Monday, January 21, 2013

First weeks of Mason…

As most people with children can image the last few weeks have been a crazy mess of fun and lack of sleep.  Today is my first official day alone with Mason all day.  My mom has gone back to work and Michael went back last week.  So far, today is good. 

Last week was definitely crazy.  Mason wasn’t gaining weight.  He had lost 11.5% of his body weight since birth, and the doctors did not like that.  We have started to supplement him with formula and after about a week he finally showed weight gain at the doctor. 5 ounces of weight gain in a matter of days.  Thank goodness.  We go back to the doctor for a weight check and two week appt tomorrow.  The problems didn’t stop with Mason.  I was having problems with my blood pressure.  It was still high from before the baby being born.  We worked all last week on finding the right amount of medicine to regulate my blood pressure.  By Friday, both Mason and I were doing much better. 

Mason on Friday weighed in at 6lbs 15oz.  He is 20 inches long.  He is currently sleeping 3-4 hours at night between feedings and he eats every 2 hours during the day.  He is a very content baby thus far.  I can put him in his bed awake and he will look around and entertain himself before falling asleep.  I am hoping that keeps up.  Fingers crossed.  He is very expressive with his face.  I think he gets this from me.  He already smiles, which is fun to watch.  He is very alert.  Always wanting to look around.  He knows who his Mommy and Daddy are and will follow our voices. 

His big sister is feeling just as exhausted as me.  She gets up with me all night and if Mason starts to cry to has to go check on him.  I don’t think she is getting as much attention as she did before, but she is definitely sticking close by all of us.  She is way more protective when people come to the door.  Her bark just sounds meaner to me.  Gabby wants to be in every picture with Mason.  Grab the camera and she will follow and pose.  She is such a ham.     

Home from the hospital and getting some Nana time.Mason_Allen_01_10_2013_1732.NEFProud DaddyMason_Allen_01_11_2013_1738.NEFWorking on supplements…his legs make me laugh.Mason_Allen_01_11_2013_1741.NEFCousin Lindsey visiting.Mason_Allen_01_11_2013_1743.NEFI think they both might have been a little exhausted.Mason_Allen_01_11_2013_1744.NEFFamily tummy time.Mason_Allen_01_12_2013_1746.NEFMr. Will came to visit.Mason_Allen_01_12_2013_1750.NEFMiss Laura did too.Mason_Allen_01_12_2013_1752.NEFGabby is so interested in him.Mason_Allen_01_13_2013_1767.NEFHe is so fun to watch.Mason_Allen_01_13_2013_1770.NEFExhausted and happy.Mason_Allen_01_13_2013_1774.NEFDaddy burp time.Mason_Allen_01_13_2013_1777.NEFWe are ready for some Razorback basketball.Mason_Allen_01_16_2013_1780.NEFI just love how he keeps his hands by his face.Mason_Allen_01_17_2013_1793.NEFGabby must keep a close eye.Mason_Allen_01_17_2013_1803.NEFSome snuggle time before bed.Mason_Allen_01_18_2013_1808.NEFPapaw getting some lovin’ Mason_Allen_01_20_2013_1811.NEF

Friday, January 18, 2013

Mason’s Birth Story

It all started on a Friday.  I went to my regular doctor’s appointment expecting a quick in and out.  Nothing exciting happening, go home and wait.  When I arrived my blood pressure was very high.  It was high enough that the doctor sent me upstairs to Labor and Delivery to be monitored.  I wasn’t too worried about it, but there was mention of induction if it didn’t go down, so Michael came up to the hospital to sit with me.  We were there four hours before they sent me home with orders to come back the next day with a 24 hour pre-eclampsia test.  My blood pressure had dropped a little but I was laying around in a hospital bed.  I was to take it easy.  On Saturday, my 24 hour test came back negative and my blood pressure wasn’t looking horrible.  The doctor recommended that I get induced on Tuesday, which would be 39 weeks.  I was okay with that.  I was a little worried that taking it easy wouldn’t be that easy and it wasn’t, even for a few days. 

Tuesday morning, we headed to the hospital bright and early.  The warnings about getting induced were a possible c-section before the day was over.  I had spent the weekend preparing myself for that possibility.  Everything was going very well with my induction.  My blood pressure would spike every once in awhile, but it was staying down and then I got an epidural.  When you get that it will cause your blood pressure to go down.  It made mine normal.  This was great.  Not long later the doctor came in to break my water.  Everything went downhill from there and fast.  The baby was fine the whole time, but it was me that was not fine.  I was talking to the nurse and all of the sudden I started seeing spots.  I told the nurse.  She pulled back my covers and I was sitting in a pool of blood. 

The nurse immediately called for help from another nurse and called the doctor.  My doctor was in my room in about 2 seconds.  She checked me and said well it looks like we are going to have a c-section.  My placenta was the cause of the blood.  It all happened very fast at that point.  It was a blur.  I knew I was prepared for c-section before the day started, but I figured it would happen at the end of the day, after laboring all day.  They threw clothes at Michael and told him to grab his camera.  They had me in the operating room and were cutting within minutes.  I was so nervous, scared, and worried for the little one in my belly.  I kept wondering when are they going to let Michael in here with me.  It felt like forever before I saw him again, but I am sure it was only a few minutes.

From there, it was quick.  I was getting excited to know if I had a boy or a girl.  The doctor told me the baby had lots of hair.  I immediately started crying.  I really wanted a baby with lots of hair.  Then he was out.  The doctor told Michael to stand up and tell me what it was.  He was too funny.  He said “I can stand up.”  I then told him stand up stand up what is it.  Michael got to tell me it was a boy and that made me very happy.  I really wanted a boy.  At that point Michael went to the baby and started taking pictures while they finished me up.  He and the baby came back to me, so I could see him before they took him to the nursery.  I kept asking how big is he, how long is he.  I guess they do that stuff in the nursery, because I couldn’t get the answer.  Michael went with the baby and I got left in the operating room alone.  Thank goodness for the medicine to relax me. 

They sent me to recovery, where I stayed two hours.  My Mom came to recovery so I wouldn’t be alone.  She didn’t even know what we had.  I told her it was a boy and he had hair.  I then told her to go tell my Dad and Michael’s Mom to go to the nursery.    They brought Mason to me after about an hour, but I couldn’t really do much.  We tried feeding for the first time, which is really hard laying flat and not being able to move.  The rest of the day is a big blur.  We had visitors, but I really don’t remember much.  Just trying to feed Mason and sleep.  The sleep was harder. 

I have to say the next morning I was out of bed and walking around.  The c-section really wasn’t as bad as I thought.  My recovery has been easy minus the fact that I have had major blood pressure problems.  We have finally gotten that under control, but it was pretty scary for a few days.  Here are some pictures from Mason’s birth.    

What do you do while waiting to see your wife? Take self-portraits.  Mason_Allen_01_08_2013_1664.NEFHe is here!Mason_Allen_01_08_2013_1670First Family photo. Mason_Allen_01_08_2013_1694.NEFMimi (or Nana) holding Mason for the first time.Mason_Allen_01_08_2013_1705.NEFCheck out that adorable face.Mason_Allen_01_08_2013_1710.NEFMeeting Grandma Sperry.Mason_Allen_01_08_2013_1712.NEFMeeting Auntie Meggers. Does she look nervous?Mason_Allen_01_08_2013_1715.NEFMeeting Skrocki…who will be teaching him bad stuff soon I am sure.Mason_Allen_01_08_2013_1717.NEFSome pretty flowers we received. Mason_Allen_01_09_2013_1718.NEFEnjoying some snuggle time.Mason_Allen_01_09_2013_1724.NEFGetting ready to go home!!Mason_Allen_01_10_2013_1729.NEFWe are ready to go meet our big sister!Mason_Allen_01_10_2013_1731.NEF

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Introducing…

Last week Michael and I had our little bundle of joy join our world!!  I will tell his birth story later when I have caught up on some sleep but until then enjoy.Mason_Allen_01_12_2013_1761.NEF

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Maternity Pictures

I have shared a few of our maternity pictures over the past few weeks, but I should share more.  Bryan Striegler is an amazing photographer.  He also just so happens to be good friends of ours.  He did some fabulous pictures of Michael, Gabby, and I for my maternity shoot.  We went to his family’s land and I have to say Gabby was in doggie heaven.  They had all kinds of new smells for her and a creek.  She went swimming multiple times.  As soon as I saw the water I told Michael she will be in that the second she realizes it is over there.  Sure enough, my little baby girl was jumping right into that creek.  She was running all over the place.  We should be grateful we got any pictures with her at all.  http://www.strieglerphoto.com/DSC_7888DSC_7890DSC_7943DSC_8008DSC_8057DSC_8078DSC_8112DSC_8142DSC_8182DSC_8201

Monday, January 7, 2013

Week 38

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How far along? 38 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 25lbs (been a little sick this week)
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Stretch marks? No-Thank goodness.
Sleep: Since I have been a little sick this week with a cold, I have slept better at night.  I have been taking some medicine that aids in the sleep area.
Best moment this week: Michael making homemade hot wings.  They were SOOO good.  I made some homemade beer battered fries that were great too!
Miss Anything? I still really want something to drink.
Movement: The baby’s movements have slowed down this week.  It is quickly running out of room to make those movements.
Food cravings: Sushi.  I really want good ole fashioned raw sushi.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Just the weather.
Feelings: I am ready to be done.        
Gender: We are not going to find out.  Michael now says he thinks it is a boy.
Labor Signs: No.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it is definitely starting to look different.
Wedding rings on or off? Off, which makes me sad.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I have had a lot of anxiety this week.  Probably from being sick and getting closer to the D-Day.
Looking forward to: Michael said he feels like these 9 months have gone by really fast and he is looking forward to knowing what gender we have.  He is looking forward to telling everyone if it is a boy or girl.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Hello 2013, Goodbye 2012

January 2012 – Ski Trip to Crested ButteCrestedButte_01_09_2012_133.NEFFebruary 2012 – Gabby turned 2 Gabby2ndBday_02_01_2012_347March 2012 – Hosted a Baby Shower for good friendsRachel_Baby_Shwr_03_31_2012_516.NEFApril 2012 – Baseball with the besties!!529May 2012 – Our Goddaughter was born!Hattie_05_19_2012_709June 2012 – We announced that we were expecting!Baby_06_22_2012_821July 2012 – Our Goddaughter got baptized. Hattie_Baptism_07_21_2012_1140.NEFAugust 2012 – We got some important baby practice…he looks like a pro.Baby_Bump_05_29_2012_1204September 2012 – We started decorating our baby’s room.Baby_Bump_09_24_2012_1233.NEFOctober 2012 – Halloween and lots of travel for work.Pumpkin_10_16_2012_1260November 2012 – Busiest Month of all…Family Shower, Friend Shower, Vacation.BabyShower_11_04_2012_1315.NEF

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Gulf_Shores_11_13_2012_1471.NEFDecember 2012 – Maternity Pictures and Christmas.DSC_7899

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About Us

My photo
Michael and I have been together since 2006. We met in college at the University of Arkansas and began our life together. We bought a house and moved to Fayetteville from the Chicagoland area in November 2009. We were married in 2010 and had our first child, a boy, in 2013. Our favorite thing to do together is travel and we have gotten the opportunity to go to lots of fun places. We are working, breathing, playful parents. Our fur baby and child are the center of our crazy life, but we wouldn't have it any other way.