Month Three

Weight: 14 lbs 8 ounces

There has been SO MUCH going on this last month! After Cutter had his first White Christmas, we celebrated Chris' thirtieth birthday. I started back to work and Cutter went to school for the first time. And yes, we took a picture of his first day at school! Going back to work has been interesting to say the least. Luckily, Cutter does great at daycare and I have no worries or hesitations about leaving him there. We has our first night of sleeping through the night two weeks ago, but that was just a tease. However, he has started this week and gone 3 nights in a row now! We have also started giving him cereal at nights. He LOVES it. He eats it right up and laughs the whole time.

We didn't have a doctor's appointment this month, so we're leaving the weight up to the Wii to let us know. I can't tell if 14.8 means 8 ounces or 8/10 of a pound. Either way, he's chunking up. He wears a size 2 diaper and is in 3-6 month clothes. He is so laid back and loveable. I can't help but to smile and laugh right along with him. He has the best disposition a new mother could ever imagine or ask for!

Some things we've noticed:

~ He thinks it is hilarious when you have to change his diaper.

~ His activity mat can hold his attention for hours. Well, at least long enough to cook dinner or do lesson plans.

~ He's discovered his hands. He puts them in his mouth often and grabs things that he looks at.

~ He sits in the big boy seat in Bible class. He can hold his head up on his own, so we're still just working on the wobbly body thing.

~ When you carry him, he holds on. He just doesn't flop there anymore.

~ He laughs A LOT!

~ He goes to bed with no problem. We lay him there and walk away as he looks around and eventually falls asleep on his own.

~ He wakes up during the night crying, but puts himself right back to sleep.

~ He is SO LONG! It's amazing to see how holding him changes, since you have to find new ways since the old ones don't quite fit right anymore.

~ He's starting to look a little more like me. Good or bad, I'll take it!

Have I mentioned how good of a baby he is? I could not ask for anything better. He only whines when he is tired and fusses when he is hungry. That's it.

I cannot wait to see what this next month brings, or to see how much he grows!

Month Two

Weight: 12 pounds 10 ounces

Length: 23 1/2 inches
Head: 15 1/2 inches

Another month has come and gone, too quickly I might add! Cutter does more and more each day, so that means we learn more and more as well. The holidays proved to be a slight challenge, more for us than him. Luckily, he adapts well and is flexible. At least as much as an infant can be. We had two weekends in a row of traveling and he hung in there. He just ate a lot more than usual. Traveling is pretty easy. Let's just say that I can still climb from the front seat into the back seat when necessary.

At his 2 month appointment today, Dr. said things are going very well. He was amazed at Cutter's weight gain. Almost 4 pounds in a month! Needless to say, all of the feeding we've been working on has paid off. We even weighed a second time to make sure, just because Dr. said he didn't look it. I wondered why the diapers were getting snug. Some stats for those curious: his head is in the 30th percentile, up from 25th last month. Length is in the 70th, down from 80th. And most of all... weight. He went from the 25th percentile up to 85th! If that wasn't some rapid weight gain!

Some things we've noticed:
~ He holds his head up very well.
~ He LOVES to cuddle! Instead of just laying on your shoulder, he'll hold onto your arm as well.
~ He is mesmerized by Chris' voice. He becomes so alert and searches for him when he hears him.
~ His cries are more distinct and recognizable: hungry, tired, hurt, whiny. Then there's the "Im ticked off at you" one that makes you laugh more than feel bad.
~ He smiles and laughs often, mostly in his bouncy seat and when I'm talking to him.
~ He's been known to lead singing and smack your face, due to much use of his arms. He's not doing much other than flailing, but we're working on it. He will hold the bottle with you on occasion.
~ He's sleeping a little longer during the night, going about 5 hours the first stretch and then about 3 the second.
~ He's almost out of a 3 month outfit. I'm trying to make sure he's worn everything at least once so I don't feel it's been wasted!
~ He uses his legs A LOT. He's either scooting, wiggling, standing or mad to where he stiffens his entire body and you can't bend him.
~ He has rolled from his stomach to his back! He goes from his side to back often, but has gone from his stomach only once. We tried to video him doing it again, but he hasn't yet.
~ He interacts more with Rush, or vice versa. Rush sets his ball in Cutter's lap and waits for him to throw it. Too bad he's going to wait a while!
~ He loves Bible class. I'm going out on a limb with this one, since he sleeps through most of them. I've only been called out of class once and that's because he was hungry.
~ He still looks JUST LIKE Chris. I've decided he has my nose and ears. Chris' face was a little more narrow when he was little, but I guess the roundness came from me. But still, a mini-Chris.

He had his first round of shots today. I don't know who I felt the most sorry for- him or the poor nurse! She did them as quickly as she could, but I still saw new shades of red in his face. I made it through too. I think I was so busy trying to calm him that I didn't have time to get upset. He passed out right after he calmed down, and has been sleeping ever since. Poor guy! I'd scream that much if needles that long went into me (yes, I looked, and couldn't believe that each of the three were over an inch long!). Hopefully, it won't throw him off too much.

I start back to work on Monday. I'm slightly mixed about this. I've enjoyed the time off, but at the same time, I'm ready to get back going again. So when people ask, I say sure as I shrug my shoulders. Yes, I'm ready for a slight break, ready to see my kids, but now quite ready to give him up all day long. He's gone a few times already to get all of us adjusted and I know he will do just fine. I think I will too!

About Time

After a long 7 weeks, we are making progress. What kind? Fattening up. No, not me, but Cutter.

I haven't been TOO stressed about it (right!), but just trying to make sure we are on track and doing what the doctor said. After his 1 month appointment, we added in formula in the evening to supplement. Sure enough, it worked! After 13 days, he went from 8 lbs 15 oz all the way to 10 lbs 11 oz. We skipped the 9s altogether! If you are doing the math, that's 28 oz in 13 days. About 2 oz a day, when the doctor said the goal was 1 a day.

It's about time! Now, if we can only get his feedings a little farther apart...

'Tis the Season

My favorite holiday in the world is Thanksgiving. Love it, and never overlook it. Now that the turkey has come and gone, it's time to gear up and get ready for Christmas... finally!

There is SO MUCH I have to do. I plan on lugging all of the crates down from the attic and transforming my house this weekend. Shopping for gifts? Barely begun! I have to first figure out what we're going to need to buy. Travel plans... need to at least put the idea in my head.

Most importantly, Christmas cards! Some years, I forget. Other years, I sign our names to a generic card and mail them out. This year? Cards have a high priority.

2 Reasons:
~ The cutest baby to share with friends and family,
~ Shutterfly's Christmas promotion of their 2010 Holiday Collection

I am so excited, because by sharing this with you all, I will be able to get 50 Cards for FREE! More importantly, I will start accessing so many other items: birth announcements, photo books, and calendars. I have tons of pictures and want to make sure they get put to good use. That, and Cutter is too cute not to share with others!

Depending on how long it takes me to get it all together, I like this one because of the Happy New Year on it. I'm covered if they are late getting in the mail!

Not only is this child adorable, I love the lines and it uses my favorite font! If I could only narrow it down to just one picture...

I found this folded card and am intrigued by it. It is not normally one that I would pick out, but it has several aspects that I like. I like the initial as well as the multiple pictures. I also like how I can customize the inside, though I do not know exactly what I would say without sounding too commercial. However, this might be the one I choose!

As you enter this holiday season, I hope yours is merry and bright, and full of great deals!

Month One

Weight: 8 pounds 15 ounces
Length: 22 1/2 inches
Head: 14 1/2 inches

What a month it has been! We've done a lot of changing, growing, and definitely adjusting. After seeing even younger ones at the doctor's office today, I can really see how much he has grown and changed. He looks JUST LIKE Chris and acts just like him as well. The only thing from me? His long and lean body! He's in the 80th percentile for length, but only 25th for weight. Needless to say, we're having to try and fatten him up!

Some things we've noticed:
~ He's awake and alert a lot more each day.
~ He focuses on objects- any lights, bright things, big shapes.
~ He tries to hold his head up and can on his own for a little at a time.
~ He sleeps pretty well at night, waking once and then again early in the morning.
~ He sleeps through the phone ringing, dog barking, and doorbell.
~ He'll hold your hand for a long time.
~ He grabs onto things, especially my hair.
~ He likes to cuddle- sleeping on your chest has become a new favorite.
~ He scoots a bit by pushing with his legs.
~ He's woken up in a different location in his crib a few times.
~ He likes to sleep with his hands by his face and a cover draped over his head.
~ He does not like his feet to be confined, so swaddling is about over.
~ He will smile at you on occasion.
~ He makes the funniest faces!

This funny face most recently came after Chris took out his paci so we could get a picture. He shot him a look and held it for a while. I can only imagine what he was thinking!

When they say they grow so fast, I can see. Not day to day, but looking back. We love him so much and take each day as a blessing. We can't wait to see what changes another month will bring!

Like Father...

... like son in so many ways: looks, personality...


I am so thankful and blessed to have Chris by my side on this journey. He amazes me with everything he has learned so far and is willing to do. What a great dad, and getting better every day!

Holding him for the first time.

Having a staring contest.

Changing the first diaper... and has done many more since!

He is so excited!

Watching tv together.

Going to a softball game... first of many, I feel!

Football Saturdays...

First Alabama game- Roll Tide!

Cutter's Story

4 weeks ago, I had no hint of the events that were to soon transpire. I had my 38 week appointment the previous day where to ALL of our surprise, I was already dilated 3 centimeters. We knew it would be soon, but had no clue as to exactly when. It was just a waiting game.

I left school with sub plans ready for the next day. My students were going on a field trip, and there was no way that I could hike, nature trail-it, and fish on slanted slopes being as big as I was. My maternity leave sub was taking them on the trip. My maternity plans and folder were done. I left everything I possibly could give her to allow the transition to run as smoothly as possible. I walked out that day, unsure if I would be returning the following week. At that point, I hadn't decided.

I got a manicure and pedicure on Friday. I met the pediatrician. We went to Holiday Market and walked. Saturday? We walked and I got a massage. On Sunday, went to church and walked. Can you tell I was ready to get the process started?

Sunday night at church, we talked to tons of friends. I even remember sitting on the back of a pew while talking to others. No feeling, no nothing. Figured I'd still be waddling around a few days from then. I called my sub to tell her to go ahead and start the next day. I figured I would take a few days off to rest and relax. That would also keep me in town instead of in Wetumpka in case something were to happen.

We went to eat Mexican afterwards. Still nothing. We got home at about 8:30 that night. We started getting ready for bed after straightening around the house. It was about 10:30 when it all started.

They say that when contractions hit, you'll know. And trust me, whoever "they" are, they're right. When they started, I knew it. I had been having Braxton Hicks for months and this was a different feeling. I did my breathing (yes, I really did!) and counted. After the first one, I started keeping track. We went ahead and went to bed, not knowing how long it would be. I had on Chris' watch so that when one would hit, I could see how they were progressing. When I didn't even put down the pen and paper, Chris decided that we probably weren't going to bed that night, so he got in the shower while I called the doctor's emergency line. Yes, he showered, not me.

When I told them they were coming every 5 or 6 minutes, they told me to come on in! We arrived right after 12:00 and I walked in. Walked... remember this later on. I told the ER what was going on, and then had to wait. Yes, wait while he finished the lady he had just called up to the desk. Then I had to STAND there for about 10 minutes while he asked all kinds of questions. All the meanwhile, I'm still having contractions. He asked me about one when I had it. Trying to speed things up, I told him they were about 3 minutes apart. No help. FINALLY we finished, I got Chris, made him go back and get the bags, and we went upstairs.

After changing and settling in, they checked me. I was already at 5 centimeters! All I could think at this point? Epidural! They had to get fluids in me first, and my awesome nurse thought fast, because the anestesiologist was on the floor and she didn't want me to miss out. She doubled up the fluids I was getting and soon after, I got my epidural. It was awesome! It didn't hurt at all and my pain was gone. Granted, she said I had a high pain tolerance, especially walking into the hospital at 5 cm and not being phased by it. My contractions had been manageable, except for just two. Those two were a little more than I could handle. Chris' poor hand! I think I squeezed his fingers off while I lay there shaking and trying my hardest to breathe. But that was it!

They checked me right after, and I was already at 8 centimeters! That was only 2 hours later, at about 2:00. They thought he was going to come pretty soon after that. My water finally broke and then it started. Not speeding up, but slowing down! We had to wait until I was fully dilated, then we realized his head was turned the wrong way, so nurses had to turn him. Didn't work! Shift changes happened at 7, and still no baby.

Funny note: I was happy during this. Laughing, making jokes and carrying on. Folks would walk around the curtain and all my shining glory was there to see. When Dr. Martin walked in, I remember waving and with the biggest smile, called out "Good Morning!" He wasn't so happy, and he meant business, a complete 180 from his normal outgoing personality.

He got to work, trying to get Cutter's head to turn. There was a time where no one was talking, and they just looked at each other. Made us nervous, because I knew that if he couldn't get his head through, he wasn't coming out that way. LUCKILY... he decided to cooperate because the next thing we knew, they were uncovering the tool table, moving around the room, and Dr. suited up ready to go. I knew it was close, because they started calling for a baby nurse to come in the room.

I could tell I was pushing, I could feel the pressure, but finally they told me to look- Dr. was holding Cutter! Chris had backed away from me at this point. Later on, found out it was a little much for him and he had sat down for only a moment before Dr. asked him if he was cutting the cord. It really came down to a game time decision. He hesitated, stood up, and did it. I know I had the biggest grin. I was so excited for him!

The first thought through my mind when I first laid eyes on him: That's him. He's mine. Once they cleaned him up and gave him to me, I couldn't help but stare. He was looking right in my eyes. To think that after all this time, he was finally here. It was kind of overwhelming, surreal. It didn't seem like all of that happened. Though reaching over several hours time, it seemed to fly by. We were working over just a little nap there in the room, but went that whole day on cloud nine.

Needless to say, I didn't go to school that week, parents got "the call" in the middle of the night, and our world was turned around with the greatest blessing so far. Someone asked if it was what I expected. I don't know. I didn't know what to think throughout all of this. I had no previous experience, nothing to compare it to. I know I didn't want to be induced. I wanted that excitement of the "rush" to the hospital, and that's exactly what we got. I had a terrific pregnancy, a great delivery, and a fantastic bundle of joy at the end of the story.

Cutter James is finally here!