One week old :)

Carter Nico is one week old. He's perfect, absolutely perfect. I couldn't ask for a better baby. He's taken to breastfeeding like a champ! I was so afraid after hearing horror stories about the pain, the cracked bleeding nipples, the engorgement...etc. I had one little blister pop up after the first day in the hospital from him not latching on right, but it was gone before we got discharged. Sure, the boobs blew up like hot hair balloons for a few days after I got home, but they are pretty much normal-ish now. They still are a little swollen, but hey, they are filled with milk ;) He eats on demand, but for the most part it's about every 3 hours. He went to the doctors last Tuesday at 5 days old for his first check up outside the hospital. He gained about 5oz since he left the hospital at 7lbs 11oz, so he's now up to 8lbs even, my little meatball :) He also got a Hep B shot...I was not anticipating any shots at this point, so I was a little sad, but he took it like such a big boy! He sleeps all.day.long. The end of this week he started to stay awake a little longer past feedings, which has been wonderful to be able to interact with him a little more. He wakes up about 4 times at night, but does fall right back asleep after eating and a diaper change. He just likes to sleep with someone and wakes up the second you try and put him down. This was really bad at first especially with all the visitors wanting to hold him all the time, and since he sleeps most of the time, he is pretty used to always being in someones arms. We're trying to change this, and it's getting a little better now at the end of the week. He's in the 50% for height and weight and the doctor thinks he's right on track! She did mention that Carter is a little jaundice still and a bit more yellow than she likes to see, so we're keeping an eye on that and he goes back to the pedi on Tuesday for another weight check and to see how his skin is looking. I am so in love.

On a mommy note, I feel wonderful. Definitely tired, but so in love that it's all worth it! I have 11 more pounds to lose, which is not so bad considering I just had him a week ago and gained a total of upwards around 36 pounds throughout my pregnancy! I'm starting to feel pretty sexy again...too bad we still can't have sex yet ;) It's been SO LONG!!!

Here's Carter and me at his 5 day old appointment (notice the drugged, I haven't slept in days look):

Daddy and his little man after his sponge bath:

Carter after his bath...and VERY tired:

And here's Mommy's belly, 1 week PP and 11 pounds to go! (I know I always liked to look at these):

He's Heeeeeeeeeeere!!!!

Carter Nico

October 29, 2009

11:53 am

7 lbs 15 oz, 21 in

I am so in love it's incredible. All that worrying for something that was a true miracle. Here's our birth story:

I got to the hospital and settled in my room around 7am. I got changed into my gown and hopped onto the bed. They started my IV around 7:45am with just fluids and drew blood. 8:15am the nurse came back and said that the lab wouldn't take my blood vials b/c the ink on the label over the date was smeared so she needed to draw again :::sigh:::. My doctor came in around 8:45 am to do an internal and broke my water. I was at 3cm. We started the pitocin at this point, 9:00 am and discussed calling anesthesia for my epidural, my doctor suggested we wait until the contractions were coming at a steady pace. The pain started at this point due to the broken water and pitocin...contractions were about 4 min apart, I was trying to wait like my doctor said, but when the nurse came back to check on me, she looked at the monitor and suggested that we call for the epidural now since they can take forever to get down to your room. She was right. The anesthesiologist finally got there around 9:45 am and inserted the epidural through my contractions, I felt horrible. After the catheter was in and we rolled me back onto my back he had a hard time inserting the meds, he said that the catheter could be pinched between two of my discs..wonderful. He got the meds in the best he could and waited through my next 2 contractions to see if I felt any relief. My entire left side was numb. My right side however, felt EVERYTHING. He had to remove the first epi and do it all over again. My contractions were about every 2 minutes at this point and I felt everything in my right side. Once the second epi was in, and I started to get numb things flew by! It was now 10:05 by the time the new epi was in. They upped the pitocin and the contractions started to come about every minute. Around 11:00 am I started to feel the pressure that they told me to look for but anticipated wouldn't happen until after lunch. They checked me...9cm! Contractions still at 1 min apart. 11:15 am, 9.5 cm! Pressure getting stronger. At 11:30 we were at 10 cm! The nurse called down for the doctor, he was there in 30 seconds! My bed wasn't ready at all, it was still all intact for labor, so my doctor started trying to get plastic under me and the nurses were running around trying to grab everything they needed. The nurse looked at me and said, "are you ready to push?!?!" Hard labor on the monitor started at 11:41 am according to the nurse, contractions every 30 seconds and that's when we started pushing. Carter's head was half way out and they told me to stop pushing for a min so they can get the rest of the stuff ready?!?! WTF!?!?! This was the only time I yelled...one big F-Bomb. I told them to get him out of me, and I was pushing the rest of him out. My doctor then said to just go for it :) Carter Nico entered the world at 11:53am. 3-4 10 count pushes and it was over. No tearing, no cutting, no pooping ;) My little prince was born. It was so wonderful. I was worried for nothing. He's perfect and I feel great.

I don't want to overload one post with pics, so I'll have to update later, but I have some from his first few days in the hospital for now, enjoy!

Sending my updates ;)

Mommy and Daddy right before we meet Carter.

Carter Nico enters the world!

I can't believe he's here so fast!!!

He is even more beautiful in person than in my dreams!

The "4" of us!!!

I love him so much.

We couldn't be happier :)

In his Daddy's arms.

Happy Halloween! Carter came home on Halloween Day.

I know, I have been bad that it took me this long to update...I have just been SO BUSY with visitors and LOVING up my new little man!!! I am so in love it's amazing. I have a one week update ready to go, lol. I just needed to get this one up first!

I can't sleep...

Here I am. 1:00 am the morning that I get induced. I really, and I do mean REALLY should be sleeping right now, I just have a million things running through my head. I am so anxious and nervous and excited. I have waited the last 9 months + some for this very moment and now that it's here it's so surreal. I don't know how to feel. I don't know how I am supposed to feel. I just can't believe this day has come. October 29, 2009. Today is Carter's birthday.

He's unusually active tonight. Rolling all around, sticking his little parts out all over. One "Last Hurrah" I suppose ;) I finally got our Fetal Doppler out and recorded his heart beat onto the computer so I can cherish what he sounded like while he was in my belly forever. It only took me 39.5 weeks and the night before I get induced to get my butt in gear, but I got it :)
I took a LOOOONG bath and shower and scrubbed my body with exfoliator. I wanted to rid my skin of anything yucky that Carter could come in contact with, I told you, my mind is thinking some pretty odd things this evening.

My bags are packed. I hope I didn't forget anything. I just have to grab Carter's things and I am ready to go. I can't wait to see his tiny little face. Will he look like me, Nick, Niky??? The u/s tech said he had really big feet when we went for the EFW measurement on Monday, lol. Around 7 cm to be exact, I can't wait to see them!!! It explains all the jabs that I get in my right side.

I feel bad that I am leaving Niky to stay in the hospital. I know that's silly, and Niky will be with my parents and is going to have a WONDERFUL time with his aunt and uncle (they are 9 and 12), but I just feel bad still. I hope he doesn't think that I will ever love Carter more than I love him...or that Carter is replacing him in any way. I know it's foolish for me to think this way, but I can't help it. Niky has been my one and only baby boy for the past 7 years. He is my world. Now I am just sharing my world with another great little boy-his brother.

Alright, it's really getting late, and I NEED to get some rest. My next post will be the most beautiful one yet. Carter will be here.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me.
XOXOXO
Danielle

Carter:
We have loved you from the moment the second line appeared on the pregnancy test. Mommy, Daddy and your Big Brother Niky have been waiting for you and praying for you for a very long time. The time has come that you are ready to come out and we welcome you with open arms. Niky has had a countdown going for over a week now. He kisses you in my belly and tells me how excited he is that you will be here soon. I talk to you every day, I rub my belly and cradle you, I tell you how much you are loved. Daddy has been a nervous wreck, he's so excited to meet you. Everything is ready. Later today I will hold you in my arms little one. I've been waiting for this moment for the past year and a half. God has answered my prayers. I love you. I can't wait to see.
Love you forever and always:
Mommy

39 Weeks, Last Weekly Update ;)

Well, by the looks of my entrance pics, you can see Carter is still wedged in my ute...it looks like he's hanging out for the next few days. My dad's birthday is tomorrow and he really wants Carter to share his birthday, so we shall see if Carter listens! I seen Carter today o the u/s and he's so squished in there! His cheeks were all mashed together :( Poor little guy really needs to come out. I have been SO cranky and anxious and tired and annoyed...I can go on....that he's probably scared to come into this world. What I would give for about 3 hours of pure peace to just relax and let him know that the world is safe and I am more than ready for him.
I'm so tired...I haven't slept good in weeks...I need a good night's sleep before he gets here. Today is Monday, well just about Tuesday...so 2 more days and a wake-up and I'll be heading to the hospital! Let's see how we make out tomorrow!

* How far along?: 39 Weeks...this is it!
* Total weight gain: +35 lbs total.
* How big is baby?: I had an EFW u/s this morning and the little meatball is out of room, we knew this already though...it was hard for the tech to get accurate measurements, but with what she was able to get he was coming in at 6lbs 15oz, she thinks it's more like 7-7.5 though. He should be somewhere around 20-21 inches as well.
* Maternity clothes?: I put all the summer clothes in a box :) I can't wait to box up the rest!
* Stretch marks?: same
* Sleep?: I need more of it.
* Best moment this week?: I got to see the meatball this morning! Tomorrow I go to the doctors and schedule my induction for Thursday! I'm going to meet my little prince this week!
* Movement?: he's cramped. I feel him stretching every now and then and it's pretty painful.
* Food cravings?: sugar. cake. everything I shouldn't be eating...
* Labor signs?: some strong contractions here and there. I keep trying to time them, but I get distracted easily...so needless to say, he's still in there, I'd say we're safe for now ;)
* Belly button in or out?: it's been popped the past few days.
* What I miss: feeling peaceful, I've been REALLY anxious and aggravated lately, probably part of the reason Carter refuses to come out...
* What I'm looking forward to: delivering my baby boy!
* Milestone: He's ready!

My Weekly Checkup, and a pic :)

Wow, my ticker says 8 days...and it's really 6!!! I'm still trying to get over the fact that we're in single digits, let alone under a week away!
Appointment was not too exciting...I do get to have an u/s on Monday morning though to get an estimated fetal weight! Judging by my doctors poking and squeezing, he's estimating that Carter is around 7 lbs already...little meatball! Because Carter has slowed down with his big movements, as well as the hands-on exam of the belly, Dr. P is pretty sure he's out of room, so he wants to get the EFW done to be sure that I can deliver this little boy vaginally, and I really hope he'll fit out the way he's supposed to! If anything, I get to see my baby boy one last time in my belly just a few days before I get to see and hold him in my arms! :::makes mental note not to forget to ask for pictures:::
Today is the first day of my maternity leave that I actually just laid on the couch and napped all day so far and it's been Heaven! Munchie, my Chihuahua, has been really happy about this as well, he just LOVES to snuggle on top of Carter's bump! I have been a busy nesting machine since my maternity leave started last Wednesday, so a day like today was MUCH needed!
I'm still on the hunt for a Halloween costume for the baby, everything I see just looks like it will be WAY TOO BIG for a newborn that's only 2 days old. We're going back to BRU this weekend to see what we can find. I can't seem to find the costume that Niky wants to be either :( None of the Halloween stores around here seem to have it...I think I may just order it tonight online and pay to have expedited shipping. We'll see though. I leave you with a pic from my picnic lunch with my BFF that we had by the Lighthouse on Wed...it was GORGEOUS out that day!
I was 38 weeks 4 days here!

38 Weeks!!! I'm having him next Thursday!

Are you ready for the 38 Week Belly??? Are you sure??? It's HUGE! I even included a frontal for your viewing pleasure ;) This is one of the last belly pics!!!

I have been an all-round nesting machine!!! I have done SO many loads of laundry it's not even funny. Anything that I could throw into the washing machine, went in! I even went as far as washing my little doggies winter clothes since they've been packed away for a year and he has sensitive skin, lol. I've been done with work since last Tuesday and I haven't really relaxed at all. I'm going to finish up the last few things and then, it's relaxation time until Carter arrives. IN 10 DAYS!!! I'm having this baby next week! AAAAHHHH!!!! It's great to have a definite date set up, but wow. I am just sitting here thinking, "10 days", I can't believe that I went from worrying every second of every day about whether or not this pregnancy would even stick, to counting every week that past and now I am down to days...and 10 days at that! I am so blessed and couldn't be happier.

* How far along?: 38 Weeks...wow.
* Total weight gain: +34 lbs total.
* How big is baby?: about 6.5-7 pounds and 19-21 inches
* Maternity clothes?: It's getting SO COLD!!! I am looking forward to my last week or two in full maternity gear!!!
* Stretch marks?: same
* Sleep?: I wake up about once a night...very uncomfortable though :(
* Best moment this week?: Hearing my doctor tell me that if Carter does not come on his own, I will be induced Oct. 29th! I would like to go on my own, but if not, at least I have a date of when he will be here!
* Movement?: he's cramped. I feel him stretching every now and then and it's pretty painful.
* Food cravings?: Still stuck on the apples and apple cider.
* Labor signs?: 2 cm dilated and just about fully effaced! Contractions are getting stronger too. Still nothing I'm able to time, but I feel like we're gearing up for the main event!
* Belly button in or out?: Pretty flat most of the time, although when I wear more fitter shirts it likes to pop out for some reason!
* What I miss: a nice glass of red wine...10 more days at least!
* What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my new little prince!
* Milestone: Carter's skin has changed from pink to white, although his pigmentation will occur soon after birth. He's ready to come out and I'm ready to meet him! 10 more days Woot Woot!

Some Maternity Pics, and an Eviction Notice!

Well, I had my weekly appointment last night and everything is looking WONDERFUL! My total weight gain is around 34 pounds, so still within perfect range, although I feel like you could pull me along in the Macy's Day Parade! Carter is getting BIG. He's running out of room in my super short torso. I still feel him up by my ribs and the doc says he's locked and loaded to go. We're almost completely effaced and 2cm dilated!!! GREAT NEWS!!! I love progression! If he's not out before my last appointment on October 27th we will schedule me to be induced on October 29th. Carter will be home for Halloween! I am beyond excited :D Now the hunt for the PERFECT teeny-tiny Halloween costume is on!

The loves of my life:

36 Weeks and Counting Down!!!

Ok, it's Tuesday, October 6th. My first baby boy turned 7 yesterday! I can't believe it's been 7 years, he's gotten so big and is such a smart, athletic little boy, I'm so proud of him! He is going to be such a wonderful big brother and he really can't wait for Carter to get here!

On that note, my ticker says 25 days to go today. The weeks are flying by. I'm getting nervous. I know everything will be just fine, it's just fear of the unknown I guess. I like to have a plan and have control. This is something that I have no control over. We will be fine. I will be fine, Carter will be fine, and Nick and Niky will be fine. As nervous as I am, my excitement to finally meet him makes it all better :)

I am so uncomfortable. I feel like my cervix is holding up a 20 pound bowling ball. I get these sharp pains down below pretty much all day at work, I think it has to do with sitting upright at my desk. I mean, I do have a head pushing up against my cervix, one would expect that to hurt. I just didn't know it would be SO uncomfortable. This is my last full week of work :D I am officially done next Tuesday, the 13th. I wanted to finish out a full pay week to make it easy on our finance department. I'm so nice, thinking of other people, lol. My weekly check up is this Thursday, so we'll see how everything is looking! I hope we have some progress to report!

* How far along?: 36 weeks down only 4 to go!
* Total weight gain: +32 lbs total.
* How big is baby?: about 6 pounds and 19-20 inches, whoa!
* Maternity clothes?: so.sick.of.them. and it's cold and I only have one pair of jeans that fit :( I bought a pair of cords this weekend so I have another pair of pants to get me through.
* Stretch marks?: same
* Sleep?: eh, the pain in my cervix and lower back is keeping me up at crazy intervals.
* Best moment this week?: Last week of work :)
* Movement?: he's been very active lately...still! But now, his movements HURT!
* Food cravings?: pumpkin, anything pumpkin. Lattes, pie, muffins...I can go on...
* Labor signs?: VERY strong BH's and some cramping.
* Belly button in or out?: most of the time it's poking out, but sometimes it's flat, and still off-center.
* What I miss: being able to sit up straight and not feel like there is a sword through my cervix and up my back.
* What I'm looking forward to: finishing the nursery, packing the bags, and waiting! (still!)
* Milestone: By now, many of Carter's systems are pretty mature, at least in baby terms — and just about ready for life on the outside. Blood circulation, for instance, has been perfected and his immune system has matured enough to protect him from infections outside the womb.

35 Weeks and some Shower Pics!

Seriously, does my ticker really say 33 days to go?!?! :::fans self::: o.m.g. Well, considering that I just celebrated my 35/35, I guess that's right! Nick finally put the crib up in Carter's room, and now we are STILL waiting on the glider so I can officially set everything up and decorate, I hate when things are done half ass. I like to get in there and get it all done at once! I will post a pic of the crib at the bottom, it's a little tiny sneak peak into the mini-nursery ;) The area that we had to work with is SO SMALL, but what we did with it, I am really happy, and it's coming together really nice!
As I get closer to having this LO, I am reminded of the friends that I have in my life. It's a little sad at times when I think that people that I thought were "friends" are really self-centered, selfish, bratty people that really think that the entire world revolves around them and their kids. I am also very happy to see everyone of my friends that are TRUE friends, gleam with true happiness for me. Even though they all have their own lives, and we don't get to see each other often, I really appreciate every effort they make to let me know they are thinking of me and that they care, because I try to do the same with them. I have been through a lot this year, and I am glad that through it all, my friends were and still are there for me. It means the world to me. The rest of them can kiss my ass ;) ---vent over--- :)
I am packing my hospital bag this week. My mom and little sister got me a bunch of pj's, 2 robes, slippers and toiletries as part of their shower gift, so now I just need to pack it in the new bag that we have all waiting! I think that was a great gift, and I really appreciate not having to try and get everything together myself! I still have to get Carter's things together and pack up my gorgeous PPB bag that has been sitting in Carter's closet being unused for too long! I can't believe the past 35 weeks flew by the way they did. I can't wait to meet my little boy.

* How far along?: 35 weeks!
* Total weight gain: actually down 2 pounds from my last appointment, the doctor isn't concerned at all b/c I've been retaining a lot of water and just contributed the 4 pound weight gain from my last appointment to that. So, we're at +32 lbs total. wonderful.
* How big is baby?: about 5.5 pounds and around 19 inches long. He's running out of room in there!
* Maternity clothes?: so.sick.of.them.
* Stretch marks?: same
* Sleep?: the past 2 nights I have slept pretty much the whole night through! Woot!
* Best moment this week?: Nick finally putting together Carter's crib and my doctor telling me I only had 2 weeks of work left!
* Movement?: he's been very active lately...still!
* Food cravings?: pumpkin spice lattes. I know, bad, but I cant help myself!
* Labor signs?: none, just some BH's.
* Belly button in or out?: pretty much poking out on the right side, and it's no longer in the center of my belly, still weird.
* What I miss: cute shoes!
* What I'm looking forward to: finishing the nursery, packing the bags, and waiting!
* Milestone: His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Carter's Nursery Sneak Peak! (just the crib, and still need to hang the letters behind, hang curtains, pics, etc., lol, but it's a start!)

Here are a few pics from my surprise shower last Sunday:

I'm a pregnant peacock ;)