Daddy's Diploma

Today was a very good day. First, Elijah and I are figuring each other out and our days are pretty good. We play some in the morning and he sleeps most of the afternoon. We play again in the early evening so he'll sleep at night time. So far, he's doing real well with nights and days. On average, he's up about 2 hours in a 10 hour span at night. Can't complain at all about that!

Now, the even better news. Tim's diploma from Wake Tech arrived today. He has spent the last two years in school to get a degree in something he would enjoy. We called it his first retirement. He has been working as a CAD detailer for an industrial company for about 3 months now and loves it. I'm very proud of him for going back to school and learning something new. He's much happier in his current job and that makes for us all to be happier!

Just had to brag on Daddy a bit about his diploma!

One week check-up

Today Eli had his one week check up at the pediatrician's office. They wanted him to come in to make sure he's gaining weight and that his jaundice is on the downswing. Good news to report, he has gained almost 3 ounces since Saturday and his color is getting better. The doctor said we don't have to come in for a 2-week check if all is still going well. He still has a pretty bad cephlahematoma on the right side of his head. Doc said that could take months to go down completely. It's a bruise / swelling between his scalp and the skull due to shearing of the skull during birth. Apparently he came so fast, the shearing caused some blood vessels to break, thus the hematoma and swelling. The good news, as you can see from his stats, is that his head is rounding out and is not so much like a cone-head.

Some stats:

Birth
8 pounds, 15.2 ounces - 85th percentile
21-3/4" - 97th percentile
Head circumference - 33cm (13") - 9th percentile

1 week
8 pounds, 3.8 ounces - 66th percentile
20-1/2" - 78th percentile
Head circumference - 36 cm (14.2") - 55th percentile

Everything is going well at home. Tim was home with me today and is such a great Daddy. Elijah is keeping us moving, that's for sure, but he's so sweet and such a happy baby. We're so lucky!

Eli's 1st week in review

Whew, it was a busy and tough week. Wanted to take some time, now that he's napping, to update what has been going on.

Monday - of course, Eli came to us at 12:47am. We had internet access at the hospital so we were connected to the world Monday thru Wednesday.

Wednesday - we came home. It was an emotional time for both Tim & I. Leaving the hospital, I just cried. Not sad mind you, just happy as I talked to Eli. We told him that it was time to introduce him to the world and that we would protect him and take care of him the best we could. For his coming home outfit, Eli wore the same thing that Tim went home in 42 years ago. Belle met her new pal, sniffed him over and licked his feet. That was about it. She accepted him pretty quickly. One non-baby fun thing from Wednesday is that Tim got his new truck. He got a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. I'm not a huge Ford fan but it's a very nice truck and he's happy with it. Had to trade in his 2 door bachelor ride for the cool Daddy-mobile! Wednesday night was a rough night. Eli did not want to sleep and was very fussy. I tried feeding him for hours and he would be on again, off again and just generally not happy. About 4:30am, he finally settled down for a few hours. It was exhausting.

Thursday - My mom went with me to the pediatrician's office. They had been monitoring Eli's bilirubin levels since his birth. He was at 9 on Tuesday, 16 on Wednesday and 19 on Thursday. Apparently once it gets to 20, they get concerned because it shows that the liver isn't functioning on its' own yet. Levels of 25 and higher can cause brain damage. They did a blood test when we were in the office and called about 4pm to tell me that Eli was going to be readmitted to the hospital for treatment and give us a room number. So, when Tim got home from work on Thursday, we went back to the hospital - this time to the pediatric wing. They only admitted Eli but took great care of me as well. I was allowed to room in with him and things were much better. We also found out that I wasn't producing enough milk so we had to supplement him with formula. He ate like a champ! Turns out that Wednesday's fussing was because I was starving my boy! The first 12-16 hours, he ate 12 ounces for formula. We had some good sleep through the night - about 4 hours at a time. The treatment for the jaundice included him laying in his own personal tanning bed. It was phototherapy and the light helps flush out the bilirubin. He looked like a cute little glow worm in there!

Friday - they did another bilirubin test in the morning and he was down to 16 again. Eli spent the day eating, sleeping and hanging out in his tanning bed. By evening he was down in the 15 range. Tim spent Friday night with us and we just hung out for Friday night date night in the hospital room. The other good thing that happened on Friday was that I was able to meet with a lactation consultant again. That was very helpful.

Saturday - they took his blood at 5:30am for yet another bilirubin test. My boy's poor little heels have been pricked so much. That one came back in the 13s and the doctor was very happy. Apparently these levels peak arounds days 3-5 so his was trending down and they were happy with that. We were discharged around 9:30am and were happy to be on our way home. This trip home was a much more exciting one. We knew he was doing better and he was much more alert and happy. Saturday was a fun day of being home and we played with him some on his Baby Einstein mat.

Last night he slept like a champ! I fed him at 11:30pm and he was up at 4:30am and back up at 8:30am. How perfect can it be?! I know it may or may not always be like that but we're starting to learn his rhythms and watch what he needs. Feedings are going much better. At the advice of the hospital, doctors and lactation consultants, I breast feed first, then supplement with either pumped breast milk or formula - whichever I have available. My milk doesn't seem to have come in completely so we're doing the best we can.

My mom is still here - she has been all week - and will be leaving today. Dad and my brother Billy are on their way to pick her up right now. She has been very helpful and, although I know she may have been bored at times while we were stuck in the hospital, it's been great having her here. She loves her first grandchild so much already. Yesterday and today, I gave her permission to hold him as much as she wanted since she would be leaving. But she's already planned for her next visit!

Here are some pictures from the week:

Belle meets her new friend. His feet must taste good!

The new Daddy-mobile.

Our little glow worm in his tanning bed.

What a cutie pie!

Home again....the 2nd time

Well, we got to come home today - for the 2nd time. Internet at the hospital wasn't cooperating so I haven't been able to post. Elijah had to be re-admitted into the hospital Thursday afternoon due to his jaundice and high bilirubin levels. It was a rough day for me and I was pretty upset (a lot of it due to being tired!). He & I spent Thursday and Friday nights in the hospital but we are now back home, hopefully this time for good. We'll go back to the pediatrician on Monday just for a double check.

All are doing great now and very happy to be home. Will write more and post pictures later. I had all this stuff I wanted to say while being bored in the hospital but, of course, coming home there's more to do!

A busy day

After finally getting a little sleep last night, it has been a busy day. The grandparents have been here to meet their newest grandson. My parents arrived yesterday and Tim's parents drove up from Morehead City today to see us. It was great seeing all of them. Elijah had his pictures made, blood drawn for tests, and he was circumsized. We're happy to report that he has survived this busy day and seems to be no worse for the wear. He's sleeping happily in his basket and I'm just hanging out watching him. It's just the two of us right now and I just can't get over how precious he is. His redness and bruising is fading but that will take a few more days to completely go away. This morning I took a shower and shed the hospital attire for my own clothes. That alone made me feel more human.

I continue to be amazed - and probably always will - that this is a life that Tim & I created. We made him and I carried him for 9 months, ultimately giving birth to our precious son. It is the biggest thing we'll ever do in our lives and we are so blessed.

(more) Pictures to enjoy..

Grandma & Grandpa

Grandma & Grandpa

Mommy....The Human Pacifier

At barely 24 hours old, Elijah beat me for the first time (of many I'm sure). We were going to try not to give him a pacifier. Well, last night after about three and a half hours of pretty much constant nursing, I had to give in. All he wanted to do was suck and I became Mommy the Human Pacifier. About 1:30am, I threw up the white flag and asked the nurse for a pacifier. Eli was as happy as could be after that and he has been loving life. Apparently he has a great sucking reflex and, since we're having no issues feeding, the pacifier shouldn't be a bad thing. Better that he use his reflex on a pacifier than me!

Happy Eli, Tired Mommy.

Elijah's grand entrance

Well, he made it. Both Elijah and his Daddy are sound asleep in the room right now. Everything went so fast last night that it's hard to believe it all really happened.

All day Sunday I had been having contractions. The morning ones weren't too bad and then by late afternoon, they had really moved into my back. I decided to call doc as I wasn't completely sure if my water had broken or not. So around 8:30pm, we talked to the doctor and he said to go ahead in and have them check me. If it had broken and was just leaking slowly, Eli needed to get out. So we got to the hospital around 9:15pm and just walked in with the clothes on our back - no bags or anything, thinking we were going home. Well, that's not quite what happened. In triage, one of my doctors showed up to check me. I was already 100% effaced and 4-1/2 to 5cm dilated. Tim & I were both surprised at that. I had done really well to get to that point. I was also surprised because in class, they teach you that 0-5 takes longer than 5-10, he was coming soon! We were put in a labor and delivery room probably an hour and a half or so later - probably in there by 10:45pm. The contractions at that point were soooooooooo strong and my water still had not broken. A little after 11pm, I decided that I couldn't do it so I asked the nurse for an epidural. My water broke at 11:35pm and the epidural guy (can't spell it due to mind numbing right now!) got there AFTER that. From what I'm told, he had to try three times to get a good spot in my back. While he was trying, I had the hardest contractions I could imagine. Well, turns out, I quickly went to 10cm! The epidural wasn't in my back 15-20 minutes and I started pushing. The good part was that the epidural took for the stitching and stuff after but didn't help much for contractions and all that. The nurse gave me credit for going natural - I give myself 95% credit. It was the most amazing and wild thing I'ver EVER been through in my entire life. I think it was pretty wild for Tim as well. Elijah Royal made his way into our world at 12:47am today weighing 8 pounds 15.2 ounces and 21-3/4" long. His Apgar score was good - 9 of 10. The only thing is that he has some facial bruising due to his quick descent and entry into the world.

I'm doing very well right now. Just watching my boys sleep. They're both so cute - and both loud sleepers!! About 2-1/2 hours after he was born, Elijah had his first snack. He did really well and will be ready here shortly for another.

Just a few pictures to enjoy. There will, of course, be more to come!!

Project complete...for now

I did it. If you remember, close to 6 weeks ago I found an adorable birth record cross stitch that I wanted to do for Eli's room. My plan was to get everything done except his birth date and weight before he was born. Well here's the picture of the (almost) finished project. Just waiting on little man to get here to fill in the rest!

Doctor's Appt No. 13

Tomorrow will be 38 weeks. Had my 13th doctor's appointment today. Normal stuff going on:

1) Weight - actually lost half a pound. Apparently there's something to this milkshake diet!! Doc was very happy that my weight has been stable for the past month.
2) Blood pressure - a little high for me but still normal - I think it was 124 / 86 - or something close to that.
3) Exam stuff - 70% effaced, 2-1/2 cm dilated and -3 station. Before I was at -5 and 2cm and the other doctor didn't tell me about being effaced so I'm assuming I did some good stuff over the past week. Elijah is definitely getting into position for his grand entrance.

The other cool thing was that my doctor congratulated me for where I'm at right now. He said that this would be good for a 2nd or 3rd time Mom so it was really good for me having my first. I told Tim that I was an overachiever. =) And doc is skeptical that I'll make my due date. Of course, he wouldn't give me a prediction but everyone else is thinking earlier. I still stand by my guess of the 20th. We'll see how it holds up.

That's the update for today. All is well in baby land and Mommy and Daddy to be are enjoying their last bits of sleep and peace and quiet. All of our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers are on baby watch. We're looking forward to sharing the fun with everyone.

Made it to full term!

So today's the day - full term, 37 weeks for Elijah. Hard to believe it has gone by so fast. Right now I'm getting lots of predictions on his birth date. They range from today (my friend Carrie) to the 20th (my guess). Of course, he's not officially due until the 28th but it's fun for everyone to pick a day. I packed my bags last night so I guess I'm telling him that it's ok to come at any point.

Anyone else got a guess?

Doctor's Appt No. 12

Well, today started the weekly doctor's appointments and the start of exams- I'm 36 weeks and 3 days along. Today's highlights:

1) Only gained one pound over the past two weeks - woo hoo
2) Blood pressure good at 106 /74
3) Did hemoglobin test - 12.1, no issue with anemia
4) Did Strep B test - we'll see how that one comes out
5) Elijah is definitely head down, doctor gave me some hope saying he seems like he'll be in the 8 pound range, unlike the ultrasound tech who scared me about having a 9+ pounder. Now, it's all a guess and he could still be 10 pounds but at least I feel a little better...for now
6) Measuring 37-1/2 to 38 weeks
7) Dilated 2 cm

Now you can walk around dilated 2cm for a few hours or a few weeks so I'm not freaked out. It's hard to tell. I guess it's best that Tim & I get our list of things done this weekend for whenever Eli makes his appearance. Eli will be considered full term Tuesday at 37 weeks and at that point, they'll let him come on if he's ready.

Definitely got to pack the bag this weekend. I know my Mom will have hers packed too before the weekend is over!!

36 weeks....

Wow, yesterday was 36 weeks. Time has flown by. It's also now August - the month that Eli is due. I should be panicking by now! 36 weeks brings lots of things for me to do. The last of the necessary shopping for Eli, pack my bag and install the car seat. It's all getting so close and so real now. Moving around is getting a little tough for me - especially at a "fast" pace, my legs and hands are pretty swollen and a good night's sleep is now a thing of the past for a very long time to come. Overall I have been so lucky and this pregnancy has been a dream. Hard to believe that in a few weeks, it will be over and Tim & I will be Dad & Mom.

Lots of people are commenting now and asking when I'm due. Apparently I look ready to pop. Last night at the mall, the sales lady asked me and her response was "gonna be a big baby". Thanks! If I listen to everyone, Eli should be big enough to drive me home and take care of me. =)

Here's a picture of me at 36 weeks - the belly continues to grow!!