He has arrived!

My baby boy has arrived! He was born on July 14, 2011 at 12:56 PM. He was 6 lbs. and 19 1/4 inches. Today, we see the doctor for his second check-up since we left the hospital.

I actually went into labor. I have three kids, but I've never gone into labor before. On Wednesday night, I was having contractions, but I was trying to sleep. It felt like the baby was pushing on my bladder, and I must have gotten up 12 times to pee. In the morning, there was "bloody show". I have never had that either. So, we drove to the hospital in the morning, and I was having contractions every ten minutes. At first, the nurse suggested that it was a bladder infection. But, no, it was real labor. So, my c-section was scheduled for the afternoon, and soon after, our third child was born.

He is so sweet. We all adore him. My other two kids are very good siblings. They kiss him, hold him, and shower him with love.

I am still in pain. There is a nerve around my incision on the right side that hurts. At times, it burns and feels like a knife is being driven into my pelvis. But, it is getting better. I am still relying on prescription pain medicine, but weaning off it.

My husband went back to work today. He spent 11 days with us, and took care of everything. I took care of nursing the baby, and he eats very often and a lot! He has already gained back his birth weight. I am too tired to type any more. But, we are feeling so in love with this little guy, and so thankful for this blessing from God!

Helpful Hubby and the Final Stretch

I am a week from delivery! Its getting really exciting now. My husband has been wonderful. He is helping me a lot, because everything I do, causes me back spasms. I basically can just sit there. Except I can't just sit there! I do normal stupid things because I want to get things done, and then my back screams in pain.

Yesterday, it was vacuuming. I pushed the vacuum around the living room. And, I unloaded the front loader washer/dryer. That did it! I found relief with a heating pad, but seriously, its so hard to stop cleaning with this nesting instinct. I want to decorate the baby's room, but everything is so expensive here. So, I haven't decorated at all. I don't think the baby will mind. I probably won't really care next week, either.

DH came home last night, and helped me cook dinner. He did all the dishes (I can't even unload the dishwasher). He swept the floor. He made my kitchen look nice again. He offered to take leave (if possible) this Friday and Monday, to help me. I don't know if that will happen, but he is really looking out for me, and I love it.

My kids are helping too. They do all the chores that hurt me. Occasionally, I hear "I'm not your slave!" from my daughter, but I pay them for chores, so this is really really silly. I think they actually like helping me.

Yesterday, the diapers arrived! I have a chore of washing/drying the cloth inserts 5-7 times to prep them for diapering. It is a one time process, that makes the diapers fluffy and absorbent. They are very soft and fluffy. I have three washes left. I am using the kids to help me, or this long claw thing with a handle, so I don't have to bend. The diaper covers are so cute and tiny. I can't believe that he will have such a tiny little bum!

There was an article in the news this week, about a 16 lb. baby! That is simply crazy! At least, I don't have to push this baby out. But, taking home a 16 lb. newborn- Wow.

Oh yeah, and enjoy this picture of my son and "Danger Man"!

Big, Feeling Big

I ate too much, I think. I just am hungry a lot. Some women lose weight during the last few weeks. This is not me. I have gained a couple pounds every week, since week 30 when I got to Kodiak. Now I'm at week 37, so that's like 14 lbs, I think. I am drinking a lot, so as not to get dehydrated. But, over all, I have still gained less than I did with the other two kids. Well, I think so anyways. There is a little bit of time left. I am healthier. I don't eat sweets or junk food anymore. I'm not concerned about the weight gain-its the tightness. My belly is so stretched. And, its all out front. I have never carried my babies this way. Usually, I'm just wide and fat all over.

The Braxton Hicks are getting more frequent and I'm sore. I have a sore belly. I don't believe that its labor yet. But, I don't remember these sensations. There is lots of pressure lately. Maybe its my big fibroids? Gas? Active baby? I have no idea. My baby is still very active. That is good. But, there is not pattern to these contractions, so I'm not concerned. I'm just uncomfortable.

My husband comes home tonight. He was gone for three days. Then, I can go into labor. He doesn't go on anymore trips (I don't think so anyways).

I am tired. Today, we got the food shopping done. I cooked the kids waffles for dinner. The house is mostly clean. I read books with the kids. My daughter studied her spelling words before bed. She is a good girl. I am off to bed. Not much longer till baby, I hope!

The World of Cloth Diapering

I just ordered $95 worth of cloth diapers and wraps. I am so very excited! The cost of disposable diapers is ridiculous here. So, I took the plunge. Well, I should say, took the plunge again. I tried using prefolds with my daughter 8 years ago. I wasn't very good at this. But, this time, I enlisted the help of a new friend, who is successfully cloth diapering, and we found a great sale!

These things are cute, and got good reviews. I got enough to diaper for 1-2 days, and can order more inserts if I like them. My friend is giving me some prefolds to add to the collection, so I will have a great start. The covers can be used as our baby grows, I will just have to update the inserts with a bigger size, and the newborn size can be used to double the insert, and make it more absorbent.

Diapers here are about $11 a bag- that's between 40 and 60 diapers. That's crazy. With a newborn, I can expect 10-12 changes, so one bag will last me around 4-5 days. That's not even a whole week. Its around 70 dollars a month. So, in less than 1 1/2 months, this purchase will have paid for itself. And, then I just need to launder them. I don't pay for the water, and very little detergent is used. I am excited about this!

I bought fleece liners from Amazon (included in the $95) that should keep my little one's skin dry at night, and will be helpful to keep the diaper liners absorbent if I have to deal with a rash and use diaper cream.

This friend of mine was such a blessing! She hunted online for bargins, and I ended up ordering from a store where she has already made purchases.

After buying the diapers, I finally ordered Redi-shade blackout shades. I just can't handle sleeping when its not dark, and my eye masks are irritating. It is like sleeping in the afternoon, when we have a sunny day. Bright sun at 10 PM is just a big adjustment for me.

I also packed the bag for the hospital, minus some toiletries that I will buy tomorrow. I had another OB check-up today, and go meet my anesthesiologist tomorrow. Then, next week I will have my pre-op appointment, and the 19th, its BABY DAY! I still have to pack a bag for the kids. They will spend the night with a friend, so I don't have to worry about getting everyone ready that morning.

Now, DH is ferrying a helo to Washington, and won't be back until Thursday night, so baby, you must not arrive till after Thursday! I really don't want to have a c-section without my DH there.

Today, my belly was hard a lot. I had lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. The baby is kicking a lot, and I have bad back pain. I am tired out. I am headed to bed next, and its only 9 PM.