One Week Old

So apparently, yesterday's sun was too much sun! Little Baby got a slight sunburn on half his face. He was sleeping with his head to the side so straight down the middle of his face is a seperation, one side red and one side yellow! Needless to say, today's pool visit did not involve the little guy! I left him with Shuky and Uncle Sruly, they all needed some male bonding time! When I got back, we took a nap together - just me and the baby, that is. He's so delicious. Whenever I wake up before him, I just sit and stare. And take a few nibbles, here and there.
All in all, today was a semi-quiet day. As quiet as it can be with a one week old baby and house guests.
Alright, he seems to be getting up. It's about time for his next meal! I thought I had a little more time...
Good night everyone!

Baby and his new stroller

Bobbe (my mom) bought Baby the most beautiful stroller and it came in today. Shuky put it together for us and he LOVES it! Of course, he had to have his inaugural spit-up, which turned into about ten spit-ups. So the stroller is officially his, the territory has been marked!
We went and sat by the pool today to give him some sun. We are de-jaundicing him. My little man is also wearing a gold heart bracelet around his ankle. Extremely macho.

Deliciousness

I just wanted to post this picture...This is what I see first thing in the morning when he sleeps in my bed with me...

How can you not be obsessed???

...The Continuation

So, it's been somewhat hectic these past couple of days. But I'm sitting outside my house with my baby, enjoying the quiet and beauty - of my baby and outside the four walls of my house!
I never came back to finish writing about Shabbos so I'll just do a quick recap of how the rest went...
Lunch was nice, sort of a whatever-whenever kind of deal. The afternoon brought a few visitors...we have that huge window in the living room so people walking to and from shul saw us and stopped by to say mazal tov and meet the little man. And after the meal, people came to hang out...
Now, I may be biased, but I believe this child is a genius already! He rolled over from his back to his tummy all by himself! He has found his thumb and sucks it quite aggressively when his pacifier is not in place. He knows just the right faces and sounds to make to get exactly what he wants! Like I said, in my unbiased opinion, pure genius!
Saturday night was really tough, he kept us up the entire night. And, because my labor was so intense and the pushing so long and hard, my neck and back were extremely sore all weekend, to the point of not being able to move in any direction, in the slightest bit. So put that pain and annoyance together with a screaming baby and a serious lack of sleep and you've got quite a handful. Well, Shuky did anyway! Poor guy, new kid and wife crying together! I'm glad he didn't cry too!! (Not that he would, in case anyone is now questioning his macho-ness) Needless to say, Sunday morning was a bit hard. We had to go back to the hospital to have Baby's 'yellow-ness' checked out. And they were going to take a look at my neck and see if there's anything to do about it...Well, after the night we had, it was a bit rough getting out of the house but we finally made it. He got his blood work done and turns out the Bilie Rubin level was pretty high. And as far as my neck was concerned, they ruled out a spinal headache (a side effect of the intrathecal I got) and said all they could suggest was mild doses of tylenol and ibuprofen and they signed me up for physical therapy again (I say again because I had to go to PT during my second trimester for my sciatica). We went to Walmart on the way home, stocked up on a bunch more stuff we needed, had to make sure this baby really learned what it meant to be Iowan. When we got home, Rabbi Klien (the mohel) came by and told us we have to wait to do the bris. He said the earliest possible day is next Thursday. Basically, on Friday, at his first official appointment, they have to do the Bilie Rubin blood test again and if it is at a certain level, halacha says you have to wait seven days from that point to be sure that the body is completely healthy and able to handle it. So Baby it is for a little while longer! At some point in the afternoon, my headache and neck pains went away and I felt like a completely new person!
Anyway, last night was much better, he slept longer and wasn't as cranky when he was up. And my neck not acting up made it alot easier to handle the long hours and crying baby! I brought him into my bed when he got cranky and he slept really nicely for the last few hours of the morning, didn't wake up until around 7 or 8!
Shuky went to Minneapolis to pick up his mom and Moishy and me and Baby hung out all day. Rochel came over for some of the day and we all relaxed together, watched some TV, me and Baby napped for a few hours...worked a bit on getting the house ready for company!
Right now, we're sitting outside (like I mentioned before) and our neighbors (who have been around forever, I'm sure of it. And I mean FOREVER) just came over to meet the little one and see him in all his deliciousness! It's great living in a quiet little country town like this!
The little man is super excited to get to meet all the family - Bubby, Uncle Moishy, Aunt Mimi and his cousins Zalmy and Shaina, and tomorrow Uncle Sruly (is that what you want to be called?) is coming! He hasn't stopped asking me questions about everyone! And then when the bris finally rolls around, a whole new squad of family comes to town! Oh, the excitement!!!
Alright, now that I've updated this blog, I'm gonna sit here and enjoy the peace and quiet. And get some bills taken care of. I guess those things are important too.
Not as important as the blog obviously!

PS If anyone wants dibs on being called something in particular, let us know...we can be quite accomodating sometimes!

Shabbos Shenanigans

Shabbos as a Mommy was amazing! It was so emotional lighting a third candle.
Rochel stayed with us to help out and bond with her new nephew. She was such a good help!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!
We put the bassinet by the table and he was chilling with us for the meal, no fussing, because he's good like that, ka"h.
The Sholom Zachor was at my father's house and Shuky went right away after the meal. He got home around 3, I think. He said it was really nice and alot of people came. (The people who ended up not making it made a special point to come and apologize to him in shul the next day.)
The night was a bit tough, having been spoiled by the nurses who would whisk him off to the nursery so I could sleep and bring him to me when he would get hungry. I would really like it if they could install a call button on my bed and answer to me 24/7. Am I asking for too much?? But, we made it through the night - it really wasn't too bad...
He ended up sleeping in my bed after the last nursing and I just watched him. He's beautiful. And delicious. And makes the yummiest sounds and faces and I wanted to eat him. But I figured explaining that would be hard so I just watched him and sighed. Oh, and I spoke to him alot. He's a great listener! He's very alert so he just stares at you as if he understands and really feels for you.
Mommy duties call. My baby is having a hard time falling asleep.
To be continued...

Baby Brained Chani

So I just put a post on the wrong blog about our baby! Baby brain Chani, back in action!!!

So here is the post again...


As I'm sure you all know by now, on Wednesday July 23, at 1:11 pm, I gave birth to a BEAUTIFUL and quite large, baby boy! I was in labor for 24 hours, but apparently perseverance pays off! He weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long.
He is beyond delicious! I am completely obsessed with him and can't wait to be feeling like a normal human again so I can take pictures with both of us in them, and take him out for walks or drives or whatever we decide to do! Me and my boy are gonna be BEST FRIENDS!!!!!!!

Here are a few pics for anyone who hasn't seen any yet. After Shabbos I'll write some more about our little monkey...have some fun things to say about our hospital stay and some fun characteristic traits he has! And how much he loves his Mommy and Tatty!!!!!

Have a good Shabbos everyone and to anyone coming out next week, we can't wait to see you! Everyone else, hopefully soon we'll get to see you all and introduce you to our little man!!!!

Our Own Little Bigfoot!!!

So we went to the doctor today and had an ultrasound. There is some sort of 8 point test they do to make sure the baby is still in a healthy environment and our little baby passed with flying colors! Turns out there's a full head of hair which we got a funny picture of (looks like little wavy white things on the screen....pretty interesting!) They measured one of the feet, which was 7.76 cm long. Them be long feet!!!
Oh, and, I've mentioned before that the baby gets hiccups all the time...while she had the baby on the screen, it got hiccups and it was really funny watching the whole body jump with each hiccup. Even the ultrasound technician was enjoying it!
I'm finally at two centimeters!!! Score!
So the doctor decided to keep daily tabs on me. I have an appointment tomorrow and we shall see what the day shall bring!
Love you all...have a good night!

Harmony

We went to Harmony, MN today. Walked around, went sight-seeing, drooled over the expensive Amish furniture. Ended up buying a 2-chairs-and-a-table set for outside, at an antique shop, for $30...And randomly, we found a Kosher Chinese cookbook too so we got that too.

And now we're back home in the air conditioning, did I mention it was 93 degrees?

PS Still no baby for anyone wondering...

Yet another Shabbos come and gone...

Still no news. We were sure it would happen!!! Oh well. At least we didn't have a boring shabbos in the hospital! Last night, in middle of the meal, Shuky had a small asthma issue and he was getting all nervous that we would have to go to the hospital - for him, not me! And then he got even more nervous that he wouldn't be able to drive me if I did need to go. So me and the baby decided we would wait for him to be able to breathe again. We're nice like that!
We shall see what the next few days bring I guess...Monday is the tell-tale 'doctor makes a decision' day.
I don't want my kid to have a fast day as a birthday, but if it decides tomorrow is the day, then by all means, BRING IT ON!

Have a good night and an easy fast!

Have a good Shabbos!

Just wanted to wish everyone a good Shabbos!! We're gonna be home tonight and doing lunch out, at the Blooms...

Love you all. Good Shabbos!

Rain

Well, I guess when you complain about the heat and then you get rain instead, you can't complain again! At least there's a breeze along with the rain and we're only in the 70's!

Anyway, still no baby, still bored all day as I really can't do a whole lot! Gonna start making Shabbos plans...

Later.

95 Degrees

Wow, such high temperatures are not as much fun when your hugely pregnant! Which I still am, by the way! I went to the library today and took out some movies and turned my AC all the way down...time to veg out!!!!

Love you all!!! Keep those fingers and toes crossed....

Just so you know....

Still here. Officially one day overdue. Joy.

40 Weeks!

Just letting everyone know that NOTHING is happening. Had my 40 week appointment, A.K.A. due date appointment, today...still only one centimeter dilated. My doctor asked if I would cry when I heard the truth or should she lie...she's so good to me!
I have another appointment scheduled for next Monday. But good ol' doctor said she'll keep her fingers crossed for me that I see her before then. Like I said, she really takes care of me!

Not feeling too great, physically and moodwise, so off I go to sulk. Just wanted to let everyone know that there's nothing new to report. Two weeks later. Score.

...

It feels like every post lately sounds the same, I'm sort of at a loss for what to say. Nothing new to report. Still pregnant. Still waiting. Twiddling my thumbs, hoping this child wants come out and meet us eventually!!!! Shabbos was obviously uneventful. Ate both meals with the Blooms! Good food, good company, all makes for a good, calm Shabbos!

Alright, just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still Pregasauras Rex.

Have a good night!

9 months and counting...

I finally took the pictures I've been promising...seeing how huge I am may make it easy to understand why I've been so hesitant to take these!
And here's a side-by-side of the beginning and the end!

Enjoy the pics and have a good Shabbos!

Have a good Shabbos!

Just wanted to quickly wish everyone a good Shabbos. Not much to say here, except it's really hot. And everywhere I go, I get the same 'No baby yet?' comments. I would assume that that's a pretty obvious thing, making those questions unnecessary. But that's just me!

Anyway, I'm exhausted so I'm gonna pass out before Shabbos...have a good one everybody!

Yet Another...

Another fun night with not enough sleep. Those always put me in such a good mood in the morning!
But on a fun note, I just got off the phone with Zalmy in Monsey and he made a special request. They are going to the park soon so he wants me to have the baby at 1:00 today. If I don't mind. Because he would like to come play with the baby, but he really wants to go to the park...Priorities Chani, priorities!

Anyway, back to The Price is Right. Which will hopefully put me to sleep!

Blah

I slept a few hours last night, finally. But not enough. Still feeling like this is never gonna end and the contractions have been getting worse. Now I am getting at least one real contraction a day, usually more.

I'm sitting at work now but I'm about to go home. Starving, exhausted, want my house to clean itself. All in all, I'm in a pretty good mood!

Oh, this is definitely Shuky's child, in case anyone was wondering...this baby gets hiccups SO often! It's really funny too! Like two weeks ago, we were having a staff meeting at work and I was just watching my stomach. Every second, you'd see a little bump on the side - the hiccups actually make the baby jump and it shows!

Ok, time to go. Ciao ciao.

So I came home after the doctor. Sigh. Today was not the day obviously. But I did find out what to do, when, and where to go, when I actually do go into labor! So that's comforting to know...

I was actually really tired all day, due to the no-sleep thing we've (meaning me) got going on now! My appointment was at 9:30 and you're supposed to be there 15 minutes early so I was out of the house by 8:45. After the appointment, I stopped at Walmart. I only needed like 3 things and it took me FOREVER because I was just moving sooooo slow!! I worked a couple hours when I got back to town and then came home and crashed after a little straightening up...Of course, I finally fall asleep and all of a sudden, everyone and their mother calls. And my phone has this annoying thing (yay Motorola) where it beeps like every 5 minutes if you miss a call or get a text/voicemail. Needless to say, my phone and I are not on the best of terms right now.

Hopefully tonight will bring sleep! Good night to one and all.

Sleep No More

Alas, my sleep filled nights are over. I had hoped that would stick around until baby day, but no. Not to be. Had another sleepless night, counting down the minutes in the morning until it was close enough to the alarm time so I could wake up Shuky.

Today I have my 39 week appointment. I realized that I have no idea who I'm supposed to call or where I'm supposed to go when I do actually go into labor, so today I shall be finding all that fun stuff out.

Well, I'm going to try and get some more sleep before I actually have to go to the doctor...wish me luck!!!

EW

Miserable, miserable night! It's now 5:30 am, and the birds are all chirpy and happy outside and I've been up for about a half an hour already. Someone get me a gun, these birds need to go! I'm just waiting for it to get light enough for me to be able to read a book or something, don't want to wake Shuky up with the light...

One week left officially. Chana bas Zisl Shoshana, in case anyone knows anything special to say to make it happen or just to make it easier when it does!!

Have a nice day y'all.

Hancock

Just a thought; movies are extremely hard to sit through when you are nine months pregnant! I keep going anyway obviously. The theater is a few blocks from the hospital so I was kind of hoping we could go and just make a pit-stop on the way home, but, as I am sitting here writing this, that obviously didn't happen.

At least the movie was good!

Gut Voch

Just a quick note to let everyone know the baby is still kicking, from inside! Shabbos just ended and we ate out both meals and slept the entire afternoon. Not sure if we're gonna do anything tonight or just stay in and relax, but before I forgot, just wanted to let you all know I'm still waddling around over here!

Love you all, have a good night!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 'No Work Day' everyone!! I'm still here, large and waddly! We had a nice relaxing day. Shuky got up really early and went fishing with Dovid (Bloom) and we had bass for lunch!
We really just hung out all day, toiveled some wedding gifts that we never opened - never had the space in our other house so we kept things boxed up! We finally got our own dining room table a few weeks ago so we went and returned the other table we were using to my father's house. We went to someone's moving sale - didn't find anything good but we love looking at these sales!
What else, nothing really.
We were invited out for both meals for shabbos so we weren't really too worried about having to cook or anything....
Anyway, gonna go relax some more...have a good shabbos everyone!

Love you all and hope to be able to share some good news very soon! (ten days left till my due date!!!!!!)

Still Here!

G'morning-ish! I'm convinced that the baby has officially dropped. My sleeping in the last few days has been on a whole different scale! I'm actually sleeping! And falling asleep at a somewhat normal hour at night! Yay!!!

This morning I woke up with really bad leg cramps so I decided not to go swimming today but I'm gonna go for a walk with Stefanie and her kids, to the post office and then to hang out at the park! Fun stuff!

38 Weeks and 2 Days

So I had my 38 week checkup today and was really hoping to be whisked off into the delivery room for a easy, breezy labor and an adorable little baby to bring home. Today was a day for labor, just not mine! My doctor was in scrubs and everything, another patient of hers was in labor. I felt bad wasting her outfit so I told her to take me away...apparently being only 1 centimeter dilated just doesn't cut it. Silly baby. Silly me!

But, that reminded me of a funny story. When my neighbor (Stefanie Bloom) had her baby the week after Pesach, we went to visit them in the hospital. I came in holding flowers with an exciting 'It's a Boy!' balloon! Walking down the hall, a nurse came up to me and asked, "Are you in labor?"
Really lady???? Do people usually come fully prepared with balloons and flowers like that? And I was only about 7 or so months at that point. Great. Just when I thought I wasn't tooooo big!

Anyway, my doctor goes away tomorrow until the 11th. She said she thinks she'll still be the one delivering for me. Shucks. But, she also said she's been wrong before so I'll take that one!
We'll see if she gets to pull my baby out naked or meet it fully clothed!!

Sheesh!

It wasn't better today at the pool and I'm giving it one more chance before I give up on the pool being my 'vacation'. Sigh.

Movin' Kinda Slow

Another day come and gone. Chani is still huge. Holding the baby but still in my belly! I'm working on it, though. The past few days, at the pool, I've been doing laps-ish.

Yesterday was one of those days where I just felt like poop. I ended up leaving the pool after an hour instead of my usual hour and a half. I left work after two hours. Just stayed home and read/watched TV/slept.

Hopefully today will be better!