Awww...

Sam has his first ear infection :( . Poor guy can barely eat cuz it hurts. He also won't fall asleep unless he's being held, so today Brian was holding him on the couch to put him to sleep and they both fell asleep together. Here are pictures:


In th bottom one, Sam is grabbing Brian's shirt.

Happy Day

I fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans!! YAY!!! It only took 4 1/2 weeks to lose the weight (it helped that a big chunk of it was water retention from the toxemia), but I was shaped so differently that I couldn't fit into my pants yet. 8 weeks after giving birth and they slid right on! I'm telling you, nursing is THE best weight-loss program I've ever used. Sam is just sucking everything right off of me. Unfortunately you can only use it after giving birth. And you can't use it permanently. But the weight side effect REALLY makes all the pain and frustration of the first 6 weeks of nursing totally worth it. Sorry if I'm bragging, but I'm just so excited to get those pants on again!

Halloween pictures and other

Sammy is all smiles

The first one was taken a few days ago, the rest were taken this afternoon while all of us were hanging out on the couch. He is such a Ham.




Ok so lately Sam has enjoyed having me (Brian) around. If Jenny is changing his diaper and I am there he will smile and talk. But as soon as I leave he gets his little boo-boo lip out and looks for me. I was playing with him before bed and this is what he did for about an hour. He really is a Daddies boy, and I love it.

Sam's Blessing

2 weeks ago we had Sam blessed in Brian's Parents' ward in Boise. Here are a few shots taken a few days later of Sam in his Suit.

Sam's Baby Pictures

We had these pictures taken when Sam was 2 weeks and 5 days old. We've had them for a little over a week, but I'm just now getting around to posting some of them. Enjoy!

Sam a very happy boy

BIG SMILES

Updates

Okay, so its been a little crazy on this end. Sorry we haven't updated the photos for a while. Here are some pics of Sam from the last few weeks. The first one is from his first bath at home, thats why he's making such a funny face.

How Sammy Got Here

Brian did such a great job posting pictures while Sam and I were in the hospital. I thought now that I am out and things have settled a bit I can do a little bit of filling in the gaps.

Its probably a little obvious that I wasn't induced, seeing as how the pictures started showing up long before Tuesday night. Saturday night Brian and I went for a nice long walk to Horkley's and back via the park paths, and shortly after we got back I started to have contractions about every half hour, but they really didn't feel that bad. That was probably about 10 or 10:30. We watched a movie and just kind of chilled. After the movie was over we talked for a bit and then tried to go to bed. Of course, as soon as I started trying to sleep the contractions started to hurt fairly badly. So, I didn't sleep, but I started tracking them more closely while Brian slept. I woke Brian up about 1 am and told him that I thought we were at the beginning and about that time they jumped from 10 min to 5 min apart. We decided to wait an hour and see if they stayed that way or if they were going to go away. They didn't. So we headed up to the hospital...albeit a little earlier than they had told us to but I was not enjoying the pain. It ended up being a good thing we did.

When they took my blood pressure upon arrival it was 181/116. Guess who had developed toxemia in the last week of her pregnancy? Lucky, huh? Any way, so I was in the exam room from 2 am to 4:30. I stayed dilated, but my contractions weren't getting any closer together, just stronger and they were lasting a lot longer than they should. They went ahead and admitted me even though I wasn't really progressing just because my contractions were so intense. About six o'clock I had progressed another centimeter, so they gave me the epidural and at 8 the doctor broke my water.

By 10 I was still only a 4, and Sam's heart rate started to get really erratic. I was bleeding a lot and the doctor said that all of it was probably because of the high blood pressure which looked as though it was causing my placenta to shut down. He said if I was even to a 7 he would be willing to just keep and eye on it and let me go further, but if in the next hour things didn't calm down I was looking at a c-section. An hour later his heart rate was still low and I had only dilated half a centimeter. So a cesarean became the best option before things got too bad.

So, Samuel was born by cesarean at 11:49 am, weighing 7 lbs 9 oz (a whole pound shy of his estimated weight which means I was doing a good job controlling the diabetes, yay for me!) and 20 in long. They had warned us that c-section babies have a tendency to need oxygen for a few hours after birth because they just have a hard time breathing on their own, but he came out screaming his head off and turned pink really fast. Brian went to the window between the operating room and the nursery while they cleaned him up and asked how his breathing was doing and the nurse told him very emphatically that he was breathing just fine and wouldn't need any oxygen or any other special care. So while the doctor was finishing up on me, Brian was able to hold him and bring him over for me to see. I had been so afraid of not being able to see my baby for hours after having him that this was a particular blessing.

I've been healing from the c-section pretty well, and Sam is healthy and growing. He's already changed so much. The diabetes has gone away (thank goodness), but the toxemia unfortunately hasn't so I am on medication to help lower my blood pressure. I think its still hanging on because it didn't set in until very late in the pregnancy, and we hope that in a few weeks it goes away. Already the swelling is almost gone in my feet where it had been worse than before I had him. So that is where we are at right now. Just trying to adjust and get this feeding thing down. But all three of us are doing pretty well.

Welcome Home!!!!!

His First full day

This is day number two. He is the best baby.

Samuel Brian Fletcher

He's Here!!!!!!

Induction

So we went in for the ultrasound yesterday and they estimate that he is about 8 1/2 lbs. right now. Oh, and it is most assuredly a boy. Fortunately, the placenta looks good and nothing else seems to be out of the ordinary. However, because the placenta is in good shape that means he is still getting bigger. So I go in on Tuesday night to be induced (unless he comes on his own before then). They're going to try something called a foley induction over Tuesday night and that will be without chemicals. If that doesn't work, Wednesday morning they'll plug me into the pitocin. Not my first choice in how to have this little guy, but what can I do? The indications that he'll get too big if we go beyond the due date are definitely there, and there are still the risks of the placenta being cut off. Besides, this means I won't have to buy any more insulin or syringes (which I would have to do otherwise) before he comes. And we have a deadline, which is nice.

As for the chances of me going into labor before then, well, they're not out of the question. We've been doing a lot of walking this week. Yesterday I got brave and did a two mile trek to a store across town with Brian following in the car. It didn't do a whole lot more than just wear me out and make my back hurt really bad. We've also been trying all the other tricks people have told us, including spicy food which I had been having a hankering for anyway but am now done with. The doctor said he is definitely engaged in the birth canal, but not very low...he just doesn't move out when his head is pushed on. I'm 80% effaced and dilated to 1.5 cm. At least my body is doing something, which means the likelihood of this induction turning into a cesarean are lower. He said I was pretty flexible. Who knows, maybe the foley will be enough. Brian's sister-in-law's sister was able to go into labor with just the foley, so here is hoping.

I really do have a more recent picture of the belly, but we've already packed up the cameras and put them in the car so I can't post it right now. It probably won't get posted at all seeing as how once he's born, pictures of our little guy are going to take priority. I can't wait to see what he looks like. We were able to see video of Brian at five months old a few weeks ago, and I had a dream last night that he looked just like that (size and all) at three days old. Somehow I doubt that will happen.

Just an Update

So, 38 weeks and 2 days today. The body is definitely getting to its limits and letting me know...but I am grateful that it isn't nearly as bad as some of my friends have had it. Just within the last week we had to go to Wal-Mart and buy me some flip flops that were 1-2 sizes too big in order to fit over my feet comfortably. Before that my feet would puff up but my sandals still fit. Now my feet are even bigger than they were when we went shopping for the flip flops and I am amazed at what a change can happen in one week. My mother seemed to remember that it was the Sunday before she had me that her feet got too big at church to get her shoes back on....so maybe this is a good sign that I'm close. I've been having contractions (I'm pretty sure they're the real deal now and not just the braxton hicks) about every 1 to 2 hours. But from what I've been told that can go on for quite a while. It feels like cramping at this point. Not like the worst cramps I've ever had, but somewhere in the middle. Next week (on Thursday) we go in for an ultrasound to estimate the baby's size and growth, and just to make sure the placenta is still looking healthy what with the diabetes possibly taking a toll on it and all. If they think he is getting big too fast they'll likely recommend induction. And if they're really concerned he's too big they'll want to do a c-section...neither option is really appealing to me at the moment. Obviously, if the placenta looks unpromising they will want to get him out asap. One thing is for sure, though: they aren't likely to let me go too far past my due date with the diabetes. So, just a personal request here that you guys will keep us in your prayers and ask that he'll come on his own before we have to take any drastic or semi-drastic measures. It would be much appreciated.

Hooray!

No, we don't have a baby yet, but we're celebrating other good news. My sister is engaged! I've been hearing rumors of an "unofficial" engagement for a little while now, but he popped the question last Wednesday and she has a ring, so it is now "official." No date yet, but we're all really excited that they're getting married. I still haven't met him yet, but if Tiff is in love he must be wonderful. What I do know about him is that he is a dentist and has been teaching dentistry, but after they get married he is looking into working somewhere out of the country...Saudi Arabia being choice #1. So, congrats big sis, and good luck with the heat and humidity ;)

Yet Another Post

I know, I post stuff on here a lot...especially lately. But what else am I supposed to do with all my free time? I've had a birthday, so I am officially a quarter of a century old. Sorry, we didn't take any pictures. Brian asked me what it felt like to be half way to fifty, and I said it didn't feel any different that being on the other side of half way to fifty...besides, I still have another 25 years (which is really like another whole lifetime to me since I've only had that many so far) before I get there. I think Brian might have been hoping that I would have a mini quarter-life crisis kind of like he did when he turned 25 two years ago...but I really don't think its that big of a deal. Maybe its because, as a woman, I have a longer life expectancy than he does. We'll see how I react to 30.

Friday we had a baby doctor appointment. Because of the diabetes they are having me get hooked up to the heart and contraction monitor once a week from now on just to make sure everything is okay. Friday was the first time we did it, and the little stinker would not hold still. He REALLY didn't like having things pressing into his space, and he let the machines know it. They had a bother of a time trying to get a steady heartbeat because all of the movement was throwing off the readings. The nurse said we got the award for most active baby of the week. In the end, though, the doctor said everything looked good and healthy, and his plethora of movement added to that conclusion. I have a feeling this one is going to be a squirmy little guy...and that he is more than likely going to take after me in energy level (have I ever mentioned I was ADHD as a child? I grew out of it, but I really was and we have home movies to prove it). The only question now is will he have my energy AND Brian's "creativity" (that is my kind way of saying he was always in trouble)? Because that would be a loaded combination. Perhaps its best to get the mothers' curse out of the way in one shot at the very beginning rather than having one like both of us towards the end when we don't have as much energy to keep up. Still, it makes me wonder...and worry a little bit.

Our ward and stake are going through some pretty big changes in the coming weeks. Next week we get a new bishopric, and the week after that our stake is being reorganized. A member of the stake presidency let leak in Elders' Quorum yesterday that we're going to be out of the stake we're in, and even meeting in a different building with a different schedule. I don't think I'm going to believe it wholly until I hear it from the pulpit. We also had a personal change that won't take effect for a few weeks, but its still going to be an adjustment: Brian was extended a calling to serve in the bishopric of one of the singles wards on campus. He doesn't have to do anything until the semester starts next month, but its still going to take some getting used to. Our records will still be in our ward, and that means that more than likely I will be attending our ward by myself (with the baby) the majority of the time. Brian really wants me to go with him at least a time or two a month, but that will depend on what commitments I have in our ward (which may change with the new semester), and on the preferences of both bishops. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see how everything plays out.

He likes to move it!

I couldn't believe my luck! Normally when the baby is moving enough to see it from the outside by the time I can get anyone to look he stops. Now I have proof! I was just sitting on the couch and he started wiggling, and I realized that the video camera was sitting right next to me...but that the battery was dead. And then I realized that (miraculous occurance) the digital camera was sitting in the same bag, was charged, and had the memory card inside it! The music in the background is from a movie, but its funky enough that he could be dancing to it. Some of the movement is just my breathing, but I hope you can tell what is him. I definitely can. Sorry if the purple stripes are a bit distracting...

A New Belly Shot

Here I am at 34 weeks and 3 days pregnant.

Whohegonnalookalike?

With "warm-up" contractions setting in (we've been assured this is nothing to worry about at this point), I finally feel like we're in the home stretch, and I can't help wondering what our little guy is going to look like. In my quandering I pulled up baby pictures of Brian and I and was comparing them and picking out prominent features that he may or may not have. As I was looking at them, I thought it would be fun to post a few of them here to give all of you guys an idea of what kinds of genes we may have to pick from. Of course, he could end up looking like neither of us, but its still fun to guess what he'll get from who.

The Countdown

As of last Friday, I officially only have 7 weeks until my due date. Brian and I really started counting down at the 8 week mark, and we finally feel like we're getting closer. The baby's health is good (as far as we can tell), but mine took a bummer of a turn about a month or so ago. We did the routine gestational diabetes test and, sure enough, I have it. So we had been trying to manage it with just diet and exercise, which didn't work...and then did for about a week and a half...and then didn't work again. So they put me on a pill that also didn't work and even had some not so exciting side effects (nausea and vomiting), and that led to the decision last week to put me on a low dose of insulin once every morning. Today is my third day giving myself a shot, and it still hasn't gotten any easier, but my blood sugar seems to have leveled out. However, now we are not only counting down the weeks to the arrival of our baby boy, I am also now counting down to when I no longer have to give myself a shot and when I can start eating the good stuff again from time to time. Obviously, I need to still monitor my carbohydrate intake to some degree from here on out since this raises my risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life. But I won't have to watch it as closely as I am now. I just have to be more aware. And as a reward for good eating behavior during my last trimester, Brian has promised that once the baby is born he will track down whatever desert I request after delivery. I already have a hankering for Coldstone's Black Forest Dream. Mmm.

6 weeks 3 days until due date...and hoping he doesn't come very late.

4th of July

Our Independence Day was fun. We started out with the parade here in town. It started at 10 am, but Brian and I volunteered to save seats at Porter Park for everyone so we showed up at 7 am. It was a pretty good parade, though I have to say it gets harder and harder to see anything each year because the kids hunting for candy get less and less considerate. Many of them are down right rude, and there parents are no where to be seen. Oh well, sooner or later it will lead to a no candy throwing rule because some kid is going to get hit by a float and their parents are going to sue the city even though it was their own fault for not taking care of or supervising their child.

We spent the afternoon just hanging out, and in the evening we had a BBQ with Brian's parents who were in town and Karl and his family. About 9 pm we started shooting off our own fireworks. Once all of the kid friendly ones were done, Karl's kids went inside and Brian's parents went home. Then Brian and Karl brought out some other fireworks that were, well, not so kid friendly. Nothing too serious, but after having one hit me in the foot and another scatter debris above my head, I decided I was done, too. So Brian and Karl finished those off by themselves. And that was the end of the night. We had a pretty good time all in all.

June Happenings

Okay, so I've been slacking a bit...now I hope to make up for that. Here is what we did in the month of June:

Family Reunion
Brian's mother's family does a big reunion every year. Because Grandpa and Grandma are getting up there in age and their health hasn't been too good lately, this year's reunion was held on their farm. It was a lot of fun, and Brian especially enjoyed helping out with the farm chores. One of the activities that Brian's mom does every year at the reunions is to fill some jars up with candy and then hold a guessing contest to see who can guess how many pieces are in the jar. The winner gets the candy. Well, the first day the candy was gummy worms. Brian guessed the closest, but unfortunately someone had left the jar out in the sun. So, if you've ever been curious what would happen if a jar of gummies got melted, here it is.

They also had horses, and that was what Brian was looking forward to the most was going horseback riding. He hadn't been for at least 3 years.

Brian's Birthday
Towards the end of June was Brian's birthday. He had been bugging me about whether or not I was going to make him a cake all week, so I decided to make a small one that I knew both of us could finish before it dried out. So, I made the cake, and was trying to be all Martha Stewart-y by putting it onto our really nice cake stand that we got as a wedding present. It fell apart. So, I tried to piece it back together with frosting, and that wasn't very successful. In the end, we dubbed it the Cow Pie cake. If you are wondering why, see for yourself.

Needless to say, Brian asked very nicely if I could try making a new cake. So I did, and I let Brian get the cake out of the pan that time.

I have pictures of the 4th of July that hopefully I will get around to posting in the next little bit.