I'm still breastfeeding him with hopes of reaching my six month goal. I also had a goal to lose all the baby weight by now. I thought five months was enough time. Well, as someone who (thankfully) has never been on a diet or tried to lose weight, these last few pounds are proving tougher than expected. I have eight pounds to go. Some days I'm happy to eat salad and chicken and the next day I cave to pizza and beer. Maybe I'll lose it just in time to put it back on during the holidays...!
This last month has flown by. We travelled almost every weekend to see family, which means Owen got to meet lots of them for the first time - including great great aunts and uncles and fourth cousins. They all loved him, of course. He went to his first Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Besides it being super hot without a cloud in the sky and no breeze, it was a lot of fun. Owen did really well; he watched a bit of the game and slept quite a bit. We introduced him to rice cereal. The first few times didn't go super well, but he's getting the hang of it. He is sitting up on his own very well. He still has to learn to catch himself so he doesn't fall over and face plant... baby steps. He is so close to rolling over but hasn't done it 100 percent on his own yet.
I'm still breastfeeding him with hopes of reaching my six month goal. I also had a goal to lose all the baby weight by now. I thought five months was enough time. Well, as someone who (thankfully) has never been on a diet or tried to lose weight, these last few pounds are proving tougher than expected. I have eight pounds to go. Some days I'm happy to eat salad and chicken and the next day I cave to pizza and beer. Maybe I'll lose it just in time to put it back on during the holidays...!
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Time is chugging right along - Owen is already four months! This past month has been pretty fun. Owen is getting quite the personality. He's still pretty chill but has also become a bit of a ham. When people are around him, they want to see his "tricks" and be entertained. Right now, his tricks include grabbing his toes, propping himself on his elbows during tummy time, pulling his binky out and putting it back in, giggling like a toddler and standing up. Lucas even got him to take a few steps while only holding his hands. If this kid turns out bow-legged, we know who to blame. He loves "touch and feel" books and bath time. We're working on rolling over; hopefully, we'll have an update at five months for you. Breastfeeding is still going well. I nurse him in the morning and twice in the evening. Right now, he's getting two bottles of about four to five ounces while I'm at work. To keep up my supply, I'm pumping three times a day at work. Surprisingly, it's not as bad as I thought. I can bring my laptop into the room and continue on as though I was at my desk. I'm very excited I made it to four months and hope to make it to six. I'm already pumping less than I was last month, so six months may be a stretch. The doctor gave us the green light to introduce rice cereal whenever, so I think we'll wait until he's closer to five months. No need to make him grow up faster than he already is! Well, Owen is already two months old. Surprisingly the past two months haven't flown by. I credit Owen being a wonderful baby that I've kept my days and nights and weeks straight. I haven't gone through those delirious, dazed and confused days. At two months, he is now smiling a lot, cooing more and more every day and just had his first giggles. I tell you, seeing him smile back at me melts my heart. That was one of the moments I most looked forward to while I was pregnant.
At seven weeks he started sleeping through the night. He'll go 8 to 10 hours without eating at night and 3-4 hours during the day. Even though he's sleeping - I'm not. I'm still getting up at night to pump. I realize if this is my only complaint - that's not bad at all! Owen had his two-month wellness check today. He weighed in at 13 pounds 12 ounces, which is in the 82nd percentile and 24 3/4 inches, which is in the 99th percentile. He received three shots and handled it like a champ. So far he's doing fine; I hope he doesn't get a negative reaction in the next few days. Being a mom is pretty fantastic. I've enjoyed all my time with him. Breastfeeding is going well, sleeping is going well, his development is going well. Owen is truly spoiling us! While I love every moment with him, I've also still found time for me. Again, thanks to him being a good sleeper. Let's see if his good behavior continues...! It was a beautiful moment seeing my little baby becoming a child of God. During Owen's baptism, Lucas and I made the promise to raise him loving and knowing Jesus. He also has two awesome godparents to help him do that. I thank God every day for the blessings He has given me and look forward to Owen knowing Him too - especially as being a Christian becomes less and less accepted. I'm so grateful he has lots of great Christ-loving people in his life!
It took way longer than I expected, but I'm excited to finally show off Owen's travel-themed nursery! Hot air balloons and airplanes don the walls, floor and blankets. Fresh white trim against the gray walls looks clean and modern while accents of blue, green and orange brighten the room. This is a huge difference from the floral wallpaper and dated green carpet that decked the room when we bought the house a year ago. Lucas doubted my design plans but admitted it looks great now that it's complete. I had a lot of fun picking out all the pieces and am excited to make many memories in this room including 3am feedings, diaper changes, outfit changes, reading books and rocking away. However, I can't take credit for the Star Wars shelf... that was all Lucas. Owen is already 2.5 weeks old, and today is the first day we are home alone... all day. Without Lucas and my mom around to keep me company, I've got a little time (in between feedings and changing diapers) to catch up on blogging - and specifically - to write Owen's birth story.
I tried for three weeks to get baby Spud to turn head down. My efforts failed, and possibly for a good reason. Lucas and I headed to Mercy Medical Center downtown on the morning of Friday, April 10 for a scheduled C-section. We were holding out hope for one last attempt at an external version where the doctor manually turns him - if the ultrasound showed his umbilical cord had moved away from his neck. However, shortly after arriving and getting hooked up to heart rate monitors, his heart rate dropped. It stabilized, but the doctor said that was concern enough to not attempt the version - regardless of the position of the umbilical cord. Exactly two hours after checking in, I was walking back to the operating room. I'm not going to lie - I was pretty nervous. I understand c-sections are very routine, but it's still an evasive surgery with risks. I decided it wouldn't do me any good to freak out. Much like natural labor and delivery, I went to my happy place. I thought about the amazingness of having a baby in just a few short minutes. It worked, and I calmed myself down. The medical team prepped me and brought Lucas in just before beginning. Within five minutes I heard the frantic, desperate cry of my baby boy. I'm not one to cry, but at the sound of his voice, I started balling. I couldn't believe he was finally here. Regardless of how a baby arrives in this world, it's truly a miracle. Over his cries, the nurses and doctors kept saying what a big baby he was. I couldn't see anything - so I was imagining a 9 lb baby. Was I wrong... no one was expecting Spud to be 10 lbs and 22 inches! No wonder he wouldn't turn head down. Lucas brought him over to me pretty quickly and put him on my chest. I was still balling when he asked me if I wanted to name him Owen. It was way too much to process; he would remain Spud for a little while longer. It was an amazing feeling to have my baby there with me. Nine months I had been waiting for that moment, and it's one I'll never forget. After a few minutes on my chest, he had to go get cleaned up while I did to. I started having discomfort under my sternum - that part of me wasn't numb - which turned decently painful. The anesthesiologist said that's not unusual and gave me some extra juice to subdue it. All said and done, I was back in the recovery room in one hour. The next two hours were the longest ever... Turns out Spud wasn't breathing perfectly; it was a little shallow and quick. He went to the nursery to receive oxygen while I was stuck in the recovery room. Lucas went with Spud to the nursery to keep an eye on him. It was so hard for me to not be with him. I just had the most amazing moment of my life holding my child just to be separated from him moments later. When his breathing finally stabilized three hours later, we were reunited. I started crying all over again - tears of joy. I can guarantee that won't be the last time this little guy causes me to cry... Week 39 Preview
Ahhh... I'm having a baby this week! Well, a week of chiropractic appointments didn't give Spud enough reason to flip. So today I had my first acupuncture appointment. Yes, little needles stuck into my skin for 20 minutes while listening to tranquil music and laying on a heated bed. The needles went in my wrist, finger, top of my head, side of my knee and pinky toes. After she removed them, she put little magnets on my pinky toes that I am supposed to leave on until they fall off. As always, I'll keep you posted if he flips... On another note, all his stuff is washed and put away, his crib is ready, and we've picked a pediatrician and insurance. We feel pretty darn ready to bring Spud home - physically, emotionally and mentally. I can't wait to see what he looks like, give him a name, lay him on my chest and make a million memories together. Baby Bump Who am kidding? There's no denying that I officially gained 40 pounds. It took seven months to put on - hopefully it takes less than half that to take it off. Week 38 Preview
When I say let's get cracking, I mean it very literally. After finding out Spud is breech, I took the recommendation of several people and my research to enlist the help of a chiropractor. Yesterday I met with Dr. Heather Yost of Yost Family Chiropractic in Urbandale. We talked about how chiropractic could help get my pelvis in the optimal position to encourage Spud to flip head down on his own. She says chiropractic is about 75 percent successful - with babies on average flipping after four adjustments. I'm also hopeful chiropractic will help with the stiffness and tightness in my back brought on by being 38 weeks pregnant. Today I had my first adjustment. It took five minutes, and I noticed a difference within a couple hours. Mainly, I got acid reflex and gas - two things I've not previously been experiencing. I would say it got things loosened up. Hopefully, it will move to my pelvis and Spud will take advantage! I'll see Dr. Yost every day until he flips or C-Day arrives... Chiropractic is our only option now because the doctors believe it's unsafe to attempt an external version (manual turn). Another ultrasound yesterday showed his umbilical cord is on or around his neck. While that's not uncommon, they believe the pressure from the version could tighten the cord and be a risk to Spud. I am not putting his life at risk to avoid a c-section so we have ruled that out as an option. Baby Bump After hitting a 5 cm growth spurt from 34 to 36 weeks, my belly has increased only one cm since then. Considering I don't have stretch marks yet, I really don't want to get them in the last two weeks. Week 36 Recap
At my 36-week appointment, I had concerns Spud was moving as much as he once was. They hooked me up to a monitor for 20 minutes and told me he was moving plenty and there was nothing to worry about. The weird thing was I couldn't feel half of his movements. I was just happy to know he's doing fine. My belly also measured big - at 39 cm. The doctor called for an ultrasound to see why I was bigger than normal, which is 34 to 38 cm. Turns out I'm on the higher side of the amniotic fluid index. Normal is 10 to 20; I'm at 19. Unfortunately, we also found out Spud is breech. I swear he must have turned recently. At my 32- and 34-week appointments, the doctor thought he was head down. It wasn't until I was hooked up on the monitor I noticed a hard lump under my right rib that hadn't been there before. Since I have a higher amount of amniotic fluid, it makes it easier for him to turn and flip. I know there are much worse things than a breech baby and a c-section, but I feel I've got to try to get him to turn. I was hoping for as natural of a birth as possible so avoiding surgery (which I've never had before) is important. Week 37 Preview At my 37-week appointment, Spud was still breech - his head cozily tucked near my right rib. The doctor thinks his back is curved along the top of my belly, and he's in "c" shape. We scheduled a c-section. I somehow held it together. I'm also 2 cm dilated. If I go into labor before C-Day, the doctor will confirm his position. If he's head down, I'll go for a vaginal delivery. I've been trying different ways to naturally turn him. I've been on my hands and knees trying to give him space and use gravity to turn back around. Several websites suggested hitting the pool because the reduced gravity could encourage him to turn. I was in the water for 30 minutes last night with no success. I'll be back the rest of the week, though; it can't hurt. I've also tried laying with my pelvis above my head and playing music near my pelvis to encourage him to turn. Nothing, but I'm not giving up yet. Acupuncture is even an option. Lucas' boss said an hour after his wife got acupuncture, their breech baby turned head down. I scheduled another ultrasound at my 38-week appointment to confirm his position and see if it's safe for the doctor to try an external cephalic version (aka manually turn the baby from outside the body). Versions are at best 75 percent successful. Some babies won't budge and some will successfully turn just to flip back to breech. I'm still holding on to the small chance that he'll flip head down on his own. Any advice, suggestions or recommendations are welcome! Have you gotten a breech baby to turn? Baby Bump Well, I cracked 180 on the scale - meaning I've gained 35 pounds. Sure, a bit of that is Spud, but a bit of that is the McDonald's I'm eating right now. Lucas and I are so blessed with tons of wonderful family and friends. This week my coworkers threw me a shower at the office and my friends threw me another one at my house. These two showers rounded out a total of four - one with Lucas' side and one with my side. Spud is one lucky little dude! The shower at my house this weekend was a lovely time. My friends did a killer job on the travel theme. I wish I had more pictures to show you their craftiness and dedication... A+! Thank you to everyone who attended and showered Spud with love. It means so much to have so much support as Lucas and I take on parenthood. A special shoutout to my grandma and cousin for spending more time in the car getting to and from Des Moines than actually at my house. It's not a party without grandma! |