Three Weeks and Still Surviving!

Nate is 3 weeks old today and growing so fast! We took him for his two week appointment on Monday and he weighed a hefty 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 22 1/2 inches long, which means he gained 1 pound, 13 ounces and grew 2 1/4 inches in just two weeks!! We know we are going to have a tall boy; I just wish he wouldn't grow so fast. I can really tell he's growing when we put him in his swing or car seat because he fits in them so much better now. He has outgrown all of his newborn sleepers. They are all too short in the arms, legs, and feet. I have had to buy him some new clothes already!

These past couple weeks have proved challenging. Nate hit his two week growth spurt last weekend and has been feeding about every two hours around the clock. He finally started slowing down last night, so hopefully we can spread them out a little more for now. He has been very colicky at times (his favorite time being late at night!) and has a lot of trouble with gas pains. I have totally cut out dairy products from my diet as they seemed to really bother him, and he has gotten somewhat better. I am trying to start getting him on a regular schedule. I was actually able to get him to sleep tonight at 8:45 and he hasn't made a peep!

Nate seems to be doing new things and changing every day. He has some chubby cheeks and a double chin now, thanks to all the weight gain! He really focuses on us when we talk to him, and he loves when Ben or I sing to him. Today he was even laughing in his sleep. He is much more alert and awake during the day. He very much dislikes tummy time and loves to sleep on his back, unlike most babies. He absolutely hates sleeping in his crib but fortunately sleeps well in his pack 'n' play in our bedroom. I guess we will be crossing the crib bridge when we get there! He got his first tub bath tonight and actually didn't put up too much of a fight until we got him out of the tub.

As for me, I am hanging in there. I have been on my own for two days now. Ben went back to work Monday, and my mom and dad were here helping me out until Wednesday. They certainly were a lot of help! We have had some friends bring us meals, which has been very much appreciated. I think Nate has enjoyed having his mommy to himself the last couple of days and seems to be adjusting well. I was even able to get a shower and get my hair and makeup done by 11:00 this morning!

We are having so much fun as parents so far. Every minute with Nate is so rewarding. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Not to fond of this bath situation at first...

but maybe it's not so bad!

So keeping up with this blog while being a mommy has proved harder than I thought it would be! Mainly because my computer is SOOO slow and pictures take forever to download. Plus, Ben has been writing a paper for the last several days, and I have not been able to get on.
I had originally planned to give a little day-by-day account of life with Nate, but the last eleven days have all started to run together! So I will just hit the high points.

We arrived at the hospital at 4:00 am on March 26th and the nurse started my pitocin at 5:00. April was our nurse and she was fabulous. My contractions weren't too painful for a while. Dr. Chauhan came and broke my water at 7:00, and immediately my contractions came on full force about every two minutes. I did not hesitate to ask for my epidural on advice from the nurse, and I'm glad I didn't wait! It took about two hours to get the epidural to fully kick in. Apparently my mild scoliosis was a factor. But once we got it working, all was well and I rested for a while. It didn't take too long to get to 10 cm, then it was go time! I only had to push for 20 minutes. Overall, the labor and delivery was a much more pleasant experience than I ever imagined it could be, thanks to the drugs and awesome care we received.

Nathan is the most beautiful little baby I have ever seen! He looks just like his daddy (in my opinion) and he is such a sweetheart. We both cried and cried when we go to hold him for the first time. He is feeding like a champ and his little cheeks are starting to fill out. He even woke up this morning with a double chin! His first pediatrician appointment was last Monday. He had only lost 3 oz. He was jaundiced, so we had to have his bilirubin checked, which turned out to be okay. We were instructed to let him suntan in the window for a couple days. His complexion is now back to normal. He has gotten on a pretty regular schedule and has slept well through the night in his pack-n-play next to our bed for the last six nights! Of course, he wakes up every few hours to feed. He has really been much more alert during the day the last couple of days and already has so many cute facial expressions. He just changes so much every day! Nate got to celebrate his first Easter at Ben's grandparents' house. We enjoyed the day getting out of the house and spending time with family.

Life as a mommy has proved completely overwhelming and exhausting so far, but at the same time completely rewarding and full of joy. I can't imagine life without this beautiful, precious little guy. We thank God every day for the opportunity He has given us to raise this precious gift!

Pre-epidural

Post-epidural  :)

Family pic with Grandmom, Granddad, BB, and Poppy

Ready to go home (or so we thought!)

Murphy and Gracie inspecting the situation from OUTSIDE the nursery.

Mommy's little snuggle bunny

Gettin' my suntan

Catchin' some rays

Not too fond of his first "bath"

Pooped!

It's my first Easter!

Me in my adorable Easter outfit

First Easter family portrait

He's Here!!!

Little Nathan Benjamin was born Friday, March 26, 2010 at 3:26 p.m. He was 7 pounds even and 20 1/4 inches long. I'm sorry it has taken so long to update. Who knew such a tiny little human being could take up so much time! Nate has surely kept us busy, but we are loving every minute of parenthood. I promise to update with details and pictures as soon as I get a chance (which will hopefully be tomorrow.) I am only just now getting my shower for the day, if that tells you anything!

But I will leave you with one precious picture...

Our Strong-Willed Son

So Nathan is already proving himself to be quite the strong-willed child. As Ben says, he has the brakes on and he is not going anywhere. It seems as though I will end up forcing him out (through induction) at 4:00 a.m. Friday morning. I am still contracting fairly often, but I do not feel impending labor in the near future. I am going back to the OB tomorrow morning, and we will see if he has made any more progress. I have pretty much given up hope, though! Oh well. He can't stay in there forever, and his days in his warm and cozy bubble are coming to a close. Wednesday will be my last day of work for 16 weeks, and I could not be more excited! It will be nice to have a nice long "break."

Please keep Ben and me in your prayers this week as we physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepare for Nathan's arrival. We are excited and ready beyond words, yet at the same time, there is fear of the unknown. I know the Lord is in control and have faith that everything will go smoothly. We CANNOT WAIT to meet this gift God has blessed us with!!

Here's one more belly pic before the big day...

Nate at 38 weeks, 5 days

Praying for Patience

Well, I am now 38 weeks pregnant and Nate is still hanging in there. I know that most first-time pregnancies usually take their sweet little time and don't deliver until 40 weeks or after. When I went to the OB at 36 weeks, I was already making progress, and Dr. Chauhan seemed a little surprised. Last Thursday, she predicted he would come within the week. I did go to the hospital that night with contractions every 3-6 minutes apart, but they sent me home with no progress. I have been contracting regularly for the last four days. I went back today, and he has made even more progress. But he is still apparently happy as a little clam in his little bubble! I am scheduled to be induced on the 26th if he doesn't decide to make his entrance before then.

As for me, I guess I am hanging in there as well. My pelvis feels like it is ready to split in two, Nate has settled on my sciatic nerve, and I wake up every hour at night in a sweat...but other than that I can't complain! I am just praying that the Lord will give me strength to make it through each day. We are praying for patience as well, which is really hard considering we all know what happens when we pray for patience! I am still working, hoping that each day will be my last day to work for a while. I am so paranoid my water will break while I'm in a patient's room!

So here's hoping tonight will be the night, but I am trying my darndest not to get my hopes up!

Ready and Waiting!

Nate is officially full-term as of today!! I was starting to make some progress at my OB visit last Thursday. Dr. Chauhan sounded as if it may not be too long before Nate makes his appearance! I go back for my next visit tomorrow, and I am hoping she gives me more good news. I have had quite a few contractions today, and I hope they are all going to lead to labor soon. It's so hard to be patient when my back and tailbone are hurting so much and it's not very easy to get around.

I was in major nesting mode this past weekend and even took the day off Monday to finish everything on my list. I did make a little time for a mommy-to-be massage, which was very nice! So all is done, bags are packed, nursery is ready, car seat is in the car! All we need our baby!! We can't wait to finally get to meet him and hold him in our arms!

The Countdown Begins...

Whew, keeping up with a blog is hard work! I am finally back in the saddle and will hopefully be updating a lot more often now. We are in the final stretch of Operation Baby Duffy! Little Nate will be making his appearance in about four weeks and we are so ready! We have been working hard getting the nursery ready and have finally taken pictures. The nesting hormones have been raging for the last month or so, and I have not been able to sit down and rest like I should be. I am still feeling great for a 36-week pregnant lady, aside from the constant back and hip pain. Ben claims that I snore every night now, and it's getting harder to get a good night's sleep (for both of us!)

Nate is getting big and is still all over the place. I am afraid he will be a little on the big side - I'm predicting a good 8 pounds or so! I will probably have another ultrasound in the next couple weeks to see just how big this boy is going to be.

Nate has two new cousins who recently made their arrival. Abby was born on December 25th, and Maggie Beth was born on February 17th. I can't wait until they can all play together! We are going to have to find Nate some little boys to play with. All of my friends are having girls.

Not much else is happening around here. We are still trying to prepare Gracie and Murphy for their baby brother's arrival. They are no longer couch dogs, which has been quite a feat and a little bit difficult for me. But they are both adjusting well. They know they are not allowed in the nursery but have been allowed to take in all the new baby scents that will soon be filling the house.

This weekend will be the weekend I make sure se have everything we need and start packing bags for the hospital, just in case Nate decides to make his appearance a little early. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We are blessed beyond measure to be able to experience the joy of bringing this new little one into our lives!

Nate at 35 weeks

Nate's nursery

This canvas has Jeremiah 1:5 on it. I am waiting on the

cute blue lamp that will go with the lamp shade.

Nate's adorable door hanger, made by his own mommy.