First week at home

Things are going well! We had a bit of a rough start with the feedings, but I'm pumping breastmilk and feeding him that in a bottle now, so he's thriving! We're more comfortable too, because we can track how much he's eating and this way Scott and other people can feed him too!

We've been trying Sam out in all his various toys (the swing, the bouncer seat and the pack n' play). He's also been wearing a few outfits a day (at least!). It's so fun seeing him in all the different clothes!

I'm feeling pretty good. I've had a couple of crying episodes, but that's to be expected I guess. All the emotions are very overwhelming! I've had lots of support though from Scott and my parents and his parents. We are very greatful for all the help we have around! Scott is such a great dad!!! He's got all the feedings and diapers logged so we can take the info to the doctor and also see how much more/less he's eating, etc. He gets all the bottles sterilized after use and ready for the next feeding. He's been feeding, burping and changing diapers too! How lucky am I?? Trust me, I know it!

Below are some recent pics from the first week at home. Enjoy!




Sleeping in the pack n play



playing in the pack n play

Those eyes!

Daddy burping Sam during a feeding

Daddy and Sam

Mommy and Daddy's favorite funny face!

Baby burrito

Trying out the bouncer seat

After the first bath (wipedown) You can tell he was really bothered by it! LOL!

Samuel David Brubaker has arrived!

Getting settled in the room - no idea about what is to come!

Contractions screen, so everyone could say "that one wasn't too bad, was it?" You come do this then!

Loli and Pop trying to stay awake during labor

Richard, Scott and Emily trying to stay awake while I was in labor. (Emily slept through all the yelling and pushing!)

Getting checked after delivery

Here I am world!

Proud Pops and little Sam

Look how much hair I have!

Proud Loli and little Sam

Getting ready to be swaddled

I got to hold him for a sec before they took him away

Jane with Sam

First family photo after birth!

5-26-09 doctor appointment

I had my last doctor's appointment today. She stripped my membranes to "get things going" and she said I'm ready and the baby's ready, so we went ahead and scheduled me to be induced tomorrow. The hospital will call me in the morning to let me know when to come in. I'm so excited and so nervous all at the same time! All along I've been saying I didn't want to be induced, that I wanted to let things happen naturally, but now that my parents are here, I just feel so ready to get this show on the road. So when she presented me with the option this morning, I was ready to say yes. Scott took a little convincing, but we decided it will be good to have everything planned. I can't believe we're going to have a baby tomorrow (Thursday at the latest). The next picture I post on here will probably be of Baby Bru!

Nursery pics

Mom put the nursery together for me today! It looks so great! Like I could actually have a baby in there! Ha!

Dr. Appt

I had my weekly check up today and the doc checked my cervix. No dilation, but I'm 50% effaced, which means I'm thinning out. Once I'm 100% effaced, labor could happen any time! She also said that his head is very low.

She said that she could "stretch me out" so we're going to wait until next week to do that. My parents will be back here by then. I told the little guy he can come anytime next Monday or after!

38 weeks

Well, down to the last 2-3 weeks! I'm having weekly doctor's appointments now. At the one last Tuesday, Dr. Johnson did a short ultrasound to check the baby's position. He's head down, so that's good. he switches from the left to the right side pretty much daily, but he's pretty much in the right position. He hasn't "dropped" yet, so I'm hoping he'll hang in there at least another week or so. My parents are coming back to town on Memorial Day, so he can come anytime after that!

On Wednesday, Scott's department at work threw us a diaper shower and we got quite a supply! I think we'll be all set for at least a week or two! LOL! It was great finally getting to see where Scott works and getting to meet all his co-workers. They all really love Scott (no surprise there) and I think they were just happy to have a reason to take a break and have some snacks and cake!

I don't have the nursery completely set up yet, but Baby Bru won't be in there for a while. We've got the basinett set up in the bedroom and I've got the bedding and clothes all washed and ready. One of the cats, Aubie, thinks the we got the changing pad just for him (pic below). He's got a shock coming! I've got my hospital bag packed and I'll probably start keeping it in my car this week.

I'm still feeling pretty good. I get a little tired walking up and down stairs, and I've been getting cramps in my legs and hips, but for the most part, I'm still feeling really good. I'm not to the point where I want him out yet. I think I'm really going to miss being pregnant, but hopefully we'll do this again in a couple of years!

Belly button is still not out, but it's close! Little man pushes on it from the inside a lot, like he's trying to push it out! Too funny!

36 weeks - the home stretch!

I had a doctor's appointment this morning. As usual, everything is normal. My uterus is measuring 35cm (cm are supposed to match your weeks, so I'm pretty close). I gained my 2lbs over the last 2 weeks. He was moving around a lot during the appointment and when Dr. Johnson put the doppler on my tummy to hear the heartbeat, little man pushed back and his heart rate went up to 177! She said "wow, he really doesn't like his space invaded, does he?" I told her he's very territorial! :o) He's still head down, so that's good too. Next appointment is on 5/12 and that one will have an ultrasound, so we'll get to see him one more time before he makes his "official" appearance!