The First Bath, sort of!
Today we went back to the doctor's and Ben weighed 6 lbs 14 ounces! The doctor said that the first weigh-in on Friday might have been a little off because it would be kind of hard for a newborn to gain 6 ounces in 3 days! She also checked out the gunk that started to appear in his eye yesterday and gave us some ointment for it. It should go away in no time!

Ben likes to dribble milk spit all over himself (as I am sure all babies do!). He got pretty punky and it was time to clean his stinky self! It was fun and he didn't mind it too much. Once his little belly button is all set, we can really get him nice and clean!

First Walk
Today, Ben went on his first walk in Brighton Center. The first public place he ever went was Dunkin' Donuts on Washington Street! We also stopped at Brooks but didn't like it very much because the isles were really narrow! It takes a while to get used to having a stroller with you!

Afterwards, we ventured toward the Oak Square area and stopped at Crazy Aunty Lee Lee's house (That's my friend Christine who lives about 1/2 mile away). She's not really an aunt...I'm not a fan of people who call themselves Aunt or Uncle when they aren't blood related to people...but we're making an exception for our friend Lee Lee...ha ha ha! Pat was there too so it was fun to visit with them for a while.

First Doctor's Visit!
Today was our first doctor's visit! All went pretty well but the Doctor said that Ben lost a little too much weight and she wants to see him again on Monday just to make sure he is doing okay. He doesn't have any signs of dehydration and he's pooping and peeing normally, so I'm sure it's not bad. He weighed in at 6 lbs 8 oz...more than a 10% loss from his birth weight of 7 lbs 5 oz. He was very well behaved and slept most of the time...he made his parents very proud!

Labor: Is this really how it goes?????
Mood:  surprised
James and I went to our regularly scheduled 39-week appointment on Monday the 3rd at 8:30. We didn't think much of it...just another quick 10 minutes to check on the little one. When we got there, the receptionist asked who I was. I guess they forgot to pull my folder...I told her who I was and she asked "Are you pregnant?" I couldn't help but laugh and say "yes! I'm due next week!" She apologized but I said "no need...I find it humorous!"

We got in and Usha checked the heartbeat. She said it was lower than she liked. Also, in her 10 minutes of examining me, she said I had two contractions and seemed puzzled that I didn't even feel them at all. She sent me down to the specialist to do an ultrasound and hook me up to the fetal monitoring to see if I was in early labor! I thought she was a little nuts.

So we got down to Dr. Cohen's office and they gave me an ultrasound. All his parts were working normally but they said that he was on the small side!! Everything was measuring small and they estimated his weight to be 6 lbs 5 oz. He was in the 24th percentile for a 39-week old baby! Then we got hooked up to the monitors...our poor little son failed his first test!! That is what the nurse said! His heartbeat was really steady and they like to see it fluctuate a lot. I was having contractions about every 5 minutes and they kept asking me if I felt anything and I kept repeating "no!" The nurse was like "you don't even feel pressure or anything of that nature?" I repeated again "no, am I suppose to be?" I don't how these people think I'm suppose to know what to feel...I've never been pregnant before and I have no idea what is normal and what is not! Then they brought out what I was calling the baby tazer...it was a nosy, vibrating thing that was suppose to make the baby wake up...so they are tazing my stomach and nothing was happening...he was happy sleeping and that is what made him fail their little test.

So Dr. Cohen came in and said he wants to induce me. It was sort of surreal. He then said that he is going to consult "The Ush" and make sure she is in agreement! I about dropped dead laughing when he left the room because he referred to my doctor as "The Ush!" He got off the phone with The Ush and told us to go get our bags and head over to the hospital because we're going to have a baby...it was the weirdest thing ever...he said not to worry because the baby is fine but they are just being cautious in wanting to deliver him now. So we drove home...almost completely shocked about this whole experience. Here I am am, in no pain what-so-ever, the receptionist said I didn't even look pregnant, and we're on our way to deliver the baby! We got home and gathered our stuff. We figured this was going to be a long, drawnout process so we dropped off our rent check, went to CVS, tried to get gas (but some moron truck driver blocked the lanes!), and stopped at Dunkin Donuts for lunch.

We got to the hospital and started up on Pitocin (labor inducing drug) at 3 pm...13 1/2 hours later, Little Benny Boy made his grand entrance! We didn't have many hang ups during labor. I didn't get my epidural as soon as I wanted. When I told the nurse that I was in pain around 8 pm, she said, "most people aren't laughing and talking when they are in real pain so let's try to wait a little longer." I should have told her that was just my personality...but I didn't. I paid for it about 1/2 hour later when I thought I was going to die! Yes, I thought it was that bad. I got some sort of combination epidural where they first give you a shot for immediate pain relief and then they kicked in the epidural. It was smooth sailing from there on out! It was pretty relaxing...I'll have to remember not to laugh and make fun of myself if I'm in this situation again!

Then, around 4:15 AM when the nurse was preparing me to start pushing, James went to the bathroom and she was telling me how she was going to hold one leg and James the other. I told her that I didn't think he would like that...she said that was the coach's job and it will be fine. So he came out and she told him what to do. I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head! But he started with it....then half way through pushing you hear little James say "I need to sit down...I'm not feeling too good!" Poor James. I had to chuckle because I knew that was going to happen! It actually turned out well because he was able to pass me my water bottle when another nurse took over for him. Probably within a minute, Little Ben was here! During my last push, all the nurses and doctor were telling me to open my eyes...I didn't want to but they kept telling me too! I don't know why these people wanted me to see all of this stuff!!! Just take the little baby and give him back to me in 5 minutes all cleaned up and cute looking!!! That is exactly what they did...they handed us a perfect little baby with tons of hair!! It was such a happy time for both of us! And he weighed 7 lbs 5 oz...not 6 lbs 5 oz so I'm not a fan of those high-tech ultrasounds! Here I am thinking I was going to give birth to a Peanut, but Ben ended up being completely average!

We went down to our post-pardom room...Ben was shipped off to the nursery for his bath and whatnot. I ended up having some complications so they had to bring me back to the labor & delivery area. They gave me another epidural (but pumped some "good stuff" in it this time!) while they analyzed things...you don't want to hear about that because now it's all about Ben! In the long run, everything was fine and Benny Boy is healthy, happy and doing great and that is all that really matters!

Robin Eggs, Seat Checks & Unemployment
Today I finally got the one thing I have wanted for the past two weeks...Whopper Robin Eggs! They are not like regular whoppers...they are so much better. After pleading with James, he finally let me walk up to CVS and purchase a bag. I am very happy now.

We went to the Waltham Police Department today to get our car seat checked. They said James did a pretty good job but they added some foam underneath the base to make it more level. It was EXTREMELY interesting...that is a joke. Safety is more James' thing. I'm more about fashion and being pretty.

Lastly, Friday was my last day at work. It was sad (again...a joke!). It feels weird to not have a job again...I am going to try to relax for the next two weeks before the little one comes. I'm convinced he'll be a little late...I'm still trying to mentally prepare for all of this stuff!!!!

Time to watch the news!

a late appointment update??
So I guess I never wrote about our last appointment. We went March 22 in the afternoon. It was interesting because Usha said that I was 1 cm dilated! She also said that I was 50% enfaced...it really doesn't mean anything except that things are progressing! Usha is away this week at a conference. she gave me the option of coming in and seeing one of her partners this week or waiting until next Monday morning...I opted for next Monday morning because Usha is my hero!

In other exciting news, this is my last week of work so I am very excited! Speaking of work, I better get ready! Toodles for now!

I did laundry and a cat update!!
I did my first batch of baby laundry. First, I think I might have shrunk stuff. It just looks so small! I don't think I can picture this baby as a newborn...I think I'm having troubles now picturing having a baby altogether! Only about 3-4 weeks left.

I still have 2 more weeks of work. Everyone there keeps wondering if I'm going to pop him out early and they ask me all the time if I am alright. It's pretty annoying. I know they mean well, but it's still annoying.

Oh, so last night, James and I were talking about baby cries...because I really don't know what to expect as far as a baby crying (I know that sounds weird, but it's the truth). So he went online and found some audio files of babies crying. So he played some and the cats went sort of cuckoo! First, Kiki ran up to the speakers and first rubbed them with her cheeks. We thought this was a good sign...she seemed like she wanted to nurture the crying! Well then she turned into the demon cat she is, and started trying to bite the speakers! Woo came by the computer and just sat there and looked stupid. He started crying like he thought something was wrong. After about 5 minutes, they got bored and went about their merry kitty way.

It's almost 5 am
So this is the first night that I had trouble sleeping. I do not know why. I did not have to go to the bathroom. I just woke up around 3 am and decided I wasn't tired anymore.

Well being that it is St. Patrick's Day, I'm going to do what every good Irish wife should do - cook corned beef and cabbage! Though I may look Irish, I am not. I am Irish by marriage.

Last Saturday I went to Cate's shower in West Hartford. It was a grand time! I drove down with Christine. Good times to be had by all! I must admit that I had to fib to one lady...she came up to me, noticing that I was pregnant. We got to talking and she asked what names the grandparents were taking. I just smiled and said "I think we're just going with the standard 'grandma and grandpa." I wanted to spare the Haugh/Lesko name of any embarrassment of saying "well my mother is going to be Beautiful Grandmama. My father is going to be Happy Pappy Gary. Then there is evil step-grandmother Sue (ha ha!)...And that is just my side..." Luckily James' side is more normal (I think). This poor child is going to be confused on so many different levels!!

After Cate's shower, James picked me up and we drove to Woodbury CT where there was a surprise little gathering for us! James knew about it and I was not. I am mad James didn't tell me! Isn't that what a good marriage is about? Good communication and not keeping secrets??? ha ha ha! Well it was surprising and very thoughtful of everyone to think of us. We got a lot of good baby stuff (which we are very thankful for!) and Pappy Gary even made a lot of good food...James was very happy that he got to eat his chili again.

Just another update for your pleasure....
We had another one of our fetal monitoring appointments on Tuesday. It was pretty interesting. James got to go this time which was better because I had someone to talk to during it! The male doctor we saw was really goofy. I'm glad he's not my normal doctor. It made me wonder why a man would want to be an OBGYN! I'm glad I have Usha to guide me through this!

Well on to the important things: The good news is that I’m not having the contractions anymore so that is good. I am not causing stress to the little one!! He's doing good too...heartbeat is fine, he has his kidneys, & doing his little practice breathing exercises. His little hands were together so I'm thinking he was praying. He will be the future St. Fritzy of Boston. So everything is back to normal and boring…that is the way we like it. Oh, & I have decided that ultrasounds just make me feel dumb. I can never see what the nurse is pointing out.

They also estimated that St. Fritzy is a little on the small side…they estimated his weight right now at 5 lbs 8 oz. I think it’s suppose to be closer to 6 pounds (I’m not really sure), but that is okay with me! I am not looking forward to pushing out a 9 or 10 pound watermelon…a 7 pound one is fine by me. James still insists he’ll be bigger…I am not a fan of James’ predictions.

A sore neck and some little things they call contractions...
Hello!

I wasn't going to post this, but I figured, maybe one day my son may read this and understand the pain and suffering I am going through to give birth to him! ha ha!!!

Well last Friday I was at work and all of the sudden I had a sharp pain in my neck and my right arm was all tingly. It was weird. So I did the smart thing (for once!) and called the doctor. They told me to go to the emergency room.

So I jumped on the E line (I figured it couldn't be too serious if I was still up for taking the subway to the hospital!). I went to Beth Israel and my nurse was Bernie Haugh! It was a male nurse! And his last name was Haugh! They had to put me in the hall because they were full and I wasn't a really "serious" case. I was laughing at the drunks in there at 11 am.

So they thought I had preclampsia because I had really high blood pressure. I tested negative for that. Then they checked me out to see if I had a stroke and I didn't. I didn't like the MRI. They gave me tylenol and determined I must have just pinched a nerve or something. By this time it was about 6 pm and James had joined me. They transferred me to the other building (in an ambulance, fully strapped down to a stretcher as if I was some invalid) so they could check out the baby. It was fun to talk to the EMTs.

When I got there, they strapped me up and started the fetal monitoring. James and I were both pretty hungry. We were sad that we couldn't eat but figured we be out soon. Well the nurses came in and so did the doctor and said I was having contractions and they wanted to monitor me more! All I wanted to do was eat a hamburger, but I had to lay there some more. Now keep in mind, I still had this neck pain and my arm felt all weird. Because I am pregnant, they couldn't give me any "good stuff." Well after some more time, they just gave me a shot of something. It was a muscle relaxer to stop the contractions. I couldn't tell the difference between having contractions or not, but that medicine sure helped with my neck pain!

The contractions went away within 20 minutes, they checked me out to make sure I wasn't going to pop him out anytime soon and we were on our way at 11 pm to get hamburgers. It is a good thing Applebee's is open until midnight on weekends!

I had to go to a different doctor this past week to do the fetal monitoring again. I'm still having the contractions but I'm not feeling them. The baby is doing wonderfully and does not seem to be bothered by the contractions at all. They also gave me another ultrasound (see week 34!). We got another confirmation that it's a boy so that is a good! I'm going back again this coming Tuesday to do a more in depth ultrasound that should estimate his height and weight. I'm sure I will post the results here.

I'm not really sure what this all means as far as a delivery goes. I don't think the doctors do either. The baby is healthy and neither of us are in any pain so that is the most important part.

This week has been especially brutal for me!! I have never been so tired before. I feel like I am going to fall asleep at work most times (maybe it's just because I am bored though). I also have to use the ladies room about 25 times a day (but thankfully, I don't wake up in the middle of the night to go!). I am also sore in places I didn't think existed on my body.

So that is it. Nothing exciting. Just more doctor appointments than I originally thought. Some neat little fetal monitoring and a couple extra ultrasounds.