He's Here

Our baby boy decided to come 4 days early.  He was born Aug 24th at 9:43am.  7lbs 11ozs 21 inches. His name is Rayden James.   G and I are so happy!  Here are a few pics!

Birth story coming soon! 

Birth Plan

Here is my Birth Plan.  I think it has everything I need/want in it. 

Amanda’s Birth Plan

*  Want my Wife, G, with me at all times

*  G’s Mom and my mom are welcome in room for labor and birth

          *  Other people as I feel comfortable are welcome during labor depending how I feel

*  Want to be up and moving as long as possible

*  Pain management

          *  Different positions
          *  Bathing or showering
          *  Massage
          *  Birthing ball
          *  Hot and cold packs
          *  Epidural when needed

*  Would like to go without IV as long as possible and be able to drink clear fluids instead

*  DO NOT want Pitocin to speed up labor.  Only want it if medically necessary.  Then still want to talk about it and be part of the decision before it’s given. 

*  Do not want episiotomy unless absolutely needed then I do not want to be told before it’s done. 

*  Want skin to skin contact as soon as possible with Baby Boy but not till after he is cleaned up.  Do not want him put on my bare skin right after birth. 

*  Want to breast feed as soon as Baby Boy wants to.

*  G wants to cut the cord

*  If C-Section is needed
          *  Want G present at all times.
          *  Baby to be given to G as soon as he’s dried and checked out

          *  To breastfeed as soon as Baby Boy is ready

*  All newborn procedures to take place in mine or my wife’s presence (except circumcision)

*  Would like Baby Boy to be with G or me as much as possible

*  Do not offer our baby these without discussing with us first
          *  Formula
          *  Sugar water
          *  Pacifier

*  We want him circumcised at the hospital

*  Since breast feeding would like Lactation consultant to come see us

*  Would like to stay at hospital as long as possible/necessary

Please let me know if you guys think I am missing anything!! 

38 Weeks

Well I am still behind but I am going to try to get all caught up with this post.  I am 38 weeks now and ready for deliver Baby Boy!!  I've got almost all of his things washed and ready.  His room is getting close to being done.  We still have to fix the trim paint, get stuff on the wall and buy a few things but there is still time.  He won't know if it isn't done when he comes home! lol His bag is packed and I have mine started....I know mine should be done but most of the stuff needs to go in last minute.  So when I am waiting for "contractions to be for 1 min every 5 mins for an hour and not able to walk or talk thru them" I will pack up the rest.  That is what my midwife told me I need to wait for before coming to the hospital.  I think that is easier said then done tho.  We have an hour drive and I am thinking by the time I get to that point I will not want to be in a car for an hour.  So we will see if I make it that far before leaving.  Anyone have any good suggestions for what to pack? 

I have the basics packed for me...
PJs
night gown
slipper socks
shampoo and conditioner
soap
granny panties
change for food/soda machines
breast pads
comfortable clothes

I will pack my hair stuff, toothbrush and those type of things right before. 

In Baby Boys bag I have....
few outfits for pics and coming home
receiving blankets
burp clothes
diapers
wipes
our marriage license so G can be on birth cert

So if I am missing anything you found handy please let me know!!

G has been working 2nd shift 7 days a week for about a month and since I work days I don't get to see her.  Only time we see each other is when we are sleeping.  That has made it hard to get things ready for Baby Boy which is a reason his room isn't done yet and we haven't bought everything.  She is wanting him to come soon so she can get some time off lol oh and because she just wants to meet him to.  We both do!! 

G was able to get some time a few weeks ago to take some bare belly pics.  These were taken at 36 and a half weeks in Baby Boys room

 

 

Haven't done this in awhile so why not?

 

How far along? 38 weeks 2 days

How big is baby? about 7lbs

Total weight gain: 36lbs

Maternity Clothes: wear maternity shirts and dresses but just bought bigger jeans and skirts

Have you started to show yet? Oh yea!! My belly is measuring a week ahead.

Sleep: Starting to get hard to sleep.  Get up to pee about 4 times a night.

Best moment this week: feeling all his movements.  He still moves a ton during the day.

Miss Anything? sleeping on my belly!

Movement: Lots and lots

Food Cravings: Chocolate!

Anything make you queasy or sick? no

Gender prediction: He is a boy

Name: All we know so far is his middle name will be James after my grandfather.

Symptoms: tired, back pain, sore feet, pregnancy induces carpal tunnel

Major purchases this week? pack and play

Looking forward to: seeing Baby Boy very soon!!


So the new thing I have been dealing with is the Pregnancy Induced Carpal Tunnel.  It's NOT fun at all.  My right hand is completely numb and both hands hurt very bad when I am sleeping.  Also I have lost strength in both hands.  Can't really hold or open anything.  The numbness during the day is better then pain I guess but it's so annoying.  Having that tingling feeling all the time drives me crazy.  Last night I burnt my hand cooking and didn't really even notice.  It didn't really hurt but I woke up with a blister.  I just do not have a lot of control of my hands now.  They tell me this will go away after delivery so I am really hoping so!!  I keep telling Baby Boy he needs to come ASAP! 

35 Week Ultrasound

Finally we got to see Baby Boy again.  Seems like it was years ago.  The appointment went well.  He is head down and has been for months actually.  Also my placenta is still out of the way so we are good to go for a vaginal delivery.  Which I feel good and bad about lol I know it's best for him to be born "naturally" but would be great to be able to just schedule when he's coming!!  We really can't wait for him to finally get here and are hoping he comes early.  Here are his pictures.  The 4d one actually didn't turn out too bad. 

4d pic of his face =)

Profile pic

His foot

They said everything during the Ultrasound looked good and that he weighs about 5lbs 10oz so that should put him around 8lbs on our due date.  That's bigger then I was thinking I wanted to push out but it could be worst!! lol The fluid is good as well.  So far I have gained about 32lbs.  I think my midwife told me she wanted me to gain 30-35 lbs so I think I might pass that but she hasn't said anything to me about it yet.  Gaining too much has never been a problem for me.  Actually before I got pregnant I couldn't gain weight even when I tried.  I was just telling G the other day that I am going to miss this appetite if it goes away.  Before pregnancy I didn't have a big appetite. 

We now start our weekly appointments.  Which is good because the end is near but more time I have to take off from work.  I don't get paid maternity leave so I have to use the time I have saved up and the more I use now the less I will have with Baby Boy.  With my midwife being an hour from our house and an hour and a half from work I have to take a full day off every time I have an appointment.   

We almost have everything ready for Baby Boy.  His room is pretty close to being done and all his clothes and blankets are washed.  I am working on getting a breast pump from my insurance company.  It hasn't been easy but when is working with an insurance company easy?  Now I need to call CHIP and see if we can get health insurance for Baby Boy too.  He can't go on mine and going on G's will cost a lot.  So I am hoping CHIP will work out but I need to call them!  We still have a few more things we need to buy as well that we didn't get at the baby shower.  But I am sure it will all come together in the end and if not we will make it work!!   

Wedding

At our Baby Shower I announced that we would be getting married the next day which was a surprise to most people there since only immediate family knew.  So yes we decided to get married.  It is best for Baby Boy and G.  Since we are delivering in NY State, G will be on the birth certificate right from the start.  Also if something were to happen to me G will be able to make decisions and be able to take Baby Boy home.  I really hope that doesn't happen tho!! 

We were married July 22nd at City Hall in NY.  It was very small and very short! It really was perfect tho.  Not much planning or stress.  Here are some pictures.  I was 34 weeks at the time.

 

 

 

I did my best with the pictures.  We were suppose to have a photographer but she backed out the night before so we didn't have time to get another.  So I had to steal pics from other people and edit them myself.  In the one pic that is our boxer Konner!

 

It was a great day and I can now call G my wife!  Still trying to get used to it.  Our marriage doesn't mean a whole lot in PA but we are hoping someday soon it will!  We both kept our last names and still will be hyphenating Baby Boy's last name.