Grayson: Three Months

I wish I could say life was a little less hectic around here but the truth is I've forfeited about ten household chores in the name of getting a quick blog post up while the kids are sleeping.  Only two days late... not too shabby.

Here is the rundown:

• We switched to Prevacid a few weeks ago and it is working!  He is such a happier little dude and I am a much less stressed out mommy.  It isn't hard now to make him smile and he has even let out a few little half-giggles.  Who knew there was such a happy boy trapped in that fussy body?
• Grayson is still not sleeping very well but we're working on it.  I am waiting until he's closer to 4 months old before we let him cry it out too much which means many hours of paci-in-paci-out while I give Ava a bath or make her lunch, and still a lot of 'Sorry Ava, I wish I could play but I have to hold your brother'.  He regularly sleeps for the first hour of his nap and then wakes and is usually unable to get back to sleep even while being held.
• A few days ago he rolled over from belly to back for the first time and is very close to rolling from back to belly.
• Still must be swaddled to sleep but has a couple of times fallen asleep unswaddled in his swing--something he would have NEVER done before the Prevacid.  However slow, we're making progress!
• He loves sucking on his hands when he's awake and they are free.
• Thankfully is now consistently sleeping between feedings at night, though he is still eating every 2 1/2 - 3 hours with the occasional longer stretch.
• He is quite the imitator of noises and faces and is so fun to 'play' with.  When I'm making silly noises and trying to get him to smile, without fail he will push out his lower lip and pout, I will imitate, and then he turns that pout into the biggest grin.
• Grayson is just moving to 3-6 month clothes and is able to wear a few of his 3 month and a few of his 6 month outfits.  He is also just moving up to size 2 in the Target brand diapers (they run big).

Schedule of the moment:

5:00am Feeding

6:30am Wake up

7:30am Feeding & awake time

8:45am Nap (wake at 9:45 for pacifier, holding, swinging, etc)

10:30am Feeding & awake time

11:45am Nap

1:30pm Feeding

2:45pm Nap

4:30pm Feeding

5:45pm Nap

6:30pm Wake him for Prevacid

7:00pm Inevitably feed him early

8:00pm Down for the night

10:00pm Wake him for feeding & then right back down

10:30pm - 5am Usually wake once or twice for a feeding

Some snapshots of the big, happy man:

38 Months with Ava

There have been a few new developments in Ava's little world since I posted about her last.

She is wearing panties for nap time!  Only a mother could headline with this news.  Though she has been potty trained for over a year, up until a few weeks ago she was still wetting her pull-up at both nap and bed times.  This big step is big news in our house!

Ava is going potty all by herself!  I am most proud of her newfound ability to get up in the morning, go to the bathroom by herself and get back in bed until her clock says she is allowed to wake up.

Whether out of desire or necessity, Ava has become quite the pro at solo play.  She is so fun to watch, her imagination is at it's peak and she will talk to herself and her toys for hours some days.

Despite her incredible memory and skills in speech and other areas, Ava has yet to master the alphabet.  She is actually quite uninterested, doesn't recognize most of her letters and I think she lies about the ones she does know just so I'll leave her alone about it.

Ava, my love, you are so sweet.  And stubborn!
You are just like your mama and you are quite the even match for me.
You love to rough house with daddy and play pretend with mommy.
You are encouraging, insightful, witty and full of fire.
Though it gives me a headache, I will do whatever it takes to make sure your firey little self never dims a bit.

Update On The Fussy Man

Here is my darling Grayson.

And here he is approximately 2 seconds later.

I wish I could say we were getting somewhere with his fussiness and acid reflux but that unfortunately isn't true.  And actually I might say the opposite is more accurate.  In the last two weeks Grayson has had very few good days and is now exclusively sleeping in either the swing or propped up on a Boppy pillow in his elevated crib.  With this change he is still waking shortly thereafter and is unable to get himself back to sleep, even while being held.  The poor little thing arches his back so much he won't relax in any position and remains that way until it is time to eat again.  Of course there are exceptions to this but this is the norm and he is sleeping far less than he needs.

Last night we finally received the call that his Prevacid prescription was approved by the insurance company and he got his first dose before bed.  The doctor said it can take up to 2 weeks before we see any real improvement but I am banking on it being sooner!  My poor man is miserable and we are exhausted.

I cannot wait to see if this medication change is the relief we've been waiting for.  I anxiously await the day when Grayson can spend most of his day sleeping, not scream when he's done eating, or burping or spitting up or supposed to be sleeping, and when we can again get into a routine of crib sleep and sharpening his self-soothing skills.  Of course I am also looking forward to the day when he will sleep through the night!  We are both yearning for it, I know.  He has twice done a 6 hour stretch but in general is sticking to two 4-hour stretches or something close.  And my goodness I long to see more of those precious smiles.  Be still my heart.

Acid Reflux

On Monday morning, with the company of my friend Erin, Grayson and I made the early morning trek to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA for his appointment with a pediatric Gastroenterologist.

Thankfully, we left with a pretty certain diagnosis and treatment plan for Grayson's "extreme fussiness" (who knew this condition actually has it's own diagnosis code).  The NP we saw was fairly certain Grayson does not have a sensitivity to milk or soy in my diet (relief!) but is sure that he has acid reflux that is not well controlled with the Zantac that he's been frequenting.

In the last two weeks Grayson's fussiness has hit a new high and he spends many hours a day either inconsolably crying or whimpering, even while being held.  His eating schedule has remained fixed but his sleeping schedule is out the window for now.  The poor little man can't keep himself asleep even while swaddled and sucking in the swing or in our arms.  It's heartbreaking, to say the least, to watch him arch his rigid body while he cries a cry as if he's just broken a limb.  We are thankful for a game plan and praying that it produces some happier results for our Grayson.

The plan is to switch his dose of Zantac first from 2mL twice a day to 1mL three times a day, until his new prescription is available.  Once the insurance authorizes the switch, he will be put on Prevacid tablets to hopefully (within about two weeks) more potently squelch the acid situation.  With that, we've been advised to add rice cereal to his bottles, give him Maalox or Mylanta and a Probiotic, as well as elevate his crib and hold him upright for at least 30 minutes after each feeding.

Grayson is also scheduled for an Upper G.I. Series next Thursday to make sure we aren't missing anything anatomically that might be contributing to his discomfort.  Though I'm not expecting anything to come of this (he really isn't a huge spitter despite his other symptoms), I will be glad to be thorough.

I hope in a couple of weeks I can report back with better news!

Grayson's Photo Shoot With Maryn Lee Photography

My dear dear friend Maryn agreed to come visit us once again and take some beautiful pictures of me and my kiddos.  Unfortunately Blair had to work but she did an amazing job capturing our smiles even while all three of us were due for a nap!  I am so grateful for these photos of the (mostly) completed nursery and my sweet babies.  Thank you Maryn!

Here are some of my favorites from our photo shoot.  Visit her website for more photos!

Two Months with Grayson

At two months, Grayson is:

• Smiling!  The first one was on March 31st at 5 1/2 weeks old.
• Doing some 4-hour stretches at night but still generally eating every 3 hours around the clock.
• Often waking at night in between feedings to cry about some type of discomfort, be it to spit up, poop, have a stuffy nose or 'just because'.
• Definitely suffering from acid reflux, a truth we came to after trying to stop his Zantac.  He is still on the fussy side (some days more than others) but it is improving with time and meds.  He does now have more time awake that is happy than fussy I'd say (as opposed to all fussy a few weeks ago).
• Spending some days still fussing and barely sleeping, though he is now able to get himself to sleep after a short stint of crying in his crib (at least for the first couple of naps during the day).  Later in the day he is more likely to be found fussing in his swing while tightly swaddled with a pacifier in his mouth but.. progress is progress.
• Still waking after about an hour into each nap (if he falls asleep at all), sometimes able to get himself back to sleep but most of the time needing help.
• In love with his pacifier--a love that I try to keep absent unless necessary.  When he is relatively happy he's been found sucking on the top of his swaddling blanket in lieu of his paci which is a welcome trade (except for the laundry that ensues after the tops of his blankets feel like they've been heavily starched).
• Needing to be swaddled to sleep.
• Loving being around people when he is awake.  He gets lonely easily and will often fuss until someone comes to talk to him, then he'll smile and coo and then immediately fuss again when left alone.
• Showing off the cutest little bottom lip pout you've ever seen.
• Much more aware of his surroundings, the presence of people and familiar noises.
• Eating and gaining well and has been around the 45th percentile for weight.
• Getting a bottle from Daddy a couple times a week, the first of which was given around 3 weeks.
• Wearing 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers since around 6 weeks.
• Loved beyond measure!

I still feel like many days are about getting through the two-kid routine and little more, but slowly we are making it!  I am truly just in a holding pattern until he starts sleeping more at night so I can feel human again.  Ava is a little mommy, loves giving Grayson his paci and encouraging him in his first smile, first time holding a toy or turning his head.  We try to make it out of the house as often as we can and thankfully Grayson is still pretty laid back about the change of scenery mid-nap and loves the car.  With the warmer weather we are feeling slightly less cooped up at home and are looking forward to the summertime!

An Interview with 3-Year Old Ava

When are you (or have you been) most afraid?  When the doctor picked the plaque off my teeth at the dentist.  That wasn't good.

What is the one thing you could not live without?  Mommy and Daddy!

What is your favorite movie?  Cars (A movie she hasn't actually seen but wants to).

What cartoon character would you most like to be and why?  Bob the Builder because I want to have a construction hat on.

What is the best thing about being 3 years old?  Eating cake!

What job would you like to have when you grow up?  I want to do sound engineer like Daddy does.

Who are your best friends?  Ruthie, Brayden, Jon and Erin.
     Why?  Because they are the only friends I know!


Questions about Mommy:

What does Mommy always say to you?  "Come here" and "Break the rules" and stuff like that.

What makes Mommy happy?  Obeying.

What makes Mommy sad?  Breaking the rules.

How old is Mommy?  Three.

How tall is Mommy?  Taller than I!

What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?  Hug and sleep.

What does Mommy do when you're not around?  Cry.

What is Mommy really good at?  Exercising.

What is Mommy really bad at?  Nothing!

What is Mommy's favorite food?  Strawberries and shortcake.

How do you know your Mommy loves you?  Hugging and kissing!

Where is Mommy's favorite place to go?  Target and Walmart.


Questions about Daddy:

What does Daddy always say to you?  "I love you" and "Thank you" and "You're welcome".

What does Daddy do that makes you laugh?  Tickle me.

What makes Daddy happy?  Obeying the rules.

What makes Daddy sad?  When he falls and when he gets bloody noses.

What does Daddy do when you're not around?  Talks to us on the camera on the computer.

What is Daddy really good at?  Exercising.

What is Daddy's favorite food?  Frosted flakes.

How do you know your Daddy loves you?  By snuggling and hugging and tickling.

Where is Daddy's favorite place to go?  Work and studio and Penn State.

Compare and Contrast

I have been enjoying looking at Ava's past pictures and comparing our two babies.  I find they look more different than they do alike, Ava much more like the Drake side of the family and Grayson much more like a Darby, but every so often we catch a moment where they look like twins!  What fun with two...

Here is Grayson at 6 weeks and Ava at 9 weeks.

Time Out

We've been taking a lot of those around here.  Time outs, room time, rest time, charts of pluses and minuses, rewards and punishments.  It seems our house has become a horrible episode of Supernanny without much of the super (or the nanny which might make all of this much easier).

I write this post for two reasons.  One, I would like (hope) to in a year from now look back and chuckle at these tough days as I sip my iced tea on the porch and watch my daughter come inside when I ask her to the first time and not speak to me as if the age of thirteen came ten years early.  And two, I want to grow in the area of time outs myself--taking time out of this chaotic life of mine to gain some perspective, remember why I love my children and love(d) being a mom, and to simply breathe in a little quiet.

I naively thought that consistency in the area of discipline would be enough to raise a perfectly well behaved child.  And to be fair, Ava is very well behaved when we are outside the home.  But inside, she has figured out that I can't make her do much of anything anymore and in the name of independence and stubbornness she will forfeit rewards and welcome punishment (until it is actually upon her) in order to exercise her right to disobey and disrespect and demand.

Thankfully, I was once a horribly stubborn child myself and I know it gets better.  Ha!  Unfortunately I know it will also take some time and a whole lot more patience than I have within me naturally.  I may not have a supernanny in my home but I have a supernatural power within me that is Christ, thankfully feeding me more grace than I deserve and reminding me to offer it to my kids too.

I will admit my three-year-old has made me cry, I've made her cry, and I've sat next to the running dishwasher while both kids screamed in their rooms just to get a break.  This, I've decided, is what it's like to have young children.  It's a lot less blissful than I imagined and I've also realized it's okay not to like my job every day.  But, I can take a time out, and remember that God has called me to this super-work and has promised to give me the tools to grow my children faithfully.  I can remember the sweet moments during the day, the snuggling before bedtime, the pride I have when watching Ava play so well with other kids or when Grayson gets himself to sleep.  I can also choose to take a breath, remember that this won't last forever, and enjoy as much of it as possible.

Ava Turns Three

At each milestone I am in awe of how much my baby girl has grown and changed since the last and this birthday was no exception.  Being able to hold up her three years against her brother's three weeks was an especially eye opening, grounding, and gratefulness-inducing celebration.  I am so proud of who Ava is becoming and the firey, outgoing, caring, witty and sharp little girl that she already is.

Despite the exhaustion and limitations overtaking our lives these days, we did our best to make Ava's third birthday a very special day.  After breakfast we took Ava out to the driveway and with plenty of hurrah we presented her with her very first bike, fit with training wheels.  Pink, purple, hearts all over it, and a bike helmet doused in flowers and lady bugs--needless to say she was beside herself!  It was everything we had hoped for, watching her light up and jump with excitement, and what a joy to watch her slowly take her first ride and gain confidence with each pedal push.

Blair had to work for most of the day so I told Ava she could pick anything she wanted for her birthday dinner with me.  She chose 'Cars' mac & cheese with just about every fruit and vegetable in our fridge and strawberry greek yogurt for dipping.  Love her!

At three years old, Ava:

• Is insightful well beyond her three years.
• Always asking questions and soaking in vocabulary and explanation.
• Potty-trained by day (except when she decides to act out in response to a certain little brother's presence) and wearing pull-ups at nap and bedtime.
• Weighs 36 1/2 lbs and is about 38 inches tall, still in the upper percentiles for both.
• Between sizes 4 and 5T, size 9 shoes
• Makes us laugh every day with her ingenuity, creativity and wit.  At her 3-year doctor's appointment the doctor asked her to draw a circle.  She picked up the pen, drew half of a circle and said, "That's all I can do", then proceeded to add two dots and said, "Hey! It's a smiley face!"
• Loves learning about sports and is especially interested in gymnastics and baseball.
• Has one favorite activity: rough housing with daddy!  Other favorites include playing outside, listening to music and singing along, being read to, caring for her babies and animals, and in general using her toys and household items for uses other than what they are meant for (i.e. one could regularly find her 'skiing' down the hall with wash cloths on her feet and two fly swatters in her hands).
• Also loves pretending she is a baby (since Grayson was born), complete with pacifier and whine.
• Favorite music: Audrey Assad
• Favorite books: Berenstain Bears
• Favorite color: Purple
• Is by far the most outgoing three-year-old we've ever met!  She loves to talk to everyone she sees, including strangers (thankfully she's still young enough to always have us with her).  She is a surprisingly good and thoughtful question asker and I love watching her gregarious nature light up every space she sets foot in.
• Has fully embraced her duty to test boundaries and drive mommy bonkers.
• Still has the sweetest most caring little heart, an amazing awareness of emotion and what's going on around her and an overall personality that we can't get enough of.

Two days later we had her birthday party--a small affair with just a few family members, but Ava couldn't have been more happy to share her big day with her cousin and best friends.

The highlight of the party was definitely playing outside with the tee-ball set and trampoline Ava got from Mimi and Pappy.

Granddad brought a beautiful cake, outfitted in the color of the day--purple!

 We are so grateful to everyone who made that day so special and memorable for Ava!

One Month Old

Grayson, you are one month old today!  It has gone by very quickly but I've enjoyed getting to know you more every day.

Thankfully having a second child comes with a portion more of confidence, ease and perspective and one less of panic and anxiety because this new child of mine so far has a demeanor that would draw out the latter.  He has many oh so sweet moments but the poor guy has definitely had a rough first four weeks of life as his body adjusts to life outside the womb.  Not a smooth transition for any, unfortunately!

At one month old, Grayson you are:

• Eating every 3 hours around the clock, starting around 7:30am just before your sister gets up.
• Sometimes able to get yourself to sleep in your crib but you generally need to suck on something to help and then you wake every few minutes crying to suck, spit up, poop or for some other unknown reason.
• On the highest dose of Zantac a baby your size can stomach and you still seem very uncomfortable when you spit up, burp, lie down, or have to dirty your diaper.  We are about to start a new medicine for acid reflux to see if it is more effective for you.
• Have an insatiable need to suck and are rarely happy without a finger or pacifier in your mouth.  We are praying that soon you will find one of your own fingers to fill that need!
• Still fighting to stay awake for even a half hour or forty-five minutes after the start of a feeding.  Because you aren't sleeping well, you would much rather eat and use that to soothe yourself right back to sleep.
• Doing better at sleeping in your crib than you were two weeks ago.  You don't often stay asleep for long but at least I can put you in without you screaming at the sight of it.  You have transitioned to wanting more quiet when you sleep, you love your white noise machine, and don't sleep as well anymore in the swing or out in the middle of the action unless you're being held.
• Loving your daddy!  He definitely calms you down more than mommy does (with me you just want to eat) and you love staring at his face.
• Just outgrowing your newborn clothes, though you still manage to squeeze into NB size diapers.
• Growing like a weed and now weighing 9lbs 11oz.  You gained 2 lbs in the last 2 weeks!
• Nursing much better (sucking more strongly) than you were a few weeks ago but that has come at a price--the last few days you've been spitting up a ton!  We are hoping that's not a continued trend.  The good side of this is that feeding you is a relatively quick operation and you're done within 5-10 minutes.
• Still sleeping in the bassinet in our bedroom until you start sleeping through the night.  Hopefully that will be sooner than later but you haven't shown any signs of wanting to go longer than 3 hours in between feedings yet.

I am still averaging about 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night, a habit that my body has surprisingly gotten more used to over the last weeks.  When I am home by myself with both kids there is a lot of crying between our non-sleeper who I can't hold much of the time and our three-year-old who majors in negative attention getters these days.  Though I am secretly looking forward to a few months from now when things are hopefully running more smoothly, I am also soaking in the slow pace, the newborn size and smell, and the little victories that are awarded when I manage to get both kids happy or sleeping at the same time.

Grayson, despite the energy you require, you manage to steal my heart every time I look at your handsome little face.  No matter how tired or frazzled I get, I am still overwhelmed with love for you and can't wait to see how you grow and change and how you change me.

Grayson: The First Two Weeks

I'm sure my memory is failing me but I do recall the first two weeks with Ava being much easier.  This is mostly due to the fact that with one child you truly can sleep when they sleep and with two you can't.  My body has somewhat adjusted to getting an average of 4 hours sleep a night but my mental faculties are definitely not at their peak performance under these circumstances!

At two weeks Grayson is:

• Eating every three hours at roughly 7am, 10, 1, 4, 7... sometimes going 3 1/2 or 4 hours at night, sometimes screaming to eat after 2 or 2 1/2.
• Not particularly interested in feeding but is getting better.  He is getting more efficient but generally finishes within 5-10 minutes regardless of how much milk he's actually consumed.
• Is thankfully gaining weight rapidly despite my perception of his poor eating habits and weighed in at 8lb 2oz at his appointment on Wednesday.
• Not enjoying sleeping flat on his back, by himself or in his crib.  He will not put himself to sleep if put down while awake.  We're working on it!  For now the swing or carrier have been lifesavers.
• A pretty fussy kid unfortunately.  We're suspecting acid reflux and hoping a regimen of zantac will do the trick.
• Adored by his big sister.  Ava loves to snuggle him, hold him, entertain him and study his little features.
• Still pretty darn adorable even though he doesn't let us sleep much!

Finally, the Real Labor

Three years ago I pushed out a 9-pound baby without an epidural.  I thought I'd seen it all.  But low and behold, my baby boy arrived at 8:01am after 14 1/2 hours of a labor barely resembling his sister's.

Tuesday afternoon I had my doctor's appointment where we found out I was 4cm dilated.  An hour later (around 5:30pm), while we ate dinner as a family at a local diner, my contractions started.  Because of all of my false alarms I tried not to get my hopes up, but this definitely felt a little different than the contractions I'd had previously.  Over the next couple of hours they were still semi-irregular but steadily growing stronger and closer together. We headed to the hospital around 9:30pm, my contractions remained painful but doable for a number of hours and progress was slow.

Around 2am there was a great shift in the heading of my labor.  Sparing details, things started to progress very quickly and got much more intense within a very short period of time.  My contractions were incredibly strong, much more so than any I experienced when laboring with Ava, and they were not subsiding in between peaks or giving me any break.  After about two hours I had lost all energy to speak, squeeze hands or continue on in any manner.  I remember telling Blair that I felt like I was going to pass out but I couldn't, my body wouldn't let me leave.  I was incredibly hot, violently sick and utterly dashed when I realized I wouldn't be able to finish this without help.

Somehow they got me to sit up and I remember holding onto Blair's sweatshirt, sobbing and shaking as I got an epidural.  Shock seems to be the word of the last few months for me and I was again bathed in it--at how my body handled the end of pregnancy and at how different this labor had been than what I'd expected and experienced before.

After the epidural my body calmed enough for them to check me.  I was at 8cm at that point and know I reached 10cm by around 6am because of the pressure I felt.  A little before 8am the doctor came back in to check me and instead found the head already visible and ready to make it's debut.  I will say, though I was disappointed that I could not have my son naturally, there was a pleasant contrast to Ava's birth that surprised me as it happened.  I only pushed two or three times but the whole event felt much slower and calmer than Ava's.  I was able to be fully present for my son's entrance in the world, I cut the cord, even laughed a little.  Though less intense, it was every bit as emotional and much more peaceful which was a welcome feeling after such an exhausting labor.

At the end of it all, with the sunrise I got to meet my beautiful son.  I admit that even late in my pregnancy I had a much harder time bonding with the idea of this second addition, how he would continue to affect our family dynamic, as well as what it would be like to love another child and to raise a boy.  Though different, bonding was still instant and fierce and continues to grow as I spend more time with this precious boy.  Grayson Blair.  I am so grateful for him and for what is to come as we grow into our roles as a family of four.

The moment.

Sleepy boy getting his first bath.

 My best friend Erin getting to hold Grayson for the first time

after witnessing his birth.

Ava meeting her baby brother.

Family of four!

And some of my favorite photos from the hospital and home:

 

Grayson Blair

At 38 weeks and 3 days gestation, our beautiful son made his arrival.

Grayson Blair

2.22.12

7 lbs 5 1/2 ounces

20 1/2 inches 

38 Weeks

Again I say, we made it.  Shockingly.  I'm beginning to think this kid just likes drama and is, after all this, going to come right on time.  At least in the meantime we've gotten his room a little more ready and I've tired myself out considerably with preparatory organizing and cleaning.

I will have my check-up on Tuesday; we'll see if there's been any more progress (that is if we haven't had a baby by then).

Nursery #2

I've been surprisingly more relaxed about decorating our second nursery and wanted to create something fairly neutral since it is also our guest room.  When I went on bed rest I let go of my desire to have the room completed before baby boy arrived, but have been blessed with so much help getting it painted and well-stocked.  Though we have yet to hang art or add any of the decorative elements, I wanted to share a sneak peek of the progress so far.

Stripes on the walls courtesy of my stepdad, Rick.  He painted these the day we went to the hospital in false labor!  Though we didn't come home with a baby, it was a wonderful sight to come home to a room much closer to resembling a nursery.

 The closet color is Tidewater by Martha Stewart at Home Depot.

The fixed roman shade I made in my favorite taupe Suzani fabric.  I followed this tutorial from one of my favorite bloggers, Centsational Girl.

I by no means would call myself a successful shopper, especially when it comes to bargain finds.  But, this elephant was a great find at TJ Maxx this winter (pre-bed rest) and a perfect compliment to the eventual theme of the room.  During the same trip I also found a sweet mini-globe in robins egg blue!

Seeing this all come together has gotten me excited for the days when I can shop the aisles again and fulfill my plans for this room.  Soon to come: a faux sheepskin accent rug, a large map print for above the guest bed, baby's monogram above the crib (once he has a name of course), and some coordinating pillows for the guest bed.  I'm thinking a little aqua chevron, gray zebra print...  for now I dream.

37 Weeks

Four weeks ago I really didn't think we'd see this day!  Thanks be to God and to all of our family and friends who sacrificed so much to help our family over the last month.

The last week has been our most eventful and honestly I am shocked to still be pregnant!  After spending 4 hours on the labor and delivery floor, contemplating names for a baby we were certain we'd meet that night, being sent home and then spending two other nights since wide awake with regular contractions only to have them eventually fade... I am hovering between feeling like I will go into labor at any moment and like it might never happen.

And so we wait.

False Labor #2

I didn't realize that one can have strong timeable contractions for much of a day and not be in labor, but alas, we experienced this just yesterday.  After my appointment in the morning I tried to lay down for a nap and again was unable to sleep, felt very uncomfortable and just 'off'.  Within a couple of hours I was having very strong contractions that were about 1 1/2 minutes apart so we called the doctor and rushed to the hospital.

Though I was at 3cm when we arrived (up from 2cm that morning) and convinced this was the real thing, over the next 5 hours they concluded that my contractions were spacing farther apart and I hadn't progressed past 3cm.  When the doctor informed me that she didn't think I was in labor, I was truly in shock and surprisingly disappointed.  Even though it's still very early, I had mentally and emotionally prepared to meet my baby boy last night and to have that taken away left me very depressed and confused.

We came home not sure if we'd be heading back within hours, days or weeks, but last night the contractions continued to weaken and spread apart.  At least I got a good nights sleep.  I will say I still don't feel like it will be long... I know women can stay at 3 or 4cm for weeks but I just don't believe that's my body's way of doing things, especially with its incredible propensity for contracting.  We shall see though, all we can do now is wait and pray for a healthy boy.  Oh and for my water to break!  No more of this false contracting nonsense please, my heart can't handle the roller coaster.

36 Weeks

We have finally made it to the crucial week we were most praying for.  Now I will be able to deliver in our hospital if I go into labor!  We have had lots of help around here, I've been able to take it easy, and the amount of cramping that I was experiencing has greatly decreased.

Today at my appointment we did get some great news of progress.  Baby's head has dropped, I am 2cm dilated already and 70% effaced.  When I was pregnant with Ava I was 2cm dilated at 39 weeks and had her two days later!  Though I could still go full-term, we are kicking our baby readiness into high gear.  I am very uncomfortable, not sleeping well and definitely ready to get this boy out so this was music to my ears now that we've reached a "safe" point for delivery.

I've also been given the O.K. to be up and moving about which is a huge relief.  Though I still don't feel up to doing my usual duties, it is so good to know I won't exercise or exhaust myself into an early labor.

Ava has continued to be quite a champ with all the change, the visitors coming and going, the new foods being kindly delivered and the mommy who has taken yet another step further away from the daily rough and tumble.  She is SO excited for her brother's arrival, loves to feel him kick, talk to him and "snuggle" him (as seen in the above photo).  She picked out a gift to bring to the hospital for him when he's born and she keeps talking about that day to come with the anticipation of a child preparing for their first visit to Disney World!

This week I finalized my top choice for baby boy's name and I think Blair has too.  Though we will probably have to meet the little one before deciding, it is wonderful to finally feel like he will not remain nameless indefinitely.

In short, I am very ready, Blair is nearly ready, no one has told the little boy with the quick heartbeat that it's time to settle down in there but we're bracing ourselves for whatever is to come!

Pig Tails

Oh no!  My jump rope got caught in my pig tails!

Yes people.  We've arrived.  Her hair is long enough to *sort of* wear pig tails:)