Abscence makes the heart grow fonder

Today is my first official day back to work - albeit a modified day. I won't be back to regular hours of 10-7 till February, but working 12-5 is enough for now. As I was hanging out with Lake this morning I couldn't help but notice the changes in him already. He is starting to be more reactive to noise/sound. It still takes him a little while but he is starting to look for the origin of whomever is talking to him - especially when Tym is around. There is a difference in him when she is talking/yelling/singing/shouting/doing anything. I'm not sure if it's because he is trying to figure out a way to crawl back into the comforts of the womb where he was safe from her, or if he is eagerly waiting to see what she'll do/say next. He is also starting to "talk" more. I forgot how adorable the coo-ing stage is - especially when they surprise themselves by doing it. He is really quite a great baby and already a bit of a drama king (queen?). When I change his diaper he lets me know in no uncertain terms how upset this makes him. Right when I'm almost finished his cry changes to one of "fine - i give up, but I'm still not happy about this!" If he keeps it up, Tym may have a run for her money in the drama department!

Happy Holidays to everyone. Our first Christmas as a family of 4 is winding down. It was awesome... Some pictures have been uploaded, more will follow.

It's amazing that it's been 2 weeks already! His cord finally fell of today as well.

How time flies!

Lake is already 11 days old! It's crazy to us that it's passing so quickly!

On thursday he was 10lbs 14oz. We see Denise tomorrow - I'm betting over 11.6 at this point... he's changing so quickly. His cheeks are back, he's very solid. Not to rolly polly yet, but I am sure that's coming. he definitely does not look like a newborn. Everyone that meets him can't beleive he's just a handful of days old.

We officially put away all 0-3 month clothing - way to small. The sleeper he was in today was a 6 months - and it fit perfectly. Oye! We had to move the straps on his car seat up to the next level already.

he's still a great baby. so far sleeping very well through the night. Twice he's slept 4.5 hours straight - I've woken up before him hoping he's wake up soon to releive the pressure in my breasts! He's got a couple good alert periods during the day where he'll make eye contact and try to mimic your expressions. it's pretty awesome.

Tym is being such a trooper. She loves him to bits!! We've had to put the law down in no touching the baby when he's sleeping... she LOVES kissing and hugging and holding, which leads to waking! She is super stoked for Santa this year. It should be a pretty awesome christmas. She's also turning into such a big girl. It makes me glow but sad all at the same time. It's amazing to watch her become her own person,but I want my little baby girl back!

It's hard to beleive that Christmas is here in 2 days. OYE! how quickly the time passed. I am glad we were well prepared and had most of the shopping done. And the xmas cards as well - they won't get there in time for xmas - but they did get mailed today :)

I am healing pretty well - so much better than last time. I can do stairs carrying him no problem. I took him to his first chiro appt today all by myself. it was weird to drive and have room between me and the steering wheel! I still need to take it easy, to much standing wears me out.. But overall 200% better than last time.

His first chiro appt went lovely. he totally melted into Kelly's hands when she was mobilizing his head bones... so much so he had a huge blowout. Of course he comes up in perfect health... Head's a little flat (probably from a long labour pushing on my pelvis). It will form itself over the next few weeks.

Tomorrow I'll upload some new pictures... for now tho - I'm heading to bed, everyone else is sleeping - so I should be to!

Updates....

So we've been bad at updating... sorry.

Lake turns 1 week old today!! Holy crap! How quickly times flies...

Quick recap on the week.

I went into Labour wednesday night around 8. Went to the hospital at 7am. Checked in by 9:30. 3:30 decided it was c-section time - 7:30 finally get in OR. 8:00PM lake Grey was born. Meag and the midwife whisked him to the nursery and to our room where Christa and Abby were waiting with Tym. Tym fell in love on first sight. (uploaded some pictures) Meag brought him down to recovery once I got there and he nursed for a bit, then we went back to the room.

Friday morning Meag went and got Tym and brought her in for a little while. She was so excited to spend time with him. Then she took her to Beth and Jesse's until Sat morning. Friday night Matt, Sarah and Ivy visited, which was lovely. Sat Jesse brought Tym in for a bit, and Andrea came to visit.

He's been a good sleeper except for 1 night so far. We got home from the hospital on Sat night. It was sooooo nice to sleep in our own bed. I've just started moving from our room - so far this incision feels a lot better than the one with Tym. I can definitely tell I've had surgery however!

Denise came by on Sunday and he weighed in at 10lbs 3oz - babies are allowed to lose 10% of their birth weight before they go back up - losing a pound only put him at 9% - chubby boy! On Tuesday he weighed in at 10lbs 9oz. He put on 6oz in 2 days. Needless to say my milk came in. Which was a total surreal experience considering it didn't really come in with Tym - but trickled in slowly. We've been feeding him every 2 hours or so during the day - to leave longer stretchs at night to sleep, so far it's been working good.

We are interested to know how much weight he's put on today, Claudia should be by. She'll also finish taking out my stitches.

Monday was our first outing - I had a chiro appt, then we picked Tym up from school - she was stoked to show him off!! Yesterday we went shopping for the first time - the Herb and Spice. It was quick, he lasted better then I do. I was wiped when we got home!

Meag has been amazing!! She's done everything around the house. It's been exhausting entertaining the kid while trying to get snuggle time and everyone feed. She should get a glod star! Right now she is braving the mall to finish up the last of our xmas shopping.

I think that's a quick run down of Lake's first week. thank you to all our friends who've been over to help out with food or playing with Tym, it's been invalubale!

A little more crazy than last time

Lake is now 5 days old and tipping the scales at 10.9lbs. He should be back up to birth weight by Thursday at his next "weigh in". Deah's milk has fully come in and the boy is chomping at the bit for it. So nice to see and hear the big gulps and so very different than Tym's first 5 days. She didn't get back up to her birth weight till she was 19 days old. Very scary for new parents to go through. But also the main reason why we are on Lake so much to nurse every 2 hours. He is quite the baby: very alert - will maintain eye contact for a good 20-25 seconds and is quite strong through his neck too - it's not unusul for him to pick his head up and hold it for a good 10 seconds.

2 funny stories to share already:

When he was 14 hours old Tym tried to feed him a raisin because his mouth was open so he was "hungry". My first lesson in don't take your eyes off the kids for a second! Thankfully I fished it out in time.

When I changed his diaper in front of Tym for the first time, I pulled it off and she very excitedly yelled "It's a boy!"

Just a quick note... We are home all safe and sound. How nice it is to be here. A family of 4.

I am healing well - it's different having a c-section with a bouncy 3.5 year old at home - whenever she's close, I'm very aware of her limbs as she's been to close more than once!

Lake is doing lovely - my milk is coming in and he's eating like a fiend. Tym loves him more than life - it's amazing to see.

Meag is being a dream doing everything, since I'm not suppose to move for a few more days. She's doing everything including entertaining the kid while being exhausted. Thank God she's super mom.

Feel free to come on over and play with Tym or help out around the house and get a quick baby snuggle :)

A few pictures have been loaded - more will come once we get the cord for Abby & Christa's camera.

Meet Lake Grey

Lake Grey Le Blanc was born via c-section after 22 hours of labour on Dec.11 at 8pm. He weighed in at 11lbs.2oz (I know!), 20" long and lungs working to full capacity as he let us know he was finally here. Everyone is well and once we're out of the hospital we'll give the rest of the details.

Maybe now - again?

The stretch and sweep combined with acupuncture really did get things moving. We had our labour support team basically on stand-by all day which meant no one had supper plans. So after an impromptu dinner with Christa and Abby and their help with getting Tym bathed (I had to run out and take care of work scheduling issues) we settled in for what proved to be another long night. We called the midwife and our labour team back over around 130am with Deah having contractions every 2-3 minutes lasting close to a minute. Definitely the most intense of her contractions yet. Lots of relieving counter-pressure to her low back to help her breath through them. We even sent a message to those in attendance of the baby shower that everything looked good to go. And then with Deah looking quite exhausted, we settled in to try to rest and everything started slowing down - again! Claudia stayed till about 6:30am but it was clear that labour had stopped for all intents and purposes. It's a tad frustrating and more than a little disappointing to say the least. Thank god Christa and Abby were here this morning as the offer to take Tym to day care was met with glee - from both Tym and us. I'm not sure how co-operative she would have been without them here. So the waiting game continues with Ole taking his time and a snow storm outside. All the makings of a fantastic trip to the hospital in the middle of the night!

Maybe now?

Things were getting a little interesting today. Deah had a hard time staying asleep last night with contractions and (here's the TMI for the day) bloody show. All good signs that early labour was starting. Things continued on early this morning and we sent Tym off to school telling her nothing (why get her excited when we don't know when or how long yet?). However since this morning things have stalled. Contractions are farther in-between though they are lasting longer and are more intense. Claudia (our midiwfe) came over and did another stretch and sweep with Deah being about 50% thinned out and much softer in the cervix then even on Sat. We then headed out to accupuncture. Hopefully with all this things will pick back up later this afternoon. Deah's feeling a little frustrated with the stopping and starting (sorta) of it all, and perhaps we are jumping the gun a bit in our excitement. Either way we'll post more when we know more.

Thursday I had another stretch and sweep - and my cervix was still not very friendly. And OWW - when it's not ready, it's not ready!

So I had acupuncture on Friday - which was awesome. I felt a couple contractions during the session... And proceeded to get crampy all day yesterday. It was good to feel things at least doing some work.

Last night around 2:30 I woke up to my very first contraction. Not to intense - running from my back to belly. It was weird. I had a couple more and took the advice I had heard from a lot of people, if things start in the middle of the night, have a hot bath and get more sleep! So I was back in bed by 4:30 - and have not had a contraction since! It's now 8:45pm!

Claudia came over today and my BP is staying - not rising - around 128/85. As long as it doesn't rise we won't have to consult an OB for it. She did a S&S and it was the first one that I was not in pain for - it was uncomfortable, but I didn't even think she had found it. and it was 40% thinned out... So the cramping yesterday and contractions overnight have been doing some work. Now we want it to work more!!

Claudia did mention that they probably would not let me go 2 weeks over my date due to his size and it being a VBAC. She's on call until Wednesday and really hopes to see my before she's off call... with a baby in arms!

At this point I would really like him to be out. I feel like time is ticking sooo fast but so slow on the other side.

Come on Newton, come meet everyone that wants to see you!

And the count is in....

Everything looked fantastic on the ultrasound. It was really surreal to see so much of him... Most ultrasounds you get, you can't really tell it's a baby - we seen him practice breathing, which was cool. His heart pumping lots, the creases in his fingers! And what a cute little nose!

We also seen his bits again - it's definitely a boy. Meag doesn't have to worry about the dream she had a few weeks ago.

Placenta looked good. Fluid was normal - which we were a bit dissapointed at. I wanted there to be lots of fluid so he wasn't as big... Alas - the tech did say that they usually over measure, and at this stage of the game, the measurement could be off by almost 2 lbs.

10lbs 11oz
So even if we take off almost 2 lbs - he's already over 9lbs. Or over 10lbs... Who knows! He's not a small boy.

I am starting to feel better which is good - hopefully my body will be ready soon and prompt him to come out :)


Tym has been amazing. It was so hard to tell her that she wasn't going to be able to catch him like she's wanted... But she's taken solace in the fact that her favorite playmate Abby - will be here to play with her :)

how quickly plans can change....

Yesterday sucked.

The weekend was Ok - we decorated (not the tree yet) for the holidays and did a few things. I've been fighting a sinus infection since last week - and it finally got to me. By Sunday afternoon I was miserable.

Yesterday morning we had a midwife appt. Claudia tried to do a stretch and sweep, but my cervix was hiding. It was quite uncomfortable. I've since heard it hurts less and the cervix gets ready... Let's hope so! After that lovely experience she does the measure and listening thing. Newton's heartrate was good as always. I was measuring almost 46 weeks.

Gulp.

We then have a discussion on how it's probably best if we forgo a home birth, just to be on the safe side.

In 1 sentence so many hopes dashed.

I know it doesn't mean that I can't have a lovely beautiful med free natural birth. It does mean that there is a highly likelyhood of having more invasive treatments. I am trying to stay positive in it - as I know it is just a precaution. And I want to do everything to know that he's in the best hands and safe... I just really hope he lets me have a natural labour.

With his size and my blood pressure slowly creeping up, I am not sure how love they will let me go past my due date... that's a talk we will probably have with a midwife on Thursday when we go for another stretch and sweep.

This afternoon we are having an ultrasound to check his size and to make sure that the placenta still looks good. Apparently with big babies it can deteriorate quicker.

On top of this - I went to the dr yesterday to get meds to make me feel better. The only good thing that came was there was NO wait and I was home in 25 minutes with drugs. I totally did not want to go on antibiotics so close to birth, but there was no way I would have had the energy to labour otherwise. Plus my body could be waiting until I feel better to work on the whole explusion thing :)

So I'm on meds, we have to pack a hospital bag and we need to work to get this baby out sooner than later.

If anyone you know wants to have a homebirth, I have all the supplies one could need including birthing tub and tubing for sale!

Cough sniff cough

I am sick again. ARGH!!!! I've been yucky for a couple days - the past 2 not sleeping as I've been coughing for hours on end once i lay down. Fun times.

It was a pretty uneventful week... Acupuncture did nothing to get him going... Just moved him even further down! Claudia was going to come over Friday to do a stretch and sweep, but there were 2 other women in labour so she didn't end up coming over.

Friday night we went to Beth and Jesse's for a lovely supper, and everyone went to watch the Santa parade of lights in Aylmer. I didn't see the parade as I didn't feel like walking there and back, but everyone had a good time :)

Thursday and Friday was a bit crampy - but nothing came of it... Just things getting ready I guess.

We are pretty ready at this point I think. Just waiting. I've been quite uncomfortable. Sleeping has been an issue, I haven't had a REM cycle in 5 days. (Except for the one I had last time I woke up - however I've been up since then (3:30AM) coughing.... So I don't want to count it!
With that I am ready for sleep again, but the girls will be up at any point, so there isn't any point to getting comfy when Tym won't let me sleep afterwards... may as well wait until they get out of here a little later on.

44 and counting....

We saw Claudia yesterday - and I am currently measuring 44 weeks.... And counting. (Technically I am 38weeks, 4 days). So lets just say that he's measuring ahead.

With that there is a highly chance of having to transfer to the hospital because of his size... If he doesn't descend like he should or labour doesn't progress like it should... things like that. Which now has me a little freaked out. I am Ok in him being big. I do 'hope' that my body wouldn't grow something that doesn't fit. And I know she needs to go over all this with us in case, it is her job after all.

I have all the confidence in myself to deliver this baby here, in the comfort of my home, surrounded with people I love and trust. the hospital... is well... not any of that! I am sure that I can make it work there to, and I have to remember if we have to transfer it doesn't mean I've failed. If we need another csection, it's not because I didn't do everything in my power.

So... the sooner he comes the better so he doesn't get much bigger :) I am doing acupuncture today and started homeopathic. Thursday or Friday is a stretch and sweep. Come on baby - we are ready to meet you....

There is now snow on the ground. Tym woke up this morning, Meag told her to look outside.... the most beautiful in awe face came over her. "My baby Brother is coming now!" We've been telling her for months that her brother would come once there is snow on the ground, before Santa.... And well - she's decided now is good.

I agree!

The return...

Of cankles!

It's been a busy week as always... I figured I should update since we are now getting random 'How are you doing?" calls :)

My cankles are back... It's been a really busy 3 days with not a lot of rest and my feet are paying the price. However I was able to do a lot of errands on Thursday, celebrated Christa's graduation from Cordon Bleu and went to see Santa with Tym at the mall today. So I think it's worth it :)

I am feeling very very pregnant, and would not be to sad if I went into labour now. The only downside would be our labour support ladies (Christa and Abby) have their moms' in town until Wednesday to celebrate the graduation. It would suck to take time away from that. However it would be nice not to be pregnant anymore! The past week has definitely brought on more uncomfortableness then I've previously felt. As I was dressing for the grad yesterday I found out that I had outgrown 2 of my lovely mat tops... Ones I was saving for nice occasions such as that. I didn't think one was suppose to grow out of mat clothes... I'm down to pair of pants and a couple tops which don't fit very well. I can't put on socks (not that I want to!) thank god for my lined crocs! bending to pick something off the floor.... Forget it!

The past couple days I've had more braxton hicks contractions - which has been odd. I guess I hadn't had many prior - they can be quite uncomfortable. I am peeing every 20 minutes. And hungry a lot!

Will all this - it is amazing to have him wiggle in me all the time. He's so much more active then Tym ever was - I know the position helps with that. But there is nothing like taking a few minutes, sitting back, and feeling him inside me. Knowing that I've grown this being from nothing - and he's soon going to come out and dazzle everyone from the outside.

it's also sad knowing that this is more likely the last time I will be pregnant. The last time I will grow another human. The last time I will feel a child growing inside me. In some ways I don't think I've cherished it enough - on the other hand - i think I have.

Tym is doing well. She's a little off - we are not sure if it's some changes at school she's taking a lot time adjusting to - or to knowing that her world is soon going to be flipped upside down! She's not awful - but she's spacy and not paying much attention.

tomorrow she's going to Cosmic with Santiago and patty - she will have an amazing time - and I am sure we will put to good use to the hour or two we have to get some more small things done.

Now - can I get his blanket and christmas stocking sewn before he gets here......

38 weeks + and counting... still pregnant.

list and most lists

What a week! At first I thought I had nothing accomplished least week - then I realized how many appts and things I actually did and felt better. Especially after making lots of freezer food on Friday.

Ole keeps dropping - we did some shopping yesterday and I had a bowling ball between my legs the entire time, oh the joys of pregnancy! On the weekend I was having cramps off and on... After talking with Claudia (midwife) this morning I realized they were probably contractions - not to painful and definitely not on a schedule... Just the body getting ready I guess. Kinda freaks me out though! The time is near. and getting closer and closer. I am measuring 42 weeks, blood pressure is awesome, swelling in my feet is almost none now that I'm at home. Lots of fluid, he's moving a lot still. Going from anteriror to posterior a lot. She offered a stretch and sweet if I wanted it... Which freaked me out to know that she feels confident enough that he's almost ready to offer... I did decline today - as our birth team won't really be ready till at least Saturday... I 'might' do one next week - we'll see how uncomfortable I am.

Time to pack our hospital bags (just in case). Our to do list isn't quite getting shorter - as more things get added - but most of the crutial items have been taken care of.

Time to get Tym to her last swim class of the term. she loves the water!

Kids say the darnest things

I drove Tym to daycare yesturday morning. She was singing some Raffi song and I was listening to the news on the radio. Suddenly:

"You're getting a new daddy Mummy!"
"Ummmm....I already have a daddy honey."
"Ya, but you're getting a NEW one!"
"Why?"
"Because Grandpa's getting old."

Things have been good around here. The weekend was quick - Laurel and Mel came into town to look for a place for Laurel to move into in the New Year - hopefully her application has gone through! We got a good part of the cleaning done. We shall have some cooking to do, but thats not to bad.

Yesterday I went and got a belly cast done. It was a great experience. I can't wait until she drops it off in a few weeks and we can paint it. We also seen the midwife yesterday - it was so nice to connect with Claudia again since it had been a long time since we'd seen her. She felt the same way, which was nice. Everything seems to be going good... The boy is measuring big. I measured 41 weeks. Granted there is a bit extra padding as well... But... Oye! No wonder I'm having a hard time moving around! Even though I'm only term on Friday, if for some reason I went into labour now, she wouldn't be concerned at all to do a home birth, which was nice to hear.

After that we ran to the naturopath - and got the homeopathics that we might use. And set up appts to help natural induction around the due date (if he hasn't arrived) and for him once he's here. Crazy!

This morning Scott came over and we did belly pictures.... It was a lot harder with Tym running around! We will post them soon once we go through them.

When will I ever learn?

2 weeks ago Tym and I went to pick up Deah from work. While driving, a purolator truck cut me off and without my mental filter on I called the driver a jackass. Of course Tym immediately asks why I called him a jackass. With a cringe I silently cursed myself (mental filter in the "on" position!) and spent the next 5 minutes explaining that jackass is a rude thing to say and that I shouldn't have said it, so and so. Of course all the time I was mentally thinking "god! I hope she doesn't repeat this when Deah gets in the car!" Deah hops in beside me and Tym pipes up from the back "Mama that truck is a jackass!" OY!

The next morning I was teasing Deah and Tym and just poking abit. Deah finally had enough, looked at Tym and said "Tym what do we say to Mummy?" With a smirk Tym turns to me and says "Jackass!"

Touche Deah!

Free time?

So I've been on sick leave all week. It's weird but lovely! I was able to get in to see my massage therapist (to do Bowen) ad-hoc on Tuesday which was lovely. I actually took a nap on Wednesday which was a blissful 35 minutes that I didn't feel guilty about. I've been able to do some cooking for the freezer and slowly dwindle down our to do list. Easy stuff like make the email list for after birth, or get pictures printed. It's been nice. I do feel like I should be doing stuff all the time since I'm home, and I have to remind myself I need to take it easy as well.

Ole has been moving up a storm all week. I am pretty amazed at how big I am getting. I don't notice it until I see profiles of the belly. Since he's dropped I don't think of it as big since it's not, however he keeps popping out even further. No one can be in the kitchen with me at the same time since he gets in everyone's way... And Tym's head keeps bopping into him. It's funny.

Yesterday I seen the naturopath - next week we're going over what homeopathics will help during labour. I am also getting a belly cast done next week, which will be awesome.

Lunch and a movie is calling I think :)