New Toy and a New Milestone

This week we bought Nathan his first big boy toy.  It's called the Fisher Price Luv u Zoo Jumperoo.  He's still a little small for it (his feet still can't quite touch the ground) but I think he likes sitting upright and looking at the world in a new way.

 He also started grabbing toys this week.  I could tell for the past few weeks that he was getting so close, then all of a sudden he started picking things up and grabbing them.  It's so cute.  Here he is with Sophie.

It's amazing to see how fast they change from week to week.  Before you know it, he'll be off to college...haha!!!!

Good-bye Summer, Hello Fall

Today is officially the first day of fall.  I've already said good-bye to my maxi dress, flip flops, and shorts (I'll miss you).  And, I'm actually excited to start sporting my boots, scarves, and trench coat.  The last weekend of the summer, hubby and I decided to have a date night and get a babysitter for the evening.  We didn't do a nice dinner, or even a movie....we decided to go to Beer Fest!!  That's right...we drank beer for 5 hours.  Different vendors from all over the west coast of Canada and the US come to Victoria to show off their new flavors of beer; and we love beer.
Here are some pics from our 'romantic' date night (hehe):

Maxi dress from Club monaco

This summer has by far been the best summer yet, even beats last year when I married my hubby.  Having my baby has been the most rewarding job yet to date.

Today is also my puppy's birthday.  For those of you that don't know, we have a ONE year old boxer puppy named Boston.  I think he's been feeling a little neglected since Nathan has come into the picture, so today we bought him a few treats and a birthday cake.
Here are some pics from today as well:

It's been a rough week!

2 main reasons:

1) Nathan is rejecting my boob.  My one fail-safe method of calming him and making him happy (and of course, feeding him as well) is partially gone.  Since I've started working again last week I think the increase in bottles have made him a lazy breastfeeder.  I'm hoping this is just a phase because it's really starting to hurt my feelings...even though I know I shouldn't take it personally.

2) He isn't sleeping.  Naps have always been a struggle since day one.  He was the only newborn I knew that didn't sleep all day.  When he was 10 days old, I remember him staying awake for 8 hours straight..ugh!  Now, sleeping at night has gotten worse too.  He used to only wake once per night for a feeding and then quickly go right back down.  Now he's up somewhere between 2-4 times per night!!!  Just in time for me to start working again (great timing, Nathan!).  I'm hoping this is just an extended 3 month growth spurt and he'll be sleeping through the night any day now (a mama can dream, right!!!).

Here he is 'napping' in his crib.  And another pic of the nursery if anyone is interested!!!!

Outfit on sale at BabyGap

I love his storyboard hanging above his crib

Otherwise, he's been pretty happy this week.  We're even hearing a few giggles.  Yay!!!

Exercise rut!!!

Since week 6 pp I've been given the all-okay to start exercising again.  Once I hit week 25 in my pregnancy I stopped all forms of exercise except walking our dog (he's a crazy boxer puppy and needs one long walk daily).  I complained so much about not being able to run anymore and couldn't wait for the day to get back at it.  Well it's been 3 months now and I've been on ONE run thus far.  For some reason I can't seem to muster up any motivation.  Any ideas???

I think part of the reason is that I lost the baby weight WAY sooner than expected.  Within 2 weeks I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight and even fitting into some of my regular clothes.  My goal was for this to happen within 2 months.  Within 2 months, I was back into all of my clothes and even started sporting a 2 piece!!!!  My goal for this was 5 months.  I know, I know, I've been very lucky.  I 100% contribute this to Breastfeeding if anyone is looking for motivation to continue when it starts getting tough.

The only thing I'm not liking about my body right now are my huge milk jugs boobs.  I can't wait for them to return to normal human size.  I'm a petite 5"2, 110 lbs woman; these double D's don't look quite right.

Here are some pics of us a few weeks ago at the beach.  It was Nathan's first 'dip' in the water.

Nathan turns 3 Months!!!!!

Where does the time go??  I can't believe my chubby  little boy is 3 months old already.  He really is an amazing baby; only cries when he's hungry or tired.  Here's a re-cap of how things are going so far:

Sleeping:  Since he's been 2-3 weeks old, Nathan has been giving us at least a 4-5 hour stretch at night and then another 3 hour stretch.  At 2 months old he started to give us 7-8 hour stretches consistently.  But now, at 3 months, let's just say he's regressing a little.  It looked like he was finally on the path to sleeping through the night only to go back to the 2-3 week stage.  Except now I think he's even worse.  Waking up at least 2-3 times at night.  Oh well, let's hope it's just the 3 month growth spurt.  He's never been a great napper either , but we're working on it.

Eating:  Nathan is exclusively breastfed, meaning he gets nothing except breast milk.  Breastfeeding is HARD at the beginning.  I thought about quitting so many times.  But mama's a stubborn girl and was determined keep with it.  Breastfeeding was something that was really important to me so I'm glad I stuck with it.  Now, I love it.  The bond you create with breastfeeding is unbelieveable.  Not to mention the health benefits.

Milestones:
-Can roll over from tummy to back
-Can stand on his own with a little assistance
-Starting to grab things (like my nose and hair...ouch!!!)
-TONS of smiles, and we've even heard a couple of little giggles (still waiting for more though).
-Sleeps and naps in his crib for a month now
-He's somewhere between 15 and 16lbs of cuteness

-Eyes are still a deep blue (I hope they never change)
-Favorite thing is that handsome baby in the mirror (hehe)
-Likes his playmat and even starting to like tummy time a little more
-Still addicted to his pacifier

We love you Nathan!!!!

First day Back

Today was officially my first day back to work...booooo!!!  My 3 month maternity leave is over!  Honestly, where did this summer go??  I've had a few meltdowns about leaving Nathan a few weeks ago so when today finally did come, I actually felt okay about it.  The next month will just be part time so that also makes it a little easier.

What makes it more difficult is the fact that I'm officially a 'cow' while at work (and I don't mean that I look fat).  For all of you breastfeeding / working mamas you know exactly what I mean.  To keep up my supply and to keep Nathan fed on exclusively breastmilk, I'll be pumping every 3-4 hours.  I'm using the Medela Pump in Style Advanced and I love it.  I would highly recommend a good, double electric pump for anyone in my situation.  It makes feeling like a cow a little easier.

Next time I'll try and update a little more about the little one!!!!!!!!!

Birth Story

Sometimes I honestly think I shouldn't tell my 'real birth story' to anyone who hasn't already had kids.  It was scary to go through and scary to listen to.  It all seems like such a blur now though looking back on it; especially since we're all here happy and healthy!!!

Since Nathan was measuring so big at our 40 week ultrasound (10lbs 8 ounces) our specialist, Dr. Damsel, decided we should go ahead and be induced.  So, the next day, Saturday, we waited around for a call from the hospital to come in.  Apparently, they were really busy that day so we didn't get called in until Sunday. At around 10am cervidil was inserted which is an induction method that is supposed to 'ripen' the cervix and get it ready.  Once the cervix is ready, pitocin can be started which actually causes contractions.  It takes 24 hours to work so on Monday we went to the hospital again.  The doctor on call said it looked like the cervidil had worked as I was 1.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced, ready enough to start pitocin.  When you start pitocin a nurse has to be by your side the entire time.  Unfortunately for us, the hospital was under staffed again that day so we had to wait for a nurse.  Well, we waited all day, pacing the floors of the hospital waiting to meet our baby.  Then finally at 5:00pm another doctor came on call.  I was examined by her and, once again, we were disappointed as she felt things were quite ready enough.  So, she inserted cervidil once again that evening.  She wanted me to stay overnight and since we were in a double room Justin had to leave so I was left all by my lonesome.

The next morning she examined me again and since I had to wait another 12 hours I asked if I could go home to wait.  So around 10am on Tuesday we left.  Around 12pm (only 2 hours later) I started having contractions.  Now, when people say that you will know when the real thing happens, you will know.  They hurt.  So, off we headed again to the hospital.  Around 3pm the doctor broke my water and that's when things really picked up.  I've heard a lot of people describe contractions as feeling like period cramps..well they're not...they're way worse.  I spent the first hour after that in the shower which actually really helped.  Then, the nurse suggested I give morphine a try since they thought it was a little too soon for an epidural.  Well, this I would not suggest.  The pain was just as intense but I was so groggy that I couldn't walk or even sit up at this point.  Every time I opened my eyes I saw double.  I persevered until around 7pm and asked for an epidural.  At this point I had reached 8 cm.  Well, once again the hospital is understaffed and the epidural didn't come until around 11:00pm.  Those few hours were such a blur.  I was in so much pain but still so groggy from the morphine.  She checked me again at 11:00 and I was still at only 8cm.

The epidural felt like heaven...I couldn't feel a thing.  So after 12 hours of intense contractions I was finally able to relax and even sleep.  I woke up several times in the night because I started to feel my contractions again.  And every time I would lean to a side I could feel the contractions on the opposite side.  Then at 6:30am the next day, I was checked one last time and still at only 8 cm.  By this point I was mentally ready for a c-section.

Of course, it couldn't be easy; there was a complication with the spinal.  At 7:00am it was inserted and within seconds I was feeling nauseous.  Then I found that I couldn't breathe normally.  The anesthesiologist put an oxygen mask over me but it became worse.  All of a sudden not only could I not breathe but I couldn't speak.  Then, I only remember her saying she had to put me under.

The next thing I know is that I was awake with my mom, Justin, and my new baby by my side.  They immediately put us skin to skin and let me breastfeed.  I was tired and groggy but I was so unbelievably happy at the same time.  He was perfect.  All 9lbs 4 ounces of him.  Oh, and did I mention he was born on MY birthday!!!!!!!  What a present!!!