Thanks, friends and family, for all of your prayers and support!
As you know by now, baby Luke was born at 2:42 a.m. yesterday morning. And yes, he does indeed have a cool birth date that will always be easy for his wife to remember!
I kept many of you up-to-date even when we were waiting for the doc to arrive at the hospital, and then complete silence through last night, so here's a bit of what transpired during that time.
Baby didn't come all on his own, so my doctor broke my water to begin the "eviction" process. He was 12 days past his due date, and we decided it was time to move on!
The laboring process itself went extremely well, and by 7 pm I had the pleasure of seeing once again the anesthesiologist who gave me the epidural when I had Colin. Funny how I recognized him immediately! With his assistance, I was a happy woman through the remainder of the process of bringing Luke into the world.
Luke joined us as such a big boy! At 9 lbs. 4 oz., I learned that babies over 9 lbs. are automatically tested in intervals for blood sugar levels, so poor little guy has endured having his heel stuck numerous times, and his levels are just fine. He was just in the cooker for a long time making him a big boy!
Immediately after he was born, I begin to have the chills. That can be normal, but they got uncontrollable and I had a fever reach 104 which they couldn't get under control with some simpler measures, so I ended up with iv antibiotics and ice packs on my body. We still don't know the cause of my infection, but my fever is now gone and baby seems to have had no impact. As a precaution, however, we are both being held until tomorrow (at least) for observation.
So, mom and baby spent much of yesterday being poked and prodded and trying to rest while a parade of people came in and out of our room. And we fully welcomed baby's invitation to the nursery last night so we as parents could rest after our first all-nighter.
And here we are today with a gorgeous, sunny day in the PNW, and baby is sound asleep. He seems to be a fairly mellow lil' guy (and thus was in no hurry to leave mommy's tummy!) and we feel so very blessed! Thank you again for all of your prayers and support!
And now you know.....the REST of the story!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Humbled by a Pair of Socks
I decided this week that if baby wasn't coming, I wasn't just going to sit at home and wait. One morning while Colin was at school I ran a few shopping errands, which included scoring some fabulous deals at Old Navy.
As I was checking out, the woman in line behind me was waiting simply to buy a pack of size 6-12 month Halloween socks. I listened as she talked with another lady in line behind her. This woman explained that her grand baby, her first, turned 6 months the following day. The other lady commented how tough those first 6 months can be. The grandma replied that, yes, her daughter had had a tough pregnancy and the baby barely hung in there and was so little, but that he made it. It had been a long road.
Her daughter would have given anything for even two extra weeks with baby in her tummy, and there I stood, humbled that this grandma was just so grateful that she was able to buy a pair of size 6 month socks for baby's first Halloween.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of this extra time!
As I was checking out, the woman in line behind me was waiting simply to buy a pack of size 6-12 month Halloween socks. I listened as she talked with another lady in line behind her. This woman explained that her grand baby, her first, turned 6 months the following day. The other lady commented how tough those first 6 months can be. The grandma replied that, yes, her daughter had had a tough pregnancy and the baby barely hung in there and was so little, but that he made it. It had been a long road.
Her daughter would have given anything for even two extra weeks with baby in her tummy, and there I stood, humbled that this grandma was just so grateful that she was able to buy a pair of size 6 month socks for baby's first Halloween.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of this extra time!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Colin's First Day of School
Colin was so excited this morning, as he got to ride the school bus to preschool! His preschool has a special transport (some with special needs) and they each have their own seat belt -- it was cute to watch him get on board. His driver, Sherri, was sure to make him smile and I got a cute pic of him all settled in. I also had a great pic of him as we waited down the hill at his bus stop and I somehow deleted it. I gotta figure out what I did wrong before I delete a baby picture in coming days on accident! We have a newer camera with some sort of spin dial which I am not too fond of...
Colin went to this same school for the last 6 weeks of the previous school year with the same teacher and 5 other of the same students (4 others are new for a total of 10 kids in his class), so he's going back to a familiar place with people he knows, or I might have been a little nervous about sending our 3 year old off to school on a bus with a stranger!
I woke up several times last night dreaming vividly/having night mares that I would go into labor during the night before his first day of preschool school. Whew! Avoided that one!
Knock on wood, but here in a few hours I think we can all safely agree that baby has decided to be a September baby and thus he will certainly enter Kindergarten one year later, since Sept. 1 is the strict cut-off around here (smile!) He wants to be a football season baby and not a pool-party baby, I suppose! That outta make Grandaddy proud! Thanks for giving us an "extra year" to save for college, kiddo! Hey, someone has to be practical about the matter!
So, my big fluff ball, Elliot, and I are resting all morning while "Big Brother Colin" is off at school. I go see the Dr. again this afternoon and will keep you all posted. And for now, the baby car seat is installed, the pack-n-play is up, and my wonderful husband has the house all ready for the newest family member. He even pulled an ugly bush from the front yard yesterday....(though attaching a chain to the truck and pulling out anything at the roots is probably a great stress reliever....)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Last day(s) As An Only Child
I thought before the craziness hits of baby arriving I would capture a bit of what Colin is like BEFORE baby brother joins us.
Colin is 3 years and 3 1/2 months old and, as I had suspected would happen, has figured out how to throw some really good temper tantrums. These peak when we want him to nap or go to bed and are mixed with lots of yelling and "No, I won't do it!" as well as lying down and kicking and screaming. Sometimes I am able to laugh, knowing that this too shall pass, but when you are this big an pregnant it takes a lot of energy to think of creative ways to get him to his room for some much needed rest.
We have started taking toys away (favorites, like ALL cars, pirate ships, and his castle) and in recent days he is working on being cooperative (having a "happy heart") to earn back his prized possessions. And he's quite the negotiator and will even tell you which item he wants you to take next when he is planning to be disobey.
On the more cheerful side, Colin is making greater strides with his language and articulation, though we still have a ways to go. He uses longer sentences and does quite a bit of pretend play on his own with his Veggie Tales pirates and pirate castle. He saw "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" over the summer at the Regal Cinemas Free Kids Movie Day and now talks non-stop about the storyline.
His passion for anything from the Cars movie is quite intense and Cars have been a huge motivator. He potty trained this summer quite easily with the motivation of receiving a car for his success. At least one thing was easy, right? We didn't push him, and it just seemed to happen. I count this as a blessing, as many of his friends a few months older are still wavering between pull-ups and the real McCoy. If you had asked me in April if I thought this was possible I would have doubted you, but we have been very fortunate.
He played soccer all summer with a buddy from his PEPS group, and each Monday after soccer we would go to lunch with his friend and his mom. It has been such a blessing to watch their friendship blossom, and a Colin has spent all summer watching his buddy adjust to being a new big brother, giving Colin a sense of what to look forward to. These unexpected blessings of friendship for both Colin and me (with his buddy's mom) are such great gifts from God that help encourage us along life's way.
Colin had his first swim lessons earlier in August (without me in the pool with him) and though he had great 1-on-1 time with the instructor, he needed someone who woukd push him a bit more to put his face under the water. On one of the days he had a more mature (older) substitute instructor push him a bit more and he had his head under water several times, so I know he can do it! We will do lessons this fall, as well.
And last week he had his first day camp experience -- our local swim and recreation club had a dino camp-themed week and at the end of the morning each day he got to play in the wading pool for 30 minutes. He loved it and the weather was great! We'll definitely be signing him up for camp again next summer.
I'll close on this recap as I remember a tender moment with Colin the other night. I am not much of a sappy crying type of person, but I was having a bad night. Colin said, "Mommy's sad and needs blue blankie." He went to his room and got his beloved blankie and took the corners of the blanket and gently blotted the tears from my cheeks as if to say, "Mommy, it's gonna be all better." This tender, sweet side makes me so proud of his sweet and giving heart! Ahhh, the power of the blue blankie!
Colin is 3 years and 3 1/2 months old and, as I had suspected would happen, has figured out how to throw some really good temper tantrums. These peak when we want him to nap or go to bed and are mixed with lots of yelling and "No, I won't do it!" as well as lying down and kicking and screaming. Sometimes I am able to laugh, knowing that this too shall pass, but when you are this big an pregnant it takes a lot of energy to think of creative ways to get him to his room for some much needed rest.
We have started taking toys away (favorites, like ALL cars, pirate ships, and his castle) and in recent days he is working on being cooperative (having a "happy heart") to earn back his prized possessions. And he's quite the negotiator and will even tell you which item he wants you to take next when he is planning to be disobey.
On the more cheerful side, Colin is making greater strides with his language and articulation, though we still have a ways to go. He uses longer sentences and does quite a bit of pretend play on his own with his Veggie Tales pirates and pirate castle. He saw "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" over the summer at the Regal Cinemas Free Kids Movie Day and now talks non-stop about the storyline.
His passion for anything from the Cars movie is quite intense and Cars have been a huge motivator. He potty trained this summer quite easily with the motivation of receiving a car for his success. At least one thing was easy, right? We didn't push him, and it just seemed to happen. I count this as a blessing, as many of his friends a few months older are still wavering between pull-ups and the real McCoy. If you had asked me in April if I thought this was possible I would have doubted you, but we have been very fortunate.
He played soccer all summer with a buddy from his PEPS group, and each Monday after soccer we would go to lunch with his friend and his mom. It has been such a blessing to watch their friendship blossom, and a Colin has spent all summer watching his buddy adjust to being a new big brother, giving Colin a sense of what to look forward to. These unexpected blessings of friendship for both Colin and me (with his buddy's mom) are such great gifts from God that help encourage us along life's way.
Colin had his first swim lessons earlier in August (without me in the pool with him) and though he had great 1-on-1 time with the instructor, he needed someone who woukd push him a bit more to put his face under the water. On one of the days he had a more mature (older) substitute instructor push him a bit more and he had his head under water several times, so I know he can do it! We will do lessons this fall, as well.
And last week he had his first day camp experience -- our local swim and recreation club had a dino camp-themed week and at the end of the morning each day he got to play in the wading pool for 30 minutes. He loved it and the weather was great! We'll definitely be signing him up for camp again next summer.
I'll close on this recap as I remember a tender moment with Colin the other night. I am not much of a sappy crying type of person, but I was having a bad night. Colin said, "Mommy's sad and needs blue blankie." He went to his room and got his beloved blankie and took the corners of the blanket and gently blotted the tears from my cheeks as if to say, "Mommy, it's gonna be all better." This tender, sweet side makes me so proud of his sweet and giving heart! Ahhh, the power of the blue blankie!
40 Weeks and Counting
For my entire prenancy, as with any other women, people ask, "when are you due?" Friends and family, and so often complete strangers! Each time I would say, "August 27" as though that date had any meaning. And here we are, August 27, and I am resting in bed, waiting for any sign that baby wants to enter the world. Nothing; zero; nada! I have come to nick-name him "Mr. Snug and Happy!"
I'm actually not that impatient, as I'm not uncomfortable (by pregnant standards) AND I actually slept almost 7 1/2 hours straight last night. Usually my bladder isn't that cooperative! In just a matter of days I will be so bleary-eyed from a newborn that I will long for this quiet and rest. I will beg for it! So again, no recommendations of "just be patient!"
However, there is a little green monster named high blood pressure who is attempting to lurk his ugly head. I am only borderline high, but we'll see how things go at the doc tonight. Unfortunately I also suffer from white coat syndrome, so this isn't too helpful. So while I am patient for baby to come on his own, I would only prefer him to come sooner if it means beating an induction to the punch...
I have mostly packed my bags and have done most everything on my to-do list (if that is ever really possible.) The slow leak in my tire will just have to wait to get fixed some other time. We have my Grandad's air compressor in our garage, so it's no big deal to give the tires a bit of air every 2 weeks (I have never been happy with the tires Mazda factory put on this CX-7!)
Colin starts school on Monday, so the timing of his return to some structure (and 4 mornings a week out of the house) is ideal. He went to an open house to see his teacher and school friends today, so he is all excited to head back!
Baby Sturm will indeed be here soon, though, and we will keep everyone posted!
I'm actually not that impatient, as I'm not uncomfortable (by pregnant standards) AND I actually slept almost 7 1/2 hours straight last night. Usually my bladder isn't that cooperative! In just a matter of days I will be so bleary-eyed from a newborn that I will long for this quiet and rest. I will beg for it! So again, no recommendations of "just be patient!"
However, there is a little green monster named high blood pressure who is attempting to lurk his ugly head. I am only borderline high, but we'll see how things go at the doc tonight. Unfortunately I also suffer from white coat syndrome, so this isn't too helpful. So while I am patient for baby to come on his own, I would only prefer him to come sooner if it means beating an induction to the punch...
I have mostly packed my bags and have done most everything on my to-do list (if that is ever really possible.) The slow leak in my tire will just have to wait to get fixed some other time. We have my Grandad's air compressor in our garage, so it's no big deal to give the tires a bit of air every 2 weeks (I have never been happy with the tires Mazda factory put on this CX-7!)
Colin starts school on Monday, so the timing of his return to some structure (and 4 mornings a week out of the house) is ideal. He went to an open house to see his teacher and school friends today, so he is all excited to head back!
Baby Sturm will indeed be here soon, though, and we will keep everyone posted!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Meeting Frank the Combine
Any Cars Movie-lovin' preschool boy knows of and is enamoured with Frank the Combine from the tractor tipping scene, and Colin is no different.
On the 4th of July we ventured just north of town and found a red combine which looks just like Frank. Wow! Colin was so excited, but a little scared to see it up close and in full sized dimensions (unlike his 7 inch long version at home.) Matt also scared him a bit by whispering, "Don't wake Frank" as he got out of the car to "meet" Frank.
On the 4th of July we ventured just north of town and found a red combine which looks just like Frank. Wow! Colin was so excited, but a little scared to see it up close and in full sized dimensions (unlike his 7 inch long version at home.) Matt also scared him a bit by whispering, "Don't wake Frank" as he got out of the car to "meet" Frank.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)