#babyburf one month

Dear #babyburf - 

it's official we've had you now for an entire month.  It's been a month of highs and lows and just plain magic. 

Daddy literally spent the first few weeks walking around like a zombie.  We learned very quickly that he needs his sleep much more than mommy.   He can't wait to hold you when he gets off work and he's been known to actually wake you up so you can snuggle him.   Daddy likes when we feed you from the bottle so he can have a turn.  And he's even had several nights in with just you and him while mommy goes out - he admits he's been a little flustered  but mostly because he's jealous you like me better and I can instantly sooth you whereas it's a struggle for him.  He likes to make up silly songs for you and has about a million nicknames for you although I keybash them all.  

You and I spend lots of alone time together.  You crack me up the way you struggle to move your hands and the faces you make especially after eating.  I adore the way you want to hold my finger while you eat and when getting baths.  I treasure all the snuggles you give me.   Sometimes I blow raspberries on your neck and this is perplexing to you it's like you can't tell if you should cry or laugh.  I take like 100 photos of you a day, I am so enamored by your magic.   

Things of note at one month: 

+You eat around 2-3 oz at a time. 

+Your eyes are very alert. I swear sometimes you actually can see and focus on me.   You even cried real tears on your birthday. 

+You are starting to get into a routine sleeping and we get a good 5-6 hours in a row at night.  

+you make interesting squeaks and noises which are neither cries or screaming.

+you have neonatal acne which makes me nuts.  

+you love to be swaddled at night.  We call this your burrito.  

+nothing fits you quite right bit even newborn clothes.  

+ everyone compliments you on your good looks when we go out.

+ you aren't back up to your birthweight yet weighing in at 7lbs 15oz and still 23.75 inches although sometime you measure shorter because you won't stretch out.  

Anyhow we think you are pretty much amaze balls and can't believe we made you. Don't grow up to fast jonesy. 

Love your mommy

PS you were not having these photos I took of you in your blue chair.  You had just eaten and been changed but a fit still ensued. 

Yup it was. All pretty much like that. 

14 on 14 - July

This month was bound to be dominated by our newborn since about 60% of my day is spent holding him or feeding him.  I did try and capture some other moments from our day too. 

1. Milk drunk at like 5am

2. Diaper changing baby legs

3. Someone did not want mommy to do laundry

4. Also he was not interested in letting me pump for him. 

5. An almost smile

6. Baby comforts baby

7. Mystery gift from ???

8. Trip to library.  

9. Super alert at library

10. Reading with mommy ( he looks into my book on Detroit. 

11. My boys 

12.  Groceries 

13. Smelling #babyburf head for the 3 millionth time

14. Selfie to wrap this month. 

Bread. # 7 - Beer Bread

This bread was a disaster.  The downfall was the mad matter IPA I used but it's what we had.  I do not recommend this beer for beer bread I would use something else.  

I used this recipe however I only used 1/2 cup bread flour and the rest was self rising flour.  http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/04/02/honey-beer-bread-recipe/ 

#babyburf helped me with the bread too. 

Hers the final product.  The texture of the bread was good it had a nice crisp outside and a soft middle but alas that IPA was over powering.  We tasted it and then sent it to Dustin's work for his coworkers. 

#babyburf birth story

I typed this up for his baby book but thought I'd share it here too.  

June 18th, Wednesday morning I woke up early with a horrible headache.  I ate some breakfast then got to work on my laptop, trying to ignore the headache. Around 9:30 I decided to take a nap.  I laid down for a bit.  About 10 minutes later I found myself with my head in the toliet vomiting. I laid back down for 10 minutes and then felt better so I went back to work.  Again I got the urge to be sick and did.  I figured this time I should google my symptoms - We were past the due date and morning sickness was not really a pregnancy symptom I had ever had much of.  Google basically said call the doctor. 

I called her she said we should pack a bag and meet her at the hospital.  I called Dustin at work then took a shower.  

Dustin came home all in panic he's much more of a worrier than me.  He also flipped out because at some point between work and being sick I had pulled out the filter of the AC also moving the large heavy storm doors and not putting them back.  (Apparently my husband is not a fan his 40 weeks pregnant wife hauling around heavy things).  We headed to the hospital after he changed from his work clothes and put away the storm doors.  I had packed both myself and you, a bag. 

After checking in at labor and delivery they hooked me up to monitors, drew blood and urine samples.  very quickly they decided I must be dehydrated.  I also was having "secret mystery" contractions every two minutes but didn't even know.  These contractions had me dilated at 5-6 cm and 60% effaced. However I hadn't a clue!  Since I needed fluids and also needed my GBS antibiotic prior to delivery they admitted us.  I called Kathleen and gave our family the heads up.  I gave the hospital my birthing plan which I had indicated that I wanted natural childbirth (it was really detailed and thorough).  We got all checked in and started walking laps around the labor and delivery wing Dustin and Kathleen took turns walking with me.  We had a really good nurse Carmen we all liked her and she was extremely knowledgable. 

Around 10pm we were at like 8cm and they tried to break my water.  Apparently my water would not break because the baby was not engaged.  So we started pitocin and doing a hands and knees position to try and move your head down a bit.  I want to state for the record that labor and delivery beds are not made for women 5'11" this made most positions on the bed uncomfortable and/or my legs dangled over.  The pitocin did not really speed things along however your head shifted down and around 3am they were able to break your water for real.  This was extremely painful I pretty much closed my eyes and grit my teeth.  

With my water broken my every two minute contractions got really intense I went from feeling no pain to this extreme pain and discomfort - it was a level 12 on their 0-10 scale.  It was almost like everything was amplified I seriously wanted to strip off my clothes and the monitors and run out if the hospital - everything that touched me was dreadful cold packs, hot packs, blankets, the bed, massages etc.  I would spend the two minute breaks of contractions just trying to figure out how I would not go crazy when I was having the contractions. 

Around 8am at only 9cm and being fully effaced I caved and got the epidural.  If I had not I am quite certain all my sanity would have gone out the window and I might have jumped out the window naked and delivered you in the ditch next to the highway.  

Getting the epidural was not so bad.  It took away the pain for some time however it gave me uncontrollable shaking and actually slowed your arrival. I couldn't really feel or control my legs so walking and position changing was out.  However I was no longer stripping off the monitor or going crazy.  The doctor was rather shocked I got it considering I had been so calm prior to breaking my water. 

Around 11:30am I was feeling this really intense pressure and the desire to push.  We paged the doctor.  

She came in checked me and agreed it was time to push.   When we started pushing I was feeling the pain again and it was not pleasant.  Dustin was holding my hand and leg and our nurse Jeni the other side   Also at some point like 3-4 other doctors joined our doctor and a handful of nurses and a few med students everyone was checking on tyou and trying to encourage me to keep going.  I however just wanted to stop I kept telling them I could not keep pushing.   We had trouble getting you out so they used the vacuum and had to cut me.   Some point at the end I even attempted to kick at the doctors to get them off of me.  But I stuck with it and within 20-30 minutes you arrived.  Good thing too as somehow you had managed to knot your emblical cord and you were in distress. 

They immediately put you on my chest.  I looked at you in shock and said this one can't be mine he's Chinese.  Lol.  Of course you were mine but you had not seen light yet so you were squinting.  Your silly mommy.  You were perfect and tiny and we loved you from the first minute we saw you. 

You were born at 12:09pm, weighing 8 lbs 5oz, and 23.75 inches long.  A long and slender boy, with a dimple in your chin and otherwise looking a lot like your mommy.   We are so glad you have joined our family Jones Forrest you are the perfect addition. And that's your birth story.

Around Here With #babyburf

Around here I am tickled that my husband tells everyone about our cloth diapers and wipes (who was apprehensive before).

Around here the baby and I are binge watching HBO series's on Amazon Prime.  We have started Big Love, Deadwood, Six Feet Under and Rome.  We are currently finishing off Rome.

Around here we are overloaded with leftovers from the meal train our friends have been bringing since the baby came.  It's good to be loved.

Around here we are catching up on sleep whenever possible.  

Around here we have many visitors loving on sweet baby Jones. 

Around here I can't stop smelling my babies head or marveling in his magic. 

Around here we have ordered baby announcements - I found a way to use the 5 coupons I had even though I Can only use one per person!  

Around here I am a pumping and feeding machine however the baby somehow has not grown bigger. 

Around here we are never caught up on laundry. 

Around here I love the many faces of Jones he's so expressive.

Around here we are learning the new ins and outs of being a family of 3.

The best thing I ever made

I am not joking when I say that #babyburf is the best thing I ever made.  He's seriously magic.   A true gift from god.  Sure he might keep me up all night and make things like showering difficult but he is the best.  So pardon the interruptions of blogging while I examine his perfect little fingers and spend my days nuzzling his sweet head.  

He's Here!

This cutie showed up yesterday for AuntTheas birthday!  We are smitten already.  

#babyburf Nursery

No longer a Work in Progress.  The Baby's nursery is finally ready.  

This dresser took us forever to locate and then my friend Kathleen just so happened to have an antique one she didn't need and it's dark wood (SOLID wood it's heavy).  That's pretty much awesome.    

Anyhow here are some completed photos.  The crib we purchased new from Amazon with a gift card.  I made the quilt, crib skirt and mobile.  The Dresser will also be his changing table but we need to get a pad to add to the top.  There's a basket with cloth wipes and changing "accessories that was re-purposed from my craft room.   And the accent wall was our pinterest fail that we just decided to own and freehand ourselves.  

 We are using a Simple Human trash can with a wet-dry bag for our cloth diapers.   The dresser contains most of his little clothes, the cloth diapers and some Project Life books (because he won't know any different ;).  I want to find a rug to match too but honestly I don't care if I don't I like the hardwoods by themselves. 

On the other side of the room. I re-purposed my old craft shelf which will hold baby things and toys, and books.   I still need to get a few more matching baskets but Megan and Dan gave me the blue striped one, and I found the green bucket at Ikea in the gardening section.  

All the others were re-purposed from my craftroom.    The blue velvet chair was a thrift store find and while I said goodbye to the sofa I held onto the chair because I love it. 

I had these prints I picked up at a art show for a mentally challenged work program like 5+ years ago maybe and I they seemed to match his room so I decided to put them up.  PS I've had them all this time and never did anything with them (they are hung straighter in real life too). 

 We hung these mirrors from Ikea up too (ignore the finger prints).   This toy box was Dustin's dad's and currently it holds blankets but at some point it can hold the baby's toys.  I want to make a matching cushion for it and already bought fabric but it's a project for another time. 

And while his closet is not entirely storing his stuff he does have a bunch of cute little outfits that we hung up for him. 

My friend Lynley and I painted his name on the wall too.  It's funky and imperfect and that's exactly what I love about it.  

Oh I would be remiss not to throw out a thanks to my project sidekick Kathleen who painted, pulled staples, opened baby boxes, sorted clothes, gave us the dresser and so much more.  THANK YOU!  

And to my husband who also puts up with my never ending projects that seem to happen in the babies room even when he disagrees with what's happening - Thanks mister!

Now all we need is the baby to show up already - and we wait. 

14 on 14 June

I was almost certain our baby was going to be here for the 14th but he wasn't.  Our day was pretty much a slow Saturday.  

1 - we slept in.  Dusty and Floppy extra long.

2 - pop tarts for breakfast (I usually have cereal so this is a treat)

3 - worked on my challenge quilt (this is taking far too long and wastes tons of fabric

4 - dusty and I had Mexican for lunch.  The spicy salsa did not induce labor. 

5 - homemade fruit infused water

6 - a little shopping - I disliked all of these baby clothes but bought more reusable napkins.

7 - we visited Bloomington and the chocolate moose (Dustin loves this place I find their ice cream ok)

8 - we walked around Bloomington sadly Foursquare was closed

9 - giant egg outside Farm (this is still on my list of places to eat)

10 - u r mostly boring (probably true) this was written on a bathroom mirror

11- this might win the award for most awkward bathroom.   It's up three steps and standing clearance is about 5'5" I did not die but it's super awkward using this 40 wks pregnant and being 5'11"

12 - Fountain from our walk + 40 wks pregnant me

13 - graffiti wall and Dustin (Bloomington has all sorts of interesting graffitti)

14 - me and graffitti can anyone read this?  I do like that in the top right corner it says pizza and donuts lol

And that's a wrap on my images.  What started out slow ended rather well photo wise.