Sunday, March 29, 2009

Owen's first professional photo

This was the picture that was taken at the hospital of Owen. It took forever to get it. First, the photographer came while I was feeding Owen. Then, she stopped by, but I was in the shower, and Dan thought I'd want to be around to see the picture. Finally, she came back and we were ready. However, Owen refused to open his eyes for his pictures. It didn't matter in the end...I thought he looked adorable with his eyes closed!


Saturday, March 28, 2009

One Week - Updates

Yesterday Owen turned one week old, and to celebrate, we each had doctor appointments :) First up, Owen's one week check-up. He did so well! He is almost at his birth weight (he was 7 pounds 7 ounces yesterday), and he's measuring in the 25th percentile for both weight and height. Quite a difference from what they were telling us based on the ultrasounds! He looked great according to the doctor, so we are happy that he's continuing to do well.

The next appointment was for me; it was time for my staples to come out. I was a bit nervous about this...even though I didn't remember this hurting when I had Emily, I still couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that they'd be taking staples out of my body. While it didn't hurt badly, it pinched a bit. The nurse had the doctor come look at my incision, and it seems like there could be a small infection, but at this point it's superficial and nothing to worry about. I still feel really good, so I'm not really sure it will amount to anything.

Dan's last day off from work was yesterday as well. I know I will miss him being home with us...he's been such a help the past week. Between cleaning the house, putting away laundry, keeping Emily entertained, and helping with those middle of the night wake-ups, he's been busy. It's really hit me how lucky I am to have a husband who is so willing to help out so much.

Emily is continuing to adjust. Some days she does really well - she'll kiss Owen, "help" feed or diaper him, or check on him in the pack and play. Other days she's a bit more challenging, but we try to remember that she's adjusting to a huge change in her life.

Monday, March 23, 2009

We're home!





We came home today...a day early. I felt really good (the second time around was MUCH easier), and Owen was cleared to come home. We made it back mid-afternoon. My grandma and grandpa stopped by to drop Leo off, then my mom came over with Emily and dinner. Mom stuck around to help us get settled, which was really nice since it was a bit overwhelming at first having both kids at the house. Aside from the lack of sleep, everything is going really well, and I can't even complain about the lack of sleep since so far Owen goes about 3 hours at night between feedings.

Dan is home all this week with me, which I am so grateful for. He's been amazing, helping out with everything and really taking the brunt of the work onto himself. I couldn't have asked for a better daddy for my kids!

Emily and Owen






Saturday, March 21, 2009

Meet Owen Danny Bilodeau

Owen Danny Bilodeau was born on March 20, 2009 at 9:10 A.M. After getting to the hospital at 6:30 that morning, I was put into a hospital gown, hooked up to an IV and fetal monitors, and we waited. At 8:30 on the dot I was taken into the operating room while Dan changed into scrubs. Getting the spinal was more uncomfortable than I remembered, but it probably was because last time I was in the midst of contractions and just wanted them to stop! After the spinal, they began cleaning off my belly and getting everything set up. They checked to make sure I was numb, then brought Dan in. As he sat beside me talking and trying to distract me, the doctors were hard at work. I did start shaking again; this happened with Emily as well, and apparently is due to the anesthesia. After what seemed like forever, I was told I'd feel some pressure, and then....the loudest cries ever came from behind the drape! I don't remember Emily's first cries at all since I was so drugged and out of it, so it was so wonderful to finally be able to experience that moment. Dan cut the cord and stayed with Owen while he was wiped off and his Apgar was taken, then he was able to bring him over to me. They stayed for a little while, then headed to the nursery while I was put back together. Imagine my surprise when, in recovery, I learned Owen only weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces! He was less than Emily! Everyone is doing fine, and I am especially surprised at how easy it was this time around. I got out of bed this morning, and now that I'm off the IV, I showered and have almost no pain at all. Owen had some trouble breathing at first, but that was normal, and now he's doing really well. We're working on breastfeeding, and that is going better each time. So...here are some pictures for everyone! I'm sure there will be more soon :)

Right after Owen's birth:

Emily meeting her baby brother for the first time! She was skeptical at first, but by the time she left, she'd been giving him kisses, hugs, and identifying his facial parts.
Owen and I this morning after I got out of bed. Ignore the glasses and goofy smile.
Owen engaged in his favorite pasttime...sleeping! He's been an awesome baby so far, hardly any fussing at all.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Tomorrow is the day!

After waiting at the doctor for 2 hours, my amnio was a no-go. Because the baby is on the larger side, they couldn't find a pocket of fluid big enough to draw from. So...we are going ahead with the delivery and hoping that the lungs are developed. Right now, I am super nervous because I know what to expect. I know that 24 hours from now I will be in a world of hurt. But, I keep reminding myself that it's all worth it. So...around 8:30 Friday morning think of us...our little guy will be getting ready to pop out! I'll try to post pictures (and his name for all the curious people) as soon as I can.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Time is Set

At today's doctor appointment they told me that my c-section is set for 8:30 A.M. (provided that Thursday's amnio shows mature lungs). We have to be at the hospital by 6:30, so I'm actually going to have to get up earlier than I would if I was going to school! Which, speaking of...tomorrow is my last day!

Friday, March 13, 2009

One Week Left (Maybe)

I woke up this morning thinking, "Wow! One week from right now, I'll be getting ready to go to the hospital and meet our little guy!" But, after a visit to my friendly OB/GYN, that may not be totally true. When Maternal Fetal Medicine scheduled my amnio on 3/19, they told me I'd have the c-section on 3/20 as long as the lungs were mature. However, they didn't pass that information on to my doctor; I told the doctor about a week later. When the doctor's office tried to schedule my c-section for 3/20, they told the hospital that I would need the first slot of the day since I'm insulin dependent. Problem: a woman was already scheduled in that slot. My doctor told me not to worry, they would bump her back since my complications trumped her normal delivery.

Cut to today: the nurse at the desk when I was checking out asked if I'd gotten all the information I needed for my surgery. I told her no, so she began looking for the time I was scheduled. It wasn't written on my chart, so she made a quick call to the hospital to find out. I am scheduled to have my surgery at 1:00 P.M.! That is obviously not going to work for two reasons: first, I can't go without food for an entire day due to my sugars being so up and down, and second, I can't take my insulin and not eat at all. The hosptial's suggestion: I come in early Friday morning and they will monitor my sugars there, hooking me up to IV meds if I show signs of going too low or too high. To me, that seems like torture! Not only will I feel desperately sick (ask Dan what it's like when my sugars drop way too low), but I don't want to be hooked up all day, unable to do anything, and just wait.

So...we are now waiting for my doctor to try to straighten the entire mess out. However, she's not in until Monday, so I won't know until my Tuesday appointment what is going on. Will they bump the 8:00 girl? Will I still have to go at 1:00? Will my day get changed altogether? At this point, your guess is as good as mine.

On a much better note, we ordered a double stroller Tuesday evening, and yesterday when I got home from work, it was at our house! I HIGHLY recommend Albee Baby for any baby gear purchases (car seats, strollers, etc.). My dad and Shirley were nice enough to get this for us...here's a picture:

Now I have to hope that Dan can figure out how to put it together! Carly put our original stroller together for my shower last time, so we've never had to figure this out before. Our weekend is also full of last minute things to get ready: there are cupboards to clean out, bottles to sterilize, a pack and play to set up, curtains to be hung, and car seat bases to be installed. Still, with a week to go, I know we'll have everything ready for when we bring the baby home!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Heavyweight Champion of the World

This morning I went to Maternal Fetal Medicine to meet with my doctor there regarding the amnio. First of all, I would like to say that you know an appointment is not off to a good start when, while waiting to be called back for your 8:00 appointment, the doctor calls (at 8:10) to say she's on her way into the office. Um, yeah. So at 8:45 a woman finally comes out...not my doctor. Instead, she said the doctor decided she wants another growth ultrasound first. So, off I went to get another peek at my little guy. And surprise...he's on track to breaking records with his size! Right now (and remember, I'm not quite 36 weeks pregnant yet), he's estimated to weigh about 8.2 pounds. That's right...more than Emily weighed when she was born! As if that isn't scary enough, the tech then told me that the estimate could be off +/- a pound. Now, that could mean that he's closer to 7.2 pounds. But, folks, that could also mean he's closer to 9.2 pounds. I choose not to think about that possibility. Anyway, I have decided that the outfit I wanted him to wear in his hospital pictures and to come home in may not actually fit him, so now I have to take a back-up in the next size as well. Carly just gave me a bunch of Colton's 2T sized clothing, so perhaps he'll just move right into those.

As for everything else, it's okay. My amnio is next Thursday morning, so next Wednesday is my last day at work. The doctor cautioned me about the fact that my diabetes may not disappear when I have the baby, and we went over some options regarding that. She says that my weight gain is good, which is nice to hear since I look and feel like a beached whale. My ankles and feet are now looking like what would be seen on everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek. They are disgusting...maybe I'll post a picture later for all to be repulsed.

Friday, March 6, 2009

T minus 2 weeks

Two weeks from now, we will have our little guy in our arms (or in his bassinet) at the hospital. It's crazy to think that he'll be here so soon! We are still busy getting ready for his arrival. Wednesday we spent the better part of the night trying to figure out how to set up the nursery so that our outlets and heating vents were still functional. We still haven't come to a conclusion, although Ron is going to come check it out and see if we can add an outlet.

My big task right now is to wash all the clothes that we received last weekend at the shower. Then comes my favorite part - organizing! I also need to get the cover off of the baby carrier and wash that before we move the straps back into their smallest setting, and I need to clean up the bouncer. We're going to set up the pack and play by next weekend too, just so Emily can get used to it (we're hoping she doesn't try to climb in)!

The baby still looks good at this point. For the past three appointments my weight has stayed the same, so I'm (unrealistically) hoping that means he's not getting any heavier. I also signed the consents today for the c-section and little guy's circumcision. I have to admit, reading the paper they gave me about THAT procedure made me a little queasy!

As for Emily, she is scheduled to get her tubes on April 10th. I can't imagine how many new words she'll have, since the past few days it seems like she's been picking up at least one a day. She would not stop saying "snow" when we were home on Monday, and last night her obsession was the word "shoe".

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

It's raining, it's pouring!

Nope, I'm not talking about the weather...I'm referring to the surprise baby shower my mom and Carly threw for me on Sunday! We were so grateful to the close family and friends who came to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our little guy. We received so many things that we still needed, and I can honestly say that the baby will have enough clothes to last him until he's a toddler. Even though I had my camera there, I don't really have any pictures, so I will see if I can get someone to send me some to post. Until then, I'd just like to say a big thank you to everyone who was there (and those who tried, but couldn't be there due to distance, weather, or illness). You are all the best!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Emily's first haircut

For those who don't remember (or didn't see her), Emily was born with a very full head of dark brown/black hair. I've heard that most babies lose this hair as they get a bit older; it rubs off and falls out, and it's then replaced with regular hair. However, Emily never lost her baby hair. People could never get over how much hair she had, and before she was a year old we were able to get it into pigtails. Recently, though, her new "real" hair has begun really growing in under the old hair. She's been rocking a modified baby mullet for a little while. I tried pulling it up to keep it looking somewhat presentable, but even that started to fail me. We had no other alternative but to cut some of the length of the baby hair off. I was nervous, both because I couldn't imagine Emily without her long hair, and also because I wasn't sure how she'd behave during the hair cutting process. We took her up to Mel (who cut my hair for a very long time), and her daughter-in-law gave Emily her first cut. Some pictures of the cut:





She did really well! My mom, Dan, and I all went to witness the event, and Emily wanted Grandma to hold her. She didn't make a peep...just looked around and stayed still while Tiff gave her a trim. The finished product is cute! The picture below doesn't really show how nice it turned out...she didn't want to give me a shot of the back. She's got a little bob in the back which curls up when wet. The best part, though, is that I don't always have to pull it up to keep it out of her face!