Friday, August 31, 2007

Two weeks old!



Today marks Preston's 2-week birthday! I can't believe that just 14 days ago, he came into our lives and it already seems like he's always been here. It's hard to imagine life without him now. He's such an amazing newborn- eating, sleeping and pooping like a champ!

So far,Preston's done lots of big-boy things...
1. He's gotten a slight eye infection that has seemed to clear up with the treatment of an antibiotic ointment from his family doctor. (Who kindly reassured us that it was common in newborns to have a clogged tear duct or develop a goopy eye.) Of course, I freaked out like any new mom convinced that she's unfit to parent such a delicate little creature if he's already caught some debilitating disease, but he seemed completely unaware of the grave danger I felt he was in.

2. He lost his umbilical cord this week. Of course, now he thinks he's way too cool for anything- you know, being without his cord and all. At the beginning of the week, we received the news that his bilirubin numbers went down to the normal range, so he's also off his bili blanket. Talk about feeling grown-up! No blanket, no cord. What's next ...College??

3. He's gained serious newborn WEIGHT! Preston has been to the doctor twice- once for his post-birth routine check, which was 6 days after he was born. At that time, were were thrilled because we were just hoping he'd be near his birthweight of 5 lbs 13 oz, and instead, he tipped the scales at 6 lbs 2 oz! That's 5 ounces in 6 days. And then, he returned the following Monday for the eye goop and was weighed again. This time- at 10 days post birth..... 6 lbs 12 oz! Yes, he gained 10 oz in just the 4 short days from his first appt!! He returns for his second post-birth routine check next week and I can't wait to see how much he's packed on by then. Good job, little piggy!

4. He's pooped and peed everywhere. Christening the house and his parents has been one of the top things on his to-do list. It seems every time we change a dirty diaper, he gets the urge to go again- sometimes more immediately than others and he just goes right on the table. He's personal best being going #1 and actually using his own face as a target. ...That he hit.

5. He's done the whole meet-and-greet thing. So far, Preston has been introduced to lots of family and friends- although mommy and daddy wanted to keep things quiet for a while at home so that he could get used to his new environment, we've nonetheless felt incredibly blessed to have so many of our wonderful friends and family reach out to us and want to meet him, so it's been a revolving door of visitors and meals and cards and gifts everyday. He's handled himself as a true entertainer- greeting his guests with maybe - oh, say- all of 10 seconds of his eyes open. Although he's been sleepy, thank you so much to everyone who has shown so much interest in seeing this little man- we know how much you'll all mean throughout his life!

6. He likes to hit the town... Nana Connie and Papa Sherm came last week on Friday night and we ate at Munchies- one of mommy and daddy's favorites, but Preston wasn't too impressed- he slept through his whole meal. We've been taking walks in the stroller a couple of times a day, and sure enough- he's out like a light before we hit the end of the block. Today, Kevin and I took him on a short run to pick up a few items at the store and again- asleep the entire time. Sort of a "seen it all before" attitude for a baby, don't you think?

Now- don't get me wrong... he doesn't sleep ALL the time- pretty much just during the day. In Preston's world, night time is where it's at! A tad frustrating, but we are still happy to sit up with him and love him any hour of the day (or night.) We're actually trying to get him exposed to natural sunlight as much as possible during the day now so that his biorhythms recognize the difference between light and dark- rest and wakefulness. (Of course, as I sit here and type this at 9:22 pm, he is asleep on my chest in the sling.)

All in all, it's been an amazing couple of weeks getting to know this little pumpkin and settling into our new life as a family of three. Kevin returned to work this week and I think P and I did pretty well together, even though we summoned for help from his grandmothers, aunts, and friends a few times. Our love for him grows more every minute of every day and we just continue to feel so blessed. We truly could not ask for more.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

WELCOME PRESTON THOMAS!!!




You may be wondering why I've waited so long to post here... The answer is simple- I've been changing diapers, nursing and trying to get to know this new little miracle that has finally arrived. Preston Thomas Erb decided to come into the world on Friday, August 17th at 6:41 pm.

I had been feeling some slight contractions the few days leading up to the big event, but around 12:45 on Friday morning, we realized it was the real deal when my water broke. Once your water breaks, you are in a greater risk for infection, and they urge you get the hospital right away, so needless to say, it was a mad rush to get out of the house and make the 30 minute drive to Dupont Hospital from our house. (Although we made it in about 13 minutes!) With contractions coming stronger and closer together on the way, Kevin was carefully flying through town, slowing at red lights and traveling *much* faster than the speed limit. Once we got there, I was hooked up to an IV and we got the birthing suite we were hoping for- with the whirlpool tub and extra sleeping and storage space. Not that we needed it, but it was nice to have anyway. Better yet- my doctor was in the next day and we knew he'd be the one to make it to the delivery.

For most of the beginning hours, my contractions were uncomfortable, but bearable. Later in the morning, however, labor began getting harder, including back labor and a fever, and I requested an epidural. It was wonderful after it set in, but slowed down the contractions and I "stalled" at 6 centimeters. After several hours waiting to further dilate, they began a pitocin drip and waited for things to kick in. My doctor came periodically to check my progress, and returned one last time around 4:15 when I was close to 10 cm and getting ready to push. Around that time, we realized the culprit of the back labor- Preston was posterior, meaning the face-up position. It's a difficult labor situation that frequently ends in a C-Section, but knowing how badly I wanted to avoid one, my doctor and nurse attending the birth worked very hard to turn him. There were several times where things got a bit scary- Preston's heart rate would drop or spike and I was given an oxygen mask and treated with meds for a climbing fever.

TWO hours of pushing later, our son entered the world with his eyes wide open and a soft cry. He was placed on my chest and as we stared at eachother for the first time, Kevin and I both wept tears of joy, relief, and pure elation.

Our first week together has been quite an adventure! So far, Preston's favorite things to do are eat, poop, fuss and sleep. He definitely prefers to be held rather than being put down and he thankfully can sleep for a few hours at a time so far as long as it's on a full belly. He is getting used to his papasan, his swing and the boppy, as other than our arms, those are the places he's spent some time! We aren't getting much sleep right now, but still cherishing every moment with him, knowing how quickly he'll grow up and that we'll be longing for his newborn days again. Ruby has done very well with the adjustment of her new little brother- sniffing him, (but not licking) and rolling over on her back at his carseat when we first brought him home.

While still in the hospital, we learned his bilirubin was elevated, so he's a little jaundice and needs to lay on a strip of UV lights called a "Bili Blanket" when possible. It's a little tedious, since he's tethered to a long tube, but it's only for a few days, and his numbers are already going down. Jaundice is a very common condition that some newborns have when their liver isn't mature enough to filter all the bilirubin out. The treatment includes breastfeeding as much as possible and keeping him in natural sunlight or on the Bili Blanket, that we affectionately call the "light saber" or the "blue light special."

His first doctor's appointment was this morning and he weighed in at 6lbs and 2oz. He's gained 5oz in just his first six days of life. It's reassuring to know he's getting what he needs from the nursing and is on his way to becoming a strong and healthy little boy!

Words cannot describe how much we love him and can't wait to get to get to know him. Welcome to the world, Preston!

First moments with mom and dad-





On the bili blanket-





In Daddy's lap-


Meeting Ruby for the first time-

Friday, August 10, 2007

Big News & Browns and Blues

Ok, lots to update! First and foremost, we've had some major baby developments around here in the past few days...

*WARINING- WARNING- do not read on if you are offended by too much "medical" information regarding the female reproductive process* I lost my mucus plug yesterday. The technical term for it is "bloody show," but I'll leave out the graphic description for the sake of my weak-stomached blog readers. It's considered an "early labor symptom" that occurs when the cervix begins to thin and dilate. Now- apparently, this can happen up to a couple of weeks before labor begins, but on average, it's about a 48 hour warning. I saw the nurse practitioner today since my OB is out of town and she said although my cervix is softening, I'm not any further dilated than I was last week. She informed us that it could be anywhere from 24 hours to another week or more, which is consistent with what we are reading and hearing everywhere else. I've had some slight cramping and lower backache, but no contractions that we can actually time, and I really do think it could be a ways off. I never imagined him coming so early, so this was quite a shock to say the least. To be honest, as "done" as I feel, we are truly hoping he can hold out another week- or at least until Tuesday when Dr. Schwartz is back. This has, however, given us enough of a panic to get some of our last minute things done. The hospital bags are packed by the front door, Kevin has installed the car seat base in the car, and I've been nesting like crazy- making lists and polishing my silver. (Literally.)


Regarding the nesting and one of our previous posts, the nursery is one thing that still seems to be hanging over-head. Without the wall letters (I was able to exchange them, but am still waiting for the new order) and a few other finishing touches, it's still not the completed, restful oasis that I wish it was. But we have, however, made some significant progress considering where we were just a couple of weeks ago...

First and foremost- the changing table is thankfully here and put together. At the time, I thought Kevin might throw it across the room, because anything you assemble, as we all know, just isn't going to be easy. And I do believe he swore off purchasing anything made in China ever again on several occasions.

Here are some pics of what we have so far:








So- all in all- I believe the Erb theme this week is "Getting Closer" .... to both having this baby and finishing his room!

Friday, August 3, 2007

250 down.... 30 to go!

I have officially completed all but the last 30 days of this pregnancy, and I'm pretty much praying at this point that Baby Erb comes a little early. In many of these posts, you've heard me say that I hadn't reached the horribly uncomfortable stage yet, blah blah, blah.... Well, my friends- it's here. The fluid retention seems to have a mission of settling in my joints- shoulders, ankles and fingers especially. Sleeping isn't much fun, which is compounded by the fact that I'm so tired and have a hard time getting any quality rest. One thing that helps, though, is that I keep reminding myself that I know we have so much to look forward to and it will all be worth it once he's here!

A quick update: my first internal exam was this past week on Wednesday and my doctor said I was dilated "only a fingertip." (damn!) Just kidding- I know he's better off baking another couple of weeks and I can get through it knowing he's getting the finishing touches in these final days. I gained another 3 lbs, which officially put me at the 30 lb- goal I set for myself for the entire pregnancy. I know that much of it is fluid, but I hope it comes off as easily as it has gone on! The good news about the weight gain is that my doctor said, "You can expect to lose 3 gallons of fluid within 2-3 weeks after giving birth." WOW- can't wait!

All along, we've been hoping that my specific OB is the one to attend the actual birth, but he's going to be on vacation next week, so we have our fingers crossed that it will happen the week after next once he's returned. I'll be in my 38th week by that time and feeling confident that the baby is fine and fully developed. Now...watch me still be pregnant at 42 weeks!