Dad and Caden

Dad shows Caden how to use a drill...

She slept through the demo!

Caden's First Bath

Caden had her first bath and was less then impressed...

Though, like any girl, liked getting her hair done~

Make it stop!!

2 weeks

From Babycenter.com

How your baby's growing:

Your womb was a warm and cozy environment, and it takes time for your baby to adjust to the various sights, sounds, and sensations of life outside your body. You may not be able to detect much of a personality just yet as your baby spends his time moving in and out of several different states of sleepiness, quiet alertness, and active alertness.

The only way your baby knows to communicate is by crying, but you can communicate with him through your voice and your touch. (He can now recognize your voice and pick it out among others.)

Your baby probably loves to be held, caressed, kissed, stroked, massaged, and carried. He may even make an "ah" sound when he hears your voice or sees your face, and he'll be eager to find you in a crowd.

Caden is doing well. She likes to pick up her head and doesn't want me to try to help her. She loves to be held facing you so she can see your face or outwards sitting up so she can look around, no cradling. We aren't too sure what color eyes she has yet as they are very grey; I think they might turn blue though. We tried to go on a walk yesterday, but she wasn't in the mood, she prefers to be held then pushed. She enjoys sitting in her swing and looking around. Caden also loves to be read too, really she just likes to hear me and her dad talk :) Yesterday she went to the gym to look around, she enjoyed it, but we stay too long and she turned into a 2 headed monster- we quickly came running home!

1 week and 2 days old

From babycenter.com

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's eyesight is still pretty fuzzy. Babies are born nearsighted and can see things best when they're about 8 to 15 inches away, so she can see your face clearly only when you're holding her close.

Don't worry if your baby doesn't look you right in the eye from the start: Newborns tend to look at your eyebrows, your hairline, or your moving mouth. As she gets to know you in the first month, she'll become more interested in having eye-to-eye exchanges. Studies show that newborns prefer human faces to all other patterns or colors. (Objects that are bright, moving, high-contrast, or black-and-white are next in line.)

I can't believe how different she looks in 1 week!

-How old? 1 week 2 days

-How big is baby? 6lbs 10oz at birth, 6lbs 5.5oz at first check up (up 1 oz from the initial weight loss)

-Sleep? Sleeping quite a bit during the day but eats a lot at night...

-Best moment this week? Lots of visitors and many meals being brought over.

-Belly button? Fell off on day 5; not sure where it went though....Ziggy?!

-What I miss? I thought I would miss feeling her move inside me, but having her here is so much better!

-What I am looking forward to? Nothing, every day is a gift. I am cherishing everyday with Caden.

-Weekly wisdom? None. Thankfully no one is pouring their opinions down our throats- yet.

Caden's Arrival

On May 5th, I called DJ and expressed my concern my water had broke. DJ came home from work and I called L&D; I was told if a continuing leak occurred or contractions started to come in. Neither happened, false alarm. I felt awful that DJ had left work.

On May 6th, I was feeling very tired. I rested most of the day until it was time to go to the gym. I was debating if I should work out of not. I started late in the class and with Seth, a friend, decided we would split the workout. The workout was "Jackie" (row 1000m, 50 thrusters with a 45# bar and 30 pull-ups); Seth wore a 40# weighted vest to complete the workout "prego." We divided the workout in half; I would row the first 500 Meters and he would row the last 500 Meters. When he finished rowing I would do 25 thrusters and so forth until we were done with the workout. Well, I was about 400m into my row when all of a sudden this "gush" happened. I immediately stopped rowing and looked around, everyone asked what was wrong to which I responded "I have to pee". I closed my eyes and just hoped there wasn't anything on the seat. Thankfully Seth hopped on the rower and there wasn't anything there (I am also thankful I had black pants on)! I went to the restroom where my "pee" wasn't normal, it was somewhat green. I had a decision to make, I could either tell everyone my water broke or I could finish the workout. I was concerned to tell everyone my water broke because I didn't want another false alarm or for DJ to miss work. So, I walked out of the bathroom, went to the mirror, checked to see if anyone else could see my pants were wet down to my thighs AND I FINISHED MY WORKOUT! I finished the 25 thrusters and 15 pull-ups watching everyone to see if they could notice. After my workout I told everyone that I was having pressure and felt I should go home and was hoping they could cover class. They all said it was fine, so I went home.

As soon as I got home I called Labor & Delivery expressing my concern that my water had broke. I had no contractions (at the time) but felt I should be looked at. I asked the nurse her opinion on me driving myself as I didn't want to ask DJ to leave work. She stated she couldn't offer that kind of advice but if I felt fine, I wasn't the fist person to do it. I started grabbing all the "last minute" items I wanted to take to the hospital (brush, make up bag, face wash, cell phone charger etc...) and went to load up the truck. When I got outside my neighbor was mowing his lawn and I knew he would suspect something if he saw me loading the car with luggage. So, I moved the truck at an angle blocking his view and opened the garage to sneak everything into the car. I was on my way to the hospital at 5:15pm.

On my car ride there I didn't call anyone. I had 3 contractions that I was able to breathe through and just listened to music. Now, what I listened too exactly, I have no idea! When I got to the hospital I didn't want to park in designated Labor parking because I didn't want to take a spot from someone who may "really" be in labor. So, I parked on the 3rd floor of the parking garage and took the stairs. When I got in the hospital I walked toward the elevator (L&D is on the 2nd floor), I noticed another pregnant woman and her significant other carrying bags and their admitting paper work, I decided I wanted to get there first, so again, I took the stairs. Apparently I'm a bit competitive. I got there first, all my paper work was verified and I was sent in to be examined by a nurse.

During my examination contractions started to last longer, get closer together and were much more intense. I was there an hour before it was confirmed my water broke. As soon as the nurse verified that I was in fact in labor I called DJ- he didn't answer his work or personal phone so I called his work directly and asked that he be located and sent to the hospital. DJ called me back and said he was on his way and wanted to know how I got there and how I was doing. I told him I had driven myself and I swear I heard his jaw drop over the phone. After some fancy driving and some lights and sirens DJ showed up at the hospital.

Because I requested a midwife and requested no medication I was never checked to see how dilated I was, this is to avoid infection. DJ and I sat in triage until 8:15pm because I wanted ROOM 7. Room 7 is the water birthing room. After getting into our Labor Room contractions again started to get even closer together and were much more intense. By this time my mom had arrived and was with us.

The contractions were so intense that I asked to be checked. The nurse discovered that I was 7.5 cm dilated. Within 2min, I felt the strong urge to push, DJ told me not too as we were alone (the nurse stepped out and my mom was getting the video camera). When the nurse came back DJ told her I wanted to push, she told me not to and that I if I did I could tare, I asked that I be checked again. Sure enough, I was 10 cm and Caden was ready to come out. Everything happened so fast, there was no time to set up the tub or get the bed ready, I just started to push. At 10:28pm Caden was born.

Shortly after Caden was born the nurse I spoke with on the phone came in to tell me there was no way she thought I would be giving birth today let alone on her shift! She also warned that with the next one should I have any thoughts about giving birth I better get there quick!!!

Swagger Wagon?

40 weeks + 2 days

Is it just me or do I look smaller now then week 39?

How far along? 40 weeks + 2 days

-How big is baby? Dr. guesses 7 lbs

-Weight gain/loss? 33lbs last weigh in, don't have a scale at home, so I am not sure.

-Maternity clothes? Yup

-Stretchies? Nope

-Sleep? Sleeping great! And happy to have it!

-Best moment this week? Having fun trying all the induce labor stuff! It's entertaining and fun couple stuff :)

-Movement? Regular movement

-Food cravings? No cravings

-Gender? Girl

-Labor signs? Didn't go to the Dr. this week, based on last appt 1 cm dilated. Don't have another appointment scheduled until 5/10 (1 week late)

-Belly button in or out? Out and I hope it goes back in when she comes out!

-What I miss? Cold beer and red wine

-What I am looking forward to? Seeing Caden. Seeing DJ with Caden. SMELLING Caden!

-Weekly wisdom? None.

-Milestones? 40 weeks came and went...I am eager to see this little girl, but I know she will come when she is ready.

Mother's Day is Just Around The Corner

Venting Session

I thought I was going to snap yesterday! I couldn't go anywhere where someone didn't want to inform me of their labor, why I should breastfeed or that if I really wanted to "start labor" I should go on a walk! Walking might work for some, I am not doubting that, but I ran a 5k yesterday and NOTHING HAPPENED. After my run, I walked to the corner store (needed my chocolate milk fix) by the gym where a man proceeded to tell me I must breastfeed, all while he purchased a 5th of E&J Whiskey at 9:30am! I am sure he had other great parenting advice seeing as when he left he had a little girl in his car!

The man at Cost Plus World Market felt the need to get out of line and come tell me I had no business shopping alone in my "condition". First off, I wasn't a lone, Melissa was right there, and since when is being pregnant a condition which limits you from grabbing a few Mother's Day gifts!

The woman at Red Lobster showed me about 4 pictures on her phone of her 1 month old, who she was already trusting with a non relative babysitter. She informed me that had I been exercising during my pregnancy and walking every day, I would have had the baby already...LITTLE DOES SHE KNOW.

Lastly, the woman at the spa wanted to tell me about the birth of her triplets. She had a completely normal pregnancy until she went into labor 27 weeks pregnant. One of her baby's didn't make it. I suggested she not share that story with new moms.

Nonetheless, I am 40 weeks pregnant and I have no news to report.

Where can I get this shirt?!