Your Second Day: 12/16/2011

Dear Conor,

Your second day was a big day for you!  It started early in the morning (around 1 am) when you were taken to the nursery so that you could have your PKU test done and your blood drawn for the metabolic testing that must be done after you are officially 24 hours old.  Your PKU test came back negative and we will only be contacted if there are concerns with your blood work, but that will take several weeks.

When you were brought back to me we went to sleep for a few hours until you needed to be fed again.  After you were fed you were taken back to the nursery to be examined by the pediatrician again and to have your circumcision done.  While you were being checked the lactation nurse came in and taught me to express a little milk for you to have as a treat during your procedure.  However, when they brought you back they told me that you didn't cry or make a sound during the procedure and so you got the milk as an after treat.  You were my brave little boy right from the start!

Your Dad arrived pretty early in the morning and so he was there for your first diaper change after the circumcision so we learned how to take care of it together.  Then your Grandma Mary and Aunties arrived.  They stayed for a short visit before they had to start on their drive home.

After their visit we waited for the photographer to come and for you to have your first photoshoot.  It did not go very well because she was an hour later than she had said and you were very hungry and fussy.  We didn't get a lot of great pictures but there were some cute ones.  I have gotten in touch with the photographer to see if there is a way to do a reshoot.  If not then I will likely only order one or two of the photos and we will get more pictures done at a later time.

After the photoshoot it was time to pack you into your carseat for the very first time.  The nurse was there to make sure that we were installing you into your seat correctly and she was kind enough to take some pictures for us.  She also helped us pack up everything so we were certain not to forget anything!

Our First Family Photo!

All packed up and ready to go!

You and I were officially discharged at 1pm and leaving the hospital was bittersweet.  I was very glad to be going home (and taking you with me) but the staff had been so kind and had really helped me adjust to taking care of you full time and I knew I was going to miss them!  The nurse who took care of you right after your circumcision escorted us out to the hospital lobby and waited with you and I while your Dad went to get the car.  You were a hit with all the nurses on the floor and the ladies in the lobby were also drawn to you.  They all thought you were adorable and they could not believe how much you looked like a little boy.  You even attracted the security guard who came over to congratulate us.

Finally your Dad pulled up to the door and it was time for us to go home.  I rode in the backseat with you to make certain that you didn't need anything as we drove home.  The ride home was very quiet.  You slept the whole way home and your Dad and I listened to Christmas music.  This was your FIRST car ride!

When we got home it was time to introduce you to Hunter - but that is a post all in itself.

After about a half an hour, your Grandma Janet, Grandpa Dennis and Great Grandma Irene came to visit you.  You have not met GG Irene as she had not come to the hospital so she was very eager to meet you.  She is 88 years old and you are very lucky to have her as many kids don't ever get to meet their Great Grandparents.

You and Great Grandma Irene

Once GG Irene was done holding you then it your Grandma Janet wanted to hold you again.  Since I hadn't gotten any pictures in the hospital I made sure to get some while we were at home.

You and Grandma Janet

The Jakan family stayed for a few hours and then it was time to say goodbye to them and it was just you, me, your Dad, and Hunter - our new family of FOUR!

You spent the rest of the evening sleeping, eating, and messing your diaper (which we changed of course).  It was very nice to enjoy the night as our new family.  Your first night at home you did really well.  You woke up every 3-4 hours to eat (which took you about 20 minutes) and then I would change your diaper and give you just a little bit more to eat to help you fall back asleep.  You did not want to sleep in your bassinet because you had mostly been co-sleeping with me at the hospital as you had been waking every 2 hours so I let you sleep on my chest for a bit to help you get to sleep and then I put you in your bassinet.

You also seemed to not want to be swaddled in the fleece Halo swaddle (though you were very comfortable in the swaddle at the hospital) so we just made sure you were in very warm jammies and I swaddled you but left your arms out and tucked you under a fleece blanket while I was watching TV.  When it was time for bed we put you in a fleece sleep sack.  But, I noticed that your arms would wake you up so I said that the next night we would work on the swaddle!

Resting in Mom' bed while she watched TV

Given how many issues we could have had I believe the transition from hospital to home went very well and that you handled the craziness of Day 2 very well.

xoxo
Mom

Your First 24 Hours

Dear Conor,

Your first 24 hours of life were very busy as you were not only the new kid on the block but also the most popular.  Your Dad and his parents (your Grandma Janet and Grandpa Dennis) came to visit around 10am and they stayed for a few hours.  Your Dad gave you a little Michael Meyers doll and your paternal grandparents gave you a stuffed dog and a Hallmark Christmas Ornament.  They enjoyed spending time with you and you took to them pretty well.  I didn't get any pictures of them on this day because my camera battery had died over the evening so as soon as they left I plugged it in to charge.

After your Grandparents left it was just me, you and your Dad for the first time.  We hung out (with you spending some time in your Dad's arms) until your Grandma Mary came to visit and she brought your Aunts Danielle and Sarah with them.  They had left school and driven up to meet you.  Your Aunt Danielle could not contain her emotions when she came into the hospital room - she started crying the moment she crossed from the foyer into our actual room and she announced it.  She couldn't wait to hold you and so I handed you over.

The first time you met Auntie Danielle

After Auntie Danielle held you it was Auntie Sarah's turn.  Her holding you was very special as you were the first baby she has ever held.  Her emotions got the best of her as well and she started crying!  In these pictures you weren't even a full 24 hours old and you had already made two girls cry - your such a heartbreaker!

Auntie Sarah and You

After your Aunties had their chances to play with you and love on you it was time for you to officially visit with your Grandma Mary.  Of course, she had met you the night before and had held you but it had only been for a few minutes.  She was just as excited to hold you on this day as she was the night before.  She told me several times over and over again that the moment you made her a grandmother was the happiest day for her.

You and Grandma Mary

You also spend more time being held by your Dad.  At one point you wouldn't stop crying so he took a fun picture with you with him pretend crying too.

Everyone left around dinner time and then it was just me and you again.  We had a good night that night.  You slept for 3-4 hours at a time and you also fed really well each time you woke up.  You were taken to the nursery for a few hours to have your vitals checked and to have some testing done as we wanted to leave on Friday.  So your hearing test was done and the metabolic blood screening was also done and your blood forwarded for analysis.  But, before you left for those tests you and I celebrated your one day birthday!

You had a very busy day your first day of life - but you handled it very well!

xoxo
Mom

Happy Birthday Conor Thomas!

Dear Conor,

This is your birth story.  I have been waiting for a chance to write it all down for you so that neither you nor I ever forget how you came to be a part of this family.

On Monday, December 12 around 12pm I went upstairs to take a little nap and started having contractions.  They were coming every hour and they were pretty strong and didn't go away no matter what position I was in (standing, sitting, or laying down).  Because of this I texted both your dad (who was downstairs) and your Grandma Mary to let them know what was going on.  Grandma Mary surprised us by coming straight up that afternoon and she got here around dinner time.  The contractions continued through the night and into the morning, occurring every 15 minutes.

On Tuesday, December 14, your Dad, Grandma Mary, Hunter, and I sat around the living room waiting for things to progress.  But - they never really did.  I checked with the midwives in the morning and they said to hold out at home until the contractions were coming every 7 minutes; but while they got to 10 minutes they never came any closer together and actually started moving back toward the 15 minute mark.  I ended up calling the midwives around dinner time to determine what the next steps would be.  They told me to take it easy for the rest of the night and call if things changed.

Well, things did change - but not till very early in the morning (around 2am).  At that time I woke up with strong contractions in my abdomen and over the next two hours they continued to increase in strength and frequency until around 4am when they were about 4-7 minutes apart (depending on the contraction and if I caught it at its true start).  So, we called the midwives and they said to come on into the hospital!

We got up and started to get ready to leave.  Your Grandma Mary was going to stay with Hunter but I really wanted her to come because I wasn't sure how fast things would go once we were at the hospital so we left Hunter at home and your Grandma Janet came to get him an hour or so later.  He stayed with her for the entire day and slept over that night so we didn't have to worry about him at all! 

We got to the hospital around 7am and I was admitted straight into a room and got to skip triage.

Once at the hospital things did not go very quickly.  I labored in bed for several hours before it was decided that medical intervention would begin (as I had only dilated 2 centimeters on my own from where I was the Friday before).  Pitocin began and the contractions got stronger and closer together - but they were not breaking my water as the contractions were not consistently 3 minutes apart but would vary between 3 and 6 minutes.  The nurse indicated that this meant my body was not quite ready to begin the real process of delivery.

We were beginning to feel that things were going to take longer than we had thought so we sent your Dad out for treats and some magazines for us to read.  He returned with a cute little pink monkey for me to use as a focus item when things got tough.  I can't tell you how much that little monkey truly helped as time went on.  That little monkey is now in your room as a reminder of how sweet your Dad is and how even the littlest thing can make a difference.

Fast forward a few more hours and my body was struggling with the contractions.  I would feel them coming on and if I had been in the bathroom I would need to rush to the bed before it officially started as they hurt more standing up.  At one point I did not make it from the bathroom to the bed and your Dad had to hold me tight to help me get through it before helping me to the bed.  While you Conor will never experience contractions, your future wife will, and I encourage you to support her to handle the pain and/or discomfort any way you can.

There came a point when your Dad could tell that things were getting stronger and the pain was getting harder to cope with and he asked me how I was doing.  I told him that I thought I was ok but he insisted on the medication and I am glad that he did because minutes later the pain became so intense that I started crying due to the pain I was feeling in both my abdomen and my left hip.  The anesthesiologist finally arrived and after what seemed like forever (and it was probably closer to 5-7 minutes) he administered the first epidural.  I think it was shortly after the medication was administered that my water was broken by the midwife.

That's right - I said the first because about 2 hours later I needed to have another one done because the pain in my hip was continuing so strongly that I was unable to use any of the coping mechanisms and I started crying again.  So, another anesthesiologist was called and this time he not only redid the first epidural but also administered an intrafecal (a fast acting but short term shot of pain medication).  I could feel it taking effect pretty fast and the pain was gone and I found myself sleepy.  Labor is so intensive that it is exhausting and I had been battling the pain for so long that I literally fell asleep within minutes of the doctor finishing up.  Your dad says I slept like a log for about an hour or so - until I started making faces in my sleep.

I can't recall making faces but I do recall asking him why I could feel the pain in my hip again.  Your dad paged the nurse and both the nurse and the midwife 'came running' according to him.  He told them what was happening and the midwife checked me and said I was fully effaced and dilated and we were going to deliver you right them and there.  There wasn't even time to think about it because the next thing I knew we were pushing you out.  I pushed for about 15 minutes before you came into the world.

First Pictures

Your dad stood next to me on the right and Grandma Mary held my left leg for me until that moment you arrived.  Once you arrived you were placed immediately on my chest.  You were a little slimy but incredibly warm and you nuzzled under my chin right away and I could feel you breathing.  You didn't do a lot of crying but you were clearly healthy and you were mine.  Your Grandma Mary cut your cord and they wrapped you up nice and snug.

You were born at 11:41pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 weighing 8 pounds 10.6 ounces with a length of 20.5 inches and in that minute you changed our lives forever!

They always say that you fall in love with your baby the moment they place them on your chest.  I can't say that its love you feel at that exact moment - its more a feeling of awe.  You are simply amazed that this little person came from your body and is now there on your chest, breathing his first breaths.  You are in shock that the little hands and feet you are touching and checking for completeness were the same feet and hands that made parts of your stomach move just days before.  Once all these feelings pass you then begin to feel that unconditional love that so many talk about.

Conor, once your Dad and Grandma Mary left for the night and the nurses and hospital staff closed the door and you and I were alone for the first time, that is when I truly fell in love with you.  I made a promise to you right then and there - that no matter what turns our lives take I will always be the very best mom to you that I possibly can but most importantly, I will always love you!

Happy Birthday Conor!

xoxo
Mom

6 days overdue.......

Oh Conor

Friday we had a doctor's appointment to access this situation.  I had my membranes swept (seperating my uterus from the membranes that hold everything in place).  It was not the most pleasant experience I have ever had but we did learn that I was 1.5cm dilated (not much seeing I have to get to 10).  We also did a non-stress test and learned that you were responding to uterus movements well (I didn't feel most of the movements but that's ok).  Later that day I had a few BH contractions but nothing regular. 

Saturday and Sunday my mucus plug started falling out and I'm pretty sure by Sunday morning it was 100% gone.  But - still no contractions.  I'm starting to feel like you might never want to come out.

We have an ultrasound tomorrow (when I will officially be 41 weeks) to review your safety (make sure you have enough fluid around you and that your placenta is still working well and attached).  Then on Friday (41 weeks and 3 days) they said they would schedule an induction for the following week (so sooner than the 19th which would be 41 weeks and 6 days).  Though I need to talk to them and see if they would consider doing it Friday for a variety of reasons).

I would really rather not have to 'kick' you out so let's get this show on the road! :)

xoxo
Mom

40 weeks and 2 days.......OVERDUE

Dear Conor,

While I am certain it is very much cozier and warm in my stomach than out here in the world (especially with the possibility of snow tonight and tomorrow), I would greatly appreciate you making your arrival in the next day or so.  We are struggling to sleep at night because if we lay down we get heartburn, if we lay on our left side then our hip hurts, if we lay on our back then our back hurts, and laying on the right seems to let us sleep for about 40 minutes at a time.  You are going to have one very tired Mom (and you are going to be one very tired baby) if the two of us don't get some sleep!  We tried napping yesterday afternoon but it must have been at your playtime because you were moving around so much that I couldn't really sleep but it did help to rest a little bit.

Your Grandma Mary said that she was coming up today to visit so perhaps we will get out and about and that will encourage you to do some shifting and moving on out :)

Even if you don't come today - I still love you (but Santa is watching - and he only brings gifts to good little boys!)!

xoxo
Mom

PS.  The duvet for your big bed came yesterday and a few other things were purchased so I will likely to a final nursery update later today or tomorrow!

39 weeks 6 days and READY

Dear Conor,

Tomorrow is your due date.  You have been such a good boy, already listening to your mom.  You let me finish my court cases, you let Grandpa Adam graduate, your dad got his "To-Do" list done (as did I) and we are so thankful that you are already minding our words.  But, now I'm hear to tell you that its ok for you to come out and meet us. 

At our doctor's appointment this past Friday (December 2) we talked about that fact that you were head down but you were not locked into the birth canal.  I have felt you move quite a bit and it's time for you to make your way to that spot - as much as I want to keep you safe and warm inside my belly - its time for you greet the world.

Why?  Because if this is going to be your first Christmas I really really want you to be able to participate in the jollyness of the season.  We want to take you to see Santa Claus, watch Christmas movies with you, we want to take you on a tour of all the decorated houses, and we want to have some time with you before the crazy days of Christmas Eve and Christmas actually get here.

So Conor, please listen to your mommy again and start making your way out!

xoxo
Mom

First Christmas

Dear Conor,

This past week I have been hard at work getting our family ready for Christmas.  As this will be your first Christmas you needed a stocking!

Many years ago I made a set of stockings for Grandma Mary.  A few years later I made a set for Grandma Janet.  But, I had never made a stocking set for our home.  With your impending arrival I decided to do just that (I have no idea what I was thinking - your mom is sometimes a little nutty!).  I started with your stocking and I just LOVE the way it turned out!

I picked a whimsical Santa Claus material for the body and then some fun polka dots (I just love polka dots) and Ho Ho fabric for the details.  I also found great embellishments that really bring the stocking to life.  I made it bigger than the ones I made for your Grandmothers because I just know you will always be a very good little boy and therefore Santa will have many things to stuff into your stocking.  I will never forget being 38 weeks pregnant and trying to sew - it was truly a sight to be seen.  I have also finished your Dad's stocking and will hopefully finish mine tonight.  I can't wait to see them all hanging together!

But, I am getting ahead of myself.  Here are the pictures of YOUR first stocking for your FIRST CHRISTMAS!

What fun trim!  I just love that it looks like the fur on Santa's hat!

Polka Dots and rick rac - you can't go wrong

A close up of the Santa fabric

I can't wait to see what Santa puts in your stocking for your First Christmas!

xoxo
Mom