Scrapbooking

Reflections

Wow I can not believe Conner will be 2 months on Tuesday.  He has changed so much since he was born.  Today I was looking though pictures from the hospital, working on a Shutterfly book, wow has he gotten big.  He is starting to hold his head up really well.  Loves to lay on his play mat and kick his feet, looking at the mirrored octopus.  Conner is smiling more and cooing more often.

He made his first big trip at the beginning of the month.  We went to Minnesota for Easter and he was baptized on Easter Sunday, in the same baptism gown his Grandma, Great-uncle, Mom, Uncle Callen, and my cousin Jamie were all baptized in.  He was awed over by all of his grandmas, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandpas, and many friends.  He did very well on the car ride both there and back, but it helped that we stopped 1/2 way overnight.  Grandma and Grandpa even babysat one night while we went out to dinner with friends.          

I am thanking my lucky stars that Breast Feeding has been going great.  I have been pumping once a day to start a freezer stash of breast milk for when I have to go back to work.  Currently I have almost 90 oz frozen!! Cloth Diapering has also been going great.  We used some home made diapers the first month, until Conner got to big for them.  Now we are almost exclusively using BumGenius 4.0 Diapers (http://www.bumgenius.com/).  We have 24 Diapers and do a load of diaper laundry every other day.  BumGenius Diapers according to there website fit baby's from 7-35 pounds.  We have found we like the snap closures better because they stay on more securely.  I will write more later about the savings of Cloth Diapers not only on the environment but also the wallet.   

I LOVE being home with Conner.  He keeps me laughing and busy.  I am dreading going back to work on the 9th of May.  He will go to daycare starting the 16th.  I love our daycare lady, Elizabeth, so I know he will be in good hands, but I am still nervous about going without him for 10 hours.  I am trying not to focus on that yet and trying to enjoy my time at home with Conner. 

The last few weeks

1 month old

Conner in Mikes Sweater from when he was a baby... Not to Happy

Conner with Quilt from Grandma and Bear from Uncle Callen 

Conner is One Month old.  I cannot believe how fast this month has gone.  He is growing every day and staying more alert.  He follows some noises and toys with his eyes.  He loves music and the sound of a crinkled plastic bag.  To calm him down we put him in the car seat and stroller and take him for a walk with Cora.  Conner likes being in the Ergo and Moby carriers, they make it easy for us to get things done around the house when he wants to be held.  Conner has been sleeping in his crib 95% of the time at night, on his side with a receiving blanket rolled up behind him.  During the day he naps in the Baby Papasan, the swing or being held.  

He is now 100% breast fed and 100% of the time Cloth Diapered.  (Yep I am a Crunchy Mama.) We have decided to go with BumGenious 4.0 Diapers (http://www.bumgenius.com/one-size.php) as our primary Diaper.  So far we have 9 and will slowly add to our stash until we have between 24 and 36.  We do diaper laundry every over day so it is not that big of a hindrance.  

Conner has had lots of visitors this month. Grandma and Grandpa stayed here for 10 days.  Samantha, Hans and Jacob visited for 5 days.  And Great Grandma and Great Grandpa B. came for 3 days.  He also has had lots of Home Town Friends come to visit.

I can't wait to see how he will grow and change this coming month.  I love staying home with him.

4 weeks (and 1 day)

3 weeks

Snuggling on Blanket from Great-Aunt Pam 

Conner's Grin

Cora is interested

Tummy Time

Apparently tummy time is boring

Turned him on his back and he almost rolled over!

The Birth: Plan vs Reality

Labor

-          We intend to have a Natural Birth

o   I went Natural until we went in for the C-section

-          We know pain medication and epidural is available, please do not offer them.  We will ask if we want them.

o   The nurses were very good about this until C-section

-          Please help us by suggesting natural pain relief options.  And numerous positions while pushing.

o   The nurses helped with different positions and breathing techniques until C-section

-          Help us to keep the birthing room calm, quiet and as peaceful as possible.

o   Most the time it was just Mike and I in the room, until issues came up

-          Intermittent fetal monitoring and a heparin lock are preferred.  Megan will naturally hydrate with water.

o   Again this was done until issues came up

-          We would like to be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits and have my labor augmented only if necessary

o   Because of the heart decals we had to have C-section

-          When pushing I’d like to do it instinctively and be allowed to progress without a time constraint as long as the baby and I are doing ok.

o   Never got to this point

-          I would prefer not to have an episiotomy.

o   Never got to this point

If a C-section becomes necessary we would like

-          Mike to present at all times during the operation

o   It took him a really long time to get into the operating room

-          the screen lowered a bit so I can see my baby being delivered

o   Nope

-          the baby to be given to my partner as soon as s/he's dried, if appropriate

o   Nope

-          to breastfeed my baby in the recovery room

o   Nope

After birth

-          Mike would like to cut the cord, if baby is healthy please wait until after the cord as stopped pulsing

o   Nope

-          We do not know the sex of Blueberry, DH would like to announce the sex.

o   Nope

-           If a medical emergency shall arise with the baby Mike will accompany the baby at all times

o   Mike got to go with him after the C-section, only came to recovery to help calm me down

-          Immediate skin to skin contact with mom is planned

o   Nope… 5 hours later

-          We plan to breastfeed and would like to within the first hour.  Please hold all testing, weighing and bath until we have had a chance to try and bond.

o   Haha Nope

-          We plan to breastfeed.  Please do not offer Blueberry a bottle or a pacifier

o   He was not given a bottle until it was required because of his blood sugar and Mike gave it to him.  His had only had a pacifier during his circumcision.    

-          All tests on baby shall be done in our presence, preferably in our room.

o   Most were.