Vote for Tino

Vote for Tino as the cutest pet!

11 weeks old

• 
  We have already passed a few milestones in little Conner's life! He had his first set of booster shots August 28th. Michael and I both went to support Conner. It was SO sad! He cried the "you hurt me bad and you hurt my feelings" cry. As soon as they were finished, I held him in my arms and he calmed down in about 5 minutes. We gave him tylenol throughout the day and made sure we cuddled him and spent lots of time soothing him. He slept most of the day and did pretty well.


• The next day we left for South Carolina and visited Michael's Dad and Debbie. Conner did well on the car ride. But, we took Daddy's car and I rode in the back with him. When he rides in my car, he screams and cried the WHOLE time and will not stop - even if I take him out - he just starts back up again. We have concluded that he either hates my car or hates riding in the back by himself - neither one of which we can really do anything about. Conner got to meet his cousin Maddy who is only three weeks younger than him. It was so cute to watch them interact. Conner got to go to church for the first time. We had been hesitant to take him yet because he is so young and we were nervous about how he might act. He can get REALLY fussy. But, we were pleasantly surprised that he sat there the whole time and didn't let out a peep. Michael says he is going to be a Pentecostal because as soon as the music started he raised his hands! He likes music. :)



• Another exciting thing happened today. Our neighbors gave us their old bouncy seat that attaches to the door frame. Now, Conner is too young for it now, but we tried it out anyway and put a little neck pillow up to support his head (even though he really doesn't have a lot of problems holding his head up.) He LOVED it! He can't jump up and down on his own so we would bounce it for him and his eyes would light up with delight. When we would stop bouncing him, he started crying as if to say "bounce me more!" So, we would bounce him more and he would stop crying! It was so funny. When he gets a little older he is going to LOVE that thing because he loves being bounced.
• He is really getting to be much more independent. He is kind of growing out of that phase where he wants me to hold him 24/7 now that he has sort of learned to entertain himself. He has his good days and his bad days. We can put him in his little rocker and he will play with his toys, or like today, I came in and Michael had him sitting in front of the tv watching the Smurfs. I used to LOVE the smurfs. He was taking it all in with such alertness and attentiveness. Everyone we meet is astonished (first by "that head of hair" then) at how alert and expressive he is. He always seems to be learning and paying attention to what is going on. He will follow you around the room or turn towards you if you enter the room. He always seems to be studying things very seriously just taking it all in. We play a mimic game with him and he will imitate our facial expressions.
• He's been a little sick this past week, but not running a fever. He has had a stuffy nose, coughing and sneezing. So, I called the pediatrician and they said to give him a little bit of children's benedryl and infant tylenol. That helped and now he has already improved greatly.
• Well, you can probably tell that we are enamored with our little man and every little thing he does is a special miracle to us. He is truly the apple of our eye (and very entertaining to say the least.) He is growing so fast! I already wonder what happened to my little infant? He's already a baby! But, as sad as it is that time flies so quickly, each new stage in his development comes with something new and exciting that we couldn't do before.
• I'm attaching a link to a video I put up on you tube. It's really crappy quality and I am still trying to learn how to do all of this uploading of videos using the myriad of cameras and computers we have around this house. So, I'm still experimenting but when I get it figured out and get a good one, I'll be sure to let you know.
• Hope all is well. Nat

7 weeks

We are almost at the two month mark! Conner (or, little man, as we call him) has still been having a hard time with his formula. He has been having an aweful time with his tummy hurting and spitting up (which makes Mommy really sad). The doctor felt like it was acid reflux so he prescribed some Zantac for him. It tastes really bad so he makes a horrible little face when he has to take it and he hates to take his medicine. But, we've already noticed an improvement since he started taking it! He seems more relaxed, less fussy, and actually will take a nap during the day. Hopefully this is a new pattern developing! He does really well at night and only wakes up one time in the middle of the night for feeding. He's already changed so much. He seems so much bigger and has already outgrown his newborn clothes.

He's started to smile a little bit every now and then but he's still practicing. He has started actually playing a little and gets really excited when he does. He likes to shake his rattle vigorously and bats his arms at his toys hanging from his play mat. We just bought some new CD's with children's songs and he LOVES it when I sing to him and dance with him. He coos right along! He also likes to be bounced. He moves his legs up and down and flaps his arms. He tries to stand when you hold him up.

I'm attaching some pictures of Conner at 7 weeks. Here's how big he is compared to my old Cabbage Patch doll! I guess he is still pretty small when you think about it!

Well, those are all of the updates for now. I'll have more after his two month check up at the end of the month. He gets his first set of vaccinations and I know its going to be just as hard on me as it will be on him. Seeing him hurt is the worst thing ever! I'll probably cry right along with him.

More later,

Nat

1 month old!

We had our one month appointment at the doctor yesterday and Conner is progressing great! He weighs exactly 9 pounds on the dot and is 21 inches long! He has been able to hold his head up since we brought him home from the hospital and is continuing to do so when we put him on his belly. He recognizes our voices and can follow objects with his eyes and head. He loves watching his rainforest sounds and lights toy in his crib. As of now, he sleeps 5 hours through the night and then goes back to sleep after a feeding. This is great! But, the trade off is that he stays awake and alert ALL DAY LONG. The doctor said this is rare! He won't take naps for more than 15 minutes at a time and wants to be held 24/7 or he cries. He is constantly in exploratory mode and you can just see the little wheels turning in his head! Needless to say, it's been hard getting anything done with little man wanting to be held the whole time. The doctor said we should gradually try to wean him and let him cry so he can learn to self sooth. That was a validation for me because I feel guilty anytime I eat, take a shower, or do housework! I hate for him to be upset. But, both he and I are getting better at it!

He already has gotten to meet two of my roommates babies. Amelia - in Atlanta - Julie's baby - and Lydia - his birthday twin - Chery's baby!

Every now and then we catch a smirk or a smile or a twinkle in his eye and it makes my heart smile! When I watch him sleep I feel so much love that I am reminded what a gift and miracle this little guy is. I can't imagine our lives without him now!

He had his first official bath last week (Non-sponge bath) since his chord fell off! He LOVES having his hair washed! I'm attaching a few updated pictures so you can see how much he has grown already! Everywhere I go people always comment on his hair! He was born needing a hair cut! And, no, it's not going to fall out. I had a full head of hair like him and it never fell out!

My time is limited so I will try to update as I can. Lots of love!

Natalie & Conner

He's here!

Baby Conner was born on Wednesday June 25th at 2:02 in the afternoon after only 4.5 hours of labor! My blood pressure went up and they kept me overnight in the hospital for monitoring so they ended up inducing me the next morning. But, they found out I had actually started progressing naturally the night before. So, the induction just sped things up a bit. Everything went VERY smoothly and I couldn't have asked for a better labor and delivery. He weighed 6 pounds and 14 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. He has TONS of black hair! :)Ironically, Cheryl ALSO went into labor at 3:00 am the night before and had her baby Lydia THE SAME DAY at 7:00 PM! So, Conner and Lydia share the same birthday! I can't wait for them to meet!

We just got home yesterday and I am recovering. I didn't feel much pain until recently and now I am recuperating from the labor and delivery. I have lots of back pain, cramps, and bruising when I sit. The pain medication makes me sleep so I'm kind of out of it lately. But, all of it is totally worth it. I love my little angel! Mom is here helping us take care of Conner. I guess since I had such a great and easy delivery I have to pay for it somehow - Conner is having a hard time adjusting to his feedings and gets fussy and has a very sensitive tummy at night. He has his days and nights mixed up so Michael and I got a whole hour of sleep last night. We go back to the doctor on Monday so we will see what he suggests. The worst part is knowing that he's upset and hearing his little tiny baby cries and not being able to console him. We have him on some medicine for his tummy so hopefully that will help.

Conner is already ahead of schedule and the pediatrician said he seems like a full term baby born at 40 weeks. He is already holding his head up and moving it around a lot. He is very attentive to people and things around him and he is very strong! He loves his pacifier and likes to hold on to it while he sucks it. It's so cute - he is so loud when he sucks it you can hear him at the other end of the house! He sounds like Maggie from the Simpsons! He gets really angry if he loses it and he gets really mad if you have to check his diaper, change his clothes, or unswaddle him for any reason. It's kind of cute because he flails his little arms and legs around and makes tiny little fists! But, I hate seeing him unhappy. He is so sweet too! When I hold him to burp him, his hugs my hands and rubs them like he is petting them. He also likes to talk. From the moment of birth, he has been cooing and making little baby noises all the time.

So far, the dogs are getting along well with him. Tino and Sophie love him and love to give him gentle kisses. Tino gets really distressed and whines when Conner cries. Tino actually made him quit crying last night when he started licking his feet! It was funny because Tino is a big sleeper. Last night he looked at us like "Is he crying AGAIN?" and went and hid under the pillows! Baxter is kind of less interested. He just sniffs him and then walks away. For now the only dog allowed around him is Tino. The others stay in their own space.

Well, that is all I have to update now! I'll try to update next time I happen to have time and energy! :) Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers! Conner is loved by so many people and we appreciate all of you who have supported us during this time.

Love,

Nat

1 day shy of 37 weeks

Today was Cheryl's baby shower and it was tons of fun! I think she looks so great to only be two weeks behind me! It was great to see Kenzie and for 3 of the 4 of us old college roomies to get together! Now, if I could somehow just photoshop a picture of Julie and Amelia in the picture - the group would be complete!! Hopefully after Cheryl and I have our babies we will all be able to get together for a baby play date/ college roomy reunion!

So, I am one day away from 37 weeks. Last week I was kept at the doctor's office for two and half hours of monitoring because I was having so many contractions. The nurse said they didn't want me to have that many, but they didn't do anything about it so I'm thinking it's ok. Conner doesn't seem to be distressed by them at all. He's doing great! As a matter of fact, he usually stays quiet these days, but as soon as they hook him up to the monitor, he starts breakdancing in my belly! The contractions still aren't officially doing anything more (other than REALLY annoy me). I have been having them every 5 minutes now for two weeks. But, today I talked to Kenzie and she had the same thing happen for a month before Patrick came. So, I'm not holding my breath or anything! I imagine these will continue up until they induce me. They are getting stronger and more painful, but still nothing to make me think it's REAL labor. So, right now we are just ready and waiting! He could come at any time but he probably won't until July 6th week. Don't want to get my hopes up!

No real news otherwise! I have another appointment on Wednesday so if anything changes I'll be sure to update!

Nat

Update

Yesterday I went back to the hospital for MORE tests and monitoring. The regular contractions I was having eventually dwindled off and became irregular so they chalked it up to dehydration. I've still been having them every day and night. My blood pressure was still high yesterday until they had me lay down and then it went back to normal. So, they sent me home with orders to be on bedrest. POO!

Today I had a doctor's appointment and my blood pressure was back to normal. So, the doctor took me off of bed rest but said she didn't want me to do anything but take it easy. :) As of today, Conner weighs 6 pounds and 2 ounces. He's measuring a little bit ahead, but even if he gains a half a pound a week, he still won't be humongous at 39 weeks when they induce! She also said that he has already dropped - meaning his head isn't too big! YEAH!! I didn't even notice a change in my profile, just lots of pressure. I am 70% efaced, but still only 1 centimeter dilated. She also said that as of now, I'm far enough along that if I do go into labor, they won't stop it (like they did on Tuesday - at least they tried to stop them, but they came back). They were also previously concerned that I might have too much amniotic fluid, and they checked that today and everything looks great! It's been a good day! :)

Things are definitely happening but I have no idea what they mean as far as a timeline is concerned. My contractions are definitely uncomfortable and I feel lots of pressure, sometimes sharp. They actually wake me up in the middle of the night. Anyway, the doctor said that is normal just as long as they aren't evenly timed like clockwork like they were on Tuesday. I'm having tons of them lately, but nothing on a regular schedule. So, 3.5 more weeks at the longest - maybe sooner if he decides he wants to come before then! I kind of have a feeling he might not make it to 39 weeks, but that could just be wishful thinking. :) At least now we know if he does come it's safe and he will be fine. :)

We're ready for him! Can't wait to see him and hold his little fingers and feel his soft little feet that have been kicking me. :) I can't wait to be a Mommy!