Lots of Changes

Let's talk about Luke. At his last appointment he was 9 lbs. 9 oz. (a total gain of 25 oz! when all they wanted was 5-10.. haha!) and 22.5 inches long. My baby is going to be a monster! Anyway, he's been sleeping ok, still not enough for us to feel well rested though. If I take a nap some time in the afternoon, it makes for a better night. Also, he's been making all kinds of faces. He now smiles at me! And recently he's started to raise an eyebrow. It's really funny. I've given up on breastfeeding (so many complications... next time I'll be prepared). I've also been trying to think of lullabies that I knew when I was little. At first I couldn't think of any so I resorted to some songs I learned in Freshman Spanish.. "The Cho-Co-La-Te Song" and "Los Colores". Well, it's better than Aldo. He just repeats "How Now Brown Cow" over and over.

As for me, I haven't been doing much. Once you have a child, your whole day pretty much revolves around them. On Mondays I've been going to Bible study. I've been wanting to get more involved for a while and last Sunday, Aldo told the youth pastors he wants us to be "youth pastors". He meant to say "youth leaders". There's a major difference between a leader and a pastor.... and so... I had to tell them what he meant to say. But.. ever since it came out of his mouth, I have no idea where this is going to go. Heh heh.

Other than that I'll be going back to work in August. Aldo recently applied for a job and was hired. So he'll start his training to be an ESL teacher with the school district in August also. And at the end of August we'll be moving in with my mom. Right now we're just trying to get the schedule managed out and two cars working. So.. there's been a lot of changes. Luke's maybe last?? baby shower is August 1st. And his dedication is August 15th. So I'll have pictures to post then and more stories.

P.S. Baby had his first booboo yesterday. Aldo's deodorant accidentally fell on his head and left a tiny mark on his forehead. He felt so bad. But I think it's a good starter. Boys end up with all kinds of bruises growing up. I better get used to it.

Apartment Living

Well, I've now been stuck in the house for 3 weeks. It's been crazy. Especially this past week. I've been in and out of the hospital with numerous doctors about breastfeeding. Turns out I developed a staff infection and an abscess preventing me from feeding him. I'm on like four different pills. And I actually saw a specialist today and had to have an ultrasound done to see if the infection spread any further. My goodness! I never expected this to be a problem. I thought it would be... something like sleep deprivation or jaundice... So anyway, that's that.
I also have my shows that I watch every night while my hubby is off supporting his family. Thank goodness I haven't turned to the soaps yet though. I've been following The Bachelorette and True Beauty all the way through. And I've been off and on with So You Think You Can Dance, America's Got Talent, Wipe Out, etc. Judge Mathis and Judge Judy are my favorite shows all the way. I'm pretty sure I could be a lawyer. Ha! I'll enjoy this while I can. I haven't been able to watch anything good for the longest time. All the good shows are on at 7 and 8 o'clock!
Luke is gradually getting a little belly. I think he grew taller too! It's weird to think someday I'll have a son that's taller than me. And he's starting to sleep longer hours at night and staying awake longer during the day. I can't wait until he gets to point where he's making faces and showing more of his personality. With me as his mother and Aldo as his father... he's sure to have a good one.

  

I love when he sleeps. As I hold him in my arms I can't help but think how this is exactly what I was made for. To take care of him. And raise him into a young man who's going to make some huge difference in the world. And when his eyes are closed, he is such an angel. Oh, I love being a mom.

It's strange having someone so dependent on you. He is a cuddle bug! We can't put him in his bassinet or set him down for five minutes without him getting a little squirmy and then waking up later. At night, he sleeps with us in bed. I know you're not supposed to, but I don't care. He won't sleep anywhere else. And I like knowing that he doesn't feel comfortable anywhere else but by my side or in my arms. 

And it's so funny when he's dreaming. His little mouth will twitch. He's got duck lips so he'll make this little duck lip face. I know he'll be a good kisser for sure, kid can pucker! And he'll smile in his sleep too. Other times he brings his eyebrows together like he isn't too sure about something. And then finally he'll have a face like it's the end of the world and whimper. I feel really bad during those times. I can't help but smile. 

 I don't have very many pictures with his eyes open. We keep trying to guess the color. One day they'll be blue and the next green. Most likely they're going to be brown like Aldo's, but for now they're a deep grey color. 

He has my ears! And he has Aldo's hair. Full of cow licks! Still waiting on the eyebrows, nose, and lips too. 

I'm still surprised at how cute he is! Looking at this picture just makes me want to smooch him. 

Till something interesting happens... or till I go crazy with the camera again..

Luke Anthony, I Love You

 So it's been a little over two weeks. To make the story short, I don't have internet at home. And Aldo spilt water on the laptop so now it makes random noises and blinks a whole lot and doesn't turn on. May it rest in peace.
Now for all the details. I was induced at 7:20am and I was already 3cm along. Immediately I started feeling contractions. I can't believe I was so worried I wouldn't know what they felt like. There is no way you can miss a contraction! The easiest way I can explain it, is that your stomach goes from a huge basketball shape to feeling like it's squeezed into a football shape. And it hurts. At 4cm I was thinking, If the pain stayed like this the whole time... I think I can make it. Of course, that's not half of what a 10cm contraction would feel like. I turned to Aldo and said, Honey, I think I'm gonna wimp out of this one. I think I'm gonna get the epidural. I got it about 30 minutes later. And thank goodness I did.

 

At first, I was a little worried. My whole left side was completely numb. I was covered in about three blankets and when the doctors pulled them off, I couldn't tell. My right side still felt the pain. So they made me lay on my right side so that the medicine would... I don't know... float over I guess. It didn't. So they pulled the needle/tube/whatever was in my back out slightly and I was in heaven. :)
The next time the nurse came in, I was at 6cm. Then 8. And I started feeling contractions again. About the ones I was feeling in the beginning. So they gave me another dose of epidural. Woot! And then all of a sudden I was at 10! It felt like the whole thing took about an hour. The only time I had to do any real work was when I was pushing. My nurse had me start with her. I pushed two times and she asked me Would you like to know what his head looks like? I was in shock! I thought this was supposed to take like a bazillion hours before we were that close. I said Is it purple? Noo.. Hairy? She said he was gonna have a full head of hair. Awww.... (I never had a dream about him. Or any thoughts about what he might look like when he was born. But at this point, I knew he'd be a cutie.)

 I pushed once at a "half push". And then one more full push and she called in the doctor. At that point she guessed he'd be out in an hour or two. Five pushes and 20 minutes later, Luke Anthony was born. So, pushing really isn't as bad as I thought either. It's exactly as what we went through in the class. They push your legs back and you hold onto them and put your chin on your chest and pretend to poo. Count for ten, take a deep breath and do it again and again. It's funny because I didn't feel his head come out or his shoulders. I felt the rest of his body. It was like suction. Hard to explain.
 Luke was born June 17th, 2010 at 3:03pm. He was actually 7.159lbs. but they rounded it to an even 8. He was 19.5 inches. My mom and sister were there in the room when he was born. And Aldo's mom and sisters were out in the hallway recording his first cry and celebrating Mexico's win in the World Cup. Everyone else showed up a little later, all wanting to see him. And man, was he cute! He was wiped down and put with me immediately. Yes, I cried. And even though I still don't feel like a mom sometimes, I was absolutely in love with him at first sight.

 That first night was kind of hard. Trying to breastfeed was difficult. He wouldn't quite latch on, or else I was doing something wrong. So all I could  do was pump and get what little came out on my finger and shove it in his mouth. They said it was fine, but it still worried me. At 24 hours I was a mess. But then about an hour later, he was eating like a pro. And all night I kept waking up checking on him. The next night I fed him, but in between sent him to the nursery. That way we could get sleep because the next day we were going home. 

We were surprised with this on our door when we came home. Mom made it for us. I thought I wouldn't want my mom at the hospital with me, and I wouldn't want to be bothered at home the first couple days, but I'm glad she was around! I love my mom. The first night was a learning experience. It actually wasn't too bad now that I think about it. I was up every 2-3 hours feeding him. And we were trying to figure out the order of things. Now we have that down. When he wakes up, check the diaper. Feed. Burp. Try to feed again. Burp. Rock to sleep. Make sure there is no light, no noise, no cold. Otherwise you'll be up for hours. (He's got such a big personality.)
About a week later we had a checkup. He gained all his weight back and grew an inch and a half! At the same time he had eye crusties. And when that happened I had bad thoughts that maybe he would get jaundice or cholicy or just something bad. It's funny how protective you get over your child. It went away in like two days. Now Luke has been going through, I think, a growth spirt. I've learned that all you can do is take it one day at a time. And I'm pretty sure that if I can make it as a mom, I can do anything.

 Moments like this are just too precious. I love my men. With all my heart <3

Any Day Now... but technically 8 days to go

Ok, so a lot has happened. No baby yet. But we're pretty much there. Quick background... Sunday was our ALL DAY class about Childbirth. Highly recommend it, but man, it wears you out! And I learned so much stuff. We covered contractions (which is what I was most worried about. Not knowing that I'm having them and then speeding to the hospital just in the nick of time..). We covered all the stages of labor, went through the hospital, different positions, etc. And I have come to realize people should have babies on Sunday. There's hardly anyone at the hospital! Ok, continuing on... Monday was my appointment with my doctor. Here's how it all went down.

Monday morning I woke up with my first ever contraction!!! It was all up in my back, oh it hurt so bad!! And then spread to the front. But mostly hurt in the back. I have no idea how long it lasted but it lasted a looong time. And as I was laying there I thought What if I go into the doctor's appointment and she checks me and goes "Oh my gosh, Let's get you to the hospital! You're in labor!" It sounded like a cool story anyway. Well, I just drank some water and it went away. Silly Braxton Hicks.

In our class, the teacher mentioned one part that I tried not to forget... for the next appointment ask the doctor 1. How far I'm dilated, 2. How far I'm effaced, 3. The baby's station, and 4. If my cervix is forward. In case you don't know... dilated is the measurement to 10cm. Effaced reminds me of a beanie hat with a tube at the end representing the uterus. When the tube folds up into the uterus, it means you're 100% effaced and you're water will break really quick and the farther you're effaced the faster you dilate too. The baby's station is measured by how far the baby's head is from a certain part of your pelvic bone. At zero, they're even, at -1 and -2 etc. they're farther up and +1 and +2 etc. the baby's pretty much out. And last if the cervix is back then when the baby comes down he or she will head bump your tailbone causing a tremendous amount of back labor pains... so a forward cervix is good.

Now to the good part. Aldo and I were driving to the appointment and we were discussing the questions that needed to be brought up. And he asks me what do I think I am. I say I don't know what I am, but I know what I want to be. 3 cm, 70%, I don't know... -3, and forward cervix. Wishful thinking. So we get to the appointment and go through the normal procedures. I weigh 202 lbs. Wow. Even though my feet look like tortas (pointed out by my very loving husband) my blood pressure is still fine.  We told her about our class and I told her I wanted to know the answers to those 4 questions. Get ready for this. It will blow your mind!

1. I was dilated to 3 cm.
2. I was 70% effaced.
3. The baby's position was -2.
4. My cervix is forward.

YES! I'm better off than what I wanted! And I can't believe I guessed almost everything perfectly! I'm like a psychic medical guru or something! She said I could go any day. I'm very favorable. !!!!
So ever since then, we've been patiently... or trying to be patiently... waiting. Monday night I was having contractions all night. Fake ones of course. Tuesday morning came and so I didn't go to the hospital. Then Tuesday night came. I was up every hour on the hour going to the bathroom. But I didn't have one contraction. And the baby didn't move as much either. Then this morning came. And all morning I kind of freaked myself out because I kept thinking that maybe my water broke and I didn't know it and so I'm slowly draining and my poor baby isn't floating around in his little baby cushion any more. Well, now I know that's not true because I'm still just as big as I was this morning. What a little tease though. I'm so worn out from all the anticipation. But now it's Wednesday night and I'm eager to go home and roll around on my exercise ball a little bit and dance or whatever and then go to bed. Might be going to the hospital tonight. You never know!
All I can say is... the next time I get on here... there's gonna be a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT of a certain little man joining our family and entering our world! I can't wait.

12 Days to Go

I just looked at the number... !! Not even two weeks!!
And I really want to go to the zoo. But I know my ankles will swell. So I guess I can't.
Anyway, the whole reason I was going to write today was because we had our Newborn Care class. I'm a little less nervous about taking care of him after the hospital... when we're at home all alone and thinking.. Ok, what do we do now?? We basically covered the car seat, changing diapers, first baths, sleeping time, feeding time, and swaddling. And the lady was really great at answering our questions. I was most worried about taking care of his belly button and his not-belly-button. I've never had a little boy around, so all of this is new to me. But, I guess it could be worse. There were two ladies that were having their firsts also - which happened to be twins. Eeek!
I thought the bathing was the best though. It answered my questions, and I also found out that some of the stuff people bought us.. was useless.. like baby powder. So... I guess I'll be the one to use it. Baby smells are just lovely anyway. (I'm talking about the lotions and oils and stuff. Not the other kinds of smells. Gross.)
So yesterday we installed the car seat, finished packing the bags and put them in the car, bought my month's worth of groceries, and somehow I took like two or three naps. Tomorrow is our Birthing class. All day. Let you know more later.

Change of Date! (15 Days to Go)

So obviously something big has happened...
Yesterday we went for my weekly checkup and to get my first "measurement" (to see how far I'm dilated). It started off nice. Gained 2 pounds in the last week. My blood pressure is amazing... apparently a lot of people have a blood pressure that goes up in the last days of pregnancy... but mine has been consistent all the way through. It impressed my doctor. :)

Anyway, when the doctor came in we discussed what she was going to do and we went over my records. Then she "got the measurement". OH MY GOSH! I was so not ready for it. But at least I didn't cry. I think it might have surprised her a little bit because she kept apologizing. Afterward, I asked her if giving birth would hurt that bad. She said Well, are you going to have an epidural? And I look at her and say I am now. Oh man. She then explained that with birth your stomach is contracting and it can be pretty painful. As I was listening, I thought Dang, I can handle stomach pain.. Aldo says I might just be a wimp. We'll see.

So I learned that I'm dilated to 1.5 and that the baby's head is still down. And she can actually touch his head. And basically with any huge movement I could break my water and go into labor. YIKES! Just the other day I was telling myself how ready I am to have him come out already and now... I NEED MORE TIME!!! There's no way it's been 9 months.

Next we asked some questions like if I should take prenatals while I'm breast feeding (Yes.) and then my always-thinking-ahead husband asked what would happen if I had to be induced. She whipped out her calendar and said let's plan one now. How about the 17th? Yep. I'll have you come in the 16th and we'll get you prepared and then the 17th we'll induce. !!!!!!!!

I am so worried it's not even funny. This week feels like it's almost over. Then I have next week of nothing planned. I'll probably clean every single day just to keep my hands from shaking. And then bam! The day is here. Poor child... the reason he never stops moving is probably from all my adrenaline!
Wish me luck.

P.S. How bad would it be if I passed out after my water breaks?

36 Weeks, 4 Days (24 Days to Go!)

I am ready for this little monster to get out of me!! Not because I feel uncomfortable or anything. I just can't wait to see what he looks like and stay at home with him for weeks! :) A little bit of relaxation - that's what I need.
For the past two days, I've gone swimming in our apartment pool. The first day I was with Aldo and the water was so cold. But I didn't care. I just wanted to get out in my swimsuit. Love it! Well, we were competing against each other in how long we could stay under water, or who could swim the fastest lap, etc... I forgot that I need more oxygen than I normally would, and so we only swam for 30 minutes. I was too worn out! Then today I went with my sister. I knew ahead of time we'd only be in for half an hour, so instead I told her we should do water aerobics and easy stuff. I'm pretty sure we looked like fools. But we had lots of fun anyway.
The doctor's appointment went as usual. I gained 4 pounds in the last two weeks (making it a total of 27 pounds gained). I have no idea how I'll gain any more. There just isn't any room. And now I'll be visiting the doctor once a week. Crazy huh? I'll only see her maybe two or three times before the baby arrives. Oh, and it turns out that the pain I was feeling, was the baby's head moving. Sometimes I wonder, what in the world is he doing in there?
As for some lesser information. Aldo has had two dreams about the baby. In the first, he was looking at the white board and it said "Congratulations Mommy and Daddy! <SON'S NAME> 11lbs. 2 oz." I told him that it's not a dream, it's a nightmare. An 11 pound child?! Are you kidding me? And in the second dream, the baby came early and he was only 6 pounds. I'm hoping for something in the middle. Like eight. And healthy. And of course I had a little daydream myself... where the baby just came out and his arms were shaking and stretch out and he was crying and I started crying cuz I heard my baby crying and then I was wanting to hold him... :) So they put him in my arms and I was just bawling because he was mine. And he was red and squished and angry and messy. And now I am so excited. I'm gonna be a mommy!