Bringing Baby Home

So after a short stay at the hospital, one night to be exact, we were able to take baby Caleb home. Let the shenanagans begin! As would be expected, we got no sleep the first night because we were so paranoid! Every coo and snort put us in a panic. We are slowly getting used to his various noises. But he never fails to surprise us with something new. I think we've already made too many calls to the pediatrician asking her if certian noises and sniffles are normal. Looks like we are going to be high maintenance parents, constantly needing someone to tell us we have a normal low maintenance baby.

As far as diaper changes go, having a baby boy presents a whole new bundle of challenges. Practicing with my niece didn't prepare for the obstacles presented to us. Not only did we have to worry about maintaining his circumcision health and umbilical cord - we also were constantly dodging the Golden Shower. Lesson learned, you can't dodge it. It will always shoot in a different direction. No one in the room is safe! First shot - daddy's face. Second shot - Jennifer's chest. Third shot - Caleb got himself in the face (poor thing). And our blinds have been sprayed on multiple occasions. We've decided that the location of our changing table is not the greatest. We are going to relocate it to another window-less wall in the nursery. We figure it will be easier to clean the wall than the window and window treatments. Not only that, but we've changed Lana a couple of times on that table and realized that when Caleb gets older he will try tear those blinds apart.

Caleb's Delivery Story

Well, if you would have asked me if I would have a baby boy sleeping in my living room tonight one week ago I probably would have said no. But SURPRISE! As we all thought he would, Caleb arrived early! Even earlier than we thought he would. Want to know why? Here's the story:

Matt and I went to what turned out to be my last OB appointment last Wednesday. The doc performed a sonogram which revealed Caleb was not growing as much as he "should" be. GO FIGURE. Apparently, our sonogram 3 weeks prior put Caleb in the 25th percentile in size. Over 3 weeks, he had dropped down to the 10th percentile. This was enough reason for doc to say, "Guys. I think we need to deliver Caleb early". 

"Early?" I said. "Like, this weekend?"

Doc said, "Uh. No. Like tomorrow morning, first thing."

Que Matt's Freakout Face!

My parents were at this appointment with us. Dad was sitting behind me when Doc made the announcement. When she said we were going to deliver the next day, I could feel him light up with excitement behind me. "Did you just say tomorrow?! Oh my gosh!"

Needless to say, we were all excited. The excitement was reflected differently between each of us. Dad couldn't stop smiling. Mom wanted to immediately spread the news (understandably), and Matt couldn't stop talking and flayling his hands in the air like a crazy person. Me - I couldn't stop thinking about how unprepared we were. We had lots to do in one day, that we had planned to get done with at least one week's time. I was calm on the outside and panicking in the inside. "OMG! We're going to be parents tomorrow!"

So, Matt and I went back to work, spread the news and ran around like crazy people trying to get everything done that we possibly could. Then it was time to go home and get ready for a long labor day. That night was spent pacing around the house gathering necessities, and getting the house ready for a baby to be in it. Who knew that this would take HOURS?! Funny, because the Doc said to make sure that we got plenty of rest tonight. Pshh. Yeah. Right. So much to do, so little time, and we had to be at the hospital at 5:30am. Needless to say, Matt and I got NO SLEEP.

So, adrenaline pumping, Matt and I jump in the car around five o'clock in the morning and head to the hospital. Of course, we posted the momentous occasion on Facebook. This is when I realized that Matt has got a lot of friends and family that are up at this ridiculous hour on a regular basis. We had people congratulating us and wishing us luck within minutes! Of course, everyong asking for pictures as soon as the baby arrives. This is when it all set in for me. "OMG! We will be able to take pictures of our son and see what he looks like today!"

We arrive at the hospital, and are later joined by family. After a few hours of labor, it was finally time to start pushing. Matt, my sis and my mom joined me in the delivery room. It was an awesome experience. Matt and Jenn pretty much delivered Caleb. I loved that. Mom was in the background to document the whole thing.

Now, Caleb is is here. He is healthy. And Matt and I are already in love. He was born September 16, 2010 at 2:59 PM. He was 6 pounds 3 ounces and 18.5 inches long. We couldn't be more smitten.



 

Last Weekend?

It was a SLOW weekend. Hubby and I spent most of the weekend finishing up the house in preparation for baby and relaxing as much as possible. I'm not sure if it's the fact that Caleb is expected to be here so soon or what, but I've been extremely tired and sleepy lately. I'm taking it as a sign that I better rest up for the big day, and the next 20 years for that matter.

Jennifer, Brandon and Lana came over for dinner Saturday night. It was pleasant. I'm glad they enjoy hanging out with us so much, especially since they're going to be moving away so soon. Any time spent with them is precious. I'm grateful they'll be here long enough to meet Caleb. I can't wait to see the cousins meet each other for the first time. I expect it won't be all that exciting right away since they're so young - probably lots of staring wiggling and arm waving. But it's just the beginning. Jenn and I plan on keeping them in touch via webcam so they will still recognize each other at family gatherings. I wonder if they'll look alike. I'm sure they will some what, being that Jenn and I are twins and all.

As far as the whole Fantasy Football thing goes, obviously the "whispers" will be muffled until Caleb is born. We got our little booties handed to us for Week 1. Enjoy your win Matt! Next time we own you! I've gotta say though, despite the frustration watching my players totally suck it all day Sunday, I enjoyed the time spent with my husband. Whooda thought I'd enjoy watching football for an entire day! Relaxed on the couch with some Pizza and Beer. And NO! I wasn't drinking beer. Matt was. I had the luxury of admiring and smelling the beer from across the table. Water has been my drink of choice, sorda.

While watching my Gold Fish (Fantasy Football Team Name) tank throughout the day, I was able to finish making the "Labor Day" shirts for Matt, Caleb and myself. Making stuff has been my solitude while we wait for the munchkin to finally peek out my hoohaa. The shirts / onesie came out really cute. I know they're cute because Jennifer came over and whined that I didn't make her or Lana one. Yes Jenn. I am going to make one for you and my sweet niece. Stop whining! Love you! Hopefully I have time to get them done before it's too late.

Home Stretch

Well, we visited the doc again this past Tuesday. As I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy, doc is pretty adamant that baby Caleb will insist he join us a bit early. Apparently, I'm a ticking time-bomb. With every step I take I cross my fingers and think to myself  "Please water. Break so I can meet my son and lose the waddle walk! I'd rather hold him in my arms than in my gut. My bladder, colon and intestines will all appreciate the relief!" Whatever the outcome, whenever he decides to join us, we are SOOPER excited to meet him. We have another sonogram scheduled for next Wednesday to see how much he's grown in the last 3 weeks. Undoubtedly, he will still be small but I'm sure the sonogram will show that he is healthy regardless. Caleb will be our little munchkin, arriving just in time for football season - or should I say FANTASY FOOTBALL season.

It's officially started. The first game of the season was last night. In preparation for the game, we bought Matt a new laptop so he can check on all of his fantasy teams and still hang out with Caleb and I in the living room (rather than being tied to the desktop in "manland"). Not to say we don't have a fantasy team too - we do. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! But we don't only plan on joining him. WE PLAN ON BEATING HIM! "Why does she keep saying 'We'?" you ask. WE = Caleb and I. We will be the dominating force in the league. I say Caleb is MY team member because he will be latched to my nipple 90% of the time like the most adorable, lovable, handsome, charming, lucky nipple ring ever! Together, Caleb and I will morph into FOOTBALL WHISPERERS!!! We will beat daddy Matt and his new fancy laptop! HA!

In other news, I had my car detailed last Thursday. I'll admit it. It had been quite a while since I had thoroughly cleaned the outside of my car. By thoroughly, I mean more than just parking it in the driveway next to the sprinklers while Matt waters the front yard. It was time for a good scrub down and a massage of wax. So - off to THE WASH TUB! I gotta say, they did a great job. The inside looked brand new again. The outside, other than the scratches and newly acquired dent (I was rear ended a few weeks ago), looked fantastic. The inside smelled like new car. The carpets were steam cleaned. The leather, conditioned. I need to have a clean, sanitary vehicle to take baby around in right?!

NEWLY CLEANED CAR

Well I'll be darned if as soon as I jumped into my newly detailed vehicle I didn't see a giant ominous cloud in the distance. "NOOOOOOO!!!! NO! NO! NO! NO!"

Oh YES!! YES! YES! Everyone can thank ME for the week long tropical storm weather we've had in the past week. You say your lawns are turning yellow and need watering? Leave it to me to get the job done for ya! Bring on hurricane "HERPES" or "HERMES" or "HERMINE" or whatever the heck that hurricane was called. Why couldn't it stay in Mexico, or go to New Orleans where hurricanes belong! And of course, now my car looks as dirty as it ever did. At least I managed to keep the interior clean and free of mud. Also on the good side, the exterior dirt is hiding the scratches in the paint again. The glass is half full right! AWESOME!

NEWLY CLEANED STREET - THANKS HERMINE!

 

Seriously though, we've been blessed with a relatively mild summer. No droughts! Just enough rain. It's been great. I'm so thankful. I can't imagine what it would have been like to be pregnant in a TYPICAL San Antonio summer. I'm not sure it's even hit 100 degrees. Thanks to GOD.

Going CRAZY

Well today hasn't been the best day. This day in Jackie Land, the mood swings have taken over. And darn the everlasting headache! I need a nap more than anyone could imagine. And poor Matthew. He's been such a good sport. Thank GOD for my fantastic husband. Despite the fact that he has no idea why the heck I'm on the verge of tears every two seconds, he continues to support me.
Besides, how is he supposed to know what is the matter if not even I know what the on earth is wrong with me?! It seems the closer I get to "labor day", the more my emotions seem to take over and play Russian Roulette with my sanity.

Maybe it's just a combination of all the discomfort and frustration with not feeling "normal". Yes, I know. Everything I'm feeling is normal for pregnant individuals. HOWEVER, I would love to be back to feeling like a normal NORMAL individual. No migraines, no constipation, no shortness of breath, no waddle-walk, and no extra facial, back and tummy hair! My razor can't take it anymore! And that's not even half of it. But I take comfort in knowing that I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy journey. Although, I'm hoping the "baby blues" don't swallow me whole when my handsome son joins the party. With positive thinking, I'm sure I'll be able to avoid them. Lord knows I don't want to keep torturing my husband with craziness! All he wants is for me to be happy and for us to have a happy healthy baby. That's all either of us want.

We can't wait to meet our son. I'm sure as soon as I see that beautiful face I'll feel 100 times better. But until then, we're pushing through! And Matt - I love you! Thanks for putting up with my hysteria. I know you think I'm psycho, but really - I promise I'm the same person you married (in disguise at least). HA!

Baby, Poo and a Day for Matthew

Before discussing today's events, I should conclude the happenings of yesterday. The doctor's visit went well. I sat on the monitor for a while and the consensus what that Caleb Daniel is a happy little baby. Well that's all we could wish for! She also noticed how often he moved and kicked. "Wow! That's a lot of action!" she said. Yep. I'm bound to give birth to a baby who's idea of rest is bouncing from wall to wall yelling "WooHoo" at the top of his lungs. Awesome! I better learn to like RedBull.

(IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN ALL OF THE DETAILS OF THE PREGANANCY, SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH - WEENIES) Another big event yesterday! I was granted a fantastic gift. For those gals who've had the luxury of experiencing pregnancy, they all know the ability to go numero duece is rare. YES! I'm talking about poo! Guys, whether you like to believe it or not, women poop (dump, crap, take the browns to the superbowl, whatever you want to call it)!! But when pregnant, it's like finding a needle in a haystack. They are few and far between and the odds of you having one daily is slim to none. Well, after a long drought, I got relief last night! YAY! I feel so much better and can't wait for the next time baby Caleb releases my bowels from his death grip! Ha!

Now for today's events!!! It's September 1, 2010 which can only mean one thing! It's Matt's 29th BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday Babe!

Needless to say, his birthday wish was for me to pop out a baby today. As much as I'd love to ablige, I think we're better off keeping baby Caleb stowed in utero until we're sure he's ready. In lieu, he's going to have to accept a dinner at his favorite restaurant, Dave & Busters (he's my big kid!) and a couple of birthday surprises that don't involve hours of labor and a newborn. More on that tomorrow - after the surprises are revealed.

An interesting fact about September 1 - on this day in 1939, Germany invaded Poland by sending in 1.5 million troops at the same time the German Luftwaffe bombed Polish airfields. Great Britain and France sent Hitler an ultimatum to either withdraw German forces from Poland or face them in war. Two days later Britain and France declared war on Germany. So there's a little history for ya!

New Beginnings

Lots of firsts this year! Where to begin... I married the love of my life this past February. I refuse to post the exact date because the next test is to see if he remembers our anniversary next year. Heh. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to give him a little ribbing if he forgets. But knowing him, he's so darn considerate and thoughtful that there is no way he can disappoint. If anything, I would be the one to totally let the entire day go by and end up feeling like a doofis when he surprises me with something fantastic. Because that's just how he is. He truely is the best husband anyone could ask for. (I know. Ewww. So pathetic! Get over it. I'm over it. There is plenty more of that gooshy-mooshy stuff where that came from. Ha!)

And that's right. I said "doofis". I'm not even sure if that's how you spell it but it's the best way to describe myself at this point in time. PREGNANT + FORGETFUL = DOOFIS. Yes! I'm preggo in the eggo! It's a great story. Matt and I were engaged December 22, 2009. We planned to marry September 2010. But whoops! Why is Jackie throwing up? Que the ominous music - dun dun dun! Grab the EPT and pee! What do you know?! We're pregnant!

By the way, why do couples say, "we're pregnant?" No, no, no. The daddy-to-be doesn't get the pleasure of experiencing neverending nausea, back pain, constipation, hot flashes, night sweats or stretch marks (unless he's quickly gained that sympathey weight)! He does however get to bear the burden of all of my anxiety, mood swings and whining. And he's done a great job I might add. Love you honey!

Anyway, off the soap box. Where was I? I'M pregnant and WE'RE expecting a boy. It was time to hustle on the wedding date. We decided to have a shotgun wedding in front of the courthouse and it ended up being a beautiful night. We'll follow it up with a formal ceremony and reception next March 6, 2011. By then, baby boy will be old enough to leave with family so we can go on a short honeymoon. ANY VOLUNTEERS?!

As far as the baby production process goes, I'm just about full term now (due date is 9/28/10). Doc says he's a small baby but it looks like he wants out early. She thinks it won't be later than mid-September. We actually have another check up with Doc today. We're checking baby status to see how much longer we'll be waiting for the day CALEB HENRY DANIEL decides he wants to come into this world. Right now would be nice (I'm so UNCOMFORTABLE). But I guess I can wait. Lord knows we need time to rally the troops and get a plan. I've done a horrible job of planning my labor day - which very well could actually fall on Labor Day. I'd have to laugh at the irony of it. The day is sure to be filled with chaos and pain. We can't wait! We thrive in chaos and love every second of it. What we don't realize most of the time is that it's never really chaos. We know what we're doing. Really. And even if the day really is full of chaos, it's all part of the FUN of it. That's right. It's going to be FUN. Think positive! FUN! FUN! FUN! The rush to pack a bag (no, we haven't packed anything yet). The last minute phone calls to everyone. "IT'S HAPPENING!!!!" The fact that I have no idea where I will be when labor starts (or when). Getting in the car and figuring out how to make it through a car ride while moaning and growling and scaring the pee out of my husband. It's going to be great! LOL. Just thinking about how the day will go makes me laugh. It won't be super enjoyable while we're going through it but I know when we look back on it we'll get to smile and laugh about it, and appreciate what that day brought us.

We're ready - or at least as ready as we'll ever be.

So what else is new...My sister had her first baby in May. She's the most beautiful niece I could ever ask my twin sister (and brother-in-law) to produce! OF COURSE SHE'S BEAUTIFUL! And no. I'm not saying that because she looks like my sister and I did when we were babies. Wink Wink. But seriously, I never realized how excited I'd be to become and aunt. She's precious and I enjoy every moment I get to spend with her. Not to mention she's been great baby practice - minus breastfeeding. It's really inappropriate to practice that on someone else's child. HAHA! I'll just have to wing that part I guess.