Gabriel's Baptism

Gabriel was baptized at the Vigil Mass of Holy Family Sunday. Both sets of grandparents were able to attend and it was a beautiful service. Below are some pictures.

Pictures!

Merry Christmas!

Despite the fact this post is LONG overdue and will not have pictures-I felt it necessary to attempt to type with one hand and let everyone know about Gabriel's arrival! It all began when I went into my regular OB appointment on Thursday, December 10th and was holding steady at 3cm. My midwife instructed me to head over to triage to be measured and then to walk for an hour to determine if any progress had been made. I must say, contractions with no progress really is pain with no gain. After walking around the hospital's campus and visiting friends over at the rehab facility where Mike volunteered and I interned, we headed back. I still was only at 3cm and was sent home to labor further. At around 6pm that evening, my contractions began coming more regularly and were approximately 3-5 minutes apart for an hour. Since this is when they instructed me to return, Mike and my folks packed up and headed back to the hospital to find I was still at 3cm.

I was given two options: have a shot with long lasting pain medication to endure labor at home or be admitted with short term pain medication and then labor at the hospital (with the labor tub, birthing ball, etc.) Well, I opted for the hospital stay since I felt more comfortable there. Shortly after being admitted around 9pm, I was given the pain medication in my IV that would allow me to relax for 4-6 hours and then, hopefully, to manage more effective labor. Turns out my intolerance for pain medication put me to sleep for close t0 10 hours. So much for laboring. Upon waking up, the midwife told us I could either head home and probably ping-pong back and forth between home and triage (since my contractions were likely to continue but not make any progress) or I could be induced. After a bit of soul searching, we opted for the induction-I would have been scheduled for the induction on Monday morning had I not delivered that weekend anyhow. At around 9am I received my pitocin and by 11am was in a ton of pain. No longer allowed to labor in the tub or leave the bed (because you must be monitored), I opted for my epidural at 11am. (The anesthesiologist was headed into surgery at 12pm-so I either could get it at 11:30 or at 2:00...I'm not crazy) After a comfortable progress, Mike headed back to campus to pack up (he had set up for work that morning) and he arrived just after 3:30pm. By that time I had break through pain in my right side and received a bolus in my IV to help manage the worsening pressure. Shortly afterward I'd made it to 10cm and was given the ok to push. Merely 10 minutes later, Gabriel had arrived.

He was born Friday, December 11th at 4:18pm weighing in at 7lbs. 4oz. and approximately 19.5 inches in length. We arrived home after a two day stay at the hospital and some tough times (no one tells you about the 'second night' until the second night-hmmmm...and breastfeeding is, by far, the most challenging job I've ever had) I promise to buy each of my friends who finds out they are pregnant a care package with Maalox, a hemorrhoid pillow (for hemorrhoids or not!), and Lanolin (thank you, Christa!)

Considering is now almost four weeks old and pushing 10lbs.-it's safe to say he is doing wonderfully! I will say I dread returning to work *(as I think most new moms do)*, but will be taking on the challenge in a few short weeks. Meanwhile its naps and cuddling a plenty! Don't be surprised if Mike and I never do laundry again and our Christmas tree is still up at Easter!

No News is Good News

Well-nothing has changed at my most recent OB check up except for the slight possibility my effacement (thinning of cervix) has increased...this, of course, is completely relative seeing we meet with a different person each time we go in. Here is where we stand: I have an appointment on December 10 (two days post due date) and if no progress has been made, I will 1: be referred to the ultrasound techs at the hospital to do a non-stress test to determine if Gubby can continue to hang out (for up to two additional weeks) and/or 2: can schedule an induction. I am not particularly keen on the induction for many reasons but am still hopeful that he'll show up on his own time...close to the 11th!

We plan to 'move things along' as needed after we pass our due date by increasing activity (walking more often, lunges, etc.) and using reflexology (rubbing ankles/wrists) starting on the 10th if no progress has been made. Don't worry-we'll be sure to keep everyone posted! Additionally, if Gubby has yet to arrive, I'll take another monthly picture for the record. Compared to my pre-pregnancy state of 109lbs and a 26in waist-I'm currently holding strong at 163lbs and a 43in waist. Unbelievable.

Down to the Wire

It's been several weeks since I've posted but I felt silly writing 'same old, same old'. We've been to the OB once a week for the past four weeks (and go again on Wednesday) and a whole bunch of nothing has happened! Gubby is officially in the vertex position (head down)and no dilation has occurred. (I've been at roughly 1 cm for three weeks). My physician prescribed Evening Primrose Oil to help begin the process but little has changed in the past month. He is still slotted to arrive on the 8th of December if not later.

Assuming he's right on schedule (I still think he'll show up on the 11th), we're planning to drive down to Holiday, Florida to see Mike's family from the 19th through the 22nd of December and then on to Port Orange, Florida to see my family from the 22nd through the 26th. We'll be heading back to Tallahassee on the morning of the 26th for Gubby's baptism. This, of course, is all subject to change without notice! It's amazing that someone who isn't even HERE yet can dictate so much!

Be sure to keep us in your thoughts and prayers these last few weeks of the pregnancy and for a safe and healthy delivery! We'll keep you posted!

Almost Done!

I thought that was a clever play on words considering both the kitchen and the pregnancy are nearly complete! We only have two little things to finish in the kitchen, but it is visually finished! Although it took much longer than we'd originally expected, the final product is downright gorgeous.

We also had our 36 week check up on Thursday and everything looks great! Gubby's (Gabriel's new nickname) growth is right on target and he was very active when the doctor was searching for his heartbeat-he was all over the place! The best part is he has finally flipped into the vertex position (no longer breech) and he's descending nicely (still at -2 but at least not in my lungs). I have managed to catch a cold or something and was told to take a day or so off of work and to remain seated with my feet up since I have some swelling in my hands and feet. Further, my low grade fever and slightly raised bloodpressure indicate I need a break (which I'm fine with!) Other than mild discomfort in my knuckles (and a stuffy nose and sore throat), I'm fine! Only a few short weeks til our Gubby arrives! Our bags are packed (and in the car), the nursery is complete (minus a few more outfits to wash), and we're installing our car seat in the next week!

Many may laugh, but the Christmas trees are already up in our home (we haven't done lights on the outside of the house, though). I like to rationalize by assuming I wouldn't be able to lift/bend by the time I'd normally put the tree up (just before Thanksgiving). Whether that's true or not-our two mini trees and our large tree are splendid! As our countdown presses on, it's calming to sit in the living room with the red and white lights and our little fiber optic moose keeping me company.

Only Six Weeks to Go!

Well-we've long awaited our 'final countdown'-the third trimester-and it has just flown by! I think once you get used to toting around an additional 35 pounds, time just passes you by! Gabriel is very active and seems to have a weakness for chocolate (which is odd considering I never had a hankering for chocolate pre-pregnancy)...he seems particularly partial to M&Ms. I hope that I won't have to struggle with my newly acquired eating habits for too long after he is born...even though I will be nursing. (Then again, no one was ever known to have died from M&Ms, right?) We had our 34 week check-up at the OB and Gabriel is measuring right on track...however...he remains breech. We've got about six weeks left to turn our stubborn boy around. Check out the website we've been recommended to make him flip- Spin Your Baby I weighed in at 155 lbs which makes my current weight gain total 38 lbs! With just under six weeks to go, I will total approximately 44 lbs of pregnancy weight gain...wholly cow!

Our nursery is nearly complete-we still have to wash the car seat and swing liners. All the clothes have been washed, sorted by size, and put away. Mike will be unhappy to learn how quickly he will have to make space for Gabe's growing wardrobe. Currently everything fits in three small drawers and two little baskets...I would bargain that within six months the entire dresser will be his. Good excuse to clean out our clothing collections, though! We're finishing up the kitchen this weekend and the glass for our cabinets should be in soon-I will be sure to post pictures when it's complete.

Only a few nesting tasks remain (including baseboards, fan blades, and humidifiers) but I am not too proud to defer these to my best friend, Christa and my Mom :) I hope to put up the two mini Christmas trees over the next week or two (considering I'd like to enjoy them before my world is flipped upside down...but the good way, like a roller-coaster) and the largest one up the second or third weekend in November. Thank goodness they are all fake trees! I also aim to wrap my Christmas presents as soon as possible as well...but I wouldn't be surprised if some people end up with gift bags (my greatest defeat)!