Monday, February 28, 2011

#1 with the Ladies

Friday night Justin and I went to dinner with a friend who was in town while Gammy babysat B.
It was nice to get ready and go out for the evening, and even better to return home to our sweet pea.
Attempt at a family photo. B was awake up until he was placed in his daddy's arms.
I am so thankful that Justin helps me with the night shifts on Friday nights. I was so lucky to get 6 hours of straight sleep at one point Friday night/sat morning. AMAZING! I felt like a new woman Saturday when I woke up.

Saturday the weather was gorgeous and B and I went on a walk around the neighborhood. Justin ran to L.R. that afternoon to run some errands for us. While he was away B and I went over to Lolly and Pops so they could love on him! Justin surprised me that evening with SUSHI from Fresh market!

Sunday afternoon I went to a wedding shower, and B and daddy got to bond for a couple hours! Brody had on a cute little onesie that one of my mom's friends gave him so we had to get a couple pics.


I don't know what's cuter...the phrase on B's shirt or Brody staring at his daddy.

Hope you had a great weekend, as well!

Newborn pics & nursery pictures to come!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

1 Month

Well, our little boy has reached one month and I cannot believe it. I know I am constantly saying this, but geezz it has flown by. I'm soaking up every second with him and I treasure everyday.

Bub-

You have recently outgrown most of your newborn cloths and some of your 0-3 month cloths. Mainly because you are so long. We knew you were bound to have long legs between your daddy and me.

You weigh 8+ pounds and LOVE to eat. You let us know when it's time. It is the one thing that drives you to being extra fussy. You are currently eating 3-4 oz. every 2.5- 3 hours during the day. Sometimes mommy is lucky during the night when you go 5 hours from feeding to feeding. This has only happened a hand full of times.

You only get upset when you're hungry. You fuss a little when your tired or you're gassy. For the most part, we are very lucky/blessed.

Despite the way pictures make you look, you have the biggest, handsomest BLUE eyes.

You haven't lost any of your hair and mommy is crossing her fingers you won't. Kidding. I know it's bound to happen.

You really like your bouncy seat. AND bath time, as long as the heater is on and the water is warm. You take after me when it comes to being cold - you don't like it.

The first time we laid you on your tummy for 'tummy time' [you were 6 days old] you did NOT like it. From the second try on, you have loved it. You like to try to push up and scoot.

You enjoy peeing on momma! :)

We read at least one book per day. You are fascinated by the colors, I presume. I catch you smiling often.

You are very alert when you are awake. Constantly looking around, wide eyed.

One of my favorite things that you do right now is hold on to my finger while I'm feeding you. Daddy would say one of his favorite things is when he is reclined back in the recliner and you are laying on his chest, snoozin'.

We adore and love you so much, bug!

1 Month!
[I've ordered the monthly stickers to place on onesies, but it hasn't been delivered yet so I made a sign]
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And just for kicks, here are some pictures from last Sunday before we headed to Andrea and baby Bailey's shower.


L.O.V.E the onesie he's wearinig. My MIL found it at a Boutique in LR.


He got to hang with his 'aunt' jilly!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Brody meets Harlow

My cousin Heidi and her precious baby girl, Harlow, came to town to visit family this past weekend/week. We've been so busy that we missed there first visit last weekend, but it happened to work out for them to meet this week. They are exactly two weeks apart - Harlow is older. As you can tell from the pictures, these two are good sleepers! We couldn't get them to wake for a picture with their eyes open.

Like I said before, we are staying busy. The days FLY by! And the weeks. I'm ready to slow down a bit. From appointments to company, our days are filled with activities and wonderful people. Yesterday B was held for a couple of hours by some of his great aunts and Nan. This morning, we went back to the hospital to have more blood drawn to test his T4 and TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels. I'm just ready to know something. I feel like we've been waiting for a long time now.





My sweet MIL is on her way to bring lunch and let me either take a nap or run errands....WHAT TO DO?! Both sound equally AMAZING!




Random pic. This was taken a week and a half ago, so he's grown now, but this is how B sleeps. Callin' the Hogs!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Celebrations

As I stated earlier, J and I went on our first date post Brody last Friday to celebrate J's birthday. I was in heaven because I got to eat my most favorite meal - pecan encrusted grouper and enjoy a glass of wine. These two things were forbidden while I was pregnant, so I thoroughly enjoyed myself with my hunk.



Here we are about to head out

Lolly kept this little guy

Saturday we took our first trip to L.R. so we could celebrate Justin and Jon's birthday with the whole Swann clan. This was a big day for B. While we were there bub met his great grandmother, and some of this great aunts, along with a slew of cousins. I have to say the sweetest thing was when Malyn (our niece) met Brody. She was precious with him and she didn't want to leave his side. I think they will be good buddies!

When we got home later that afternoon Brody got to meet his 'Aunt' Ali. We are so happy that she happened to be in town for her nephews Baptism because we love any chance to visit with her!

Sunday, among a host of other things, we ventured out for our first family walk. Or should I say stroll. Remi even joined us. This was so refreshing to be outside on a gorgeous day. B loved it and pretty much snoozed the entire time.

Yesterday (Monday) B had an ultra sound done on his hips at the imaging center. We should here back, soon - hopefully today. Due to his position in my tummy, our doctor is taking precaution to make sure everything is okay with his hips. We've been double diapering him since he was born to help keep his legs down. After that appointment we headed over to our pediatricians office to do a weight check. Brody now weighs 7lbs 4.5oz. He gained a full pound in one week! Mommy and Daddy are oh-so-very happy!!

Now, we are about to take newborn pictures!

Friday, February 11, 2011

My Guy

Today is the love of my life's 28th Birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Handsome!




Cheers to the best daddy and my best friend!!
We love you so much!


Tonight Justin and I are going on our first date post Brody. We're so excited to have a date night and celebrate J's birthday, AND grateful for wonderful babysitters - thanks Lolly and Pops! :)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Firsts

I've made it my mission to document as much as I possibly can for us, and eventually I will print the pages and make a scrap book.


Technically this is B's second bath. We were too focused on him and wanting to do everything right the first time!



His first swing ride. J took a couple pictures and videoed it so I could witness it...this was taken around 3:30 a.m. when little man wasn't going to sleep.



Snoozin' in his bouncy seat


First trip to Lolly and Pops house for the Super Bowl.



Nonnie (Justin's grandmother) brought back this little 'swan' outfit from England when J was a baby. So, of course, we had to take a few pictures in it for Gammy and Mommy.



This one is just too cute not to add. B loves his daddy!



Well, I'm free to drive today - it's been two weeks - so we are about to head out and enjoy a little sun shine.


I can't believe my love bug is two weeks old today!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Birth Story

As most of you know, Brody was breech for 12+ weeks. Our doctor had scheduled the c-section for Monday, January 31st. We would have been 39 weeks then, and she likes to do sections at 39 weeks before mom goes into labor. Because of my intense lower back pain (due to B’s position) I was pretty much instructed to stay put at home for the next two weeks. Keep all this in mind as the story progresses.

So, Monday, January 24th I got a little antsy and made a trip to the post office, and Walgreen’s to buy a gallon of milk and root beer. [Justin will want me to include that last bit of info because he always puts it in the story when he tells it and rolls his eyes because I wasn’t supposed to leave.] He believes it’s what sent me into labor. Who knows? Around noon I started to have contractions that were closer together than before. At 3:00 p.m. I decided I should probably call J and just warn him. So, I called and told him to STAY at work, and when he got home we would time the contractions. Well, he didn’t stay, instead he got home quick and got out his stop watch to time the contractions. He kept trying to talk me into going up to the hospital and I was adamant to stay put a little longer. He even called our birthing class instructor and told her what was going on and she even said for us to head up to the hospital. Finally, at 8 p.m. I gave in and we grabbed our bags and headed up the hospital.


We got the Women’s Center and the nurse placed the two belts around my belly to check the baby’s heart beat and monitor my contractions. B’s heartbeat was great! She checked to see if I had dilated and see if B was still breech. I had dilated to a 2. Here is where they story takes a turn. The nurse says to us that B is NOT breech, that she felt a head. WHAT? I cannot tell you all of the different emotions going through my mind. After she stepped away Justin and I looked at each other in confusion. Both of us didn’t feel like she was correct. They kept us until 11 p.m. and called my doctor [who, praise the Lord, happened to be on call this particular evening] to see what she wanted to do. Since B was supposedly head first now, my doctor said for me to head home, monitor the contractions, and pretty much stay in bed. LOVELY.



We get home and I head straight for the shower. I was in the shower for no longer than 1 minute when I felt what I thought was my water breaking. Me: “UMM, Justin I think my water just broke!!” He rushes in. Me: “I’m not certain, but it felt exactly like what everyone and the books say.” I’ll spare you the details here. Quickly we are grabbing stuff, changing, and rushing back to the hospital.



I believe it’s around 11:30 p.m at this point. At the hospital the nurse does the same thing as before. Except this time she did a test to see if it was my water that had “broke.” The test was negative, but she said she’ll have to do it again in a little bit to confirm. She checks once more to see if I had dilated, and I had dilated to a 3. Here is the second curve ball. This nurse isn’t confident that he is head first. She gets the ultra sound machine so that we will know for sure. We’re all looking, and looking, and looking, and then she said she thinks he’s transverse (sideways). WHAT? I’m not feeling any of this big movement. That nurse grabs another nurse to confirm. The nurse contacts my doctor again and my doctor tell us to stay the night at the hospital and let them monitor B and me, and she would be there first thing in the morning.



No sleep for me - contractions all through the early morning. My doctor arrives around 7 a.m. Tuesday, January 25th and wheels in the ultra sound machine to really confirm B’s position. Ready for this…he is in the same position he had been in all along. He’s still breech. THANK the Lord we went to the hospital and took precautions because our baby was breech and he was ready to come. I’m also so thankful for my husband’s persistence to get us to the hospital. Our doc scheduled our section for that morning at 9:30 a.m. Again, I cannot describe to you all the different emotions I was feeling at this moment. Justin contacted our family and friends while I was busy getting prepped with paper work and questions before the section. Around 9:00 a.m. my fantastic nurse comes in to inform me that there is an emergency c-section and we will be bumped back.

Around 1:00 p.m., before I was wheeled back to the room where B was delivered, J and I got to have some alone time to pray. I'm so grateful for that time because up until that point it was so chaotic. They gave me the epidural, and prepped me for the section. J came in. Then, our doctor.
This moment forever changed my life. As soon as I heard B cry I was relieved and overwhelmed with joy. My faith has increased because of my son and the experience of pregnancy. The love I have for him is like nothing I have ever known. My love and appreciation for Justin is stronger than ever. Justin will never understand the depth of my love for him. I love us. I love all three of us.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Phil 4:4


Daddy, ready and waiting to come back to me


Some of our guests in the waiting area



I'm so thankful I was able to experience a bit of natural birthing. I got the epidural right in the nick of time! :)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Maternity Pictures

While we were at the hospital, my cousin Heather, who is an AMAZING photographer, posted some of our maternity pictures on her blog. Please feel free to check them out by clicking the link below, and then browse her site. If you need a photographer, Heather is your lady. She is oh-so-very talented! [I was 35 weeks pregnant when she shot these photos.]


Hope you're staying warm and cozy on this cold winter day!
More to come, soon!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Lovebug

I've been MIA due to a sweet addition to our family. William Brody Swann was born at 1:55, Tuesday, January 25. He was born two weeks early and weighed 6 lbs 3 oz and he was 18 in long.
He has COMPLETELY stole his mommas heart! Daddy and I are smitten.

[I will write about the "story" at a later date. Right now I am too busy snuggling up with my little love bug.]


Yawning it out!






I week old today!!


Lolly [my mom] and Gammy have been such a BIG help!! We love you!!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your prayers and acts of kindness. We are overjoyed and lovin' every minute with our blessing. GOD is SO good! More details on the birth story, visitors, and day to day life coming soon. Cannot promise when that will be because my hands are full!