Weekly Weigh-In

At this week's weekly weigh-in, the Blueberry clocked it at an even 8 pounds.

Is it really time?

Exactly one month ago today, I went into labor. My how time flies! I was 39 weeks and 2 days along. There's some dispute about when my labor began--I prefer to clock it from when I started timing my contractions at 20 minutes apart which was around 1:00 p.m. My husband insists, and is probably correct, that the actual time is 2:00n a.m. when I woke up with a persistent back pain. However, I was still able to stretch out that pain which was further lessened when I went to the bathroom for the most part. Unfortunately, the clincher was that I wasn't able to go back to sleep and throughout my entire pregnancy, like always, I was able to sleep.

As the day progressed, probably around 9:00 a.m., I was no longer able to alleviate the back pain with stretches. I then timed what I assumed were Braxton Hicks contractions for an hour and saw no discernible pattern or increase in frequency. (I had been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions since the second trimester, though since they never hurt, I had difficulty discerning between them and baby's certain movements). Thinking nothing too serious was afoot, I went about my day which included picking up a rental car for my aunt who was staying with us to help out during the last bit of my pregnancy then with baby. At the car rental office, I was slightly more irritable than usual, though the Hertz staff's incompetence was unparalleled in my opinion. My back pain had worsened considerably although I had been experiencing some discomfort driving a car for the last month and could not do so without a cute little pillow which had vanished that day.

Finally home from the car rental, around 1:00 p.m. I started timing the duration and frequency of what I still though were Braxton Hicks contractions, looking for a pattern. I have an entire notebook--roughly 4 hours worth with no pattern. However, I wasn't able to nap (again what I should have realized was a bad sign) and eventually it seemed like they were getting closer together, perhaps 5-6 minutes apart, though the timed duration of each contraction was inconsistent (e.g. one would last for 20 seconds and another for 60). Looking back, I suspect I was timing peak to peak of each contraction, rather than the actual start and end.

Around 4:00 p.m., I called my husband and told him that he shouldn't work late that evening and that I was considering calling the hospital to see whether we should be evaluated. I emphasized that I was fairly certain it was false labor and I was simply being wussy about a little back pain. My husband immediately wanted my auntie to take me to the hospital, but I insisted we'd wait till he came home. After a very uncomfortable car ride--uncomfortable due to the fact that I couldn't walk around--we made it to the hospital by 5:30 p.m.

More waiting at the hospital...I'm sure I looked very peculiar walking in circles in the tiny waiting area. Finally, we were shown into an exam room and I hooked up to a machine which monitored my contractions. As I watched the printout, all I saw were little peaks and valleys which seemed far apart. Even the nurse who took the printout to the doctor also seemed to think we would be returning home that evening. Then I was checked out by a midwife who informed us that we were...six centimeters dilated and having a baby!


Here's me in the exam room still not entirely convinced. We were admitted around 6:00 p.m., Wednesday evening. Isn't the gown a lovely shade of Pepto-Bismol?


At 7:24 a.m. the next day, the Blueberry made his appearance! Thus, I was either in labor for 29.5 hours or merely 18.5. Neither number sounds good, but I much prefer to claim the latter.

Baby K'Tan and other Baby Carriers

When preparing my registry, the baby carriers most highly recommended to me were the Beco Gemini, ErgoBaby Sport, and the Moby Wrap. I wrote off the Moby almost immediately because the idea of a single, 15' long piece of fabric being responsible for supporting my baby scared me. Babies in these wraps always seemed to look engulfed by the fabric so I worried about a suffocation risk. In choosing between the Ergo and Beco, deciding factors included the ability of the child to face inward and outward when carried in the front, as well as the cris-cross straps in the back which seemed more secure and supportive.

Claiming to fit babies 7-35 lbs and featuring straps that could be positioned like a backpack or in X, I selected the Beco Gemini. In the store it worked great! It was comfortable and most importantly, it felt secure. However, when I enthusiastically placed my 7 lb 5 oz newborn in it, he hated it with a passion as he was engulfed by thick canvas. Moreover, since he's so little, he couldn't really do the position which required him to straddle me comfortably.

Anxious to find a carrier that would comfortably fit us (me, baby, and my husband), I started looking seriously at the Moby. In my search, I stumbled upon the Baby K'Tan. Advertised as a cross between a wrap and a structured carrier, this has been a lifesaver for my husband and I (and hopefully, baby). We purchased it in size medium (I'm 5'3" and my husband is 5'10", I think). In the "kangaroo" position, which is recommended for newborns, baby is cuddled securely close to my heart. I've comfortably held baby this carrier sitting, walking around, doing laundry, and preparing a meal. The Blueberry seems happy both awake and asleep. My husband, as you see below, uses it when playing computer games. We love it! While I don't know how well this carrier will serve us as the Blueberry grows (and gets heavier)--I'm thinking I'll try the Beco again in a few more pounds, the K'Tan is perfect for now.

Here's the K'Tan in use:

More Family

The Blueberry (and his parents) are blessed with a loving extended family. Here are some shots of the Blueberry with his extended family from the first week.


His marvelous Auntie, without whom these past few weeks would have been insane.


The Blueberry's spent more time sleeping in his Auntie's arms than anywhere else.


His paternal Grandparents





The Blueberry and his Parents

More Hospital Pictures

I know I've been posting things a bit out of order, but better late than never. Here are a few more pictures taken of the Blueberry and his parents at the hospital. We couldn't wait to come home, but the accommodations weren't bad at all--except for the lack of wifi.

Here's the Blueberry, a few minutes old.


First family pictures.

Weekly Weigh-In

At this week's check, the Blueberry weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces!

Fisher Price Rock and Play

I bought the Rock and Play by Fisher Price thinking it would be perfect for naps in the office. In the bedroom we had a bassinet, a crib in the baby's room, and a swing and bouncer for the living room. However, after a week of sleeping in the bassinet, the Blueberry could not get comfortable in the thing. Either he was too hot and would sweat a puddle in minutes or was just too fussy to fall asleep. I'm working on the heat thing and have ordered a different mattress pad. However, in the meantime the Rock and Play has been a blessing--the Blueberry sleeps in it throughout the day and night. Plus, it has also been safety certified as a bassinet. He will also nap in his bouncer (due to the vibration, I assume), but since it's not similarly approved I'm uncomfortable leaving him essentially unsupervised when I'm napping too.

Here's a few pictures from about two weeks ago...


Awake


On his way to sleep.


Out

Lunch on the go!

While I dashed into the grocery store, the Blueberry had some lunch.


(2 weeks old)

Weekly Weigh-In

At his first home weigh-in using the Health-o-meter Grow with Me Baby and Toddler Scale, the Blueberry weighed in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces.

Guess Who?

Our little Blueberry was born 26 July at 7:24 a.m., weighing in at 7 lbs 5 oz and measuring 20.5". We arrived at the hospital at 6 pm and he made his grand entrance about 11.5 hours later. I won't share how long I may have been in labor at home before making the journey, but all went well enough.

Here he is:



So puffy from his trip down the birth canal:



With his proud daddy:



More pictures and updates to come!