3 Months and AJ's Moving out!

I am a little behind in the 3 month post, but here it is: on October 10, 2009 AJ weighed in at 15 pounds 2 1/2 ounces and measured 25 1/2 inches. My boy is growing! He is all smiles now and loves to babble and make noises. On the eve of his 3 month birthday, AJ moved into his bedroom and spent his first night in his crib. I was not ready to make the move, but his bassinet has a 15 pound weight limit and we were forced to the crib. He did not go alone though, I inflated the air-mattress and slept in AJ's room for his first two nights. He is doing well, and while I miss just grabbing him and feeding him in my bed in the middle of the night, we are adjusting to feeding in the rocking chair. Since I never posted pictures of his nursery, I added some to this post. Enjoy!

What's that you said AJ?

I am a little behind on AJ's 3 month post, but after I upload the pictures I will be right on it. Until then, here is a little video I took of AJ last night while we were watching the Phillies beat the Rockies. Enjoy!

Go Phillies!

AJ went to his first Phillies game last Saturday and even though his dad was very nervous, we all did just fine. I fed him in the car before we went into the game and then around the 5th inning he was hungry, so we went to the family bathroom and I fed him in there. He was very happy and had fun chatting with his Grandma during the game. Around the 8th inning he started to get tired and fuss, so I decided to stand for the last inning and AJ went right to sleep

Mmmmm...Phillies game and cold Bud!

We gave Grandma and Grandpa tickets for their birthdays

Goooooo Phillies!

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J! E! T! S!

JETS! JETS! JETS! With a 3-0 start, Sundays have been good in our house.

AJ really enjoyed the game but throwing the flag really wore him out and he slept through the win. We will be sure to let him catch the highlights on E S P N.

AJ wasn't the only one enjoying a lazy Sunday; Stoli took his Dad's chair, fluffed the pillow, and snoozed away.

2 Months Old!

Hard to believe my little man is 2 months old! He went for his 2 month check-up at the pediatrician on Monday the 14th and weighed in at 12 pounds, 12.5 ounces with a length of 24 inches. He has grown so much! The 12 pounds 8.5 ounces in the picture was his weight on the actual 2 month date of September 10th. He has grown a little more than the average 1/2 pound a week, and he is 75th percentile for weight and 90th for length. AJ loves to smile (just not for the camera) and he babbles to us all the time. Mornings are still his favorite time of day, and the little bugger has learned to bust out of his swaddle at night, so he has moved on to blanket sleep sacks. I think he enjoys having his arms free at night so he can put them over his head, but now that he is not swaddled he is waking up more often from his startle reflex. I am going to give it a few nights to see if he gets used to it and adjusts, if not then I am going to buy some bigger swaddle blankets and go back to wrapping him at night. He was sleeping for a 5 hour block, waking to eat, then sleeping for 2-3 more hours. Now he is up every 1.5-3 hours. Not fun! Poor little AJ had to get his 2 month vaccinations at this last appointment. He did really well and calmed right down when I picked him up to comfort him after the shots. There were 2 needles, one in each leg, and an oral rotovirus. He loved the oral and sucked it right down, unfortunately his poor little legs did not like the needles. He has bruises and lumps at each injection site and it makes us so sad to see. AJ has been a little fussy the last 2 days, but nothing unbearable. Luckily, no more needles or doctor's appointments for 2 more months. I think it will give us all a little time to heal from the trauma. Here are some pictures taken on his 2 month birthday, enjoy!

All Smiles!

Was my last post really almost a month ago?!? Where has the time gone? So much has happened in the past month, AJ is growing big and strong and he is all smiles and baby coos now. Morning is his favorite time of day. He wakes up and babbles to himself in the bassinet, then when I go to get him out of bed and change him, he gives me the biggest good morning smile. AJ took his first trip to Ocean City over Labor Day weekend, where he met more of the family. We had a great time and even went for a nice stroll on the boardwalk, AJ really seemed to enjoy it. As nice as it is to be away, I think he was glad to be home in his own bed again. At the beach he was waking up after 2 hours of sleep and on our first night home he was back into his 5 hour sleep. A big relief for Mommy and Daddy! AJ goes to the pediatrician for his 2 month check-up in a couple days and the poor thing doesn't know what's coming! He will get his first big round of shots and I am trying to prepare myself for the tears, both mine and his. He has already gotten 2 Hep B shots, but they were small and do not cause a lingering pain or fever. The shots he gets this week will make his little leg sore and may cause a fever, so we will be sure to have some children's tylenol on hand before he goes to the doctor.

First stroll on the boardwalk

With Grandma and Grandpa

Art fed AJ boobie in a bottle so I could get my hair done :)

Sleeping in the big boy crib at Grandma's house

1 Month Old!

AJ is one month old today, man does time fly! He has gotten so big in the past month. He was down to 6 pounds 14 ounces a couple days after birth, and now my little man is up to 9 pounds 8 1/2 ounces! He is doing really well and getting cuter by the day. I don't want to jinx myself, but the past few nights, AJ has even been letting us get some sleep. He will usually sleep for about 4 hours, wake up and eat, then go back to bed for another 2-3 hours. So Art and I have been getting about 6-7 hours of (broken) sleep. Can't complain about that and I hope it keeps up! AJ has moved up in diapers, he went from newborn to size 1. He is also able to fit into his 0-3 month clothes now (although they are quite baggy on his skinny little body). Here are some pictures taken this morning.

Happy Birthday, Stoli!

Yesterday was Stoli's 5th birthday. It is so hard to believe we have had the little furball for almost 5 years now (we got him as a puppy in October 2004). Since Sunday's forecast was not favorable for swimming, we took Stoli to his Grandma Bev's house to swim and celebrate on Saturday. She even cooked him a lobster dinner. (Well, okay technically the lobster dinner was for us, but we did give Stoli a couple bites and he really enjoyed it!) On Stoli's actual birthday he was given lots of play time, attention, and presents. Happy 5th Birthday, Stoli!

Growing boy!

Hard to believe AJ will be 3 weeks old tomorrow! He is doing really well and is right on track with his weight gain. Now that he has reached his birth weight again, he should be gaining about 1/2 pound a week. And being the nervous new mom that I am, I bought a baby scale so I can weigh him each week between doctor visits. Last Friday, at the pediatrician, he weighed 8 pounds 1/2 ounce. As of this morning, AJ is up to 8 pounds 8 1/2 ounces. He is a really good eater and his weight gain is showing it!

Hanging out in the party chair!

It's tough work being a newborn!

We made it through the first week!

It is so hard to believe AJ will be 2 weeks old on Friday. We have all been doing well at home and we are starting to get into the swing of things. Art went back to work today so now it is just me and AJ hanging out at home.

Arthur William ****, Jr.

July 10, 2009

4:10pm

7lb 14 oz

20"

The eviction notice has been given!

As I mentioned earlier today, I had my 39 week appointment today and basically the doctor has given AJ his eviction notice. I have made no progress in the past 2 weeks and based on AJ's activity levels, he is quite content in the womb. The doctor told me the chances of me going into labor in the next week are slim, and based on AJ's size, he would like to do an induction this week so we can maybe avoid a c-section next week. The doctor called L&D and I am scheduled to check in at the hospital tomorrow night at 5pm. They will admit me and put a gel on my cervix to soften it, then on Friday morning they will start the pitocin. So it looks like AJ will be arriving sometime this weekend. The doctor me told so long as neither the baby nor I develop any problems, they will try the pitocin for anywhere from 48-72 hours. If it is not successful, then we will start talking about a c-section. So today was officially my last day of work and tomorrow I will be finishing up the laundry and housework I wanted done before AJ's arrival.

Wish us luck and I'll keep you posted!

Who gave him a baseball?!?

I swear AJ has a baseball or something to play with in my belly. Last night I was in bed watching TV and AJ was being quite active. All of a sudden this huge lump the size of a baseball is sticking out near my belly button and rolls to my side. I asked Art if he saw it, and he thought (from what he saw out of the corner of his eye) I had my hand in a fist resting on my belly and that I moved it. NOPE! That was AJ!! We then stopped watching TV and proceeded to watch my belly for about 10 minutes. The kid was moving! The lump was his foot, and you could feel his heel as it was protruding out of my belly. Although painful, it was quite amusing. All Art kept saying is, "I think he wants to come out and play, Beck." Well, I don't think he is too eager to come out and play. If he was, he would get the ball rolling and hook me up with some contractions instead of happily playing inside and showing me how far he can stretch my stomach! So the wait continues. (However, at my 39 week appt this afternoon, I will be asking my doctor about the eviction process and how long they will let me go before they induce me.)

We have a baby!

But, it's not mine! Brandie had her baby this morning; however, since I only heard the news from my mom, I will not post anything more until I talk to the proud parents. But, I will share that both baby and Brandie are doing well.

AJ on the other hand is not ready to come out yet. I did a lot of walking and bending and going up and down the stairs this weekend, but it all led to nothing! I think on Tuesday I will start drinking the red raspberry leaf tea and have some eggplant parm for dinner. Maybe that, plus more walking and cleaning, will get this little guy out!

Still here!

Looks like AJ wants me to clean the house. There is no progress from last Wednesday, same 1 cm and 50%. As I mentioned in the last post, I am okay with this as I have a lot to do around the house. Also, we have some zucchini ready in the garden and I would like to make some zucchini bread and muffins to freeze before the little guy starts taking up all my time. Tonight is our last night with plans, we are going to dinner with one of my close girlfriends from Miami. It will be nice to have a relaxing dinner before all of our nights are spent cleaning house and preparing for what's to come. I will keep working as long as I feel up to it, no need to stop the paycheck when work is only 1 mile from home and if I ever feel tired I can go home and nap. My next doctor's appointment is one week from today, so hopefully two things will happen: 1. I will get all the housework done in that week and 2. AJ will start making progress on Tuesday night, because my doctor is on call at the hospital on Wednesday the 8th, so that would be the ideal day to go into labor and have a baby!

The waiting game!

Well, we are officially in the waiting game now. As of last Wednesday I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. My doctor told me I could go into labor that night, or I could go in 2 weeks. So while I am making progress, it means nothing. Now we are wondering, do we have 1 Sunday or 2 Sundays remaining?? Our schedule has been so crazy trying to get everything in before AJ comes, that we have not had a single free night to stay home and get housework done. So once again, the housework has piled up and I am feeling slightly overwhelmed. I think I will be an anxious mess if I have to go to the hospital with a messy house. Art doesn't get it, but it is the same way I have to clean my house before I go on vacation. I hate leaving and coming home to a messy house! On the bright side, we have no plans for this weekend and plan on keeping it that way. On the downside, with 4th of July being a Saturday, I do not get an extra holiday at work or an extended weekend. BOO! Anyhow, we should be able to get the house clean and ready for AJ. I am hoping he makes his appearance on the 8th because that is when my doctor is on call at the hospital. But then again, I really want to see the movie Bruno, so I would not mind if he waits until after the 10th. Selfish, I know, but hey it may be the last chance I have to be selfish! I go back to the doctor tomorrow for another exam, so we will see if there is more progress and maybe this time get a better indication of how much time we have left. As for tonight's agenda, we will be installing the car seat bases in each of our cars and driving to the fire station for inspection. (The last Tuesday of every month is car seat check at the fire house, so I guess this is our last chance!) Oh, and the blinds for the house are in and will be installed on Thursday. Maybe after this weekend I will finally update the kitchen pictures since it will officially be 100% done! (But don't hold your breath)

Stoli the Diving Dog

After work today we took Stoli swimming. He was being a little bit of a show-off with his amazing diving dog demonstrations! 

Any day!

I had a doctor's appointment today, and according to my doctor AJ can come any day he chooses and no one will stop him! The doctor explained to me how 37 weeks is now considered full term (as opposed to the old 38 weeks) but that because AJ is big and I have had no problems, if I went into labor tonight, they would deliver him and he would be fine. Scary! I told AJ not to listen to the doctor and he is to wait at least 2 or 3 more weeks. That should give me enough time to finish doing everything on my list. The doctor also made a point of telling me he was reviewing my last ultrasound reports again, and that I do indeed have a big baby growing in me. He does not expect a 10 pounder, but he would not be surprised at 9lbs. However, if I do go 2 weeks early, AJ may only be about 8lbs. When I was confirming my appointment for next week and making my appointment for the week after, the receptionist informed me my regular doctor will not be in the office that week (6/28-7/4). I am not sure if it is because he is on vacation, or he will be on call in L&D. I am going to ask next week, because if he is on call in L&D and I will be 38 weeks on 7/2, I am going to see if he will let me schedule an induction so he can deliver my baby (and we can maybe avoid the 9lb issue). So much is happening so quickly, hard to believe the end, or should I say a new beginning, is near!!

"In our daily lives problems are bound to arise. The biggest problems in our lives are the ones that we inevitably have to face, like old age, illness, and death. Trying to avoid our problems or simply not thinking about them may provide temporary relief, but I think that there is a better approach. If you directly confront your suffering, you will be in a better position to appreciate the depth and nature of the problem. If you are in a battle, as long as you remain ignorant of the status and combat capability of your enemy, you will be totally unprepared and paralyzed by fear. However, if you know the fighting capability of your opponents, what sort of weapons they have and so on, then you’re in a much better position when you engage in war. In the same way, if you confront your problems rather than avoid them, you will be in a better position to deal with them."
-Dalai Lama

5 Sundays!!

As if 37 days didn't make it seem close enough, 5 Sundays makes it seem like tomorrow! After my next doctor's appointment on the 18th, I will be seen every week. All the little things happening just confirm AJ will be here before we know it. As anxious as I am to meet him, I am hoping he does not come too early because we still have a bunch to do and AJ, of course, still has a bunch of growing (the brain grows so much in the last couple weeks of pregnancy). I wouldn't mind if he holds out til his due date, and being my first, there is a good chance he will. At my last doctor's appointment, we were offered another ultrasound to check AJ's size at 36 weeks. This would give a more accurate size estimate at full term and, in my opinion, lead to nothing good. The doctor said it could lead to scheduling an early induction, or having his size on my charts could lead whatever doctor is on call when I do go into labor to force me to have a c-section. Some doctors do not like to try laboring with a large baby because it can take more time (and I suppose energy on their part...poor doctor), so my doctor recommended no ultrasound and we agreed. I have nothing against c-sections, I just know the recovery is more difficult and if I can avoid it, I will! So AJ's true size will be a surprise, and who knows maybe he is not going to be as big as they say. :)

Art and I have been busy in the evenings trying to wash everything we got at the shower so we can put it away. It has been fun sorting through it all and organizing. Last night, Art took a break and decided to put a teddy bear in AJ's stroller and take it for a walk around the upstairs. He simultaneously modeled his "man-diaper bag" showing me all the features and how it attaches to the stroller. It was funny to watch and I wish I had the Flip camera on me to record it. Maybe there will be a next time. We still have a lot to do (in addition to the laundry, we have to put together the bassinet, swing, car seat, pack n' play, party chair and put more stuff away) but luckily Art has had the last 2 Saturdays off and it doesn't look like he will be working the next few. But on the flip side, we are registered for 2 classes that will be all day Saturdays on the 20th and the 27th. Easy come, easy go!

On a different note, the blinds for the house are ordered and should arrive to our house in 2 weeks, at which point the guy will call us to set up a day for installation. He told us he would squeeze us into his schedule as soon as he can, but I guess I will have to keep my legs crossed until the blinds are in and installed!

That's about it for now, I will post some new pictures when we have a little more work done.

My Baby Shower

My Mom threw me a wonderful baby shower this past Sunday, I had such a good time and got so many beautiful gifts. She hosted the shower at a little restaurant down the road from my house and the food was awesome! Brandie and Jen did a great job with the favors and the labels for the wine. (Everyone brought a bottle of wine to build a little collection for me and Art for after AJ arrives - something to take the edge off the late nights.) The chocolate turtle pops that Brandie ordered were adorable. My MIL, Bev, did the decorating; since she only lives 1 mile away she was able to go in the night before and set everything up. WOW, what a job she did! It was all underwater and turtles and looked so cute. Katie's invitations matched my bedding, they had the same turtles and colors and then she took one to the cake place and had my turtles put on the cake. I could go on and on about everything, it was such a great day, but I will end this with some pictures.

Bev, me, Mom


Jen, me, Brandie, Mom



My BFFForever, Katie, and me


Who's bigger?? We are due 7/16 and 7/12, but I think Brandie will go 2-3 weeks before me.


The diaper cake Bev, Poppy, and Art made me.


One view of the room, the table was an L so you can only see some people (there were 30 guests). Notice the cute fisherman's netting on the walls and tables holding underwater baby stuff.


The wine table with some overflow of the gifts.


The dessert table- the brownies were cut out in turtle, fish, and starfish shapes and the cookies were baby bottles, turtles, and ducks.


Bev made her own edible arrangement and cut the watermelon and pineapple in dolphin, turtle, and fish shapes. I loved it!


The yummy cake that Katie brought - it was bottom layer chocolate, top layer vanilla and it had chocolate pudding in the middle. Everyone raved about it!


Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with me, and to those who could not make it, you were missed!

Just think, 6 weeks and 2 days (at most) until the little (big) guy arrives!