3 Weeks Old

Riley is 3 weeks old already! 

He has changed so much since we brought him home.  Christmas came and went (and by the time it was over, we were all excited to have a quiet house!).  The first couple of days after Christmas were rough for me.  I think I had a little postpartum depression.  I cried all day, and for no reason.  I wanted to sleep and stay in my room.  I didn't want to use many bottles, so I was the only one who could feed him.  Riley and I were struggling to figure it out and the sleep deprivation was draining me.  My parents made Homer and I go to a movie.  We saw How Do You Know and it was great to get out of the house!  I started feeling much better after that!
We're starting to figure out a routine with Riley.  We feed him before we go to bed, usually 11 or 12, and then he wakes up around 1-2 and 5-6.  Homer takes one feeding and I take the other.  So its not too bad.  Riley and I have figured out the feeding thing and now it only takes about 30 minutes to eat, change him, eat again, and put him back to sleep.  (much improved from the hour it took when we first got home) 
We took some pictures of Riley in the hat I ordered for him, but thats about it.  I realized yesterday that we haven't been taking many pictures of him.  So I got out the camera and got some shots yesterday.  
Kaylee Beth loves Riley! She rubs his face and hugs him all the time.  She even shares her bunny with him!! She gives him kisses all the time.  She's been easy with him but sometimes squeezes him a little hard.  
I feel great after delivery.  I wasn't out for long. I was back in the gym at day 6 postpartum and since then have started zumba back up.  I havent had the horrible back pain I had with Kaylee Beth.
He's an awesome baby and we are just in love with him! It warms my heart to hold my two babies at once! :) He only cries when he's hungry and otherwise sleeps or looks around quietly.  He does want to be held a lot though, but is a wonderful snuggler!

Riley Sidney is here!!

He finally made his debut and I'm in love!!  We are at the hospital (day 2) and will be discharged later this afternoon.
Had induction scheduled for Monday, told to arrive between 6 & 630. I was already having contractions since I woke up, but I'm not sure if it was the start of labor or not since they were about 9 minutes apart.  Got there, taken to my room, IV started and with pitocin and ampicillin (for GBS+) all by 645. Dr R came in around 7 and broke my water. It was the weirdest feeling! It felt like I was constantly peeing myself.  Contractions started getting stronger and closer together.  By 745 they were starting to really get uncomfortable, so I called for my epidural.  By 8:00 they were painless again.  Getting the epi makes me drunk for about 30-45 minutes.  Me and the nurse were very chatty and then after that I could barely hold my eyes open.  Of course Homer left the room when they were giving the epi.  Nurse told him to come back after about 15 minutes.  Well after 30, I start wondering where he went. And as I mentioned, the meds make me drunk, so I shrug it off and quickly join back into the converstation.  Well by 45 minutes, I decide to call him.  He was asleep in the waiting room!  (He's already been caught sleeping multiple times while I was in pain in the delivery room). Well he joins us back and we watch TV for the next few hours. 
The nurse said we'll have a baby by noon when we get there and says that's her goal.  Well as we approach noon, we all realize were not gonna make our goal, but hopefully we won't be far behind it. Dr. R came in about every 1 1/2 hr to check me and I was progressing wonderfully.  At 1 he comes in and says I am 9+ dilated with just a rim of cervix left.  He tells the nurse to check me again at 145 and then start pushing if I'm ready.  She had turned me on my side in what is called the pretzel to help him come down and help my cervix progress.  Not even 10 minutes after he left, I started really feeling pressure and the urge to push.  She checks me and I'm ready.  So she transforms the bed and we get ready to push.  After 10 minutes of pushing, she says don't push anymore. We wait another 13 minutes for Dr R to mosey on down, all the while Riley comes a little more with every contraction despite me resisting the urge to push.  During our waiting time, the nurse gets out some Johnson and Johnson and gives him his first shampoo haha.  The nurse was ready to catch him but luckily Dr R made it to the table in time.  One more push and out he comes, at 141 pm. The nurses were very surprised with his size.  My nurse guessed he'd be around 6 1/2 lbs by looking at me.  Of course, Homer and I were not shocked by his 9 lb 2 oz.  I wasn't expecting his length though!  I saw the nurse measuring him, shaking her head, and remeasuring him and few times.  Then she announced 22 in!  I knew he was cramped and kept hitting my ribs, but I wasn't thinking he'd be 22 in!!  Well his big head, I had between a 1st and 2nd degree tear, dr said it was small.  
He was breathing wonderfully and so we didn't have the excitement in L&D like we had with KB.  They cleaned him a little and then put him on my chest for kangaroo care for about 30 mins.  I was in love! We later don't realize until about 3 or 4 that Homer never even held him. I felt so bad!  
My parents, Kaylee Beth, and Homer's dad were all here for his birth.  It was great having the grandparents here for such a special time.  Kaylee Beth immediately took to Riley.  She gets mad when other people hold him and she wants to be right there beside him at all times.  Yesterday she was holding him in her lap and took his shoes off of him.  He was getting hungry and started crying.  She started crying thinking she hurt him when she took the shoes off.  It took a few minutes to convince her she didn't do anything wrong and he was just hungry.  
She has gone home with my parents both nights while Homer and I stayed here at the hospital with Riley. They would have to carry her out crying b/c she wanted to stay with us and bubba.  But she's very excited that bubba is gonna come see her at home tomorrow!
Due to me being Group B strep positive, Riley has to be monitored for at least 48 hours to make sure he doesn't develop anything serious within the first 2 days.  So far so good!  
He eats like a champ! The first couple of feedings were rough as I was relearning how to breastfeed and he was trying this hardest to figure out what he needed to do.  But by the next morning, we were both doing well with it.  He eats a LOT and frequently!  He does a lot of eating and sleeping, but hardly ever cries.  He got mad last night when they undressed him to get his weight, but that was really the first time he had a crying spell.  Looks like he knows he needs to be mellow with Kaylee Beth around! :) 
Well It's time for me to get another nap before he wakes up again for more milk!  I didn't remember how sore my nipples were gonna be.  Kaylee Beth didn't eat as well the first few days, so they were spared a little then.  Now, I almost want to cry when he starts eating his fist and showing hunger signs.  (They are sore just typing about him eating-haha)
I'll post some pictures when I can.   I haven't uploaded any to the computer yet, but I will soon.  In the meantime, you can keep checking the Brookwood website and look in the virtual nursery for them to get posted. :)

Set for Monday!!

Went to dr last week.  No cervical change yet again...
Went yesterday and was 1 cm and 50% effaced.  Yay! Not much but that means its changing. haha.  We set up Monday for induction. So unless Riley comes before Monday, he'll be here 12/20/10!!  We're so excited!  Also, dr had been asking me when I was gonna stop rotations.  I didn't want to stop early b/c i'd have to make it up after he gets here.  So I gave in yesterday and stopped 3 days early. haha.  Today Kaylee Beth has her Christmas party in her Childrens day out program.  So I finally get to go to something!  I'm also planning on going to get my nails done today.  I've been having painful contractions this morning but no pattern... whats new??  So as of right now, no need to change any plans. 
Well time to get up and ready for the day!  Just wanted to share the exciting news!

3 weeks left!

So, It's been quite a while since I updated last... A lot has happened since my last update.  I am currently 36 weeks 5 days.  Riley is 2 days away from being full term!  Last week I had my 35 week dr appt.  I had the group B strep test and a cervical exam.  No dilation :(  This Tuesday I went for my 36 week appt.  Still no change and found out I'm Group B +.  My mom is very concerned about me being positive but I've tried to explain to her its no big deal, I'll just get antibiotics when I'm in labor to kill the bacteria and keep Riley from getting anything.  So even with all of the contractions I've been having, they aren't doing a thing!! Yesterday I had a long day at work, 7-5:45.  I'm doing psychiatry on a geriatric psych ward, like where I worked during undergrad.  I thought we weren't gonna be there that long, so I decided to work through lunch to get out faster (Usually I'm out by 1 or 2).  So about 4:00, I started having painful contractions.  I kept monitoring them as we worked, but they didn't seem to be following any sort of pattern.  I almost had a breakdown on the way home b/c I was so tired, hungry, contracting, and just overall exhausted.  Once I got home, I ate, then sat on the couch.  KB was playing in my lap and hitting my already tender belly and causing more contractions.  They were coming every 4-5 minutes for over a hour (when my dr says its time to call him).  I had a feeling I wasn't so lucky as to be in labor, nor did I really think I had the energy to push Riley out tonight, so I laid down in the bed while Homer gave me a massage. Luckily, they slacked off.  I slept from 9-midnight and then woke up hungry, thirsty and contracting agin.  These however were more spaced out and I wasn't worried about being in labor.  After waking up multiple times during the night with contractions, it was finally morning and time to start another day.  Luckily I was done about 1 today!  
I've really been slowing down more lately. I'm still not waddling much since baby is still as high as ever.  I don't think he's ever gonna drop! Most days I feel pretty good. But if I even think about getting out of bed, my feet start swelling.  My hands have started swelling a little and I've had to put away my wedding ring and get out my fake ring since last week.   I'm proud I've lasted this long though.  I remember it being a lot earlier when I was preggo w kb.  
I finally finished the nursery, although I still find the urge to go in there and straighten things and keep cleaning.  I'm not sure that i've actually started nesting yet, but a few weeks ago I had a breakdown at work b/c I felt like nothing was coming together and I wasn't ready for him at all.  Hospital bags are packed and were prepared to leave for the hospital whenever needed.  
We've been keeping track of everyone's guesses on his arrival.  My guess is Next Tuesday.  We'll see if I'm right. At least we know he'll be here in December.  My dr said he'll induce me Dec 20th so I can be home for Christmas.  But I'm not sure if I want to or not. I really don't think he'll make it that long, but I would rather him come naturally.  And I really want to avoid a Csection as much as possible!  After scrubbing in on them, I'd really rather to never have to go through all of the stretching and tearing and shifting of organs!!  
We were at the mall the other day after my dr appt and Kaylee Beth wanted to talk to Santa.  Since it was during the day, there were no kids in line and Santa came to talk to her.  She was scared to get close but talked from a distance.  When Santa asked what she wanted for christmas, she said "Bubba Riley!"  It was so cute!  She talks to my belly a lot and kisses it.  Today at lunch at a chinese rest she started lifting up my shrit to talk to him and kiss him and wouldn't let me put my shirt down.  Luckily there was only 1 other table and the workers there.  But still!! Even without stretch marks, I don't exactly want my belly showing in public! haha. 

Been a long time...

It's been quite a while since I updated the blog.  Lots has been going on since then!  Yesterday I had my 28 week appointment and we did an elective 4d ultrasound to see our sweet boys face.  He didn't cooperate very well.  The right half of his face was covered by the placenta and the left half he kept his hands in front of.  So, the tech tried and tried but decided we'd try again in 2 weeks.  Hopefully then he'll give us a view.  We still think hes cute by the part we got to see!! Oh, and he is definitely still a boy! We got to see that in 3d as well! haha.  No mistaking it! We did find out that he is head down and in position for labor, although we hope he still waits a couple more months before he tries to get out!  Last month I had my 1 hour glucose tolerance test and passed it! Yay! So glad I don't have gestational diabetes to worry with!  I've been having more braxton hicks contractions that are a lot stronger than last time.  But my dr has assured me I had them last time, but just that I am more aware of them and can feel them more the second baby.  Apparently this increases with each pregnancy... something to look forward to I guess!  I've also been seeing floaters for a couple of months.  I've been trying to keep myself hydrated thinking its dehydration, but its hard to do working with different doctors every month and being forced to maintain their schedules.  My blood pressure has been perfect and no protein in my urine, which are the things you worry about when someone is seeing spots.  So I've just learned to deal with it.  Weight gain is great this time around! I'm up to 19 lbs at 28 weeks.  Still a little more than I'd like, haha, but much better than with KB!  And it seems to be mostly belly.  I still feel like I have some curve to my waist and dont feel like my behind or legs are massive this time.  And another plus, I'm still able to wear my wedding rings! :)  Last time I was wearing the fake ring by now!!
I've been working very hard to finish the nursery in my free time.   We finished painting the room and stripes.  Then I was able to sew the curtains and bed skirt.  I still need to sew the bumpers and diaper stacker along with painting the changing table.  
He is sadly still nameless.  Homer doesnt care for any of the names we have chosen.  "They don't stick out." I'm getting antsy about it and its all starting to stress me out! Hopefully well pick one out soon so I can relax.... and get to monogramming! haha
Homer and I are taking a 'babymoon' this time.  Since he was in Iraq last pregnancy, we didn't get a chance to go anywhere (I was too close to my due date once he returned to the states).  My family is going to tennessee in a couple of weeks for my cousins wedding. So Homer and I are hoping to rent a cabin in Gatlinburg and go 2 days early to spend time together, just the two of us.  Then my parents will bring KB up and we'll go to the wedding together.  
I'm still exercising throughout this pregnancy.  I am so excited that I got to go with a friend from high school last night to a zumba class!  It felt so wonderful to shake my bootay again! It had been prob 2 months since I last went to zumba at the Ymca.  We had planned on joining the Y but decided we'd just stick with the gym my dad has kept the family plan with since he's already paying for us to be members.  
Been having some feet swelling/pain, so I've invented in compression stockings (yes the ones that diabetics wear).  Since I'm on my feet all day, and being a med student, I'm usually the last person in the room that gets a chair.  So I needed something to keep my feet happy and smaller.  I've, sadly, also had to give up wearing sandals or heels to work. I've got my comfy danskos and am now able to pull out my boots.  

Growing belly, shrinking clothes

This has been my life since my last update.  Slowly, baby boy has been growing and stretching out my tummy.  Over this past week, he has really sprouted! So much that I am almost completely out of my prepreggo clothes and was forced to buy more maternity clothes.  Last time I wasn't working, and so my mat clothes are very casual.  Now that I am seeing patients and pretending to be a doctor (ha!), I have to try to look the part.  That was one thing I was not doing this past week!!  Today I wore a cute black dress and sat down to talk with my first patient and realized that my dress kept creeping up my leg and was quickly turning into a mini.  Yesterday wasn't much better.  I wore a prepreg outfit and after lunch had to unbutton my pants.  Wouldn't have been so bad but my normal shirts are getting short from going over the belly and so I had to keep tugging my shirt down so my belly or unbuttoned pants wouldn't show!  Not to mention I'm really enjoying my family medicine rotation and my end up applying here for residency, which looking like a hooch would not help me get into!  So today I was able to go to the galleria after work and get me some maternity clothes.  I feel so relieved now!
Baby boy still doesn't have a name.  It's been so hard for us to decide on something.  And plus, it's hard to get Homer to talk about the topic. Still not sure why he's really avoiding the subject...  But I have bought the fabric for the nursery.  It's maroon, green, orange, yellow, and animal print. I'm so excited to get to start sewing it together.   I hoping to make curtains this weekend. i'll let you know how that goes later.
Little man is really kicking now.  Homer, KB, and Nan have felt and seen him move.  A lot earlier than with KB.  Weight gain is much more under control this time around.  So far I've gained about 10 lbs and am over half way thru.  I'll be 22 weeks tomorrow! Yay!
KB is getting excited about being a big sister.  She likes getting Bubba's clothes out of his drawers and shopping for him at stores.  I think she'll be a great big sister!!  Speaking of big girl, she got moved into a toddler bed and we've got the crib in Bubbas room.  So it's starting to look more like a nursery.  Once I get some of the bedding done or room painted, I'll post some pictures.  Right now it still looks like a nursery/storage room. 
The only pictures ive taken lately are bare skinned belly pictures. So i'll try to get some normal ones soon to update yall.

It's a....

BOY!!
We are so excited! We went there today and ended up waiting for quite a while for them to get an open machine.  There were 2 students doing the u/s today.  I guess they have to play "find the body part" once a week and find diff ones.  Today they found the lateral ventricle, cerebellum, 4 chambered heart, placenta, cervix, and kidneys.  The first girl was trying to determine the sex and couldn't do it b/c the baby was lying still and had its leg bones in the way.  The second girl couldn't see it either.  So one went to get an instructor to help them out.  She had me turn on my side to move him around and it worked. He opened his legs up and showed us his "turtle."  Girls are now hamburgers and boys are turtles. Haha.  We have a print out of a profile shot and his turtle.  Homer is SO excited!!  He wanted a little boy both times and especially after seeing how expensive a little girl is. haha.  I'll have an official scan at my dr in a week and a half, so we'll def make sure his turtle doesn't turn into a hamburger!  So i guess it's time to start thinking blue and picking out a name!!  :)