Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Boyd - cool guy
Somebody got new shades from Uncle Gabe and a snazzy handmade owl hat from my coworker Charlyn!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Boyd - 12 weeks
3 months! Boyd is eating like a champ. We've moved to a 3-hour schedule where he nurses on both sides. Before he was nursing every 2 hours on one side. This has freed up my day a little.
Usually he is up by 8 am or so and ready to start the day. He's been going to bed between 10 and 11 pm with 1-2 wake-ups before morning. Gas is a big problem for him so I'm continuing my colic diet and we give him baby gas drops at mealtimes.
As evidenced by the photos, Boyd loves putting stuff in his mouth! He is still getting the hang of his hands but every week we see improvement.
Usually he is up by 8 am or so and ready to start the day. He's been going to bed between 10 and 11 pm with 1-2 wake-ups before morning. Gas is a big problem for him so I'm continuing my colic diet and we give him baby gas drops at mealtimes.
As evidenced by the photos, Boyd loves putting stuff in his mouth! He is still getting the hang of his hands but every week we see improvement.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Boyd - 11 weeks
It has been a rough few weeks. Single parenting is HARD! I see now why sleep deprivation is used as a torture device.
On the bright side - last night Boyd slept for more than 6 hours! All in a row, and not in one or 2 hour stretches like usual. :-) He may not sleep that long every night, but each week gets a little better in terms of length. He did scream and cry for almost an hour, and it took me 2 hours to put him down. Why do babies fight sleep so hard?
Oh and I successfully got him to sleep in the crib! I thought it would be a struggle but he's been in there for the last 3 nights with no problems. The bassinet was just getting too cramped for his growing body. What's funny is I usually swaddle him for nighttime sleep (the photo below of him in the crib is from nap time) and he always ends up either 90 or 180 degrees rotated from where I put him down. How does he move like that when swaddled? He's like a wiggly little worm!
It's amazing the changes that take place from week to week in Boyd's behavior and development. It seems like he is right on track. He does hate tummy time though! I have to trick him into doing it by placing him face down on my belly and interacting with him that way.
We've been going for stroller walks every week with friends and alone. That and the strict diet is helping me shed my pregnancy pounds.
On the bright side - last night Boyd slept for more than 6 hours! All in a row, and not in one or 2 hour stretches like usual. :-) He may not sleep that long every night, but each week gets a little better in terms of length. He did scream and cry for almost an hour, and it took me 2 hours to put him down. Why do babies fight sleep so hard?
Oh and I successfully got him to sleep in the crib! I thought it would be a struggle but he's been in there for the last 3 nights with no problems. The bassinet was just getting too cramped for his growing body. What's funny is I usually swaddle him for nighttime sleep (the photo below of him in the crib is from nap time) and he always ends up either 90 or 180 degrees rotated from where I put him down. How does he move like that when swaddled? He's like a wiggly little worm!
It's amazing the changes that take place from week to week in Boyd's behavior and development. It seems like he is right on track. He does hate tummy time though! I have to trick him into doing it by placing him face down on my belly and interacting with him that way.
We've been going for stroller walks every week with friends and alone. That and the strict diet is helping me shed my pregnancy pounds.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Boyd - 10 weeks
Boyd is smiling, laughing and giggling up a storm! He smiles at me when I go into his room in the morning - it just warms my heart. He loves looking at his mobile and toys, especially over the changing table.
He's drooling like crazy too. Apparently babies do in preparation for putting things in their mouths. The drool acts like a protective barrier against germs.
At the pediatrician's office last week, Boyd weighed a healthy 14 pounds. The nursing is going fine but I've had to cut out a lot of gassy foods (all dairy, eggs, chocolate, broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic, nuts, beans, caffeine, etc.) from my diet because of his colic issues. He cries and fusses every evening, which is very difficult for me since D is gone Mon-Fri all week on a job 2 hours away. We're making it work - its just challenging right now.
He's drooling like crazy too. Apparently babies do in preparation for putting things in their mouths. The drool acts like a protective barrier against germs.
At the pediatrician's office last week, Boyd weighed a healthy 14 pounds. The nursing is going fine but I've had to cut out a lot of gassy foods (all dairy, eggs, chocolate, broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic, nuts, beans, caffeine, etc.) from my diet because of his colic issues. He cries and fusses every evening, which is very difficult for me since D is gone Mon-Fri all week on a job 2 hours away. We're making it work - its just challenging right now.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
First bath
Boyd's first bath went so well! His umbilical cord fell off around the 2 week mark so at 3 weeks it was time for our baby to get more than just a sponge bath.
A friend of ours has let us borrow a couple baby tubs - this one has an infant insert so Boyd just floats in the warm water.
Clean, happy baby!
A friend of ours has let us borrow a couple baby tubs - this one has an infant insert so Boyd just floats in the warm water.
Clean, happy baby!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Online birth announcement
Forgot to post this earlier - Boyd's birth announcement from the hospital website:
http://www.newbabynews.net/hospitals/akr22/public/akrbirthannouncement.pl?babyID=h22-4683
http://www.newbabynews.net/hospitals/akr22/public/akrbirthannouncement.pl?babyID=h22-4683
Photo Card
Hello Chalkboard Boy Baby Announcements
Announcements for every life event: graduation, wedding & baby.
View the entire collection of cards.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Glow worm
I had one of these Glow Worm toys back in the '80's when I was a kid. I loved it!
Do you see a resemblance?
Do you see a resemblance?
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Birth experience
I can't believe how much our lives have changed in the last month! Our son is here and we are just so blessed and thankful for him. After 12 hours of labor and about 45 minutes of hard pushing, we were rewarded with Boyd Ulys Patrick!
After a fairly sleepless night on the Monday prior to Valentine's Day, D and I awoke very early in order to arrive at the hospital by 6:30 a.m. for my scheduled inducement. We headed straight up to Labor & Delivery where the nurse got us settled in the room. After I changed into the ever so lovely hospital gown, we sat down to wait for things to happen. I had an IV started for fluids and two monitors strapped to my belly: one for contractions and the other to monitor the baby's heartbeat. The IV needle was huge and I got a little woozy as the nurse inserted it into my arm.
The IV also served as a conduit for the drug Pitocin, which initiated my contractions. I was about 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced going in, and the contractions weren't too uncomfortable until I hit 5 cm or so. At 6 cm I was in a lot of pain and opted for the epidural. The anesthesiologist arrived about 20 minutes after that and inserted the catheter in my back. I sat upright at the side of the bed while she started the process, pausing when a contraction would hit. And holy moly they were excruciating without the epidural. Afterwards I felt no pain, only pressure when a contraction would hit. Labor was painful - I knew that going in, but I wasn't sure how much it would hurt even with an epidural. More power to those women who can go through the experience without pain medication.
Our families had arrived earlier in the morning and we were able to spend time with them in our L&D room. However, as soon as the contractions started to roll in and I got the epidural, it was just me and D in the birthing suite. One side effect of the epidural is uncontrollable shaking - I couldn't stop! Everyone thought I was freezing but it was just the medication. And earlier in the day, since my water wouldn't break naturally, my doctor decided to go ahead and do it. THAT was a weird sensation. Throughout the morning I remember shuffling back and forth to the bathroom (darn my small bladder) with D's help, and having to unhook the IV (D got very good at that) for each trip. My nurse let me have fluids and jello (since I was concerned about my hypoglycemia - low blood sugar) but the Pitocin really slowed down my appetite.
I have to say that one of the best parts of the birthing experience was our L&D nurse, Mary E. She was AMAZING and so wonderful throughout the whole process - I'm not sure I could have done so well without her. We were so disappointed when she had to leave at the end of her shift. She stayed as long as she could but alas, missed our baby by about 30 minutes. Also a rockstar? My husband. He was so sweet and attentive during the long hours of waiting, and a great partner during active labor.
After a fairly sleepless night on the Monday prior to Valentine's Day, D and I awoke very early in order to arrive at the hospital by 6:30 a.m. for my scheduled inducement. We headed straight up to Labor & Delivery where the nurse got us settled in the room. After I changed into the ever so lovely hospital gown, we sat down to wait for things to happen. I had an IV started for fluids and two monitors strapped to my belly: one for contractions and the other to monitor the baby's heartbeat. The IV needle was huge and I got a little woozy as the nurse inserted it into my arm. The IV also served as a conduit for the drug Pitocin, which initiated my contractions. I was about 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced going in, and the contractions weren't too uncomfortable until I hit 5 cm or so. At 6 cm I was in a lot of pain and opted for the epidural. The anesthesiologist arrived about 20 minutes after that and inserted the catheter in my back. I sat upright at the side of the bed while she started the process, pausing when a contraction would hit. And holy moly they were excruciating without the epidural. Afterwards I felt no pain, only pressure when a contraction would hit. Labor was painful - I knew that going in, but I wasn't sure how much it would hurt even with an epidural. More power to those women who can go through the experience without pain medication.
Our families had arrived earlier in the morning and we were able to spend time with them in our L&D room. However, as soon as the contractions started to roll in and I got the epidural, it was just me and D in the birthing suite. One side effect of the epidural is uncontrollable shaking - I couldn't stop! Everyone thought I was freezing but it was just the medication. And earlier in the day, since my water wouldn't break naturally, my doctor decided to go ahead and do it. THAT was a weird sensation. Throughout the morning I remember shuffling back and forth to the bathroom (darn my small bladder) with D's help, and having to unhook the IV (D got very good at that) for each trip. My nurse let me have fluids and jello (since I was concerned about my hypoglycemia - low blood sugar) but the Pitocin really slowed down my appetite.
I have to say that one of the best parts of the birthing experience was our L&D nurse, Mary E. She was AMAZING and so wonderful throughout the whole process - I'm not sure I could have done so well without her. We were so disappointed when she had to leave at the end of her shift. She stayed as long as she could but alas, missed our baby by about 30 minutes. Also a rockstar? My husband. He was so sweet and attentive during the long hours of waiting, and a great partner during active labor.
My temperature was very high so that's when the decision was made by my doctor to start pushing right away once I hit 10 cm, because an elevated maternal fever along with an epidural can signify risks for the baby. I didn't have a rigid birth plan in place - basically I wanted an epidural, a natural birth (no c-section), and for my husband to be up near my head (NOT my legs). Well, I got 2 out of 3. My doc and nurse had D holding one of my legs within full view of the action. Ah well, it worked out okay in the end!
I remember being SO thirsty during labor and especially right after Boyd was born. Lots of pushing but I feel lucky that it was only for 45 minutes. I did work hard though - when my doctor said "push," I PUSHED! Prior to going in, my friend told me to give it all I had because holding back just prolongs the experience. I was overwhelmed with emotion when they laid our baby across my chest. He had a very healthy cry and it was a wonderful sound. I couldn't believe that I had done it! Due to the whole high temperature issue, they brought in a NICU nurse to check Boyd out. We laughed when he swatted away the bulb syringe. Only a few minutes old and he already had an attitude.
I remember being SO thirsty during labor and especially right after Boyd was born. Lots of pushing but I feel lucky that it was only for 45 minutes. I did work hard though - when my doctor said "push," I PUSHED! Prior to going in, my friend told me to give it all I had because holding back just prolongs the experience. I was overwhelmed with emotion when they laid our baby across my chest. He had a very healthy cry and it was a wonderful sound. I couldn't believe that I had done it! Due to the whole high temperature issue, they brought in a NICU nurse to check Boyd out. We laughed when he swatted away the bulb syringe. Only a few minutes old and he already had an attitude.
He latched on right away, but we later had problems nursing. Breastfeeding was a difficult process for us in the beginning (not to mention painful) but I'm glad I persevered because it really is the best for him.
I had forgotten about the things that need to happen immediately after birth - namely, expelling the placenta. It HURT. Especially since my epidural had long worn off by that point. I also realized later that I had lost more blood than was normal, so my doctor was concerned with that. I just recall being so incredibly exhausted by the whole process. You know how some women look picture-perfect after giving birth? Yeah, not me. Not that I really cared if I looked a mess, but it would have been nice to have some decent looking photos with Boyd afterward.
So let's see - we checked in at 6:30 a.m., birth was at 7:48 p.m., and we finally got to the Mother/Baby unit around 10:30 p.m., I think? Boyd stayed in the room with us 99% of the time, leaving only to get weighed and checked a couple times a day. I can't recall why I had to have an IV with antibiotics inserted postpartum - it was something to do with my high temperature, blood loss and an increased risk of infection. Anyway, the nursing staff was great, although they did wake me at midnight on both nights of my stay to do a vitals check.
After 2 nights and 3 days, we were finally discharged from the hospital. I was SO ready to go home. It took us a few days to decide on the little one's name, but we finally settled on Boyd Ulys Patrick. D and I wanted a unique first name and of course his middle name is in honor of my dad. I think it's grown on everybody!
I had forgotten about the things that need to happen immediately after birth - namely, expelling the placenta. It HURT. Especially since my epidural had long worn off by that point. I also realized later that I had lost more blood than was normal, so my doctor was concerned with that. I just recall being so incredibly exhausted by the whole process. You know how some women look picture-perfect after giving birth? Yeah, not me. Not that I really cared if I looked a mess, but it would have been nice to have some decent looking photos with Boyd afterward.
So let's see - we checked in at 6:30 a.m., birth was at 7:48 p.m., and we finally got to the Mother/Baby unit around 10:30 p.m., I think? Boyd stayed in the room with us 99% of the time, leaving only to get weighed and checked a couple times a day. I can't recall why I had to have an IV with antibiotics inserted postpartum - it was something to do with my high temperature, blood loss and an increased risk of infection. Anyway, the nursing staff was great, although they did wake me at midnight on both nights of my stay to do a vitals check.
After 2 nights and 3 days, we were finally discharged from the hospital. I was SO ready to go home. It took us a few days to decide on the little one's name, but we finally settled on Boyd Ulys Patrick. D and I wanted a unique first name and of course his middle name is in honor of my dad. I think it's grown on everybody!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Baby update
Hi everyone! Everyone is doing fine here at the Patrick household. D and I are settling into life with a newborn who sleeps, poops and cries in cycles - but makes us so incredibly happy. I am working on writing down the whole birth experience and will try to post some of it this weekend. So much has happened and I want to remember it all.
We are just really thankful to our families (my mom and D's parents Don & Mim) for being here to help out as we transitioned into parents. Thanks to them we had hot meals, a clean house & laundry, groceries and time to sleep!
Out little man Boyd is doing so well now. At his first doctor's appointment, he weighed a little over 7 pounds - which meant he had lost some of his birth weight and that is normal. At the next doctor visit a few days later, he was back up to 8.055 pounds and I'm sure he is very close to his birth weight now.
The pediatrician was a little concerned about Boyd's jaundice levels since his blood work tested at 20 (normal range is 16-18), but after a follow-up lab test and in-office visit we're happy to report that he's in the clear.
I think both Boyd and I have finally gotten the hang of breastfeeding - it certainly wasn't easy those first couple days in the hospital. Now he eats like a champ!
Here are a couple photos my friend Susan took when she visited last Sunday...
We have a newborn photo shoot scheduled for this Sunday - a gift from my friend Charlyn at work. If the images turn out well, I'll use them for baby announcements.
We are just really thankful to our families (my mom and D's parents Don & Mim) for being here to help out as we transitioned into parents. Thanks to them we had hot meals, a clean house & laundry, groceries and time to sleep!
Out little man Boyd is doing so well now. At his first doctor's appointment, he weighed a little over 7 pounds - which meant he had lost some of his birth weight and that is normal. At the next doctor visit a few days later, he was back up to 8.055 pounds and I'm sure he is very close to his birth weight now.
The pediatrician was a little concerned about Boyd's jaundice levels since his blood work tested at 20 (normal range is 16-18), but after a follow-up lab test and in-office visit we're happy to report that he's in the clear.
I think both Boyd and I have finally gotten the hang of breastfeeding - it certainly wasn't easy those first couple days in the hospital. Now he eats like a champ!
Here are a couple photos my friend Susan took when she visited last Sunday...
We have a newborn photo shoot scheduled for this Sunday - a gift from my friend Charlyn at work. If the images turn out well, I'll use them for baby announcements.
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