Our Little Leprechaun...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

He's Here!

After being over a week late; our son's story begins on February 18th. Brandon and I drove to the hospital that morning and checked in around 6:30. When we arrived in our labor and delivery room we met our nurse for the day and the doctor from my OB office who would be on call.

I changed out of my street clothes and into the fetching hospital gown provided. Once we were settled the process of induction began. Our nurse got me started on my IV of pitocin and saline. She also hooked me up to the fetal monitor (an elastic band with a round disk stretched around my stomach) and contraction monitor (same concept different color). Apparently I had been having regular contractions the whole time and had no idea...who knew!

Once the pitocin kicked in I started feeling these contractions I'd been hearing so much about. I'm not gonna lie; they definitely weren't comfortable but I felt pretty good none the less. As Brandon says I weathered them one at a time. I wasn't shy about letting my nurse know that I wanted an epidural as soon as the anesthesiologist was available.

The feeling of the epidural being inserted was a completely different sensation, but I'd do it again. When people say the pain goes away, they're being truthful, but I still felt every contraction and when it came time-the urge to push.

I started pushing around 3:00 pm and made really good headway (no pun intended). Brandon was an EXCELLENT coach and kept me motivated and calm the entire time. We ran into a snag when baby boy's head got caught on my pelvic bone. He was close enough for our nurse to comment on the amount of hair on his head, but after two hours of pushing and no progression our doctor decided to call it a day in the pushing department and began the prep work for a c-section. I was very nervous but took it in stride as it was the best option for our baby and me. As I waited to be taken into the operating room, Brandon donned his "disposable scrubs", hair net and shoe guards.

Around 5:30 pm I was wheeled to the OR; during which the anesthesiologist administered my spinal block. To be honest, I really can't remember much of the preparation for my surgery as my mind was elsewhere, but I do remember Brandon coming in about 10 minutes afterward and the screen at my shoulders going up. I felt absolutely nothing during the c-section aside from a pulling feeling and some pressure. But after an hour our son was born at 6:32 pm! The sound of his cry made my eyes tear...we were now parents.

It took another hour to be stitched up and go to the recovery room. While I recovered Brandon got to see our son's first bath. Around two hours later (9:30 or 10 o'clock) our baby was wheeled into our room and as they say, the rest is (our) history.

Getting Ready...

The other day, Brandon and I watched a few YouTube videos on what/how to pack a diaper bag. I know this sounds ridiculous but someone had to teach us how to pack luggage until we figured out a way that suits us better; so I figured we'd do the same with the diaper bag. There were some really good ones and a particularly funny one that treated it like Mission Impossible! Needless to say, the diaper bag is packed and I mean PACKED. I don't know how I'll fit my wallet and other necessities in there, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

We also reached a huge milestone, I'm 37 weeks and officially full term. This means if I should deliver between now and C's due date, he'll be perfectly fine and able to sustain himself like a 40 week baby. He is also weighing in at 6lbs 14 oz (right on track-according to our doctor). I need to get on the ball and figure out what to pack for the hospital...

Brandon's Nose and Michelle's Cheeks...

On Tuesday, December 1st we went to See Me 3D and got to see our son! It was the most amazing experience. Once Brandon, his parents and I were settled in the viewing room--a nicely decorated room with 2 easy chairs, a large flat screen TV and a comfy table for us preggos to lie on--the nurse began the ultrasound. We got to see our son's world for 45 minutes and were saying things like, "oh he's got your nose," or "he's got your cheeks". It was wonderful and emotional (in a good way). Enjoy.

Bumpin' and Swingin'...

Nope that's not a new dance style, but I guess if you were to ask our "little man", he'd think it was. I am most definitely feeling our son moving and grooving inside my belly. It is the most amazing feeling and Brandon was able to feel him a couple weeks ago, too. His expression was priceless! I guess the best way to explain how it feels is like big gas bubbles or even large muscle twitches. A couple days ago, though I felt a little arm or leg swish across my belly, I'm not gonna lie, it felt weird and I can't even begin to explain what it feels like!

I absolutely love being pregnant and all the little perks of feeling our son is amazing! The only thing I'm more excited about is actually seeing him and meeting him.

Lot's to Catch Up On...

To start off, Brandon and I found out on Sept. 28th, that we will be welcoming a son into the family! The little guy was very squirmy and shy at first but luckily the ultra sound tech was patient and finally got the view she was looking for (the attache picture is of his adorable baby feet). My suspicions were confirmed (I had always thought the baby was a boy) and like any good mommy-to-be, I went shopping! I didn't break the bank; just purchased a couple cute outfits-one being a mini flight suit (I can't wait to see him in it). Brandon and I are just too excited and can't wait to meet Conner Joseph.

This past weekend, we trekked to Atlanta for a couple days to see our favorite band, U2 in concert. We were surprised and really excited to find that Muse would be opening for them. We got to the hotel and after we were settled went to the CNN building for a tour (we're Fox fans, but it was interesting to see the behind the scenes action). After our tour we cleaned up and headed for our anniversary dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. (We'll be celebrating our 6th anniversary next week.) We both thoroughly enjoyed dinner and as Brandon put it, we had to roll ourselves back to the hotel. The next morning we had time to kill before the evening concert, so Brandon mentioned going furniture shopping for the nursery (because the company we were interested in using only has a showroom in Columbia-but has two in Atlanta). It was a success! We purchased everything we needed for the nursery and an $88 bear (I don't know what I was thinking). We were able to fit the crib in our car and Brandon will have it put together by next week!

We will post pictures of Conner's crib once it's completed!

Any Guesses...

At the end of the month we have another appointment and ultrasound...what's so exciting about this one is we'll get to find out the sex of Baby T (if he/she cooperates)! So my question to you dear reader is what's your guess? Brandon and I have an idea, but we've both had dreams about each gender so as far as I'm concerned your guess is as good as ours. I've posted a current belly picture with this post...so, guess away!