Life as I know it...

...has changed dramatically since the last time I blogged. So much has been going on, but unfortunately, I don't get on the computer very much anymore. Maybe I should get the blogger app for my blackberry?! hehe

Anyway, Shaun is 5 months old already!!! The last time we were at the pedi's he weighed 16lbs 5oz...that was a few weeks ago. That visit we found out he does indeed have eczema. :o( Poor boy, he had gotten some blotchy, red patches on his back and in his diaper area. Eventually (a week and a half), after applying as much butt cream and coconut oil as I could...and to no avail...I took him to the pediatrician to see what they could tell me was going on. He was prescribed hydrocortisone and the majority of the redness went away. Now he gets TWO soaks per day in a salt, vinegar and water solution. I've switched him to Dove bodywash and he gets slathered with Eucerin cream constantly. Most times I'm sure he loves the attention, but lately he's been irritated by my pawing. :o( At any rate, once the hydrocortisone prescription ran out, the eczema flared up again. I've been reading up and it seems that flare-ups can be caused by allergens, either food or environmental. I'll probably switch his detergent to a more hypoallergenic one for sensitive skin and if that doesn't help I'll start eliminating things from my diet.

Besides that issue, Shaun is doing great! He's grown so much and I've really gotten a sense of that in the past week when I look back at some of his baby, baby pictures! He truly has a personality of his own, but he's got a lot of Joe and I too. He sleeps through the night, from about 7:30p-7:30a, and takes at least 2 one hour long naps throughout the day. I put him down when he's tired. Cloth diapering is going well, we are still trying to find the combination that works best for his skin and provides the most absorbency, because he is definitely a super soaker! He's been a little cranky lately too, with his skin issues, the heat, and teething. I try my best to keep him distracted and happy, but there are times when NOTHING works...Mama wants to cry then too! :o( Rolling over is becoming a regular thing nowadays! SO EXCITING!!!! And he can be very mobile just scooting across the area! Joe and I always say he'll probably crab walk instead of crawl!

Shaun has already been to the ocean twice! :o) A friend of mine from work has invited us to Rocky Neck beach in Connecticut several times. The first time the water was cold...even for me, so he didn't really like the water, but enjoyed hanging out on the beach with Mama. The second time though, the water was so nice! I played with him on waters edge, sat right where the waves lap on the sand and let him dig his feet in. He splashed and screeched! :o) He's so much fun and I loooooove his laugh! I can't help but laugh with him, and that just makes him laugh more! LOL

There are plenty more things that have been going on, but right now I don't have the patience or ambition to sit here and write about them. Maybe another day! And, I'll get to posting pics soon, I promise!

Doctor's Visit and Other Things...

Shaun had his 2 month check-up on Tuesday. :o) He weighed in at 12lbs 10oz and was 23.5 inches long (tall)!!! He's growing! The doctor had no concerns and praised Joe and I profusely. He said that Shaun has good head control, he's very strong and kept congraduating me for sticking with the breast feeding. Shaun's pediatrician is awesome, he makes you feel so competent and encourages the parents. It was vaccination time at this visit so the he got two shots and a syrup. I know that it's nothing new, babies getting lots of vaccines at once, but I kind of feel like seven is a bit excessive. Ah well, it's already done, no use dwelling on it now. So anyway, Shaun got a slight fever after the shots and was very cranky. He cried for almost 20 minutes straight (with Mama trying to console him) before I could get him to calm down enough to take some infant fever reducer. Poor baby! He slept for a while (woke up twice during the night) and was happy as a clam in the morning. He ate, got his diaper changed and proceeded to "talk" to Mama and Daddy until he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore! <3

Work is going well. While out on Maternity Leave, I was offered the job of Scheduling Queen (ok so that's not the offical title) and the extra money in my pay check. I of course accepted and, while it's a little hectic at times, it seems to be going smoothly. It's nice to be back in work mode, I get bored and lonely at home while Shaun is sleeping. Yes, there is plenty of laundry, cleaning and other things to do, but who wants to do that every day! And it's just nice to have some adult interaction...besides the ones that live with me.

A little bit of catch-up

Well...Mr. Shaun is two months old already! :-o crazy how fast the time has gone by. As you can tell by the lack of blogging, he keeps me very busy! I have returned to work this week. It's been a little difficult, but Joe is home caring for him and is home until mid-afternoon so I can sleep after my overnight shifts. I was able to get my schedule shifted around a bit, so I am only working 2 (sometimes 3) nights a week. I work Sunday and Monday first shift now, so I feel like that's better.

You may remember my post Gone Crunchy. In there I declared that we would use cloth diapers, I would breast feed and I was even considering "wearing" Shaun. I'd like to say that I have stuck to those proclimations and we're loving every minute! There was only one "sposie" incident. Since Shaun came unexpectedly via c-section, we didn't have the cloth readily available...so from the OR room, back to our room- he wore a disposable diaper. After his first bath however, Joe did make sure he was put into a soft and swquishy cloth dipe and there was no looking back from that point on! There were mixed feelings from the nursing staff, but I didn't let that (nor recovery from a c-section) deter me.

We started out using prefolds and covers. While in the hospital I did have a few "easier" diapers available for if a nurse had to change him and for those middle of the night changes when I just couldn't function quite right! These diapers were designed to be as close to disposable as possible. There was no extra folding or layers to add, you just put the baby on top, folded it up and velcroed the sides in. Because I was a little bit worried about the meconium staining things and I knew there would be some sort of ointment applied after his circumcision, I had brought along some liners that I had made from an old receiving blanket. Those worked great because it kept that stuff off of the diapers and I as able to just toss them. Joe watched intent on learning for the first few days, but he has picked up the art of diaper changing very well. He has mastered the prefold and actually prefers it to some of the other types we have. It's been great not having to apply the nasty, messy diaper rash creams! We had one scare where we thought he was getting a rash, but we just changed him more frequently and let him "air out" every now and then!

Breastfeeding has been great! From day one Shaun latched like a champ and was really chowing down. My milk came in on day 3 (which they expect some delay with c-sections) and he continues to nurse well! I did have some soreness and even a few cracks, but with persistence, patience and practice we were able to perservere and break through that 2 week mark. Since then nursing has been a breeze. Supply is good and I was even able to start pumping in February to start building my freezer stash. Shaun practiced with a bottle (given by Daddy, cousin Brandon, Auntie Amy, and Grammie...anyone but Mama) and seems to have taken pretty well to it. I nurse him whenever I'm home, though. Since my return to work, Joe has noted that he takes a little less than he would at the breast and eats more often throughout the night, but I'm sure they'll work out the kinks and everything will be fine!

And as for the babywearing...Yep I've done it and I'm in love! It's great to not feel trapped. In the beginning, I felt like I couldn't leave the room, even when Shaun was sleeping. Now I leave him if he's asleep (with the monitor of course), but if he's awake and I have to do something like make some lunch or put a load of laundry in, I'll bring him along. I have two options - the stretchy wrap, which I made myself with some jersey cotton fabric; or the mei tai, which is  kind of like a pouch. In both he is strapped to the front of me (although when he gets bigger he can go on the back) and I'm able to go hands-free to do what  I need to do. Shaun loves to be worn. It brings him in close and hugs him to me, but it also gives him that feeling of being back in the womb. It's also great because when I'm washing dishes or even out for a walk, I can nurse and keep right on doin' what I'm doin'.  

There has been some bad press about babywearing as of late. I just have a few things to say about this and then I'll move on. First... No, neither of my baby carriers are the type that were "causing" the suffocation. And Second...If people would educate themselves about the proper use of these slings before just popping their child in there, there wouldn't be a problem. Just because you're able to go on about your day without having to hold  your baby, doesn't mean you don't have to pay attention. Baby wearing has been going on since...well I would have to guess forever. When done properly it can be such a welcomed advantage. Okay, I've said my piece on that...now, moving on!

Needless to say Shaun is thriving and growing so fast! :o) He's a happy, healthy and loved baby! I should probably blog a bit more often to save from having to pour everything out at once...I'll see what I can do about that. Anyway, Thanks for reading! :o)

March for Babies!

Click here to help me reach my goal!

Announcing his arrival!

Well, I know it's been almost a month already, but...SHAUN IS HERE! :o) He was born on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 6:46pm. He weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 20.5 inches long.

 I had to have an emergency c-section because his heart rate kept dropping every time I had a contraction (during the later stages of my labor...6-7cms). The doctor didn't want to put the extra pressure of pushing on the baby's heart so, he opted for the c-section. I will admit that I was scared and didn't really want to have surgery, but I knew that it was what was going to be the best option to ensure my baby came out okay.
They brought me into the OR, but left Joe out in the hallway. They prepped me for surgery and then started prepping me for the needle. The anesthesiologist told me he "THOUGHT" he had a good spot for it! ugh thanks...that's reassuring!!! Then he poked me and my left leg spazzed out...it twitched and twinged and then went numb. Ugh let's just say it was an awkward experience. Then they brought Joe in and he sat by my head, joking with me and trying to keep me calm. I kept telling him I was so scared.
When they finally pulled that baby out and he cried...I cried! :o) Tears rolled down my cheeks, I had a huge smile on my face and I was happy! They stitched and stapled me back together and then took me back to my room where I fed the lil monster and then welcomed some flood of guests into the room! I plan to add a slide show of all Shaun's guests later so keep an eye out for that! Until then here's a few of his first pictures...

37 weeks!

**On Saturday I received an unexpected call from my grandparents! They were just calling to check up on me...awwww they're cute! hehe But Grampa said he wanted to read about it so here you go Gramps...you got your mention in my blog! :o) You're famous now! Love you both**

Today I'm 37 weeks! w00t that means we're almost done. Today I have a regular appointment directly after work, and then later this afternoon I have another ultrasound. Hopefully Shaun is cooperative today and maybe we'll get a picture or two! Well...I guess that's really all I have to say right now...it's still early! hehe I'll come back and update after the appointments...or maybe tonight while I'm at work.


ETA:
Nothing new at the appointments! Dr's office was done and over with within 20minutes! Seriously, it took longer to get weighed in, give a urine sample and have my bp taken! The Dr didn't check because I haven't been having contractions (doh! I guess I'll have to say 'yes' next time), so all he did was listen to the heartbeat and say "we're just waiting, Veronica." DUH!!!!
And at the U/S...nope no pictures! LOL Fluid levels are good though, we're at about an 11, so that's good. Dr O'Grady says if it gets to 5 or lower then we'll have to do something. He says there are not abnormalities present that they can detect so we're obviously just waiting for something to happen or my OB/GYN to decide it's time. Dr. O'Grady suggests that if I'm inducable at 38weeks 6 days...I should be admitted and induced that way we get him out before the 39week mark. I like him! :o) But hopefully, Shaun will come on his own in the next couple of weeks! Besides what the dr's said today, we saw/heard Shaun's strong heartbeat, saw him "practice breathing", and he moved pretty much unprompted today - so he was cooperative! :o) It's weird having so many u/s though, he's so big at this point that it's kinda hard to make things out because he's taking up so much space and is cramped in there. No face shots today, I think he's making everyone wait for his big debut! :o) He's gonna be the cutest baby ever!!!
That's all I have to say today! :o) I'll be back if anything exciting happens!

Happy Anniversary to...

...my Mommy and Daddy! :o) Since today is January 5th, 2010...and I'm 25...they've been married for 24 years! :o)

That is all I wanted to say! :o) Love you guys!!!