My Little Piggy

Sorry for such a long gap between posts. I never knew staying at home with a baby could be so time consuming. In reality we haven't just been at home. We try to get out of the house at least once a day. One, so Gracelynn can get used to being on the go and two, so mommy doesn't go insane sitting in the house all day. I have been so used to my go, go, go lifestyle that after a few days of just sitting around the house, I had to change it up a little. We have gone and had lunch with Gran at work and we have gone on walks. We even went and visited my work yesterday and went to lunch with one of my co-workers. It is fun, but afterwards we are BOTH exhausted!

It is teaching me a lot about timing too! I have to figure when she will be hungry next and where I will be to feed her. I also have to try and time getting her a fresh diaper before we head out, just in case. Packing the diaper bag and getting her loaded are just a couple of extra steps to getting out the door.

Funny story about the last minute diaper changes. On Tuesday we had her 2 week appointment with the pediatrician (actually she was 12 days). A few minutes before we needed to pack up to leave I went to change her diaper. She was just wet, and as I was putting her new diaper under her....PFFT! She pooped EVERYWHERE. It was on her outfit, her shoes and socks, her hair! I mean everywhere. So I stripped her down and took her into the bathroom and gave her an impromptu bath in the bathroom sink. She was NOT happy with this and screamed the entire time and then afterwards while I got her dressed again. I seriously didn't think she was going to stop screaming and I didn't want to put her into her car seat like that. Fortunately she calmed down enough to go.

At the pediatrician we found out she has gained a pound. 1 pound in 1 week! The pediatrician was stunned. He said they hope for babies to hit their birth weight by the 2 week mark...but that she had left that in the dust. I knew she had been eating like a little piggy, but I didn't realize it was THAT much. I am proud of her, but I can already feel the pangs of wanting her to stay little forever. I love my cuddle time with her, and I know I have many more months and years of that, but this morning I looked down at her and couldn't help fast-forwarding into the future. Someday she will be a young woman and will most likely have children of her own. I know...I am getting ahead of myself, but it is amazing to think that we all start out this small.

Gracelynn lost her cord this week too. It freaked Ben and I out when it happened. I don't know what I expected it to look like, but it still looked kind of goopy when it came off. So we called the on-call doctor. Yes, I made my first "I'm-a-first-time-mom-and-I-freak-out-at-everything" call. It my defense...Ben was freaked out too. Better safe then sorry. It already looks 100% better and soon will be a cute little belly button.

We are getting into some kind of a routine...but it doesn't always work. She has been sleeping a little between feedings but also staying awake more and more. Then at night, she would go down at about 11:30 and then sleep until 4 or so. Then wake up STARVING, go back to sleep and stay down until 7 or 7:30. Not too shabby! However, some nights (like last night) she didn't. She was up to eat every 2 hours, but wouldn't ever really zonk out. So it was a rough night for both mommy and baby. I am finding that I survive on less and less sleep and don't need my nap. It is amazing how quickly your body adapts.

Speaking of body adapting...my body is starting to resemble what it used to look like. I still have a long way to go...and I doubt it will ever be back to "pre-Gracelynn", but I don't look 5 months pregnant anymore. I am hoping before long I will be able to fit into regular pants again. :)

Well, you survived my gabbing...so here are the much deserved pictures.

Her favorite place...the Baby Papasan. She was smiling in her sleep here. I LOVE the dimples.
Sleeping soundly in mommy's arms.
Hangin' with daddy...already the gamer.
Visiting Gran at work. Gran loves her baby girl!


More to come...

Amber

Tummy Time!

Well it's been a few days at home and things are going great. I know that most of you want to see the pictures, so I will keep this short and sweet ;).

Tuesday, Gracelynn and I went to the pediatrician. She had already gained 4 oz. in just 2 days. The pediatrician said that is almost unheard of and that she is doing great. He also noted that she is very well proportioned and that she is doing great for only being 4 days old! I told him that I thougth she was perfect too...but it was nice to hear it from a doctor. We go back next week for her 2 week check up and then not again until she is 2 months old.

Our night time routine is going better too. The last couple of nights she has slept for a few hours at a time and mommy has actually relaxed enough to get some sleep too. Last night she actually slept from 11:45-4am! I woke up when she started crying and was so surprised that she had slept that long. The trick...? I honestly am not sure. I just try to make sure she eats really well before putting her down and then swaddle her. We did figure out that she gets really frustrated if her arms are swaddled, but if her feet and legs aren't tightly swaddled she will startle herself awake. It's all a learning process :) We are getting it. She is a little puzzle that we have to figure out.

Today (Wednesday), we just stayed at home. She is starting to stay awake some between feedings which is really exciting. I actually get to spend some time with her with her eyes open. She even did some tummy time today! Her little neck is getting stronger and stronger.

Well I had better finish up with some pictures. Have to keep the masses happy ;)

Nap time in the bouncer. Notice how she is holding on to that pacifier!

On the way to the pediatrician. She did wake up when we got there...and then decided she was hungry. They were great and let me nurse in the room after the appointment.
Morning tummy time! See that strong little neck of her's? That or she is just highly motivated by that pacifier.
We went with red today...took a break from all the pink :)

Gracelynn helping mommy write this post :)

That's all for now.

Amber (and Gracelynn)

The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives

We are officially home! We got home yesterday afternoon at about 1:15. It took forever for all the doctors that needed to discharge us to come around. We had to see the pediatrician, my OB, the lactation consultant, my nurses had to check both of us...and the list seemed to go on and on. It didn't help that it was a Sunday, so most of the doctors were the on call docs and were just getting to it when they could. But at long last we loaded our baby girl into her infant car seat and packed our many bags (you wouldn't believe how much stuff you accumulate in just a couple of days in the hospital), and they sent us on our merry way. It was about 2 minutes into the car ride that it became very real. We have a baby! And they just let us leave with her! How scary and amazing is that?

We got home and unloaded and within an hour we had several visitors. It was great seeing my grandparents hold their first great-granddaughter. In general, it was the perfect homecoming. However, when everyone left, and all was quiet, that was my favorite moment. In the hospital every few hours (or less) someone would come in to check on us. We had lots of visitors and we enjoyed all of their company, but for the first time it was just us. It was so awesome.

The first night home went pretty well too. I should rephrase. Gracelynn did great...mommy wasn't so great. I just couldn't relax and with every noise I would jump. It will just take time. She really slept quite a bit and ate about every 3 hours. I am still having to wake her up to eat, but I know pretty soon she will let me know when it is time. Ben let us sleep this morning, so I did get a few good hours of sleep before he left for work. It will just be an adjustment.

Well, I had better get off this thing. I would love to share more, but I would rather be with someone else ;)

Here are a few pictures...enjoy!

Baby Gracelynn getting dressed and ready to go home!

All ready to go...just waiting on the nurse!
Isn't he a natural?

Snug as a bug...
Doing what she does best...sleeping :)

Close up time with mommy

Sleeping in the basinette
Look...I DO wake up!

More to come...

Amber

You're Way Too Beautiful Girl...

So, as many of you may know...our wait has at long last come to an end. Yesterday (Friday, August 17th...her due date), our little girl made her way into the world. I am sitting here in the hospital bed at 5 am, holding my baby and my head is still spinning at what has transpired the past 24 hours. For myself and for you...Let me tell you the story.

Thursday night at 8 pm, we were admitted to labor and delivery to begin the process. When I went to the doctor this past Monday, the doctor asked if I would be willing to begin induction at the end of the week. She felt that Gracelynn was more than ready to come and because of her size it would be wise not to wait too much longer. I couldn't agree more! I was more than ready to meet my little girl.

Because of how much I had progressed the doctor wanted me to come in Thursday night for them to give me Cervadil, which is supposed to aid in dilation and effacement. They gave me that, told me I could eat until midnight, and to try and get some rest. They monitored her heart rate and my contractions all night long and had me hooked up to an IV (Thank goodness, they only had to stick me once!!!). Only problem with that...everytime I had to go to the bathroom they had to come in and and unhook me. Also, everytime I would shift in my sleep, the monitors would get messed up and they would come in to adjust. Needless to say, it wasn't a super restful night. At about 5 am, I woke up with contractions that I wasn't able to sleep through. Nothing horrible, but they were definitely getting stronger and much closer together.

At about 7:30, they came in and started to prepare me for Pitocin. I had heard from many, my doctor included, that Pitocin induced contractions can be quite painful, pretty quick. At 7:42, my doctor came in to see me and broke my water. Talk about a weird experience. However, within about 10 minutes, due to my water being broken and the Pitocin, my contractions were pretty hard. My mom and Ben laughed because the only way you could tell that I was in pain or that a contraction would start was because I would start to flex and wiggle my toes. The nurses and doctor told me that an epidural was mine, anytime I wanted it...just to say the word. At about 8:30, I did. The anethestisiologist came in and I must say that was an experience. It wasn't the most pleasant or painfree experience, but well worth it. My legs were pretty much completely numb! But it made the process much more enjoyable at the time.

At about 10 o'clock they came in to check me and I hadn't dilated anymore. Talk about a bummer! I was really beginning to get worried that there would have to be additional interventions to get this baby here. However at 11 when they came in to check me I was at a 4 and 80% effaced. Whew...progress was being made. At this point, we figured it would be several more hours before we were anywhere to close to pushing.

that very second I went to a 10, 100% effaced and the baby was RIGHT THERE! They got theAt noon the came in to check me and I was at an 8, however the baby was still at 0 station...not nearly low enough to be ready to push. Ben went out to the lobby to get the food his parents had brought him while the nurses helped me shift positions. Literally, when they shifted positions, doctor in the room (who was about to go into a scheduled c-section) and the motion in the room picked up about 200%. It was crazy, they were putting oxygen on me, pulling the bed apart, pushing in equipment. We went from having 3-4 people in the room to about 9 or 10. The doctor started suiting up and asked "where is the daddy". Um, hello! He hadn't come back in yet. My mom rushed out to find him and found that he had been trapped in the waiting room. The receptionist desk wasn't staffed at the time and no one was answering the phone in the lobby. He finally got in and rushed back to the room.

When he got there he took his place by my side and they began explaining that we needed to get her out asap. Everytime I had a contraction her heart rate would drop significantly, and they were worried that if I had to push long it would potentialy cause problems. Well, God must have been listening, because 3 pushes later, she was here. At that moment I stared in disbelief as they laid this beautiful little life on my tummy. She screamed the second she came out and let us know for a good 30 minutes that she was none too pleased with being forced out of her warm little haven.

Gracelynn DeAnne Weyrauch was born at 12:37 pm on Friday, August 17th. She weighed 8 pounds and was 21 inches long. She scored great on her APGAR and is doing wonderful at eating. She has even had 3 dirty diapers...which I am told is quite the achievement in the first 24 hours! Imagine, being that good at going poop! She is absolutely gorgeous (I am not biased or anything), and just gets more and more beautiful with each passing moment.

We are all doing great. Ben and I have gotten (a little) sleep, and we are definitely getting down the whole, feeding, sleeping, diaper changing routine. I am still in such shock and awe that we are parents, but it feels so natural at the same time. I can't imagine being more in love with anything in the world.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure. There will be many more to come.

Waiting, post-epidural, passing the time watching movies.

Ben, cutting the cord. It isn't easy to see, as my mom who was taking the pictures at the time was across the room because of all the action. But this was moment after Gracelynn entered the world.

Did I just do that???
Gracelynn, getting poked and prodded.
Daddy and Gracelynn meeting...Look at that long, baby girl.Tired, but so happy.Bath time...can't you almost hear that scream!
Under the warmer, and finally content.

There are many more to come. We will keep you updated.

Love,

Ben, Amber and the newest baby on the block, Gracelynn.

Waiting Game

Hey all!

I really don't have much to update on. Right now our lives have become somewhat of a waiting game. We have the nursery done, we have the bassinet set up in our room, we have the car seat and stroller, I have turned in my paperwork for the clinic, I have transitioned clients for my maternity leave, my FMLA paper work has gone through at work...essentially all we are missing is the baby. Now if she would only decide to make her appearance we could get on with this (not to mention it would probably be a much more interesting blog).

It has been hot as all get out this past week, and it doesn't appear by the forecast that it is supposed to cool down anytime soon. This past Thursday night, as I made my way home from supervision, Ben told me that he thought the AC in the house had gone out. Sure enough when I got home it was running, but NO cool air was coming out. It was 89 degrees in our house!!! Of course that makes sense, since at 9 pm it was still over 90 degrees outside! After spending about 10 minutes in the house I knew I would NOT be able do deal with it. My 39-week-pregnant-self was just not going to be able to cope with that (I have a hard time coping with anything warmer than 75 degrees right now). So, first we started looking through our mortgage stuff. We had to call our realtor because we didn't have all the paperwork, but we fortunately have a 12 month home warranty on all our major appliances! AC is included! So we called and made the claim and the next day it was taken care of. They were quick...and it probably didn't hurt to mention that I was 39 weeks pregnant and it is over 100 with the heat index. This also meant I missed work on Friday. Someone had to be here when they came, and they didn't exactly give us a narrowed down timeframe. It allowed me to get a LOT done around the house though. In hopes of making this little girl come I swept and mopped the floors, dusted all the rooms, did laundry, vaccumed, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the bathrooms, and organized our closet. As far as making our little diva come out...it was fruitless. BUT, my house is now clean :)

Yesterday (Saturday), I went and got my final pedicure. I told Ben that if I made it to Saturday, I was going for one and that way my toes will be pretty when I go into labor. When there is very little you can do to make yourself *pretty*, these little things count. So literally, we are ready (or as ready as we will ever be) and just waiting...and waiting...and waiting some more.

I have a doctor's appointment in the morning and we are hoping that I will have progressed enough for her to set an induction date. She told me that she won't let me go any more than a week over, if even that, so maybe we will get an "end date" tomorrow. I am of course hoping she will come on her own, but we don't want to risk her being too big and me having a c-section. At 38 weeks the doctor already was estimating that she was 7 1/2 lbs!!! In the final weeks a baby can gain .5 lb to 1 lb a week! Holy Moly! So the doctor doesn't want to let me go too far over.

I don't have many pictures, but I will post what I have.


Here are my pups, Moose and Olivia. When Ben plays his game they typically like to sit in with him.


Close up of Moose. They have been "checking out" my belly a lot more as of late.


Miss Olivia.


Um...yeah. At least my pedicure looks nice :)


Taken at 38 weeks. Please excuse the exhausted expression...it had been a long day!


All sorts of goodies for the baby!


Stroller


Carseat


Baby Papasan


This is Gracelynn's baptism dress. My grandmother made it. She used the left over satin and lace from my wedding dress. It is so beautiful and means so much to me!

Well that is all for now. Hopefully the next time I post there will be more exciting news :)

Amber

ETA: Here is a picture to compare my belly. It isn't a great comparison as I am not wearing the same clothes, in the same room, etc...but you will get the idea.

The one in red is from almost 34 weeks pregnant and the one on the right is from 38 weeks. Can I get any bigger???