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Todd at 2 days old – August 23, 2014
Has it already been 3 months since our #minivegan was born? In keeping with what seems to be the new theme to this blog (part-time online journal), here’s the first in a series of month by month updates. I’ve been fastidiously keeping records of all of Todd’s goings on since he was born.
As you know from my other baby posts, I am very detail oriented! It’s not only because I’m in the medical profession that I’ve been charting Todd’s intake, output, sleep patterns, and more since he came home from the hospital. I don’t want to forget anything about his precious development!
This post was originally going to include Todd’s first three months, but it started getting too long! So, here’s just the first month…
(Note that I’m just summarizing points pertaining to Todd’s birth and my breastfeeding struggles. For the detailed accounts and pictures, see my posts: Todd’s Birth Day and My Bottle Baby.)
FIRST MONTH
(AUGUST 21 – SEPTEMBER 21)
WEEK 1
Todd was born on Thursday, August 21st at 7:08 PM. He spent his first night in the NICU and his second night in my hospital room. In the NICU, Eric gave him a nickname, “Ribbit,” because he made cute frog noises.
Todd and I came home from the hospital on the 23rd. My sister and niece had been staying at our house since August 13th. I was greeted with sweet decorations that they put up when I was gone, which made me cry! I felt so loved.
Welcome Home Sign
One of many house decorations by Karin & Ashley
Ashley & Todd – August 23, 2014
My parents arrived with my nephew on the 24th. We had a full house, but I really appreciated having the company and extra help during that painful and stressful first week. My sister and her kids went home on the 26th.
My sister and her kids with Todd – August 26, 2014
On the 26th, I started having Todd sleep in my bed with me, because he wouldn’t go to sleep in the Pack ‘n Play in my room. That saved my sanity. I enjoyed my “little bed partner,” although it took some adjustment to sleep without moving a muscle and without using my blankets and body pillows the way I was accustomed to.
My bed partner – August 29, 2014
My parents went home on the 28th. I was very emotional when my family left. I was in the throes of sleep deprivation and my post-partum hormone crash. I was struggling with breastfeeding and stressed about Todd’s weight loss.
My parents with Todd – August 28, 2014
- Visitors in the hospital: my sister (Karin), Eric’s parents (Diane & Darrel), our sister-in-law (Sandie), and my niece (Ashley)
- Visitors at home: Eric’s parents, Eric’s brother (Jeff), our niece (Kylie), our nephew (Eli), my parents (Carol Ann & Richard), and our doula (Serena)
- Appointments: Lactation (8/24), Pediatrician (8/25)
- Todd’s weight = 7 pounds at birth; 6 pounds, 3 ounces at 1 week old.
- 1st nail trim – August 23
- 1st walk in the stroller – August 24
- 1st co-sleeping – August 26
- 1st restaurant outing (Shire Cafe, Arlington, WA) – August 28
1st nail trim, by Ashley – August 23, 2014
Stroller Walk – August 24, 2014
The Shire Cafe – August 28, 2014
WEEK 2
Although my stress over breastfeeding difficulties was peaking this week and next, I do have tender memories of Todd holding onto his ears like handles when he was calmly latched on. (When it was right, it seemed so right! He just wasn’t getting enough to eat!)
Todd holding onto his ear like a handle – August 24, 2014
Since birth, he would keep his hands up by his face. There was speculation that maybe that was why he had a hard time getting out! Often, I would have to wrestle with those hands when breastfeeding, because he would push away from me with them. It’s amazing how strong newborns are!
September 3rd was another particularly emotional day for me. There were lots of tears of heartache.
- Visitors at home: our sister-in-law (Dallas)
- Appointments: Lactation (8/29, 8/31, 9/3), Cascade Birth Center (9/3), Pediatrician (9/2)
- Todd’s weight = 6 pounds, 9.5 ounces at 12 days.
- 1st time using Moby wrap (9/4)
Trying out the Moby – September 4, 2014
WEEK 3
For the first 3 days, I didn’t leave the house. I was a slave to breastfeeding, then supplement feeding, then pumping, and the clean-up of pump parts and bottles. Eric was a big help, but naturally the brunt of the stress was on me. I reached another emotional low point in the wee hours of September 7th.
In the light of summer day, I felt a little better when I finally took Todd outside, to the mailbox and to briefly visit a neighbor.
For the remainder of this week (4 days in a row), Eric’s mom came over to help. Todd gave her lots of snuggles. I cherished the company. I ended the week feeling emotionally loads better.
Cuddles from Grammie – September 8, 2014
We purchased a swing on September 9th, and it turned out to be a vital piece of equipment. I could put Todd down and he’d stay happy. Otherwise, he loved to fall asleep on warm bodies!
- Appointments: ARNP (9/8), Pediatrician (9/9)
- Todd’s weight = 7 pounds, 2.5 ounces at 2 1/2 weeks
- Umbilical cord stump fell off (9/9)
- 1st time in swing (9/10)
WEEK 4 (AND PART OF 5)
Since his cord stump fell off, we gave him his first bath on the 14th. He was hesitant at first, but then he seemed to enjoy it.
By the end of this week, I stopped breastfeeding and I stopped pumping. This meant that life started getting a whole lot better for the three of us. Without the singular focus on simply feeding Todd, I was finally able to start caring for him.
Up until this week, Todd continued to sleep swaddled in my bed. But then Todd started crying more when we’d go to bed. It seemed like the right time to wean him from the co-sleeping. On September 17th, he was able to fall asleep twice in the Pack n Play in my room.
At 7:30 PM the next night, I put him to bed in his crib. Success! He slept until 11 PM, ate, returned to his crib until 3 AM, ate, then returned to his crib until 7 AM. He’s been sleeping in his crib at night ever since.
- Visitor at home: Eric’s mom
- 1st & 2nd baths (9/14, 9/21)
- Last breastfeeding attempt (9/17)
- Active kicking day on playmat (9/18)
- 1st sleep in crib (9/18)
- 1st visit to a protest (Ringling circus, 9/20)
Todd on Grammie – September 14, 2014
Ringling Circus Protest – September 20, 2014
2nd Bath at 1 month old – September 21, 2014
FIRST MONTH WRAP-UP
Other things to remember about Todd’ first month:
- scaly skin around his eyebrows
- goopy right eye
- sucking on his first finger
- staring at our engagement picture above his changing table
Staring at our engagement picture – September 9, 2014
- staring at pictures on the walls
- grunts and squeaks
- turning head side to side during tummy time
- at the end of the month, Todd’s bowel movement frequency had decreased, from multiple times per day to about twice.
- carrying Todd around the yard to look at the plants, and walks to the mailbox
Eric & Todd – September 7, 2014
- working on head stabilization by holding onto Todd’s hands and gently pulling him to upright sitting. (See video clip below)
Next up: Baby Todd’s Second Month…
I took several walks to Jennings Park while #WaitingForTodd
AKA: My pregnancy, Weeks 38-41+
I’m finally catching up with this blog and, although a LOT has happened, I’ll start where I left off at the end of July. This blog is really just a personal (and yet public) way for me to record (most) everything about my pregnancy and birth.
Oh– and #minivegan does have a name, and his name is Todd.
WEEK 38
This was my last full week of working. By this time, I was really having a hard time getting through the intense, full work days, and the summer heat made it much worse! Low back pain was an issue for the first time during my pregnancy. Also, this one spot in my right lower rib cage area was constantly feeling stretched and sore. Ligament stretching? Muscle stretching? I didn’t know.
I had a midwife appointment on Wednesday, July 30th. On Friday, August 1st, I had my 6th veganniversary. (Yay!!) During the evenings and nights, my heartburn and poor sleep continued.
WEEK 39
I worked Monday and Tuesday this week. I took Wednesday off. Thursday, August 7th was supposed to be my last day of work.
I had a midwife appointment on the Wednesday (August 6th – Happy 40th birthday to my sister!) I could have opted for a check of my cervix, but I decided against it.
I never made it to work on the 7th. In the early morning hours, I was feeling some mild crampy sensations that I thought could be labor starting. It wasn’t. Wishful thinking! I felt dumb about calling in to work. Rookie mistake. I regretted not having the experience of “last day goodbyes” with my co-workers and patients. Oh well. I spent the weekend shopping, cooking, relaxing, and gearing up for the big day…
WEEK 40
40 Weeks Pregnant
Monday, August 11th was my due date. I went for a walk and then I had an acupuncture appointment. I was hoping the acupuncture would give my body a nudge toward labor. I don’t know what it did, but I definitely had the best sleep in a long time that night. Baby was super active that evening…
On Wednesday, August 13th, I was awake from midnight to 4 AM, again feeling mild crampy sensations. I hoped it was labor starting, but it wasn’t. I had a midwife appointment in the morning, and Brianna checked my cervix (ouch!!). She said baby’s head was “really low!” and that I was at +1 station and 1 cm dilation. My cervix was in a good, anterior position. I was optimistic that labor might start soon. My sister and 10 year old niece decided to drive up from Oregon. I wanted them present for the labor and birth.
Welcome sign
On Friday, August 15th, I was again up in the early morning hours with the same pre-labor sensations. When I noticed my mucus plug and bloody show on the toilet paper in the morning, I really got excited! I was convinced the day had come. I even called my doula to give her a “heads up.” But, no. (Poor Eric stayed home from work that day for nothing.)
By Saturday, August 16th, we were all getting pretty stir crazy, so we planned a full day of activity. In the morning, I saw a little more bloody mucus. We walked on the Centennial Trail in Snohomish, WA…
Centennial Trail – 40 Weeks +5 Days – August 16, 2014
Centennial Trail
We went to the Snohomish Aquatic Center, which is pretty cool! I was not able to do certain activities…
Eric at the Snohomish Aquatic Center
And he’s down…
My niece comes out of the water slide.
Sunday, August 17th I hit my emotional low point. It was now 40 weeks + 6 days. I was so done with being pregnant. I was drained by getting my hopes up every night, only to still be pregnant each morning. I felt bad that my family had been in town for several days and there was still no baby for them to hold. I wanted them to enjoy the maximum number of days with Todd, before needing to go back home. Finally, I was increasingly fearful about the possibility of induction. With each passing day, I doubted my body’s ability to initiate labor on its own. That afternoon, I cried and cried.
WEEK 41
41 Weeks Pregnant – August 18, 2014
New week, new attitude. Another good night’s sleep helped. On Monday, August 18th, we took Ashley to the American Girl store in Lynnwood.
American Girl
On Tuesday, August 19th, we walked in the neighborhood in the morning, and I had an acupuncture appointment and a massage appointment in the afternoon.
Acupuncture Associates of Marysville
Ashley also used her special energy forces to try to coax baby out…
Ashley
Ashley uses her energy forces to coax Todd out.
On Wednesday, August 20th (after yet another night of being awake with pre-labor sensations, this time more intense than ever before), we decided to make Todd’s birthday cake. I made the recipe for Peanut Butter Mousse Cake, out of The Voluptuous Vegan cookbook.
At noon, I had a midwife appointment. Brianna did another cervix check (ouch!), as well as a stretch and sweep (double ouch!). I was 3 cm dilated. I also had a NST (Non-Stress Test). Baby responded well. I was sent for an ultrasound, too, but that was more of a wild goose chase than anything else (not worth discussing here). Brianna said it was time to use castor oil to induce labor. I was instructed to drink 2 ounces at bedtime (~10 PM) and then drink another 2 ounces 4 hours later (~2 AM).
NST at 41 Weeks + 2 days – August 20, 2014
TO BE CONTINUED…
Freeheel Vegan 