The Swelling Part 2

Remember how my feet looked like this...

...and then I got pregnant and they looked like this:

Well, I'm happy to report that the evil swelling has gone down and my feet are back to normal. Hooray!!

I finally get to wear shoes that are not indoor/outdoor slippers and look like a normal person again. But for this face, it was totally worth it. :)

Sweet Baby James: Week 1

I had really good intentions of keeping up with the blog on a daily basis once the baby was here. You know, post some pics...share some cute anecdotes. The nurses at the hospital laughed at me when I told them. I said "You'll see...I can do it."

Well, apparently they were right.

The hours in the day seem to fly by and just when I think I have time to sit at the computer, it is time to nurse or change a diaper or cuddle (my favorite part!). The blog seems to have taken a back seat...but for good reasons. So I've come to the conclusion that a weekly post will have to suffice for now. And even though it hasn't been a full week yet, it's time to share some pictures of the cutest kid I know!

Our last days at the hospital were good. We were thrown a wrench on the second night when we found out James had some jaundice. He spent the night under the lights (which made me cry), but we ended up getting some much needed sleep. He's good to go now...nice and pink. :) Uncle Joe arrived on Saturday morning and was SO excited to see his Godson. We had to pry James out of his hands in order to feed him!

Sunday arrived and it was time to head home. I'm not going to lie, I was nervous. We had been pampered during our stay at the hospital by the amazing staff of Fair Oaks and I was a little freaked out about having to take care of myself and James without them. But it was time and after seeing the OB and Pediatrician and getting the discharge speech, it was time to dress the little guy and head home.

Lucy was eagerly awaiting our arrival and I got the biggest hello when I walked in the door. I missed her so much and I think the feeling was mutual! We then brought James in for the big introduction and I have to say, it went really well. She showed interest - sniffed his feet and hands and even licked his little head. We knew we were good. :)

So, all is good. James is getting comfortable in his new home and we are trying to get used to his schedule and personality. He is a very calm baby who likes to sleep so hopefully that will stick. We love being parents and can't get enough of the little guy. Ed is a pro at diapers and I'm still trying to get the hang of breast feeding (TMI? Sorry!). James loves cuddling with his Grandparents and is most content when in his swing. We love watching how he changes every day and will continue to take thousands of pictures!!

Sweet Baby James: Day 2

Have you heard the song Bad Day by Daniel Powter? Well, that was James' theme song today, but I'm happy to say he made it through and had a break through tonight.

The morning started out okay with a successful hearing test, but within an hours time he had his circumcision (ouch!) and heavy duty blood work for all of the required state tests. He was not a happy guy. But he pulled through AND we had 2 successful latching sessions after many, many failed attempts. So I guess it really wasn't that bad - especially since he is now sleeping soundly, allowing me to update the blog tonight!

We are hoping to get more sleep tonight since we are running on maybe 4 hours in 2 days with 30 minute naps here and there. Fingers crossed!

Sweet Baby James: Day 1

Ok, so I know we are actually on day 2, but that just means another post later today. Our precious little guy joined the world March 1, 2012 at 11:09 am weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs, 1 oz so it's safe to say a c-section was the way to go. I'm doing well and dealing with the typical pains of major surgery. James is doing amazing. It's so hard to believe that this little person was inside me. It was truly love at first sight.

Lucy Goes Swimming...Again

As part of Lucy's knee recovery, we introduced some aqua therapy over the last 2 weekends. It's a great way to strengthen her muscles without the pressure of running or walking. Plus it improves her range of motion which is so important for her knee. With the advice from a Facebook friend (thank you Mrs. Busch!), we found out that a local pet resort offered aqua therapy for dogs - The Old Towne Pet Resort to be exact.

Lucy was very excited when we arrived, but as soon as she saw the pool she retreated. Memories of this came flooding back and she was not having it. Well, she had no choice. :)

We were greeted by her swimming companion and she was fitted for her life jacket. It was time to get in the pool!!

She did a few laps and then took a break and kept on doing that for a total of 30 minutes. She did great - she hated it - but she did great.

We did it 2 weekends in a row and will take a bit of a hiatus now that the baby is coming. Lucy is almost 100% back to herself after the surgery which is amazing. I remember bringing her home that first night thinking it would take forever for her to be back to normal. Well, she is back. :)

The Nursery: The Final Reveal

So here it is at last - the final reveal. I know I have kept you all abreast of the nursery progress, so there really aren't any earth shattering changes, but there are a few new pops that I happen to love that just make the nursery what it is. I LOVE sitting in there - it is so sweet and calming and I can't wait for James to test it out. Not much longer...:)

So, without further adieu, the final reveal:

Baby James is scheduled to arrive on Thursday morning so we will keep you all updated. Thanks everyone for your love and support during the pregnancy. We love you all!!

Leap Day Baby?

When we found out I was pregnant it did not occur to us one bit that 2012 was a leap year. It didn't even occur to us when we were told that our baby boy was due on March 7th that we could potentially have him on February 29th. With all the excitement we were feeling, it just didn't come up.

And then it did.

I think my Mom pointed it out first and it became an ongoing joke that he would absolutely be born on leap day because that is our luck. But really, would it be so bad? I bet you didn't know that there is a special honor society for people born on leap day affectionately known as "Leapers".


And that Ja Rule was actually born on February 29th in 1980.


Knowing that fact alone makes me embrace the idea of James being born on Leap Day. :)

But alas, we must disappoint. We will not in fact have a leap year baby, but instead a March 1st baby. That's right...looks like this kid is going to make his appearance next week during a scheduled delivery at Fair Oaks Hospital. Apparently he is rather large and his noggin most likely won't fit through my average-sized body so we are going in for a c-section.

I am relieved and disappointed all at the same time. Relieved that I won't have to put my body through the stresses of labor and can actually plan for the delivery. Disappointed that I won't experience the stresses of labor and have the opportunity to look at Ed and say "It's time".

So we are in "it's time to get our crap together" mode as we prepare to get the house and our psyche ready for the baby. Leap Year - Schmeep Year. We'll take March 1st any day! :)