Where does the time go?!

My little man is 3 weeks old today.  How that happened, I have absolutely no idea!  I've had the best time hanging out with this little man for the past 3 weeks.  We've gone on walks, snuggled as much as possible and even did some Christmas shopping.  Everyday he is a little more alert than the day prior.  Tummy time is lasting a bit longer each day and we even get some smiles out of him every now and then.  Oh and he eats NON-STOP!  He sleeps really well though - around 3.5-4 hour stints through the night!

Unfortunately the 3 week mark also means that I will be going back to work starting Monday.  (Downside of being your own boss!)  On the plus side, little man gets to come with me for a little while and it's only part time for the time being.

Here are some pictures from Reid's first 3 weeks of life!

          1st Day of Life

Thanksgiving Burrito

Sleeping with daddy

Chillin' in the nap nanny 

Hanging with Grandpa Boone on Thanksgiving

All turkey'd out with daddy

Playtime with daddy

Morning snuggles with mommy

Our Birth Story

Our due date was on 11/11/12.  It came and went with no signs of a baby boy making his debut anytime soon.  Many people told me it was more likely that we would go later than earlier considering this is our first child, but I still held out hope despite my gut telling me that they were all right.  So each day after the 11th, I was very alert to any new movements or aches that I had.  We had a doctor appointment on the 13th and the doctor said everything was looking great and if I was comfortable then we could continue to anxiously wait.  We agreed to set up another appointment for the following Tuesday in case nothing had happened by that time.  The doctor actually set up our appointment during a surgery she had scheduled because she was that confident that we would have a baby by then!  I was starting to lose hope, so it was nice that she was so confident! :)

Thursday morning I woke up at about 2:40 with strong stomach pains.  I was quite annoyed thinking I just had to pee really bad.  So I went to the bathroom and got back in bed only to be woken up again at 3:00.  I checked the clock seeing that it had only been 20 min I was really annoyed at this point.  Reality didn't quite sink in because I went to the bathroom and got back in bed to be woken AGAIN 20 min later with more 'cramping'.  After checking the clock again I started to put it all together - I THINK I'M IN LABOR!!!!  I didn't want to jump the gun though, so I laid in bed for two more contractions before I woke up Nathan and told him, 'I think I'm in labor!'  He immediately sat up and exclaimed, 'Right now, okay, lets go!'  I told him to go back to sleep for a bit because they were still 20 min apart and I didn't want to go to the hospital too early.  He agreed and laid back down - this lasted for about 2 min.  For those of you who don't know Nathan, he doesn't sit idle very well but especially not when he is anxious.  So I laid in bed for one more contraction as the husband frantically ran around the house finishing packing the bags and making a few phone calls.  I believe the exact phrase he told my dad is "Sh*ts going down!!'  Around 4:40 I got up and took a shower and got ready for the big day.  The Husband questioned my decision to put on makeup, do my hair and wear earrings, but my thoughts were that many people were going to be up in my business so I wanted to feel somewhat pretty!  By the time I had gotten ready, the contractions were about 10 min apart.  Poor Miss B was on the FREAK OUT!  First we were up WAY too early then she saw the suitcase are literally was glued to the Husband's side in hopes that she too would be able to come!  Nathan made me a breakfast burrito while I made a PB/Banana smoothie - which took me at least 20 minutes to make because of contractions and getting side tracked.  As I reached in the freezer to get the bananas my water broke.  It wasn't the gush Nathan was hoping for but it definitely caught my attention!  As I ate my breakfast I had a little melt down.  Miss B was running back and forth from me to the Husband and I started bawling.  Nathan walked in the room and asked why I was crying and I told him I wanted to take Miss B with me and I was really really going to miss her.  I'm pretty sure he was not expecting this answer as a little bit of relief washed over his face.  About this time my parents called to check on us.  I started crying while talking to my mom - keeping the reason to myself :) - she suggested that we should head to the hospital if I was that emotional already.  I asked her to come up and she said she was packing and would be leaving within the hour!  After all that the contractions were a little more random, but closer together overall - about 5-8 minutes apart.  So we kicked it in high gear and headed to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital around 6:45 and sat in the car for the last contraction before heading in.  Nathan also said a really sweet prayer for us which made both of us cry but really helped me get through the day!  We didn't call first - Oops!  Luckily they weren't too busy, so they casually checked us in and got us set up in the room.  She checked me and I was at 5cm - sweet, half way there!  I'm not sure what exactly we expected, but the nurse was very relaxed about everything which made Nathan and I question whether we came too early.  Looking back now I'm glad she was this way because I would have freaked out if she had been rushing around to get everything set up!  After she checked me she put me on the monitor for 20 min for baby's heart rate and contraction intensity/timing.  Once that was done I was free to move around, walk or get in the whirl pool.  We tried walking and it was okay for about 10 min.  Every time I had a contraction I felt it down my legs and just didn't feel stable, so we headed back to the room.  My favorite positions in early labor were the hands and knees or the birthing ball.  My mom arrived around 11:00, and she was so awesome!  Having her there was amazing, Nathan was able to be with me one on one the entire day while my mom ran errands, filmed, took pictures, etc.  I'm so glad she was there!!  It was so crazy because in between contractions I was completely fine, having conversations, laughing and so on.  As soon as I felt the contraction start it was like a switch was flipped and I went away to concentrate and then came back to the world when it was done.  It's amazing what our bodies are capable of!

I really felt like things were starting to get a bit more intense at this point, I was having contractions much closer together - like 2 min or right on top of each other.  I was no longer talking in between contractions and I really needed Nathan by my side at all times.  We had made a deal that I wouldn't hold his hand during labor because I might hurt him, so I settled for his knee.  I really didn't like when he tried to walk away!  They checked me again after lunch and I was at 7cm.  At this point I decided to get in the whirl pool which was AMAZING!!  I switched between the tub and the birthing ball a few times before settling in the whirl pool for a while.  They checked me again around 3:00 and I was still around 7-8cm which was really discouraging.  Nathan gave a little pep talk trying to get me out of the tub but I really didn't want to, it hurt too bad to move.  He asked if he could go check the time and I said yes.  He actually went out and talked to the doctor to see what was up.  She said that I needed to change positions to see if anything changed or they might have to start talking about pitocin -which is something I really didn't want!  Nathan came back with a nurse named Beth - aka "The Mom Whisperer".   She helped turn things around!  With her help Nathan got me out of the tub and back to the birthing ball.  After about an hour and a half, they checked me again and I was at 9cm!!  At this point I was starting to feel an urge to push with some of the contractions.  In fact with one really intense contraction I told Nathan I felt like pushing and that I was going to push - he ran out into the hall and told everyone that I was pushing, so they came back in and started to get the room ready.  I was oblivious to all of this, but Nathan said it was like an army - they put on their gowns and prepped the bed/room in no time.  She checked me one last time and said that I was still not quite at 10cm, but I could push if I felt the need - I FELT THE NEED!!  So it began!  I pushed for what felt like forever, but in reality it was only about 15 minutes.  I started with the squat bar, but instead of pushing down I was pulling myself up - I guess I was trying to run away from the pain!  My doctor talked me into sitting and pulling back on my legs which did the trick!  After 3 good pushes, I asked why he was going back in and she just smiled and said he was almost there, one more good push and I could hold the little guy!  So I gave one last push and sure enough, he came out!!  She immediately put him on my chest and let the cord continue to pulse - we got to feel the cord it was crazy!  After about 5 min the cord finally slowed down and they clamped it and Nathan got to cut it.  He said it was really gristly and actually had to take a few cuts to get through!  Everyone tells you the first time you see your child you fall in love, but you never know what they mean until you experience it.  Neither one of us could stop staring (or crying for that matter)!  He is just so perfect :)  I was able to feed him as he laid on my chest which was amazing!  While he was feeding, I had to have a few stitches as I had a Grade 1 tear - pretty sure this part was worse than the actual birth!  After he was done feeding, they put him on the scale and to my disbelief - and everyone else's' - he weighed in at 9.3 lbs and 21 inches!!  I couldn't really comprehend the fact that I had just labored for 14.5 hours and pushed out a 9.3 lb baby - with NO DRUGS!!!

Our birth was absolutely amazing.  I only had one wish going in which was to go no drugs.  I feel like I accomplished this and so much more during the entire process.  Nathan is an amazing father.  I know he was worried how he would handle all of this but he is so loving and tender with Reid it just makes me cry writing about it.  Reid has given us so much joy, we couldn't ask for a better experience.

Nathan made an amazing video of the entire process, one for us and one for the public.  I hope you enjoy his version of our birth story!

Wake Up Call

I know, I was hoping that it was from baby too, but no this wake up call was from a nasty opossum along with all the dogs from the neighborhood - at FIVE A.M.  Unfortunately we didn't realize that was why Miss B needed to go out at FIVE A.M. today!  So we let her out and she continued to bark her face off for the next 2-3 hours and no matter what we tried to get her back in the house it wasn't enough to get her away from that dang tree!  I finally went out to see why she was barking at the tree along with all the other dogs and this was staring back at me!

One word... Eww!

Finally I got her inside by suggesting a walk.  Go figure a walk out-weighed peanut butter and sausage and any other goodie she gets when we really need her attention!

Well let's hope the next blog will be a Baby Story!

Over It...

So I think I'm officially over being pregnant... don't get me wrong I haven't had a bad or uncomfortable pregnancy by any means.  In fact I've had a really easy pregnancy - or at least I think it has been.  To be honest, I just want meet this little man growing inside of me!!!

Our friends Mitch and Erin were (key word:) due 2 days AFTER us, but they went to the hospital on Monday morning and had a baby boy that evening!  I'm so happy for them (and a bit jealous too ;).  They didn't find out what they were having, so it was extra exciting waiting to hear!  They named him Talon Craig Tegtmeier and I think he looks just like his dad!  They also broke the Eudora teacher spell.  Nearly every teacher that lives in Eudora and teaches in Eudora have a or all girls.  No joke.  The ones that have boys lived outside of Eudora when they they got pregnant or taught in a different district.  So when Talon and our little guy start school they are going to be severely out numbered!

Here is a pic from today at 39.5 weeks!!  Again not the best picture - I had to reach up and over my tablet in order to not block the camera.  But you get the idea, this belly is FULL!!

Sunday during church Nathan asked me how I was feeling and I told him I felt really good in fact I had so much energy, I was ready to go!!  He looked at me bewildered and said, "Oh no, that means it's coming!"  I just laughed and secretly hoped he was right:)  Monday I took the afternoon off and got SO MUCH DONE!!  I can officially say the baby's room is 100% done, the house is clean and all bags are packed now if only the contractions would start!  Here is a picture of the last project that I finished.  I think it turned out pretty nice!

We took a poll and everyone picked a day that they thought it might happen.  Nathan picked the 4th, so he is out, I picked tomorrow, so hopefully he's workin' with momma and I'll be right!  Only time will tell!  I'll keep you posted :)

Boo!

Hope you are all having a Happy Halloween!!  I decided to be festive and dress up the bump today!

We are 38.5 weeks!

Only 11 more days to go!!

My Crafty Wife

Hi World its Nate, since Abby has been a little busy to write some posts I thought I would fill in for her . Abby has been a real trooper with the whole pregnancy. Besides being the toughest woman I know she has managed to maintain a positive attitude during the whole thing and still be productive with her crafts. Abby keeps wanting to add things to our baby room but I keep reminding her that if she starts any more projects she might not get them all done before the baby comes. Here are a few things I can proudly say my wife made.

This is the coolest thing! Abby hand painted this picture and poked holes in the branches and put some christmas lights in the back and it's now a night light above the changing table. I didn't even know she could paint!

This is a baby rocker that she got from a guy she works with and she made the giraffe print cover for the parts. She has become quite the seamstress!

Here is one of those baby somethings.... I don't really know what this is for. To me it looks like a neck brace but I haven't seen Abby use it for that yet and who would want an owl themed neck brace. You know what... it kinda looks like this donut I had to sit on when I cracked my tailbone in college, mine was not owl themed. Anyway she made the cover for this thing, it was pink before.

Randine gave us some old window frames and I knocked out the glass and Abby sanded and stained the outside and then put paper in the spots and made and elephant and giraffe out of buttons, the last spot is for the baby's name which is still up in the air.

The above 2 photos are a mobile that Abby made this week. There are 2 giraffes and 2 elephants and 1 owl that she sowed together and stuffed and hung from a wooden frame she pulled from a knitting frame. It's pretty cool.

Yes I actually did somethings in the baby room to! I put some shelves in the closet and got some baskets for organization.

I'm probably the most proud of this. Thanks to the help of a high school student and the use of the woodshop at school I made this changing table! ISN'T IT COOL!!!!!!

Other than that we are basically good to go with the baby stuff. We put the car docks in over the weekend for the car seat and have organized everything we got from the shower. Next up..... BABY.....

Another month down!

I don't know how this keeps happening!!  I really do think about doing better, time just slips right by though!  So it's been another month since I've blogged even though I ended my last blog with a 1/2 promise that I would do better...  My bad.

Well we've got 3 weeks left!  20 Days!  Can't believe that it's already here.  According to all the apps and books, Little Man is officially full term at this point so it could be any day but it could also be up to 5 weeks before he makes his grand entrance!  So at this point I'm still pretty comfortable, mainly just swollen feet by the end of the day.   No Braxton contractions - my mom never really had these either though.  Nathan thinks I'll go early, my mom thinks I'll go late - the 17th to be exact and I'm not really sure I think I'll go pretty close to the 11th (the official due date) - but we will leave it up to Little Man to decide!  Since I've talked to you last Randine and my friend Katie threw us the cutest shower!  It was Owl Themed - which I'm a little obsessed with lately!!

Owl Cupcakes!  Yumm-O

They found this banner on Etsy!  I love it... it may or may not be hanging in that exact same spot still...

 We played Name that Poo - don't worry it was just melted candy bars!

 The folks I work with got me this really cool play pen thing.  It's called a Pea Pod - it totally zips up so they are protected from mosquitos when outside and as they get older becomes their very own tent!

My Aunt Carol made this sock monkey!!  (she also made the blanket over the chair in the pic of the banner above!)  

My cousin MaryAnn drew the card!

So crafty!!

At the end of the shower they all decorated bibs for Little Man

 Aunt Randine is already trying to turn Little Man - so unfair - he is defenseless!

Now that's more like it!!

 Aunt Renelle is leading him down the Star Wars path - this one is inevitable!

My mom made a little owl to go along with the theme!

Grandma Irma made it down from Minnesota and Renelle and Liam (and baby girl Marsh) made it down from North Carolina!!

Liam spent the afternoon with Grandpa Robinson

Wonder if this is what Little Man will look like in 2 years!!

My mom and I :)

Long Time, No Blog

I've been a very, VERY bad blogger this summer!

You're all thinking it.

I'm just going to blame it on this baby growing hobby I've taken up this year. :)

Speaking of baby, I have to say I'm liking this baby growing business.  It's kinda fun!  Currently he is around 3.75 lbs and about 17 inches long at 33 weeks.  Yeah I said 33 weeks - aka 7 weeks left - aka 52 DAYS left!  Yikes we better get a move on the nursery!!  Oh and picking out a name!  Who knew it could be so hard to name a kiddo?!  As many of you know we had a name picked out 100% then we both started to waiver in our confidence of that name, so we're back to a list of names.  Honestly I don't think we will decide until he is born we can't name him Fred if he looks like a Bob! (No these names have not made our list).  Anyways, this is the latest pic I've taken of the bump :)

For the rest of this blog I'm going to update you what we've done basically all summer long in pictures - so much easier/quicker/more entertaining than words ;)

We went to a baby shower for our friends Tim & Kelsie in Wichita

Chuy was quite the overseer while we decorated:)

Tiff did such a great job of decorating for the shower the theme was SO cute!  She also did a great job of keeping a GIANT secret!!  She and Josh are expecting as well!  She was so sneaky asking me questions about what I can/can't eat or do.  Well played Tiff, well played!  :)

PS I HATE this picture!  I look like a whale!  You'd think I was the one who was 31 weeks preggo here not Miss Kelsie!  Mr Parker has since arrived and is 4 weeks old now, this just tells you how far behind I really am with my blogging!!

Miss B and I went to the dog park several times and met some new friends and shared some popsicles...

 Sorry for the blurry pics, she was really enjoying those popsicles :)

She made many of her 'famous' forts - this one was particularly impressive as I put a chair on the bed trying to block her fortress building skills.  She apparently took this as a challenge as she made not one but 2 forts - one on each side of the chair.  

Bravo B, bravo...

Found a GINORMOUS spider (thankfully already dead) on the back porch

Gave you a side by side comparsion to show you just how big the body was.  EWW!

Went to the Pooch Plunge in Eudora and met a new friend Mr. Max (he's a Dane too!!)

 The Husband and I were more interested in Max than B was neither of the were real interested in this whole swimming thing...

 So sweet :)

 While others were busy learning to swim...

Don't be fooled this is NOT Miss B - see below!

 B was clinging to the side for dear life!  She did however fall in right after this picture was taken.  I watched the entire thing happen in slow-mo and still can't figure out quite how it happened.  One second she was cautiously sniffing the water and the next all I saw was her butt as she dove in.  Of course this was deeper part of the pool, so she could touch if she was on her hind legs.  She quickly turned herself around and started clawing her way out of the pool but couldn't quite get out so the Husband jumped to the rescue - what a nice guy!  The look of shear terror and disbelief on her face still makes me chuckle a bit.  As I looked back at her in my own disbelief I didn't act fast enough to get a picture so you'll have to use your imagination!

 This is what became of my 'paradise' one too many times this summer.  I came home one day to the husband 'cleaning' it for me - or so I thought.  In reality,  he was cleaning it to put it away for the season :(  Turns out it was probably a good idea cause I was getting tired of cleaning it myself!

So in a nut shell this is what we've been up to lately.  Hopefully you are all having a great week!  I promise to TRY to be better about blogging during my last 7 weeks of growing this little human!