My Fur Babies Meet Baby Jacob!

For those who know me, know I am OBSESSED with my dogs. Before Jacob was born, every picture I posted on Facebook were of Gunner and Tank. I love them like no other. There is no love as loyal than a dog and his owner.

A little bit about my fur babies: Andrew and I bought our first home in 2009 and decided right away we HAD to have a puppy! Thanks to my brother and sister's love for Boxers, I knew that was the breed I wanted. Boxers are so sweet, loyal, protective, cuddly, and well, a bit hyper! So our search for a Boxer began and in no time we found Gunner. After getting him home we discovered he had been abused. He was very timid and terrified of men, with the exception of Andrew. He instantly became my little side kick. I wasn't working at the time, so my days were spent training and playing with Gunner.

After a year and a half we decided Gunner needed a buddy! Once again we began our search and decided on this precious little Boxer puppy, Tank. He was only five weeks old, the breeder sold him at four weeks old to a lady who ended up not being able to care for him. In my opinion it was way too early to be weened from his mommy, but we took him. He was pretty sick and had a calcium deficiency. His front paw was not growing properly and he couldn't walk on it very well. In just a few short months we nursed him back to health.

Now, two years later, the two are the best of friends. You can't keep them apart! Over the time we have had them, they have been very spoiled! Lots of attention from Andrew and me, sleeping in our bed at night, lots of cuddle time.

Once we got pregnant I became a little apprehensive about the transition of a baby in the house. I knew I wouldn't be able to give the dogs my full attention like I did in the past. I was worried they would be too hyper, too jealous, and not adjust well. I was in for a surprise!

As you can see, they were very interested in Jacob! Gentle sniffs and kisses right away. For the most part, they weren't that interested in Jacob, because mommy had been gone for four days, all they wanted was me! After a day or two any time Jacob cried, Tank would whine and Gunner was on watch. They were so aware of every little noise Jacob made. One night while we were cuddling in bed, Gunner was laying with us. Tank decided to join, but the second Tank got close to Jacob, Gunner let Tank know he was NOT okay with it. He let out a small growl and Tank got off the bed and fell asleep on the floor. I knew right away I had two very special dogs. In no time they were so protective of Jacob. 

Not all dogs are great with babies, some need an adjustment period, some get jealous. Only you can know which reaction your dog will have, but as hard as it for me to write this, dogs can't be trusted completely. I never leave Jacob alone with the dogs. We have baby gates in the living room and our bedroom. Eventually we will have another for the nursery. I feel so very lucky that our puppies are so well behaved, but you can never know what an animal is going to do. 

Hope you enjoyed!

~Sarah~

Our First Week Home!

Jacob was born on Friday, February 8th, and we were home by Monday, February 11th. Before we left the hospital I was very nervous of going home. Not having the nurses there to answer our questions or help when I needed it was going to be an adjustment. At the same time I couldn't wait to get home and be there as a family of three! We left around 11:00 am and it was a short drive to our house.

When we got there Andrew helped get me settled in the living room, where we would be sleeping for a few days so I would be able to heal easier from my c-section. Andrew brought down everything we needed: diapers, the rock and play napper, pillows, burp cloths, wipes, etc. so I wouldn't have to go up and down stairs more than once or twice a day. Luckily we have a sleeper sofa, so we had a comfortable bed to sleep in for the time being.

Jacob was a perfect little guy during our first week home. He slept a lot, ate a lot, and slept some more! My mother in law was there with us to help with cooking and cleaning, so my attention was one hundred percent on Jacob. I cannot stress how awesome it was to have help. So if you have a person in your life willing to give you a hand, say yes!!

My mother in law cooked lots of good food for us and enough to stock up our freezer, so when she left I would be able to just thaw out a meal and heat it up! She made meatballs, lasagna, chicken marsala, beef stew, and home made chicken noodle soup. Needless to say we still have plenty of food in the freezer!

So everyone told me when I was pregnant what to do to survive having a newborn, getting no sleep, and recovering from surgery. Do this, don't do that. One piece of advice: Sleep when the baby sleeps. As a first time mom, but one with experience with newborns, that advice was worthless. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I worried for the first few days about if he was breathing in his sleep. I worried he would wake up and I wouldn't. I worried I would miss something. No matter how tired I was, if it wasn't night time, I was awake. That lasted about four days! I finally allowed myself a nap here and there. Best decision ever.

All and all it was a pretty easy week for us! We had a few bumps with nursing, but nothing an appointment with our lactation consultant couldn't help with! The week went by so quickly, as I sit here and write about it,  I can't help but wonder, where did the time go?!

~Sarah~

Let's Talk Breast Feeding!

Let me start by saying before I ever thought about having children the idea of breast feeding did not sit well with me! I just couldn't imagine having a baby attached to my breast all the time. To me, it was some what creepy. Yeah, I said it. I said over and over again I would not do it! Even when we decided to try to conceive, I was all about bottle feeding.

Once I saw those two lines on the home pregnancy test something clicked in my mind. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was almost instantly I changed my mind about breast feeding. I had to at least try I thought to myself. I wanted to experience it even if I couldn't handle it, I had to try, and not just sit back and judge something I knew absolutely nothing about.

Although I decided to try breast feeding, I went online and signed up for a few formula website to get free samples from them, just in case. I suggest anyone who is pregnant to sign up for it. Check out Similac, Gerber, and Enfamil! Toward the end of your pregnancy you will receive free samples and coupons from them! Great way to save some money!

So during my pregnancy I felt like EVERYONE asked, "are you going to breast feed?" Um, as if it is any of your business! Okay, I never said that, I just smiled and said that is the plan! It seemed like everyone had an opinion on it. They gave me the pros and cons from their point of view. They gave me tips. How to prepare for the pain. How to hold to baby. What to do if you can't breast feed. Do this. Don't do that. Etc. Unsolicited advice started early! I did listen to the tips. I took in all the information I could get, because after all, they had been there done that. I hadn't.

So fast forward to the day Jacob was born. Once I was brought back in my room where I recovered, the nurse handed me Jacob and told me to feed him. I didn't have the slightest idea as to what I was doing. I just held him to my breast and hoped he opened his tiny mouth. Well it wasn't that simple! The nurse helped him latch by lightly touching his cheek that was closest to my breast and had me place my nipple in his mouth. It took a few tries, but all of a sudden he got it! And oh my! It HURT! It wasn't sharp pain, or even real pain, just total discomfort. I had no idea how I was going to continue.

When Jacob was born all I had to feed him was colostrum, because it takes a couple days for a mother's milk to come in. It was really hard to tell if he was actually eating or if he was just sucking for comfort, but the nurses taught me what to listen for and what to look for while he was eating. He made a tiny noise each time he swallowed, so I knew he was eating. During the days before my milk came in we had issues with latching. He never did latch completely normal. The nurse said it was due to the size of his mouth and my nipple. The improper latch caused sore and cracked nipples. Thankfully the lactation nurse gave me a triple action ointment to help them heal.

By day three I was still very sore, but I ignored it the best I could, because I was feeding my son and nothing else mattered. The day we left the hospital a lactation consultant came to our room to give us lots of information and make sure Jacob was still eating right. Although I was still in pain, he was latching correctly, and she told me that the pain would go away as the cracks healed.

Once we were home things continued to go smoothly with nursing Jacob. My milk came in that afternoon. I did have some discomfort from the milk, known as engorgement, but it always went away after nursing or pumping. I had been given a breast pump from a friend so I started pumping regularly. I felt like when he wasn't nursing I was pumping! It was tiring. We had gone home on a Monday and by Wednesday I knew something wasn't right. Every time Jacob went to nurse he would latch for about five seconds, and the back off and scream! I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong! It was heart breaking. I didn't know what else to do, so I started feeding him my pumped breast milk from a bottle. I can't tell you how many hours I cried about it.

By Friday morning, after countless hours of crying and an enormous amount of disappointment, I called the lactation consultant. After all those years of not wanting to breast feed, here I was heart broken because I thought I wouldn't be able to again. The consultant, Kim, was great! She told us to come in that afternoon.

During our appointment she had me nurse him so she could observe what was going on. It turned out that I was producing too much milk, so every time Jacob would latch he would get too much milk in his tiny mouth and get frightened by it, causing him to pull away and cry. The consultant told me that too much milk can be just as much of a problem as too little milk. So she had me try a nipple shield, a clear and flexible piece of plastic that went on my nipple. It created a slower flow for Jacob. She also had me hold him just above my breast so the milk didn't pour into his mouth, he would have to suck it out. Instantly, he began eating.

In that moment I cried tears of joy. I was once again feeding my son, the way I never thought I would want to! The consultant also told me to only pump once in the morning and once at night for 10 minutes. She said that would help lower the amount I was producing, because breast milk comes from supply and demand.

Well, three weeks after that appointment with the lactation consultant we are still breast feeding! I still use the nipple shield, which has been a life saver! It couldn't be going any better! The only down falls with the shield: It is clear! I can't tell you how many times I have put it down and for the next feeding I could not find it!! Try keeping it in a bag or container so you never have to search for it with a screaming hungry baby! Also, some feedings, Jacob will pull it off, so I have to get it back on, and that can cause a very unhappy baby for a minute!

Here are some items I couldn't live without:

1. Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags - Great for freezing milk too!

2. Ameda Storage Bottles - Refrigerating or Freezing milk! I love these because they are compatible with all Ameda pumps!

3. Lansinoh Nursing Pads - Warning! You breasts will leak milk. Save yourself from those embarrassing moments! Plus, these are so comfortable, I never notice them!

4. Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Pads - These helped me so much when my nipples were cracked. The cool gel pads eased the pain, and they are good for 24 hours!

5. Lansinoh Lanolin Cream - Great cream to keep your nipples from cracking, but if you do crack talk to your doctor!

6. Ameda Purely Yours - This is the pump I have. I love it! But remember, there are many options out there!

A few pointers:

• Have an open mind.
• Try to stay relaxed and stress free (haha, easier said than done with a newborn, but really, it will help)
• Take full advantage of the resources out there, if I didn't, I wouldn't be nursing Jacob again
• Stay hydrated! When nursing or pumping make sure you are drinking water!
• If breast feeding isn't for you or you have difficulties, do not beat yourself up over it. Babies have been on formula for years and years and turn out just fine. Heck I was breast fed and formula fed and I think I am okay! ;)
• No matter what you decide, remember, you are mom. You know what is best for you and your child!
• Ignore judgmental people!

Also, for information on collecting and storing milk click HERE!

I hope you enjoyed this post! Look back soon for Our First Week Home!

~Sarah~

Baby Registry

When I found out I was pregnant I was so excited to start a baby registry for my baby shower! Baby stuff is so cute and fun I couldn't wait to get started! Until I realized I had NO idea what babies really need. I mean I knew we needed a car seat, stroller, clothes, diapers... but what else? And then came the dilemma of what brand? How many? What sizes? I was so overwhelmed! After googling non stop and asking all my mommy friends I finally had a good sense of what I needed and wanted for the registry. I started registering for items immediately after finding out we were expecting, but I didn't finish registering for stuff until about two days before my shower!

The best check list I found was from Babies R Us. Check it out Here!

As for specific items here are a few of my favorites!

• Crib - We got a convertible one, so it grows with him! It is a four-in-one that converts to a toddler bed, day bed, and a full bed.
• Car seat - Graco Snugride 30. The safety reviews are amazing and it isn't too heavy!

• Changing pad cover - I LOVE the Carter's Super Soft Dot Cover. Make sure you get some liners too, so if there is a mess, you just wash the liner, not the whole cover!
• Burp Cloths - I swear by the Cloth Prefolded Diapers by Gerber. They are the best!
• Breast Pump - If you plan to breast feed and pump I highly recommend the Medela Double Electric Pump, they are the best! However, if your budget doesn't allow for that check out Ameda Purely Yours Double Electric Pump. I used the Medela in the hospital, but couldn't afford to buy it. I have the Ameda at home and it works GREAT! Plus it doesn't cost as much. Also check with your locale hospital for information on pump rentals!
• Bottles - For those who plan on breast feeding and occasionally bottle feeding I suggest the Tommie Tippie Closer to Nature bottles. Jacob goes easily from bottle to breast with no confusion!
• Infant Bath Tub - We love Fisher Price 3 Stage Rainforest Tub. Jacob's favorite time is bath time!

I could list 1000 more items we love, but there is just not enough time in the day for that!

Some items I cannot live without at this point are:

• Fisher Price Rock and Play Napper. HOWEVER, recently there was a recall on this item because of mold growth. The generation of the nappers being sold in stores now are said to have no issues, but I still check it regularly. The mold growth is said to occur between the washable liner and the frame, but we have had no issues. 
• Wubbanub Pacifiers. The cutest pacifiers ever and Jacob loves holding on to them! It is a Soothie pacifier with a small stuffed animal attached. 

• Thermal Blankets by Gerber. Jacob gets swaddled before naps and bedtime and these work much better than most "Swaddler Blankets" and cost much less!
• Diaper Champ. Much like the Diaper Genie, but cost efficient. Instead of having to purchase specific bag refills, you can use any bag in the Diaper Champ and there is NO smell!
• Tummy Time Mat. We have the Tiny Love Frog Tummy Mat and Jacob loves it! I love that it is padded and has a cushioning pillow, just in case he gets tired and face plants like most babies do!
• Bottle Warmer. I am breast feeding him, but when Andrew is around I like to give him the chance, and me a break, to feed him. I pump and store my milk in the freezer or refrigerator and with the bottle warmer it is warm in two minutes!

A few things I didn't need to register for:

• Boppy Pillow - Although I am breast feeding him, I almost NEVER use the boppy. I always just grab a regular pillow and use that. Much easier!
• Clothes! Although I am sure there are so many cute items you HAVE to have for your child, people will buy you so many clothes whether you registered for them or not! So don't spend hours picking out clothes for the registry!
• Wipe Warmer - Many people love these, but I just did not! First, if GOD FORBID you didn't have a warm wipe, and you used a "cold" one on the baby, be ready for screams! Second, it is said that bacteria can build up in them due to the moisture and warm temperature and cause mold. Yuck!

And last but not least, register for lots of diapers! I only received a few and was shocked! I thought everyone gave diapers at baby showers. If you don't know what brand you want, think about having a diaper raffle at your shower. If a guest brings a package of diapers they will get a gift or a ticket for a raffle prize! I wish I did that! 

Up next: Our first days home!

Thanks for reading.

~Sarah~

Baby Shower!

Living away from family and friends made it difficult to plan when to have a shower. After talking to my sister over it for weeks, we both came up with the idea of having it early. The average shower is held around 8 months pregnant, but when I was going to be 8 months it would be right after Christmas and I was concerned about a snow storm preventing me from making the trip to Massachusetts from Maine. So I decided on having it at 24 weeks. Which most people thought was really weird!

My best friend, Jess, planned it for me. I won't lie, the weeks leading up to the shower were stressful! I am kind of neurotic. I don't like not having control over things, so letting someone plan the shower was hard for me not to take over and run the show. I did have a huge say in everything, so that was great and on the day of the shower Jess had everything set and ready to go!

The shower was held at my father's house in October. We had it indoors because the weekend of the shower Hurricane Sandy was making her way up the east coast. Everything flowed nicely, the food was great, and everyone had a great time. Because the shower was held between 1-4 pm we served snacks and finger foods. I also wanted my guests to have the option to have a cocktail. Just because I couldn't enjoy a fruity sangria, didn't mean my friends and family couldn't!

The following is the menu from the shower:

• Fruit
• Cheese and crackers
• Chips and dip
• Broccoli Salad from Main Street Deli in Agawam, MA. That was a HUGE hit! Check out thier Facebook page Here!
• Meatballs
• Veggie platter
• Stuffed Celery, my dad's famous recipe!
• Kielbasa

We served the following beverages:

• Soda
• Juice
• Water
• Beer
• Wine
• Sangria
• Margaritas
• Pumpkin Martinis

We got the cake from Mama Cakes in Westfield, Ma. Check out their Facebook page Here!

I really wanted the color and theme to be baby Marine, since Andrew is in the Marine Corps. I had a hard time finding anything baby Marine themed, so I came up with the idea for the cake: little combat boots, dog tags, cammo baby clothes, and the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. I had red and blue plates, napkins, cups, and decorations. It was so easy to do, plus we added some USMC stickers on the table cloths. For the party favors we had blue dog tags made that said "Thank You From Sarah, Andrew, and Jacob" with the date of the shower on the back. We tied the dog tag to a candy bag with red, white, and blue ribbon. It was very inexpensive and super cute!

Jess had planned games, however we all just had so much fun chatting, eating, and opening gifts we didn't have enough time!

Here are some picture from the party!

Check back soon for my tips on a baby registry!

~Sarah~

Jacob's Birthday!

On February 8th 2013 I woke up around 5:30 am. Showered, checked my hospital bags again, and paced the house until we needed to leave. My c-section was scheduled for 9:30 so we were told to be at the hospital at 7:30.

Above: Andrew and me before we left for the hospital

We arrived at the hospital and went straight to maternity. The nurses put us in a room where I would stay for the duration of our time there. I changed into a hospital gown and awaited what was to come. The nurse came in and put in an IV for warm fluids. They hooked me up to the monitor to monitor the baby's heartbeat and to see if I was having contractions. His heartbeat was great and I wasn't having contractions.

Above: Me enjoying my belly for the last time!

Not long after getting the IV, my OB and the anesthesiologist came in to talk to us. They both discussed what would happen and what to expect. In no time it was 9:15 and I was about to walk to the operating room. I said goodbye to my parents, Andrew's mom, and my best friend and kissed Andrew. He would be joining me in the operating room after I was given the spinal, the medication to numb my body from my rib cage down to my toes so I wouldn't feel any pain.

Above: Andrew and me showing off our stylish outfits!

The room was cold and bright and buzzing full of nurses. In no time I was sitting on the edge of the operating table, hunched over, getting the spinal. It wasn't too painful, just a lot of pressure. Suddenly everything started to numb and they laid me back on the table. What happened next was the scariest moment I had experienced to date. I felt as though I couldn't breathe. I thought I was being suffocated. The doctors and nurses reassured me that what I was feeling was the medication moving throughout my body and it had spread into my chest, making it feel as though I couldn't breathe, although I was breathing completely normal. That feeling felt like it lasted an eternity, but it was only minutes.

Above: My last picture before Jacob was born!

Finally I saw Andrew walk through the doors. He sat down by my head and held my hand. Time suddenly stopped for me. I was laying in the OR holding my husband's hand about to bring our son into the world. All of those feelings of sadness about not having a vaginal birth were forever gone. I asked Andrew about twenty times what was happening. He kept looking over the screen that was placed between my head and my belly to see what the doctors were doing. Then his facial expression changed. I knew at that moment the doctor had made the incision and it would be minutes. Before I knew it I heard my doctor say, "here he is!", but I didn't hear a cry. I tried not to panic. Within seconds I heard the sweetest sound in the world, Jacob's first cry.

Above: Some people might think this is too graphic, but I think it is an amazing picture!

The nurses whisked him away to clean him, weigh him, measure him, and bundle him up. Andrew stayed with Jacob. My doctor leaned over the screen and said something I will never forget. "Sarah, you made the right choice. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. Not once, but twice." So much for my "elective" c-section.

Above: Andrew "cutting" the cord. (The cord was already cut, but the doctor left it long so Andrew could have the experience of cutting it. They don't allow anyone to cut the cord above the incision because it is a sterile field).

There are many babies born with the corp wrapped around their neck that have had no complications, but in most instances the doctors are prepared for it. However during my ultrasound two days before his birth it was not there. So if I went vaginally my OB said I would have had to have an emergency c-section anyways. Before you say, "it is common for babies to be born with the cord wrapped around the neck, you still didn't need a c-section" based on everything my OB told me while she continued to discuss his positioning and how the c-section was the best decision, I knew I made the right choice for me and for my son. Many people are very judgmental about women who have "elective" c-sections, so I guess that is why I am going into so much depth explaining this.

But on to the good stuff! Jacob Andrew was born at 10:04 am weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces and 20 inches long. As I stared at him in his daddy's arms everything in my world fell into place. The tears of joy streamed down my cheeks. Everything in our world was right.

Recovery at the hospital was fast. My body was healing and Jacob was thriving. So in three short days we headed home, the three of us, as a family.

Stay tuned for more posts! Upcoming: My baby shower, My experience with breast feeding, and much more!

~Sarah~

My Third Trimester

Well after feeling pretty great during the end of my second trimester I was certain that the third would be a breeze. Once again, I was in for a surprise!!

Andrew and I spent Thanksgiving in Massachusetts with my family. The night before Thanksgiving I started having severe pain in my right upper quadrant and some really nasty nausea. The pain was so bad I was in tears. After 24 hours of it I decided to go to the local hospital to get check out. Our baby boy was moving around and I had no concerns about his well being, but I was very nervous about mine. The emergency room doctor ran some tests, assured me the baby was fine, and they didn't know what was causing the pain. So I headed home.

After another week of the pain, nausea, and vomiting I decided to see my primary care doctor back in Maine. They ordered more tests and found that I was having issues with my gallbladder. At 29 weeks I was admitted to the hospital to have my gallbladder removed. Well, after a crazy emotional few days, the multiple doctors that were treating me decided surgery that far along in the pregnancy was too risky. So for the next ten weeks I continued with the pain, nausea, and vomiting. It was not fun!

At 32 weeks my monthly visits to the doctor increased to every two weeks. The doctor continued with checking my vitals, weighing me, checking the heart beat, and measuring my belly. I ended up with anemia during my pregnancy, so I was put on iron supplements and had to have another ultrasound to make sure baby boy was growing properly.

At 36 weeks my appointments increased to weekly. I went in for an ultrasound and to our surprise we found out that he was breech, meaning his head was not down, and we were faced with scheduling a cesarean section. I was so shocked. I always imagined going into labor naturally. Feeling contractions, having my water break, pushing my baby out. But, instead I was planning on having major surgery. I couldn't believe it.

Above: A great 3D shot I got during an ultrasound before the gallbladder surgery I never had! 

It took a few days for the news sink in. I was very sad about the c-section, but I came to terms with it and started planning! I didn't care what way our baby came into the world, just as long as he was safe and healthy. So on February 8, 2013 I was going to have a baby. Our parents made travel arrangements and Andrew submitted time off for ten days after the c-section.

Above: Left, 35 weeks 2 days. Right, 36 weeks, 3 days. What a difference!

Two days before the big day I had a final exam at my OB's office. I wasn't dilated or effaced. Everything was still scheduled as planned, until my doctor felt my belly to see where the baby was. Sure enough he had turned and was almost head down. I was so shocked. So we were given a choice. Continue with the c-section or let nature take it's course and see what happens. Since I wasn't dilated at 39 weeks and had almost no contractions in the past few weeks, I was scared I would end up having to be induced at 42 weeks and risk the chance of the baby turning again.

Andrew and I discussed the risks and options and decided to go with the c-section as planned. At first I was ashamed that I was choosing an elective c-section. Especially after being so upset about having to have one in the first place. As I sit here and type this there are only a very few people who know that I had an elective c-section.

The night before my surgery and the arrival of our little bundle, I rechecked all the bags, made lists, prepped and re-prepped and tried to get a good night sleep! It wasn't easy, but I managed to get some sleep and before I knew it the day was upon us!

Stay tuned for a post about my delivery! Check out some pointers for the third trimester below:

• Eating may be more difficult at this point due to the growing baby! Try eating small meals or snacks throughout the day. You may feel full after a bite or two, but just keep snacks handy!
• Keep pushing fluids! 
• Pack your hospital bag.
• Install car seat and take it to the local police of fire department to be inspected. 
• Set up the nursery! The most fun I had during all my pregnancy was the nursery!
• Tour your hospital's Maternity unit. 
• Choose a pediatrician. 

Thanks for reading! 

~Sarah~