I am so ready for this election to be over. Enough with the junk mail, the mud slinging commercials on t.v. all of it. The madness is getting to me in new ways this year, ways I'd never dreamed it could, speaking of dreams...
I dreamed Joe Biden wanted to help clip my babies finger nails.
Aughhhh.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A new role in life.
I just got hired on for the best job I've ever had in my life. My title isn't glamorous, the hours will be long and I will likely be getting my hands dirty but I don't mind.
Now that Joey is here I am a mom. A new mom, a job that comes with a full heart and a case of the nerves. I believe I was meant for this, I think I can be a great mom, but I also have moments when I'm scared and unsure and wish for answers that will only come with experience. I know without a doubt though that Jamie was meant to be a dad, and he will be a fantastic dad.
I have been trying to think of how to blog about this month so far, I have a million thoughts (most in the middle of the night when I'm spending time with my baby) but how to express them escapes me. It was easy enough to blog about the arrival of Joey, it was just sharing a sequence of events and how I felt along the way. Sharing what its been like since Joey came home from the hospital seems a bit more difficult, so this may come out as just snippets or possibly even short confessions, but I hope you'll enjoy all the same.
I think I do a good job of soothing Joey when he's upset as long as I'm not upset. For instance when he has the hiccups I put him to my shoulder and alternate patting and rubbing his back, but if that doesn't do it I run a finger inside the back of his shirt or onesie and rub the back of his neck and down to his shoulder blades. I think he likes this. If I'm upset though like the day he came home from the hospital then we both sort of need to be soothed. The day he came home he'd had his circumcision, I felt bad for him, I figured that had to hurt, I imagined how upset he had to have been. Once we were home I was trying to burp him after a feeding, he sort of bumped that area in his diaper with his knees since he had them tucked up against himself as I brought him to my shoulder. He immediately went red all over and put on his mad/angry/hurt face and let out the loudest howl I've heard from him yet. I instantly felt horrible. I don't know that I could have prevented that from happening at some point but it still hurt my heart to think he was hurting. So while he healed over the next few days I took extra precaution to not let him hurt like that again.
Sleeping at night or any time of day is a new experience. I used to be a heavy sleeper now I am a light sleeper. I wake easily when Joey starts making his cooing noises or just begins to work up to a cry. He is within arms reach on my side of the bed, he's in the bassinet of a pack n play. Being so close is peace of mind.
I've slept in my glasses every day since Joey came home. If he makes a snuffling sound or anything strange I have to be able to look and see what's going on right away. I also have a LED flashlight hidden in a corner pocket on his bassinet, along with a pacifier, burp cloth, and nose sucker bulb thing.
Joey sounds like his daddy when he's drifting off to sleep, his breathing pattern changes similarly, its a soothing sound to me.
I wish there was a gauge or some way of figuring out how hungry Joey is and how much it will take to fill him up, beyond just seeing his eyelids slam shut when he does get full.
I actually felt guilty last night that Joey fell asleep on his own. I had been holding him because he was fussing just a little, all he wanted at that moment was to be held. But, I put him down in the bassinet for a moment so I could swap the laundry around. When I came back he was sound asleep. Maybe I should be happy about this or proud in some way because even being so young he could fall asleep on his own rather than working himself into a fit from being put down for a moment, but for some reason it made me just a little sad.
I've read all the literature from the hospital like three times over, but I'm behind on my baby's first year, week by week book.
When Joey and I have "our quiet time" together I speak softly and tell him how wonderful he is, listing off his long fingers and toes, his cute little nose, his deep blue eyes (that we're waiting to see if they will change color.) I tell him of adventures we will have later on like; going to the park to swing, slide and play, going to the beach, seeing the animals at the zoo, showing him what a real monkey is since I call monkey so often, I tell him about when we will go visit family North of here and out West. I promise I will make him cookies when he's older and can eat them. I love our little quiet times, I think he likes them too.
The view from my side of the bed these days.
Now that Joey is here I am a mom. A new mom, a job that comes with a full heart and a case of the nerves. I believe I was meant for this, I think I can be a great mom, but I also have moments when I'm scared and unsure and wish for answers that will only come with experience. I know without a doubt though that Jamie was meant to be a dad, and he will be a fantastic dad.
I have been trying to think of how to blog about this month so far, I have a million thoughts (most in the middle of the night when I'm spending time with my baby) but how to express them escapes me. It was easy enough to blog about the arrival of Joey, it was just sharing a sequence of events and how I felt along the way. Sharing what its been like since Joey came home from the hospital seems a bit more difficult, so this may come out as just snippets or possibly even short confessions, but I hope you'll enjoy all the same.
I think I do a good job of soothing Joey when he's upset as long as I'm not upset. For instance when he has the hiccups I put him to my shoulder and alternate patting and rubbing his back, but if that doesn't do it I run a finger inside the back of his shirt or onesie and rub the back of his neck and down to his shoulder blades. I think he likes this. If I'm upset though like the day he came home from the hospital then we both sort of need to be soothed. The day he came home he'd had his circumcision, I felt bad for him, I figured that had to hurt, I imagined how upset he had to have been. Once we were home I was trying to burp him after a feeding, he sort of bumped that area in his diaper with his knees since he had them tucked up against himself as I brought him to my shoulder. He immediately went red all over and put on his mad/angry/hurt face and let out the loudest howl I've heard from him yet. I instantly felt horrible. I don't know that I could have prevented that from happening at some point but it still hurt my heart to think he was hurting. So while he healed over the next few days I took extra precaution to not let him hurt like that again.
Sleeping at night or any time of day is a new experience. I used to be a heavy sleeper now I am a light sleeper. I wake easily when Joey starts making his cooing noises or just begins to work up to a cry. He is within arms reach on my side of the bed, he's in the bassinet of a pack n play. Being so close is peace of mind.
I've slept in my glasses every day since Joey came home. If he makes a snuffling sound or anything strange I have to be able to look and see what's going on right away. I also have a LED flashlight hidden in a corner pocket on his bassinet, along with a pacifier, burp cloth, and nose sucker bulb thing.
Joey sounds like his daddy when he's drifting off to sleep, his breathing pattern changes similarly, its a soothing sound to me.
I wish there was a gauge or some way of figuring out how hungry Joey is and how much it will take to fill him up, beyond just seeing his eyelids slam shut when he does get full.
I actually felt guilty last night that Joey fell asleep on his own. I had been holding him because he was fussing just a little, all he wanted at that moment was to be held. But, I put him down in the bassinet for a moment so I could swap the laundry around. When I came back he was sound asleep. Maybe I should be happy about this or proud in some way because even being so young he could fall asleep on his own rather than working himself into a fit from being put down for a moment, but for some reason it made me just a little sad.
I've read all the literature from the hospital like three times over, but I'm behind on my baby's first year, week by week book.
When Joey and I have "our quiet time" together I speak softly and tell him how wonderful he is, listing off his long fingers and toes, his cute little nose, his deep blue eyes (that we're waiting to see if they will change color.) I tell him of adventures we will have later on like; going to the park to swing, slide and play, going to the beach, seeing the animals at the zoo, showing him what a real monkey is since I call monkey so often, I tell him about when we will go visit family North of here and out West. I promise I will make him cookies when he's older and can eat them. I love our little quiet times, I think he likes them too.
The view from my side of the bed these days.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
My baby boy!
My water broke Wednesday morning around 7am. I called my husband home from work and we went to L&D (arrived by 8am) they confirmed it was my water. My doctor was the on-call doctor that day lucky me, it was decided I would have my c-section that day. I was nervous, upset, scared, anxious, excited it was a trying moment for me. I wanted my son to be healthy and have the benefit of being full term. I was scared because I was just 35 weeks and 1 day. I know that there are others who have had their babies earlier and things have been fine but this was just not happening the way I had pictured so that made it tough. The morning went quickly and my doctor informed me he was bumping one patient to take me earlier. I think I went in between 12:30 and 1:00. My son was born at 1:21 p.m. Oct 1st. He weighed in at 6lbs 1 oz, and he is 19.25 inches long. He is beautiful, you can think I am biased but he is. (Picture coming soon.)
He is doing well but coming early he is in the NICU his respiratory system and digestive are good, he has lost some weight and does show signs of a slight reflux problem but it has improved with a change of formula and addition of rice cereal to what I pump. He did begin to show signs of jaundice also but he came off the light today and we are crossing our fingers that his number doesn't rise.
I came home yesterday afternoon, it was a hard day for me leaving my son at the NICU, I did go back for a later feeding. I had planned to stay there through two feedings but I was exhausted and in pain from my c-section so I wound up going home and getting some rest. The NICU nurses (well actually all the nurses mine and his) have been wonderful and the ones last night convinced me I'd be doing far better things taking care of myself and getting the rest rather than making myself even more tired by staying with Joey.
I did rest well and today is better, I am taking it easy though not trying to win any races or doing too much at home but I have been to the NICU and fed and changed my son twice. I am trying to begin catching people up and sending emails and messages out for a little bit now but I'll be off for a nap soon and then back to the NICU for some more time with my son this evening.
A big thank you to my loving husband for taking such good care of me. I've never been happier in my life, I'm so glad we have our little man.
He is doing well but coming early he is in the NICU his respiratory system and digestive are good, he has lost some weight and does show signs of a slight reflux problem but it has improved with a change of formula and addition of rice cereal to what I pump. He did begin to show signs of jaundice also but he came off the light today and we are crossing our fingers that his number doesn't rise.
I came home yesterday afternoon, it was a hard day for me leaving my son at the NICU, I did go back for a later feeding. I had planned to stay there through two feedings but I was exhausted and in pain from my c-section so I wound up going home and getting some rest. The NICU nurses (well actually all the nurses mine and his) have been wonderful and the ones last night convinced me I'd be doing far better things taking care of myself and getting the rest rather than making myself even more tired by staying with Joey.
I did rest well and today is better, I am taking it easy though not trying to win any races or doing too much at home but I have been to the NICU and fed and changed my son twice. I am trying to begin catching people up and sending emails and messages out for a little bit now but I'll be off for a nap soon and then back to the NICU for some more time with my son this evening.
A big thank you to my loving husband for taking such good care of me. I've never been happier in my life, I'm so glad we have our little man.
Friday, September 19, 2008
An amazing weekend.
Jamie and I went to Peachtree City this past Friday (September 12) to visit with family and to attend two separate baby showers that were being given to welcome our Joey into the world.
Our friends Tara and John & Helen and Maurice gave us a couples shower at Helen and Maurice's house in Lawrenceville on Saturday. Tara and Helen are so sweet. They put on a wonderful party and I felt so honored and flattered that they wanted to do that for us.
We enjoyed sitting and talking with our friends who we hadn't seen for a few months and catching up on all the news. We also really enjoyed munching on all the good food that Tara and Helen had prepared. Opening gifts for baby Joey was a lot of fun. Seeing all the cute clothes and little things a baby will need or wear is amazing. Such small socks and shoes I just can't wait to be slipping these over his cute little feet, although I think there will be moments early on that I will want to take them right back off so I can marvel at his tiny little toes. We received so many cute outfits! This little boy is going to be very well dressed. We were also given some handy gifts and good advice that should really help in his care early on. We can't thank you enough.
Once we left the shower we went to James and Rhona's house to wish their children Matthew and Kathleen Happy Birthday as they were having their annual combined birthday party. It was a wonderful party for two great kids. It was houseful! There were lots of teens there, but James and Rhona are so inventive and creative they had it all under control. We enjoyed seeing the kids and catching a moment here and there to talk to James and Rhona but eventually we had to say goodbye and head back to Peachtree City.
When we got back to Jamie's parents house Christie was there and we got to spend a few minutes talking and catching up before we all crashed for the night.
Sunday was another big day. We had Warren's birthday to celebrate, another baby shower for Joey, and church to attend all making for one very full day.
We started off our day at the Peachtree City Church of Christ. It was a really nice morning. We enjoyed the church service and seeing lots of friends after the service was over. Then we headed to lunch with the family at a neat little Asian Bistro.
After a very short rest, went back to the church building for the second shower. There were already so many women there. I walked around saying hi for a couple minutes and hugging friends then having a look at the table that was set up with the finger foods and cake. Jamie's Aunt Janet made the cake that was so cute! She makes amazing cakes and this one was adorable, it was iced in white and decorated in blue icing, there were two tiers and the top tier had a wide eyed blue teddy bear cake iced and up there as a topper. The cake also had Joey's name on it! I'm not sure on this part but I think that Jamie's Aunt Lynette made the letters that went on the cake and maybe some other decorations that went on the cake as well, I know she made the shower mints.
We took pictures of Jamie and I goofing off behind the food table comparing his sympathy belly to my belly in profile, then a photo at the table with family and then one with all the ladies who were present who helped to throw the shower. After that I had a seat and Ms. Anne Ingram who was heading up the shower started things off telling a story about Jamie's childhood. She talked about how he was the smartest child in her Sunday school class for the two years she taught him and how she decided he was so smart had to do with how he talked non-stop throughout her classes. It came out about how he'd say "why should I try to get the quiet award?" He knew that his friend Keith would always get that award. But she went on to tell about how every nine weeks she'd have a review and Jamie despite his talking could answer every review question she asked. It was a really sweet story and drew a few good natured laughs. Then Ms. Anne asked Aimee Richardson to say a prayer to bless the food and really start off the shower. It was a beautiful and touching prayer. It was evident in the things that she said that so many know how long we've wanted a child and what a wonderful event this is for us all, family and friends alike.
Following the prayer I sat in the "seat of honor" (they brought a glider and gliding foot stool from the nursery at the church) and I began to open the gifts that everyone brought. It was quite a large room and there were a good number of people there so I would open and hold up the item and then we passed the things around the room. The gifts were all absolutely precious. Such adorable little clothes and wonderful things to help care for the baby and to set up the nursery with. After a bit I took a break, I enjoyed this time, going around saying hello to friends and hugging so many people I hadn't seen in a while, and I did stop to enjoy some food too.
Then when everyone had a chance to have a bite to eat we started back with the gifts again. I continued opening and passing things along. It started to make for such a mix of emotions. This was possibly the largest shower I've ever been to, I'm not sure but I think there may have been 30 or more friends in attendance. The sweet things that were being given to our son and the thoughtfulness of all those involved in putting this shower together was so touching. I was surrounded by such wonderful women Linda Davis, a close friend of Elaine's was helping clear the clutter of the wrapping paper as we went along. Cleo Young helping to keep the gifts from the table shifted towards me so I could reach them and helping with much appreciated cues to when it might be a good time to take a break. As the shower was nearing an end and the last gift was opened Linda suggested it might be nice for me to say something. She helped get the attention of the room, she knows I'm soft spoken and would never have spoken up loud enough to catch everyone's attention. I told her I would say something but I hoped I could get through without crying because I was so touched at the moment, I think she got Jamie waved over so he could help me if I needed it and she stayed close by.
I couldn't help it I did cry, my heart was so full. We've wanted this for so long and I was and am so overwhelmed at the support and love shown for our family. I can't begin to express my gratitude and the love that we feel for these people nearly as eloquently as I'd like to. The best thing I can think of is simply the joy that we'll have when we introduce them finally to our son Joey. What better way to share love and joy than to share the love of a baby?
We ended Sunday celebrating Warren's birthday, singing Happy Birthday and enjoying cake and ice cream. I do hope it was a good birthday for Warren, we were certainly glad we could be there to celebrate it with him.
Monday we returned home, taking our time doing so, after what was an amazing weekend.
(Thank you to Jamie for helping me edit this post, the third time is a charm right? Apparently a lack of sleep and pregnancy brain had me quite befuddled and saying things like this took place in August.)
Jamie and I comparing bellies, he's exaggerating, I'm not.
Grandmother, Elaine, Jamie, Me and Christie.
Lynette, Cleo, Janet, me, Anne, Marian, Carolyn and Judy.
Our friends Tara and John & Helen and Maurice gave us a couples shower at Helen and Maurice's house in Lawrenceville on Saturday. Tara and Helen are so sweet. They put on a wonderful party and I felt so honored and flattered that they wanted to do that for us.
We enjoyed sitting and talking with our friends who we hadn't seen for a few months and catching up on all the news. We also really enjoyed munching on all the good food that Tara and Helen had prepared. Opening gifts for baby Joey was a lot of fun. Seeing all the cute clothes and little things a baby will need or wear is amazing. Such small socks and shoes I just can't wait to be slipping these over his cute little feet, although I think there will be moments early on that I will want to take them right back off so I can marvel at his tiny little toes. We received so many cute outfits! This little boy is going to be very well dressed. We were also given some handy gifts and good advice that should really help in his care early on. We can't thank you enough.
Once we left the shower we went to James and Rhona's house to wish their children Matthew and Kathleen Happy Birthday as they were having their annual combined birthday party. It was a wonderful party for two great kids. It was houseful! There were lots of teens there, but James and Rhona are so inventive and creative they had it all under control. We enjoyed seeing the kids and catching a moment here and there to talk to James and Rhona but eventually we had to say goodbye and head back to Peachtree City.
When we got back to Jamie's parents house Christie was there and we got to spend a few minutes talking and catching up before we all crashed for the night.
Sunday was another big day. We had Warren's birthday to celebrate, another baby shower for Joey, and church to attend all making for one very full day.
We started off our day at the Peachtree City Church of Christ. It was a really nice morning. We enjoyed the church service and seeing lots of friends after the service was over. Then we headed to lunch with the family at a neat little Asian Bistro.
After a very short rest, went back to the church building for the second shower. There were already so many women there. I walked around saying hi for a couple minutes and hugging friends then having a look at the table that was set up with the finger foods and cake. Jamie's Aunt Janet made the cake that was so cute! She makes amazing cakes and this one was adorable, it was iced in white and decorated in blue icing, there were two tiers and the top tier had a wide eyed blue teddy bear cake iced and up there as a topper. The cake also had Joey's name on it! I'm not sure on this part but I think that Jamie's Aunt Lynette made the letters that went on the cake and maybe some other decorations that went on the cake as well, I know she made the shower mints.
We took pictures of Jamie and I goofing off behind the food table comparing his sympathy belly to my belly in profile, then a photo at the table with family and then one with all the ladies who were present who helped to throw the shower. After that I had a seat and Ms. Anne Ingram who was heading up the shower started things off telling a story about Jamie's childhood. She talked about how he was the smartest child in her Sunday school class for the two years she taught him and how she decided he was so smart had to do with how he talked non-stop throughout her classes. It came out about how he'd say "why should I try to get the quiet award?" He knew that his friend Keith would always get that award. But she went on to tell about how every nine weeks she'd have a review and Jamie despite his talking could answer every review question she asked. It was a really sweet story and drew a few good natured laughs. Then Ms. Anne asked Aimee Richardson to say a prayer to bless the food and really start off the shower. It was a beautiful and touching prayer. It was evident in the things that she said that so many know how long we've wanted a child and what a wonderful event this is for us all, family and friends alike.
Following the prayer I sat in the "seat of honor" (they brought a glider and gliding foot stool from the nursery at the church) and I began to open the gifts that everyone brought. It was quite a large room and there were a good number of people there so I would open and hold up the item and then we passed the things around the room. The gifts were all absolutely precious. Such adorable little clothes and wonderful things to help care for the baby and to set up the nursery with. After a bit I took a break, I enjoyed this time, going around saying hello to friends and hugging so many people I hadn't seen in a while, and I did stop to enjoy some food too.
Then when everyone had a chance to have a bite to eat we started back with the gifts again. I continued opening and passing things along. It started to make for such a mix of emotions. This was possibly the largest shower I've ever been to, I'm not sure but I think there may have been 30 or more friends in attendance. The sweet things that were being given to our son and the thoughtfulness of all those involved in putting this shower together was so touching. I was surrounded by such wonderful women Linda Davis, a close friend of Elaine's was helping clear the clutter of the wrapping paper as we went along. Cleo Young helping to keep the gifts from the table shifted towards me so I could reach them and helping with much appreciated cues to when it might be a good time to take a break. As the shower was nearing an end and the last gift was opened Linda suggested it might be nice for me to say something. She helped get the attention of the room, she knows I'm soft spoken and would never have spoken up loud enough to catch everyone's attention. I told her I would say something but I hoped I could get through without crying because I was so touched at the moment, I think she got Jamie waved over so he could help me if I needed it and she stayed close by.
I couldn't help it I did cry, my heart was so full. We've wanted this for so long and I was and am so overwhelmed at the support and love shown for our family. I can't begin to express my gratitude and the love that we feel for these people nearly as eloquently as I'd like to. The best thing I can think of is simply the joy that we'll have when we introduce them finally to our son Joey. What better way to share love and joy than to share the love of a baby?
We ended Sunday celebrating Warren's birthday, singing Happy Birthday and enjoying cake and ice cream. I do hope it was a good birthday for Warren, we were certainly glad we could be there to celebrate it with him.
Monday we returned home, taking our time doing so, after what was an amazing weekend.
(Thank you to Jamie for helping me edit this post, the third time is a charm right? Apparently a lack of sleep and pregnancy brain had me quite befuddled and saying things like this took place in August.)
Jamie and I comparing bellies, he's exaggerating, I'm not.
Grandmother, Elaine, Jamie, Me and Christie.
Lynette, Cleo, Janet, me, Anne, Marian, Carolyn and Judy.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
31 weeks.
I had a checkup yesterday, it went well, the baby and I are doing well. The only note worthy thing is I now know what Braxton Hicks are first hand. (It's like a practice contraction.) I've had a few of those now, very short in duration a minute or two once every few days and only once a day when they do happen (so far that is how they've been.) Anyway no flags or alarms with those the doctor just confirmed our hunch as to what it was.
Oh and if you want a laugh I'll throw this out there cause even I think this is funny. OK so my belly is by far not the biggest I've seen but its a good size for as far along as I am. Anyway, sleeping at night I am by nature a stomach sleeper but I've learned to make the most of sleeping on my sides or on my back propped up by pillows. The funny part. I have now reached a point where turning over from one side to the other is like making a three or four point turn in a car, its quite a maneuver. But hey I can laugh at it.
Oh and if you want a laugh I'll throw this out there cause even I think this is funny. OK so my belly is by far not the biggest I've seen but its a good size for as far along as I am. Anyway, sleeping at night I am by nature a stomach sleeper but I've learned to make the most of sleeping on my sides or on my back propped up by pillows. The funny part. I have now reached a point where turning over from one side to the other is like making a three or four point turn in a car, its quite a maneuver. But hey I can laugh at it.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
August baby bump photo
These were taken this past weekend after Jamie finished painting the nursery.
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