Just not so nightly anymore.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
And the little one said "Roll Over"!
He did it! Although we aren't sure he can replicate it, but Henry rolled over tonight! What a big boy!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Singing - Travis
I think he's singing in Italian because I can't understand him. Not that my french is that good but I think I could at least recognize it.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
hey there
Someone asked me why Travis was doing all of the posting lately and was something wrong with me. I laughed at the thought. For the first time in a while, there is absolutely nothing wrong in my life. In fact, all areas are pretty much amazing. Sure, I could hope for perfection but right now, I feel the blessings of the Lord so much that I couldn't ask for more than what He has so freely given.
So anyway, some updates on our life. We are loving Franklin. Being this close to family and friends is such a blessing that I feel spoiled. Henry gets to see his grandparents on a daily basis, I have help when I need it, and this small town seems to suit all of our needs.
Henry is doing so well. As you have read, during the first month of his life, he was not fun to be around. Now that he's 3 months, he is so smiley and animated. He has gotten into the habit of sucking his bottom lip (so cute) and he has a fake cry already (his bottom lip curls under - we can't help but laugh at him when he does it). He can hold his head up really well. I'm trying now to sit him on my hip and he is good for about 5 minutes, then his back gives out. He is still sleeping through the night (10pm - 6/7am)! We are still breastfeeding - an accomplishment in my eyes considering I wanted to give up almost from day 1. I enjoy our nursing time now and when he looks up at me and cocks a grin out of the side of his mouth, it melts my heart.
We are settled into my grandparents old house - living rent free! Still haven't rented our house in Chattanooga but I wasn't really expecting to until after the new year anyway. Travis absolutely loves his job - he actually said he was excited about going in one Monday (a huge change from his past job). My days are consumed with taking care of Henry, doing things to the house, and lunching with friends! The holidays are here and that makes being around family all the more enjoyable.
I don't expect things to always be this amazing - BUT I know who to turn to when they aren't.
And that gives me such peace.
So anyway, some updates on our life. We are loving Franklin. Being this close to family and friends is such a blessing that I feel spoiled. Henry gets to see his grandparents on a daily basis, I have help when I need it, and this small town seems to suit all of our needs.
Henry is doing so well. As you have read, during the first month of his life, he was not fun to be around. Now that he's 3 months, he is so smiley and animated. He has gotten into the habit of sucking his bottom lip (so cute) and he has a fake cry already (his bottom lip curls under - we can't help but laugh at him when he does it). He can hold his head up really well. I'm trying now to sit him on my hip and he is good for about 5 minutes, then his back gives out. He is still sleeping through the night (10pm - 6/7am)! We are still breastfeeding - an accomplishment in my eyes considering I wanted to give up almost from day 1. I enjoy our nursing time now and when he looks up at me and cocks a grin out of the side of his mouth, it melts my heart.
We are settled into my grandparents old house - living rent free! Still haven't rented our house in Chattanooga but I wasn't really expecting to until after the new year anyway. Travis absolutely loves his job - he actually said he was excited about going in one Monday (a huge change from his past job). My days are consumed with taking care of Henry, doing things to the house, and lunching with friends! The holidays are here and that makes being around family all the more enjoyable.
I don't expect things to always be this amazing - BUT I know who to turn to when they aren't.
And that gives me such peace.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sleep - Travis
I am blessed: I used to work for a company that would often fly me to different cities for conventions. Plane flights are one of my favorite things. If I was Oprah doing a favorite things episode a 6 hour plan flight that landed right where you started would be one of the prizes. The push pull girnd of security, the "let's get on with it" at the gate, the hustle and squeezing of stowing your bag and getting buckled into your seat. And then, the engines fire up, I shift just a little in my seat, and before you know it the guy sitting beside me is waking me up saying we landed and need to de-plane.
I don't know how I recieved this ability but it's not just planes: but also cars, sofas, floors, etc.. The first time Lindsay took me back to her house to meet her parents, we had gone on a hike and got to her house around 4. She went upstairs to wash the hike off and when her parents got home there I was asleep on their living room floor.
I want my son to have this ability. If I could go out and buy it I would cut back to two meals a day to save up for it. So I have this unspoken theory that babies should be put to sleep in a myriad of different ways. Unspoken because as long as a theory is not voiced no one can argue or disprove or even dissaprove of it. I guess that's a little fear or insecurity of mine not speaking this. One of the Coveys writes that the gift God gave man that he didn't give the animals is self-awareness. The ability to see ourselves from the outside in a way.
Most books will tell you that you should establish a set routine and follow it every single time you want your baby to sleep. But what do books know about raising kids. Most books are awful parents. Case in point, Take a look at nearly any sequel and see if it as good as the original. The prosecution rests.
All this is to say that I think it's a good idea to put Henry to sleep in multiple ways. Sometimes I find us getting into a rut and Henry has been doing his darndest to convince us that there is no silver bullet. One night (and you can go back through our posts to find which night) Lindsay and I tried a particular sleep method: an extravagant concoction of feeding substance and method, bathing timing and duration, and special swaddling and lighting etc., and it worked. That night Henry slept for 7 hours WooHoo. Since then we have sacrificed many or our evenings trying to duplicate, down to the breath, all that we did that night. And we have been relativly successful.
Until recently. Oh, he has still been sleeping 7ish hours, one night he woke up at 4:30 but that is not common, but each evening has become more and more difficult as we attempt to recreate that first night, almost completly against his will. See Henry doens't like that sequence very much. It makes him overtired and very cranky.
Last night we didn't have the option of performing our usual "contortions of sleep." In fact we really didn't do anything more than we do at 1 in the afternoon when he needs to sleep. And the little angel slept 8 hours for the first time.
We put him down in his crib at 11 last night and didn't hear a peep until he woke us up at 7 this morning. Nothing we did. He just slept. Thank God.
I don't know how I recieved this ability but it's not just planes: but also cars, sofas, floors, etc.. The first time Lindsay took me back to her house to meet her parents, we had gone on a hike and got to her house around 4. She went upstairs to wash the hike off and when her parents got home there I was asleep on their living room floor.
I want my son to have this ability. If I could go out and buy it I would cut back to two meals a day to save up for it. So I have this unspoken theory that babies should be put to sleep in a myriad of different ways. Unspoken because as long as a theory is not voiced no one can argue or disprove or even dissaprove of it. I guess that's a little fear or insecurity of mine not speaking this. One of the Coveys writes that the gift God gave man that he didn't give the animals is self-awareness. The ability to see ourselves from the outside in a way.
Most books will tell you that you should establish a set routine and follow it every single time you want your baby to sleep. But what do books know about raising kids. Most books are awful parents. Case in point, Take a look at nearly any sequel and see if it as good as the original. The prosecution rests.
All this is to say that I think it's a good idea to put Henry to sleep in multiple ways. Sometimes I find us getting into a rut and Henry has been doing his darndest to convince us that there is no silver bullet. One night (and you can go back through our posts to find which night) Lindsay and I tried a particular sleep method: an extravagant concoction of feeding substance and method, bathing timing and duration, and special swaddling and lighting etc., and it worked. That night Henry slept for 7 hours WooHoo. Since then we have sacrificed many or our evenings trying to duplicate, down to the breath, all that we did that night. And we have been relativly successful.
Until recently. Oh, he has still been sleeping 7ish hours, one night he woke up at 4:30 but that is not common, but each evening has become more and more difficult as we attempt to recreate that first night, almost completly against his will. See Henry doens't like that sequence very much. It makes him overtired and very cranky.
Last night we didn't have the option of performing our usual "contortions of sleep." In fact we really didn't do anything more than we do at 1 in the afternoon when he needs to sleep. And the little angel slept 8 hours for the first time.
We put him down in his crib at 11 last night and didn't hear a peep until he woke us up at 7 this morning. Nothing we did. He just slept. Thank God.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Henry laughs so much... - Travis
That he has rubbed his feet raw. Look closely for the red marks on his feet.
We have internet. - Travis
Yesterday Lindsay picked up the modem that finally got in and installed our internet all by herself while I was at work. So here I am. But some of you still don't know how I got here so let me tell the story. This will be the short form.
I'll start by letting you know that God is good. On Zack's birthday I called him and told him that I thought 26 would be a big year for us (we are 1 month and 1 day apart in age so we experience 26 at roughly the same time). Later that night my boss showed up unexpectedly and told me he had to "Let me go." Let me go (intentional pun) back a bit. When I moved to Chattanooga and became a store manager I entered a $12,500 contract. That is they gave me the money (which we used as a down payment on our house) and I signed a contract saying that if I quit within 2 years I would give the money back. Now as much as I admire this company I have wanted to quit for a while. Lindsay has said wistfully, "If we could only come up with $12,500 we could do something else." I love the company, the people who run it, and their product, but the problem with 100% commission, for those of you who haven't lived that way, is that you are only paid 100% commission. Which for three years was absolutely no problem for me. In fact we thrived. Then through no ones fault I agreed to open a new store in a new city right in the middle of the worst economic time of my life.
Back to the story it's not hard to find. Ninjas.......... Anyway this economic dip meant that every week I was being paid - Minimum Wage. Do the math and you'll find that it is hard to support a wife and son on that type of paycheck, in fact I think Morgan Spurlock did an entire documentary to prove it. So for the last couple months we have been flailing to survive but unable to make any move because of the $12,500 bounty on my head.
All this was resolved in God's perfect way by my Boss walking into the store that night and "Letting me go." See he knew my situation and because I didn't quit but instead he cut me loose I don't have to pay them any of the $12,500. I want to take a second and let you know how God has used this great company so that any of you who think, "After all he's done for them they could at least have given him a warning and not surprise him like that." First of all while I was surprised (sort of), God wasn't. Secondly as upright and full of integrity as I like to think I am, I also know that I am human. So I don't bury my head in self-righteousness and claim that I would have worked just as hard knowing I would soon leave.
When Lindsay and I got married God drew us to Denver. It was almost, in our minds, as simple as, "We want to live in mountains but not in our home town....so Denver." Even as we were leaving I said things like, "I want to raise my family in Franklin." And when I started retail, "I'll only work nights and weekends until my children are old enough to have activities for me to attend." Once we got there instead of setting us up with a fast-pace high-pressure job. God got me a job as a furniture salesman which meant that while I worked weekends I had Wednesday Thursday Friday off with Lindsay. (If you have ever been skiing in Colorado you know how advantageous it is to have week days off instead of weekends.) Also if you are newly wed and can make it only working 4 days a week I highly recomend it. While we didn't become independently wealthy. They paid us enough to live and, while it isn't very useful just now, taught me a valuable skill. Then when God wanted us to start having kids, this company paid us $4,000 to move closer to our family and then gave me the $12,500 bonus. Really all in all I have nothing to complain about.
So that night I went home to Lindsay and we decided that we had no reason to stay in Chattanooga, really in the summer it is the hottest place I have ever lived. So we thought for a while and narrowed it to Asheville and Franklin. We thought we should decide in a biblical manner so we got a quarter prayed over it and "cast lots." It was heads so we started immediately making plans to move to Franklin. (When I told this story to Justin he was surprised that heads = Franklin. If any of you had the same feeling of surprise please post a comment, for some reason I find that thought terribly interesting.) We got on the computer and found out that a software company in Franklin that I used to work for was hiring all we had to fret over was having two house payments. A few quick phone calls uncovered Gods plan for that. He had given Lindsay's Grandparents an extra house and saw too it that no one else was living there at that time.
As I told Stuart this story I was able to say that it was the best situation you could possibly be in that resulted in being unemployed and living with your in-laws. Since then I have become employed, and we have moved into this little house that Lindsay has converted into a wonderful home. Some people look down on the term "Homemaker" and while I wouldn't say it was her occupation it is none the less a very accurate description.
I apologize for the length of this post I know you don't come here to read essay's but instead to get quick updates and pictures of Henry. But some of you were asking and this in a round about way does effect Henry. From his point of view the horribly long drive he had to make to see his grandparents is now three minutes and he gets to do it a lot more often.
I'll start by letting you know that God is good. On Zack's birthday I called him and told him that I thought 26 would be a big year for us (we are 1 month and 1 day apart in age so we experience 26 at roughly the same time). Later that night my boss showed up unexpectedly and told me he had to "Let me go." Let me go (intentional pun) back a bit. When I moved to Chattanooga and became a store manager I entered a $12,500 contract. That is they gave me the money (which we used as a down payment on our house) and I signed a contract saying that if I quit within 2 years I would give the money back. Now as much as I admire this company I have wanted to quit for a while. Lindsay has said wistfully, "If we could only come up with $12,500 we could do something else." I love the company, the people who run it, and their product, but the problem with 100% commission, for those of you who haven't lived that way, is that you are only paid 100% commission. Which for three years was absolutely no problem for me. In fact we thrived. Then through no ones fault I agreed to open a new store in a new city right in the middle of the worst economic time of my life.
There is a strange self-love that makes things that are happening to you seem more dramatic than they are. Everyone wants to be in the extreme case. Many people, for their own validation of living through tough times, want this to be, "The Worst Economic Crisis Since the Great Depression." And I even heard one analyst suggest that this was worse. Recognizing this, I shy away from such grand claims and would be remiss if I didn't point out that some people would claim that "The Crash of '87" was as bad financially as this and that was in my lifetime. I was just too young at the time to truly experience it.
Back to the story it's not hard to find. Ninjas.......... Anyway this economic dip meant that every week I was being paid - Minimum Wage. Do the math and you'll find that it is hard to support a wife and son on that type of paycheck, in fact I think Morgan Spurlock did an entire documentary to prove it. So for the last couple months we have been flailing to survive but unable to make any move because of the $12,500 bounty on my head.
All this was resolved in God's perfect way by my Boss walking into the store that night and "Letting me go." See he knew my situation and because I didn't quit but instead he cut me loose I don't have to pay them any of the $12,500. I want to take a second and let you know how God has used this great company so that any of you who think, "After all he's done for them they could at least have given him a warning and not surprise him like that." First of all while I was surprised (sort of), God wasn't. Secondly as upright and full of integrity as I like to think I am, I also know that I am human. So I don't bury my head in self-righteousness and claim that I would have worked just as hard knowing I would soon leave.
When Lindsay and I got married God drew us to Denver. It was almost, in our minds, as simple as, "We want to live in mountains but not in our home town....so Denver." Even as we were leaving I said things like, "I want to raise my family in Franklin." And when I started retail, "I'll only work nights and weekends until my children are old enough to have activities for me to attend." Once we got there instead of setting us up with a fast-pace high-pressure job. God got me a job as a furniture salesman which meant that while I worked weekends I had Wednesday Thursday Friday off with Lindsay. (If you have ever been skiing in Colorado you know how advantageous it is to have week days off instead of weekends.) Also if you are newly wed and can make it only working 4 days a week I highly recomend it. While we didn't become independently wealthy. They paid us enough to live and, while it isn't very useful just now, taught me a valuable skill. Then when God wanted us to start having kids, this company paid us $4,000 to move closer to our family and then gave me the $12,500 bonus. Really all in all I have nothing to complain about.
So that night I went home to Lindsay and we decided that we had no reason to stay in Chattanooga, really in the summer it is the hottest place I have ever lived. So we thought for a while and narrowed it to Asheville and Franklin. We thought we should decide in a biblical manner so we got a quarter prayed over it and "cast lots." It was heads so we started immediately making plans to move to Franklin. (When I told this story to Justin he was surprised that heads = Franklin. If any of you had the same feeling of surprise please post a comment, for some reason I find that thought terribly interesting.) We got on the computer and found out that a software company in Franklin that I used to work for was hiring all we had to fret over was having two house payments. A few quick phone calls uncovered Gods plan for that. He had given Lindsay's Grandparents an extra house and saw too it that no one else was living there at that time.
As I told Stuart this story I was able to say that it was the best situation you could possibly be in that resulted in being unemployed and living with your in-laws. Since then I have become employed, and we have moved into this little house that Lindsay has converted into a wonderful home. Some people look down on the term "Homemaker" and while I wouldn't say it was her occupation it is none the less a very accurate description.
I apologize for the length of this post I know you don't come here to read essay's but instead to get quick updates and pictures of Henry. But some of you were asking and this in a round about way does effect Henry. From his point of view the horribly long drive he had to make to see his grandparents is now three minutes and he gets to do it a lot more often.
Monday, December 1, 2008
So So Sorry
We have yet to get internet at our house so the only time I can post is when I'm at mom's house and her internet is super super slow...so wait a little longer and don't give up on us..we should be up and running later this week. Happy Holidays!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
WOW
Henry slept through the night last night!!! Praise the Lord! Yesterday, I bought a Snuggle Me blanket and swaddled him really well. We put him down at 10pm and he didn't wake until 6am. 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep!! The downside was that I woke up in a puddle. I'll put up with leaking if it means more sleep. GO HENRY!!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
He did good last night - Travis
Last night Henry ate at 10:30, then didn't wake up until 5 this morning. That is a new PR for him. At 5 he ate and then went right back to sleep. He got up again at 7:30 and Lindsay fed him. Now he and I are trying to stay quiet in the living room so she can get even more sleep. (We spoil her.)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A Praying Parent
Travis and I have come to the realization that being a parent turns you into a prayer warrior. Having a newborn, and all the stress that comes with it, is just too much to take on yourself. You need God's strength and patience just to make it through the day, even the hour.
I hadn't noticed how out of touch with God I had become. Travis and I had both become plain lazy about praying together and going to church. It seemed like we kept making excuses. Now all we can talk about is how amazing God's love is. About how He can bring you through any storm and create a rainbow at the end. He will never forsake. He answers all prayers - in His time, not yours.
Parenting is the epitome of selflessness. To be a good parent, you must give up all of your WANTS so that your child's NEEDS can be met. The ultimate act of selflessness was God's plan for our salvation. What an amazing Father. What an amazing parent.
I hadn't noticed how out of touch with God I had become. Travis and I had both become plain lazy about praying together and going to church. It seemed like we kept making excuses. Now all we can talk about is how amazing God's love is. About how He can bring you through any storm and create a rainbow at the end. He will never forsake. He answers all prayers - in His time, not yours.
Parenting is the epitome of selflessness. To be a good parent, you must give up all of your WANTS so that your child's NEEDS can be met. The ultimate act of selflessness was God's plan for our salvation. What an amazing Father. What an amazing parent.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
My Man
I must brag on my Travis. Few women are as lucky as I am to have a husband who plans a relaxing evening for his wife AND offers to take care of the baby.
A couple of weeks ago, the doctor gave me some Ambien and prescribed a night of complete rest. She gave me 10 tablets so that I could use it 10 weeks in a row if I wanted. Well last night was one of the nights. For a week, I pumped enough milk so that Travis could give Henry his 3AM and 6:30AM feedings. I knew about this part - but what I didn't know about was the hot bath and massage that Travis had planned. I haven't felt that relaxed since the baby was born and I got a full 9 hours of sleep (minus the two times I had to get up to pump for my own comfort).
I woke up this morning rested and more in love with him. I made him chocolate-chip pancakes for lunch to re-pay the favor. For me, it's massages and sleep. For him, it's syrup covered desserts.
A couple of weeks ago, the doctor gave me some Ambien and prescribed a night of complete rest. She gave me 10 tablets so that I could use it 10 weeks in a row if I wanted. Well last night was one of the nights. For a week, I pumped enough milk so that Travis could give Henry his 3AM and 6:30AM feedings. I knew about this part - but what I didn't know about was the hot bath and massage that Travis had planned. I haven't felt that relaxed since the baby was born and I got a full 9 hours of sleep (minus the two times I had to get up to pump for my own comfort).
I woke up this morning rested and more in love with him. I made him chocolate-chip pancakes for lunch to re-pay the favor. For me, it's massages and sleep. For him, it's syrup covered desserts.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
THANK YOU!!
Look at what my lovely ladies at Curves sent me today!
Thank you so much! I miss you guys alot and can't wait to come visit as soon as we can.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Like a different child
Up until last Saturday, Travis and I were under the belief that Henry was, in fact, a demon child. The kid cried inconsolably for a good two weeks and just about drove us crazy. We did alot of bouncing, used the vacuum cleaner, and decided it was worth the $3.80/gallon in gas to keep him pacified. I just knew I had a colicky baby and that the next 3 months would be hell.
Then something happened... my son is an angel!
The thing is - I have no idea what the change was.
I cut almost all of the dairy out of my diet. We put him on a schedule that is working out beautifully (Read Baby Wise or Baby Whisperer). Or it could just be that God is giving us a big break and Henry is growing out of his discontent state.
Whatever the reason may be, I am thankful that I am actually starting to ENJOY my child. Henry is now content after his feedings and he is starting to take in his surroundings. I can actually put him down on his belly or in his swing for 45 minutes and he doesn't fuss. He is a pleasure to be around. Mom swears he smiled at her twice. He really only cries when he is hungry or tired.
Day by day, this is getting easier. Just like everyone said it would. Now if he would just start sleeping through the night :)
Then something happened... my son is an angel!
The thing is - I have no idea what the change was.
I cut almost all of the dairy out of my diet. We put him on a schedule that is working out beautifully (Read Baby Wise or Baby Whisperer). Or it could just be that God is giving us a big break and Henry is growing out of his discontent state.
Whatever the reason may be, I am thankful that I am actually starting to ENJOY my child. Henry is now content after his feedings and he is starting to take in his surroundings. I can actually put him down on his belly or in his swing for 45 minutes and he doesn't fuss. He is a pleasure to be around. Mom swears he smiled at her twice. He really only cries when he is hungry or tired.
Day by day, this is getting easier. Just like everyone said it would. Now if he would just start sleeping through the night :)
Friday, October 3, 2008
This Morning's Activity - Travis
In this morning's activities we worked on tracking movement with our eyes.
I think he is wondering why all the animals are going around backwards.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Call Guinness
Henry has been up, nursing, and/or screaming since 3pm. It is now 10:38pm. Travis and I have tried everything to soothe and calm this baby. I have nursed him every 1 1/2 hours, we took him for a car ride, walked in the Snugly, tried the paci, rocked, and swang in the chair. Just when we think he is asleep, he pops his eyes open and screams.
As proud parents, we believe that someone should contact the Guinness Book of World Records due to our newborn son's ability to stay awake for this long. Is this normal?
As proud parents, we believe that someone should contact the Guinness Book of World Records due to our newborn son's ability to stay awake for this long. Is this normal?
Happy Birthday Travis
Mom took Travis and I out for a birthday burger at Red Robin tonight. He wouldn't let us tell the waiter that it was his birthday and he said that no one at work knew that today was his birthday. SO everyone please join me in recognizing this great man's day of birth.
Friday, September 26, 2008
4am
It's 4am - I just got finished nursing Henry and he is content in his swing for the time being. Last night went really well - he slept for 4 hours in between two feedings so I got some much needed rest. That also means we will probably be up for the next 8 hours but I can deal with this much better if I get just that little bit of extra uninterrupted sleep.
We have kept the baby alive for 20 days so far. I counted it up and if he averages 8 feedings a day, he and I have had 160 times to get this breastfeeding thing down pat. It does get easier everyday - I would just like to fast forward to when he sleeps ALL night. That will be so much better for me mentally. As for now, I am trying my hardest to get from one day to the next. I pray everyday for the ability to give myself over completely to this new life, leaving behind my selfish (albeit fun and carefree) previous life. This is my highest hurdle right now.
Henry does not like the swing anymore - time to try bouncing and swaying in my arms.
We have kept the baby alive for 20 days so far. I counted it up and if he averages 8 feedings a day, he and I have had 160 times to get this breastfeeding thing down pat. It does get easier everyday - I would just like to fast forward to when he sleeps ALL night. That will be so much better for me mentally. As for now, I am trying my hardest to get from one day to the next. I pray everyday for the ability to give myself over completely to this new life, leaving behind my selfish (albeit fun and carefree) previous life. This is my highest hurdle right now.
Henry does not like the swing anymore - time to try bouncing and swaying in my arms.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Happy for Bad News - Travis
We have just received some GREAT news. Unfortunately due to someone else's misfortunes(not too serious misfortunes), Robin is able to extend her streak of seeing Henry every day of his life by going back to Chattanooga with us tomorrow. For those of you unaware: Henry was born on a Saturday the 6th, Robin came over that day and took the next week off work while I worked and she came back to Franklin Sunday the 14th. I took the next week off so Monday the 15th Lindsay and I came to Franklin. I have to work again on Wednesday the 24th so we are all four going back to Chattanooga tomorrow the 23rd. Robin will stay with us until Sunday the 28th. So for the first 23 days of Henry's life he will get as much face time with Robin as he does with either me or Lindsay. (BTW, I suggest to anyone else having a baby try to get a Grandparent as fanatical as Henry has. She has made it a million times easier on us.)
Sleep - Travis
It is very frustrating to go to Camila's blog. It is a horrible feeling to go to her blog and look on the right and see that the post you put up last night before you went to bed was only 4 hours ago.
Lindsay and I are both missing the great relationship we used to have with sleep. In Loddfafnismal Odin says, "If you want a friend whom you can wholly trust, foster his friendship; brambles and waving grass quickly grow on a little-troden road." The road for us and sleep is getting terribly overgrown. Lindsay wanted to know if anyone could give us sleep as a present.
Worst of all is the fact that, at this time when it should be the easiest of our lives, naps are all the sudden hard to take. All of the questions, worries, and new imaginations are racing through our heads. This is coupled with the fear that this will only be a false sleep and as soon as we do doze Henry will wake up. So instead of more rested we will be as tired as we were to begin with but now have to be parents while being drowsy.
Lindsay and I are both missing the great relationship we used to have with sleep. In Loddfafnismal Odin says, "If you want a friend whom you can wholly trust, foster his friendship; brambles and waving grass quickly grow on a little-troden road." The road for us and sleep is getting terribly overgrown. Lindsay wanted to know if anyone could give us sleep as a present.
Worst of all is the fact that, at this time when it should be the easiest of our lives, naps are all the sudden hard to take. All of the questions, worries, and new imaginations are racing through our heads. This is coupled with the fear that this will only be a false sleep and as soon as we do doze Henry will wake up. So instead of more rested we will be as tired as we were to begin with but now have to be parents while being drowsy.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
I apologize for the pictures - Travis
In my nightly how big is Henry today posts, I am obviously not the photographer so I have no control over how bad, or how inconsistent they are. Poor planning on my part but we are just going to have to be happy with what we get.
This is harder than it looks - Part 2
Another hard night - so not last night but the night before, we had another eating extravaganza. From 3:30am to 12pm (yes 8 1/2 hours), Henry would eat for an hour it seemed, act like he was done and then want to eat again in the next 20 minutes. This went on until I had a nervous breakdown around 9:30am and Mom (who had 4oz of my milk on hand) told us to get out of the house. After I would feed him, Travis would take him out of the room to go sleep on his chest. Henry would wake and Travis would do everything to try and pacify him before bringing him to me. By the time that 9:30 rolled around, my confidence in breastfeeding was shot. I just knew that I wasn't producing enough milk and that my child was starving. We left him with Mom and Dad and went for a walk. I called to check in around 11:15 and Dad said he was STILL eating. He nursed on 4oz from the time we left until the time we got home. So it wasn't me. For the rest of the day, he basically slept and then last night Mom kept him and fed him another two ounces of my milk so I could sleep for 5 straight hours. 3 hours of which he was wide awake. It was not our best day to say the least.
But how could you be upset with this little man?
But how could you be upset with this little man?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Night 3 - Travis
Not much noticeable change so far in physical size but his awareness and strength are growing very noticably.
The theme of the week - Travis
Seems to be don't take your own plans too seriously. Anyway 6 in the morning is still late at night to some people.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
As I Don't Expect My Arms To Grow - Travis
This morning Lindsay commented on how much bigger Henry was today than yesterday, comparing him to Andre the Giant. So I plan to take a replica of this picture every night for the foreseeable future.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
This is harder than it looks
For 3 1/2 straight hours today, my son nursed. I had all of these plans made for going on a walk and going to the store, but we were stuck here all day. Every time I thought he was done, I would take him off and then he would act hungry and fussy again. This went on for forever. Fellow breastfeeding mothers - did your babies go through growth spurts? periods of times when you child ate constantly? I'm so exhausted. Hopefully the rest of the night goes better. Prayers are welcomed.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
You've got to be kidding
So yesterday, Mom offered to watch the baby and gave Travis and I two whole hours by ourselves - such a gift!! We are driving home from the gym and the conversation was all about Henry -we finally get time to ourselves and all we can talk about is him! - I'm told that this is quite normal.
Anyway, I say something like, "Have you noticed so and so about Henry's diapers?" Travis doesn't really respond. Then it hits me - Travis hasn't changed a poopy diaper! Then he informs me that he hasn't changed a diaper ALL week. Not once. In the hospital, I gave him the task of changing the baby's first poopy diaper. He played dumb and got Julia to "show him how".
Needless to say, when we got home, I made sure he got to experience the pleasure that is poop!
Anyway, I say something like, "Have you noticed so and so about Henry's diapers?" Travis doesn't really respond. Then it hits me - Travis hasn't changed a poopy diaper! Then he informs me that he hasn't changed a diaper ALL week. Not once. In the hospital, I gave him the task of changing the baby's first poopy diaper. He played dumb and got Julia to "show him how".
Needless to say, when we got home, I made sure he got to experience the pleasure that is poop!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Comment Response - Travis
I don't actually plan to be called Papa. I will probably be called Dad. After recently watching Fiddler on the Roof Lindsay and I named my leather chair the "Papa Chair." So it's something she calls me but not what we are planning on having Henry call me.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Try This - Travis
Someone who does not have facebook try this link and post a comment if it does not work.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2274706&l=b2fab&id=2731144
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2274706&l=b2fab&id=2731144
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
A Baby Story
Ok...Henry is snoozing after his last feeding so I have some time to write his birth story (don't worry - I just woke up from a cat nap and am taking every opportunity to sleep when he sleeps).
Our story begins early early Saturday morning. Around 2am, I began having very intense contractions, lasting 30 seconds, 10 minutes apart. I had these the previous night and nothing came of them so I didn't make much of them. Around 4:30am, I was pulled out of deep sleep by contractions that were oh so painful and 5 minutes apart. I woke Travis up and after 45 minutes without ceasing, he decided that he had better get the car packed. An aside and praise to my husband - he made the bed, ran the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen and took out all the trash before we left just because he knew I would want to come home to a clean house!
At 6am, we left for the hospital, even though I just knew that the moment we got to the hospital, they would say that this was false labor. On the way there, I called my mother and said, "Mom, I think I'm in labor." She screamed, "Ok", and then hung up before I could tell her anything else! When we got to the hospital, they checked me in and hooked me up to some machines that monitored Henry's heart rate and my contractions. The nurse said that I was 4cm dilated, 90%effaced with bulging waters - so basically this was the real deal!
Everyone asked me throughout my pregnancy whether or not I'd be getting an epidural. I always said that I would make up my mind when I got there. Well I can tell you that it is the most amazing invention on earth!! I applaud any woman who has gone through labor without any medication - I was no such woman. As soon as I got to 5cm dilated, they gave me that sweet sweet drug and I turned back into my lovely self :) Quicker than I realized, Mom, Dad, Kate and Adam arrived (around 10:15am) and we all just hung out in my birthing suite. Nurses would come in periodically and check my vitals and everything was looking pretty good. However, a couple of times whenever I moved to my left side, Henry's heart rate would go down so low that the nurse would run into the room and make me switch back to my right side and give me oxygen.
The doctor on call, Dr. Radpour, made his rounds and broke my water around 11am. At that time, I was 6 cm and 95% effaced. He seemed confident that things would progress quickly after that. And they did!
Around 11:45pm, the nurse came in to check my progress and said that I was a 7; the tone of her voice made it sound like I should be farther along and that we would probably deliver by late afternoon. As she was describing the difference between an emergency c-section and a c-section, Henry's heart rate dropped drastically. She called for Dr. Radpour. As soon as he got into the room and checked me, he said, "It's time to push, Lindsay." Not 15 minutes after the nurse made us confident enough to discuss having time to order lunch!
Everything moved so quickly at this point and I was so scared that I will probably have a different story than everyone else in the room (which was Travis, Mom, and Kate). He called for a shot of something that made my heart race so fast, it felt out of control. A nurse and Travis held my feet and I began to push (or went through the motions of what I thought it would be like to push because I couldn't feel a thing from the waist down). Ten minutes into pushing, Dr. Radpour mentioned an emergency c-section. Henry's head was not progressing as quickly as it needed to and his heart rate dropped with every contraction. I could tell that this was not going the way it should - everyone's eyes were darting back and forth and there were about 15 people in the room at this point, I guess waiting to wheel me into the surgery room.
I can't even imagine the horror and stress that these people rushing in and out of the room had on my father who was in the hall. I looked over at Katy a few times and she would give me this fake fake smile - like she wasn't freaking out completely.
To get Henry's head down, the doctor used a manual vacuum. When that didn't work, he got an even bigger electric one. With every push, he suctioned. Finally, he said, "If he doesn't come with this next contraction, we will do an emergency c-section." I pushed with all my might and felt a lot of pressure relief. His head emerged and looked so scary - it had this bulbous cone on top. With the next contraction, the rest of his body came out.
I can't tell you the sense of relief that both Travis and I felt. We looked at each other and sobbed. Travis cut the cord and then they took him to clean him off. I heard his first cry and that was amazing as well. A nurse brought him over and I got to kiss him. It was just so perfect.
Henry Cole Wright weighed in at 7 lbs 6oz and 21 inches long. He has Travis' dimples and well, Travis' face. I will post some more pictures as soon as Travis gets home. Sorry this took so long but I have something taking up most of my time now :)
Our story begins early early Saturday morning. Around 2am, I began having very intense contractions, lasting 30 seconds, 10 minutes apart. I had these the previous night and nothing came of them so I didn't make much of them. Around 4:30am, I was pulled out of deep sleep by contractions that were oh so painful and 5 minutes apart. I woke Travis up and after 45 minutes without ceasing, he decided that he had better get the car packed. An aside and praise to my husband - he made the bed, ran the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen and took out all the trash before we left just because he knew I would want to come home to a clean house!
At 6am, we left for the hospital, even though I just knew that the moment we got to the hospital, they would say that this was false labor. On the way there, I called my mother and said, "Mom, I think I'm in labor." She screamed, "Ok", and then hung up before I could tell her anything else! When we got to the hospital, they checked me in and hooked me up to some machines that monitored Henry's heart rate and my contractions. The nurse said that I was 4cm dilated, 90%effaced with bulging waters - so basically this was the real deal!
Everyone asked me throughout my pregnancy whether or not I'd be getting an epidural. I always said that I would make up my mind when I got there. Well I can tell you that it is the most amazing invention on earth!! I applaud any woman who has gone through labor without any medication - I was no such woman. As soon as I got to 5cm dilated, they gave me that sweet sweet drug and I turned back into my lovely self :) Quicker than I realized, Mom, Dad, Kate and Adam arrived (around 10:15am) and we all just hung out in my birthing suite. Nurses would come in periodically and check my vitals and everything was looking pretty good. However, a couple of times whenever I moved to my left side, Henry's heart rate would go down so low that the nurse would run into the room and make me switch back to my right side and give me oxygen.
The doctor on call, Dr. Radpour, made his rounds and broke my water around 11am. At that time, I was 6 cm and 95% effaced. He seemed confident that things would progress quickly after that. And they did!
Around 11:45pm, the nurse came in to check my progress and said that I was a 7; the tone of her voice made it sound like I should be farther along and that we would probably deliver by late afternoon. As she was describing the difference between an emergency c-section and a c-section, Henry's heart rate dropped drastically. She called for Dr. Radpour. As soon as he got into the room and checked me, he said, "It's time to push, Lindsay." Not 15 minutes after the nurse made us confident enough to discuss having time to order lunch!
Everything moved so quickly at this point and I was so scared that I will probably have a different story than everyone else in the room (which was Travis, Mom, and Kate). He called for a shot of something that made my heart race so fast, it felt out of control. A nurse and Travis held my feet and I began to push (or went through the motions of what I thought it would be like to push because I couldn't feel a thing from the waist down). Ten minutes into pushing, Dr. Radpour mentioned an emergency c-section. Henry's head was not progressing as quickly as it needed to and his heart rate dropped with every contraction. I could tell that this was not going the way it should - everyone's eyes were darting back and forth and there were about 15 people in the room at this point, I guess waiting to wheel me into the surgery room.
I can't even imagine the horror and stress that these people rushing in and out of the room had on my father who was in the hall. I looked over at Katy a few times and she would give me this fake fake smile - like she wasn't freaking out completely.
To get Henry's head down, the doctor used a manual vacuum. When that didn't work, he got an even bigger electric one. With every push, he suctioned. Finally, he said, "If he doesn't come with this next contraction, we will do an emergency c-section." I pushed with all my might and felt a lot of pressure relief. His head emerged and looked so scary - it had this bulbous cone on top. With the next contraction, the rest of his body came out.
I can't tell you the sense of relief that both Travis and I felt. We looked at each other and sobbed. Travis cut the cord and then they took him to clean him off. I heard his first cry and that was amazing as well. A nurse brought him over and I got to kiss him. It was just so perfect.
Henry Cole Wright weighed in at 7 lbs 6oz and 21 inches long. He has Travis' dimples and well, Travis' face. I will post some more pictures as soon as Travis gets home. Sorry this took so long but I have something taking up most of my time now :)
The Many Faces of Henry - Travis
I'm sure most of these will seem rather repetitive unless you are related but this is all I have on my camera. For more you can check out camila's page by clicking on camila on the left. Lindsay will post a birth story later today.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
We are off to the hospital - Travis
Lindsay has had very sharp contractions for the last hour and a half. She just took a shower I'm about to start the dishwasher and we will be off to the hospital hopefully to meet Henry.
Friday, September 5, 2008
There is an end in sight
No Henry yet. This morning, we went to a doctor's appointment that I really didn't think we would get to, but alas, he is still not here. The doctor was extremely surprised to see us. She did my internal, I'm 3cm dilated, 50% effaced. We decided that if I haven't gone into labor by next Wednesday, that we will induce that day. We have to be at the hospital at 5am and if all goes well, Henry will be in my arms by that afternoon!! Of course, we hope that he comes before then.
I am just so ready to kiss his little cheeks and feet. I'm ready to meet this little man who kicks my ribs and performs acrobatics in my stomach. I am also so ready to spend an entire day laying flat on my belly, eating raw sushi, and do a real bench press. AHHH!!
I am just so ready to kiss his little cheeks and feet. I'm ready to meet this little man who kicks my ribs and performs acrobatics in my stomach. I am also so ready to spend an entire day laying flat on my belly, eating raw sushi, and do a real bench press. AHHH!!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
It occurred to me this morning while I was taking my step aerobics class, that people can get sorta scared around a pregnant woman. As I was looking around during class, it seemed like everyone had their eye on me, making a plan for what would happen if I fell over or my water broke. I got to thinking about it and I would be SO embarrassed if I was on a treadmill or elliptical and my water broke. What would I do? Get a towel and clean it up?
Maybe today will be my last visit for the time being.
Maybe today will be my last visit for the time being.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
My Rant for the Day
I am so depressed. For the past two weeks, Travis has worked open to close, with no days off because his assistant has a staph infection (which is bad, I know). We got through the last two weeks with the assurance that she would be back today and he would get some time off.
Well....she calls him this morning and says that she will be out until at least Wednesday!!! Poor Travis is so sleep deprived that his little eyes have those bags under them (if you knew him in college, you'd remember - he never slept). He is just going through the motions. All this and I could go into labor at any minute - then what would happen? There is no back up plan if he has to leave the store. Plus, we were looking forward to these last fews days before Henry arrived so that we could spend some "just us" time together. AND, normally if he had to work this much, I would just drive to Franklin for a couple of days but we can't risk me having the baby on the road.
I'm stuck here, I feel miserable, and I just want to hit something! UGH!
P.S. That was my rant - here is how I'll get through it - Things could ALWAYS be worse somehow. We have a house, a baby, an amazing marriage, two working cars, jobs, and food in our bellys. I am thankful for everything, small and big.
Well....she calls him this morning and says that she will be out until at least Wednesday!!! Poor Travis is so sleep deprived that his little eyes have those bags under them (if you knew him in college, you'd remember - he never slept). He is just going through the motions. All this and I could go into labor at any minute - then what would happen? There is no back up plan if he has to leave the store. Plus, we were looking forward to these last fews days before Henry arrived so that we could spend some "just us" time together. AND, normally if he had to work this much, I would just drive to Franklin for a couple of days but we can't risk me having the baby on the road.
I'm stuck here, I feel miserable, and I just want to hit something! UGH!
P.S. That was my rant - here is how I'll get through it - Things could ALWAYS be worse somehow. We have a house, a baby, an amazing marriage, two working cars, jobs, and food in our bellys. I am thankful for everything, small and big.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
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