one week old

Wow - the last week has flown by. Being home has been great and a little overwhelming and scary at times.

Miles is nursing like a pro. I am so so so fortunate!! I know a lot of moms struggle with breastfeeding. So far so good. He did lose about a pound in the first few days until my milk came in over the weekend. We had a weight check with the pediatrician on Monday, and he had gained about half of it back. We go in for another check tomorrow so I hope he's on track. He's certainly filling out nicely.

He's a pretty good sleeper and getting better. He had a few 2 to 3 hour stretches of sleep last night, and I felt like a new woman today!

Ben went back to work on Tuesday, and it was tough for all of us. My mom has been here to help out with everything from burping to laundry (and lots of cuddling). It's been so wonderful to have her around. What are we doing to do next week? I guess it'll be time to settle into a new routine then.

Miles likes to look out the window from his diaper changer.

We've been spending a lot of time in our rocking chair!

Miles Allan Libert

Our entire world has changed since the last post! Miles Allan was born Tuesday, June 22 at 3:43 p.m. He weighed 8 lbs 9 oz and measured 20.5 inches.

The induction went better than I anticipated. We "checked in" at the hospital Tuesday morning at 12 a.m. After 90 minutes of getting settled, my IV of pitocin began and we slept as much as we could. By 6 a.m., my contractions were steady and getting stronger. My doctor came by around 7 a.m. and broke my water which sped up the contractions to about 90 seconds apart. The wonderful epidural arrived around 9:15 a.m. So far so good!

Dilation took the longest... well, 2-5 took 3-4 hours. 5-8 took 1.5 hours and then I was a 10 and ready to push around 2:15. This was definitely the scariest part. Holy crap. No book or class could have prepared us for this. Unfortunately, the baby had flipped over and decided to come out sunny side up instead of face down. (I did the same thing, apparently, so Miles takes after mommy on this.)

My pelvis didn't want to accommodate Miles' 14 in. head and chest so pushing was a challenge. It may have been an easier angle had he been face down (so I hear). After a little over an hour of pushing, my doctor grabbed the forceps and pulled Miles out (breaking my tailbone in the process). Ben didn't get to "officially" cut the cord because it was wrapped around Miles' neck. It took us all a few seconds to realize IT'S A BOY!! Our little guy was so shocked from the forceps and cord that it took him a few seconds to get a cry out. When he did it was the most the beautiful sound I've ever heard.

Ben was a great coach and my mom being in the room was super helpful too. I couldn't have done it without their encouragement and support.

Even now as I write this I can't believe it's over. We did it!

final countdown

Less than 48 hours until our lives are forever changed (unless baby Libert decides to come sooner -- just waiting.)!

We've been putting the final touches on the nursery. Besides our rocking chair (coming soon) and a few accessories, it's ready! Until you can all see it in person, enjoy the tour!

waiting game

I wake up every day wondering if THIS is the day baby Libert will debut. I'm definitely feeling the signs of early labor -- effacing and dilating according to OB - yay! Back pain, occasional contractions, etc. are setting in. 

We're still hoping baby decides he/she is ready the next few days. Maybe a Father's day gift for Ben?

Plan B is an induction for Monday night (well, Tuesday morning) at midnight. Exciting to think we'll be parents this time next week. The suspense is brutal!! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers! 

bump watch - 38 weeks

I keep wondering how much bigger I can get....38 weeks and still growing...

And a sneak preview of the baby's crib!

this time next week...

Unless the baby decides to come between now and early next week it looks like we'll be heading in for an induction! My OB doesn't think we should wait until 40 weeks just in case I'm carrying around a 10 pounder. So say a prayer for early labor...and induction or not, the strength for me to push this little girl or boy out!

The to do list is pretty short. Hospital and pediatrician: check, check. Hospital bag is mostly packed. Baby's room is almost done. Bassinet is ready and waiting!

We're telling the baby we're ready. Let's hope she/he isn't as stubborn as mom.

say what?

Our ultrasound today showed the baby potentially weighing 8 lbs and 15 oz. Despite all the modern technology, that guess could be off a pound either way. I am very much hoping we are closer to 8 and not 10. With 2.5 weeks to go, the baby could gain another pound too... Only option is to wait and see! I'm hoping baby tells us when he/she is ready (maybe a bit on the early side) and I have the strength to get through labor ... no need for induction or c-section necessary. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

stuff I'm putting off

Seems like I should have made these decisions made by now...

• Where the heck I'm delivering. We took another hospital tour today and I still can't decide. I guess I'm used to the hospital where my mom works having spent so much time there growing up. I have all these visions in my mind of what labor and delivery/post partum should look like. Nothing is measuring up. 
• Who our pediatrician will be. We've narrowed it down to a few doctors within a practice. I'm going to try a "new mommy" interview this week. 

Other big thing to do this week is get the car seat base in the car and checked out.

Meanwhile, the nursery is 75% done. We're getting our rocking chair upholstered, and Ben is finishing the mural. Then just add baby. It's fun to hang out in there and imagine our little one.

3.5 weeks...not that I'm counting

I had my first weekly appointment yesterday and everything is right on schedule. My doctor is sending me for another ultrasound on Monday to get a better idea of how big the baby is...

We're as ready as we'll ever be at this point, but not in a hurry necessarily for the baby to arrive. He/she will come when ready (or so I keep telling myself).

We still have some work to do in the nursery. The floor, trim and baseboards are done and looking so so great. Ben did such a good job. The mural is in progress. I promise I will post photos soon!

The names are mostly decided. We're still not 100% sure, but I think we'll know the right decision once the baby arrives...right?