Tuesday, September 30, 2008

12 weeks...

Okay, we are a bit tardy in this posting... Life has been busy in the house! Nate and I have gone on walks, had lunches with friends, a baby shower, a birthday party and more!

Nate is growing up! He's looking less like a newborn and more like a baby - round checks, chubby thighs, etc. He's still loves to play airplane - if nothing else works to calm him down, that will. And my arms are getting a workout too! He's also not content just sitting - now he wants to stand. This boy may walk before he crawls!! He's also enjoying his hands. Especially when a finger finds its way into his mouth!

This week's events:
Day 77 - went on a walk with Mrs. Nicholson and Thomas
Day 78 - went to my mom's spiritual group. Nate loved looking at all the kids! Had a yummy lunch with Kelly neni.
Day 79 - Nate's really mastering holding up his head well. No need to support in while going up and down the stairs.
Day 80 - We went to a baby shower for Mrs. Garcia. Mrs. Gretencord was one of the hosts and posts about it here (she's much faster than me!) We also went to Mrs. Higgins birthday party - and what a fun them - make food that looks like something else. We made meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting.
Day 81 - Nate has taken to holding Daddy's thumb. Very cute! We also went to a local Steelers bar where Nate was able to watch the game. Boy does that kid like football!!
Day 82 - Went to our Mornings With Mommy today. Also borrowed a swing from Mrs. Gretencord. Nate is not to sure of it yet...
Day 83 - Nana came to visit today. Daddy left for another business trip, and Nana is here for the week. Yea!

photos of the week:
look at that smile...

My boy is standing!

Mrs. Higgins' birthday cake (and her husband made it)

look who is holding his head up!

he's kicking away...

Like father like son

His pondering look...

from our photo shoot...

At the Steelers' bar with uncle Justin (and looks who's watching the tv)

Eskimo kisses (Nate's favorite)

Look at those eyes...

Flying high...

My handsome boy!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

11 weeks...

This week was our first time away from Ryan. He had his first business trip up to Wichita, so we decided to go up to Ft. Worth and stay with my parents. I don't know how single parents do this!! It was great having their support. We got to visit with Aunt Amy and Michelle, my friend from high school Michael, and just hang around. And made a leisurely trip back by spending the night at Nana's on the way back.

We were at Nana's when Hurricane Ike hit Texas. We didn't get any rain here or in Waco. We did, though, get some evacuees and had a good visit with the Orantes family! It was nice to have some time to catch up. Luckily their house faired well, and they should have their power on soon.

If you read my birth story, you know we were wanting to use the Bradley Method of childbirth. I guess we did use some aspects of it, although I did have a c-section. This Sunday we were able to meet 4 of the other babies from the class. It was fun to see everyone now as parents - we are all first-timers!

Nate is also looking a little different now. He's not looking so "infant-like", and Ry noticed that he had eyebrows when he returned from his trip.

Nate has a new favorite game this week - flying! This is giving both Ry and me good exercise! He's also having fun with his arms - like banging them on his chest doing the "Tarzan".

This week's events:
Day 70 - Daddy leaves! We take Mama to work, Daddy to the airport, and then to Dallas to see Aunt Amy and Michelle. Had a nice visit. On our way back to Ft. Worth we pick up Mama and meet her co-workers. Nate is a hit!
Day 71 - Today we had brunch at my favorite high school hangout, the Ol' South Pancake House. Had brunch with my high school friend Michael. Grandpa had fun sticking his tongue out at Nate, and vice versa. We also called Dedimama and Nate chatted with her on the phone. He's also started to do the "Tarzan" - banging his arms on his chest!
Day 72 - Daddy returns! We pick him up from the airport and head down to Waco. Nate spends his first night at Nana's. Daddy also notices that Nate has eyebrows.
Day 73 - Hurricane Ike hits! No rain in Waco or Austin. We spend the day in Waco, and head back home that night. Nate has lots of fun with Nana.
Day 74 - Nate has found a new game to play with Daddy, flying! We just don't play just after feeding... We also house tia Lorena, tio Humberto and Sebastian. They evacuated from Houston and stay with us. We also went to the reunion of our Bradley class. It was fun seeing all the babies!!
Day 75 - Shopping day! We head out to the outlet mall in Round Rock. Have fun exploring and nurse Nate for the first time outside. Our friend and Ry's former roommate Chris comes to dinner and we have a great time remembering old times in college
Day 76 - Nate has the 2nd half of his shots. He did well, although just wanted to cuddle with Mommy the rest of the day. Our evacuees decide to travel back home. Daddy also has a night out with Uncle Justin.

Photos from the week:
My cutie

Nate and my good friend from high school, Mr. Brown (so, I think Nate may have more hair than him...)

Nate and tia Lorena

so who was born in 2008?

the Bradley babies from our class - Ira, Jonas, Zooey, Henry and Nate

blowing bubbles

Flying high with Daddy

Michelle and Nate


Photos from our recent photo shoot:






Wednesday, September 17, 2008

10 week photos

Here are photos, 1 week late...

Nate and his bathrobe

Already sitting up (thanks to his Bumbo seat)

Double-thumbing it!

Nose to nose with Daddy

Ready for his first Steeler's game

Geared up with Uncle Justin and Aunt Danielle

Friday, September 12, 2008

10 weeks!

We have moved to double digits!! Yea! Nate is doing great - growing and changing every day!! He's having much more fun with his hands - is surprised when they make it into his mouth. He's moving them around alot - not boxing anymore - now it's karate chopping!!

We've had lots of fun this week - Mommy's prayer group, Nate's 1st Steelers and Cowboys games, attending Gianna's birthday party and up to Ft. Worth to see Mama and Grandpa.

This week's events:
Day 63 - I finally cook my first multi-course meal since Nate has been born! Ry is quite surprised!! Had to open a bottle of wine to celebrate. Have to thank my meal prep place, the Studio Kitchen. I love that place!! I still have some frozen meals in the freezer!
Day 64 - We went to our first Mommy's prayer group today. Nate was excited to see Thomas - I think he is finally recognizing him!
Day 65 - Went and heard live music at Uncle Justin's church. Nate loved it!! And he slept through the night!
Day 66 - Caught Nate trying to put his entire fist in his mouth. I think he is surprised that it got there!
Day 67 - If one thumb is good, 2 must be better, right? Nate had both thumbs in his mouth when we went to brunch with our friends Alisa and Kevin. Nate also watched is first Steeler and Cowboys games today - and both won! yea!
Day 68 - We went to Gianna's 1st Birthday party today. Since today is also Mary, the Mother of God's birthday, Mrs. Gretencord had lots of fun, Marian activities. Can't wait for Nate to participate in them.
Day 69 - We drove up to Ft. Worth today to spend the week with my parents. Ry is leaving tomorrow for his first business trip. He'll be back on Friday.

Since I'm in Ft. Worth now, I will post the photos from the week on Sunday.

Check out what Ry has found for the blog - you can see on the "Recent Readers Map" where my readers are coming from. At least now I know where you blog stalkers are from :-)

Monday, September 08, 2008

thanks Daddy!!

A special thanks to Ryan for updating the look on this blog! Great job!!

and Happy Anniversary aunt Amy and uncle Derek!! 7 years! Whoop!!

9 weeks...

Well, this was the week. The week we begin comparing our son to everyone else. Yes, we had our 2 month appointment on Tuesday. Nate is now 23 inches (in the 50th percentile), has a 50th percentile head circumference, and now weighs 10 lbs 9 oz (30th percentile). The doc says he looks great, and gave him his first vaccinations. We are splitting them up, so we go back in a couple weeks for the 2nd set.

Nate also had his first road trip this week. We went up to Ft. Worth to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday! Happy Birthday Dad! We also flew in my brother Ted from New Mexico, and had a fun weekend. Tessa joined us too, although she was sick (and we later found out that she had pneumonia). We also visited Nana and Papa in Waco. Nate was a good traveller - especially having my brother and sister to entertain him in the back seat.

We also got to spend lots of time with friends this week - our first trip to the park, the airport, and met lots of Mama and Grandpa's friends! Nate is also getting more chatty, if we only knew what he was saying!

This week's events:
Day 56 - Nate focused on faces when I showed him photographs from his baptism.
Day 57 - Went on our first walk in the park, with the Nicholson's, Gretencord's and Higgins'. Talked to Nana on the phone today.
Day 58 - Went to the Austin airport to pick up Ted bacsi. We then drove up to Waco, visited Nana and Papa, and picked up Tessa neni. Finally made it up to Ft. Worth, met some of Mama and Grandpa's friends, and Ted bacsi totally surprised them on his visit! Mama fell over and hit her head on the couch!!
Day 59 - met my "2nd mom", Donna (Christina's mom) up in Ft. Worth. Slept 7 hours through the night.
Day 60 - Noticed the drool start to happen today. Met our family friends, the McCraw's, and slept again for another 7 hours tonight!
Day 61 - Happy Labor Day! Spent the day at Nana and Papa's and Nate mastered the art of sticking out his tongue at Daddy.
Day 62 - Happy 2 month birthday Nate!

This week's photo's
Nate at the park

Feeding the ducks

Nate's friend Gianna

Nate's friend Thomas

Mama and Nate

Ted bacsi and Grandpa grilling

Nate, me and Donna

Nate and Ted bacsi

Another Nate and Ted bacsi

Nate and Mommy

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

the birth story...

Many of y'all have asked to hear about Nate's birth story. Here it is, so you are warned! Sorry it took so long...but it is done (only took me about a month to write)! I probably forgot a few details, and Ry probably has a totally different perspective on it all!

Nate was due on June 19, but didn't arrive until July 2. We were going on almost daily check-ups that last week. On Monday, June 30 I was admitted to the hospital due to high blood pressure. The nurse asked if we wanted to be induced that night. My doc's wife's birthday was that day, so we decided to wait (since he would not be on call). We were there a few hours, and everything turned out okay, so we were released.

I got a call from my doc on July 1, since my enzyme levels were high (but still in the normal range), and he wanted to check me again. We went to the office, and my blood pressure was still high. Again to the hospital and the nurse was convinced I would be admitted. My enzyme levels stayed the same, so it was our decision to stay or head home. I asked the nurse if I could get some food (it was 1 pm by then and I had only a small breakfast) and she said no. That was the decision - we left and had a big lunch!

On Wednesday, July 2 we arrived at the hospital around 5:45 am to be induced. Since I had been there the past 2 days, we found out where the nice birthing room was (room 2) and requested it. It had great windows - with trees outside. You felt that you were in a treehouse. Luckily it was open and we got it! They started with the IV, and about 7:30 am my doc arrived and we started the pitocin. The contractions started - about every 2-3 minutes. My friend Sharon had given me the idea to offer each contraction for a specific intention. It was a great way to offer up the pain and pray for our friends and family. At this point I was still at 2 cm and 75% effaced. I also had a blood pressure cuff on that went off every 15 minutes.

A little later my doc came in and discussed breaking my water. We really didn't want to go that route, but since I hadn't dilated any more, he was concerned. He also wanted to use an internal monitor to see if the pitocin was causing strong enough contractions. We put him off, but by 11:30 am we gave in and he broke the bag of waters. At that point, my contractions immediately intensified. I couldn't focus any more on prayer intentions, and was even cursing Eve for bringing women painful labor with the fall of man! I couldn't seem to relax at all for my body to work.

About 1 pm I think I was checked at was up to 3 cm. The contractions were soo difficult. It was a very hard decision, but we decided for me to get an epidural. With taking the Bradley classes, and wanting to do things natural, it was a very hard for us to make. At that point, I felt I was not allowing my body to relax and dilate. I was worried I wouldn't have the energy left for pushing. I had the epidural at 1:30 pm and it worked immediately. I was like a different person. I could feel some pressure, and my legs were numb, tingly and cold, but I was finally able to relax. I did feel quite awkward, because now I had the IV, epidural, blood pressure cuff, internal fetal monitor and catheter. There were tubes coming out all over me. At one point I even had an oxygen mask too!

My mom, brother and sister were waiting at my house with my in-law's. I told Ry to call them and invite them to come. They came down, and Justin and Danielle joined them. It was good we had the big room now. It was great to have them around, and help distract me and chat. They had fun watching the monitor to see how often and how strong my contractions were.

About 4 pm my doc came in again. I think by now I was up to 4 cm, but still not progressing as I should (you should be dilating 1 cm an hour). Also I had been in labor for 8 1/2 hours. He discussed the possibility of a c-section. We wanted to wait.

He came back around 6, and I wasn't progressing. Talked about a c-section again. Neither I or the baby was in distress. He was just concerned about being on the pitocin so long. Decided to wait a couple more hours.

By 8 pm we had to make a decision. I really didn't want a c-section. Seems like all the women I knew (mom, grandma, aunt, cousin) went natural. I felt that I was cheating my labor, cheating my birth experience. But, my doc really thought it was important - that the pitocin may stop working after awhile, and it wouldn't help me post-birth. At this point I thought, I had don't everything so "non-Bradley" what was one more thing. I didn't realize until later how scared Ry was. He was soo afraid something would happen to me.

The family went to stay in the waiting room. They tell me they played dominos to distract themselves and Terri was praying the rosary.

At 8:30 pm I was wheeled into the operating room. There were 3 sets of support staff and nurses there - one for me, one for the baby, and one to assist the doc. They were all surprised that we didn't know the gender. Almost everyone thought the baby was a girl. Ry was able to come in, and sat next to me. We couldn't see what was going on. One of the nurses was taking photos for us, which was nice.

After some strange sensations and tugging, our child emerged from my stomach - at 9:17 pm. Ry saw the gender, but I could not. They then told him, "tell her". He said it was a boy. Everyone asked what his name was. Before seeing him I blurted, "Nathan James". Ry went when they cleaned him up, and then they brought him to me. I only saw him for a few moments, and then he and Ry were off to the nursery. He was able to carry him down the hall and the family was able to meet Nate right away.

Once Ry left, I started hyperventilating. I've been told that after you have a c-section, they actually have to remove your uterus from your body to stitch it up. I was not feeling well at all, and actually threw up. My doc then said, "Relax Alexis!". I stopped and the next thing I remember was waking up in the recovery room.

Ry and my mom came first. They kept telling me how beautiful Nathan was. But his temperature was low, so he had to stay in the nursery until it rose. Jim and Terri then came, then Stephen and Tessa, and lastly Justin and Danielle. Finally Ry returned and they brought him in. It was now over an hour since he was delivered. He went to my chest and tried to nurse. Within a few moments we were then moved to our post-partum room. The fam came in for a few moments and then left us alone to be a family.

My experience was nothing than I expected or planned for. I never would have thought I would get an epidural, or even a c-section. I had to keep reminding myself that my doc had my and Nate's best interests at heart. And that is all that mattered.

Ry probably has a little different experience...probably need to get him to write his down too!

Here are a few pics from that great day - July 2, 2008!

the parents-to-be

in labor and delivery, after the epidural

the waiting room

Welcome to the world, Nathan James Dobson

Nate getting cleaned up

Mom anxiously awaiting to meet her son

Meeting Mom for the first time

the family, just moments after Nate was delivered

Our complete family