Welcome to the World August Patrick Thor

I'm supposed to be sleeping, but for some reason it is 1:30 am and can't seem to do it! So, here we go again! August, Auggie, Gus, Guster, Tug - was born at 2:21 pm on May 29th. He weighed in at a whopping 5 lbs 4 oz, and 18 1/2 inches. He is the tiniest little guy I have ever seen. But so cute! I think he looks a lot like Jack did, Tom thinks he looks like a tiny pink alien. He is absolutely adorable and I can't wait to get my hands on him.

Most of you know that I am a crazy fool that likes to deliver without drug interaction because I did not like having an epidural with Porter. So, we tried it again this time, however I was induced because of my small size and the fear that he wasn't eating enough in utero. To save readers all the gory details, I will be brief. My doctor broke my water at 8:30 and by 11:15 I hadn't progressed much, even though we walked a mile around Labor and Deliver and I did about 150 lunges/squats. I received a tiny bit of pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin that your body produces naturally to get labor going, and by 12:30 I was having good contractions. Then it was off to the races - things went rather quickly and after several severely difficult pushes he was out! I've already forgotten the puking that occurred in the shower, on the bed, and standing next to the bed while having contractions. I've also forgotten my shaking body and the number of times I dropped the F-Bomb...One thing though that I have not forgotten is how ABSOLUTELY AMAZING Tom was. He was so supportive and such an awesome birth coach. He kept me in line, breathing and working my butt off. I love you, Tommy!

It is truly amazing what the human body can do. I mean really...pushing a watermelon out of something the size of a lime...HOLY CRAP! I think any woman that can go through labor whether c-section, with drugs, or without is a goddess and deserves to be treated like one forever!

Guster is doing great! For the first few hours he was having some trouble catching his breath - nothing serious at all, just kind of fussed a little when trying to breathe - although he was getting enough oxygen. He even scored an 8/9 on his APGAR. What a fighter. So they gave him some oxygen through his nose (picture #1), eventually changed it to regular air, and had been monitoring him in the Special Care Nursery. About 10 pm they took the tubes out and he's been doing great. He could have come into the room then, but, I'm supposed to be sleeping!!! I can't wait to snuggle with him in the morning.


I am so happy that he is okay and that I am no longer pregnant!! I can't wait to get back to spinning - just kidding!

Thank you all for your support and well wishes.

xoxoxo

New Baby on the way.

Baby Gus is on his way. Due to the small size of my belly and my wonderful doctor, she has decided to induce me on Friday. I didn't even have to whine! On Friday I will be 38 weeks, so I think she was okay with inducing now. I'm already dilated 2 cm, so he is ready to go. I'm having a massage on Thursday, so maybe that will move things along.

Either Jack knows something is about to change or he is just right in the midst of his "terrible twos" because he has been an absolute nightmare!!!! Arghh, TWO!

Porter seems to be pretty excited about having a baby in the house, although he thinks "Gus" is going to come out of my belly button, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't realize what is in store with this new baby....

Porter's swimming lessons have been going great since he picked his swedish fish incentive, and I even have pictures of him smiling! Will post those soon.

Until Friday....

Tiny Gus

Gus has decided to be a horse jockey. For the last few weeks I've been measuring about 2-3 weeks behind where I am supposed to be. Have I mentioned this? So, now every few days I have to have an ultrasound to measure his growth plus be hooked up to a monitor to watch his movements for at least 30 minutes. Although it is pretty fun to see the little guy on the screen, (he has peach fuzz!) it is rather nerve racking to know that he is so tiny. The doctor wants to monitor us in case my placenta is no longer giving him the nutrients he needs to get bigger, and if she feels like that is the case, then I will be induced early. Fortunately I will be 37 weeks on Friday, so if he can hold on until then, then he will technically be full term and the doctor will be more comfortable inducing.

Although I am sick and tired of being preggo, I am not looking forward to being induced so I am hoping he hangs on as long as he can. I am going to go sans drugs again, and getting pitocin doesn't really help the situation....

Keep your fingers crossed he gains a couple ounces in the next two days. I'm off to eat some ice cream....

Bags and Bracelets

I've been working out daily at the Y trying to maintain somewhat of a normal life and keep my energy up as well as try to meet some new people especially since we've lived in Oconomowoc for about 8 months now...having a growing belly helps a ton! People are constantly asking me when I am due and it really does help with meeting new families and friends.

I'm always looking for creative and handmade things to give as gifts to others (and myself :)) And here's a new one! I met a woman awhile ago and finally had the chance to really talk to her today. Her name is Dana McNamee and I fell in love with the work that she does! She will have a storefront and a website up soon! How exciting. I can't wait to pick out my new bracelet and many family and friends will be receiving them for birthdays I'm sure! She does the bracelet in kid sizes too. Too cute!

I didn't realize what a small town Oconomowoc really is. Although it is a suburb of Milwaukee, it has that small town feel to it, and I quite enjoy it. It kind of feels like my grandma. If you say one name to her she will tell you that she went to nursing school with that person's grandma, or your father went to Sunday School with that person's brother and so-and-so married him and I lived next door to them for 30 years.....Well, that's what it's like living here. Everyone knows everyone and they are all connected in some way....I hope we aren't intruding...

Ummm....Really???

So, while cleaning and organizing the basement this morning the boys wanted to "do projects". They sat and colored for awhile and then they were off playing...or so I thought.

They ventured into their fort and came out looking like this...When they came out roaring and growling all I could do was laugh. Holy cow. Look at those faces. Porter said, "Mommy, do you like our faces?" How could I say no?! Unbelievable.

34 weeks

So today marks 34 weeks. I am actually doing fairly well. Although ready for this little guy to get here. I had an appointment on Wednesday and am measuring a little smaller than normal, so the doctor wanted me to have an ultrasound to make sure everything was okay. She actually isn't worried at all.

Doctor: You are still measuring a few weeks behind. This definitely isn't going to be a 9 pound baby, and probably not as big as your other two either.
Me: Does that mean you want to do an ultrasound to make sure everything is okay?
Doctor: (Giggle, giggle) Yes, I think we should do an ultrasound to make sure he is growing and you have enough fluid.
Me: Oh, okay. (Giggle, giggle)

He seems fine, small, but just great. I have enough fluid, a little on the low side, but nothing to be worried about. She wants to do another one in a few weeks just to make sure everything is still fine. No big deal, I guess. We don't really have large kids, Tom keeps joking that we're trying to breed a horse jockey. He's in the 14th percentile for weight - which is actually higher up on the charts than both his older brothers are right now!

On other news the swine flu has hit Oconomowoc and the local high school and two middle schools have closed. My lifeline, the YMCA, has also been closed. Yuck. I guess my treadmill is going to get to know me again after several months of missing me.

All for now.
xoxoxo