June 2, 2013

My sweet and amazing little baby boy! You were born on Sunday, June 2nd, at about 3:14pm. I can't describe the amount of joy that soared through my mind when I first heard your little voice.

We went to the doctor earlier that week, and we were instructed to do a lot of walking! Daddy and I went for a walk around the neighborhood, and by the time we arrived back at the house, my water broke! I wasn't having contractions just yet, so we packed everything up and stopped to grab some food at the drive thru (since you can't eat for 24 hours during labor).

Once we arrived at the hospital, we were eating our meal in Daddy's truck, and my water broke more -- EVERYWHERE! I could go into more details, but let's just say it was hilarious.

When we check in, we had a long night because my contractions hadn't started. Since my water was already broken, there wasn't enough amniotic fluid in my tummy. We couldn't wait for natural labor, so they put us on Pitocin (medicine used to induce labor) around 5AM. Contractions kicked in right away, and they were no joke! We went through about FOUR hours of labor with no pain medicine and contractions 60 seconds apart. Finally, the monitors started showing that you didn't like those contractions. It was quite scary, because your heart rate was dropping, so we knew we had to act quickly. The doctors told us we could go into surgery for a C-section right away, but we had to make the decision. Your Daddy and I talked it over for about 2 minutes, and knew that keeping you healthy was the number one priority! Daddy put on his scrubs while Mommy got her anesthesia so I could not feel anything from the neck down.

When we went into surgery it was scary and exciting. Your Daddy was explaining this JavaScript code he wrote to help me with a website, to keep my mind at ease. They were laughing at us, because it was the nerdiest conversation they had ever heard. Mommy also made everyone in the operating room laugh when they asked what your middle name was. I told them Cultro, and when I told them it meant knife -- everyone giggled because it was so appropriate.

When you emerged from my tummy it was approximately 3:14pm. I couldn't believe this beautiful and perfect little human just came from my tummy! I love you so much, Sammy. I love you forever.

38 Weeks

Sweet Pea!! You are almost here! This week has been a quick one, we have been preparing with all of the last minute details like getting your pediatrician lined up, getting your insurance ready, starting your baby book, and getting last minute "mommy and daddy" documents finished. We had an appointment this week, and you are nestled head down in the birthing position. The doctors say you are healthy and almost ready to make your debut! I wasn't dilated at our 38 week 5 day appointment, but everything else is getting into place. I have grown so huge, it is difficult to get around, and sitting on the yoga ball seems to be the only way I can get comfortable.

Grand Marmee and I went shopping this week at Babies R Us, and I finally got to park in the "Expectant Mommy"parking!

Your daddy and I have been calling you lumpy, because every time we go to the doctor you are facing my back, so your butt and shoulders make big lumps on my tummy! :)

This week all of the parenting blogs suggested Daddy and I go to the movies, since we won't be going for quite some time. It was Mommy's choice and I picked Star Trek: Into the Darkness. I know it sounds super nerdy, but it was pretty good! (And you liked the sounds -- you were moving quite a bit).

We put the finishing touches on your room this week, so it is ready for YOU! Here is your daddy hanging the blinds in your room:

I have been having contractions this week, and all of the symptoms of  pre-labor seem to be in full swing. Heartburn has been intense, and the blood circulation has me very swollen! We keep laughing at how swollen my fingers and toes have become. We are calling them fishstick toes and hotdog fingers! We are getting so excited to finally meet you. Your daddy and I just start smiling sometimes out of nowhere...it is all from the pure excitement of getting to meet our little Sammy face to face!

XXOO,

Mommy

Cravings this Week: Poptarts

37 Weeks

We are officially full term! This means if you were born today, you would not be considered premature. We had an exam and ultrasound this week, and the doctor said they have a "baby happiness" rating chart and you are a VERY HAPPY baby! They checked to see if I am dilated  and not very much (only about 1 centimeter) --so you probably won't be coming this week, but you should be here within the next TWO WEEKS!!  In the ultrasound, they concluded you are 6lbs 8oz and you have plenty of amniotic fluid. We also monitored the nutrient/blood supply going to you from the umbilical cord, and you are getting plenty of nutrients! You gave us a military solute in the ultrasound too, we thought it was pretty cute!

Here is an ultrasound picture: (you are looking right at us!)

This week was also my first "soon to be" Mother's Day! Daddy made us breakfast in bed and surprised me with beautiful roses.  Grand Marmee and  Grand Jimmy sent me some ortho flip flops! for my swollen feet ;)

We did our hospital tour this weekend at Northside Forsyth, it is such a beautiful hospital! We got to see a delivery room, the post partum room and so much more. They gave us an idea of what to expect if labor goes from natural to C-section and gave us an idea of what to expect if we need to go to the NICU. It was a very nice tour, and your daddy and I feel very prepared! Here we are after the tour exploring the women's center:

We also have our labor and postpartum "go bags" packed and ready to go!

Fynn has been a very loving doggie this week, we think he knows something is up! Here are you and Fynn taking a nap together:

Daddy and I are getting so excited to see your precious little face and meet you in person. We keep getting bigger, and moving around is becoming more difficult for Mommy ... just within the last two days I have noticed a big change in my belly size!

XXOO,

Mommy

Craving this Week: Fruit with String Cheese! (especially watermelon, grapes, and pineapple) 

36 Weeks

We are getting so close to delivery! At the end of this week we will officially be FULL TERM! This week we made a belly cast to celebrate our growing bump! It was really fun and your daddy and I made a mess with the plaster!

Here is your Daddy being silly while he makes the plaster cast of our belly!

Here is the finished product!

Your daddy also installed your new car seat to get ready to take you home from the hospital. It is really starting to hit home now that we have the car seat ready to go in Taco (that is our pet name for Daddy's Toyota Tacoma). 

We keep putting the finishing touches on our Sammy preparations, and this week I washed all of your baby clothes, bedding and toys -- so they are ready for you! Here is your daddy test driving your stroller in the kitchen:

We went to our doctors appointment this week and we were supposed to see if we are dilated, but Dr. Grogan wasn't in the office so we met with a midwife. Your heartbeat is right on track, and your measurements are showing that you are a big healthy boy. This appointment was a little rough on Mommy, I reached down and had a blood rush to my head and fainted ever so briefly! But nothing to worry about -- a little water and I was totally fine. I think I am just getting so excited to meet you, and I got a little anxious! Other than that, sleeping is getting difficult now that we are so BIG, but we have been getting our rest! We also take breaks in your nursery in the afternoon for some reading aloud and nursery songs. It is a really special time for me. 

Check us out!

XXOO, 

Mommy

Cravings this Week: Jello Pudding ... the Oreo flavor is great, and your Daddy and I made our own recipe with carmel syrup and Cheesecake Jello Pudding -- it is fantastic!

35 Weeks

We had a lot of family in town this week and we also celebrated Lex and Toy's wedding! It was beautiful, and it is so inspiring to see so much love.

You received your first official correspondence this week from your Grandpa Paul! He brought you an infant car seat and stroller:

We are busy writing all of the "thank you" letters from our baby shower last weekend, you are already SO LOVED! Here are a few pictures from the week:

Daddy and Aunt Jenny at the Buford Dam

Mommy and Aunt Jenny

Grand Marmee and Fynn enjoying a quiet evening with Mommy and Daddy

Mommy and Grandpa Paul at Hightower Falls for the Holden Wedding

Mill at Hightower Falls

Daddy at Hightower Falls

We keep growing! Here is a FANCY 35 week picture for you:

XXOO,

Mommy

Cravings this Week: BBQ Ribs and Lobster! (Your Grand Marms took Daddy and I out to Norman's Landing in Cumming, GA for a yummy steak and seafood night!)

34 Weeks

This week was VERY busy, as we celebrated your BABY SHOWER! We have tons of pictures of the Duckie Shower, it was so much fun! Jeannie, Kristen and Grand Marmee did a wonderful job throwing us a fabulous party! We are so lucky to have such amazing friends and family in our lives! You got so many adorable outfits, and everyone even made a onsie for YOU!

We just keep getting bigger, and everyone is getting so excited to meet you!

XXOO,

Mommy

Cravings this Week: Japanese Bento Boxes with lots of EDAMAME (I think we had three this week!)

33 Weeks

The countdown is getting shorter! We are less than seven weeks away from our due date! This week, your daddy and I are getting ready for your Baby Shower! Your daddy has been mowing, edging, trimming, and sprucing up our yard.

We have been spending time singing and talking to you this week. The doctors say you are able to hear melodies that will be familiar to you once you are born. Your daddy has been spending a lot of time talking and playing with you. You high-five'd him three times in a row one night!

You guys are really cute together:

Here are Daddy and Fynn saying hi to you!

We keep growing together, and I am getting so ready to see your beautiful little face for the first time.

XXOO,
Mommy

Cravings this Week: Smartfood Popcorn and Mango Snapple