Two Week Appointment

Today Elliot had his two week appt. Lots of good news! He surpassed his birth weight of 7lbs 10oz and is now 8lbs 10oz. He is a very good eater so I figured he had gained at least a few ounces, but to hear he had gained a pound was very good news. He has also grown 1/4 inch since his birthday. He is in the 50th percentile for his height, weight and head circumference. (He is off the charts for cuteness, however.) He also had to get a routine blood test today which meant sticking his heel with a small needle. I was prepared for him to cry, but he didn't even flinch and was nearly asleep when it happened.

Elliot also had another milestone today. His mama wanted to go to Whole Foods to do the weekly shop, so Elliot stayed home with his Nana. While I was out he got hungry so my mom fed him a bottle that I had pumped yesterday. He had no problem taking the bottle! Later when I got home he chowed at the boob for another 1/2 hour. Hopefully he will happily take both so Drew can feed him sometimes too.

All in all, it was a big day for little Elliot.

The Elliot Update

Now that Elliot is 10 days old, here is a quick update on how things are going. Our little man is really doing great. We are trying to establish a good eating and sleeping schedule, so this means he eats every 3 hours. I usually have to wake him during the day but at night he wakes up on his own to eat. He is a very good eater and has a big appetite. This was confirmed when we saw his pediatrician last week, Dr. Hargrave. Elliot was down only 2 ounces from his birth weight. His circumcision has healed and his cord stump fell off yesterday. Now we are trying out the Fuzzi Bunz diapers. His little legs are a still a bit skinny so hopefully we don't have any blowouts!

We have discovered a few things about Elliot's personality. He loves to have his hands near his face. We have to keep his nails trimmed or he scratches his cheeks. He very much enjoys sleeping on his daddy's chest during the day, but is also happy in his papasan swing. He does not flinch when Abby barks loudly at the mailman or anyone else who comes to our door. I suppose he was used to her barking when he was inside. He is very wide-eyed and likes to look around when he is awake. Unfortunately right now this is usually around midnight but we're working on that. At first he did not like being in his bassinet. He is so tiny in it and he would flail around and fuss, eventually kicking himself out of his swaddled blanket. I bought a little form snuzzler to help keep him snug and last night he slept in his bassinet all night. He gets the hiccups a lot, but his doctor said this is normal. They don't seem to bother him; he just squeaks for a little while. He is not much of a crier. He is fussy when he's hungry, tired or needs his pants changed, but doesn't cry much, except at bathtime.

Drew and I are doing great too. He was able to work from home and take time off last week which was great. We are both a little deprived of sleep but nothing serious. We nap when we can. I have lost about 20 pounds since I had Elliot and have started taking some walks to get some air. Next week I will probably start some light workouts. Drew is back in to work tomorrow, and my mom arrives on Wednesday for 10 days. Needless to say she is very excited to meet her first grandbaby. It will be great to see her.

A Family is Born

Last time I wrote in on the blog, I was having contractions and hopeful for a baby soon. Well, amazingly we became so incredibly blessed just hours after my last entry.

My contractions were 5 minutes apart on Wednesday afternoon, so we went back to see Dr. Polon. Good news… we were going to have a baby! At 3pm Dr. Polon met Drew and me in our labor & delivery room at St. David’s and broke my water because I was still dilated only 2 cm, but my cervix was 90% effaced and the baby’s head was very low. Dr. P wanted me to wait at least one hour before an epidural so that the dilation process would not be slowed. The next 1½ hours were pretty much a painful blur. The contractions came quickly and powerfully with no break in between them, and try as I might I could not get my breathing under control. I had to wait for an epidural because the doctor had an emergency c-section. Drew was my lifeline and somehow got me through that time. After the relief of the epidural, we found I was dilated to 8 cm. I knew all that work had to have been for something! Then my wonderful husband, Dr. Polon and our nurse helped me push for the quickest 1½ hours of my life to bring our baby into the world.

At 10:55pm, our baby boy was born. Dr. Polon pulled him out and put him on my tummy. My heart completely exploded. I remember seeing his reddish hair and cheering, “Drew he looks like you!” Drew looked at me with utter joy and kissed my head. Our boy was so incredibly beautiful and perfect. The entire experience was as if we were in another world. The only other time I remember experiencing anything close to that feeling was the night Drew asked me to marry him. Good thing I said yes!

We named our sweet boy Elliot David Mayer. He was 7 pounds, 10 ounces and was 20 inches long. I can’t really write about how special he is and how much he has changed our lives already; these photos say it all.

Thanks to all of our friends and family out there who have checked the blog throughout our journey, sent e-mails or posted notes wishing us well. It has meant a lot to us. It has been so much fun to keep this journal of Elliot’s entry into the world, and we are happy to have shared it with all of you. We may keep this blog going as Elliot grows, but probably won’t update it nearly as often. After all, we now have a baby to care for!

Labor Begins

Two days ago I was at Whole Foods doing the weekly shop, and the produce guy said, “Shouldn’t you be at the hospital?” I said, “I wish!” With some luck I may get my wish fairly soon. Yesterday labor began. It started very slowly and lightly, but by 4am the contractions--which feel like tightening and releasing a belt around my hips and lower abdomen--became painful. Now I have to stop talking when I have one, and warm showers and sitting in the rocking chair provide some relief. Right now the contractions are somewhat irregular and about 10 minutes apart.

We saw Dr. Polon this morning for the regular check-up. He said my cervix is about 80% effaced and is dilated 2 centimeters. I was hoping to be dilated more, but I will take it. He said the baby’s head is “right there” and he can feel my water as well. I figured as much since I can barely walk and feel like I have to pee every 5 minutes! He asked me what I wanted to do – labor at home or have him help move things along. I decided to go home. The contractions are uncomfortable but not yet miserable, and I really want the baby to come on its own. He told us to call him when contractions are 5 minutes apart for 30+ minutes. Hopefully that happens today or tonight. Meanwhile, Drew has his timing watch and I'm trying to rest as much as I can.

As for the appointment specifics… the baby’s heart rate is in the 130s, my blood pressure is 100/60, and my weight is down to 28 pounds gained, probably because the swelling is mostly gone now.

Hopefully it won’t be long now!

New Pictures of Cat

Here are some new pictures of Cat. She's ready to go.

Waiting

Today we begin the 38th week. We saw Dr. Polon this morning. The baby’s heart rate was in the 140s, the fundus measured 38 centimeters, my BP was the usual 98/60, and my weight is up to 30 pounds gained. It feels like 25 are the baby and 5 are from swelling. (Swimming at my gym seems to help. I look absolutely ridiculous in my bikini, but at this point I just don’t care!)

Dr. P felt the baby’s position again. He said, “You have a good sized baby in there my dear. I would say he or she is about 7½ pounds right now.” Drew and I exchanged a glance that said, “Yikes!” That’s what size I was hoping for at birth! But since I was nearly 9 pounds and Drew was nearly 10, we should probably be more realistic about the size of baby we’re going to have. The good news is he or she is healthy and thriving, and God is not going to give me more than I can handle.

Dr. P says my cervix is still closed and toward the back. It needs to move forward and begin opening before labor can begin. This was not surprising news since I have had no signs of prelabor. He did say that my cervix is beginning to thin and the baby’s head has also “dropped”. We are taking that to mean the baby is starting to think about venturing out to meet us. Dr. P said, “If you were relaxing in a warm Jacuzzi, would you want to come out early?” We guess not.

Since we have exactly 2 weeks until the due date and starting to feel anxious, we asked Dr. P how far overdue he would let the baby go. He said no longer than 41 weeks because then the risks for the baby begin to outweigh the risks of labor induction. I have had a feeling all along that the baby would not come until the weekend after my due date, or 40½ weeks. We will see, but I very much hope that the baby decides to come sometime in the next 3 weeks so I can avoid having to be induced. Not only does it sound more painful, but I would have to labor the entire time at the hospital – not something I want to do.

Meanwhile, our parents are all very excited. They are trying to guess the sex, name and arrival date of the baby, and this has become quite amusing. Drew’s parents believe we are having a boy. So do our brothers, and I think Dad & Lyn are also leaning toward a boy. My mom is holding steadfast to her dream of a granddaughter, and I’m not sure what Rob thinks. We have received many name suggestions from our parents, and even our friends’ parents – Susannah, Bridget, Emma, Owen, Tate, among countless others. Although Drew and I have not minded not knowing the sex of our baby one little bit, it has certainly been driving our parents crazy which, while it wasn’t the intention, has been kind of fun.

When are you coming out little baby? We are ready to meet you.