One Month Old!

More Pictures...

First Visit with Uncle Bill & Aunt Dawn (back on July 5th)

Meeting Grandpa Jim for the first time (July 7th)

Grandma, Grandpa & Baby John

Meeting Great Uncle Roy (July 11th)

Meeting Great Aunt Nancy (July 11th)

Meeting Oliver (July 11th)

An exhausted mom & Baby John

Meeting Uncle Bruce and cousin Evan

 

Our first baby!

More Random Stuff

We went to visit our friends earlier this week:

Shawn, Marilyn, Russ & Miss Libby

Shawn is biding his time until John is older so he can pinch those chubby, chubby cheeks.

 

Miss Libby, our future babysitter?

Is It Me...

but don't you think he looks like he's plotting to take over the world?

Stop!

"Man, ENOUGH with the camera already!"

Four Weeks

 

This bassinet (given to us by Marilyn & family) was probably THE BEST gift ever. We use it every single day and because it has netting on the sides, it's quite cool for him. We got some netting fabric and tie it over the top so we can sit outside with him and not worry about the bugs. It's also collapsable (not sure if that's a word?) so it's compact and we can travel with it. Although, by the time we travel, he may be too long for it!

Also, my previous pictures chronicling his age weren't so great. Dawna mentioned that I should probably show more than just his head to show how big he was growing. And to maybe place an object next to him so you can visualize his growth. She suggested the bear. And maybe next week, I'll take a picture in the crib where there's more room. I crammed that bear beside him this morning. I didn't want to wake him up since he finally fell asleep!

We went for our first walk this past week. Riley was very good but as always, he had to be first! I think John liked it, granted he did sleep thru it.

I forgot to mention that back on the 16th, we met Barb & family at the airport during their connection so they could meet John.

A Visit to Mom's Office

So, we went down to the office this afternoon to visit AND to pick up the next Harry Potter book. Look who's cheating on Erik...

Heather & baby John

Crystal &a baby John

Hmmm, I don't have any pictures of Kelly and the baby... what happened?

In other news... we went to the community health centre to weigh him. Guess what!!!! He weighs 9lbs, 6oz. Yipee! He's doing very well. We should have measured him too...

And Steven tried the snugli out this afternoon.

 

Steven & John napping about an hour ago.

Mine's Bigger Than Yours!

 

 

Okay, John's totally NOT bigger...well, his head is bigger but really anyone who knows me should not be surprised at that fact! Aren't they cute? They look like they're holding hands. Erik is totally longer, probably at least 2" longer. And he's so thin! No chubby cheeks to grab like on my big-headed son.

As you can see, we went to visit Liz yesterday to compare babies! It was so nice to see her again and to be able to talk with another new mom. I just wish we lived closer. Erik is so quiet compared to John, yup when mine is hungry he's a screamer.

Pictures!

 

in the hospital

Grandma's Gone Home...:(

My mom left this afternoon. I'm a little sad. It was really nice being able to spend so much time with her and to be able to give her a grandson. (y'know, one without being covered all in fur) I know she misses him already and you know what? We miss her too. And I don't know how I'll manage without her! Steven's off right now but I'm already dreading when he goes back to work in a couple of weeks.

Tummy time with Grandma!

Last Date

Steven just took me on a spontaneous date night. My mom is still here and my sister Cindy came up today so Steven figured that we should take advantage of the extra people. I'm so tired beyond belief that I just wanted to take a nap but we left the house. He took me mini-golfing and it was very very fun. I was glad to be out of the house, in the fresh air and being showered and well, out of the house. I am very sore still and the minimal amount of twisting and bending that I did do, is hurting me alot right now but I wouldn't change it. I have a husband who wanted to treat me to a nice time and is concerned about my well-being (emotionally, physically, mentally). I don't say it enough but he's the best and I love him beyond words.

Maybe The Story will Finish?

Okay, so I was being prepped for the c-section and frankly I was scared. I've never had surgery before. Steven stayed with me until they wheeled me out. Then I was ... well, I guess it's the operating room... there were alot of people. The anesthesiologist came and did his wonderful thing, asking "can you feel this?" "can you move your legs?" etc...

Steven came in once I was all prepped and curtained off. My arms splayed out. Apparently now the dad's are made to sit in a wheelchair in the event they pass out and need to be wheeled out! Anyway, I remember wondering whether I would be able to feel any pain at all. I remember licking my lips and having no saliva to wet them. I remember my lips sticking together and not being able to breathe and wondering what would happen if I threw up, would I suffocate? I was also given something for my nausea.

Off to the side, there was someone giving me a play-by-play. Letting me know, "you're going to feel this right now and this is what they are doing". I remember them saying that you're going to feel an incredible amount of pressure on your chest like someone is standing on it. I remember joking that they probably had a foot up there and was using my chest for leverage. Then I remember them saying that John was coming out and me holding my breath until I heard his cry. I remember asking Steven to see if he was okay, to go and check on him. And then they brought him over to us. I wasn't able to hold him but Steven held him and it was all good.

Again, it gets a bit hazy for me. Afterwards, we were wheeled into recovery and I remember thinking that it was over. I couldn't breathe anymore. My lips were sticking together. My nose was plugged. I couldn't catch my breath and I wondered what would happen if I stopped breathing. I remember shaking and my teeth chattering. And then nothing, the next thing I remember is being transferred from the table onto my bed in my hospital room.

Phew, finally finished the story of John.

More of The Story

I've been racking my brain trying to remember exactly what happened... but I just can't. I simply don't know parts of it.
Anyway, after the epidural it was all over for me. Sure I got to rest but my labour didn't progress as swiftly (or rather...at all) as they had liked. I never got more than 4-5 cm dilated and the Baby didn't move positions. I had been in labour for more than 14 hours when Dr. S came to check on me and told me that I was going to have to have a c-section. At this point Steven had gone home to shower, change and get something to eat. So I called him to tell him to come back because they were going to prep me for the c-section within the hour. I guess I was really the only one who thought that a natural delivery was a viable option. Way back around when they admitted me, Steven was advised of the fact that c-section was a strong possiblity and during my labour he overheard the doctor voicing concerns about me hemorrhaging and that I'd probably have to have a c-section.
Okay, if you thought we were unprepared for this birth, then oh my gosh you have NO idea how unprepared I was for the thought of having surgery. I remember thinking about my prenatal class and how they walked us through "what if" you have a c-section. I still have some unresolved feelings towards this procedure. I'm not sure how to categorize it so for right now, we'll leave my feelings out of it.
...oh John's crying again...

The Story, cont'd

When we last left our heroine, she was fighting off her attackers..

(cue scary music)

(cue lightnining bolt and thunder)

oh wait, my bad... wrong story...

You know, I'm not sure what time it was. I know when we were transferred into the birthing room it was about 3am. So I was having my contractions and rocking back & forth and Steven said he was trying to stay away from the spray of fluids with each movement. (poor guy) I also had no clue whether my contractions were getting closer together or whether we were making any progress. I do know that they wanted me to rock back and forth because the baby was facing the wrong way and we wanted him to turn around to get ready for the birth canal. My doctor was on call on Saturday and he had previously predicted that I would see him after I gave birth. I called him a liar when he came to visit me.

I also chose to get an epidural. Although, it was recommended since my high blood pressure was a concern. And here's where it starts to get a little fuzzy. Steven went to get some breakfast while they got me ready for the epidural. And afterwards, I remember not feeling anything while they assured me that I was still having contractions I remember thinking that my labour stopped completely. I did fall asleep off & on. And parts of the story are filled in with what Steven has told me.

...oh John's crying...

Due Date

Just to let you know that today was my due date.

Also to let you know that I'm still super tired... if only he'd sleep for more than an hour during any given time frame at night.

The Story

Okay, most of you know what happened but here's how I remember it...

I've been monitoring my blood pressure since the middle of May and if it gets too high then I have to go to the hospital. On Wednesday June 27, my blood pressure sky rocketed to 142/102 so around 1pm Steven took my to the hospital. I had been there before for the same problem, and they hooked me up to the fetal monitor, took blood, took urine and monitored my blood pressure. We were in the hospital for about 5 hours and all the tests were fine except my blood pressure wasn't going down. The doctor released us because a) the tests were fine and b) I had a doctor's appointment the next morning at 9am.

We went to the airport to pick up my sister Dawna, who was coming for a visit and to help out before the baby came. Then the next morning, I had an ultrasound appointment and my doctor's appointment. I also had a list of things that I wanted to get done to prepare for the baby. Dr. S decided that I was to be induced either that day (Thursday) or the next depending on when I could get into the hospital. I was 37 weeks and 3 days. I had an appointment to get induced on Friday June 29 @ 715am.

Holy shit. Ask me if I got any sleep that night. Go ahead, ask me.

Oh yeah, and my mom & my other sister also came to town to help out before the baby came. Not knowing that instead they were going to be there for the birth! Steven decided to go to work the next day so Dawna drove me to the hospital for my appointment. (My other sister Cindy was taking my mom to her cardiologist appt) At the hospital, they inserted the gel, I was hooked up to the fetal monitor and my blood pressure was monitored for a couple of hours. I was released around 11am with instructions to return at 4pm unless I went into labour or I started discharging blood or my water broke. Steven called me and he decided to leave work because he couldn't concentrate on anything anyway.

Nothing happened.

We went back to the hospital for the 2nd insertion. Again I was hooked up to the fetal monitor, my blood pressure monitored and this time Dr. G when she checked my cervix (I was 2cm) she also separated the membrane. Can I say painful? Holy crap. We were released after a couple hours with the same instructions to return in 6-8 hours.

Not much happened then I started having contractions. Nothing regular, nothing huge, yes it was painful but I knew it wasn't "active labour".

Steven was sleeping.

We went back to the hospital around 1am.

Same routine. They monitored my blood pressure, hooked me up to the fetal monitor. They were going to send me home but then they checked my cervix and I was still only 2cm dilated but blood started gushing out. So, they sent Steven to admit me and then they proceeded to try & draw blood, mop me up and start an IV. At this point, I was in pain. And to top it all off, they couldn't find a vein to either draw blood or start an IV. I was poked 5-6 times until finally the anesthesiologist came and froze my arm and found a vein. yipee!

I was moved to a birthing room and had a blood pressure cuff placed on my arm to continously monitor, the doctor came and broke my water and also inserted a fetal monitor to the baby's head to get a better heart rate reading. After my water was broken, the contractions were stronger and closer together. I got out of bed and rocked back & forth with help from Steven. Poor Steven, all the promises about staying "north of the shoulders" weren't honored. Everytime I stood up, more fluid gushed out of me. At that point, I didn't really care who saw me, I just wanted to get thru the next contraction.

...to be continued.

Happy Birthday Papa!

Allow Me To Introduce....

Proud papa
 

Shortly after delivery

My First Bath

I'll try & post more later when I'm less tired... and less sore.

Baby Watch 2007

Mission Accomplished.

We were discharged from the hospital today.

Will post when I have more time.

xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx

June x, 2007 @ xxxxx

(it's pronounced "REMOVED" say it with me.. xxx.. xxxx.. xxx... now say it together... xxxxxx)

(xxxx after his father, xxxxx after xxxx , xxxxx after xxxxxx)