We're back home

Will was released from the NICU around 1pm yesterday afternoon, just in time for us to bring him home and get him settled in before the hurricane hit the city. Fortunately, all three of us pretty much slept through the worst of it and we never lost power. We had one minor water leak in the bedroom near the window, but because we rent in a condo building it's the buildings problem, not ours!

My anxiety levels have gone down quite a bit since bringing Will back home. We have him eating at least 2oz every 3 hours and he's sleeping really well...so far:) We have a follow-up appointment with the pediatrician tomorrow to check his weight and make sure the jaundice has remained under control since leaving the NICU. Hubby has to go into the office so it will be my first venture out alone with Will.

We also have the baby nurse starting tomorrow. At this point, I think we could probably be OK without her, but I'm hoping she can help me learn how to properly bathe him, how to keep my milk production up (it's been really low which I think contributed to his dehydration) and keep things on a manageable schedule.

I have a labor post and a nursery post started, but wanted to let you all know that we're home safe and sound before posting anything else. Thank you so much for your kind words and all of your support. I've been keeping up with your blogs, just haven't had much time to comment. To those who have had babies...congrats!! I'll post more appropriate comments on your blogs soon:)

These pics are a little blurry, but it's hard to take a picture of a squirmy newborn (and Will is a squirmy guy!).

A happy little guy after filling his tummy

A full tummy, a dry diaper and a clean onesie...it's a good day!

A quick update

This will be quick because we have a lot going on right now, but I need to write some things down - if nothing else than to try and maintain my emotional sanity.

Will (screw the anonymity, my sweet baby boy's name is Will!), went for his newborn doc appt on Thursday afternoon. Everything looked good except for the slight jaundice hue he had. The doc (Dr. L. - thanks Sienna...LOVE him!) did a bilirubin test and called us about 10pm to tell us his numbers were too high and we needed to take Will to the ER immediately for evaluation and treatment.

That wasn't a totally nerve wracking call or anything! Thankfully Hubby answered the phone and was able to talk to the doc, I would have been in tears.

So, we packed up Will and took our first NYC cab ride to Corn.ell ER. After lots of tests and waiting he was admitted to the NICU around 2:30am. I couldn't stop crying the entire time we were in the ER. How the hell was I supposed to leave my 4 day old baby?!?! I'm crying as I type this. These postpartum hormones are NO JOKE!

Walking out of the hospital at 3am with my son was the hardest thing I've had to do. Even harder than losing my mom...but thankfully I knew my mom and dad (who Will is named after) were going to watch over him and take care of him.

Anyway, my short post is getting long here...

I spent all day with him yesterday, feeding him (he's breastfeeding but my milk production is really low so we're supplementing with lots of formula to get him rehydrated and gaining weight), cuddling him, changing his numerous poopy diapers and watching him pee on his own head (oops, gotta remember to keep that little weewee covered during the diaper changes). The morning test results were good and they thought he would be released last night...no such luck. The afternoon test results were the same as the morning results, as opposed to being better as they should have been.

So, yet again Hubby and I walked out of the ER without our baby boy. I was able to get a little sleep last night, but I'm up every 3 hours pumping in the hopes that will help increase my milk production, so it wasn't a consistent sleep.

We decided to hold off on the baby nurse even before Will was sent to the hospital because we wanted to try and figure a few things out on our own. As of now, she's schedule to be here Monday morning. But who knows if that will happen because of Hurricane Irene.

Speaking of that bitch, Hubby went out yesterday to stock up on supplies, not so much for the hurricane itself, but in preparation of losing electricity for a long time. It's not something I'm looking forward to, but leaving the city isn't an option right now and we've done what we can to prepare. Now we just sit and hope she changes her course enough not to take a direct hit on NYC.

My emotions have run the gamut this week from elation, joy, over-the-moon-love to lots of anxiety, fear, overwhelming urges to cry and everything in between. I know it's all normal, but having gone through an unexpected early labor, an earthquake while in the hospital (yes, I felt it), hospitalizing my 4 day old son and now potentially living through a hurricane - all within the last 6 days - is a little trying on the system.

So, I'm waiting for shift change at the hospital to call and see what Will's numbers were in the middle of the night. They'll do a repeat test at 9am this morning to compare and see if they've dropped. If so, we'll hopefully take him home today. If not...I don't know...which is what scares me to the most.

Yep, I had a baby!

The Woowoo (now known as W) was born at 10:01pm Sunday evening. He weighed in at 7lbs. 7oz. and 19-3/4" long!

We're both doing great and I am in heaven. It's been an amazing experience. I will post more when we're home from the hospital.

Baby Will, 2 days old

Um, I think I'm having a baby soon

I just got back from the doctor for my 37 week appointment (technically, I'm 36w6d...but whose counting?!?!).

• Contractions: check
• Head down: check
• Mucus plug gone: check
• Softening cervix: check
• Dilation: check (2cm)

So let me start from my last post a week ago.

Hubby and I were at the beach from last Saturday until Tuesday evening with his mom and sister (also preggo...18 weeks), which was wonderfully relaxing. I'd been having more frequent contractions but nothing to write home about. Wednesday evening Hubby wanted a little action and I was feeling good so we had a little fun. Immediately after I noticed I was spotting. I didn't really think too much of it because it stopped by Thursday morning.

I continued on with my Thursday at work, but had to go to the bathroom a couple of times during the day. This third tri has brought the dreaded preggo constipation so I was a little surprised by this. I was definitely feeling more contractions, but they were still random and sporadic. When I was using the bathroom before going to bed last night I noticed a discharge unlike anything I'd seen before...it was incredibly thick, long and slightly darker color than the typical. Think EWCM but thicker, stringier and not white (sorry, TMI I know).

I woke up twice last night with a nauseous feeling but never actually got sick. Hubby and I got up early this morning and he went for a run while I went for a very slow walk. I had a couple of contractions while on the walk but still random and sporadic.

So, I head to the doctor this morning and tell him all this and he suggests we do an internal to see what's going on. The Woowoo has totally dropped, is in the posterior position (head down), my cervix is softened (he didn't tell me how much I was effaced) and I'm 2cm dilated.

Yes, you read that correctly...I'm 2cm dilated and tomorrow is full term for me. I know things could always stay this way for a while, but the doctor (Doc B for those who know my practice) gave me a 50% chance of delivering before my next appointment which is a week from today. (If it means anything, my mom delivered me 2-1/2 weeks early and I was over 8lbs. Hubby was a week early and close to 9lbs. We breed 'em big and get 'em out early:) )

I was shocked!!! I knew things were happening but didn't think they were happening so rapidly.

So, all the things Hubby and I planned to do this weekend are no longer optional...they will get done. Fortunately, it's lots of little stuff and should be doable.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the overwhelming excitement I'm feeling at meeting my sweet little boy soon...maybe sooner than I had planned:)

36 weeks (almost) and a doc update

I'll be 36 weeks tomorrow...yay me:) Even though this isn't full-term, in my mind it's another big milestone. If Woowoo were to make his appearance tomorrow, I'm confident he would be just fine.

I went to the doctor this morning and got to see my little guy again. He has managed to gain over 2lbs in the last 4 weeks. He's up to 6lbs 10oz and in the 74th percentile. I realize the weight can be off 10-20% but wow...he's a big boy already! Everything looks fine and he's progressing normally. He was being a little shy as usual, but we did get to see him practicing his sucking and swallowing for a few minutes. It's was so cute and even got my usually quiet Hubby to laugh and comment how adorable he was:)

They typically don't do an internal until full-term, however I asked for one because of all the lower abdominal pressure I've been having, and Hubby and I are heading to the beach for the next 4 days. I wanted the peace of mind that I would be OK 3+ hours away from home for longer than a day.

The nurse did the Group B strep test (results next week) and Dr. B. did the internal exam. He said the kid has definitely dropped some, but not fully and my cervix is still closed, so he gave me the green light to enjoy a little R&R (as long as Hubby promised to stop every hour on the drive down there so I could stretch my legs and pee...doctor's orders!).

We talked at length about my birth plan and he had no problems with it...yet another reason I love this doc!! He said he's seen all kinds of births and lots of great plans that get derailed; as long as I realize things may not go exactly as I hope, he's fine with my desires for no IV, freedom to move, no epidural, etc. He put it into my file and said once I'm admitted he'll sign an order for a hep lock instead of an IV...woohoo!

I've got weekly appointments now and another ultrasound to check the Woowoo's weight in three weeks. Until then, I'll keep growing my big boy:) 

35w3d belly pic...yes, I did swallow a basketball:)

The birth plan

I have an appointment with my doctor this Friday - one day shy of 36 weeks. It will be another growth scan and the usual blood pressure, pee in a cup, weight thing, but they will most likely do an internal exam as well. Primarily to make sure there isn't a fibroid blocking the Woowoos exit route (they don't think there is, but want to be sure).

I've put together a birth plan that I want to review with the doc at this point, as well. Hubby and I took the childbirth classes at the hospital and I know my doctor's (and the practice in general) philosophies on labor, but I want to discuss MY specifics with him.

Every woman has the right to have the birth she wants, and I make no judgments on anyone's choices when it comes to their own birth...so please don't make any judgments about my choices here (just wanted to throw that out there since I've gotten some comments along the lines of "you're crazy for not wanting an epidural!" or "why don't you just schedule a c-section, it'll be easier").

In a nutshell, below are the basics of how I'd prefer this birth goes, of course this is assuming the Woowoo plays along:
• no IV, but a hep lock instead
• be allowed to move freely as long as labor is progressing without any issues
• be allowed to drink clear liquids (other than water) and eat if I want (not sure they'll go for this one)
• only want an epidural if I ask for it
• if I choose to get an epidural, be allowed to labor down before pushing
• want Hubby to cut the cord
• want baby to be given to me immediately after birth (for skin-to-skin contact)
• want exclusive breastfeeding
• want baby to room-in with me

Those are the basics, I'll get into more detail about some of the items with Dr. B., but I'm most concerned about having the freedom to move around. If I'm going to try and have a natural birth, I know I'm going to want to have the freedom to change positions frequently to handle the pain of the contractions.

Ultimately, I want a safe birth for the Woowoo and me. I've come to terms with the fact that anything can happen, so I'm trying to keep an open mind and be flexible. We'll see how it goes...

In the meantime, I'm continuing to waddle my way around to and from work and putting the final touches on the nursery. Hubby and I are heading out of town for a couple days this weekend to enjoy some R&R with his family at the beach. I'm not sure a 36-week pregnant woman should be allowed on the beach, but I plan to keep myself sufficiently covered so I don't scare small children!

I'll update and post belly pics after the Friday doc appointment.

34 week randomness

I've made it past 34 weeks (34w2d today). This feels like such a huge milestone for me, I can't imagine my next milestone - 36 weeks! I had a doctor's appointment last Tuesday and things still seem to be progressing like normal. I had a lot of pelvic pain/pressure and hip pain on Wednesday but I think it was just lots of growing and stretching because it seemed back to normal on Thursday. I didn't think things could stretch anymore, but apparently they can!

I have lots of random things to say so the rest of the post will be bullet points (my favorites!).

• Hubby and I finally figured out a solution for shelves in the nursery/office/guest room. I was able to find a shelf/bookcase thingy at Ik.ea (for $40...score!) that fit exactly in the 12" we have between the crib and the closet door. It couldn't have been more perfect. We trekked out there yesterday and picked it up - along with 25 other things that weren't on the list but we absolutely had to have - and Hubby assembled it last night. It looks great and now I can put all the Woowoo's cute little books and knick knacks on display. We have a few more things to finish in the room and then I'll post some pics.

• Getting dressed in the morning has turned into a circus act, specifically I equate putting on my underwear to the ring toss. My belly is so big it's not comfortable to bend over and put one leg in the underwear and then the other. Sitting on the bed is not ideal because we have a low platform bed that isn't the easiest to stand up from. Going commando (at least on a daily basis) isn't really my style. So I've resorted to holding my panties in my right hand, as close to my foot as I can, and kind of tossing them over my foot without letting go...hoping to get the aim correct. Most days it works, but like any true circus ring toss game, sometimes it takes a few tries. Fortunately Hubby has not witnessed this yet...I fear he would hurt himself from laughing too hard at the sight of his wife trying to put her underwear on:)

• I think I'm keeping The Conta.iner St.ore in business these days. My nesting instinct has taken the form of organizing everything in our apartment. My recent trip included containers to organize our medicine cabinets in the bathroom. Next on the list...the junk drawer!

• I finally met my first IF bloggie friend in person. Last week I had the pleasure of having a very enjoyable lunch with Park Slope Purgatory. She and I both go to the same doctor (thanks to the recommendation of Sienna) and have shared similar IF experiences. It worked out that she was going to be in my neighborhood on a day I was working from home. It was so nice to relax and have a leisurely brunch with her, some of which was focused on babies, but some was just typical girl/lunch chat. I look forward to the next time we get to hang out!

• Next weekend is the annual Naut.ica New York City Tria.thlon. I was signed up to participate in the race this year, but had to defer to next year for obvious reasons. While I can't think of a better reason not to participate in this years race, it's also bittersweet for me. I don't talk about it much here, but I am a triathlete and have participated in over 20 triathlons in the past 7 years. It's a part of my life and makes me who I am. I desperately miss training for a race and feeling the adrenaline rush of what I've just accomplished as I cross the finish line. I've come to terms with not doing the race year because I'll be participating in my own type of race and feeling a totally different type of adrenaline rush in a few short weeks when I meet my Woowoo. Until then, I'll be in Central Park next weekend cheering on all the triathletes who will be swimming, biking and running their way to their own finish line!