Merry Christmas to All

(promise he was happy for Christmas!)

Newest Jayhawk (6 days old)

Brand New Stats

Weight: 7lb 11oz at birth (7lb 1.5oz three days later)

Length: 19in

Eating: exclusively breastfeeding every 2 to 4 hours. Currently feeding on demand as he's working on putting weight back on. Most of his feedings are 2 to 3 hours apart. 

Bedtime: William normally feeds til he is full/falls asleep. His naps last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. At night, he usually goes down at 11/11:30pm, back up again by 1:30am and down again for 2-3 hours. I am up for the day with him by 5:15/5:30am. 

Naps: Life is currently a series of naps for William and for us!

Diapers: Newborn size! We change him each time he needs to feed as it wakes him up a little and any times he needs to be changed between. The breast milk has changed the consistency of his diapers. William is NOT a fan of being naked when being changed ;)

Clothes: Newborn size! Before William was born, we bought some newborn size onesies & sleepers but didn't wash them. So glad we kept them! Even some of the newborn clothes are too big for him. Trying to make sure he is able to wear all of the newborn clothes before he outgrows them!

Favorites: William loves to fall asleep in someone's arms and turns toward anyone who is talking. 

Development: Right where he needs to be for a one week old. Moves his head toward voices, moves arms & legs all over the place. Working on putting weight back on before his two week doctor's appointment. 

(A little scared of Nemo!)

Welcome to the World, William!!

Bret and I welcomed our son into the world on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 8:07pm. He was 7lbs & 11oz and 19in long. And absolutely perfect!

I was due December 15th and asked my doctor to induce if I went over my due date. I went into the hospital on Wednesday evening to start cervidil. We checked in at 9:30pm and I began medicine at 10:15pm. At 6:30am on Thursday, December 17th, I started pitocin to get my contractions started. Things were slow going for a while. Around noon, my doctor broke my water & that's when the contractions started getting real. I got my epidural to control my pain levels. At 3pm, I had dilated to a 5cm (halfway there!!). I continued to dilated and was ready to push about 6:15pm. It was very intense, but Bret was so incredibly supportive the entire time! He kept saying, "You can do it! I know you can do this!" His affirmation gave me so much confidence that was very much needed by me. 

Our hospital encourages 'kangaroo care' immediately after birth. Babies & families are given two hours to bond. Bret, William, & I enjoyed this time. William breastfed during that time and I love the quick bond it created. After those precious two hours, William met both sets of grandparents. He snuggled with each grandparent and captured their hearts. 

Our time in the hospital was great. I wanted to kidnap one or two of the nurses to bring home. The nurses were supportive of Bret and me & fell for William's handsome face. 

Now we are back home and finding a schedule to keep. Our little man is the king of the house and we are just living in his world ;)

 

I saw this on Facebook & love it!

First Doctor's Appt

William had his first doctor's appointment this afternoon. He weighed 7lb & 1.5oz (down from 7lb & 11oz at birth). His circumcision is looking good. We change the gauze/Vaseline on it every time he is changed. When it is healed, we can give him his first official bath. Until then, it's sponge baths only. 

He has been mostly breastfed so far. His Dr (who fully supports breastfeeding) said its hard to know exactly how much he is eating while breastfeeding. Between now and his two-week appointment (Jan 7), William should gain a half ounce to full ounce each day. He has been feeding every 2 to 4 hours and sleeps almost immediately afterward each time. I have also been able to pump breast milk to start building a back up for William. 

Other than that, we just have to keep him healthy and fever-free!

Next appointment:

January 7 @ 2:30pm

Final Days as a Family of Two

We went to the Dr on Thursday (12/10) and scheduled an induction if William decides to not show by next Wednesday. So yesterday was our last Thursday just the two of us. Today is our last Friday. Just so crazy to think of it like that!

I made sure my classroom is ready to go for next Monday, just in case he decides to be a weekend baby. Every time I leave my classroom I have to remind myself that I might not be back for three months. It's hard for me to fathom that! 

We decided to go out to dinner just the two of us Friday night. Dinners from now on will include an infant/toddler/child. Then we ventured to Union Station to see their holiday decorations. 

Bret read to William as we settled in to sleep. He nestles and reads right to my belly and describes the illustrations to him & makes voices for the characters. I love it!

39 Weeks

How far along? 39 weeks

Total weight gain? 27 lbs

Maternity clothes: Of course, nothing else would fit ;)

Stretch marks: none

Sleep: Still getting good sleep!!

Best moment this week: Bret took three days of work and it was WONDERFUL to spend the extra time with him!!

Worst moment this week: When my right hip started hurting and now I walk like a cowboy who has been on the trail for two weeks & forgot how to walk. 

Miss anything? Easily moving around. I feel like I have think through my actions before doing them!

Movement: He's running out of room in there, but he still has his moments of big movements. Usually it's a foot pushing out. 

Food cravings: sweets!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing 

Belly button in or out? Stretched!

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, but a little achy

Nervous about: When he will be here. I am such a planner, it's hard to remind myself that it is all up to God. 

Looking forward to: Meeting William!

Next appointment: 

Dec 16: to start the induction process, unless he decides to show up before that!

Down to single digits!

What??? How can we be just single digits away from William's due date? It seems like just yesterday we were deciding to go through IVF to be parents. Bret and I were in William's room this morning looking at his first picture (when he was just a little embryo!) and saying that it's crazy that our baby is almost here to meet us.

We are ready (as ready as you think you are before having a baby) and excited to meet the little man. He is going to totally rock out world and change life as we know it. And we cannot wait for that! 

We hope the little guy will always know the prayers we sent up for him and how very much wanted he was/is. All of the needles and medicine and waiting and tears will be totally worth it when we get to meet William and kiss his sweet face. 

Nemo, we love you!

38 Weeks

How far along? 38 weeks

Total weight gain? 24 pounds

Maternity clothes: of course!!

Stretch marks: still none :)

Sleep: Still sleeping well throughout the night. Waking up two or three times a night to go to the bathroom. 

Best moment this week: Bret is taking two days off work this week, so we get more time together!!

Worst moment this week: Uncomfortable hips and lower back

Miss anything? Still the energy in the evenings. The sun going down early doesn't help me being tired early. 

Movement: Big movements in the evening and tightening (Braxton Hicks)

Food cravings: sweets :)

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope!

Belly button in or out? Stretchy

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy and looking forward to being a mom soon!

Nervous about: What the contractions will feel like as well as the whole birthing process. But that's what hospitals & doctors are for!

Looking forward to: Meeting the little man!

Next appointment: 

Dec 10

Dec 17

William's Nursery

Picture overload, William's nursery is done (for now, at least!)

37 Weeks -- Officially Full Term!

How far along? 37 weeks

Total weight gain? 24 lbs

Maternity clothes: oh yes! 

Stretch marks: none!!

Sleep: My sleep is still pretty amazing for being this far along! I get up at least twice a night to use the bathroom. Good thing is that I can usually get back to sleep pretty easily. I'm enjoying the sleep before it all disappears with the new bundle of joy ;)

Best moment this week: Having three extra days off work for Thanksgiving Break! Having more time with Bret and not having to set an alarm are simple, but amazing things.

*Also, ONE MONTH 'TIL MY SISTER IS HERE!!! 

Worst moment this week: My hips and lower back have started to hurt. This is uncomfortable, but it means that things are getting closer to baby time!

Miss anything? Still the energy in the evenings and the dependence on others

Movement: The evenings are Nemo's favorite time to move all around. He flips around and finds a comfortable place in my belly. He's running out of room in there, so his movements are stronger in that I can see them more on the outside as well as feeling them from the inside.

Food cravings: Nothing major, I actually don't feel as hungry much of the time. Unhealthy foods are currently my favorite. I try to mix in fruits also with my burger & fries.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing!

Belly button in or out? in & stretched

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy and excited about the things to come. Unless I'm hungry, then steer clear ;)

Nervous about: The actual laboring process! Every birth is different, so there's no way to know what to expect. I keep telling myself that thousands of women give birth each day and I will be in a hospital full of doctors so all will be okay.

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving with family!

Next appointment: 
Dec 3
Dec 10
Dec 17

36 Weeks

How far along? 36 weeks

Total weight gain? 23 pounds 

Maternity clothes: Definitely!

Stretch marks: None!

Sleep: Still sleeping well as long as I stay in the right position 

Best moment this week: Quiet time at home with Bret

Worst moment this week: Retaining water in my feet, these things are ballooning up like crazy!

Miss anything? Energy in the evenings

Movement: Moving all around and kicking like crazy

Food cravings: Salty snacks

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing

Belly button in or out? In but stretched

Happy or moody most of the time? 

Nervous about: Being ready to become a momma

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving break next week!

Next appointment: 

November 25

December 3

December 10

December 17

35 Week Update

How far along? 35 weeks

Total weight gain? 21 lbs

Maternity clothes: Oh yeah! And my non-maternity yoga pants are just low riders now 

Stretch marks: still none, still lotioning up each day and after each shower 

Sleep: sleeping well and getting good rest, pretty lucky for this!

Best moment this week: Bought a stroller & car seat which makes us feel more ready to have a little one. 

Worst moment this week: nothing really

Miss anything? Having extra energy in the evening 

Movement: He's punching and kicking all the time

Food cravings: salty snacks

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope 

Belly button in or out? In/stretched 

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy unless I'm hungry

Nervous about: Being sure my classroom and students are ready for me to be gone

Looking forward to: weekly Dr updates

Prayer for baby:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the classes and people to support us while we prepare for Nemo. Our friends & family have been so generous to give us gifts and resources to help us be parents. Thank You for the time You have given to Bret & me to adjust to becoming parents together. Although our journey to pregnancy was not the easiest, the actual pregnancy has been painless & easy. Thank You for the comfort You have provided me. Please continue to be with us as we prepare our home & hearts for our baby. Help us keep in mind that he is Your child that You have entrusted to us. 

Next appointment: 

Nov 19 @ 4:20pm

Nov 25 @ 11:30am

Dec 3 @ 3:55pm

Dec 10 @ 3:55pm

Dec 17 @ 4:15pm

34 Week Update

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain? 20 lbs

Maternity clothes: For sure! The bump is growing at a rapid pace now :)

Stretch marks: Still none!

Sleep: Sleeping well and getting naps in while I can. Everyone keeps telling me to rest while I can, so I am doing just that!

Best moment this week: THE ROYALS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!

Worst moment this week: Getting overwhelmed with making sure we are ready for Nemo. The list seems to be ever-growing. Trying to stay caught up!

Miss anything? I am missing not being dependent on others. I like doing things for myself, but I understand I need to rely on others as I get further and further along in this pregnancy.

Movement: Nemo is moving all the time! I think it's so fun to see his movements from outside my belly!

Food cravings: I'm loving food that isn't so good for me- mc 'n' cheese, pizza, sweets, etc. Trying to get myself to drink water and eat fruits instead.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing!

Belly button in or out? Not in or out, just stretched out.

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy most of the time, unless it's mealtime and there's no plan for what to eat. Being hangry is a real thing, people!

Nervous about: When labor will start! Trying not to focus on the fact that it could happen while Bret is at work :/

Looking forward to: My next appointment this Thursday, love to hear the little man's heartbeat! We will now be going to the Ob each week!!

Next appointment: 
November 12th
*November 14th- Childbirth Prep Class, Session II
November 19th
November 25th

In-Laws Baby Shower & Work Shower

Brown/Dinkel shower

My amazing in-law family threw my a shower on October 25th. I am so very blessed to be a part of these two families. They are very loving and I have never felt like an outsider looking in when at family events. My husband and I have been together since we were 16, so about 14 years now. I grown up with them! My sister-in-law and two of Bret's aunts hosted the shower for me & Baby Nemo. I was overwhelmed by the love & support they showed me. Of course, I teared up at the end of the shower thanking everyone for coming :)

Work Shower

I have taught 3rd grade at my school for eight years. I have taught on a range of teams of 3 to 6 people. For two years, I taught with the two lovely ladies in the picture below. Jen & Mallory have been INCREDIBLY supportive throughout our infertility struggles and pregnancy journey. I could not have created a better team to work with. We read each others' minds and our strengths balance each other out. Plus, it doesn't hurt that we have a blond, brunette, & a redhead working together (Hello Charlie's Angels!)

My school shower was a blessing as well. Little Nemo received some adorable outfits and gifts that will make life easier. Again, I can't get over how generous people are to our little family.