Two Things

Well, this whole bad economy never affected us so far, but now it has - Screwed by the struggling airlines. Rick's 79,000 frequent flier miles have expired. I guess back in February, but with no warning or anything. Maybe just some fine print about use it or lose it. Sucks. Why we need them is because he is coming home for 4th of July. Woohoo. However, tickets are $550+. Money is no object this time, he's coming no matter what, but it would have been nice to use the 50K miles he thought he had saved.

Completely separately, I stole this from elsewhere, but what will TLC call the next generation of the show now?

• Jon Plus 8 (Friday through Sunday), Kate All The Other Days.
• Jon & Kate Seper8
• Jon H8s Kate

We are doing well, enjoying walking longer each day. Making up errands to do to kill time. Feeling a little cabin fever, but I know it's best to keep him sheltered a little bit. I do wish I had some patio furniture though. If I could get it home I would buy a plastic lawn chair from the CVS.

Weight

According to the Wii Fit, my baby weighs 8.8 pounds. I don't think it's all that accurate.

The floor scale has him at 8.0.

And.

He got fussy so I chickened out on giving him a real bath again so he's a dirty boy. He is getting a lot of wiping down. A submersion bath is now our goal for tomorrow.

And apparently, I have to have baby lights and baby dark clothes. I guess I have enough to wait for a half load, but honestly, that is a lot of laundry and you all know my washer takes upwards of 90 minutes to do a load, maybe more. Anyway, now I have a really cute light blue romper instead of a white one and a dingy yellow one. But my new navy blue changing pad cover is ready to go. I did have a moments pause when I put it in, but not enough I guess. I did hold the red onesie out though!

Day 15 of Life

Well that was sort of rough. We went to Babies R Us uneventfully around noon today, then home for a long nap and sitting around. Went out to ATM and Subway around 6 then he was up. I think he got his 18 hours of sleep in from midnight to 6pm today at least. He was very fidgety and eating a ton, or at least 'on the breast' but I assume there was milk coming out, eventually he dozed off and I put him in the bassinet, but then he let out 2 or 3 screams, which I never want to hear again. He doesn't ever cry and barely even whimpers so I hate that sound even more. So we cuddled and I didn't think he was hungry, but he ate some more and then I'd go to put him in a more comfortable position in my arms and he'd be up all over again. Switch sides and same thing would happen. I was waiting for a huge spit up but it didn't come either. Wonder if he was that hungry. Fine by me if he was. I am just sort of feeding him all the time and letting him decide when he's done. Sometimes it's an hour apart, sometimes 3, generally lasting for 10-20 minutes. There's really no pattern. Anyway, he's down now, on the changing pad on the couch and I'm sitting in the dark typing. I need to fold laundry, I guess I could do it in the kitchen. This better be a one time thing. Bedtime cannot be this complicated. I think he was just wound up for whatever reason and got overly tired. I didn't even want to change him or carry him the 20 steps to the bedroom in case he woke up. Poor kid, I have no idea what I'm doing.

2 weeks old

Well Rick is on the road, so we are on our own. Nights are fine. Lonely but fine. I will probably miss adult companionship really soon. We went out to the grocery store this morning. Around 11am. Took 6 minutes to get there, we were in and out in 30 minutes. And I didn't even park in the expecting mothers spot. Put his car seat in the cart and food all around him, so it was a smaller trip, but that's what i have to get used to because unloading the car and getting it upstairs is the real hassle. He was awake but calm the whole time. We're going to rest for a few hours now and then maybe treat ourselves to a smoothie and a walk later. It's really me who is worse for the wear physically after going out. Don't know if I have a busted stitch or this is just normal recovery. I am ready to get out of here though. Ready for the move, but will wait until mid July after both of our next check ups. Hopefully Rick can come back for 4th of July and we'll pack up then.

We're Alone

And I'm sort of excited about it. I guess I just feel stressed with house guests and want them to be entertained and taken care of. I got over it for the most part, but I like just the 3 of us.

We tried something a little different last night. After he fed a lot, like 10, 11, 12 pm we burped, changed and put right down. Same thing at 3am, usually I cuddle until he is out then move him to the bassinet, but once his eyes closed, he went down and stayed down. Made for more sleep for all of us I think. I think every day is still different, it's tough to have to burp him or even change him because those things wake him up.

I'm not sure if it's us doing the laundry or the kid is bigger but 2 of his rompers didn't really fit from heel to neck.

Due Date!

We had a follow up check up this morning for Baby's billirubin levels. I would like to go to the pediatricians every week. it puts me at ease. he's probably in the top percentage of healthy babies but not knowing how one acts, i can be suspicious of everything.

He weighed 7 pounds 12.8 ounces. Last Monday he was 6 lb 14oz when we went in for follow up at 5 days old, born 7 lb. 3 oz. I was very happy to hear this. They didn't pull blood, although he is still a bit yellow down to his armpit line, they weren't too worried since eating and peeing and pooping is going well. I asked all my questions and got them answered. His stool is normal, his tear ducts are closed but we are going to massage them. This doctor still recommended the Vitamin supplement (more A and D than iron).

We returned the pump. It was $2/day and we haven't used it since Wednesday probably but it was worth not making the trip back.

Everything went smoothly and they actually combined our 2 week visit with this to save us a trip so we go back July 6 for 1 month.

How do I look?

Notice anything different?

Saturday

After I took Grammy to the airport - breaking my no driving for 2 weeks rule, we got in a little nap, a feeding then we went out! There is a quite nice farmers market at the corner, but I did a lap and chickened out. We sat outside and ate. It was good to get out and the longer Rick sleeps in, the more I think I could really handle this by myself. We'll see at the end of next week when I haven't been cooked for and cleaned up after.

Friday

Why is nothing so appealing to poop as a brand new diaper?

We have both been peed on several times. Poor kid rarely has clothes on. I don't know if it's because it's warm or we just don't get around to it since we change him so often.

So my feet didn't swell until the very end of pregnancy (during the shower) but boy did they swell up while I was in the labor suite for some reason. no clots or anything, but my new crocs which i wanted so bad did not fit. a little better now though.

milk supply is not a problem, 'nuf said.

we went for a lovely walk. he slept through it all, but boy was i happy to get out. the whole neighborhood is either up or downhill though. and bumpy!

We think he's filling out more, but it's probably only a whopping 3 ounce weight gain. he looks better each day. less saggy skin.

i don't like burping. i guess I'm just impatient. especially when I'm trying to get him to feed on both sides, it just seems like a long break in between and he won't go back to work after his break.

Grammy leaves tonight. we'll miss her. she has spoiled us very much. but we'll be okay too.

One week

Another good night. Not great, he tends to like to drag his middle feeding out (2-3:30) in this case. But then a nap and up at 6 to eat again. He is latching well, sometimes a little resistant, but because he can, not because he's actively refusing.

I am really fat. I don't care it's only been a week. I see now I gained too much weight and am regretting it. Don't worry, I'm still eating 3 meals and about 3 snacks, but add in my new sedentary life, I'll never lose this 20 pounds. We do have the stroller together so may venture out into the world today.

I have lots of random thoughts, so I think I'll start keeping a note pad so you too can experience them. Maybe I'll skip the boob and girly part thoughts. I put up my extensive description of labor, so it's way too long, but I'll print it out and put it in his baby book since I have a lousy memory.

My only concern today is his stool, the runny part has been very yellow mustard and runny, but he also has some "solid" stool - moer artichoke paste consistency than yogurt. almost a little turd that is very squishable. he is pooping a lot so i'm not that worried.

Jaundice :(

He also looks like a redhead here, but it's probably his yellow skull.

Home Day 3

So I meant to write this this morning, but the day just passes. I don't know where it goes since we do nothing. Which is nice, just rest and feed. Last night was pretty good. I had my alarm on even to really be sure he eats a lot and regularly, but he actually woke up right on schedule 12, 3 and 6 ish. He eats for 30 minutes then we cuddle and he goes down really easy. The 6am meal took a lot longer, and we were working on it until about 7:30am. But I am confident he is eating well today. Some were shorter than I like, but in that case he'd get right back on after being put down. He just falls asleep with me way too easily. Luckily Grammy likes to harass him kindly and give him little talks and he usually behaves after that. The previous two nights had started the same, but the second half he was wide awake from 4am onward.


I have a little general anxiety, but only because I want him to be perfect and gain weight and be healthy. I think mom has told me "he's only 5 days old" a million times. So all this sleeping is normal and he's basically just getting used to being alive.

He does have some serious jaundice. We had a follow up Monday morning after being dismissed Saturday at 2pm. They took another bilirubin blood test to see where his levels were at. He was 14.5 out of an allowable 15 before they would want to bring him in for an overnight with the lights. Tuesday morning he seemed even more yellow - it had worked down to his chest and arms. So I called the doctor. I had to and feel better that I did. They left it up to me if I brought him in, basically to ease my mind, but I am choosing to wait it out day by day, rather than have his little bony heel get pricked again. Bottom line is he is eating well and peeing and pooping a ton. Eating isn't perfect but he is getting latched on just fine and getting lots in. I think he is a little lethargic, but he can be aroused, eventually - usually by getting naked and tickled a bit.

What else... well this is where we need a private reading section so Dad doesn't have to be subjected to such details. I am sure this is a natural process and quite a design, it sure does take a toll on your body. I can't imagine how I'll lose this weight. I guess when mom isn't cooking for me, it may be easier. So right now I'll just take care of healing.

We might have to venture out to the sidewalk or something so I don't go crazy and Bobby can get some indirect sun. We are sitting in a huge thunderstorm now and he doesn't flinch. Same thing when the smoke detector went off. He is a deep sleeper which is good and bad. More as soon as I feel up to it. Roseann comes tonight. Thanks to all for concern, care and advice.

The Arrival

Wednesday night, 6/3/09. We buy 20th row tickets to the Nationals - Giants game to see Randy Johnson win his 300th game. It's supposed to start at 7pm. There is a rain delay so we want to wait it out. It clears then storms again. We're in it for the long haul because Rick was going to leave the first time on Thursday and we wanted to see the game. We were sitting in the last row of the lower deck since that was the only overhang (too much detail, but tough). So around 9:40pm, I feel a little surge of maybe discharge and thought "hmm, that's different," I told Rick something might be up but felt fine so just sat there. Then I got a little warmer and wetter. So I decided to go to the bathroom and I was leaking. Went ahead and peed, but was definitely wet. Went back to our section, then think I called Elizabeth, Mom, Carolyn, but no one was there! Went back to the bathroom, saw I was much wetter, called Liz again. I got Rick and updated him. We called our doctors service and decided to head out of there around 10.

We took the metro home, which was sort of funny. Rick was panicking, waiting for me to start having contractions and drop to the floor I think. I was cracking up since I was so wet. Every time I got up from my seat or even from moving, another gush. It was ridiculous. Finally got home, actually took a shower, finished packing our bags and headed to Georgetown hospital. There was no traffic at least.

We signed in at 11:50pm. I changed over and they sent someone to check me. It was really funny, they kept saying, we'll check you out, as if to say, we need to check your story out. They checked me and I was 3cm dilated. Water was broken. Gee, no kidding. I wasn't feeling contractions, but was having them. They started getting stronger within the hour. They hooked me up to the monitors and a IV of fluids. Also got pitosin. I don't know what time, relatively early. We tried to get some rest, but sometime in the middle of the night, contractions got really painful. I asked to be checked and at 5am, I was a whopping 4cm. Since that progress was so slow and I was really hurting, I decided to get an epidural because we thought, and the doctor too, that we were looking at a dinner baby. Got the epi at 5:30am. Felt better right away. I was able to rest a bit. I started feeling a pretty bad ache in my lower pelvis so hit the button like 3 times between 7 and 8am. The new shift of doctors was on later on and I got checked by them (med student, resident) around 8am. I was 8cm or so, so we were in business. They came back at 8:45 to check me and the head doc examined me, said the baby was OP - sunny side up. She reached in and twisted him around super easily apparently, also dilating me to 9cm+. So the med student and the nurse had me start pushing. I was very good at this. Didn't feel contraction at first, but I wasn't hitting the drug pusher very much anymore so they came back when it mattered. One nurse had me turn on my side because his heart rate was erratic (laying on cord?) which made my leg completely numb and so heavy. LONG story short, we started pushing around 9 I guess. Mom had made it around 8:30 luckily and we went right into action right after.

I asked the doctor to take off my skin tag and she did, first - I thought that would be part of the post process. Pushing was good, quite easy actually, it helps not feeling it. I recommend drugs. For details on pushing - ask Mom or Rick. He came out easily, sat on my chest for a while. Rick did not want to cut the cord. He was extremely cheesy when he came out. They made mom and Rick go with him to weigh and clean etc (which was in an attached room) because apparently the sewing and other activities are not for the light hearted, but they would have been fine.

I was looking around, I apparently sent my friend a text at 8:38am telling her that I couldn't make it out Thursday night as planned (duh) and then I got on the bberry to update my status at 10:30am. I made this labor thing seem easy ;) I would have like to try it without drugs, but it hurt, so I felt no need to suffer.

June

Finally getting settled and realizing this apartment is way too tiny. We have no plan for the future so we just don't talk about it. As much as I want to get out of here, I don't know how the logistics of moving would work with a newborn and even where we would go. Stressful.

Rick is tentatively leaving Thursday, so we are going to Giants games the next 2 nights for a Lincecum game and hopefully Randy Johnsons 300th win.

It's nice and hot here and I've been very lazy despite having a few things to take care of. I haven't worked out in a couple days, but I figure it's an okay time to take a break. I feel very heavy though and am ready to have this kid. Feet are better in general, have some bloody boogers (sorry TMI) and I probably need to see a dermatologist, but I hear this is all par for the course of normal pregnancy. He is moving a ton, or maybe the same amount, but hopefully it feels like a lot because he's big and healthy.

37 weeks

Nothing happening yet. Doc said he won't even check me until 39 weeks. I told him everyone says I am small, and he says. "well, you're not big" but I think it's just how I dress. I was shopping for a dress today and put on some that made me look and feel like a house. Also, Motherhood Maternity has a really lousy return policy. Good thing i didn't even know that store existed in the mall until now. Didn't even bother to go to Pea in the Pod. Was pretty wiped after gym, doctors, eating and 2 mall shops.

BP: 108/70, heart rate strong. My tour is scheduled for 6/7. Better late than never. I am getting worried about this teensy apartment, but I know it's not permanent. I am excited for the shower. I think I'll make Rick come since it's a small group and he never sees his mom. No idea when he'll leave. Friday could be the day, but they've really messed up and know he's starting to realize if he gets through this weekend, he might as well just stay. Especially since his birthday is Friday so I don't think he wants to leave then. However, we're both really bored at home all this time.

36 Weeks

Nothing exciting going on. Baby is head down, apparently normal sized, heart rate good. just have to wait. Going back weekly now.

Rick is still here, and may be for a while. We still have insurance apparently, just no income. There is a pretty big glitch in the paperwork/organization, so we'll see if it gets worked out, or he needs to start applying for other billets.

So we're just enjoying our early summer together so far. Seen 3 movies in 4 days. Working out, organizing, etc. Will try to take him shopping today just to look around, but we really don't have the space for any baby stuff. Just the essentials.

Almost 8 months

Nothing new to report. Feeling good, trying to get lots of rest, sleeping is okay some days, lousy some days. Usually the first 4-5 hours are good. He is moving a ton during the day.

I hope our week straight of rain has passed. The river is flooded so we're not rowing on the water and it's really tough to continue motivation on land. We head to Philadelphia on Thursday for our last race.

Last night, the girls had a little baby shower for me. It was really cute, they were really proud of themselves. It was a total surprise too. Got an album and a little PJ set. They're a good bunch of kids.

Rick is still here and seems to be in no rush to leave. Which is good and bad, but I think he needs to get on it. They are just really disorganized and it is up to him to get his stuff in line.

Busy Week

Lots to report, but i just never felt like sitting down to type. We are moved in, it's good, not great. good location, easy to get to and access, but i miss our old place. I miss the Tivo and while i thought that place was a little cluttered, this one is definitely lived in and kitchy. lots of crappy crap and stuff crammed into every nook and cranny. way too much kitchen goods and old stuff - like it was the dumping ground for aunts and uncles and friends who knew they were setting up a second rental place in the city. ick. bed is uncomfy, but i'll live. balcony is full of pigeon crap and the birds come and coo in the morning. i got really spoiled the last year.

We moved LATE Thursday, rested Friday and unpacked this weekend. It took a lot out of me. I didn't do any heavy lifting but just being up too late (got a late start, R likes to sleep and is slow moving) and then morning practice Friday, I am still really wiped. Saturday was another pre-6am wake up so I'm using today to recoup.

We had Virginia State championships for the lower boats on Saturday and my boat got 2nd of 13. They did really well and I was pleased. Went to Colleen's new house in Alexandria for a Derby party. Risa visited today and we went for pedicures and ice cream. Now we're vegging out while it rains and doing a puzzle. Very exciting lives. I'm trying to elevate my feet since I think they're a little puffy from being up and around so much more than usual.

I'm geting a little more uncomfortable as I get into 34 weeks, but it's not always and a lot less today even than yesterday. Just crowded internally generally and some back/rib pain. But I feel good now. Got doctor on Wednesday. I will get back to the gym and see if that helps at all. Seems contrary, but moving is good for me. He's still moving a lot. I've gained almost 30 pounds and I'm feeling that a bit, more when clothes don't fit as opposed to when I try to do stuff. I'm not extra clumsy or off balanced, just less flexible at times.

Rick is planning on leaving Thursday to drive cross country.

end of April

Birthday was good and uneventful as they tend to be. Rick got me a big gift certificate to the Ritz spa and a bag of tootsie rolls from Bobby. First gift in a while, but he didn't need to/shouldn't have. Went out to dinner at California Tortilla and enjoyed the nice outside. None of the teams knew it was my birthday so nothing special.

Kid is doing great, just trying to get him big and fat. Rick is probably getting sick of me making him feel the kid move.

On better news - we found a place to live. It's in Courthouse in Arlington. It's 2-3 miles from our current place but across the river. It's in a big apartment building with no character and in Virginia (my only complaints) but otherwise it's perfect. It has a 24 hour doorman and a pool and garage parking. A bit roomier than any thing else we saw. Right next to the bank, CVS, movie theater, post office, metro, ez food and bars.

This might work for a day or two: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/apa/1142515871.html