Wednesday, December 23, 2009

What I learned from having a C-section

Oh the things you learn when you go through a new experience. Before I had Dax I posted a list of comments about things I had learned while pregnant... here is what I learned in giving birth to Dax...

1. Be prepared, even if you have this idea in your head that you WILL get an epidural be ready for the fact that you might not be able to get in for quite awhile. We didn't take a child birth class but watched a DVD series and I felt like it prepared us enough. We didn't do any fancy breathing but for me just breathing deeply and slowly through the contractions really helped.

2. Contractions are much more painful, for me, when I was by myself. It seemed like every time I went to the bathroom or when a contractions started and Dustin was across the room they hurt a lot more. As soon as I could hold onto Dustin or he touched me in anyway I relaxed and could handle the pain a lot easier.

3. Distractions while in labor are key! I had my laptop with me and just cruising facebook or myspace helped the time go by... course when you're in labor for 30 hours nothing really helps.

4. If you don't want people at the hospital tell them you are doing just fine and will let them know when you are ready for company. I always thought I would want my family and close friends at the hospital to help pass the time while I was in labor. When it came down to it all I wanted was Dustin and didn't want any other people there. I told my Mom afterwards that the real reason I didn't want her to come right away was because I knew I would fall apart if she was there and I didn't need to do that at that time.

5. C-sections are not the end of the world. They put a whole new twist onto having a baby and to what you can do right after the baby arrives but as long as you are prepared with a support system you will be just fine. Be prepared to not want to move for about 2 weeks and really you won't be able to do much. DO GET OUT OF BED AND OFF THE COUCH! I put getting out of the hospital bed off an extra 12 hours and I almost wish I hadn't. After the first time getting out of bed, which did hurt A LOT, it got much easier and the first shower was definitely worth the initial painful walk to the bathroom.

6. Let the nurses, your family and your husband/boyfriend do all the work. There really is no reason to push yourself to do much more than relax, sleep and feed the baby. I changed 1 diaper in the hospital before we left the first time and that was only because the nurse had just left and I felt guilty calling her back. When we were re-admitted I took over the diapering and Dustin did all the paperwork--- we had to weigh Dax before feedings, after feedings and all of his diapers. Tag team everything!

7. Cry! If you feel the need to cry do it. Even though you'll probably feel pretty silly it really is important to get those emotions out. For me crying usually meant that I was exhausted. Dustin or my Mom would always send me to bed after a crying spree and I always felt better when I got up, even if it was only 5 minutes of stretching out.

8. Newborn clothes and 0-3 month clothes are NOT the same! haha! I asked my friend Carley if they were the same and she informed me they were not but for some reason i didn't believe her initially, sorry Carley! I should never doubt my pregnancy guru. I actually sent my Mom out to buy Dax a couple sleepers because he just didn't have enough clothes for being so little. I would suggest having 1 or 2 premie size sleepers because if you have a under 7 pound baby you will probably want them to look like they actually fit into their clothes at least occasionally.

9. Take everything that isn't nailed down from the hospital room. I didn't realize that once something is checked out to your room- like glucose water, diapers, wipes, or cups- it can't be taken back. We had 3 bottles of glucose water in our room when Dax was in for his jaundice that weren't opened that would have been thrown away if we didn't take them.

10. Okay I think this is my final one at the point ha ha! It's the most important one too! LET PEOPLE HELP YOU!!! This one was hard for me because the things I needed help with had nothing to do with the baby. I had the dumb idea that I could work and have a newborn. DUMB DUMB DUMB! I did it but needed help from some of my wonderful co-workers and letting them help made me feel guilty but was necessary and they all said they wanted to help. Remember when you want to help those around you?? Well this is your time to be helped, let people help.

Good timing... Dax is just waking up. Later gator!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I have an 8 week old baby!

Holy Cow how is Dax 8 weeks already??? I am having some major anxiety about going back to work. I am NOT ready! I still have like 2 weeks before our December break is over but we are SO not to a point of being able to be out the door by 7:15 am every day, okay not every day but we will have to be out the door 3 days a week. The days I work from home don't panic me 'cause if I don't get a shower in before 8 PM at night it doesn't matter. EEEKK!!! I don't know how parents do it and I SO , SO SO SO wish that I could be a stay at home Mom or that I could at least work from home. Even though I would still be working full time at least I wouldn't feel the added stress to be out the door bright and early.

Okay now I'm done whining. I shouldn't be whining because I am blessed to have a job that allows me to bring my baby to work. Not many people can do that!

As soon as I find the cord for my camera I'll update pictures of the little man! He is so big!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Do these lips and nose look familiar?

I've had several of my friends say that Dax really does look like his ultrasound pictures and he does! I got a picture of his nose and lips up close for your comparison...



Family Pictures!

I am so excited to share with your our first formal family pictures! We got the photo disk from Sears so I can re-print these shots and share them anywhere, such a neat feature since all too often you forget what the pictures even looked like until you finally get them several weeks later. Now I can show off my super cute family to y'all ahead of time. Hope you think they are as cute as I do.