Here is Freddy post big smile - he was still in a good mood :-).
Friday, January 29, 2010
Smiles
I don't have any REAL smiles on camera yet, but this little man has started flashing me big smiles the last couple of days. The first time I thought, "oh my gosh! he's too young to be actually smiling at me." But then we had a complete repeat yesterday of the big, toothless grin. I had a long day yesterday - the kind of day where nothing really goes right, but nothing exactly goes wrong either.
Here is Freddy post big smile - he was still in a good mood :-).
Here is Freddy post big smile - he was still in a good mood :-).
Monday, January 25, 2010
3 Weeks Old
Our Little Man is 3 weeks old today. It's hard to believe that he's been here for so little time and yet so long all at the same time. I can't remember life without him. On the scale here at home he weighs in at just under 10 lbs. He should be gaining weight like a champ, with the amount of nursing he's been doing! This week we went two days of nursing almost every. single. hour. That includes throughout the night...while I was home by myself and Fred was out of town. Yuck! Fortunately, after checking my kellymom.com resources and assuring myself he was just going through a growth spurt, he is now back to nursing every 2 to 3 hours. Last night he actually managed to sleep 5. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take advantage of those 5 hours myself because his big sister was up!
Our little Frederick had a really busy week! We made our first trip to the grocery store and ToysRUs. He met a bunch of my coworkers and had lunch with my Moms' group. Friday we had a picnic at a park with Bottie and Aunt Michele. Saturday we went to his first birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. He pretty much slept the whole time.
Charlotte had an awesome time, though!
Frederick's almost birthday buddy was there too!
Sunday he met his cousins Ashlyn and Shelby.
Big sister Charlotte still loves her baby brother as much as ever, and the first words out of her mouth every morning, "Where is my baby brother?" In fact, I have to keep a close eye on her to keep her from loving him too much.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Not Pregnant
Why is it that after months of looking forward to not being pregnant anymore it now feels weird to not be pregnant anymore?
Want to know something else crazy? After stating on every occasion that I couldn't wait to be 'not pregnant' I have come up with a few things that I miss about being pregnant.
Want to know something else crazy? After stating on every occasion that I couldn't wait to be 'not pregnant' I have come up with a few things that I miss about being pregnant.
- The Anticipation - what could be more exciting than waiting to meet the new little person that you've been growing for 9 months? Is it a boy, is it a girl? Will the delivery go well? Who will he look like?
- The Baby Kicks - without a doubt, these are my favorite things about pregnancy. I even loved the uncomfortable feeling of little feet in my ribs!
- Nice People - who isn't nice to a pregnant woman, anyway? People are extra nice and helpful, even if they do ask a lot of questions!
- The Doctor Visits - this one sounds crazy, I know. But I love a good book. I also love uninterrupted time to read a good book, guilt free. That doesn't happen at home. Either a small child or a million other things demand my attention. At the office, I get to read and wait - and waiting is a real part of going to see the OB! Not to mention everyone there is really nice, too.
- My Little Man - here in my arms. Perfection.
- Touching My Toes - I could paint them if I wanted to. I haven't yet, but I could. All of the bending over that I can now do is great!
- Tumbling on the Floor - playing with MC on the floor in a way that I haven't been able to for quite a while. We both laugh a lot and have a great time. She really enjoys the extra attention when I can give it.
- My Vanishing Middle - 10 lbs, then 20 lbs, and counting, gone! Take that, Biggest Loser contestants!
- That Small Glass of Wine - oh wine, I missed you!
- Stomach Sleeping - really, sleeping comfortably in any position. While my stomach is not always comfortable, talk about heaven!
- My Little Man - did I mention that I'm so glad he's here?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Pic of the Day
He's rounding out a bit, don't ya think?
Will post more again, someday...for now sleep...if he lets me!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Old Pro? or not
Yesterday Frederick and I were the only ones here when he suddenly started having a hard time breathing. He seemed really conjested and couldn't get a good breath, so he kept crying. My first panicked thought was that I don't have any infant saline solution, and had no quick way to get some.
Then I remembered something I read about how squirting breastmilk up a baby's nose would work just as well. As I was unhooking my top I thought, "Duh, I'll run a hot shower and stand in the bathroom with him." (I swear Frederick looked relieved.)
After standing in the misty bathroom for a couple of minutes, Frederick closed his eyes and went limp in my arms. Again, I panicked as I couldn't hear his breathing over the running water. I stepped away from the shower and he stirred. His breathing sounded a little easier, and I realized the sound of the water had put him right to sleep!
A little while later, after a couple more trips to the bathroom, I found the cause of the whole problem...a nostril sized booger stuck in his nose! Poor baby was much happier once I pulled that out!
I thought I was supposed to be an old pro at this by now?
Then I remembered something I read about how squirting breastmilk up a baby's nose would work just as well. As I was unhooking my top I thought, "Duh, I'll run a hot shower and stand in the bathroom with him." (I swear Frederick looked relieved.)
After standing in the misty bathroom for a couple of minutes, Frederick closed his eyes and went limp in my arms. Again, I panicked as I couldn't hear his breathing over the running water. I stepped away from the shower and he stirred. His breathing sounded a little easier, and I realized the sound of the water had put him right to sleep!
A little while later, after a couple more trips to the bathroom, I found the cause of the whole problem...a nostril sized booger stuck in his nose! Poor baby was much happier once I pulled that out!
I thought I was supposed to be an old pro at this by now?
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Frederick's Birth Story
I feel like I cheated
because Frederick's labor and delivery was SO much easier than Charlotte's. This time I felt like I was prepared for hours and hours of labor. While I did have to deal with a million Braxton-Hicks contractions prior to the start of actual labor, my second experience with labor and delivery lasted only 5 hours. That's only a quarter of the 20 hours I spent in labor with MC.
My day started with a trip to visit my OB who told me I was 4 cm and 70% effaced. I still wrote her off when she said she'd probably see me again "later today." In my head I guessed this bundle would be nearly as late as his sister.
2 hours later, around 2:15 and lunch in hand, I was walking through the front door of my parents house to pick up Charlotte when my water broke. If you want the whole world to know really quickly that you are in labor, a ruptured water bag at your parents' house in the middle of the afternoon is a great way to get the information out! Convinced I had plenty of time, I ate my lunch before caving and letting Helen (still on Christmas break) drive me home to meet Fred (you know, instead of taking myself). Christy, also on break, followed to pick up Maddie and some of Charlotte's things.
I took my time getting my bags together, with my sisters' help, and the contractions were about 4 minutes apart and just over a minute long by the time we left. Happy and content between contractions, I was certain we were rushing off to the hospital too soon. It was nearing 4 pm, however, and we needed to get going before Houston traffic got in the way.
Around 4:15 at the hospital we skipped the usual L&D check in and went straight to our room. I was nearly to 6 cm and they asked me about drugs. I was feeling good and turned them down as there has always been this little piece of me that wondered if I could do this naturally. Fred and I had planned to take a wait and see approach on the epidural. I wanted to stay off the IV and move around.
My desires to walk around, or even sit on an exercise ball (which I tried for a bit) were squashed when Frederick's heart rate kept plummeting. It was back up onto the bed for me. Sometime around here Fred asked if it would be okay to go get something to eat. I said no. Still thinking he had time to do things like fiddle on his phone between contractions, he tried to do that too. He quickly realized that there wasn't time left for any of those things. Frederick kept having little decels and the nurse said that could be a sign that things were progressing. They checked and I was at an 8 - in my mind the point of no return for an epidural (I COULD have, maybe?).
All in all the worst contractions lasted for about an hour. It took all of my concentration to breathe and keep my body relaxed. I kept thinking about my stomach as a basketball that I was trying to stretch a rubber band around. I'm not sure why, but it seemed to work. Between contractions it sometimes almost felt like I was inbetween awake and asleep. It was really crazy. I must confess that I kept thinking, "next time, I'm just going to ask for the epidural when I walk in." (Will I? Who knows?)
Around 7 my sweet nurse (who kept praising me throughout the whole thing) went off duty, but I heard her say she was going to do some charting and then come back and see the baby. Fred thought she was crazy. But then I felt like pushing and got the okay to go ahead and try one, even though I was still at 9. 3 contractions and maybe 8 pushes later, Frederick was born, with the cord wrapped twice around his neck. The cord didn't cause any problems, minus the earlier decels, thank God.
Mama here didn't need any repairs and before long everyone had cleared out and I was left to nurse my sweet babe before being moved to our room where Frederick had his first bath.
because Frederick's labor and delivery was SO much easier than Charlotte's. This time I felt like I was prepared for hours and hours of labor. While I did have to deal with a million Braxton-Hicks contractions prior to the start of actual labor, my second experience with labor and delivery lasted only 5 hours. That's only a quarter of the 20 hours I spent in labor with MC.
My day started with a trip to visit my OB who told me I was 4 cm and 70% effaced. I still wrote her off when she said she'd probably see me again "later today." In my head I guessed this bundle would be nearly as late as his sister.
2 hours later, around 2:15 and lunch in hand, I was walking through the front door of my parents house to pick up Charlotte when my water broke. If you want the whole world to know really quickly that you are in labor, a ruptured water bag at your parents' house in the middle of the afternoon is a great way to get the information out! Convinced I had plenty of time, I ate my lunch before caving and letting Helen (still on Christmas break) drive me home to meet Fred (you know, instead of taking myself). Christy, also on break, followed to pick up Maddie and some of Charlotte's things.
I took my time getting my bags together, with my sisters' help, and the contractions were about 4 minutes apart and just over a minute long by the time we left. Happy and content between contractions, I was certain we were rushing off to the hospital too soon. It was nearing 4 pm, however, and we needed to get going before Houston traffic got in the way.
Around 4:15 at the hospital we skipped the usual L&D check in and went straight to our room. I was nearly to 6 cm and they asked me about drugs. I was feeling good and turned them down as there has always been this little piece of me that wondered if I could do this naturally. Fred and I had planned to take a wait and see approach on the epidural. I wanted to stay off the IV and move around.
My desires to walk around, or even sit on an exercise ball (which I tried for a bit) were squashed when Frederick's heart rate kept plummeting. It was back up onto the bed for me. Sometime around here Fred asked if it would be okay to go get something to eat. I said no. Still thinking he had time to do things like fiddle on his phone between contractions, he tried to do that too. He quickly realized that there wasn't time left for any of those things. Frederick kept having little decels and the nurse said that could be a sign that things were progressing. They checked and I was at an 8 - in my mind the point of no return for an epidural (I COULD have, maybe?).
All in all the worst contractions lasted for about an hour. It took all of my concentration to breathe and keep my body relaxed. I kept thinking about my stomach as a basketball that I was trying to stretch a rubber band around. I'm not sure why, but it seemed to work. Between contractions it sometimes almost felt like I was inbetween awake and asleep. It was really crazy. I must confess that I kept thinking, "next time, I'm just going to ask for the epidural when I walk in." (Will I? Who knows?)
Around 7 my sweet nurse (who kept praising me throughout the whole thing) went off duty, but I heard her say she was going to do some charting and then come back and see the baby. Fred thought she was crazy. But then I felt like pushing and got the okay to go ahead and try one, even though I was still at 9. 3 contractions and maybe 8 pushes later, Frederick was born, with the cord wrapped twice around his neck. The cord didn't cause any problems, minus the earlier decels, thank God.
Mama here didn't need any repairs and before long everyone had cleared out and I was left to nurse my sweet babe before being moved to our room where Frederick had his first bath.
And met his big sister:
What a wonderful day. God is Good!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
He's here!
Frederick Christian Sanchez
1/4/10 7:11 pm
7 lbs, 5 oz
19.5 in
Did I mention he is perfect?
Friday, January 1, 2010
We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
The last week and a half has been busy, filled with family and friends. Fred had a personal day left to take before the year end, so he split it into two half days meaning that between the 23rd and now he's only worked one full day. It's been GREAT to have him here with us! My work computer has been sick, so I haven't been able to spend time working, either, so we've really enjoyed this family time before the arrival of our new little one. (Although NOT having a my work files to wrap things up has me nervous as my due date approaches January 3rd.)
After spending Christmas Eve with Fred's parents, Christmas morning at home, and Christmas afternoon with my family, Charlotte is a real pro at opening presents. We loved watching her excitement as she opened a Cozy Coupe from Lolo and Lola, her doll from Santa, and a play kitchen from Beta and Grandaddy. In fact, she was so thrilled with these gifts that she didn't even want to see what was in the other packages waiting under the tree for her!
Here are some photos from our holidays:
After spending Christmas Eve with Fred's parents, Christmas morning at home, and Christmas afternoon with my family, Charlotte is a real pro at opening presents. We loved watching her excitement as she opened a Cozy Coupe from Lolo and Lola, her doll from Santa, and a play kitchen from Beta and Grandaddy. In fact, she was so thrilled with these gifts that she didn't even want to see what was in the other packages waiting under the tree for her!
Here are some photos from our holidays:
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