Newborn Photos

Nicki Smith Photography did a wonderful job once again on our newborn photos.  She rocks!  Hope you enjoy getting to see us with our beautiful little guy only 5 days old.

Brad flew this flag on his missions while in Afghanistan and he gave it to Paxton.

My sweet, little 4th of July baby.

Light of my life!

Proud parents.

We are so in love with our family's new addition!

My parents are awesome grandparents.  Pax loves them!

Pax and his traveling Aunt Mame that has promised a safari trip when he's older.

Me with my sister, Mary.

These first few days home with our new baby was so amazing.  I've never been happier in my life!  We are so overwhelmed with love for our little blessing. 

And just like that, I became a MOM!

Paxton Connor
Born June 27, 2013 at 11:26 am
8 lbs 5 oz
22 1/4 inches long 

 

 

I'm overjoyed to share with you the birth of our son, Pax.  He's here!   

On June 27 we had a scheduled c-section due to my placenta previa.  It went awesome!  I had such a great experience and feel so fortunate that I was able to still have a birth that made me feel involved, empowered and bonded to my new baby boy. 

I had a great experience, but I really had to put in the work and research so that I was knowledgeable on subjects I previously knew nothing about.  I read books, blogs, forums, and got advice from friends and family.  I not only had to switch OBGYN's due to moving from Okinawa to FL, but I had to switch my mindset at around 30 weeks from wanting a totally natural birth and interviewing doulas to having a totally surgical birth and picking a surgeon.  When I found out my previa wasn't resolved I probably was not anyone's favorite person at the Naval Hospital.  I came to appointments with huge lists of questions/concerns and my appointments with my midwife and doctor were rarely less than an hour of just talking.  

I was determined to do everything I could to still have the birth I felt great about.  It was so important to me to be able to touch and hold my baby after surgery and I wanted to have the immediate skin to skin so badly!  The Naval Hospital here did an amazing job accommodating my wishes.  As it turns out I was the FIRST patient that was allowed to have skin to skin right after surgery.  I had a wonderful midwife, doctor, nurses and medical team! 

The hospital staff did so much to make sure I had the birth experience that was special for me.  My doctor was amazing and went above and beyond for me!  

Sure, there were times at the hospital when I was less than thrilled at my situation.  We got there early in the morning, but had to wait hours more for emergency c-sections to go first.  Waiting was nerve wracking!  And the worst part was I was super hungry and thirsty.  They let me eat ice chips and I was so thankful.  Made a huge difference.  When it was go time it all happened so fast.   Getting an IV hurt more than I feel like it ever should.  And then because of my previa they wanted 2 access points so they needed to put in a 2nd IV.  They couldn't get it in, so they ended up putting one in my hand after my spinal was put in and I hardly even felt it.  As for my spinal... holy moley, it took at least 3 tries to get the dang thing in correctly and I was using every calm, relaxing breathing technique and finding that happy place in my mind while gripping the nurses hands off.  I knew that if they couldn't get it in I would have to be put under and I didn't want that!  Finally it went in, Brad came in and they started to get the baby out.  Well, baby was still sitting high and I never expected how rough it would be to get him out.  At one point I was terrified because they were rocking me so hard on the table and there was so much pressure on my lungs that I couldn't breathe, but then he was out and they held up my son and my whole world changed in a moment.  They took him over to quickly wipe him down and Brad went over to cut the cord.  And then a moment later he was on my chest and in my arms!  I hardly remember anything about getting put back together because I was in total awe and in total love with the just born little human cuddled up on me that was just IN ME.  Totally blew my mind.  It was the best moment of my life!   

I only had to spend 2 nights in the hospital.  The first night was not my favorite ever.  There was morphine in my spinal and I did not like the side effects.  I was so hungry, but couldn't keep anything down.  I didn't want any more medication, so I was hoping it would pass.  But, that night after surgery after barfing up all my liquids and a few bites of crackers yet again I went ahead and took the anti- nausea meds.  And, I was itchy.   Like massively itchy.  (I ended up giving in and taking a pill for the itchiness the next day because I was going to rip off my skin.) And I was still attached to my catheter, IV and these calf squeezer things to help prevent blood clots.  The leg squeezers were awful.  I was SO HOT and sweaty and itchy and the plastic leg squeezers made me want to loose my mind.  Not the most comfortable night of my life!  But, really it hardly mattered because I was so very happy with my baby snuggled up in my arms!  I did get up out of bed that night as soon as they would let me.  I got to get up and go into the bathroom and I took a sponge bath and got to brush my teeth.  And I got to take the leg squeezers off for a little bit! Made me feel like a new woman!  My awesome doctor let me get unhooked from my IV and catheter early the next morning at like 4am and I wanted to kiss her.   The next day I was up walking laps in the labor delivery ward pushing my baby in the bassinet.  The nurses were so surprised and made comments like "wait, didn't you just have major abdominal surgery less than 24 hours ago?!"  Oh, and of course there was the flood in our room... I was SO excited to take a shower the 2nd day and I had just finished washing my hair when I realized that the shower wasn't draining.  All the water ran out of the bathroom and into our room.  I wasn't in there long at all, but by the time I realized what was happening and turned the water off I had made a huge mess.  Oops!  Not the relaxing shower I was looking forward to! 

Proud new Daddy

Pax meeting Grandpa

Meeting Grandma

  

Going home!

They let us leave the hospital to go home as early as they could.  All my labs and baby's labs came back perfect and things were going well.   I really expected to be bed ridden for at least a week after this surgery.  I thought I would be in the worst pain ever and that had really scared me prior to having this surgery.  I don't know if I'm really lucky, if I was really mentally prepared, had a really good doctor, or what.  But, I've been feeling pretty great considering. 

So, at this point he's already 2+ weeks old.  I have so much more to fill you in on, but have been a tad busy!  Just enjoying every moment!! 

Bump Update - weeks 37, 38 and 39

How Far Along: 39 weeks!

Size of baby: feels massive!  I have a feeling I'll be having a big baby! 

Total Weight Gain:  I'll be facing the music soon enough.  Yikes.

Maternity Clothes:  Yes, I'm huge!  Mostly wearing dresses here at the end. 

Gender: Booooooy!

Movement:  He's outta room in there!
Exercise:  Walks around the neighborhood mostly.  Swimming in the pool.  House work totally counts as exercise for me these days.

Sleep: Mostly good!  Waking up a few times, but usually can get back to sleep after a bit.  Although some days I wake up at 5 am and feel like I have a ton of energy, ready to roll!

What I miss:  My body! Running, riding... but I know I will miss this special time with my boy that's coming to an end.

Cravings:  Margarita!  Fruit.  Cold things.  

Symptoms: I'm puffy.  And huge.  And SO HOT.
Best moment this week: Had my last OB appointment.  Went to a breast feeding class.  Got all the last minute things.  Mom and Dad are here now (thank goodness!!)! 

What I’m looking forward to:  It's time to meet my son! Have to keep this short because I leave for the hospital in the morning!  Feeling nervous about the surgery, but so excited to meet my lil guy.  I'm as ready as I'll ever be.  It's go time!

9 month maternity photos

I got really lucky and found Nicki Smith Photography from just doing a Google search.  I liked her website and decided to do her Belly to Baby Plan where she does 9 month belly pictures and then newborn pictures.  It was so fun to go back to our wedding location and get to capture another major milestone there 5.5 years later! Nicki did a great job capturing this special time for us. I am really happy with how our maternity photos turned out and can't wait to work with her again for the newborn photos! 

Do they know?

Have you ever heard that animals know when you're pregnant?  I've read that dolphins are able to detect the fetal heartbeat and get totally enamored with pregnant ladies.  A friend told me that her horse wrapped it's head/neck around her belly strangely one day and she didn't understand what he was doing.  Then a few days later she discovered she was pregnant.  I've definitely had horses seem very interested in my belly.  Softly nuzzling it and sometimes go so far as not wanting to leave me alone!  It really is like they know. 

My cat, Jade, is another animal that makes me wonder if she knows I'm an expectant mama.  Starting very early off she would come drape herself across my belly.  Jade isn't usually a super lap cat, but my whole pregnancy she has consistently shown interest in my belly and comes and lays on it frequently.  I always wonder how she can be comfortable laying on my lumpy baby-full belly with him squirming and kicking underneath her.  But, she never seems to mind.  In fact it's the opposite, she goes fast to sleep.  Weather she's able to detect the baby or not it sure has been super sweet to sit or lay quietly as I absorb all the kitten love and baby movements. 

I've never been a cat person before.  I probably would have said "I hate cats" and totally never saw myself with one.  But, this cat is special and she's totally stolen my heart.  I found her tiny puffball baby self at the barn in Okinawa and rescued her.  Since my dog passed away last year I really want to get a puppy, but that will have to wait a bit until I get the new baby thing under control.  I would have a whole zoo of adopted animals if Brad didn't constantly tell me no! 

33 - 36 weeks - Not much longer now!

Bump update - weeks 33 - 36!

 

This was a nice night - packed a picnic and ate dinner on the beach as the sun went down. 

I love my backyard pool!  All alone I rock the 2-piece and let the belly out in all it's glory. 

We got our professional pictures done this week, so Bathroom selfie will have to do for now.

  

36 weeks.  It's gone by incredibly fast.  I love this flattering dress from Target.  It's my hope that black really is slimming because I feel yucky and super huge.  I've read that wearing pants after a c-section is torture, so I plan on living in comfy dresses like this one for a few weeks. 

How Far Along: Currently I'm one day away from being 37 weeks, FULL TERM!  But, this post will be a review of last month's pregnancy adventure. 

Size of baby: a watermelon.  Somewhere around 19-22 in. and 6.5 lbs.  Feels like it too!

Total Weight Gain:  this freaks me out!  I never look at the scale when they weigh me at the doctors office.  I tell them to only talk to me if it's a problem.  I'm watching what I eat, trying to be as healthy as possible and trying to get my exercise in.  These days food shopping feels like exercise!

Maternity Clothes:  Belly is massive. Pretty sure this thing has it's own planetary orbit.  

Gender:  Quick ultrasound last week yet again confirmed it's for sure a boy.

Movement:  His movements are getting far less extreme. I feel his kicks and stretches, but not so much flipping and making big movements like before.  And I'm pretty sure he's sideways. 
Exercise:  It's amazing the things that get me sweating and huffing and puffing these days.  I like to go for walks.  I really miss running and riding and working out like normal.  But, I have to follow doctors orders to take it easy.

Sleep:  Just in the last week or so sleep has become an issue.  The baby will sit super high up on my ribs/organs and I can't get comfortable.  I sleep with the most massive pillow fortress to prop me up and with pillows on either side.  I really miss laying on my back.  I usually have trouble falling asleep and when I finally do get to sleep I wake up often during the night with the need to walk around a bit or to pee.  I guess it's good practice for when he gets here in a few weeks.  I'm feeling pretty fatigued during the day and my energy is pretty low.  I love naps.

What I miss:  I miss a lot of things and I think it's helping me feel more ready for having the baby and not being pregnant anymore.  I've loved being pregnant and sometimes I get super sad to think this special time of my life is almost over.  But, at the same time I can't wait to finally meet my son!  And I can't wait to make a homemade margarita, sip some wine, crack open a beer and drink some bubbly!  (Even if it's only a tiny drink since I plan on breast feeding!) Sleep on my back, get my body back, be able to go run and ride again, lift stuff, and eat a tuna sandwich.  

Cravings:  Coconut, nuts/nut butters, avocado.  I know that at this point the baby is just pretty much putting fat on.  Maybe this is why my body is craving these high fat foods.  

Symptoms:  I'm puffy.  Fluffy.  And hot. 
Best moment this month:  Seeing my big boy on the ultrasound.  Finally getting our master bedroom furniture set so I can finally, finally finish getting the house put together.  We also took maternity pictures where we got married 5.5 years ago.  I can't wait to see them.  I hope I don't look whale-ish in at least one or two! 

What I’m looking forward to: 
I try to be super healthy.  Not just this pregnancy, but always in general.  I eat organic.  I avoid GMO's.  I only eat wild salmon and shrimp on occasion.  I don't eat fast food.  I don't drink soda.  I don't eat beef, pork (or any mammal)  and only eat organic chicken and eggs.  I've done everything I could to make a healthy baby.  And I've had a completly wonderful, easy pregnancy.  But, I still have placenta previa and it's medically necessary for me to have a planned c-section.  (I still can't type that with out getting teary-eyed!)  I've done my research, talked to my doctor and I do feel better about it than I did.  But, it is so far from what I wanted my birth experience to be like and it's so hard for me to embrace this as reality.  But, as my last and final ultrasound confirmed my placenta is in the wrong spot and isn't moving.  So, my baby's birthday is scheduled for June 27 (when I'm 39 weeks)!  I might be dreading the surgery and the recovery process, but I can't wait to look upon my sons face, kiss his cheeks, toes and nose and hold his little self in my arms.  My son.  Completely blows my mind.  I'll be a mommy in only 2 more weeks! I'm so incredibly lucky that my wonderful parents are going to fly in for 3 weeks to help me recover and transition to mommy-hood. And my sister is taking a break from her amazing, crazy, traveling life and coming from Turkey after a trip to Egypt.   And then my parents-in-law will come.  It is such a comfort and relief to know that I will have the love and support of my family around me during this wonderful, exciting time of my life.