8 Weeks

-8 Weeks-

Weight

Approx: 11 lbs according to our scale at home

Height

Approx: 22 inches according to our tape measure

Sleep

Sleep is getting a little more regular. We went camping this week so he got thrown off, but he usually goes to bed between 9:00 and 10:00 and wakes up between 1:30 and 2:30. He eats and goes back to sleep until around 5:00 and then snoozes some more until 7:30 or 8:00. 

Feeding

Graysen usually eats between 4 and 5oz at a time. He eats approximately every 3 hours or so. He goes more like 4 or 4.5 hours at night. 

Clothes

He can wear Newborn clothes still for the most part, but he mainly wears 0-3months right now. Most are still a little big, but they are more comfortable than the Newborn ones. 

Loves

*Snuggling 

*The Lake

*Being active. He's always moving! 

*Music

*Standing on your lap and he's now holding his own weight. 

*Going for walks on the trail

Hates

*Getting boogers sucked out of his nose. Doesn't hate it necessarily, but shutters every time!

*Being ignored

*Being still

*Burping, pooping, and other bodily functions

I can't believe how much he's changed in a month!

July 4th and 7 Weeks

Happy 4th of July!

Graysen turned 7 weeks today! Today was kind of a boring 4th for us since it was 104 degrees here with 100% humidity! No parade for us and unfortunately, we thought we would be able to see the fireworks from my parents deck but...no such luck! So, my 4th consisted mainly of sitting in the AC with Graysen while he napped. Tim had to work all day at the golf course, but we went and visited. 

I'm proud to be an American and am thankful for all the veterans like my husband who have made it possible for us to be free. Remember, freedom isn't free! Thank a vet! 

Tim and I will be golfing in a Veteran's Tournament on Friday with some good friends. I'll let you all know how it goes! 

6 Week Update

Ok...I'm back! 

Things have been very busy, a good busy, but busy around here. I'm back and hoping to post a couple times a week. I plan on posting Weekly Updates on Wednesdays showing Graysen's growing progress etc. Also, since he was 6 weeks yesterday and my 6 week appointment is tomorrow, it's time for me to get myself back in shape as well. I have 7-10lbs to go until I'm at the weight I was before I got pregnant, but...I still can't fit into any of my pre-pregnancy pants! UGH! This is obviously the 7-10lbs I gained during the first trimester (you really shouldn't gain any during this time) when he was the size of a peanut, so I can't blame the weight on baby or fluid, etc. It's all in my hips, butt and love handles! 

I have a friend that said, "Everyone posts pictures of their belly's getting BIGGER during pregnancy, but no one posts pictures of it getting SMALLER afterwards." Here goes nothin'! 

So...I have let's say 10lbs until I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but I had roughly 10lbs to lose to make my goal weight. I was a little heavier when I got pregnant than what I wanted to be. I'm aiming for 20 more pounds. I've already lost 25lbs since I've had him. I'll be posting updates on my weight goals, fitness/nutrition and getting healthy overall on Fridays hopefully. 

Here is Graysen's 6 Week Update

-6 Weeks-

Weight

10lbs 2oz

That's 2lbs in 2 weeks!

Height

21.25 inches

That's an inch and a quarter in 2 weeks!

Sleep

Sleep is going ok. It's getting better. He usually sleeps about 4 hours at a time. He goes to bed around 10:00 or 10:30 and then is up around 2:00 and 6:00. One night, he slept for 6 hours straight, but...that was just that one night. Getting up once is not bad though. It's only hard when I get up to pump, because he's still sleeping and then he decides to wake up when I get done so I'm up a lot at night, but it's slowly getting easier.

Feeding

Oh...where to start! I have a new found career as a Milk Hauler/Bottler/Distributor! Since they had to leave some of my placenta after birth and I was in ICU getting blood transfusions, my milk was very slow at coming in. He had to have a bottle right away. Nursing was a struggle since I wasn't making milk. I was/am pumping every 2 hours, 24 hours a day (it's about every 3 right now), nursing, then bottle feeding because he wasn't getting enough nursing. Needless to say...I am either feeding or pumping in order to feed ALL THE TIME! I debated on EPing or exclusively pumping for awhile, but am trying to nurse again. He is getting better at it. We are still bottle feeding with breast milk, but haven't used formula since Day 3 or 4. I'll post more on EPing in weeks to come. Right now he is eating roughly 4oz, give or take an ounce, at every feeding about every 3-4 hours. 

Loves

*Snuggling 

*His new play mat 

(He can see the toys now.)

*EATING 

*Music

*His bouncy seat

*Going for walks on the trail

Hates

*Getting Saline up his nose

(He's been very congested lately)

*Being ignored

*Taking his Medicine

(Precautionary because he was exposed to whooping cough)

*Burping, pooping, and other bodily functions

Here's what's been happening the last 6 weeks...

Newborn Pictures - May 19, 2012 (3 days old)

More Newborn Pictures

Hanging out with Daddy and Shadow

Play Dates with my friends! This is John, he is 6 weeks older than me!

Sleeping on Great Grandma Grace

More Play Dates with "The Boys". We have had lots of friends have babies lately.

From Left to Right: Marit and John: 12 weeks, Johanna and Landon: 16 weeks, Me and Graysen: 6 weeks

Not pictured: Jodie and Quinten: 4 weeks (She arrived after the picture)

Walks on the trail

This was on Day 3!

Lots and Lots of diaper changes! I was 4 days old here! 

Look how much I've grown!

Lots and lots of feedings!

4 days old: May 20, 2012

Notice my nice "tan" from Jaundice! 

Ok, I'm tearing up putting these pictures up, especially the last 2. I can't believe how much he's grown, changed, and developed over the last 6 weeks! Where has the time gone! 

I'll hopefully be posting on Mondays as well. Those will be Mommy things and Monthly Must Haves. 

Keep checking in for updates, photos and more! 

MB

Graysen's One Month Progression

I can't believe my baby is one month old today! Where has the month gone?? Not to mention those sleepless hours! It has all been worth it. I can't express how awesome Mommyhood is! This month has been a big "catch up month" for Graysen. Since he was 2 weeks early, (3 according to one due date that they changed), he was very little and had some growing to do. He was 6lbs 6oz and 17.5 inches long at birth and now at one month, he is 8lbs 6oz and 20 inches long! He has changed so much over the past 4 weeks. You can really see it when you look at the pictures. His little chicken legs are now filling out and all muscle! He is so strong for being so young! He holds his head up and practically stands when he pushes off your hands. His movements are still a little jerky and he is focusing more with his eyes. These things will come. He will be a little behind in these developments, but he has made so much progress already! He will catch up fast! 

-One Month-

Weight

8lbs 6oz

Height

Just over 20 inches

Loves

*Cuddling with Mommy and Daddy

*EATING

*Touching Shadow, our dog

*Laying on the floor

*His bouncy seat

*Riding in the car

*Sucking on his fingers

Hates

*Having his diaper changed

*Getting a bath 

(hopefully it will be better now that his cord finally fell off and he can actually get wet)

*Hiccups

*Burping

*Pooping

(he constantly grunts when he is pooping/trying to poop/trying to burp/just because)

I know the pictures are small and hard to read. It wouldn't let me make them bigger.

 I'll post "One Month Must Haves" later this week!

MB

3 Weeks of Graysen!

I can't believe that Graysen was 3 weeks on Wednesday! He will be 4 weeks in a couple days! Over the past 3 weeks, Graysen has been doing a lot of growing!! He grew over an inch and a half in the first week, 2oz day the second week and is continuing to grow like a weed. 

He is still wearing newborn clothes because he's so darn skinny, but he's getting so long that newborn sleep and plays are too short and end up looking like 3/4 length sleeves! His feet are so long that they don't fit in the footie part of the newborn sleep and plays either! Good thing it's warm out now so we don't have to wear the clothes with feet. 

He's getting more and more alert every day and is getting stronger and stronger. His long limbs are all muscle and you can actually see the little definition! He's holding his head up and I swear he's going to roll over soon! He pushes himself up with is legs and despite our attempts to keep him on his back, he always ends up on his side! He loves to sleep with his arms over his head and his hands are always by his face! He grunts and stretches a lot and I'm attributing it to his ever growing body!

The nights are getting better! He's usually up around 2am and 5am. Last night he was up at 2am and then not again until 6:15am! He ate at 9pm, 10pm and 11pm though! He's eating 4oz at each feeding now! I'm nursing as well as pumping and bottle feeding. Since he had weight issues the first week, we are leaning towards pumping and bottle feeding for all of our feedings since that way we know how much he's getting. He also had to have a bottle for so long at first since I wasn't making milk, I was trying to make blood...that nursing takes a long time! He does pretty well with latching on and doesn't really have nipple confusion, but he doesn't seem satisfied as long when nursing as he does after having a bottle. Also, sometimes it takes up to 45 minutes to nurse, and I can pump in 15 minutes and he eats a bottle in about 5 or 10 minutes. Seems like a time saver to me!

Here are photos to show his growing progress over the last 3 weeks!

MB

38 Weeks...He Arrived! Graysen's Birth Story: Part 1

Sorry bloggy friends for being absent. I have been a little preoccupied with an amazing early birthday present! Graysen Harold was born when I was 38 weeks exactly. He weighed 6lbs 6oz and was 17.5in. The labor and delivery went very well...it was after that that things took a turn for the worse! We are all home and doing very well now! He grew an inch and a half in the 6 days he's been alive and he continues to be a content and happy baby!

Graysen's Birth Story
Part 1

CAUTION

If you are pregnant for the first time or have never been pregnant, read with caution and know that this is NOT how a normal labor and delivery goes. I had a very rare and serious thing happen after he was born and almost lost my life. Thankfully, the doctors at the birth center are AMAZING and I'm here today to tell you my story!

It all started on Monday, May 14th at 4:30pm in the doctor's office for my 38th week appointment. Actually...I should probably back up a couple weeks and explain what was happening in our life. We were doing a ton of landscaping, getting ready for a graduation that we were hosting on May 18th, school at this time of the year is very hectic and everyday life was going on. Basically, I was VERY ACTIVE.

Ok...back to the doctor. He told me that I was dilated to 5cm, 50% effaced and baby was at 0 station. He said it wouldn't be long...

I looked at him and said, "REALLY??? I'll make it through Friday though right? I am having a graduation at my house!" He said...I don't think so! I didn't really think anything too much of it...I didn't imagine that things would go as fast as they did after that!

I went home after running to Hancock Fabrics to get some foam to make a mattress for the cradle that I had when I was baby that is in our living room. I called Tim, who was coaching softball 30 minutes away in an area with no reception. He didn't answer and so I waited and waited for him to finally call me back. I told him what the doctor had said and he came home right away. To be safe...he put towels and garbage bags under the sheet on my side of the bed just in case my water broke in the middle of the night. He did not want our new mattress ruined! :/

I had contractions that evening that were a little closer than normal. I had been having them for months though and they weren't anything that I couldn't continue to do my normal activities. The birth center nurse said to try and get some sleep and see what progresses. I continued to have contractions all night but evidently fell asleep in the middle of timing them because I woke up at 6 to get ready for school with the cell phone underneath me...timer still going!

I took a shower, got dressed and continued to get ready for the day. My kindergartners were going on a field trip and taking a train ride, but I was going to be teaching 1st grade. The doctor said awhile ago that she didn't think I should ride the train so close to my due date and so far away from the hospital so the 1st grade teacher and I were going to switch classes for the day. Everything seemed normal. My back hurt slightly but that was about it. Then...as I was just about to walk out the door, I decided that I should probably use the bathroom. That's when it happened! There was the bloody show!

I called the birth center and they said to come in right away to get checked. The birth center is 45 minutes away, but I knew I didn't have to hurry. It was the first baby and they never come very fast! I called school and told them that Tim and I would not be there. Tim called my mom to come in and sub for him and then he went to drop off his lesson plans and books to her while I called our Doula. Finally...Tim and I were on the road on our way to the hospital. Of course...there was construction, but we got through without having to stop and all of the big equipment moved for us because Tim yelled out the window that I was in labor. The contractions were now coming more frequently, but still it was virtually painless. I had had menstrual cramps that were worse.

We arrived at the hospital around 9am. They checked me and the doctor said that I was dilated to 6cm and 65% effaced. I was going to be admitted. Our Doula, Juanita met us at the hospital shortly after that. I did a lot of walking the halls and positions to try to move baby downward. (He was at 0 Station on Monday and the stubborn little thing decided to go backwards and was -3 Station on Tuesday morning.) I was still feeling really good at this point...I even ordered lunch from Room Service! A turkey sandwich was LONG overdue!! I was so excited to eat lunch meat! 

Still feeling pretty good.Contractions are coming, but nothing very painful. Mmmm Goldfish Crackers to go with my sandwich for lunch! 

Monitoring Contractions...nothing too extreme yet. 

Still feeling good for the most part. Excited to get this show on the road. They had to monitor his heart rate and my contractions for 15 minutes every hour. 

Contractions are getting stronger and closer together, but my water still hadn't broken yet. 

At around 1pm, the doctor came in to check me. I was at 7cm and 75% effaced. He said that he wanted to break my water. I really didn't want to do that. He said he would give me until 3:30 to see if things started progressing more. He also said that if we lived in Rochester, he would send me home and wait for my water to break or things to really pick up, but since we live 45 minutes away from the hospital and things were moving very fast in the beginning, he didn't want to risk me not being able to get back to the hospital. We agreed that at 3:30pm, if things didn't pick up, he could break my water. 

Needless to say...3:30 came and my water hadn't broke on its own yet.

The doctor decided to then and there break my water...

Part 2 coming soon...

Level 2 Ultrasound Results

YAY!!!!!!!

We are excited to announce the results of Baby O's level 2 ultrasound are wonderful! The Choroid Plexus Cysts (CPCs) that they found bilaterally in Baby O's brain are already resolving themselves. The left side is completely clear and there is just a small amount of fluid on the right side that is disapating.They also moved my due date....AGAIN! Started out at June 1st, then moved to June 6th, then June 3rd at last ultrasound and now back up to May 31st. So...I'm 21 weeks instead of 20 weeks right now.  Here are some pictures from the ultrasound. They aren't as clear as our other ones but they had to zoom in so close to see all of his little organs and limbs. I wish we would have gotten all of the pictures, but they only gave us a few. Here they are!

Baby O's little heart. If you look closely, you can see the 4 chambers. There were better pictures, but she used this one to check his fetal heart rate which was 139.

More pictures of Graysen's feet! They already look bigger than his 19 week ultrasound.

Hard to see, but this is Graysen's hand. You can see his fingers. The little hand is pointing to his 5th finger. They were looking for a Trisomy 18 marker...didn't find any!

Baby's face. It's turned to the side so you may have to tilt your head to the right to see it.

Graysen's face again! This time his mouth is open. We did get to see the lenses in his eyes too. Hard to see in these pictures, but that's neat! He really wanted that left hand by his face too! Stubborn little turd...we were trying to see if his fist was clenched (that is another marker) and he wouldn't move the darn thing or he would wave it quickly and all we would see what a blur. We finally found it incidentally!

Profile picture from the left side. Again..wanted his fingers in his mouth or up by his face.

Profile from the left again. Our other images are clearer but like I said, he would not stop moving today so some of them are a little blurry!

One last profile from the left side.

Toilet shot to see Femurs and show once again..It's a BOY!

Profile from the right side. Again...sorry it's blurry.

Here is a better profile picture from the right side.

After talking to the Dr. today, we are very pleased with the results. We could go back in 5 weeks for another ultrasound to make sure that everything has cleared up but by the way everything else looked, we are opting not to have one. If they had found other markers for Trisomy 18, we would maybe think about it. At this point, they have found nothing and even if they had...it wasn't going to change anything with the pregnancy. We are very thankful to have things turn out the way they did and by the way he's constantly moving and already acting stubborn...I think we are going to have our hands full!