Fall!

It's almost winter, so I should probably recap fall with our sweet boy before the seasons change. I can't believe in a couple of weeks I'll have 9 month old on my hands. Any minute he's going to start crawling and getting into everything. He's getting so big! And still the most precious baby boy :).

So here's what you've missed:

- Halloween! Sawyer was an adorable astronaut. We went to the fall festival and trick or treating. He did well, but I can't wait until next year when he can actually walk up and say "trick or treat".

- Sitting! Finally we have a sitter. Drew thought Sawyer would never sit, but within the last couple of weeks Sawyer proved him wrong. And with in the last week Sawyer figured out how to sit up on his own. He's so proud of himself every time he goes from lying on his stomach to sitting up.

- Eating! Slowly we are moving on from baby foods to "real food". Sure he's still eating baby food, but Sawyer is starting to master the whole chewing process. Green beans, bread, baked potato, cereal, small pieces of chicken...dinner time is becoming more and more fun!

- Thanksgiving! Sawyer made us his first art project of a foot/handprint turkey. So cute! It also gave me time to think about all I'm thankful for. We are so blessed with Sawyer. Even being born early and tiny, he has been healthy since day 1. Sure we've battled ear infections, but nothing compared to what I know others have gone through. He is such a happy easy going baby. Rarely does he cry, and when he does he's quickly soothed. Sawyer's smiles and laughs are infectious and can brighten any day. I'm totally smitten with my baby and can't wait to see what joy he continues to bring us.

October!

I can't believe that it has been 4 months since my last post!  Time has been flying by, though that is no good excuse for not keeping this blog updated.  Sawyer has grown so much in the last few months, and has really become an infant instead of a newborn baby.  He is still laid back and easy going, full of smiles and laughs.

A recap of all that's new:

He is rolling over from stomach to back and back to stomach with no problem.  He can roll the length of a room if he gets going!  h

He is trying to crawl, he can lift up on his knees and hands for a little bit.  He can army crawl some too.

He started eating food!  Right now just fruits, some veggies, and cereal.  Sawyer still doesn't know what to think of it, but he likes it for the most part.

We have TWO teeth!  One came in last week, the other broke through today.  Which means he has been a little on the fussy side.

Growing, growing, growing!  It's hard to believe he is 15 lbs 1 oz and 26 1/2 inches long!  He started out so tiny (4 lbs 7 oz!).

Mr. Personality!  He can cut looks, and make the best facial expressions.  It is so fun to see him take on his own personality.

Sleeping in his crib - Sawyer is still not sleeping through the night, but he is sleeping in his crib!  Feels like such a success.  While it was great having him in with us, we are all sleeping better now that he is in his own room.  :)

Working on sitting, not quite there yet.  But he LOVES to stand.  He wants you to hold him in a standing position all day.

Still the most beautiful baby boy I've ever seen. Granted I'm a little bias, but Sawyer gets more compliments when we're out and about then I can count.

Baby Must Haves (for me)

2 and half months in to this journey of being a mom, I've realized that babies don't need a whole lot, but there are plenty of things that make the job a whole lot easier.  Here are some of my personal baby must haves that Sawyer and I both enjoy:

Blankets for swaddling.  Sawyer loves being swaddled at bedtime.  As in won't sleep well without getting bundled up.  Now he prefers to have an arm (or both) out, but still loves a good swaddle.

Baby carrier.  I have both a wrap and a Beco Butterfly II.  Sawyer loves being in both.  It soothes him if he's being fussy and wants to be near me.  It allows me to get stuff done while keeping him happy.  Great for going shopping and not having to lug around the car seat/stroller.  I started using the wrap in the hospital since the nurses recommended holding him and keeping him close to my heart as much as possible.  I started being able to use the Beco once he hit 7 lbs.  Even Drew has worn Sawyer in the Beco.  So cute.

Activity mat.  Sawyer loves playing on his activity mat, whether it's swinging his arms at the toys or having some tummy time, the activity mat is a favorite!

Swing.  Great place to take a nap, hang out while mom cooks or is doing laundry, the swing was a great gift to receive!  Sawyer enjoys it and as taken many a nap in his.  Ours plays soothing music, and has a mobile with soothing lights.

Sure,  there are a lot of other things - bottles, pacifiers, diapers, etc that you need.  However these are somethings that aren't necessary for survival, but for sanity.

PS Sawyer is such a big boy - 9 lbs 10 oz at his last doctor's visit!  And he's outgrowing newborn clothes!  Whoa!

Two Months

Sawyer turned two months just in time for Mother's Day.  He is getting bigger and bigger, and it is so neat to watch all the developments.

Over the last month:

• He's sleeping longer stretches at night.  He's getting at least one 4 hour stretch in each night.  Which helps Drew since he's on duty all night.
• Smiling and laughing more and more.  Won't do it on command for the camera, but gives lots of smiles to us and Grandma and Granddaddy.
• Eating more and more.  Drinks a about 3-4 oz during at least one of his feedings.  The doctor says he's a very efficient eater.
• Doubled his birth weight!  Almost 9 lbs!  
• With that he is starting to push the limits of some of his newborn clothes.  Some of his footed outfits are getting tight.
• I started back to work, still on 3rd shift.  The going to work isn't as hard as having to go to sleep when I get home.  
• Still loves being swaddled.  Wrap him up in a blanket and he's good to go.
• Loves being worn either in a wrap or in our Beco carrier.

Thoughts on Pregnancy & Newborns

Can't believe 8 weeks has flown by so fast! Being out of town and then starting back to work, I haven't updated like I've wanted to. I wanted to jot down some thoughts on pregnancy and the first few weeks of being a mom before I forget.

I was so fortunate to have an easy pregnancy. Sure there were some uncomfortable times and the three hour glucose test sucked, but overall everything was smooth sailing. And each milestone of pregnancy; hearing the heartbeat, finding out "its a boy", the first movements, all so special. I have to admit I've always wanted kids, but until a little over a year ago, the thought of being preggers scared me. Then not only did I want to get pregnant, but wanted to give birth naturally. Who would have thought? And it wasn't that bad! Labor and delivery was hard, but not unbearable. It definitely wasn't the horrifying thing people make it out to be. I think that's what scared me about getting pregnant. Am I ready to do it again tomorrow? No! But will I do it again? Absolutely! Especially since Sawyer was the end result :)

Although I'm no pro, there is a lot I've learned about being a mom. The first being don't beat yourself up if something doesn't go how you wanted/planned. For example I had made up in my mind that I was going to exclusively breast feed until about 6 months or whenever we introduced solids. However Sawyer coming early and being so tiny changed that, and my body didn't help matters. I had some tears of frustration and sadness, but then told myself, it may not be how I wanted, but Sawyer is getting fed and is growing. Which is most important. I'm sure there are more of those moments to come, when I'll have to give into my preconceived notions and do what is best in that moment for Sawyer.

I also learned that I'm a lot more crunchy/hippie then I would have thought. Natural birth, cloth diapers, baby wearing, etc. So glad I made those choices! Right now, I'm especially loving baby wearing. Sawyer loves the wrap and the Beco, probably because he loves snuggling close. They have kept me sane several times!

The most important thing I've learned through all of this is how quickly you fall absolutely in love with your baby. Not that I didn't expect to be head over heels, I've loved Sawyer since I first found out I was expecting. But the absolute heart bursting emotion the moment he was placed on my chest, I was almost unprepared for. It truly is a love like no other. And everyday, no matter how much (or little) sleep, or how much he cries (thankfully rarely) that love continues to grow.

One Month Reflections

The last month has been amazing, and absolutely tiring!  My goal was to give weekly updates, but maybe that will happen in the future.  Sawyer is awesome!  Being a mom is awesome!

He is pretty laid back, easily soothed by cuddles and holding him close to your heart.
He loves to be swaddled and the woombie is my new friend.
Sawyer left the hospital at 4 lbs 2 oz, and although he hasn't been weighed by a doctor in a couple of weeks, he is a little over 6 lbs by our house method of Drew weighing himself then weighing himself while holding Sawyer.
Still eating every 2 hours, but over the past week we have transitioned from finger feeding to a bottle!  Success!
He also has bulked up enough to be out of preemie clothes, and into newborns!
He is slowly starting to give smiles in response our efforts, can't wait till they don't require so much effort!  Sawyer tracks things well, and is starting to give lots of eye contact.
He enjoys tummy time, and if you provide a hand for him to push off of, he will army crawl/scoot the length of a blanket.

Can't wait to see what the next month brings!

1 week to go?

This past Sunday would have been my 1 week to go post.  I probably would have talked about being uncomfortable and how ready I was to get this baby out of me.  Instead though I am two weeks in to the awesome adventure of being a mom.  The love and joy I felt when Sawyer was born has only continued to grow and I look forward to all that's ahead.

And since I promised in my last post, here are some pictures from the hospital:

Sawyer's Birth

Drew and I welcomed Sawyer into the world on Sunday morning March 11 at 7:19 am.  This is the story of how we got there.  Yes I will be talking about his birth, no it will not be graphic, but if hearing the details of a birth bores you, then ignore this post and wait for one very soon with pictures and the fun stuff!

First off, I worked Friday night, came home slept about 5 hours then got up for a wonderful baby shower hosted by my aunts and some close church friends.  It was a beautiful shower and so many special people were there to help me celebrate the upcoming birth of Sawyer.  After the shower, I went home and changed then Drew and I met up with the family at Sonny's for dinner.  His parents and grandparents had come down from Wilkesboro for the shower so we ate with them and my family.  After dinner we headed home and watched a little tv.  I headed to bed around 9:30 with a little bit of an upset stomach.  I blamed it on the bbq - it wouldn't be the first time bbq gave me an upset tummy - and tried to get some sleep.  Drew came to bed a little later and I got up again, assuming it was the bbq still acting up.  I wasn't in the bathroom long when I decided that this was more then an upset stomach.  Drew asked if I was ok, and I told him I thought I might be having contractions.  He asked real ones or Braxton Hicks, and I told him I didn't know.  We decided to research it on my phone and I started mentally timing them.  I realized that they were about 5 minutes apart and decided they were real.

This is where the fun began.  Once I determined that these were legit contractions coming in pretty forcefully at 5 minutes apart, Drew called the doctor.  He talked to the doctor and tried to describe my symptoms, because I couldn't really talk.  He ended up handing the phone over to me and the on call doctor assessed that I should make my way to the hospital.  Drew then went into action mode.  He hadn't even begun to pack a hospital bag, so he ran around the house trying to get everything ready.  Found the Bradley book and ripped through it trying to find the packing list.  We finally got the bags together, packed the car, and headed to the hospital.  Once on the road, my contractions were at about 3 minutes apart, and still intense.  I gripped the seat and focused.  We got to the hospital around 1:00 and they took me back to check me and see if I should be admitted.

Once in triage, my contractions were coming in at about 2 and half minutes apart.  They checked me and confirmed - 4 cm dilated, 80 % effaced.  The nurse then went to call the doctor and start admitting me.  The on call doctor, as luck would have it, was the one doctor I hadn't seen during my prenatal visits, and also the doctor our Bradley instructor has warned us about.  I got in my room, met my labor and delivery nurse, and Drew went to tell our parents that was being admitted.  Right away I liked my nurse, she read over my birth plan, said it looked good, and told me that everything was my call, she wouldn't offer drugs, that if I got to that point, it was up to me and Drew to make the call.  She got us a bucket of ice water, wash clothes, and dimmed the lights while we waited for the doctor.  The doctor came and checked me, confirmed the nurse's 4cm, 80% effaced calculation, and then I realized I wouldn't be getting everything in my birth plan.  Although my main doctor has signed off on the plan and put it in my chart, this doctor hadn't seen it yet.  She requires all her patients to remain hooked to the external fetal monitor, and challenged with the assertion that common practice was 20 minutes on, 40 minutes off.  She wouldn't back down.  Then she suggested we go ahead and break my water.  I stood firm, and said no.  She challenged me and said I could be in labor "for weeks" if she didn't break my water.  I told her let's cross that bridge when we get there.

Once she was out of the room, the nurse took over my care and said she would stick with my plan and be my advocate as much as possible.  She said that she would follow my lead on when I wanted my dilation checked, and tried to get me set up as comfortably as possible with the monitor on.  Back labor was pretty intense so I sat on the doctor stool leaning over the bed.  My mom and Drew's mom had stayed up to this point, and I decided that I was ready for it to be just Drew and me.  Labor continued to be pretty intense, but Drew did great coaching me through some breathing, massaging my back, and just being super encouraging.  Around 5:00 I decided I was ready to see how far I had progressed.  The nurse came in to check and said 7-8 cm, 90% effaced.  That was amazing to hear, had it been less, I have a feeling I would have been pretty discouraged.  Contractions continued to get more intense and I started doubting how much longer I could go on, so at 6:00 I had her check me again - 9 cm and my water broke!  I can do this!  She stayed in the room a lot after that point, helping Drew keep me motivated and encouraged, as my contractions were as intense as ever.  At about 7:00 I looked up and said I think I need to push, no I think I might be pushing!  She checked me, and said 10 cm, you can start pushing whenever you want.  So start pushing, I did.  Other nurses started filing in at this point, and it was shift change, but my nurse said she was staying this one through.  They called the doctor in, and by this point I had already had a couple of pushes.  I bared down and started the process of getting Sawyer out.  Once his head was out enough for me to look down and see, and feel, it was game on.


Sawyer came into the world like a rocket, after 15 minutes of pushing.  The doctor was amazed.  The nurses were amazed, and I felt like a champion.  Drew cut the umbilical cord, and we both spent time looking at amazement at our precious son.  Once we were ready, the nurses took him to get weighed, and we found out how tiny he was - 4 lbs 6.8 ounces.  Eight grams over the weight limit to be taken to the nicu.  Blessed.  Labor was hard work, maybe the hardest thing I've done, but Sawyer's birth was completely worth it.  What a miracle he is!

When's that baby due?

When the pregnancy app on your phone informs you that if you were to go into labor your baby would technically be born full term; you know you're getting close!  When the guys at work don't just offer to refill the printer with paper, they insist and move you out of the way; you know you're getting close!  When you're normally easy going and are starting to freak out a little about the nursery; you know you're getting close!

Can't believe we are under a month away from Sawyer's due date!  Doctor appointments start every week tomorrow.  Crazy.  There is so much going on between now and the end of the month I think it is going to go by pretty fast.  Well, I hope it goes by fast.  Drew's parents are coming in town Friday for a family baby shower this weekend.  There is a lot that needs to get done around the house before they get here, so that will keep me busy for sure.  Plus work and regular stuff going on.  I'm excited about the family shower, it will be fun to have one last shebang before Sawyer gets here.

Drew, my dad, and I have been working hard to get the nursery and other baby things ready.  Last weekend they put together the crib; however we are missing the mattress.  We do have a bassinet for Sawyer to sleep in when he first gets here, but a mattress is still pretty important!  The changing table is supposed to get here sometime this week, hopefully we can get it up and put together soon.  Also, cushions for the rocking chair should be here this week. Then it's just organizing everything and storing things where I want them and putting together the finishing touches.

Here are some pictures of what we've done over the past week:

35 weeks!!

5 weeks to go!!  Cannot believe we are so close to meeting little Sawyer!  The pregnancy books/websites recommend packing at 35 weeks, so we must be getting close!

Our nursery furniture came in last weekend, so my dad and Drew have been working on putting it together and getting it arranged in the room.  So far, we have the dresser up, and I worked this past week on washing clothes to put away.  I know it will be a chore to do in a month or so, but right now it is fun to wash the itty bitty clothes and get everything put away.  Tomorrow night they are tackling the crib.  Unfortunately the changing table had some gauges in it, so we have to return it and wait for a replacement.

On the pregnancy front, I think I have hit the wall.  Up until about a week ago I was feeling pretty great.  No real complaints, just ready to have Sawyer in my arms.  This past week I have felt absolutely drained, like when I had mono a few years ago.  It doesn't seem to matter how much sleep I get, I am still exhausted.  I have also developed some serious heartburn.  It doesn't really seem to matter what I eat, I can feel the heartburn start creeping up my chest a few times a day.  Hopefully it means Sawyer comes out with some hair on his head!

Last, but not least, here are some pictures:

33 Weeks!

Under 50 days to go!  Cannot believe how close we are to meeting little Sawyer!

The last week or so has really flown by.  Thursday a week ago we went in for a doctor's appointment and our last ultrasound.  It's only the second one that we've done at the doctor, and it was the regular ultrasound, not the 3D, but we still got a great look at Sawyer.  Unfortunately though he had the hiccups the whole time so all the pictures of his sweet face he's pouting.  Still cute though.  Can't wait to see that precious face in person though!

Last Monday the church staff threw Drew and me a baby shower lunch.  It was super nice of them, and it was the first shower I've had.  We received some cute outfits and much needed baby supplies (ie diaper pail).  Also got a lot of advice.

On Sunday, I was thrown a shower at the church my the moms of the friends I grew up with.  Friends I've had at DBC since I was in first grade!  20 years, and now most of us are married and having babies, crazy!  It was a super cute jungle theme and a lot of of people from church were able to come.  Even my aunt from Connecticut happened to be in town and was able to make it.  It was such a blessing to have so many caring people think of me as I prepare to have a baby.  Sawyer will definitely be spoiled!  :)

While I am still feeling pretty great, I am starting to get to the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy.  Finding a comfortable position to sleep, or sometimes even sit is getting difficult.  Sawyer has turned head down for the most part...his head seems to rest on my hip, and his feet up in my rib cage.  If I am able to stretch out my torso it's not too bad, but sitting for long periods of times seems to scrunch everything up.  Oh well, since the rest of my pregnancy has been pretty easy, I can't complain too much!  And the prize at the end of it is a great one!

Here is an updated bump shot, and some pictures from the ultrasound:

2 MONTHS!!!

Cannot believe that it is February already!  Which means 2 months until Sawyer makes his arrival!  Whoa!

The last week or so has been especially crazy.  Last week I think I had something every single day.  Which is nice, but I needed a day where  I could just sleep after work without having to worry about setting an alarm to get up and go.

Pregnancy is still going great, tired a lot, but other then that no complaints.  Went to a prenatal chiropractor yesterday because I have been experiencing some lower back/hip pain as my body continues to prepare for birth.  She came to our childbirth class and offered a free assessment, and I figured why not.  I go back next week to get the results of the assessment and see what she says.  Drew has raved about going to see a chiropractor since we met, and other women I've talked to who went while preggers have nothing but great things to say.  So, we'll see.

Tomorrow we have a doctors appointment and our second/last ultrasound.  It will be interesting to see how big Sawyer's gotten and what all the doctor has to say.  Love getting to hear the heartbeat, and am excited to get one more little peak before he gets here.

Monday, the staff at church threw a little baby shower/lunch for Drew and I.  My parents were able to come too, and it was a nice time.  Drew and I got some super cute/needed baby supplies, and now the nursery has become the baby stuff storage unit.  Haha.  Definitely need to get some furniture so we can get it set up and ready!  I keep telling myself I have time, but I really want to go get a crib and dresser so everything is just how I want it.


Finally, my good friend Amber had her baby, two weeks ago today!  Jackson is one stinkin cute little fella.  And he and Sawyer will be besties, it's decided.

San Antonio, Glucose, and Bedding!

Yes, I know it's been a while since I updated this thing.  It's been a busy last couple of weeks, being out of town and then recovering from being out of town.  Drew and I were able to enjoy a week in San Antonio for an early three year anniversary trip and babymoon.  As the plane landed back in Jacksonville, Drew looked over at me and said "well, that's the last vacation just the two of us for a long time".  Yes, I'm sure we'll be able to get a weekend away here and there, but it will be the last time where we can go away without a kid, and without worrying about a kid we're leaving behind.

It was a great week; we were able to relax, enjoy the River Walk, catch a Spurs game, take a day trip to Austin, and hit up the zoo.  And eat some really good food.  The last couple of weeks we had kind of become Food Network addicts, and when we realized we could hit up two things we saw on FN while in Texas we had to make it happen.  The first was The Cove, a restaurant/car wash/launder mat combo serving up all natural and local food featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.  Then when we went to Austin we took in the food truck scene and ate some super spicy Korean-Mexican Bbq.  It was fantastic.  Our favorite part was probably the San Antonio zoo, even though it doesn't come close to comparing to the Jacksonville zoo (didn't realize how nice ours was!) it was still a lot of fun and since it was a random Tuesday in January, we had the place to ourselves.

Unfortunately, while on vacation I got the results from my one hour glucose test.  Fail.  So I had to make an appointment for a three hour test which I took on Wednesday.  I had to fast for 12 hours, then get stuck 4 times during the test.  Since I loathe getting my blood drawn, I was not looking forward to it at all, but my mom went with me in case I got woozy and then took me to a delicious brunch at First Watch when it was over.  It wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be.  Fasting then drinking that nasty glucose drink on an empty stomach was the worst part.  I was supposed to get back the results by Friday, but the lab was running slow so Monday morning first thing I should hear back.  Hopefully with a pass!

Then the best part of the week so far - Sawyer's bedding came in yesterday!!  I am saving showing off a lot of pictures because it is a gift from my mother in law, so I'm going to wrap it up to take to a shower in a couple of weeks, and again when she comes for the family shower.  There will be pictures eventually though, promise!  It is super cute though, and I can't wait to have a crib so I can get it all set up!

Pregnancy is still going well.  I haven't hit the miserable uncomfortable phase yet.  Sleeping is hard because I've always slept on my stomach, but other then that, feel pretty good!  Just can't wait till Sawyer is here.  One of my good friends just had her little boy and holding him when we went to visit them in the hospital made me want Sawyer here so bad!

Here are a couple of pictures from the vacation, the one of just me at the state capital isn't the best (it was freezing that day) but it does show off the bump!

Hello 2012! Hello 3rd Trimester!

2012 came in and I entered my third trimester.  90 days until Sawyer!  Woohoo!  The home stretch, but probably the longest as I wait to hold my sweet baby boy in my arms.  Pregnancy is still going great, I have developed a new symptom - leg cramps!  I figured they would come as I am prone to cramps.  In high school I would get the worst charlie horses during soccer season.  So I've upped my water intake even more; I feel like a fish!  Sawyer is still kicking here and there, unfortunately though for my mom and others who want to feel him move, it's still mainly late at night.  Stubborn little guy - don't you know you have adoring fans who want to feel a kick or two?

In other pregnancy news, we've completed the first step to getting the nursery ready.  Friday afternoon my dad, brother, and some youth came and moved all the guest room furniture to the spare room.  So now our guest room is empty and ready to be transformed into a nursery.  Next week while we are babymooning/anniversary tripping in San Antonio, the nursery will get painted.  Yay!!

I promised pictures, so here are some from Christmas.  We tried to get some shots that showed off the basketball I'm smuggling: