Bragging Rights

Before Grady came I didn't give much thought as to how my relationship with Dave would change. I assumed it wouldn't change too much, but I did expect some hard times. I have to say I am more in love with Dave now than I have ever been. Dave has always been a great guy and an even more amazing husband to me and I knew he would be an amazing father one day. Now I realize that Grady is only two weeks old, but I've never had to ask for help, Dave just does it. On the weekend, Dave gets up with Grady around 6 am and lets me sleep in for a few hours. Because I had to have a c-section, Dave really had to step up to the plate and do double duty. He was perfect.  I've always prided myself on being very self sufficient and independant. But for some reason that has all changed since Grady came into our lives. I have leaned on Dave so much and actually get teary eyed when he leaves for work.

While in the hospital but before Grady was brought to our room from NICU, Dave gave me a huge kiss on the forehead and told me how much he loved me. Then he gave me this beautiful diamond and garnet (January birthstone) ring and thanked me for Grady.



Everytime I wear this ring I tear up. Even though I tell Dave every chance I get that I am grateful for him and thank him for everything he does, I still don't know if he realizes how much I really appreciate him. I would not be who I am today without Dave - my best friend.

Watching Dave with Grady absolutely melts my heart too. He is so in love with his little guy and I know he can't wait to get him out on the boat and fishing. But for now, he is just as happy snuggling with Grady on the couch while watching the Caps play.



and so am I ...

I'm trying to update my blog once a week, we'll see how that works out :)

XOXO,

Court

Week 2

Well my little man (or my lil bird as I call him) is now two weeks old. Where is time going? On Monday he went for another well check-up at the doctor and he clocked in at 7 lbs 12 ounces. So as I write this post today, February 9, I'll bet he is all of 8 lbs. He is doing great. He usually sleeps in 3-4 hour stretches at night, sometimes in his bassinet and sometimes on my chest (he is just too little to sleep train right?) He loves his morning naps with mommy. I'm starting to watch the Today show and Live with Kelly, things I had only heard about before. We have very lazy mornings together and I love every minute of it. I can't believe how much he has changed in just two short weeks.

Seriously can't stop kissing these little monkey feet



I'm starting to learn all of his noises and faces. He has two very specific poop faces and everytime he makes those, I can't help but crack up. He is a grunter too. He is a good napper in the morning and late afternoon, but is very alert and awake mid-day. 

Last week my mother-in-law Lora came during the day while Dave was at work. She was a big help and made dinner each night. I am still a little nervous being home with a new baby by myself, so it was a relief having someone in the house with me. This week my mom and dad came and my mom has literally saved me. She has cooked, cleaned, spent time with me, spent time with Grady, given me advice, told me stories about being a new mom, and has just been amazing. Originally just my mom was coming for the week, but my dad decided to come too - the idea of watching the Superbowl with his grandson (he has 3 girls) was too much fun for him. I'm not sure what is going to happen next week without her! 

PopPop giving Grady a bottle for first time

Grady is such a snuggle bug



The very proud grandparents





In the past two weeks, I have learned some very valueable lessons about being a mom.

1.  Never leave home without a diaper bag (explosion in public taught me this one!) 

2.  Babies will cry and cough and gag, its ok.

3.  If you have a baby boy, you have to point his man parts south so that he doesn't pee all over himself and anyone who is holding him. (My mom had Google this pee problem for me - she is a mom of three girls!) 

4.  There is no such thing as a schedule with a newborn - just go with it.

5.  Even though I am a mom, I still so very much need mine.

6.  I was not prepared for how much love I would have for this baby boy!

7.  I actually do love coffee.

I've been playing with my camera a bit more now, especially since I'm feeling much better this week. Here's a pic my mom helped me with. Grady was all naked after a massive explosion (I call it a situation) and we were headed to the kitchen sink for a sponge bath when I took this picture. I promise we did not prop his hands up, he just loves his hands at his face!

Stop by again soon!

XOXO,

Court

A week of many firsts

We were so excited to find out that my doctor was letting us go home a day early. We packed up fast and headed home where my mom and dad were anxiously awaiting Grady's first day at home.  I was just so anxious to get home and love on Grady in my own surroundings. Dave and I were also very curious how our first son, Porter, would handle out newest member of the family.



Snug as a bug for his first car ride home from the hospital

Well once we got home Porter was so good with Grady. He didn't try to jump on him or lick him, and in fact he never left Grady's side and still hasn't.  I am quite sure they will be best buddies.

Grady's first night home he did awesome.  He ate like a champ and slept in his bassinet most of the night. Dave and I couldn't stop smiling and kept saying how we couldn't believe he was finally here and he was ours. We are so smitten with this little guy.

First night home

Grady went to the doctor and received an A + report for gaining a few ounces. Everything else checked out fine too.  The nurses love this guy because he is such a snuggle bug.  

Car ride to doctor



And since he had such a good report and it was so nice out, we went on our first little walk around the neighborhood. We didn't make it far because I was still pretty sore.

Now since I found out I was pregnant one of the things I have been dying to do is bath a little baby. But I didn't realize you have to wait a while for the umbilical cord to fall off (gross!) So we gave him a sponge bath which he wasn't a big fan of. We gave him a sponge bath not only because I was dying to, but because he  peed on his head while we were changing him - oops!

I cannot stop smelling and kissing his little head



And one of my favorite firsts was Dave giving Grady his first bottle. Dave was pretty pumped about it. Grady drank that bottle up so fast. This boy loves to eat!

We hope you stop by soon as this little guy is changing by the second!

XOXO,

Court

Grady's Birth Day

I woke up on Thursday, January 26 as if it were another normal day just sitting around waiting for Grady. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled to check for progress and to schedule the date I would be induced if Grady didn't come on his own. Dave decided to stay home from work just in case and take me to the doctor. At my appointment the previous Thursday I was already 2 cm dialated so I was keeping my fingers crossed that there would be more progress. At some point later in the morning, I was walking into my bedroom and stopped dead in my tracks. I felt a contraction but it was different from the Braxton Hicks contractions I had been having. Dave asked if I was ok and I told him I thought I was having a contraction. Dave's eyes lit up but I quickly reminded him that even if it were a real contraction this could take hours. I decided this was a good time to take a shower. My contractions, however, decided it was a good time to speed up. By the time I was showered and dressed, they were 4 minutes apart and get stronger by the minute. Dave called the doctor and we decided to go in earlier than my scheduled appointment. Good thing we did because by the time we got there my contractions were 3 minutes apart and STRONG. My doctor checked me out and said yep, its time to head to the hospital. Ah, music to my hears. I knew that meant in a few short hours (hopefully) I would be holding my baby boy in my arms - a moment I had been waiting for for a very long time!

We checked into AAMC and within one hour a very nice lady gave me some very nice medicine, a.k.a epidural. I thought it would only take the edge off, but I had zero pain after that. So things progressed quickly and naturally and by 8:00 p.m. it was push time. It was at this point that my doctor informed me that Grady was "sunny side up", meaning his head was facing up rather than down. Ok, so what? She then informed me that it would make pushing him and delivering vaginally very difficult, especially since I am a petite woman. Great. Here it comes. So she told me we would give it a good try and see what happens but a c-section is now part of the plan. Well that is not what I had in mind so I pushed my little heart out for 2 plus hours. I thought I was doing great, Dave even saw Grady's head. But, the gloves came off (literally - my dr. took her gloves off) and I immediately knew what was coming next. She said well my dear you progressed great and he moved down a lot, but its time to get you ready for a c-section, especially since he passed myconium and there is a concern he can ingest it. I tried so hard to be strong but I was losing it inside. I skipped that part in the book and I was absolutely terrified. Dave was amazing and kept reassuring me everything was fine. So off we went to the OR.

This other very nice man gave me some seriously nice medicine and I was completely out of it. I wasn't put under, but he asked me my name and I am not entirely sure what I told him but in my head I sounded like the Peanuts teacher. Dave stayed with me rubbing my head and hands and talking me through it. Grady arrived at 10:53 p.m. on Thursday, January 26. He weighed in at 7 lbs 8 ounces and 21 inches long. Poor little guy had a rough start to life though and had a 6 hour stay in the NICU because he wasn't breathing great on his own. Dave spent time back and forth between me and Grady. He is such an amazing guy and I am so blessed. I could not have done that without him!!! Ill touch on this more in another post.

There is a rumor that the NICU nurse brought Grady into the OR to see me for a minute, but I don't remember that. The first memory I have of seeing my precious newborn was when the NICU nurse finally brought him into our room around 5 am. I will never forget that first moment when I met Grady. It was truly life-changing. Since that time I havent stopped kissing his little head. Here are a few pictures of Grady's first days.




January 26, 2012 7 lbs 8 ounces 21 inches long

 

Nona and Grady meet for the first time

PopPop and Grady meet for the first time

Grandma and Papa meet Grady for first time



Aunt Katie, Aunt Ali and Uncle Darrin



Aunt Meghan

Aunt Sarah

Oh they love Grady so much

Yay were going home!

Daddy loving on his little guy

Very proud parents!

Even Grady was excited to go home

XOXO,

Court, Dave and Grady

40 weeks and then some

Its official - I'm overdue. I keep telling myself that this means that he is already a laid back child just like his father and will not have my Monica from Friends quirks. But, that remains to be seen. Because I commute to work an hour each way, we decided it would be smarter for me to start maternity leave this week rather than continuing to go in until labor begins. I like the idea of being home and not at work or on the road should something happen. However, I HATE that he is now late and I am wasting maternity leave watching Bravo and MTV rather than holding my little guy. (for the record, there is NOTHING on tv during the day.) As stated above, I AM Monica from Friends and there is literally nothing for me to do around the house to pass the time. I actually rearranged my pantry and freezer yesterday out of bordem. Oh well, its still better this way.



As I sit and wait for Grady to do something, I am yet again reminded about how precious life is. A co-worker, Wanda, passed away this week after her almost two year battle with breast cancer. Thankfully it went rather quickly once she stopped chemo and Hospice was assisting her. But it sure puts things into perspective. This makes me want to squeeze the people I love just a little longer and tighter and tell them as often as possible how much I love them.

So for now, we wait. I have my next doctors appointment on Thursday at which time they will perform the fetal non-stress test to make sure Grady is doing good. If all is well, we will schedule the induction (hopefully for that night or weekend as opposed to making me go the full 2 weeks overdue!) I'm all for letting this little guy come when he is ready, but it scares me that he may be huge if we wait too long.

Stay tunned, hopefully my next post will have pictures of Grady!!!

XOXO,

Court

1 week to go (hopefully)

As I write this post, Grady is having a case of the hiccups. God I am really going to miss this. I've been a little more emotional than usual these past few days. Partly because I'm anxious knowing that any minute Grady will be making his grand entrance into the world and Dave and I will become mommy and daddy - a new role we are both so eager to take on. But also because I will miss my pregnancy. I would be lieing if I didn't admit that I have wished some of the last two weeks away, especially the cankle situation and the fact that my left leg no longer appears to have a knee cap - so disturbing! (and while we're discussing swelling, if one more person tells me to drink more water I may go psycho on their ass! Seriously, I drink about a gallon a day and no I don't eat salty foods and it really doesn't matter, the swelling is here until I give birth.) But this little case of the hiccups right now, and my time with Dave when we lay in bed and just smile because we know our little monkey will be in between us soon, and the times when I totally freak myself out because I feel like an eternity went by since the last time I felt him move (which was probably only an hour or so) and I tap my fingers on my belly and within seconds Grady pokes me right back, almost as if he knows I just freaked myself out and he's saying "chill mom, i'm good." I will miss all of this so much.

I will admit, however, that all of the sudden I am terrified of giving birth. Up until this week, I hadn't given it much thought or concern. I had blindly taken the position that whatever happens happens and I totally meant it. Perhaps too many ladies I know have had horror stories of their recent births, or maybe I snuck in a few episodes of TLC's Baby Story, but for whatever reason I have now convinced myself that Grady is a 10 pounder and this is about to get ugly. And then there's the other "unmentionable" concern that NO ONE talks about...pooping. Yes, I said it, pooping ... as in pooping while pushing. I am TERRIFIED this is going to happen. I realize it happens to almost everyone, whether they will admit it or not, but I'm terrified that not only will I poop on the table, but with that will come the loudest fart ever. I've had this reoccuring dream - scratch that nightmare - that I'm pushing with everything I have and then bam, I poop and fart such a fierce fart that my doctor's hair goes flying back like he's riding down the highway with his windows down. (sidenote - I don't know why in this dream my doctor is a man b/c all of the OB docs in my practice are women - weird!) Oh well, no turning back now, but it does feel a little cleansing (no pun intended) to voice my concerns. Just sayin...

And with this comes what I hope to be my last belly shot... I'm sure you've noticed that the last two pics of my very large belly have not included my smiling face. No I am not trying to hide something hideous or anything, rather I'm completely out of energy when I get home from work, so belly shot is what you get :)

So you're probably wondering what the doctors say about my progress (and if you're not you should be!) Well, no changes whatsoever. I must admit I'm a little disappointed with each weekly visit because I thought for sure I'd be a little dialated. But no, nothing. I go back this Thursday and I may ask for a second opinion if she says still no changes! Of course I asked my doc how far they will let me go until they induce labor. I even gave this sob story about how far I commute to work (of course leaving out the fact that I've only worked 2-3 days a week for the past two weeks) and its the winter (not pointing out the obvious that its been 60 degrees out) and I'm swelling, blah, blah, blah. But all I got back was this look like "lady, get in line and you are NOT special" and she told me 14 days. Yikes. But because my doctors don't seem the slightest bit interested in inducing me around my due date, I've started trying a few home remedies myself. I had a little red wine - nada. I've been walking the mall like one of those cute old ladies you see in the morning - zip. I heard about this bakery in Charlottesville, Virginia that swears that women who eat their Lemon Drop cupcakes go into labor within hours so I baked my big ol' butt off and proceeded to eat 4 cupcakes - nothing. I may have tried another thing or two but I'm not getting into that! I'm hoping that Grady showing no signs of coming in the next day or two means that he will be really laid back.

For now, I will sit back and enjoy this little case of the hiccups and smile at the fact that whether Grady comes tomorrow or on the 23rd, he will be here in less than 3 weeks regardless and that absolutely melts my heart!

XOXO,

Court



38 weeks and definitely counting down every day

We had our 36-37 week ultrasound last week to determine the baby's position. Just as I thought, he's head down and butt up so he's probably as ready as I am to come out. We heard his little heartbeat, and I must admit it was a bitter sweet appointment. On the sweet side, we get to meet him very soon. In fact, we have graduated to full term so if I start having real contractions or my water breaks, the doctors won't stop the progress. On the bitter side, I have loved every minute of being pregnant and this special little bond I have with Grady in my belly which is slowly coming to an end. I will truly miss this amazing experience!

In the last few weeks I have had some pretty crazy dreams. I dreamed that everyone I know is pregnant, I dreamed that I've been pregnant for 6 years, I dreamed I gave birth on 495 (Capital Beltway), and I've actually started sleep walking and eating in my sleep. But, the scariest dream I had was giving birth and the doctor yelling "she's beautiful". I woke up in a full on sweat. Needless to say I was very reassured during our ultrasound this week when we saw his man parts very vividly on the screen. There is absolutely no denying Grady is a boy!

We finally finished the nursery and that was a huge accomplishment. Having that hang over my head was making me a little crazy. Baby clothes are washed, hospital bags are packed, car seats installed, and we are pretty much ready for Grady to come. I'm seriously considering pulling out all the tricks of the trade, i.e. raspberry herbal tea, massagem lots of exercise, etc., to get Grady to make his appearance. For some reason I am scared to death of going past my due date. I think I have a major fear he is going to be 9 lbs. Yikes!

This weekend Dave and I met Tatum Cataliotti, John and Sara's beautiful little peanut. She is so precious and we couldn't be happier for them. It was crazy holding this little newborn knowing that any given day I will be holding my own little (or big) newborn. What a reality check in deed, but a very good one nonetheless.

We also decided to have a night on the town - one last hoorah before Grady is here. Not to mention it was 65 outside and I needed to get out!!! So we went to Yellow Fin for dinner and drinks with Katie and Dan. Then we ventured to the water in downtown Annapolis and had more drinks and chocolate lava cake at Chart House. Dave and I very, very rarely order desert out. In fact, its probably been a few years since we have ordered desert. But, Chart House has the most amazing chocolate lava cake I have ever had and we couldn't resist. We had such a good time and it was a nice way to end one phase of our lives and start a new.

Here's a pic at 38 weeks (it was early and no shower yet, so this is just a belly pic!)



Stay tunned, there's no telling what the next post may hold!

XOXO,

Courtney