Four Weeks...Already?

My little baby is four weeks old already! I just can't believe it. He will be one month old on Monday and I can't wait to take his picture in his cute little onesie. I bought these stickers online from Etsy. Have I mentioned how much I love that site? There is a sticker for every month and I am excited to take his picture on Monday. We also have our one month appointment next Friday and I can't wait to see how much he has grown. I can tell he has put on some weight because his little legs are chunking up. I love it! I just hope it is enough weight and I can keep breastfeeding. He has plenty of dirty diapers so I think he is getting enough!

On a side note, what does everyone think about giving a baby a pacifier? Michael and I haven't yet and I think I would prefer not to. However, I have read that some studies suggest that it helps prevent SIDS if they suck on one at bedtime and naptime. Patrick definitely sucks to comfort himself...I feel like he is constantly on me! I don't mind when I know he is hungry, but when I know he is full and just wants to be comforted it drives me a little crazy. If he isn't riding in a car or stroller, that is how he falls asleep! Sometimes I think a pacifier would be so much easier (for me!) but I don't want to create a 'need' for it to fall asleep.

What do you think?

Royal Wedding

Thanks to my love bug Patrick, I was awake in time for the ceremony this morning! I did want to watch it, but the thought of waking myself up in the middle of the night when Patrick didn't need anything didn't really seem like a good idea. Luckily, Patrick just knew and woke up right in time for me to watch everyone make their way to the church and then the ceremony.

I have to say that the Princess looked beautiful.
The real reason I wanted to tune in was because I was dieing to see what her dress would look like. I thought it was perfect. I am not a lace type of person, but I thought it was very tasteful and perfect for a future Queen!

It was very interesting watching the ceremony. They did their vows right away, then the singing and message followed. Our wedding was completely the opposite! Our vows were last and then we were introduced to the church. I was surprised they were never introduced or shared a kiss (besides on the balcony!). I think that sucks! Sorry, but when I got married I couldn't wait to kiss my HUSBAND! I also don't like that William isn't wearing a ring. I don't think I would like that. I like looking at my husbands hand and seeing that ring. I also like everyone else seeing it! I guess to each his own!

I hope that everything works out for them and they have a very happy life together. I think she will make a wonderful Queen.

I am so glad I was awake to see it. And now, I'm off to take a nap!

Happy Easter!

So this is a few days overdue, but we have been enjoying our Spring Break and I just haven't found the time or energy for that matter! Starting last Friday, Michael has been on Spring Break so we have been able to visit different places including the mall, the beach and a Par 3 golf course for Michael to hit a few golf balls. Of course I was nursing so Patrick didn't really get to enjoy it. Oh well! We also got to enjoy our first lunch eating out as a family of three!


Here is Patrick with his first Easter basket. He is naked because his Easter outfit is in the basket. Of course I didn't get a picture of that! Michael insisted that he have a basket for the holiday so we headed out the day before. What a mistake that was! It was crazy. We got him a chocolate bunny (you HAVE to have one of those!) an outfit and a toy that I am sure he has no interest in right now....eventually he will!

Sleeping has been off and on lately. He is still in his crib, but he has been up quite a few times throughout the night. It seems like as soon as I am putting him down, he is up again and hungry. I am assuming it is a growth spurt and hope that it wears off in a few days because frankly I am exhausted.

But when you see this face, it makes all the sleepless nights worth it.

Success!

So two nights ago, after Patrick's doctors appointment, I decided that I would try to get him to sleep in his crib. I have seen how Michael reacts to him when he cries or whines, so I knew that I was the one that was going to have to accomplish this great feat!

I have been sleeping on the couch next to his swing, so I decided I would continue to sleep on the couch with the monitor right next to my ear and transfer him to his bedroom and his swing. The first night, he fussed for about 30 minutes when I put him down. Now, before I get yelled at, he was NOT screaming or full out crying. He was just making his baby noises and would let it one single cry every once in awhile. I also made sure he was in a clean diaper and not hungry so I wasn't depriving him of anything.

After the 30 minutes of fussing and making noises he was knocked out. He slept from 10:30 until 3:30. After being fed and changed I put him back down and he was knocked out again! He didn't even make noises! He slept until 8:45. How about that!

Last night, we did the same routine. This time he fussed for about an hour, but then again was knocked out and slept until 3:15 and then again until 7:30.

I. Couldn't.Be.Prouder.

Even though it was hard to listen to him make his noises when I know that if he was in his swing he would be perfectly quiet, but I know that it would make my life so much easier in the long run. He got a great nights sleep and so did I. Happy baby = happy mommy!

Hopefully this trend continues!

2 Week Appointment

Yesterday Patrick had his two week Doctor's appointment! Before we headed to the office, I braved taking a newborn to the hospital by myself to get his blood work done. Our state had newborns get a heel prick when they are two weeks old to screen for different things (to be honest I'm not sure what). I thought this would be a simple procedure that would take 30 seconds.

Yeah. Apparently not.

I did not know that the paper had 5 circles that had to be FILLED completely with blood. I had this done at the first trimester screening. It took forever because I am apparently not a very good bleeder. When they say they want the circle completely filled, they aren't joking. Poor Patrick has the same problem as his Momma. He was screaming bloody murder as they tried to squeeze his poor little foot to get enough blood to fill the circles. Patrick does NOT cry often so for him to cry enough to have tears broke my heart. I had a much worse time then he did. I was so upset by the time we left. Poor thing.

Then we headed to the Doctor's. I absolutely love our pediatrician. He is so great with him and patiently answers all of my questions. (I literally came with a list yesterday). When Patrick was born he weighed 6 lbs 14 oz, and then at the Doc's 5 days later he dropped to 6 lbs 5 oz. Completely normal. I have been breastfeeding which is great for him, but it drives me crazy because I have no idea how much he is getting or if it's enough. I assumed it has been enough because he is sleeping pretty good and has plenty of soiled diapers! I was anxious about getting his weight and whether the Doc would be happy with the gain or if I would have to supplement with formula. He weighed in at 6 lbs 11 oz. Not too bad! The Doc seemed fine with it so I am happy. He gained weight, but apparently is getting shorter! He measured 20 1/2 inches at birth and yesterday he measured 20 1/4 inches. Interesting!

We go back for his 1 month well visit the first week of May so we will see how much he has gained then! Our next task, getting him to sleep in the bassinet or crib. Tonight we are going to attempt the crib. Pray for us!

Missed

Even though I have been away from school for three weeks now, my students still miss me! Either the sub is crazy (which I am beginning to think) or I am just that good of a teacher. Of course I would hope for the later of the two, but I doubt it.

I had a nice surprise delivered to me about a week ago. A fellow teacher showed my students a picture of our new arrival, and my long term sub and another teacher allowed them the time to make cards for us! I just love reading some of the funny things fourth graders have to say. The following is for your reading pleasure and a good laugh!

"He may be hard to take care of but you will always love Patrick. Good luck"

"Congrats on your new little bundle of joy! Mister Patrick James. I bet he is all you think about. So get ready for the crying and winening (whining). Well anyway, we miss you already!"

"You are the best teacher and we miss you very much. Don't forget me. PS You can't forget me"

"He may be hard to love if he is always getting on your nerves. But love him anyway."


I love these kids and I miss them so much. I am beginning to think they miss me too since 18 out of the 20 cards say "We miss you." One even said "Please come back. Seriously." HA

In Love

We have been a family of three for over a week now and I have to say I am completely in love with this little guy.


I just can't get enough of him. From his little fingers to his little toes, I just melt every time I look at him. Even when the nights get very long sometimes, all I have to do is look at him and I forget all about the lack of sleep I am suffering from. The little faces and noises he makes crack me up and I love how he pokes his head out like a turtle to see what is going on around him. He is precious.

I also love watching my husband with him. I fall in love with him all over again when I see him holding Patrick, talking to him and playing with him. It still amazes me that we created a tiny human being.I can't wait to see what the next few weeks and months have in store for our family!

Sleeping 101

Before Patrick arrived, Michael and I always said that he would sleep in our room for a few weeks and then he would go to his crib. I didn't want too many people to hold him as he fell asleep because I didn't want him to get used to that and then NEVER fall asleep just laying in his crib. (I know that sounds mean, but I wanted to try to establish routines from the start that wouldn't be too hard to break. Other than that he is held all the time, so don't shoot me!)

Then, we came home. The first night home was rough. I felt like every time I fed him, I would put him in the bassinet, and then lay down, and he would be crying to be fed again. He would NOT sleep in the bassinet, and it made for a very long night for Mom and Dad.

I knew that I couldn't do that every night, something had to change in order for me to keep my sanity! I talked with some girlfriends that I remember having the same problems with breastfeeding. They were told by lactation experts that if the baby wanted to feed that much, it meant they weren't getting enough when they did feed. That made sense to me! One recommended I let Patrick feed, and then when he was finished, pump whatever was left and then give him that to completely fill him up. I did that all yesterday afternoon and I have to say it put us on a nice little schedule. Because of the jaundice I have to make sure he eats every 2 to 3 hours, even if he is asleep! I would wake him up, change him, feed him, spend some snuggle time, and then put him in his swing.

This is where I find I have gotten off of my original 'plan.' Because this worked SO well all day I wanted to continue it into the night. I have to say it worked beautifully and at one point I even got 2.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep! In fact, I had to wake HIM up for his next feeding! Amazing.

Here is my question (after much rambling)...if I have him sleeping in the swing, am I completely screwing myself? That is, will he be able to sleep in the bassinet ever? Should I stop the swing and switch to his crib in the afternoon to try that? Or maybe just put him in the swing but don't swing it?

We have our first Doctor's appointment today, so I plan on asking, but I thought I would ask blog land first. You ladies have such great ideas an advice!

Introducing....

Patrick James was born on April 2 at 4:49 AM. He weighed in at 6 lbs 14 oz and is 20 1/2 inches long. We came home yesterday and are doing great!
We went to the hospital bright and early on Friday morning to get the Cervidil that would soften my cervix. Of course, when the Doc put it in he said that it would be in for 12 hours, and while some women start to have contractions, it was very rare and I should have a very relaxing day. OF COURSE, a half hour after he gave the medicine I started having contractions! I had them all day, and Michael ended up taking a half day at work because he thought Patrick would make his arrival much earlier than planned (Before anyone gasps in horror that Michael wasn't there with me, let me assure you I was the one who told him to go to work. Again, we thought nothing would happen for 12 hours and there was no sense in him sitting there with me for even longer!)

After 12 hours, even with all the contractions I was only 2 cm dilated. The Doc took out the cervidil and then, God bless him, let me eat before they started the pitocin. He came in around 9 pm, and because I was still having contractions on my own without the medicine in, he decided to break my water and hold off on the pitocin thinking that I may not need it after all! After the Doc broke my water the contractions definitely got more intense. I managed them all day without any medicine and thought that I had done a pretty good job! By 11 that night I had had enough. I was only 3 cm dilated and knew I would be there for awhile and I was exhausted. I asked for a narcotic just to take the edge off. Well, I dealt with that for an hour before I decided that the medicine did absolutely NOTHING to take the edge off. They said I could have the epidural and a half hour later I was in HEAVEN. Seriously, the best thing ever!

Because I had had the narcotic AND the epidural, Patrick got a little sleepy. They decided to wait awhile to start the pitocin just to make sure that he was doing ok. He was! He just needed a nap like his Momma! By 1 am, they started the pitocin and I was still only 3 cm dilated. AHHH! Well, between the pitocin and being completely relaxed from the epidural, I went from 3 cm to 10 by 4 am. By 4:49, after 1/2 hour of pushing, Patrick arrived!

We are both doing great. He has a little jaundice. Between him being breastfed, 3 weeks early and having a different blood type then me, his little liver needs time to catch up. We go to the Doc tomorrow to check on it so we will see!

For now, Michael and I are enjoying every minute with him and trying to get as much rest as possible!