Blogland - actually, a portal to blogs written by expectant parents, categorized monthly by due date, birth announcments, and birth stories. If you love reading pregnancy blogs and birth stories, this could very well become your "go-to" blog.
Secret Agent Josephine and I are due just about the same time, and check out her cool animation. That's about how I feel right now.
Secret Agent Josephine and I are due just about the same time, and check out her cool animation. That's about how I feel right now.
39 Week Update
Yes, I am getting tired of my mom, my stepmom, my mother-in-law, my sister, and my best friend calling me to ask "if anything's going on". And I know most of them read this blog, so please take no offense. But we will call you. I promise.
Questions I get:
Do you think the baby will come soon? Yes, I do, but what I think means diddly-squat. I thought the last two would be early, and they were 41-weekers.
When does your midwife say about when the baby will come? She, very wisely, says nothing. She knows better. In fact, I am the one with the calendar, so my due date is based on the dates I give her, not the other way around. And we don't do weekly cervical checks, because that too tells you nothing. One woman could be one or two centimeters dialated for a month before she goes into labor, or have prodromal labor for weeks before going into active labor. Another woman could be tight and "unripe" in the morning and have the baby later that same day. Doctors or midwives who try to predict when the baby will be born are foolish, in my opinion.
About the only thing I can tell you is that, apart from a slight backache and a rather sporadic nesting urge, I am not having any pre-labor signs.
What I did learn at the midwife's this week: Baby is ROT and about 7 lbs. Fundal height 38 1/2 - 39 cm. I gained just one pound this week (completely normal to loose weight or have slow gain at this point, and my appetite is way decreased). My urine stick looks great, no glucose, leukocytes, or protein (very good, since my feet are still swollen). Blood pressure great as usual.
My dear sweet husband salvaged our waterbirth plans today. The distributor of the first tub we ordered was out-of-stock, and we had pretty much given up all hope since we had waited so late to order. But today he got on the phone with the owner of YourWaterBirth.com and arranged to have a La Bassine overnighted. So we are getting the tub tomorrow and I'm so excited! All I have to do is try not to go into labor in the next 12 hours or so.
From BabyCenter.com:
Questions I get:
Do you think the baby will come soon? Yes, I do, but what I think means diddly-squat. I thought the last two would be early, and they were 41-weekers.
When does your midwife say about when the baby will come? She, very wisely, says nothing. She knows better. In fact, I am the one with the calendar, so my due date is based on the dates I give her, not the other way around. And we don't do weekly cervical checks, because that too tells you nothing. One woman could be one or two centimeters dialated for a month before she goes into labor, or have prodromal labor for weeks before going into active labor. Another woman could be tight and "unripe" in the morning and have the baby later that same day. Doctors or midwives who try to predict when the baby will be born are foolish, in my opinion.
About the only thing I can tell you is that, apart from a slight backache and a rather sporadic nesting urge, I am not having any pre-labor signs.
What I did learn at the midwife's this week: Baby is ROT and about 7 lbs. Fundal height 38 1/2 - 39 cm. I gained just one pound this week (completely normal to loose weight or have slow gain at this point, and my appetite is way decreased). My urine stick looks great, no glucose, leukocytes, or protein (very good, since my feet are still swollen). Blood pressure great as usual.
My dear sweet husband salvaged our waterbirth plans today. The distributor of the first tub we ordered was out-of-stock, and we had pretty much given up all hope since we had waited so late to order. But today he got on the phone with the owner of YourWaterBirth.com and arranged to have a La Bassine overnighted. So we are getting the tub tomorrow and I'm so excited! All I have to do is try not to go into labor in the next 12 hours or so.
From BabyCenter.com:
Your baby's ready to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) Your baby's organs are fully developed and in place, and the outer layers of skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Rethinking the Big Push
Finally, after reading article after irritating article about this study, the NY Times gets the story right: Childbirth: Rethinking the Big Push During Contractions
38+4 Week Update
Ok, I have a confession to make. I usually do the "X Week Update" at X+6 days, sometimes later. Don't want to get too specific about my due date. So even though I haven't done the "official" 38-week update yet, I think I'll do some blogging every day or two until the baby comes, since we're getting close now.
Tonight I had a contraction. Just one, but it was definitley a contraction and not the baby moving around or gas or something. I had one or two a night for a week before Baby #1 was born, so don't get too excited. Also had some back pain yesterday which was different from my usual been-standing-up-too-long-need-to-sit-down soreness.
Does cleaning the inside top of the microwave count as nesting? What about staying up half the night cleaning the bathroom? Which looks gorgeous, by the way.
My husband is nesting, too. Right now he's cleaning out the closet in the office, which is a mess and needs to be done, but not exactly on the top of my priority list. When he's in this kind of mood, however, I just let him be and stay out of his way.
My mother reminds me that there is a full moon on my due date, but we're supposed to get a cold front tomorrow which means a rise in the barometric pressure, as I understand. Besides, I really don't want to wait until my due date.
I have a list entitled "To Do Before Baby Comes". It has 21 items on it. I've checked off 8 items. Some of them are not essential, like "update boys' baby books". What I have done is: washed all baby clothes, blankets, towels, and linens; assembled all birth supplies; finished our birth plan, and actually discussed it with my husband. Etc. Except for vacuuming the livingroom and bedroom, I am feeling mentally prepared.
The birth tub didn't get ordered in time. It's out of stock. Haven't ordered from anywhere else. Wouldn't get here in time, unless I go late. Looks like plans for waterbirth will be scrapped. However, I did do a ton of research which I plan to bless you all with as soon as I can blog it.
Tonight I had a contraction. Just one, but it was definitley a contraction and not the baby moving around or gas or something. I had one or two a night for a week before Baby #1 was born, so don't get too excited. Also had some back pain yesterday which was different from my usual been-standing-up-too-long-need-to-sit-down soreness.
Does cleaning the inside top of the microwave count as nesting? What about staying up half the night cleaning the bathroom? Which looks gorgeous, by the way.
My husband is nesting, too. Right now he's cleaning out the closet in the office, which is a mess and needs to be done, but not exactly on the top of my priority list. When he's in this kind of mood, however, I just let him be and stay out of his way.
My mother reminds me that there is a full moon on my due date, but we're supposed to get a cold front tomorrow which means a rise in the barometric pressure, as I understand. Besides, I really don't want to wait until my due date.
I have a list entitled "To Do Before Baby Comes". It has 21 items on it. I've checked off 8 items. Some of them are not essential, like "update boys' baby books". What I have done is: washed all baby clothes, blankets, towels, and linens; assembled all birth supplies; finished our birth plan, and actually discussed it with my husband. Etc. Except for vacuuming the livingroom and bedroom, I am feeling mentally prepared.
The birth tub didn't get ordered in time. It's out of stock. Haven't ordered from anywhere else. Wouldn't get here in time, unless I go late. Looks like plans for waterbirth will be scrapped. However, I did do a ton of research which I plan to bless you all with as soon as I can blog it.
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