Hudson - One month

I can't believe Hudson has been with us for a month already. I go back and forth between feeling as though he's always been in our lives to feeling as though life has changed so quickly. However, I always feel incredibly lucky to call him my son (ahhh - it's still surreal to use "my" and "son" together).

His stats:

Weight - 10 pounds 7 ounces

Height - 55 centimeters


His likes/dislikes:

Likes - sleeping on chests, staring at shutters, listening to his dad sing the oompa loompa song (well, sing the first two lines over and over), taking "laps" around the house, lifting his head when he's on your chest, hanging out in the baby bjorne, and floating in his bath.

Dislikes - nappy changes and being put down in the bassinet.

His adventures:
Obviously this whole month was basically a list of firsts - baths, pram rides, car rides, etc. He went on three car rides - home from the hospital, to the baby store to pick-up a sinfully expensive but equally awesome swing made by 4moms, and to his grandparents house. He's gone on a few walks in the baby bjorne, including to mothers' group. He also took his pram for a spin twice.  

New changes this month:
We've spent this month learning about each other and getting the hang of breastfeeding. Hudson calls the shots, whether it be to party at 3am with ear piercing screams or deciding to take a long nap on a Saturday afternoon (I would also vote for the latter!). He changes daily. Lately he's been foregoing his morning nap like a rebel, which makes his mom cranky. I try to remind myself that the boy will eventually sleep and I will eventually get my nap. He's usually waking twice at night, and I'm dreaming of the day he sleeps longer than 3.5 hrs at a time over night. We like having him sleep in our room, so we probably won't transition him to his own room for awhile.

Just like every other new parent, we think he's a genius. He lifts his head like a rockstar and has started making babbling sounds. I'm sure doing long division is right around the corner. He's so inquisitive, and I love watching him look around a room.

Thoughts on the month:
I've loved watching how easily my husband has taken on the role of dad, and I feel blessed to have his love and support as we embark on this crazy thing called parenthood. I feel like a hermit most days because I don't get out of my pjs, but I'm hoping in the upcoming weeks we get into a better routine.

Off to rock a crying baby,

B

November - our month

It's been 7 wonderful years since I walked into a bar and met the man who would fill my life with an ungodly amount of happiness - the man who could soothe my soul by simply placing his hand on top of mine.

 Love cannot begin to capture what we have.

It's been 5 years since I walked into a hotel room filled with flowers and said "yes" to the man I knew I'd marry from our first kiss. 

It's been 3 wonderful years since I walked down the aisle and we sealed forever with a kiss.

And it's been 3 crazy, surreal weeks since we brought home our son.

People say relationships are hard work and require compromise, but that simply isn't the case for all couples. Some people find their perfect match, and with that comes an ease and comfort that is unimaginable. I feel so blessed to have your love in my life

November will always be our month - the month I met you, the month we got engaged, and the month we got married.  

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Off to enjoy take-out Indian and a crying baby (that's how we do anniversaries these days),

B

A Day in the Life with a Newborn

Pre-Hudson I searched YouTube videos on a day in the life with a newborn to try to get an idea of what life with a baby would entail (my experience with newborns was nonexistent). Now that I'm on the otherside of things with a mere two weeks of experience, I thought I would share what my days are looking like with a lil fellow.

2:00 am - time for the first feeding of the day. I hear Hudson stir, and think there is nothing worse than getting out of a warm bed in the middle of the night. I quickly throw on my sweat pants and a button down sweater over my maternity tank (trust me it's super sexy). Then I go turn on the nursery lamp, the back room light, grab a drink of water, and go to the bathroom. I grab Hudson from the bassinet in our bedroom and take him to the nursery to change his diaper and strip him down to his tank top to nurse. We head to the living room and assume our go to position on the boppy. He nurses and I check Instagram and stare at his adorable face. He finishes and I burp him. We go back to the nursery to get his onesie back on and to swaddle him. Then back for more boob time. If it's a good night, he'll go to sleep after nursing. If not, I'll spend time walking him around the house and chatting to him until he passes out. He's done nursing at 2:40 am and it's a good night so we head back to bed.

4:30 am - back on the boob and I repeat the same routine - lights on, diaper change, strip down, one boob, dress and swaddle, and more boob time. He finishes nursing at 5am.

7:00 am - another feeding. He finishes at 7:30 am. We both go back to bed.

9:00 am - back on the boob. He finishes at 9:30 am.

10:00 am -  Hudson cover us both in vomit, which is different from spit-up. It flies out of him and goes down my tank top and all over him. Time for an outfit change for both of us. Then he naps on me while I watch TV.

12:00 pm - lunch time for the little guy. Then I get him rugged up, so we can head out. He refuses to give me a good picture.

1:00 pm - We're heading to our first Mothers' Group meet-up, so I give him a little top up before we go in the hopes that he can wait to eat again until we get home.

This is our first adventure outside by ourselves and it's Hudson's first time going in the BabyBjorne. He loves it and passes out right away. 

2:00 pm - I get to the meet-up and we stay until 4pm. Hudson is the only boy in the group. The girls all seem nice, and it's lovely to be around women going through the same thing.

4:00 pm - I haven't had lunch yet, so I stop by the supermarket to pick-up some supplies. Walking home I decide that picking up veggie broth wasn't the best idea (those containers are heavy when you're already lugging a baby and diaper bag)

4:30 pm - I shove some food down my throat and quickly get him ready for another feed.

5:00 pm - another feed, but he's distracted and this one doesn't end until 6 pm.

6:00 pm -  I hear him do a huge fart that I know resulted in a massive pooh, and I hope the Hubs gets home soon enough to change him. Luckily he does. He's really great, and doesn't even mind that he's on poop duty the moment he walks in the door.

6:30 pm - Dad gives Hudson a bath, which he enjoys. He smells like vanilla and tangerine, which I love. I jump in the shower. Showers are so much more enjoyable after you have a baby. It feels like heaven.

6:45 pm - Hudson is playing with dad and does another projectile vomit that makes dad scream. Both boys are covered, so back in the tub for Hudson quickly followed by another wardrobe change. I start dinner. Tonight is roasted eggplant and asparagus served over pasta and spinach.

7:00 pm - a short feed to hopefully help his tummy feel better.

7:30 pm - dinner time for the adults and a bit of relaxing while Hudson sleeps on his Dad's chest.

9:00 pm - time for bed. Hudson has been sleeping since 7:30, so I'm not sure how much sleep I'll get before the next feed.

11:00 pm - Hudson is ready for another boob session.

2:30 am - another day begins!

As you can see my days are taken over with feedings and diaper changes, and in between I often don't feel like doing much else. I still need to establish a routine. The house is always a mess and I constantly feel like I'm behind in what I want to accomplish, but I'm giving myself a bit of a break since Hudson and I are still new at this mommy/baby thing.

Right now I'm trying to enjoy all the precious moments between the puking and pooping, because I know they will pass quickly (although at 2 in the morning time passes slowly!). I feel really lucky that I'm able to breastfeed, because it really is an amazing bonding experience, even though it also means I'm solely responsible for feeding Hudson for the time being.

Parenthood is exhausting and wonderful, and I look forward to watching Hudson grow and learn.

Off to wash the mountain of dishes from last night,

B

Welcome to the world, Hudson!

I thought long and hard about the type of labor I wanted, but always knew that my 'plan' might not unfold as I wanted. The focus was on having a healthy baby, with the hope that I could do so without a c-section or epidural. I wanted delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact, and to labor in different positions (including the tub).

I thought I would go into labor at 40 weeks. I thought I would labor at home for hours with the Hubs by my side. I thought the labor would be over 15 hours. I thought I would know when the contractions started. I was wrong on all accounts.

My due date came and went. The days kept coming and going with no baby news. I began to think that I would be the first woman to be pregnant forever. Week 41 came and that night I had a restless sleep - just didn't feel good. But then by the morning I felt fine. The Hubs went off to work and I tried to distract myself. He checked in at 10:30 to see how I was feeling. I said fine and that there was no news.

By noon there was news. I started to feel heavy cramp-like pains across my lower abdomen. The pain didn't go away - it just got more intense and then back to the regular pain then more intense again. I was told that contractions started in your back, so I didn't think these were contractions. I never felt any Braxton Hicks during pregnancy, but I didn't think it was those either. I just thought it might be the beginning of something.

I called the Hubs, and it went straight to voicemail so I left a message and sent him a text. Ten minutes passed and no call back. I called again. Straight to voicemail. I left a message, sent a text, and an email. I was starting to get distressed at this point. I got a text from my sister-in-law, Chelsea, asking how I was going (perfect timing!). When I told her that I can't reach the Hubs, she offered to go to his work since her work is close by. I thank her and go back to rotating between laying on the bed and sitting on the toilet.

Chelsea literally ran from her work to the Hubs' work to tell him to call me. He called and I told him to come home. He called again when he was on the road, and asked if I want to talk while he drove (I ALWAYS want to talk to him). I said "No, JUST DRIVE!".

My mother-in-law called to check-in. She said she could come down, but the Hubs would probably be home quicker than she could get to our place. I tell her about my pains and she said they sounded like contractions to her. I said they couldn't be because I didn't have any back pain. She said everyone was different. 

The Hubs got home around 2pm and started timing my 'pains'. I still refused to call them contractions. The Hubs kept saying we had to go to the hospital. I kept saying no. He's said they're 3mins apart and lasting over a minute. I said I couldn't make it there, because I kept feeling like I had to go to the bathroom. Finally I accepted that we should leave. The Hubs seemed relieved and rushed around to get everything together - snoogle, bouncing ball, music, hospital bags. I decided to get in the shower. I then decided I never wanted to get out of the shower.

We headed out to the hospital at about 3pm. We called the midwife from the road. I said I wouldn't be able to walk through the hospital to get to maternity. She told us to go through ER. The entire way to the hospital I have my eyes closed and all I did was moan. The Hubs later told me that my moans were so funny that he had to stopped himself from laughing.

I swore I wouldn't moan, because it seemed so annoying when I was watching all the birthing videos. However, moaning HELPS! And when you're in labor you'll do whatever it takes to get some help. 

When we got to the hospital the Hubs asked if I could walk in or if I needed a wheelchair. I said wheelchair. When we get to the front desk they wanted all our forms and yadda, yadda. They told us that someone from maternity would come down to wheel me up. I begged them over and over to let the Hubs wheel me because I couldn't wait. Of course they asked if I was a first time mom. I was definitely the crazy, pregnant lady in the ER room. Finally, they decided to check me to make sure I was not actually going to give birth in the next few minutes. The midwife checked how dilated I was and when she did my water broke. She said I was 6-7centimeters dilated (later she told me that she really thought I was 7-8 but wanted to be conservative so I would have more time to labor before interventions began). I was relieved that I wasn't the first-timer who ran to the hospital and she was barely dilated (mostly because of all the moaning I did in the ER ... haha).

They wheeled me in the bed up to maternity to the room with the tub, so I could have the option of laboring in the tub.

I ended up laboring in the tub for a bit, and enjoyed it. Um, 'enjoy' might not be the right word. It was an improvement from the bed though. Then these horrible pains started that felt like my insides were going to burst. I was taking gas to help with the contractions, but no other pain relief. At this point I started screaming about wanting a epidural. I had previously told the Hubs that I would probably ask for one, and he had to be strong. I told him to tell me to work through a few more contractions and then I could have one. So I kept telling him I was serious and he needed to get me one and I really wanted one. I told him I wanted one even after the contraction was over. Our midwife was useless and kept going in and out of the room at the worst times. She said she would go get the guy to give me one, and was gone for 15 mins. Of course I started bleeding a bit and the Hubs freaked out and went to scream for her in the hallway. She finally came back and said it's all normal.

Then she told me that she's never done a water birth, which was  something I said I was interested in when I signed up for this particular midwife program. I thought her timing was pretty poor. She also said she couldn't check me while I was in the water (I think she could have but didn't want to get wet. I'm sure women having water births get checked in the tub).

I decided to get out of the tub, which was a very hard and painful decision. I went back to the bed, but then  I wanted to try standing up. I stood up and leaned against the Hubs. I liked the way it felt, but we quickly realised the baby did not. The midwife told me I had to get back in bed. I was frustrated that the epidural wasn't there yet. It was so painful.

Finally, the epi-guy came into the room. But he told me what I already knew in the back of my mind - it was too late in the game for it. It was time to push! They were worried about the baby's heart rate, so they set up internal fetal monitoring. Doctors were in and out. Finally I was 9 centimeters! I began screaming out that I felt the urge to push. Of course my midwife had left the room again, so it was just the Hubs and me. Another midwife and doctor came rushing in (my scream was pretty loud). They asked where our midwife was and we said we didn't know. They stayed until she got back.

I pushed for 1hr and 13mins, and eventually we needed to use a vacuum to get him out. I scribbled my signature on the consent form (seriously who could read at time like that?), and I pushed as hard as I could. The next thing I know there was a purple bundle on my stomach and I kept saying "oh my God". We waited for the scream, and when it came it was music to my ears (it probably won't be music when he's doing it in the middle of the night).

Hudson Vance was born at 8:43pm on 29 October 2013 and weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces.

In the end my labor was just shy of 9 hours. The 1st stage was 7hrs 30mins, 2nd stage was 1hr 13 mins and the 3rd stage was 7 mins. The Hubs never even had time to bring in any of our stuff from the car (probably because I wouldn't stop squeezing his hand). It was a completely different experience compared to what I was expecting.

Honestly, I thought I would feel awesome afterwards knowing I did it as naturally as I could, but I wasn't left feeling empowered. I am, however, grateful for my son's safe arrival.

To say that the Hubs and I are smitten with Hudson is an understatement. We are looking forward to sharing life's adventures with our little man. 

Off to enjoy a shower (a rarity these days),

B

Hospital Bag - what the heck goes in it?

I really had no idea what to put in my hospital bag, and I probably have a lot of stuff I do not need and am missing stuff I will desperately need. But I did my best. I even watched YouTube videos on the topic.

The one on the left is my food bag and the one on the right is everything else.

All the stuff:

Let's start with the food bag, because that doesn't have too much. My midwife said I'll be allowed to eat, although who knows if I'll feel like eating.

Here's what I'm bringing:

• Peanut butter crackers
• Golden berries 
• Dried cranberries
• Freeze dried strawberries
• Apples
• 2 mason jars filled with fresh coconut water (currently in my freezer)

As you can see I'm bringing mostly easy to digest food, with the exception of the peanut butter crackers. I also plan to hopefully have a last meal at the house before I head to the hospital.

The hospital bag contains:

• Moltex nappies (natural eco-disposable - and hopefully they work)
• Gaia bamboo wipes (bio-degradable)
• Earth Mama Angel baby butt cream
• Lanisoh nipple cream
• Hydrogel shields for the boobies
• Nipple pads
• Maternity pads
• Organic lotions (for the Hubs to massage my lower back!)
• 4 baby outfits in different sizes
• 1 pair of mittens
• 1 hat
• 3 receiving blankets
• 3 pairs of undies
• 1 bra
• 1 breast feeding tank
• 1 cardigan
• 1 maxi dress
• 1 pair of undies for the Hubs
• 1 paid of running shorts for the Hubs (he may get in the tub with me) 

The other things we'll be bringing are:

•  computer (for music)
• fancy camera (for video and pictures)
• phones
• snoogle (for comfort - if you're pregnant definitely buy one NOW)
• ball (in case they don't have one)
• wallets

I hope I'm not forgetting anything too important, but I think when it comes down to it we'll make do with what we have. If not, we'll ask family to bring us whatever we're missing. If all goes well they said I should be out of the hospital within 6-12hrs after labour. Our midwife program does extensive follow-up at home, which is why there is a shorter hospital stay.

Off to stare at the clock until the baby comes,

B

40 weeks pregnant - Due Date Edition!

It's 5pm Melbourne time and I'm beginning to think that my little one may not have gotten the memo that today is my due date! You know that date that your baby is supposed to be born. The one you've been looking forward to for, well, 9 months. Instead of giving birth today I went to the post office and bought some nipple pads - thrilling, I know. I also finally packed my hospital bag (seriously baby that is your cue that all systems are go!). Tomorrow I'll share what's in my bag (err, bags).

Other than that I've been bouncing on my ball and telling myself that I should be cleaning.

Weight gained: 40 pounds (holy crap-o-lee!)

Workouts:walking into town and 2 sessions with the dumbbells

Labor Signs: none - seriously not even a teeny, tiny one

Symptoms: just general "ugh-ness" but overall can't complain

Movement: he's still poking out random body parts and has gotten the hiccups a few times (so cute)

Food Aversions: none

Food Cravings: tomato and mayo sandwiches have been happening a lot

Sleep: interrupted but I'm also taking daily naps (glorious, wonderful naps)

Stretch marks? I might have a few tiny ones on my left side but I'm not losing any sleep over it

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my stomach, not feeling like a stuffed veggie sausage, and being able to walk fast

Fun and/or Interesting Things from the Week: nothing thrilling on this end

Belly Button in or out? flat

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy most of the time, but definitely have my grouchy moments

New Baby Items: none, but we still need a swing!

I better not still be waddling around this time next week!

Off to evict the baby,

B

T-Minus 4 Days

I have 4 days until my due date, and I can't help but wishfully think the bub may make an appearance early (although statistically he's more likely to be late). I worked up until 39 weeks, but decided to stop to rest before the baby's here (okay the family *may* have said I was crazy to work any longer).
My lovely co-workers gave me some adorable baby gifts and lovely flowers, which was a wonderful send off. I still can't believe I'm entering "stay-at-home mom land".

I'm bored already. I wish I loved housework, but sadly I don't. Thus the house is still not tidy. I have been resting a lot though and getting plenty of naps. I've noticed a significant difference in the swelling in my feet too (but now they look wrinkly since the fluid isn't there ...I'm hoping it goes away . . .  haha).

We picked up the glider, which we didn't know would come in pieces.

The Aussie put it together but didn't realise it had to be locked into an incline and when he tested it out he almost fell through the window!

The nursery is almost done, aside from some decorating and putting doors on the closet. 

One of my favourite parts of the room is the bookcase (although the Aussie says I can't refer to it as a bookcase because it isn't one. To me, if it's holding books then it's a bookcase. I'll let you decide for yourself).

I'll take your silence as an agreement that it is in fact a bookcase.

Hopefully my next update will be about the new addition!

Off to avoid cleaning,

B

Shopping aka nesting

This week has been filled with shopping (and surprisingly not of the internet variety which has been my preggo go-to). I waddled my butt through Toys R Us and IKEA to score some solid baby finds.

Don't mind the 1980s lace - the plantation shutters are on their way (apparently). The lamp sets a really nice glow, and I'll put our new glider on the left. I really wanted the Mercedes of gliders (Hello, $1200 winged back glider. You will always have my heart), but my bank account bullied me into getting el'cheapo which has foresaken style for comfort (hmm ... I hope that isn't what motherhood brings because I have so very little style to begin with).

  source

We pick-up the glider this Thursday.

The work week was filled with lunch dates and some tasty meals. I know I spend far too much money on lunches, but honestly I feel like I deserve it since I'm 36 weeks preggo and still working full-time. Granted, I didn't have this excuse a few months ago, but ummm I like eating out. Maybe maternity leave will bring kitchen adventures.

Some lunches this week:

A rice ball the size of my head and tons of salad.

 

My go-to Indian - mixed veggie curry, spicy lentil dahl, saffron rice and lots of coriander/cilantro chutney.

 

In other news, I found a new-to-me product.

You only need water and they clean windows and silverware! I haven't tried them yet, but I am hopeful that they will be awesome (fingers crossed). 

Off to hunt down some dinner,

B

Spring is in the air

This weekend should have been filled with lots of painting by the Hubs, but instead we did some vegging. Even when you have a ton of things you *should* be doing, sometimes the best thing you can do is simply enjoy the company of someone you love. Plus it meant I wasn't trapped in the guestroom while he painted!

We decided to celebrate some lovely spring weather that we're having with an impromptu BBQ.

I absolutely love fried onion on burgers (ours were a new-to-us veggie burger called Fry's Family).

I died from cuteness while doing baby laundry today.

You can't tell from the picture, but baby clothes are small - really, really small. It's hard to imagine anyone fitting into them. I actually have a fear that are tub-o-baby will have a booty that is too big for the super cute, but ridiculously small, clothes his Aunt picked out for him.

We can also now see both our dining room table and the floor in the back living room since we did a big clean. With all the painting, door removing, and general laziness going on it was starting to get very cluttered. I eventually got to a point where I couldn't handle it.

We (really just the Hubs) put together the bassinet and the changing table, which made the nursery look more like a nursery. We also took the baby's ride for a spin.

I rounded off the weekend with a walk, movie and a nap, and I'm about to make us some roasted veggies for dinner.

All-in-all it was a perfectly relaxing weekend, and at almost 36 weeks pregnant "relaxing" exactly what you need.

Off to start dinner,

B

Week 35

We're getting *so* close, but we're still so far away. At least that's how this preggo wife feels. We're 35 days away from d-day, but with my luck (and the high statistically likelihood) this baby boy will probably celebrate his due date right where he is. Don't get me wrong, I want him to be fully baked, and it's really for his own good that I hope he doesn't over bake. It has absolutely nothing to do with wanting to sleep on my stomach. **sheepish grin**

The belly is a focal point these days, and I can never seem to remember just how big it is and often have difficulty with doors and sharp corners. 

Weight gained:35 pounds (say what?!?!) I swear I'm not eating 24/7.

Workouts:hoping to make my last bodypump class tomorrow. I did buy weights to continue to do something over the next few weeks and for after the baby popping

Labor Signs: none

Symptoms: swollen doesn't even begin to describe it - my wrists, my feet, my ankles, my calves, my knees. My hands are so bad that I'm starting to get carpal tunnel and couldn't even scoop melon the other day!

Movement: plenty. I am trying to capture some of it on camera but he's a sneaky little devil

Food Aversions: nothing really

Food Cravings: none, but I did die a little when I found (okay, the Aussie found) veggie breakfast sausage.

Sleep: not too bad, but it involves lots of flipping, multiple times of waking up to numb fingers, and plenty of bathroom breaks. in other words, soooo relaxing. the hubs loves it (not)

Stretch marks? none yet (shocking considering the size of the beasty belly)

Miss Anything? sleeping on my stomach, a cold cider and having my body back to myself

Fun and/or Interesting Things from the Week: our living room is finally back in order after the painting.

Belly Button in or out? flat - with a high probability of poppage

Wedding rings on or off? been off for a long time but still very happily married

Happy or moody most of the time: happy, so stinkin' happy

New Baby Items: changing table, bath tub, rubber ducky, carry cot and other random things