2 Months Old

Ethan is now over 2 months old, getting bigger and smarter every day. He amazes me with all the new little things he does, from cooing as if trying to have a conversation with me, to all his little face's and he has even started to grab a hold of objects and bat at them. Time feels like its flying by and he is growing up way too quickly.

Ethan's first Christmas cookie

Out and about in his stroller

xo

Breastfeeding Frustrations

You would think that after 2 months of breastfeeding that Ethan and I would have this down packed....but yet I am frustrated to report that we are still in a bit of a learning curve.
What gets to me the most is the middle of the night when he wants to eat...yet has problems latching on, or pops himself on and off and "plays" around....see I don't seem to have that "typical" baby who relaxes into eating...instead I have a baby who likes to pull and thrash around while eating, which makes for a very frustrated mommy.

I'm not going to lie, I have contemplated a many times that I should just switch him on to formula and save all this frustrations....BUT....I do enjoy the times when he does do the "typical" baby eating, and knowing that my body is producing something that is SO beneficial to him....oh the joys of mommy hood.
XO

7 Weeks Old

Hello everyone,
I know its been over 2 weeks since my last post and thought I should take some time to update you all on our little life.
I can't believe we are 9 days away from Christmas already which means we are 10 days away from Ethan turning 2 months old!
We are doing well, and getting into a pretty good schedule! Mommy gets roughly 7 hours of good sleep every night which breaks down like this....a feeding...4hours of sleep...another feeding...and then 3 hours of sleep and then we are up into his regular schedule of wanting to eat every 2 1/2 hours all day long...mind you the past few days has been every hour or so because I believe we have hit our 6week growth spurt a little late....
Ethan and I both had a doctor appointment today, and happy to report we are both doing well! Ethan now weighs in at 10Ibs 4oz and 68cm long which works out to 23.6inches long...he is in the 85precentile for growth and only in the 30precentile for weight gain but the doctor said she wasn't worried about it.
Our visit today was our last one with my maternity doctor, and now we are on the hunt for a family doctor at least for Ethan....wish us luck as it is next to impossible to find a doctor here in Victoria!!

Well we are into the Christmas season now and the house is decorated on the inside at least...I was told I would be getting Christmas lights outside but I have a feeling that probably isn't going to happen this year...
Nana and Grandpa will be here this coming week Thursday (6more days...but who's counting?) And we should be into full swing of the Christmas season in this week with some family get together's planned!

As for now I will leave you with a few new pictures of Ethan. XO

Doctor Visit & A Walk

Tuesday saw a visit to the doctor for a check up.
I'm happy to report that Ethan is growing up a storm. He's in the 90th percentile for height, the 50th percentile for weight gain and head size. Apparently he is destined to be in the back row of school photo's. He weighed in at 9Ibs 5oz, and measured in at 23.5 inches. He is also hitting milestones early. He started smiling at 3weeks of age as well mimicking facial expressions. We have one more doctor visit in 3 weeks and then we will no longer be seeing my maternity doctor.

Wednesday I decided we all needed some fresh air. So I packed Ethan up in his car seat and stroller with the dogs and we went for a walk. There is a park just down the road from us that has a nice long board walk along the water. Once there I let the dogs off leash and we made the walk down to the water.

Ethan sound asleep during our walk

My sweet little boy

The dogs down on the board walk along the water.

Well hope you enjoyed our little update. I can't believe it is already December!! Christmas is 24days away...and we are no where near ready. Christmas tree should be going up sometime in the next few days, we do have a bit of a weekend planned as there are 2 Santa Claus parades we are going to be going too. Looking forward to spending our first Christmas as a family of 3!!

XO

1 Month Old

Wow!!!
Where has the time gone that we have made it to a whole month old?
I have to admit that being a first time mom has had it's challenges and frustrations, but it also has been very rewarding.
Some of the challenges and frustrations have been the lack of sleep and trying to learn what all his cries mean and how to make him happy. Breastfeeding has been another frustration as I have a little boy who loves to eat what seems like all the time. We are pushing through though and figuring this all out together.
The rewards all speak for themselves. He is an amazing little boy who I feel us developing quicker than other babies I have been around. He has been holding his head up on and off on his own pretty much since day one. When he does tummy time he is showing signs of wanting to roll over as well as crawl. He has super strong leg muscles and likes to stand up. He is mimicking facial expressions and is already smiling.
I can't get over how much he has grown and changed in the past month. We are moving into the 3 month old clothes already. I look forward to watching him grow and change as we move forward through life.

Ethan enjoying a bath

My smile I get...and no its not a gassy smile

Me giving Ethan a bath

Hanging out in his bouncy chair

Well that's the latest from us, we have a doctor visit coming up so I will give a update on his weight gain and growth really soon.

Xo

3 Weeks and Growing!

Happy 3 week birthday Ethan! Mommy and Daddy love you very much!
I can't believe you are 3 weeks old already! Mommy is loving that you are still very little and am told how you still look a few days old.
So what is new in our world?
Ethan when he is awake is much more alert and has started to focus in on faces and objects. He has started to mimick facial expressions as well. Yes most say that when a baby smiles it's usually gas, but I believe Ethan's smiles are mimicks of us smiling most of the time.
He is growing up a storm and building his muscles. He's a very mobile little baby who holds his head up often, kicks his legs when being burped or doing tummy time. He amazes us every day with all his changes.
This week also brings a little sadness as Nana is flying back home this Saturday, and is going to be missed not just by Ethan but myself more I think. It's been great having the extra help with him and getting things done around the house.( our first day alone will be Saturday, so I will probably have a blog post on that) I do feel ready though to take on mommy hood full time and get us into some sort of routine.
Well here are a few photos of Ethan this past week.
Xo

2 Weeks Old

2 weeks old and time is still flying by!

So what has the past 2 weeks of life been like for our little guy?

He met his grandpa for the first time and got to spend 3 days with him.

He's spent time with his Grandma and his Nana getting lots of love and cuddles. He is also much more alert when he is up. You can see him focus in on objects and faces and respond to voices.

He has had a lot of sleepless nights of keeping mommy up all night and his time during the day sound asleep on mommy's chest.

We also had our 15 day old Dr visit where mommy learned that our little porker had gained 10 oz in 7 days! and grew a whole inch! He is currently 8Ibs 4oz and 22 1/2 inches. That is a whole pound in 2 weeks and 2 inches!

 I think it explains the constant fussiness and wanting to eat every 2 hours.

 He has earned another nickname from mommy "fuss pot" when I have gone through all the normal checks of trying to figure out his cries and nothing is working.

I am now onto our next big adjustment of trying to get him to sleep on his own in his play pen...yes yes I know co-sleeping isn't approved by many people but when your desperate for a few hours of shut eye you will do whatever it takes to get it, so do not judge.

I look forward to watching him grow and develop but at the same time I want him to stay little so I can wrap him up in my arms and just hold him forever! No one ever can explain the love you have for your own child.

xo

1 Week Old

We have made it through our first week! There have been many up's and down's as we learn what each little cry or fuss means. There have been moments of frustrations and crying from both Ethan and I. A few sleepless nights as well as a few nights of great sleep and a constant schedule. But I do have to say that I would not trade any of it.
We had a professional photo shoot at6 days old. A gift from our parents. I am looking forward to seeing the pictures.
We also had our first Halloween. My little boy was a teddy bear.
I have never loved someone the way I love my little boy. Don't get me wrong here. I love my husband with all my heart and soul, the love I have for Ethan is different. It's a protective wanting nothing to upset him or hurt him kind of love.
I can't believe the first week has already gone by. Time just seems to be flying by already.
Xo for now.

Ethan at 1 Week Old

Ethan's Halloween Costume

Welcome to the World Ethan

Baby Ethan has made his way into the world on October 26th 2011 at 7:43am, weighing in at 7Ibs 8.6oz's and 20.5 inches in length.
Here is his story of how he came to us.
The afternoon of October 25th I started having regular contractions ranging about every 15-20 mins but very minor intensity. By 3pm they were coming in at every 10 mins on a consistent basis so we started timing them and how long between each contraction. 6pm came around and they were consistently every 6 mins but still able to breath through them no problem. 9pm came and I made a phone call to the on call doctor at the hospital for labour and delivery but was told that I wasn't there yet to come in. I was told to have a hot shower or bath and try to get some sleep as they may taper off. I went up stairs and had a long hot shower which only intensified the contractions. I headed off to bed which only lasted for about 10 mins and I couldn't lay down anymore. I got up and tried to spend sometime on my computer but again that didn't last very long. I went downstairs to see my mom and we called the on call doctor and at that point the contractions were every 3 mins and was told to make my way into the hospital. We packed up and got into the car at about 12am and made the 30min drive into town.
Once I was admitted they checked me and I was already 4cm dilated and fully effaced. I got a morphine/gravol shot to help with the pain management. After 4 hours they asked what I wanted to do for pain and decided it was time to get a epidural. So the nurse checked me and I was 9cm dilated the nurse couldn't get over how quickly I was progressing. She phone my doctor and ordered the epidural, was told it would only be 10-15mins and it would be there. 2 hours later and still no epidural, so I took the narcotic pain shot (which really didn't do anything) after about 30 mins the doctor came and checked me, I was 10cm, fully effaced and ready to push. They broke my water and I was on my way.
30 mins of pushing and he was out. My doctor and nurse couldn't get over how quickly I went through the labour process and got him out of me. Apparently I am made to give birth. I did end up with a small 1st degree tare and a small superficial one. So I ended up with 3 stitches but it could have been worse. After Ethan was given the all clear he was put on my chest for his first mommy time and feeding. After I was all clear to leave the labour and delivery ward we were moved over to the mommy and babe unit for our stay at the hospital. I was told that I would be in for 2 days before they would let me go home which meant Friday would be home day.
Our first few hours on mommy and babe ward was suppose to be spent sleeping as Nicholas, my mom and my mom in law went home to get some much needed sleep as well. Ethan slept but for the life of me I could not fall asleep. For one there was constant noise on the ward which was hard to not hear and second I had a beautiful brand new baby boy that I couldn't stop staring at. Needless to say that by the time everyone came back to visit me I hadn't slept a wink. Family visited throughout the day and when they all went home that night Ethan decided he was done his sleeping from birth and was up all night long. I was in a semi private room but was told they try to keep one mom and baby per room so that they can sleep and bond. That was not my case. I got a room mate the next morning at 230am, who was having tons of complications from her delivery. Every time she would buzz the nurse they would come running into the room turn ALL of the room lights on and bump Ethan in his crib, which seemed to be right after I just got him to sleep. Needless to say our first night was VERY rough and sure enough when family came to visit the next day around lunch Ethan was out cold.
The doctor came to see us later that afternoon and checked us over. Once she saw that we were doing good she gave me the option that if I wanted to go home I could. Once I heard this news I was all over it. I would much rather be at home in my own comfortable environment rather than in a hospital bed. By 5pm that night we were in the car headed home.
Here are some pictures from my labour and delivery that I would like to share with everyone.

When we first got to the hospital, having 2-3 contractions back to back at this point but still very manageable

They tried giving me laughing gas to help with the pain, yeah that stuff doesn't work, only made me super light headed and didn't do anything for the pain.

Post morphine shot got a little sleep in between the contractions, it took the edge off them

At this point they were pretty intense as my epidural never showed up.

Yeah I couldn't take the pain any more and was getting the urge to push

Pushing with not drug help, look at me go

Baby Ethan getting his lungs checked as their was meconium

After the all clear we got our first mommy baby time together

Our first family photo together

7Ibs 8.6oz's

Getting some Daddy cuddle time on the mommy and babe ward post bath :)

Well that's Ethan's journey into the world, stay tuned for more updates as we make our way through this world as a family.

XO

40 Weeks, Due Date has Come and Gone

Well, we made it to 40 weeks and my due date has officially come and gone. So much for all the worry of me going into preterm labour 4 weeks ago. Ethan has decided he's too comfy where he is and doesn't seem to be ready to make his way out yet.
So we are all still sitting here waiting (I wish I could say patiently but that's defiantly not the case) for the labour process to kick in and we can all finally meet him.
I have been cramping on and off for a few days now but nothing seems to be consistent as of yet. I will go through spouts where I will have intense contractions every 5-10mins and they will last for about a hour and then it all stops.
I decided to do my update early this week as who knows with fingers crossed maybe he will decide to make a appearance before my doctor appointment on Thursday.
So how big is my belly this week??

Here we go...40 weeks and here is hoping this is the last belly photo I take, fingers crossed!!

I thought I would add 2 extra photo's this week seeing as we are less than a week away from Halloween and thought it would be appropriate

Ethan and I at the pumpkin patch this past weekend with family picking out pumpkins to carve

Nicholas's aunt and I, she has a pumpkin under her shirt as mine is a baby.

I defiantly find this reference a little funny considering we are less than a week away from Halloween and I am told that I look like I have a pumpkin under my shirt.

And how is Ethan growing?

Baby Ethan is the size of a small pumpkin.Your baby is probably around the size of a small pumpkin. The average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds and is about 20 inches long.

Well that's the newest up to date information I have about us here, I have my fingers crossed that I will be in labour before Thursday but if not I will have a update on how my doctor's appointment goes.

XO for now!

39 Week Doctor Visit

39 weeks and ready to be DONE!!!
Has anyone else been paying attention to the countdown on the right hand side of my blog?? 4 MORE DAYS Until due date!!
But yet I am sitting here is hoping this is the last blog update as a pregnant lady, but....you never know!!
So I had my 39 week doctor visit today, and it went pretty much the same as all the others. My appointment started with the usual questions of how I am feeling, any cramping or bleeding, any new or weird discharge.
This time I had a few things to report, 1- being that I was SUPER tired/exhausted today, might be due to the lack of sleep I have been getting the past few nights as I have not been able to get comfortable. 2- I have a rib that likes to pop out every once and awhile because Ethan is getting too big for the space he has, which prompted my doctor to say, "well that means your done" 3-I have been cramping on and off for over a week now.
On to the appointment, my blood pressure was normal which is always a bonus and makes me happy, Ethan's heart rate was 150bpm because he was moving around when the doctor started to listen. My cervix was 1.5cm dilated and the doctor decided to do a membrane scratch/stretch which I have to admit was pretty uncomfortable but not painful, doctor said she was doing it to hopefully help jump start the labour process.
Needless to say I have been SUPER achy in my lower pelvis/low back ever since my doctor appointment so here is to sitting with every finger/toe crossed that sometime tonight or tomorrow I will go into labour and have our baby.
She also gave me some exercises to do to get him into the right position for birth, think on your hand and knee's scrubbing a floor but with your back arched. Also I am not allowed to slouch and relax, need to sit up straight to allow for him to drop further into my pelvis. With a sore back that has a rib popping in and out I have to admit that its not the most comfortable way to sit but hey if it gets labour started I will deal with it.

How is Ethan growing this week??

Baby Ethan weighs as much as a mini-watermelon. Your baby matches up to a mini-watermelon, weighing a bit over 7 pounds. (Length: about 20 inches, head to heel.)

Well that's the latest on us here, hoping labour starts soon so I can meet our son.

Xo

A little boy's nursery almost complete :)

Hey,
SO finally I have a nursery that is put together and ready for a certain little boy to hurry up and make his way into the world. We are finally at the 1 week mark from our due date and starting to get anxious, every little cramping/contraction I have I hope that this is it...this is the start...but they all seem to go away. So with some frustration and anxiousness we are still trying to patiently wait for our little boy to make his way into the world.
I know both our families are SUPER excited and are all wanting him to hurry up just as much as Nicholas and I are, but yet its not our decision when he comes...
So with that being said we have finally got his nursery together minus the closet as the Rubbermaid closet organizer we have bought is proving to be troublesome to hang. But his clothes are all organized and ready for him so that's all that matters now :)
Alright so on to some well anticipated and promised pictures of his nursery!!

Ethan's name hung on his door to his room

His crib, wall decals, window treatments and name are finally all up and make his room look complete!

Looking into his room from the door way, only thing missing is the glider and a few decorative shelves so I can display a few keepsakes that have been given to us for him. I want to get but that should be added shortly!

His closet, yes still a little messy but all the clothes that are folded are arranged by age and are washed and ready for them to be worn

His change table and pictures on the wall

A close up of his wall decals which is daddy hung up for him and his name :)

The curtains I made for him, I didn't make the valance we bought that with his crib set but I think it all goes together very nicely!

Well there you have it!! His nursery is pretty much complete!! Now just waiting for the little guy to make up his mind and make his way into this world. I still think it will be this Thursday the 20th of October, but I guess that's just mommy feelings, could be wrong.

XO

38 Weeks & 38 Week Doctor Visit

Well we have made it to week #38 (well we are actually 38 1/2 weeks now). Since last week I have experienced my first set of Nicholas's shift rotations, had thanksgiving dinner, spent another week at home not doing to much of anything, I did however manage to make Ethan's curtains for his nursery and finish knitting his blanket. Very happy that both have been completed and have been promised by my hubby that we will put his shelving up tomorrow in his closet so I can finally put all his things away and his room wont be such a disaster anymore and I wont feel that if I go into labour any day now that he will actually have a organized room to come home too.
So some big/ish news, I have lost my mucus plug :) Not exactly what I was expecting it to be from everything I have read/seen online but doctor confirmed it today with the fact that my cervix is 1cm dilated and I am thinning out and Ethan has dropped.
Alright so before I give all the info away I will tell you about our doctor appointment.
So as usual we show up about 5-10 mins early so I can do my little "pee in the cup" and wait to be taken back. However this time there was a "squeeze" in patient put in before me (I understand that sometimes things come up and you want to see your doctor about them), I have been there 2times for squeeze in's and always got in no problem, first was when I was having super bad allergy attacks during the beginning of allergie season and the second time was when Ethan decided he wanted to play with my inguinal ligaments and cause me a LOT of pain in my lower left side. BUT when you show up with a actual "list" of things to talk to the doctor about and proceed to pull it out of your pocket in front of the waiting room to show the MOA that's where I draw the line on patience...are you kidding me?? Needless to say I leaned over to Nicholas and said "well looks like we will probably be at least getting into our appointment 30mins late" and sure enough by the time the doctor walked into start my check up we were at the 30min mark, only to be interrupted 2mins into it for a important phone call....FRUSTRATING....yes I understand that I am probably being a little dramatic about the whole thing but come on now...I'm 38 1/2 weeks pregnant I am ALLOWED to be dramatic!!

Alright so on to the actual appointment, I explained to my doctor about the mucus discharge I had on wednesday and she confirmed that it was more than likely my mucus plug, and yes I am still having contractions on and off, but they aren't consistant as of yet. My blood pressure was good :) Which it has been through the whole pregnancy. My measurments have gone down since last week yet confirming that Ethan has dropped furthur into my pelvis preparing himself for birth. His heart rate has also dropped from 135bpm last week to 125bpm this week (for those of you who don't know as a baby comes close to deleivery their heart rate drops down as the weeks go by and when they are ready they should be sitting at about 80bpm which is a normal heart rate, doctors don't start to worry unless as your contracting/pushing during labour if their heart rate drops drasitically or if it speeds up, then the baby is in distress....can you tell I have been watching too many baby stories on TLC??) AND THE BIG NEWS!! My cervix has dialated 1cm and is down to 1/2cm in length and thinning out :) Now I do understand that I may very well stay at 1cm dialated for a while but at the same time I could go into labour very soon...my mom has changed her flight from next week wednesday to this weekend just in case....every doctor I have talked to has said my labour should be very quick so once my body gets moving on it he will be here in no time :)
Alright so onto the belly photo...I have to say it's weird looking at how BIG my belly is and how small my legs/butt have remained, and yes now more than ever it looks like there is a pumpkin/basketball under my shirt lol

See what I mean??? I have defenatly grown!!

And how is little mister Ethan doing this week??

Baby Ethan is as long as a leek. Your baby, now as long as a leek, weighs nearly 7 pounds. (Length: more than 19 1/2 inches, head to heel.)

Well that's the newest update on how we are all doing. Hoping to have his nursery together in the next few days so I will update you then, yes I understand I have been promising photo's of his nursery for a while now but hey daddy has been busy with the new position at work...and if anything else "exciting" happens I very well may be blogging from a hospital bed

XO

37 Week Doctor Visit

I had my 37 week doctor visit today, and unfortunately nothing super exciting to report. My blood pressure was normal, sugar levels in my urine were normal. Ethan's heart rate was between 133bpm-140bpm and apparently is face up but still head down and very low according to the doctor. I saw a new doctor that I have never seen before, well actually she was a resident doctor, guess I need to get use to other people poking and prodding me as I may not have one of my two doctors for delivery. My cervix is starting to move forward which is a good sign and that my on and off contractions are also good indications labour may come sooner than later. But other than that nothing new here, we are still playing the waiting game.
I've been off work now for over a week and getting a little stir crazy, but I guess that's just because I am use to my normal habit of getting up and going to work and being out of the house all day. I am not going to lie I do enjoy the late night habits we have gotten into staying up near midnight every night and sleeping in till 830-930am.
Ethan is usually up moving and kicking until I go to bed but does not wake me through the night very often so I am still hoping he will be like this when he is born. TO all you nay-sayers who have children....STOP BEING SO NEGATIVE!! Not every baby/child/pregnancy is the same, each are different in their own way. So I am sorry if your child/baby/pregnancy is difficult but mine isn't. I am not pointing fingers at anyone, I am just stating that I am tired of hearing negative thoughts/comments, let me enjoy my pregnancy, I only have 3 weeks left and I want to remain positive and optimistic as it keeps me calm and not stressed out. Thank you!
So how is Ethan growing this week?

Baby Ethan is as long as a stalk of Swiss chard. Your baby is as lofty as a stalk of Swiss chard and weighs 6 1/3 pounds. (Length: a bit over 19 inches, head to heel.)

So here is a little update about us, Nicholas and I are working on Ethan's nursery a little today by putting up shelving and hopefully his wall decals. Pictures to come once its all organized and cleaned.

Xo

36 Weeks!! & 36 Week Doctor Visit

36 weeks now!
4 more left to go and that is if I make it the whole way there, all the doctors seem to think he may very well come into the world early, but its just a matter of when...
How has the week been? Well exciting and boring all rolled into one..
Nicholas came home on Monday which was a great start to the week along with all the good/interesting news from the ultrasound and non stress test and not being allowed to go back to work...
But at the same time its been kinda boring, being at home and not much to do...well I do have things to do but..haha its weather or not I want to do them...
Tuesday was a little exciting after I convinced Nicholas that we NEEDED to get out of the house and DO SOMETHING as I was getting stir crazy, so we went to Costco...always a fun place to go when you have no intention of spending money and always seem to spend A LOT!
Wednesday we stayed in the whole day in our PJ's as it was Nicholas's birthday, I did have plans to take him out for sushi (no I don't eat sushi but I know how much he loves it) but that didn't end up happening so we stayed in and had Chinese food instead.
Thursday was a much more productive day, we went and picked up my last pay cheque from work, went to Service Canada and handed over my ROE's so I can get my EI going, then went shopping :) Mexx Kids has some SERIOUSLY cute clothes!! Ethan got yet another pair of shoes, I swear he has more shoe's than I do..for those who know me know I LOVE SHOES!! A cute onsie and a $90 pea coat for next year. It was then on to walmart for some Halloween candy to hand out and a pair of bolt cutters so Nicholas could finish cutting the shelves for Ethan's closet, which he has said he will put up this weekend.
After the shopping was on to my Doctor's appointment.
Everything is going well!
Ethan's heart rate was 140bpm, blood pressure was normal, and the doctor was very happy with the results from my non stress test and ultrasound. According to her my body knows how to hide a baby very well, as I am pretty sure she was expecting him to measure and weigh small, but is in fact measuring to his dates. Her comment was " I guess your not having as small of a baby as I thought you would" in other words, wow I was wrong, and you are growing a perfectly healthy baby :) My cervix is softening and she believes that any time now he may decide to come along. So we are just playing the waiting game. I have been having cramping on and off, but no other signs of labour yet. And he is still kicking and moving up a storm.
And how is my belly growing??

Ok so I think I officially look like I have a basketball shoved under my shirt...

So now I can go back to using the fruit and veggie references as Ethan is growing right on track...

Baby Ethan is the size of a crenshaw melon.Your baby, almost 6 pounds and still packing on the pounds at a rate of about an ounce a day, is comparable to a crenshaw melon in size. (Length: more than 18 1/2 inches, head to heel.)

6 pounds?? Last I was told he was 6.4Ibs give or take a pound..so I guess this is close...

Well that's the news as of right now of Ethan and I, hope you enjoyed our little update, will have more possibly this weekend if we get some work done in his nursery, if not I will have a update for next week's doctor's visit.

xo