Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Makes you smile
I had to post this picture on my blog because it is just too perfect. On Monday, I decided to bake Reece a "birthday" cake being that it was now one week from his birth (don't worry, this will not become a weekly habit). As you can see, my cake decorating skills need some serious improvement and I did promise Reece his cakes would get better as he gets older (I would just like to say that the cake itself was quite YUMMY!). So although the frosting isn't perfect and I ran out of room spelling his name, my little man reassured his mommy that is a-ok with him by giving me the best little smile when we put him up to his cake and sang to him! He is the best!
Monday, March 14, 2011
It's about time!
Oh how that title takes on a couple of different meanings! Most of you are probably thinking its in reference to the arrival of little Reece, but really it's directed toward me finally getting around to posting about Reece on the blog! I'm sure you all understand it's been quite a week for us!
After almost 3 hours of pushing, Reece graced us with his presence on Monday, March 7 at 5:37pm weighing in at 7lbs 3oz and 22in long. My labor had kicked in late Sunday afternoon, but it wasn't until 7:30 Monday morning that I finally met the admission criteria to the Mother Baby Unit at the hospital. Let's just say there was zero sleep to be had by either Carlos or myself all night Sunday night. I was ready to call one of my anesthesia providers I work with at the hospital to come to my house Sunday night and start my epidural just so I could sleep through these painful contractions! Ah yes, the joys of labor. I was definitely NOT the rainbows and butterflies kind of woman in labor. The excitement and anticipation of Reece's arrival was soon replaced by nausea/vomiting and "bring me to my knees" contractions.
Fortunately, my labor progressed very rapidly. Unfortunately, little Reece did not when it came time to push. Having been up now since 6:30am Sunday (and it was now 2:30pm Monday when I started pushing), lets just say my complete exhaustion didn't help the situation any!
However, at 5:37 when I finally saw that precious little face, every bit of pain (and yes, I did have an epidural, but there are some pains out there that can never be completely masked by meds!), every bit of nausea, and all of that fatigue just immediately went away and was replaced by joy, disbelief at this perfect little person in front of me, and love love love!!!
We spent 2-ish days in the hospital. We were discharged Wednesday afternoon since there was no reason to keep either Reece or I any longer. We were both healthy, happy, and ready to take our new little addition home.
Ahhh yes, home. It's a wonderful place to be when one is completely deprived of sleep :) Reece's adjustment is going well for someone who is only one week old today! He is eating like a champ, already gaining back 4 of the 7oz he lost after birth. At his first follow up appointment on Friday he weighed in at 7lbs even, which is great since his last weigh in at the hospital on Wednesday he was at 6lbs 12oz. Carlos and I...and Kona, are learning how to function on very minimal sleep at night. Little Reece finds night time to be his favorite time to want to eat and be awake, but again, only 1 week old so we cut him some slack here, but maybe for only a few more days :)
One thing is for sure, this little kiddo is loved more than he can possibly know...sleep or no sleep :) Both Carlos and I could just stare at him for hours and enjoy every little facial expression, playing with his hair, or just holding onto those long, but little, fingers.
Finally having our little Reece here with us is something I can't even put into words. He is just amazing in every way!
After almost 3 hours of pushing, Reece graced us with his presence on Monday, March 7 at 5:37pm weighing in at 7lbs 3oz and 22in long. My labor had kicked in late Sunday afternoon, but it wasn't until 7:30 Monday morning that I finally met the admission criteria to the Mother Baby Unit at the hospital. Let's just say there was zero sleep to be had by either Carlos or myself all night Sunday night. I was ready to call one of my anesthesia providers I work with at the hospital to come to my house Sunday night and start my epidural just so I could sleep through these painful contractions! Ah yes, the joys of labor. I was definitely NOT the rainbows and butterflies kind of woman in labor. The excitement and anticipation of Reece's arrival was soon replaced by nausea/vomiting and "bring me to my knees" contractions.
Fortunately, my labor progressed very rapidly. Unfortunately, little Reece did not when it came time to push. Having been up now since 6:30am Sunday (and it was now 2:30pm Monday when I started pushing), lets just say my complete exhaustion didn't help the situation any!
However, at 5:37 when I finally saw that precious little face, every bit of pain (and yes, I did have an epidural, but there are some pains out there that can never be completely masked by meds!), every bit of nausea, and all of that fatigue just immediately went away and was replaced by joy, disbelief at this perfect little person in front of me, and love love love!!!
We spent 2-ish days in the hospital. We were discharged Wednesday afternoon since there was no reason to keep either Reece or I any longer. We were both healthy, happy, and ready to take our new little addition home.
Ahhh yes, home. It's a wonderful place to be when one is completely deprived of sleep :) Reece's adjustment is going well for someone who is only one week old today! He is eating like a champ, already gaining back 4 of the 7oz he lost after birth. At his first follow up appointment on Friday he weighed in at 7lbs even, which is great since his last weigh in at the hospital on Wednesday he was at 6lbs 12oz. Carlos and I...and Kona, are learning how to function on very minimal sleep at night. Little Reece finds night time to be his favorite time to want to eat and be awake, but again, only 1 week old so we cut him some slack here, but maybe for only a few more days :)
One thing is for sure, this little kiddo is loved more than he can possibly know...sleep or no sleep :) Both Carlos and I could just stare at him for hours and enjoy every little facial expression, playing with his hair, or just holding onto those long, but little, fingers.
Finally having our little Reece here with us is something I can't even put into words. He is just amazing in every way!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The anticipation builds...
Hi everyone,
I'm finding it difficult to try and keep everyone's baby questions answered. I know all of you are wondering when he is going to arrive and when you don't hear anything, curiosity about what is going on can drive you nuts.
So having said that, just know that Carlos and I will notify our parents for sure when I am in labor. From there, I'm sure you can expect a trickle down effect. I won't be posting anything on the blog until obviously I'm home...and maybe feel rested enough to type a few words that make sense :) And pictures!!
Also, if our little guy does not make an appearance before Tuesday, March 8th (which would be March 7 for you state-side folks), then I have a scheduled induction and will be reporting to the hospital at 6:30am on March 8 (so that is 3:30pm on March 7 where you are...east coast time). If it comes to that, now you all will know when I'm in labor and will hopefully have this stubborn little boy at some point on the 8th!
I don't think I can give any other info at this point. It's a waiting game for the rest of this week and if no baby, then March 8th it is. Either way, we will be meeting our little man soon and both Carlos and I cannot wait!
Thanks for all the love and support...and patience :)
I'm finding it difficult to try and keep everyone's baby questions answered. I know all of you are wondering when he is going to arrive and when you don't hear anything, curiosity about what is going on can drive you nuts.
So having said that, just know that Carlos and I will notify our parents for sure when I am in labor. From there, I'm sure you can expect a trickle down effect. I won't be posting anything on the blog until obviously I'm home...and maybe feel rested enough to type a few words that make sense :) And pictures!!
Also, if our little guy does not make an appearance before Tuesday, March 8th (which would be March 7 for you state-side folks), then I have a scheduled induction and will be reporting to the hospital at 6:30am on March 8 (so that is 3:30pm on March 7 where you are...east coast time). If it comes to that, now you all will know when I'm in labor and will hopefully have this stubborn little boy at some point on the 8th!
I don't think I can give any other info at this point. It's a waiting game for the rest of this week and if no baby, then March 8th it is. Either way, we will be meeting our little man soon and both Carlos and I cannot wait!
Thanks for all the love and support...and patience :)
Monday, February 21, 2011
a few pictures
First pic was taken today (2/21/11). I'm 39+2 along and will hopefully not exceed my due date (Saturday). I made sure I took one last prego pic because I don't see myself posing for any additional prego pics. I want the next pic to be of me with the baby!
The other pics are of Guam's celebrity carabao...Lucy. Mr. Santos (Lucy's owner) has her quite domesticated and has even trained his dogs to ride on Lucy's back. This pic only has one dog, but sometimes there are two at a time. There isn't anything holding the dogs on her back...they just stand there and ride, or lay down. This is one of those "only on Guam" kind of things. I've been wanting to get a pic of this since I first saw these 3 when I arrived, but usually don't have my camera on me. Fortunately my mom did!
The other pics are of Guam's celebrity carabao...Lucy. Mr. Santos (Lucy's owner) has her quite domesticated and has even trained his dogs to ride on Lucy's back. This pic only has one dog, but sometimes there are two at a time. There isn't anything holding the dogs on her back...they just stand there and ride, or lay down. This is one of those "only on Guam" kind of things. I've been wanting to get a pic of this since I first saw these 3 when I arrived, but usually don't have my camera on me. Fortunately my mom did!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
boys...
Hello everyone
I haven't written because I haven't had much to say. I'm still incubating so no new updates in the baby department. 8 more days until my due date. I'm feeling good, but as most of you know, I'm very ready for this baby to make his debut. I'm trying to practice that little "p" word that I seem to lack...PATIENCE :)
Funny story from over the weekend. Carlos and I were doing our weekly grocery shopping trip at the commissary. As those of you who are/were military know, when you shop at the commissary the grocery baggers also take your grocery bags outside for you and load them into your car. The only compensation the baggers get for working are from the tips given out by the patrons of the commissary after the bags are loaded. Anyway, our bagger during this trip was a younger guy (I'm estimating about 18 y/o ). He was very nice and was trying to engage us in small talk by asking random questions about the baby. So while he is loading the bags into our car and I'm fiddling around in my purse to get some money out for the tip, this bagger proceeds to ask us "so who is the father of the baby?" WHAT??!! Carlos and I both responded in shocked unison "him"/"me!"
We laughed so hard about it when we got in the car because first, who asks a question like that to begin with, let alone in front of the man standing there with the pregnant lady, and second, the kid realized what an idiot he was the minute it was out of his mouth. I truly believe he thought for a moment "there goes my tip," but, I just felt sorry for him and his awkward attempts at small talk while loading our groceries and gave him a tip anyway...even if his question was completely inappropriate. Again, WHO ASKS SOMETHING LIKE THAT??!! We still find ourselves chuckling over that moment. From time to time I'll say to Carlos "hey, who is the father of my baby?" just so we can laugh about it all over again.
Is this the kind of teenage boy awkwardness/no common sense that I have to look forward to with raising a boy? I guess if anything I am more aware now that you have to start educating boys early to proper conversation topics :)
I haven't written because I haven't had much to say. I'm still incubating so no new updates in the baby department. 8 more days until my due date. I'm feeling good, but as most of you know, I'm very ready for this baby to make his debut. I'm trying to practice that little "p" word that I seem to lack...PATIENCE :)
Funny story from over the weekend. Carlos and I were doing our weekly grocery shopping trip at the commissary. As those of you who are/were military know, when you shop at the commissary the grocery baggers also take your grocery bags outside for you and load them into your car. The only compensation the baggers get for working are from the tips given out by the patrons of the commissary after the bags are loaded. Anyway, our bagger during this trip was a younger guy (I'm estimating about 18 y/o ). He was very nice and was trying to engage us in small talk by asking random questions about the baby. So while he is loading the bags into our car and I'm fiddling around in my purse to get some money out for the tip, this bagger proceeds to ask us "so who is the father of the baby?" WHAT??!! Carlos and I both responded in shocked unison "him"/"me!"
We laughed so hard about it when we got in the car because first, who asks a question like that to begin with, let alone in front of the man standing there with the pregnant lady, and second, the kid realized what an idiot he was the minute it was out of his mouth. I truly believe he thought for a moment "there goes my tip," but, I just felt sorry for him and his awkward attempts at small talk while loading our groceries and gave him a tip anyway...even if his question was completely inappropriate. Again, WHO ASKS SOMETHING LIKE THAT??!! We still find ourselves chuckling over that moment. From time to time I'll say to Carlos "hey, who is the father of my baby?" just so we can laugh about it all over again.
Is this the kind of teenage boy awkwardness/no common sense that I have to look forward to with raising a boy? I guess if anything I am more aware now that you have to start educating boys early to proper conversation topics :)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Induce???? Say that again???
So this is how my last hour or so at work went. I had my latest OB appointment at 2. We ran through all the formalities that occur at every appointment such as vital signs, weight, any contractions, bleeding, nausea, pain, and so on. Again, my usual responses of "no, no, no and no" for each question asked. I knew next up would be fundal height measurement followed by heartbeat (I'm a pro at this by now). Down I go on the exam table so the doc can get a good measurement. "Hmmmm" she says. Now, we all know that nobody likes to hear "hmmmm" at a doctors appointment! Turns out her "hmmmm" was concerning my measurement. It seems I was measuring smaller than I had at my last appointment, which is not how things are supposed to go!
At this point I relocate to the ultrasound room where I proceed to lay down on another exam table and try to maintain all sense of calm. Afterall, I feel this baby move...a lot...and know that he must be doing ok if he is moving and jabbing me every chance he gets. Before the doc gets started she says to me "I'm going to check two things. First, I'm checking the baby's measurements since you are measuring smaller than you should. Second, I will check your fluid level. If one of these is not where we want it, then we are going to induce you today." HOLY CRAP! Now, I understand that this baby is supposed to eventually come out and I also know I've been saying I want this baby to come out, but I honestly think my heart stopped for a moment at the thought of this baby actually arriving sooner rather than later! I think in that 5 seconds I had to hear that, process it, and give some sort of garbled response, my entire laundry list of things to do pre-baby flashed before my eyes, not to mention the moment of "my gosh we are actually having a baby" settled in :)
Long story short (I guess it's too late for the "short"), baby measured at 6lbs 2oz which she was fine with (ultrasounds are an estimate and I believe this baby weighs a bit more in the 6lb range) and my fluid level checked out just fine. So why the smaller measurement? Who knows. I remain a mystery I guess! All I could think of was "whew...no induction." Not that I don't want to meet this little guy, but I really don't want to start this process from scratch. A pitocin induced labor is not exactly what I want, only if I need and right now it seems I don't need. I'll go back again next week and see where things are at that point.
And poor Carlos. I came home from work to find his cell phone on the countertop in the kitchen and he sitting outside upstairs on the patio. He immediately got the "you need to have your phone accessible at all times at this point because I can go into labor at any time. What if you missed it because you were sitting outside phoneless? I was almost induced and I wouldn't have been able to get a hold of you!" Don't you love how us prego women can go for the dramatic effect?! I think Carlos will even shower with his cell phone now :)
At this point I relocate to the ultrasound room where I proceed to lay down on another exam table and try to maintain all sense of calm. Afterall, I feel this baby move...a lot...and know that he must be doing ok if he is moving and jabbing me every chance he gets. Before the doc gets started she says to me "I'm going to check two things. First, I'm checking the baby's measurements since you are measuring smaller than you should. Second, I will check your fluid level. If one of these is not where we want it, then we are going to induce you today." HOLY CRAP! Now, I understand that this baby is supposed to eventually come out and I also know I've been saying I want this baby to come out, but I honestly think my heart stopped for a moment at the thought of this baby actually arriving sooner rather than later! I think in that 5 seconds I had to hear that, process it, and give some sort of garbled response, my entire laundry list of things to do pre-baby flashed before my eyes, not to mention the moment of "my gosh we are actually having a baby" settled in :)
Long story short (I guess it's too late for the "short"), baby measured at 6lbs 2oz which she was fine with (ultrasounds are an estimate and I believe this baby weighs a bit more in the 6lb range) and my fluid level checked out just fine. So why the smaller measurement? Who knows. I remain a mystery I guess! All I could think of was "whew...no induction." Not that I don't want to meet this little guy, but I really don't want to start this process from scratch. A pitocin induced labor is not exactly what I want, only if I need and right now it seems I don't need. I'll go back again next week and see where things are at that point.
And poor Carlos. I came home from work to find his cell phone on the countertop in the kitchen and he sitting outside upstairs on the patio. He immediately got the "you need to have your phone accessible at all times at this point because I can go into labor at any time. What if you missed it because you were sitting outside phoneless? I was almost induced and I wouldn't have been able to get a hold of you!" Don't you love how us prego women can go for the dramatic effect?! I think Carlos will even shower with his cell phone now :)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Finally February
36+4...do you know what this means? In just 3 more days my little guy will be considered full term. We did it! We made it through all those crucial pregnancy milestones happy and healthy. Now we can welcome him any time with open arms and lots of love without any worries that he has arrived too soon. Yay!!!!
My feelings on this are any time after Saturday he wants to meet us, he is more than welcome :) I have 24 more days until my due date, but I'm willing to NOT make it to the final day...or any day past! As I put on my Facebook page, Carlos put his bet on Feb 28 for the arrival and my money is on Feb 20 (due date Feb 26). We'll see! Of course I have no problems going into labor on Feb 7 (Monday...otherwise known in Guam as Super Bowl MONDAY because of the time difference). The way I see it as our OR schedule currently stands, I'm not going to be able to watch any of the game. However, if I am laboring on the mother/baby unit, then I can watch the entire game :) It's a nice thought, but I know it isn't going to happen! Go Steelers!
Let's see...what else to share...
On Sunday two friends here in Guam hosted a baby shower for me. It was so nice to be able to celebrate my first pregnancy and my little man, but it was hard not having any of my friends/family from the states there to celebrate as well. To quote Eunisia, one of my all time favorite patients, "such is life." I had a great time at the shower, ate some yummy food, celebrated with very nice gals, and Baby K received some great gifts. I really do think I'm going to have the best dressed baby boy on this island!
There is a pic of me below taken at the shower...I had just turned 36 weeks. There are a bunch more, but they were sent to me on Facebook and I haven't figured out how to save them from there to my Iphoto. If you have FB, go check them out there!
I'm still going strong at work, although I definitely tire out a lot faster. As crazy as this sounds, I prefer the really busy days at work where I am constantly moving in the OR and dealing with multiple cases lined up. The busier I am, the more tired I get by the end of the day and the better I sleep at night! I'm not so sure that's what I should be doing, but if it means good sleep then I'm all for it! The funny thing was yesterday it was Carlos' room that was busy and ran long. My own husband wore out his prego wife! My "retaliation" was informing him before the end of his case that I am too tired and therefore will not be cooking dinner :) And I stuck to it too! I came home and went horizontal on the couch.
As Carlos and I prepare ourselves for the unknown over the next few weeks, we will try and stay on top of our blog. I always try to do a weekly entry, but bear with us if we get a little off track! Kona is absolutely wonderful and smart, but his typing skills are a little sloppy with those big ol' paws or else I'd have him do entries for us :)
Enjoy some pics!
My feelings on this are any time after Saturday he wants to meet us, he is more than welcome :) I have 24 more days until my due date, but I'm willing to NOT make it to the final day...or any day past! As I put on my Facebook page, Carlos put his bet on Feb 28 for the arrival and my money is on Feb 20 (due date Feb 26). We'll see! Of course I have no problems going into labor on Feb 7 (Monday...otherwise known in Guam as Super Bowl MONDAY because of the time difference). The way I see it as our OR schedule currently stands, I'm not going to be able to watch any of the game. However, if I am laboring on the mother/baby unit, then I can watch the entire game :) It's a nice thought, but I know it isn't going to happen! Go Steelers!
Let's see...what else to share...
On Sunday two friends here in Guam hosted a baby shower for me. It was so nice to be able to celebrate my first pregnancy and my little man, but it was hard not having any of my friends/family from the states there to celebrate as well. To quote Eunisia, one of my all time favorite patients, "such is life." I had a great time at the shower, ate some yummy food, celebrated with very nice gals, and Baby K received some great gifts. I really do think I'm going to have the best dressed baby boy on this island!
There is a pic of me below taken at the shower...I had just turned 36 weeks. There are a bunch more, but they were sent to me on Facebook and I haven't figured out how to save them from there to my Iphoto. If you have FB, go check them out there!
I'm still going strong at work, although I definitely tire out a lot faster. As crazy as this sounds, I prefer the really busy days at work where I am constantly moving in the OR and dealing with multiple cases lined up. The busier I am, the more tired I get by the end of the day and the better I sleep at night! I'm not so sure that's what I should be doing, but if it means good sleep then I'm all for it! The funny thing was yesterday it was Carlos' room that was busy and ran long. My own husband wore out his prego wife! My "retaliation" was informing him before the end of his case that I am too tired and therefore will not be cooking dinner :) And I stuck to it too! I came home and went horizontal on the couch.
As Carlos and I prepare ourselves for the unknown over the next few weeks, we will try and stay on top of our blog. I always try to do a weekly entry, but bear with us if we get a little off track! Kona is absolutely wonderful and smart, but his typing skills are a little sloppy with those big ol' paws or else I'd have him do entries for us :)
Enjoy some pics!
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| The 3 Amigos |
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| not even 5 minutes later and everyone is napping... |
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| 36 week baby bump! |
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