DC Diaper Dispatch: June 2012

Our first family photo

It's hard to believe Carson is already 12 days old. The last couple weeks have definitely been a bit of a blur and whirlwind. Anyone that tells you it's easy bringing a baby home is lying! The last 12 days have been truly the most challenging of my life. At the same time, they have also been the most rewarding. In my 3am daze every night, changing a screaming baby's diaper and having him latch on to an extremely sore nipple is very hard... But when we both settle down and I stare at his little face and feel a happiness I never knew possible. I am in such awe that someone so amazing was created by Adam and me. There really is no other word than "miracle" to describe him.

Carson's had an exciting 12 days. He's met his Grandma and Grandpa (Adam's parents) and he's met his Oma and Opa (my parents). Opa stayed a few days and Oma will be here for a total of two weeks. I was convinced during my pregnancy that I would only need my mother here for a few days, but I have never been more wrong about anything in my entire life. She has cooked Adam and me dinner, held Carson so I could shower, helped me soothe him at 1 in the morning when nothing I could do for him would, and has literally even helped Carson latch on to my breast. I'm already a little nervous about when she leaves, but I know our little family will get into our own rhythm soon. I'm just VERY thankful to have my mother's help right now.

It's awesome to see in just 12 days the changes in Carson. He becomes more alert every day. He follows toys with his head and eyes, he is focusing better, he can actually find his hands to suck on purpose, and he already seems to be getting great neck strength/control for such a little baby. When he's calm he already likes tummy time and even though it takes a couple tries, he's been able to move his head from facing one direction to the other. It's amazing watching him discover all these new things. I'm so excited for the months to come. I'm sure I'm biased, but I'm pretty sure Carson is the smartest and strongest newborn ever.

It's been almost 2 weeks postpartum and I have thankfully already dropped 20 pounds! Breast feeding is helping the weight melt off. Only 10 more to go to get to my pre-pregnancy weight. I still have to wait 4 more weeks to start working out (Ahhh...this is KILLING me, especially since I was working out up until a day before Carson was born), but I did start with some short walks this week that I'll increase in length and intensity next week. The more I think about how short and awesome my labor was the more sure I am that it was because I stayed so active during my pregnancy. In my 38+ weeks of pregnancy, not a week went by where I didn't work out 3-5 times a week. I'm really happy I was able to keep that up!

I don't think I will ever be able to express in words how in love I am with our new little man. Sometimes I stare at him and tears come to my eyes. He really is perfect.

I'm in love....

MMMMM....Mama's Milk....

On Sunday, June 3rd I woke up feeling a little icky, but just attributed it to being 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant. Adam and I had plans to meet some visiting family members in the city for brunch. We were going to metro and walk, but since I was feeling weird I asked Adam to drive us in. On the way in to the city I felt a strange sensation in my stomach, but just thought maybe it was the start of an upset stomach. I got through brunch just fine and even felt okay. On our drive home, I noticed the feeling in my stomach again and called my mom. She told me that when she was in labor with my sister she thought it was just an upset stomach too. I decided to wait it out.

Adam and I were home by 1230/100. My belly was still being strange and I started to notice the discomfort was coming in waves. I told Adam if it got worse I would start timing them, but not to worry yet. He went on a run, came home, showered, and then even went back out for a haircut. Around 3:15 I was still getting waves of discomfort so decided I should start timing what I finally believed were probably contractions. They were averaging about 7 minutes apart. Adam and I kept timing them and noticed them getting closer and closer together. My labor plan was to stay at home until they were 3-4 minutes apart. At this point they were about 5-6. I decided to take a shower to relax and then cook some dinner since I knew I wouldn't be able to eat once I got to the hospital. Right as my water was starting to boil on the stove, WHAM! My water broke. I ran into the bathroom and it was just a mess. I cleaned up and came back out to the living room and told Adam we would probably need to leave soon. I called my mom and told her and then Adam and I packed up some remaining things, fed the cats, and all that fun stuff. The contractions were starting to come on strong. We left the house about 15 minutes later.

We arrived to the hospital a little after 630. My contractions were one on top of the other. As we were waiting to be checked in I was just in so much pain and kept losing more water. This baby was coming! After Adam pestered the desk a few times they finally called me back to triage. The nurse was asking all the standard check-in questions, but I could hardly answer because my contractions were one on top of the other. She finally decided to check me...I was 9cm dilated already! 9 freakin' cm! I could hardly believe it. At that point she realized I needed to get to labor and delivery ASAP.

As I was being wheeled into L&D all the nurses were asking, "Is that the woman that's already 9 cm!?" HA! We got to my room and I met my delivery nurse Brittany. I told her I wanted to go all natural and wanted no drugs/pain meds whatsoever. She asked me a few more questions, and started monitoring the baby between contractions. I kept begging her to let me push. Finally after about 15 minutes she gave me the green light. I started pushing with all my might with Brittany and Adam by my side. After about 60 minutes of pushing the doctor finally "suited up" for the grand finale. This was the worst, most tiring part. Pushing a baby out is hard work...especially when you feel every single thing! After a total of 80 minutes pushing, Carson Charles was born - 7lbs and perfect in every way. He was born less than 2 hours after our arrival to the hospital. We left the hospital about 36 hours later. :)

I don't think I could have asked for a more picture perfect delivery. I got everything I wanted out of it. A great experience, a totally natural/med-free birth, and the most perfect little human being in the world. Adam and I are simply overjoyed and so, so thankful for our lives. I've never been happier...I've also never been sleepier.

I hope to continue this blog to update everyone on our new life with Carson, but it might take a couple weeks until I'm back in the groove.