What I've learned the last two weeks

Since I have a few minutes, I thought I'd share what I've learned over the last 16 days of being a mom.
First, I never understood how stay at home moms could have messy homes. I mean, you're home all day, what else do you have to do but pick up after yourself, right? Well, I've learned that staying at home with an infant is a recipe for a messy home. Now, my house is still really clean by most people's standards (plus, I have a maid come every two weeks, so it better be), but still, the clutter is beginning to pile up. I try to pick up/start a project and the baby cries. He's hungry, needs changing, wants to snuggle, etc. Or, I just want to sit and cuddle with him. After all, that's what babies need most! So, I've just learned that just because you stay home all day you aren't going to have a house cleaner than those who work. In fact, it's more likely your house will be more disheveled than that of moms who work.

I've also learned what it's like to love someone so much you would die for them. I have only known my son for 2 weeks, but I already feel that way. Case in point, today, I feel when I was holding him. Now, what went through my head, was, oh my god, I'm going to hurt the baby. So, instead of chucking the baby like I would if I had been carrying the laundry basket and landing on my hands, I maneuvered so that I landed onto both of my knees onto the hard, cold tile. Luckily for me my knees have sustained major damage from years of snowboarding so they're pretty tough. But my right knee is now swollen and doesn't look pretty. The baby was okay, he just sat there and smiled at me! So, it made everything okay.

Finally, having a baby has made me closer to my daughter (who is not mine biologically). She calls me mom and now I know what an important title that is and I feel very lucky that she decided herself to make me her mom.

any other parents learn a thing or two once they had their first baby? I'd love to hear about it!

Dylan's Birthstory... Gotta hurry!!!

My labor was interesting! Not at all what I had expected or planned for! But everything turned out so well. On Friday the 14th at about 4:30 I felt wet in bed but didn't think anything of it. By noon I had changed my underwear about 5 times and figured I better call the hospital because there was no way I had gone to the bathroom that many times! :) Palomar was full, so I had to call Zion. The nurse I talked to told me to come in to see if my water had broken. Grant and I got there at 2 and sure enough, my water had broken. I was having contractions but not feeling anything. By 3 I was only dilated to 1.5. The midwife recommended that I be induced to avoid infection to the baby. So, at about 5 I was induced with pitocin. I didn't start feeling contractions until 7. Grant and I had our ipod playing and were singing and having a good time. Then, the contractions got stronger. I ended up getting an epidural at about 11. By 3 I was dilated to 9 and the epidural was finished. By 3:30 I was ready to push. This was the hard part! I pushed for 3 hours! The baby was making progress but wasn't clearing my pelvis. I was doing great pushing, I could feel the contractions because the epidural was wearing off. But, I wasn't making much progress. The midwife recommended a vacuum extraction. I agreed and within 2 minutes 10 people were in the room! Three contractions later the baby was born! He is so perfect! He weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 oz and is 19 2/3 inches long.

Grant and I couldn't be happier! The baby looks a lot like Beth, who is so excited to meet him! She had her 4th grade field trip to Sacramento on the 15th and 16th and is at her mom's/grandma's house until the 29th.

All is well here and I am up to talking if anyone wants to call. But, I'm trying to nap when the baby does. Grant is off this week and has been a huge help! Plus, grandma (my mom) is over ever day cooking and helping with the house work.

Guess what? For those of you who don't know, Dylan was born on my birthday! The best birthday present in the world!

The evolution of my belly

Here is the evolution of my belly:

6 weeks:



37 weeks (a whole 2 weeks ago, so I'm even bigger now!):



How big do you think this baby will be? Any guesses? I'll let you know who's right once he makes his grand entrance!