2 Weeks Old!

Maxwell was born two weeks ago this morning. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone, yet like I said before, I can't remember not having him. I remember I used to get more sleep at night, but other than that...

We had a wonderful Christmas here at home with my parents and sister's family. My niece Sadie would have held Max 24 hrs a day if we would have let her. My sister said that she would have glued him to her if it was possible! She is a good cousin.

Max has his next pediatric appt. tomorrow. He will get his little heel poked again to check out his PDK. He did very well with the first one. I am excited to see how big he has grown since he has double the amount that he is eating over the last few days. He is a big boy!

Sweet face!

Not so sure about this bath thing!

Cousin Sadie and Max

Family Christmas Picture!

Heeeer's Maxwell

I'm sorry I was not able to put up a quick post letting everyone know that his arrival was upon us. I was taken totally off guard as my water broke (exploded is more like it) last Tuesday night around 5:30. Curt was not home from work yet and I was on the phone with a friend when all of a sudden... gush! I called Curtis and we immediately moved to DEFCON 5. My Mom and Dad hopped in the car and drove all night to be with us at the birth, and they beat him by about 6 hours. I was super grateful for the support of Curtis and my Doula Stephanie during the wee hours of the night. I labored for about 9 hours with no significant dilation, so the Dr. ordered Pitocin to be pushed mainly because my amniotic fluid was meconium stained. He didn't want to risk Max inhaling any of the fluids. At that point I decided an epidural was in order... it was lovely, other than mu left leg was totally dead! People had to move the "dead leg" for me whenever necessary.

I pushed for only about 20 min or so when my Dr. decided that I was not going to push him out without help. So at 10:40 am on December 16th, Maxwell was brought into this world. He weighed 9 lbs. and 8 oz., and was 22" long! Really though it was his head size that was the problem... 14.5 cm around! I wan not about to pass that kid through without intervention from the doctor. Although my recovery process has been slow and painful due to anemia, I am finally on the road to recovery! And he was worth every bit of the pain!

He is beautiful! I just can't stop staring at him and am trying to fathom how he came from inside of me! I remember his first ultrasound at 5 weeks where he was a tiny speck with a slight flicker for a heartbeat. He came a long way and I am amazed at how perfect he turned out. It's also amazing that although he has been with us for less than a week now, I can't remember life without him.

I am really grateful for Curtis and my parents for how well they have taken care of us. The hospital staff was amazing as well, and I appreciate every nurse, nurse's assistant, the nurse anesthetist, and my doctor for helping us as well. Two people have never been so well cared for! I am getting a little spoiled honestly, and will be in for a big shock when my parents leave and Curtis gets back to work! Hopefully I will have a regular routine down by then!

Well, other than some pictures, I will sign off for now. Thanks for all of your encouragement and prayers. God truly did bless our family last week!

DEFCON 4

So we are officially on baby watch. I have gone to bed each night since last Monday wondering if I might wake up in labor. At my last appointment, the Dr. said it could be about any time. Well that was a week ago Monday, and I am still pregnant. I told everyone at church today that this was the LAST week I would be coming to church still in my delicate condition. I have strange feelings on occasion in my abdomen, but I cannot tell if it is a contraction pushing in or Max pushing out. Either way, they have not been regular at all. I have my 39+ week appointment tomorrow, so we'll see where we are at then.

I am ready... and not the "I'm am so uncomfortable, I can't take anymore" ready, but more of the "I am excited for him to be here" ready. Plus each day that goes by means his birthday is getting closer to Christmas. I would like a little separation between the two events!

I have been busy since finishing my semester last Tuesday (thank goodness for that) baking cookies for the neighbors and Christmas shopping for the family. I really live day to day right now, so I have no concept of how close Christmas really is right now. If I did, I may not be able to sleep very well! But as it is, ignorance is bliss, and so is a good nights sleep.

Well, I hope to upgrade to DEFCON 5 really soon, and I will try to send out a quick note when that occurs. Check back as the blessed event is upon us!