Checking in on Mama - 10 days past birth

Ten days have passed since Karson's birth. Ten days since my body went through the most traumatizing thing it's been through ever! (Or at least since I was the baby in that same scenario...)

Here's an update...

Recovery:
I'm feeling surprisingly well. I've had only two naps in the last ten days, but am pulling some sort of strange energy from somewhere. I say strange because I'm normally the type who struggles if I don't get 8 hours of sleep.   The pain has not been super bad.  More sore and uncomfortable than anything.  Although I occasionally realize I've over done it. 

My bigger discomfort has been my belly. At first it was so saggy and floppy (how's that for a visual) that it hurt when I walked. I ended up wearing jeans because they had the firmest belly panel. When I shrank down enough to wear my bella band I used that for a couple of days. But it's gone down a LOT in the last few days. I still have a bit of a belly, but it's not bad at all. And no soreness there remains.

The other belly pain has been the cramps and contractions I had during the early breastfeeding days. Literally as bad as some of my early labor contractions. Thankfully that seems to be subsiding.

Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding has gone pretty well. Karson has always latched well. It was a trying time to go through the colostrum days waiting on milk to come in. We ended up supplementing with formula a bit during days 2 and 3 because he just seemed so hungry. Even with that, he dropped from 7 lb 7 oz to 6 lb 12 oz. (Still within the acceptable range and he has since rebounded and gained even beyond his birth weight.)

On day 3, we were "cleared" to go home...as soon as he had a wet diaper (after the circumcision it was a requirement before he could go home.) We waited 14 hours for that pee. And as if I wasn't physically and emotionally stressed enough, one dear soul chimed in with "just think, if you weren't breastfeeding you could have him at home right now."   Luckily my mom is a huge supporter of breastfeeding and was a great cheerleader.  Justin has also been very supportive, and for that I am grateful.

I've weighed him before and after feedings a few times the last couple of days and he's getting between 2 and 3 ounces per feeding.  On track for this stage!  More importantly, I can gain comfort that he is eating enough by paying attention to him.  He has enough wet and dirty diapers, and is content for 2.5 or more hours after a feeding.  In fact it's rare for him to go less than 3 in between, and at night we've had stretches as long as 4.5 hours. 

Weight loss:
I have lost 17 of the 33 pounds so far. And with minimal effort. I'm drinking water like a champ, and breastfeeding is obviously helping. I look forward to being able to be a bit more active in the near future to get rid of the remaining pounds and tone up a LOT.

So that's how I'M doing!  And since you probably stopped by to hear about Karson instead...I'll attach a pic of our beautiful baby boy.   I know I'm biased...but is he perfect or what?
 

Karson is one week old!

Karson is one week old today!  While it seems like he was just born...it has also been a long week.  I'm a light sleeper, so being in a hospital meant no rest for me.  Since being home we've entertained family for a few days while everyone enjoys meeting the new addition.  But now, our family of three is enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon.  I've yet to take a nap since he was born, but I have high hopes for this week!

Some Things I Don't Want To Forget (TIDWTF) about Karson's first week:

• Looking in to his eyes when he was first born.  He was so alert, so adorable, and I ended up crying more than he did! 
• Waiting 14 hours for him to pee after the circumcision so we could be dismissed from the hospital.
• Despite a frustrating first couple of days (I'm not a patient person) BFing is going well.  Karson has made it easy, and I treasure those moments together.
• His squeaks and squeals.  His sounds are hilarious! 
• He has intervals of sleep as long as 4-5 hours in the night.  His best night was last night, when he got up twice, and needed no checking in on between the two feedings.  He even let his daddy and mama sleep past 10:00 am!
• The unbelievable emotions I feel for him.  Like the pride of seeing him be so brave at the doctor's office, and the fear and pain of even thinking about him hurting.  This little fella absolutely has my heart.

Here's a pic of Karson at one week.  He's the one on the left.  ;-)



One week old



Family photo

Ladies Man Already!

Karson has enjoyed a quiet day with the ladies today.  Mama, Nana Cook and Mima Rinker had nothing better to do than to shower him with attention.  So we did exactly that!

But seriously, who wouldn't want to love on this fella?



If only someone would pay attention to him...

  

Eating it up!




Snuggling with Nana




Kisses from Mima



Welcome Karson!

Here is Karson's birth story, and a few pics from his first days!  Thanks for your patience...mama is a bit worn out.  ;-)

Justin and I enjoyed a quiet Saturday with no inclination that Karson was going to make his arrival any time soon.


I awoke at 1:23am Sunday when my water broke. Justin and I packed the last minute items and made it out the door within 15 minutes. I'm not sure how long it took us to drive to the hospital, but let's just say we made good time.

We were excited to get checked in and confirm my water had broken and I was 90% effaced. But I was still only 3 cm, (which I had been since my appointment nearly two weeks earlier.) We had a couple of awesome nurses who helped us get settled in.  (We were the only active labor or delivery on Sunday...so we got lots of good attention!) 

Then reality sunk in...this was IT!

I had contractions for a few hours, all of which were actually pretty tolerable.  But after all of that work, I had only made it to 4 cm.  We knew I was getting an epidural anyway, so it was determined we might as well have him come and get that part over with before I was having stronger contractions, or before the OB recommended Pitocin.  I was SCARED TO DEATH to get the epidural.  Don't get me wrong, I knew I wanted to get one, but I was nervous about the whole idea.  Turns out - it's not a pleasant experience, but it was no where near the nightmare I had imagined it might be.  The anesthesiologist was great, and helped calm me down a lot.  Justin was also a trooper...and watched.  (yikes).

That was completed and I was in bed "for good" by 6:00.  Getting an epidural and starting pitocin caused a bit of a pause in labor, but it quickly resumed.  I started contracting again, and Karson continued to remain strong and unphased by the whole process.

Nana and Papaw Cook made it up to the hospital by 8:30. By then I was around 5 cm.  I was disappointed that I hadn't progressed further by then considering I had started at 3 cm.  Our OB stopped by to check in, was pleased with how Karson and I were doing, then predicted we would be calling him out of church that morning.   I was skeptical, and we still thought Mima and Mipa Rinker had a small chance at making it in time for delivery.

The nurses checked me again around 11:00, and lo and behold I had jumped to 10 cm.   WHAT? 

We said a quick prayer with Nana and Papaw before they headed for the waiting room.

The doctor arrived by 11:20 and I began pushing.  Karson made his arrival at 11:44 am!

They handed him to me and I swear he looked right at my eyes immediately!  He was so alert...and at peace!  He cried (as he should) when they were suctioning him off, but as soon as he was cleaned up and handed to me, he just quieted down and took it all in.   He was so brave!  And I was so proud!

Karson is a healthy, happy baby boy.  And we are happy, proud parents. 

Being Karson's mama has been an amazing experience already.  We can't wait to get to know him more each and every day.

I have a few more stories to tell, but this is getting wordy.  So for now, enjoy these pics from his first days!



First Few Minutes with Mama




Daddy holding him for the first time.



Our Awesome Doctor



Proud Papaw and Nana




Snuggling with Mima



Listening to stories from Mipa.



Proud Mima and Mipa




Getting all dressed up for photos!



First Family Photo!



Dear Karson - It's almost time!

Dear Karson,

It's almost time!  I'll admit I'm a bit speechless.  I would love to have the perfect words to say to express all of the emotions coursing through me right now, but I'm not sure adequate ones exist.

Aside from feeling excitement, anticipation, nervousness, impatience, and many many other things, I somehow also feel at peace.

I've never looked forward to anything more than I'm looking forward to becoming your mama.  So aside from the feelings above, I also feel ready.  Not ready for seemingly endless sleepless nights.  Not ready for the fear that we'll somehow be really bad at this.  Not ready for the intimidating fact that very soon your every need will be dependant upon us.  But ready nonetheless.  Ready to meet you.  To know you.  And to start our journey together.

My prayers for you have been plentiful.  Some are special, some are silly.  I started praying for you before I even met your daddy.  I knew someday you would be here, and I prayed that God would have a special plan for you.  I prayed for your timing once we were ready to have kids.  And once you were "real", I've prayed for your health, your security, your protection, and a safe, uneventful entry in to this world.  I also pray that you'll be a happy healthy little boy who grows up to be a successful, loving, kind hearted, Christian adult.  I've prayed for talents, for intelligence, for a sense of humor and good looks, (I told you some were silly!)  I even pray for your future wife.  If she's already out there somewhere, or if she's just a plan in her parents mind, I pray that she grows up in a loving Christian home and that you each live your lives in a way that will some day make each other proud.  Sounds a bit excessive, I know.  But I can't help but want the best for you.

Now as I'm sitting in the hospital, listening to your heartbeat, we've come to the end of the pregnancy.  I will dearly miss feeling your sweet kicks, punches and rolls.  But those special moments will be replaced with seeing your smile, memorizing your face, hearing your laugh, and listening in as you find your voice.  There will be first falls, first steps, first bruises.  First friends, first loves, and first heartbreaks.  First cars, first jobs, first homes.  A whole lifetime of firsts lies ahead of you. 

But for now, let's focus on a few special ones that are in both of our near futures.  I look forward to seeing and holding you for the first time. 

Not much longer now.  See you very very soon!

Love - Mama

Doctor Update

Welp...no baby yet!

At today's checkup I was exactly where I was last week.  3 cm and 60% effaced.  Since there's been no notable progress this week, and since I haven't hit my due date yet, there seemed to be no reason to rush things by scheduling for tomorrow or Friday.

So now, the plan is to go back to the Doctor on Monday morning (my actual due date).  We'll check me again, and revisit the topic of inducing for later next week.

OR...Karson will decide to come on his own between now and then!  Maybe that unknown factor is a little scarier for Justin and I, and makes it more difficult to get Nana, Papaw, Mima and Mipa in town...but that unknown excitement is half of the fun right?

In the meantime, I'll continue to relax at home, we will have a relaxing weekend together, and we'll get another update on Monday!

We've decided Karson just doesn't want to come out in this cold weather.  It's supposed to be down to zero tonight!  Can you blame him?

Happy Birthday To Me!

What a special birthday!  I spent it at home, relaxing, waiting on a baby.  I actually slept well (hallelujah), woke up to a goodbye kiss from the hubs, and enjoyed some kicks from Karson to get my morning going.  (I like to think he was doing some sort of birthday song and dance for his mama.)  I accomplished a couple of work to do's. (That's right, I'm not totally useless here at home.)

My present from Justin was ...a shopping spree!  I couldn't come up with anything I needed right now, BUT I'm anxious to do some shopping for new clothes once I lose the pregnancy weight.  So for now I picked some stores for gift cards, and I'm pumped for when I'm ready to use them.  I saved some Christmas gift cards and monies too.  So I'm ready for some serious shopping.  That will be my weight loss reward!

He sent me a text earlier in the day saying he would take care of dinner.  I didn't know what that meant.  But when he came home, I stayed back in our sitting room and had to just wonder at what all of the noises in the kitchen could possibly mean.  Putting take out on plates doesn't require that much time.  Frozen pizza isn't that noisy...what in the world was he doing in there?!?!?

He cooked dinner.  No, seriously, he COOKED dinner.  I don't mean he picked up Chinese, popped a frozen pizza in the oven, or made waffles (Eggos).  He cooked, like with a recipe and kitchen tools and everything. 

He made cheesy potatoes, and Chicken Bundles.  He looked up a couple of recipes during his lunch break, made his grocery list, then came home and made it!  Please note the "bows" on top of the crescent roll chicken bundles... (could he be any cuter?)

Here's the kicker...it was delicious!  The best meal we've had in this household in a while in fact!  I'm a lucky gal!  I told him he might have just cooked himself in to a job!
 
When things settle down, I'll post the recipes so you can try them. 

In the meantime, I'm going to clean up from breakfast, get a shower, and head to the doctor...gulp.  Karson's birthday might be decided today!  I'm hoping that one particular option just makes sense and the choice for when and if we induce is obvious.  Mainly because I don't want to single handedly choose his birthday.  That just seems wrong.  Wish me luck!