Being at home

McKay really likes Nelson and is always asking where the baby is and whenever I feed Nelson, McKay says, "baby eating milk" over and over again.

Now we are home and doing well. Here's some close ups of the babe.

Hi, Mr. cross-eyed cutie

This time around has been much easier. Having a healthy baby is a completely different experience. Since Nelson has been home with me, I sure do have a lot less time to post pictures, blog, and email. I think I did a lot of that when McKay was hanging out in the NICU. So the posts may be few and far between, but I will try to keep it updated so the grandparents can see him.

Our BIG surprise

Nelson Robert Holt
born 1-17-12 at 2:55 pm
7 lbs. 5 oz., 20 inches long
lots of blond hair

Dr. G. called me Monday to say that he had been thinking about me all weekend and decided that we should start my induction Monday night/early Tuesday morning instead of waiting one more day, due to the small size of the baby. He was thinking something must be going on inside for this baby to not be growing. Well....I guess that little tyke had us all fooled. I realize he isn't the biggest baby in the world, but to us, he is a chubby buddy compared to McKay's 5 lbs. 2 oz.

McKay came to visit and kept patting Nelson's head saying, "baby Nelson." I think McKay is a little confused at this point about what is going on, but I am sure it will hit hard & fast as soon as we get home.

Family of 4

For all my friends who like to read the TMI: Labor & Delivery went well. It was kind of slow because I was not dilated or effaced at all when we got to the hospital at 1 am. So for 8 hours they used cytotec to ripen my cervix and help me dilate, which got me to a 2 (yipee....some sarcasm intended here). They broke my water and started pitocin at 9am. From 9-1, things were slow. At 1 pm I was at a 5, but I was mostly just overjoyed because I got my epidural at 11 am and the baby was looking SO much better inside than McKay did during his labor. During every contraction with McKay, his heart rate would drop to 50 and there were all sorts of hysterical nurses running about. This time around, baby Nelson maintained a good heart rate and my blood pressure stayed normal. YAY! At about 2:30, I was completely dilated and feeling the pressure. The pressure feeling is honestly a VERY good feeling because then you know the end is near. Doctor came in at 2:45 and baby came at 2:55 after just a few pushes. At least, I think I was pushing. I really couldn't even tell which muscles to use to push, but I wasn't complaining about that. :)

The plan...

One morning, I was so tired and wanted to keep sleeping after McKay woke up, so I got him up and laid back down. After a few minutes, he started bringing some of his toys in. He lined them all up right next to me on the bed. Such a clever boy. Below he is posing next to his toys with cell phone in hand. He likes to talk on the phone (or pretend to).

We have a plan for the baby's arrival (unless I go into labor before Tuesday night). I'll be induced late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning at 1 am!!!!! Silly, I know, but that's the plan. This week at my appointment, I hadn't gained any weight for two appointments in a row. Weird...considering that I am, by no means, starving myself. :) An ultrasound yesterday showed that my fluid levels are great, but that this little baby has decided he wants to be small just like McKay was. Right now the baby is estimated to be 5 lbs. 14 oz., which is bigger than McKay was at this point, but still small for 39 weeks. Hmmm....frustrating. My blood pressure has stayed normal until this week it is elevated a little bit. So basically the consensus with my Dr. is that me nor the baby are sick enough to go ahead and induce right now. But his small size is concerning enough to induce me next week since something is going on inside that is restricting his growth. I am trying to think of the positives:

1) childhood obesity will probably not be a trial for our kids :)

2) I treated myself to a donut (and icecream and cookies and lots of other goodies) yesterday since I haven't gained weight in a while. :)

3) if the baby has similar problems as McKay did, we will still be able to stay in Cedar.

4) we get to see our little bundle on Wednesday!!!

38 Weeks

In my 38th week of pregnancy, I guess I am on the homestretch. I feel great and really enjoy feeling the baby move. I think this baby moves so much more than McKay ever did, but maybe that is because McKay was my first and I didn't notice as much. I don't know.

McKay is a good helper lately. He will unload my whole dishwasher for me!!!! This is a great benefit seeing as my belly is rapidly growing and I don't want to bend over. He picks up each thing and says, "mommy, here" as he hands it to me. He has an extreme liking to these boots. He puts them on himself and struts around the house with them. The cutest thing that he has been doing is that when he breaks something or something comes apart, he brings it to me and says, "this happened. this happened, mommy." I always just snicker to myself and think, "hmmm.....wonder how that happened." :)