Pictures and nightly news...

Tristan loves to sleep in someone's arms or on someone's chest, but hates to sleep by himself...unless it is during the day, which he sleeps just fine wherever...figures... So, anyways, we are having some difficulties at night. The night before last, I had put Tristan down at 8:00, and he slept for 3 hours until 11:00. My plan was to do the same last night (get into some sort of routine), but he didn't like that plan. He was wide awake and fussy until 10:00. No matter what I did, he just wasn't happy. So, Nate told me to hand him over to let me get ready for bed. Of course, Tristan just cried...but then stopped suddenly. I walked out of the bathroom to see what happened, and he was sound asleep on Nate's chest! Guess he just wanted dad last night! He slept until 12:30, then I was up with him until 4:00 -- he just wouldn't stay asleep! About 3:30, I had a good cry (not a good night's rest for 3 weeks eventually leads to a cry) and then had an ice cream sandwich. I finally decided that I would change him, nurse him once more, then let him cry himself to sleep. So, I barely even rocked him before I laid him in his crib, closed his door, closed our door, and turned off the monitor (don't worry, if he started screaming, we would still hear him). He didn't wake up until 7:15! Go figure! I guess I'm too responsive to his whimpers, cries, noises. Gonna try the whole "no monitor" deal again tonight...can't hurt to try! Anyways, someday, I'll get a good night's rest -- just hope it is before I have to return to work!

Here are a few more pictures, mostly of him of course! We took some family pictures today (had a free coupon for an 11x14), and some of just him. We'll see them next Saturday. He was wide awake, so hopefully there will be some good ones of him :)


A picture of me and one of my best friends, whom we were able to share being pregnant together :) This is at her shower -- she is due May 3.


He loves to sleep curled up!


Just sprawled out like a monkey!


Love this close-up of him -- when he was first born.


Just love watching him sleep -- but would love it better at night...


One of his many faces!!

Pics of the little man :)

Not going to explain every picture -- don't have a lot of time. Just wanted to show off some pictures :) The one of the bear is at 1 week. Can't believe he is already 2 weeks old! Went to the doctor yesterday and he weighed 7 lbs 6 oz -- sure is growing!!!

What a precious boy!!!

We have the most precious boy in the world :) We had our second night just the three of us, and he did great! He allowed mom and dad to get some much-needed rest, while getting those feedings in as well. Not much fussing at all, thank goodness! He actually slept really well. I know every night will be different, but we were grateful for last night. Anyways, here are some more pictures of our little man :)


Isn't he just the cutest?!


We are just about to go to the doctor for our check-up. Everything looked great! He was born at 7 lbs, went home at 6.6, and at his check-up, he was back to 6.9. Doctor was very pleased with his progress.


Mimi (Nate's mom) took him out for a walk -- it was a beautiful day, and he really seemed to enjoy it. Hopefully he will like the outdoors -- I mean, he is a camp baby!

sorry

Sorry, pictures are all different angles...don't have time to fix...have a newborn now!

Baby Boy Tristan!

So, little baby boy Tristan is here! To our surprise, he decided to come 5 days early, two days after our doctor told us to expect up to two more weeks -- up to our induction date of March 17. But it seems that Tristan already has a mind of his own, and he was ready to come into this world! I went to work on Thursday with some back pain and cramping and several co-workers told me that I was probably in pre-labor, but I was still expecting several more days, at least. However, Friday morning, 1 am, I woke up with contractions, although they were about 6-7 minutes apart. By 5, we decided to head to the hospital, just to get checked out, and stopped at IHOP for breakfast -- I wanted a good meal before going into labor! At the hospital, I had not dilated anymore and my contractions were irregular, so they said we could go home and wait or spend the day walking around town. So, since we live 45 minutes from the hospital, we decided to stay in town. We went to a park and walked, went to an estate sale (got some baking dishes!), then went to Nate's sister's apartment to rest and continue tracking contractions. We rested, got some lunch, went outside and walked some more, and by 2:00, decided to try once more with the hospital -- by this time, the contractions were more around 4 minutes apart. Stopped by Wendy's and got a frosty (again -- want that energy!) and went to the hospital. By this time, I was dilated to a 3-4, so they decided to keep me, but told us to walk around the hospital for about 2 hours first. They didn't have a room for us yet. 2 hours later, I was at a 6-7 and ready for an epidural, but the epidural guy was in a c-section...so waited another 2 hours for my epidural :( Anyways, long story short -- he came just about 3 hours later (and an hour's worth of pushing!) at 10:16. Exactly 7 lbs (much smaller than I was expecting, but so glad for it now!) and 20 inches (and not as tall as I was expecting!). We have been here two nights now, hoping to go home in a few hours. Little guy is getting his little surgery now, so I had a few minutes to do this blog. Here are some pictures :)


Taken Thursday -- 39 weeks!

Random

So, this is just a random blog -- just some things that have humored me lately. First, I want to share two things I have seen lately while coming home. One was just down our road -- a huge cardboard sign that read "Lost Sick Yorkie -- Needs Meds -- Please call ###". I found that really funny, not to be mean or anything :) The other I saw today. Some "homeless" people were on the side of the road with a sign that read "Looking for God's people. Will you help us without lying?" I'm not sure exactly what they meant by the second part. What exactly would I lie about?

Anyways, I went to Walmart today to find my nephew a birthday gift for his second birthday. While looking around -- I noticed something so cute, I couldn't pass it up. Not for my nephew, but for Tristan. Now, understand this -- I have been so good about not buying anything for Tristan (we got so much at showers!) except some necessary items and a few clothing items at consignment stores (for about $2 each -- yes, I'm cheap). But, anyways, I saw this and just had to get it -- my little treat for my little boy :)










His own sock monkey! It was only $5, so I thought "Why not?!" Everybody needs to have a sock monkey growing up! It just makes me smile :)

Had my 38 week appointment yesterday. No change since last week, so just waiting. I did have "higher" blood pressure last week, but thankfully, that was back to normal this week. Strange though, I actually lost 1.5 lbs! Definitely not trying to -- I feel like I eat more than normal. Who knows... So, Nate and I decided to have a Sonic date last night and get some ice cream -- it was so good as always! Definitely feeling more contractions -- most are painless, but every once in a while, it will be a little achy. Nate thinks Tristan will come March 4 -- but I'm thinking either March 8 or 12. He also thinks Tristan will be 7 lbs 8 oz, but I think the opposite -- 8 lbs 7 oz. Guess we will see soon enough!

Full Term!

I'm full term!!! Goodness...how am I full term already?! Here is my 37 week picture. I think the kids at school think I will never have this baby! They just can't seem to understand that having a baby takes a long time :) Anyways, I had my 37 week appointment yesterday. I'm dilated to 1 cm and am 60% effaced -- whatever all that means exactly! My doc thinks I should deliver close to my due date, which is great with us. The longer he stays in, the fewer weeks I'll have to return to school once the maternity leave is over. I have also gained a grand total of 22 lbs so far, which is really surprising to me -- I thought I would gain a lot more during this pregnancy (but definitely not complaining!). Nate and I went yesterday for a hospital tour, which was really good for us since we haven't taken any classes and really didn't know what to expect. The lady that helped us was fantastic in explaining everything -- we feel much more at ease now. Tristan is just moving around like crazy these days -- I think he is ready to come into the world! Just hang in there a little while longer, buddy!