Hello There!

So this is a new thing for me. I am really going to try to keep up with it too, as I think it is a fantastic idea for keeping everyone (near and far) up to date.



Thanks to Jen for giving me the link to check it out. Love your page, btw!



So the most recent activity around here as you all know is the addition of our little boy, Levi.



Our journey as parents began October 23, 2008 at 10:37 am when he finally joined us. He's been in our hearts for many years and finally our dream came true. He is the most perfect little man I have ever set eyes on and love him more every day. I can't believe you can love someone so completely, moments after you physically meet them but this was truly love at first sight! I didn't even think that about Tim... many moons ago. :)



For those that may not know our history-- we've been parenting "works in progress" for about 6 years. Many ups and downs, struggles and heartaches later.... finally we got pregnant and the worries didn't stop there. After all that we wondered if it were too good to be true.



Well, I can't complain one bit about my pregnancy. I joke that I went through so much to get pregnant that someone was looking out for me and knew that I had already dealt with too much so they let me have it easy. I didn't have morning sickness, I was very fortunate there. One day Tim and I were going out to dinner and I thought my stomach was a little uneasy, but I blamed it on Tim's driving. Which is hardly tolerable on any given day :)



Every appointment reassured us that everything was going just perfectly and our team of doctors seemed very confident that would continue. Whew, relief. The months began to creep by--- We learned in May (at 15 weeks) we would be having a son. Tim and I both thought it was going to be a girl. We were happy either way, most importantly we wanted a happy healthy child, no matter the sex. We got to have lots of ultrasounds throughout the pregnancy-- which was a great little bonus. I loved seeing him and the reassurance that all continued to be progressing "normally" was always music to my ears.



I celebrated my 28th birthday in July as a momma to be. I'd blown out many candles, hoping for that experience and it was the best birthday present. August 8, 2008 we had an ultrasound appointment and got to have a 3d ultrasound. It was kinda weird. You could see details of the baby-- like his chubby cheeks and hair. What looked like lots of hair. He always had his hands up by his face, which proved to be just a preview of the real thing..... The 3d ultrasound was cool and I would recommend if you have the opportunity to have one... get it.



Our baby shower was hold on September 13, 2008 at Das Dutch Haus in Columbiana. It was such a perfect day (despite the rain). I had been imagining that day in my mind for such a long time. I was not disappointed, it was beautiful and so much fun. We had all our friends and family there and the amount of love they showered Levi (and us) with was unbelievable! A day I will never forget. I am so grateful for everyone that took part in that wonderful day!



Which brings me to mention how grateful I am that I have the best husband in the world. He was by my side at every appointment-- pre- pregnancy, through pregnancy and right there for delivery and postpartum. He took a week off of work to stay home with us. He took care of everything. And he is the most loving person I know, although he has some moments.... but we all do. It has been a such a pleasure seeing him with our baby. Seeing the joy Levi has brought into his life, into his heart. (mine too, of course.)



As we inched closer and closer to our due date, we saw our little boy continue to grow, grow, grow. What an overachiever he was. He was always measuring ahead. I felt like he had taken over my entire belly. They were concerned if we did go to term (Nov 9) they expected him to weigh 12 pounds. And doctors did not want my health or the baby to be distressed or in jeopardy. Can't say I didn't agree there. So we continued to be closely monitored. I was still working full time at the Pharmacy. I wan't having any problems so I just went on with my normal activity and the hustle and bustle of my life as usual.



October 14th, I went to work like every other day. But I was having this strange pain on my right side. It wasn't going away. There was no start and stop to it-- so I didn't think it could be contractions. After about 2 hours the pain hadn't subsided. So I called the Dr. They suggested I go to the hospital to be checked out. Of course Tim was having issues with his cell phone so I had Cami take me. Then-- mom went to the house to wake him so he could meet me there. Ended up I was having contractions and I was dehydrated and had a UTI. Fantastic! I got to leave the same day-- with directions to drink lots of water and slow down. The next day we had an appointment withour OB. She gave me a talking to about slowing down, and told me to stop working. I planned on working up to delivery.... come on I was almost there. But she won, the following Monday was my last scheduled day. We were also scheduled to have an Amnio to see if Baby's lungs were matured so we could consider an early delivery by c-section. I was also having Non stress tests twice weekly to continue to monitor the baby.



The next week we had an ultrasound. He was estimated to weigh 9 pounds 12 ounces. We also did the amnio. I thought the Amnio was going to be horrendous.... but it was no big deal. I watched it on the monitor as it was being done. It was weird while he was removing fluid through the needle the baby reached out as if to grab the needle-- like oh what's that?? Dr pulled it out a little and Baby went about his business. HE was really moving and kicking when we were done with the test. It was as if he was saying-- hey that's no fair-- I thought today was my day-- aren't you going to let me outta here?? So we got the call when the results were in that his lungs were good we were finally going to meet our baby. Finally going to be parents! Then we started to worry and stress a little.



The morning we were scheduled Tim and I were both nervous. We got checked in to the hospital and had the best nurse ever, Rachel. She was with us from start- check in-- through surgery and into Recovery. She was fantastic!



They hooked me up to the non stress test. I was having pretty good contractions-- haha! Maybe Baby knew this was to be his birthday-- I don't know. I was prepped for my c-section and Tim donned a green pair of scrubs... still regret not getting a picture of that. Then the Dr and anestheisiologists came in and went over the details. It seemed so surreal. I had to drink this nasty " shot" of some medication to coat your stomach so you don't get sick. I swear it was the worst part of the whole ordeal. It was the most disgusting thing I had ever tasted. I've tasted cheap alcohol that wasn't that bad. yuk.



We walked back to the OR and it was freezing in there. I was shaking from being cold and my nerves were really starting to get me. Tim had to wait outside until I got my spinal. I was sitting there on the balance beam of a table.... hunched over waiting for the needle--- in front of me was all of the metal utensils and "torture devices" for the surgery.... how strange to put that in front of the person to be worked on. As soon as the spinal was done the room became a whirl of activity and I quickly was asked to lie down on the table. They had me all hooked up to machines and were asking me questions. I felt my belly go numb, then my legs, then my feet and toes. It was like the coldest, tingly asleep feeling I had ever felt. It was very strange. They started and Tim was brought in to sit beside me at the head of the bed. Rachel and the other nurses were talking to me and asking me questions. I could feel them pulling/ tugging on me. Lots of pressure but no pain. It seemed like forever until they were ready to get the baby out. They asked Tim to stand up-- if he wanted to see him delivered and he did. I was waiting to hear him cry-- when the Dr said-- oh he already needs a haircut. What a big boy!! And oh boy he's peeing on us. What a sport he was! Then he cried.... and so did I.

A moment to wait a lifetime for. More music to my ears. I wanted to see him so badly. But I would have to wait until they cleaned him up / checked him out, then they brought him to Tim to hold. He was beautiful. Chubby cheeks, dark full head of hair. Then they started putting me back together. I couldn't believe it was the end of my pregnancy. I wouldn't feel any more kicks or punches. I really wondered how all this baby had fit in my belly. He weighed 10 pounds, 7 ounces. 22 & 1/4 inches long. Whew... he really was out of room in there. By hour's end-- we were done. We had moved to the next chapter.



The surgery itself was wonderful. I would have a c-section again in a heartbeat. The worst part I have to say was afterwards when they moved me from the Operating Table to my bed. I felt like they were going to drop me. I couldn't feel the lower half of my body. I kept trying to catch myself. And to not be able to control "dead weight" ohhhh that was scary for me. All the other stuff, the IV's, the catheter, the edipural, the surgery, the recovery, getting up the first time, the recovery at home-- piece of cake! I did have some pain-- I'm not going to lie. I had pain meds, by IV the first day and then by mouth following. But I'm not a wimp either. I've had procedures in doctor's offices that are more painful and invasive than this! I was up out of bed by the end of the day. Got a shower the next morning. Went home on day 4 but could have gone home on day 3 -- if I would have wanted to. Tim stayed at the hospital with us the entire time.



We welcomed visitors later that day-- everyone was so excited to meet our little one, Levi James. On Sunday, we checked out of Hotel- St E's. And were going home- all three of us. I shed a tear in the car thinking about our journey. How it felt to have this little person bundled up in his carseat sleeping away, beside me. He was all ours. The first couple of nights were a little rough. The few hours of sleep I did get were in the recliner in his bedroom. When I ventured to my own bed I was constantly checking the video monitor. and since I'm blind without my contacts-- I still needed the actual confirmation all was well by walking back to the crib and checking on him-- so after that week-- we got the bassinet from Mom and Carli. We put that in our bedroom and that made it so much easier. He sleeps in it every night. If he's fussy and doesn't want to sleep in there he sleeps in his little Glider/ swing.

His first appointment with the Pediatrician showed he had lost some weight. He was down to 9.2 More than 1 pound. Up to 10 percent loss is to be expected after birth but they want to see them back to birth weight at 10 days old. So we went back a few days later and he had only gained 4 ounces. So Dr suggested we supplement with formula to get his weight up. Breastfeeding alone was not enough for this hungry boy. He was working so hard at getting what he needed that he was burning those precious calories by eating. Why can't my body be that efficient?? LOL.

Next visit to the pediatrician he was up to 10 pounds 1 ounce. Ok we were making progress. Now he was starting to eat like a machine... and the next weight check showed! 10 pounds 13 ounces almost a pound in like 5 days... oink oink! We are still using formula as it is the only way I can ensure he is getting enough to eat. A girl that I met online that is also BF'g her new baby said-- wouldn't it be great if your boobs had a gauge on them to measure how much they were getting?? Genius Idea!! I weighed him at home on November 23.... his one month birthday and he was 12 pounds 4 ounces. Yeah... he's doing great!

So great that he's already outgrown some of his little clothes. Awww. And the shoes he has are now all too small. I think his feet alone had a growth spurt over the weekend.

We took him to get his first portraits and he did so wonderful. I can't wait to get them back. He is so beautiful. He got some sleeping and awake. Tim got in on one with him, holding his head in his hands. Levi is looking up at him... oh makes my heart melt, so sweet.

He has been getting stronger and stronger every day. The first day in the hospital I was amazed at how he held his (big) little head up. He is doing so much more of that now, looking around taking everything in. He likes tummy time, but always falls asleep. I don't mind because I just sit and read beside him so I'm constantly checking his breathing.... haha. Still paranoid.

He also loves to clasp his little hands together with fingers entwined... and just chill. If he's eating his hands automatically attach to the sides of the bottle or boob. Which makes trimming his insanely long fingernails a must- do. His nickname could be edward scissorhands. ouchie.
He can really rip some gas too-- unbelievable sounds come from this little boy. The one night Tim and I were both soooo exhausted-- he had finally gotten to sleep and was in his bassinet beside the bed. Tim and I crept into bed not making a sound-- we just lie there enjoying the quiet when pllllllllllrrrrrrrpppp. These rolling farts came from the bassinet. We were then cracking up so hard-- I thought we were both going to pee our pants. I had to cover my head with a pillow to stifle the laughter. Baby boy makes us so proud.

Well, I guess I should go for now. I need to make dinner and Levi will be getting up from his afternoon slumber to eat too. Please check back often for updates and new pictures.

Things sure do change fast around here. And I thought life before baby was wild fun!! HA!