Dawson's 1st Family Vacation

Every year the Little side of the family gets together and ventures out on "Family Vacation".  We usually choose a lake in NC to meet at and stay all together in one big house.  If you know me and my nature at all...I over think EVERYTHING!!!!  Upon Dawson's pending arrival I was so nervous about taking my little tiny newborn on family vacation.  What kind of baby would he be...fussy,content...etc.  Then how will he be sleeping by then?!?  As a first time mom I was just so uneasy about being out of my comfort zone...which is home for me at this point.  We all agreed as a family that we would wait until mid to late August to give Dawson some time to adjust to the world and settle into a routine.  Now when you think family vacation most people think Mom, Dad ,baby etc....Nope this is not at all how we do vacation.  They are adventurous and not for anyone who does not love family/children!  We have Nana, Papa, 3 brothers and their wives and....get ready...a 3 month old, 10 month old, twin 1 yr olds, twin 2 year olds, a 4 year old, 8 year old and 10 year old!!! YES , all of us stay together!  Dawson did so well to be shared by so many people.  The first night he was a bit fussy and refused to nurse...I think he was a little overstimulation from his cousins wanting to love on him as soon as we got there.  The rest of the trip he did so well...of course his naps were a little off, but honestly his night time sleep was the best it had ever been!  Oh the irony....as soon as we got home that flew out the window...we are still working on that and getting into a good rhythm...but we got slammed with a cold and wicked 3 month growthspurt when we returned. 

Being so young, Dawson and I didn't do too many activities.  We mostly sat under the shelter at the dock and watched everyone swim and splash.  BUT my little guy did get to ride Papa's boat a few times!  I was (new mom remember) super nervous about him doing this....what if he gets too upset...what if he poops...what if he gets hungry...what if the boat breaks down (my normal worrisome self) but we ventured on and I knew he would be fine.  The first time on the boat he cried some....not because of the ride, but because of the life jacket. Once we got moving he would relax and sleep the rest of the time!  Of course, as Dawson does in the car, he would wake anytime we stopped.  I think next year he will love it!  We also tried out swimming, but he was not having any of that...understandable ...the lake was chilly, plus sun in eyes, plus life jacket...makes no fun for a 12 week old baby!  Next year I hope he loves it and plays and splashes away! 

First Boat Ride (please excuse our appearance)

 

All in all I would say Dawson did well and was a trooper on his first "Little" family vacation.  I am so thankful I have such a sweet little man that we can make many memories with for years to come!

3 Months Old!

I cannot believe that my baby boy is 3 months already!  Where is this time going to? Dawson you are such a big boy already!  I cannot stand how fast you are trying to grow up.  He has started changing so much this month already.  We are guessing he is somewhere around 13 1/2 lb to 14 lb this month and still a little over 24'' long ! What a big boy we have on our hands!  He has still been eating around 4.5 oz every 3 hours , but the past few days has been literally screaming for more! So needless to say he nurses with fury and if I make a bottle he will take 5-5.5oz easily!  As far as his schedule goes, he has got it down!  Eat, play, sleep he knows his cues and lets us know when he is done with each cycle with a little grunting!  As for playtime my boy is so much fun these days!  He loves to stand up and sit up. I think if we would let him he would try to stand on his own. He has been fussing lately until someone will assist him standing. No more newborn holding for him ... He wants to see the world around him!  He loves to watch Mickey Mouse clubhouse while I do chores or get ready in the mornings ( seriously the only show he will sit through). Once he's had enough tv he plays on his floor gym, then we usually try out the bumbo or standing before he's ready to nap. He is super vocal these days cooing and giggling ! It makes my heart melt to hear him talk to me :) 

As far as sleeping ... Well Dawson has been so unpredictable since birth! I guess you could say the one consistency is inconsistency hahaa!  His naps have gotten much better for the last few weeks and I can usually count on a 2 hour morning nap and 3 more naps that range from 45 minutes to 1.5hours . Night time is still a guessing game!  He has slept through the nights a few times but still has a few nights he will wake up starving here and there.... If its not hunger he wants his paci or has a super wet diaper soaking through.... We've been letting him cry it out some and he will put himself to sleep after 5-10 minutes and I will go pat his bottom to settle him and he drifts to sleep quickly most nights.... It is the soothing during the night that is not as easy for him .... Some nights the cry/paci work but others nothing at all works .  Those nights it is usually true hunger, a wet diaper or tummy ache!  Hopefully soon he will find a rhythm!  

Our sweet baby has a contagious smile and I would not trade him for the world!  To have had the reflux, dairy allergy,and tummy troubles he has had he is a great baby!  He is usually super happy during his wake time and just loves to interact with the world.  Dawson another month has come and we love you more each day!!! 

2 Month Check Up!

 

Band-Aid Baby!

 

This past Friday Dawson had his 2 month old check-up!  This mommy was not excited about her baby getting shots.  If you know anything about me, you most likely know that watching a needle enter someone is one of my biggest fears.  I can usually handle it when I get it done (after years of learning not to pass out).  But I still cannot watch someone else, let alone my child, get a shot.  I had told Brent that I was going to have to find someone to come with me or tell the nurse that I wouldn't hold Dawson.  I will do anything for my child, but I was more scared that I would drop him or let him fall from seeing the shot go in.  So I called the best person to call in these situations....who other than your own mother!  My Mom and Dad came and spent the weekend so that I would have some "support".

Dawson looked like he knew what was about to happen!

Grandma snuggling him before his shots.

Dr. Fisher is Dawson's pediatrician ( and no he does not normally look scary lol) .  I absolutely love him because he is "old school" and super thorough.  It is so nice to have a doctor who actually commended us for his tummy sleeping.  He even admits that the new SIDS rules have caused other issues with all of the back sleeping etc. and that as long as Dawson is strong ( and he is) then we need to do what is best for him to sleep!  As a new mom it is so nice to have a doctor who takes his time to sit and answer any questions that we have!

During Dawson's appointment we learned that we have a big "Little" boy ! He is growing like a weed and super healthy. 

Weight: 12 lb 13 oz (54th percentile)

Height: 24" (71st percentile)

Head: 42 cm (90th percentile)

Dawson seems to be doing well. His colic seems to be gone and we are going to start slowly weaning him back onto dairy this month.  Yay for mommy!!!

 

Dawson was not so perky after getting his shots ...poor fella!

We are thankful for a healthy, happy baby at 2 months! 

2 Months Old

 

 

How old? 2 Months
Total Weight:  Find out Friday…I’m guessing around 12 lbs.

Length: Find out Friday!
Eating: Back to nursing hallelujah! So proud of my boy for not giving up on me…Still giving him an evening bottle so Daddy can feed him. 
Sleep: Napping every 2 hours or so during the day….sleep is sporadic at night still…not really sure we have a pattern anymore…He must be growing!
Fun Facts: I have found my hands and feet this week!  I love to eat my fist and watch my feet kick!
New Developments:  Really holding my head up on my own these days!

I cannot believe I am already writing his 2 month post....where has the time gone?? My little baby is growing entirely too fast!  Being Dawson's mommy is the greatest gift ever...at times it is challenging and tiring and I see why being a Mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world! I am so thankful that my little boy has seemed to find his stride this month.  Once we cut out all dairy he seems to be such a happy little camper.  He is in such a good daytime pattern these days and although it was tough sticking to my schedule through the colic and reflux days...I do believe it has paid off!  He is on a 3 hour schedule (dictated by his feedings) of eat, wake time, and nap.  And so we repeat all day long!  He usually wakes up and I feed him....after he eats he loves to lay in the floor and coo and smile and giggle at the fan.  If he isn't playing in the floor he is in the crib watching his mobile and kicking away.  I absolutely love his wake time and make an effort each day to just simply play with him during that hour to hour and a half.  I have learned as soon as he begins to whimper during wake time it is nap time.  If we let him keep playing he becomes cranky and fights his nap, but if I lay him down immediately he sleeps for a solid 2 hours most times.
  Besides figuring out Dawson's tummy troubles, our biggest challenge has been his sleeping arrangements.  From the moment we found out we were expecting we decided we would not be co-sleeping whatsoever!  Dawson would not sleep in our bed through the night for any reason.  We wanted him to learn that he has a designated place for his nighttime sleep and that our bed is for Mom and Dad.  Many people may say oh an infant doesn't recognize that and I am sure in the beginning he wouldn't, but I did not want him to get used to feeling mommy beside him every night to fall asleep.  It has definitely been a battle and my tired body can see why some families decide to go with co-sleeping.  Due to all of the tummy troubles he has had a very tough time sleeping for any lengthy amount of time.  If he doesn't wake from hunger, he usually wakes from gas pains.  We went through a period in the day time where he would only sleep in 30 minute stretches and cry the rest of the time.  He has been sleeping in his bouncy seat and we would try the crib for naptime during the day ...only to end in him screaming the whole time until he refused to sleep at all.  I began to get very frustrated due to the fact that my son is quickly outgrowing sleeping in the bouncy and as for the bassinet he wakes every time he has a startle reflex.  One day while we were playing in the floor I decided since he was beginning to have better days without much fussing I would try tummy time again....Mind you during those rough weeks he HATED tummy time....well he hated almost everything except being held.  Well that morning I thought I would try it again.  As soon as I turned him over he started rooting for his paci so I gave it to him.  Within a matter of minutes he fell asleep....so I covered him and let him sleep.  I was thinking it might last for 30 minutes, but to my amazement for the first time in a few weeks he slept for 2 hours!  I thought that surely he was just very tired but decided to try it again next nap time.  Sure enough same thing!  And all day we did this and success!  So then my mind starts thinking...hmmm he won't sleep in the crib on his back but maybe his tummy??? So once Brent got home and we could both keep an eye on him we tried it...and he didn't even fight it!  This was a huge milestone for us! After that day Brent was set on letting him sleep on his tummy at night.  I was still so nervous because the pediatricians pump the word SIDS into your brain from the moment the baby arrives and every time you see them.  I knew I grew up sleeping that way as most of my generation did, but still couldn't get past the fact of what if....what if...thanks to all of the pamphlets they have you read at the hospital.  We talked to several people and got input because for this mommy it was a big decision.  We found that many colic babies have this issue and that most parents give in and have a tummy sleeper.  After letting him nap this way several days I started noticing him turning his head on his own.  This gave me such relief knowing he can move his face if something were to be blocking him from breathing.  Brent and I talked and talked about this decision and I still needed my extra security knowing I would be in a different room at night.  I told Brent that I wanted an angelcare monitor and that the peace of mind would be worth the money in my opinion.  We got online and read reviews and looked for other people in the same boat.  Sure enough many parents who have babies with tummy troubles invest in this monitor simply to let baby tummy sleep.  We found one for a great deal and purchased it and just started letting Dawson sleep in his crib at night.  I love being able to see the light blink when he breathes in and out.  The first 3 nights have been a little challenging because he seems to be waking more frequently.  We are assuming he is just getting used to the change or going through a growth spurt because he is wanting to eat more.  He has really done ok considering he used to refuse to lay in the crib, but we are ready to see him stretch more than three hours or so again at night. 
This week we go get shots and our 2 month check up!  I will post his stats in a blog over the weekend!  Life is great with sweet Dawson! 

6 Weeks Old and a Fun Photo Shoot!

How old? 6 weeks old
Total Weight:  10 lb 13 oz (at 5 weeks)

Length: 22 Inches
Eating: Eating 3 ounces of milk each feeding and 4 ounces at bedtime
Sleep: Napping every 2 hours or so during the day….sleep is sporadic at night but starting to get into a pattern of eating at 10 and waking at 3 and not again until 6:30 or 7:00! 
Fun Facts: I love to play with mommy and daddy after I eat…my favorite game is to smile as mom gets close to give me a kiss. 
New Developments:  I am starting to focus on mom and dad now when they move in front of me and even when they talk to me from a different direction! 

WOW! How time has flown by....I cannot believe my baby is already 6 weeks old!  Where in the world is this time going?  Since we came home from the hospital life has been a whirlwind!  The first two weeks our mothers helped us out at the house...thank goodness!  We came home blessed with such a sweet little boy....pretty easy at the beginning....but as he grew things have gotten to be a little more testing to us as parents!  The first week was pretty easy but all of the sudden Dawson decided that he did NOT want to nurse....as I would try he would arch his back and scream!!  Finally I caved in and decided to pump and give him a bottle...I was not happy about doing so ...I was soooo upset because I had my mind set on nursing him, but as long as I was able to supply the milk I decided I would give him a bottle.  ( Later I will explain why he refused) Luckily my mom was here to help me get through the emotional part of that decision.  The next week Brent returned to work and his mom came to help me that week.  Thank goodness because on Wednesday night of that week I woke up shivering and with major joint pain.  I thought I had come down with the flu or something....as I thought about it I decided to grab my discharge papers and look for symptoms that they had told me to watch for.  After looking through the list I decided to call the doctor since I had a 102 fever.  Sure enough I had mastitis and was in  bed for a day or so....SOOO glad Brent's mom was here to drive me to the doctor, pick up my medicine, cook, clean and take care of Dawson.  Anyways...after that week the scary part started..I was on my own!  The first few days Dawson was an amazing baby...I was on a perfect schedule...able to cook, clean, and get dressed lol...As the days went on he began to get fussy and I thought ...normal crying...then things eventually turned into screaming for hours at a time!  What was happening to my sweet boy?  He had been congested and I thought maybe he had a cold, but I knew there is nothing the doctors can do for an infant.  Finally, after a week or so of him getting progressively worse we decided to take him to the doctor.  After describing his symptoms ( screaming, arching back, spit up, coughing, congestion, not sleeping well)  the doctor diagnosed him with acid reflux...poor baby!  Then I mentioned that his diapers had also changed so she took a look and suspected a dairy allergy but said to wait and see how the reflux meds work.  Well after a few days on the meds he stopped crying after eating...but would now cry about an hour after he had eaten and have a terrible diaper or gas.  My poor buddy's belly was getting soooo bloated.  I made a call and the doc said to cut out ALL dairy products from my diet...including substitutes such as whey , lactate...etc.  Well we did this and poor guy was still sooo bloated but seemed to be improving.  I still wanted a second opinion so I took him to the doctor last week.  Yes reflux...maybe a dairy intolerance, but most likely not an allergy because he is gaining weight at a good rate, and COLIC!   I was not wanting to hear that, but I was soooo relieved to know his belly was functioning properly and his bloating was a mixture of dairy and crying!  Since I have been off of the dairy for 3 weeks now I see a MAJOR improvement in his belly aches.  He still gets the occasional day of colic, but he does not seem to be in near as much pain! 

This pic says it all!  I feel so much better mom!

We are so thankful and blessed by you Dawson Job!  Mom and Dad love you so much and cannot wait to watch you grow!  You are already becoming such a loving little baby and I am so thankful that I get to be your mom!  Happy 6 weeks baby boy!!

 

Dawson's Birth Story Part 2

Getting checked in in triage

 

Once we got to the hospital we sat in triage for a couple of hours just hooked up to the contraction monitor and monitoring Dawson's heartbeat.  Brent and I were actually having a good time playing around and joking about different things.  The nurse came in and said my contractions were decent and pretty close together...I didn't feel a thing!  I was thinking well this is not what I had thought of when I imagined going into labor, but I knew this wasn't over yet.  Finally my o.b. came in and checked everything....much to my dismay I was only 40% effaced and 1cm dilated.  All I could think was how in the world did my water break with such a vengeance ( and still going)?  The good part about my water breaking was they couldn't send me home!  I got admitted and walked to our room because I was feeling great!  We had an awesome room and a great nursing staff.  They came in immediately and started my i.v's going.  I was hooked up to penicillin and a bag a fluids.  Then they hooked up the monitors and let us be.  They told me my doctor would be coming in shortly to check progress since it had now been about 4 hours since my water broke.  I had no clue who was on call that day so I had my fingers crossed.....As soon as Dr. Luge ( my other female doc) walked in I was so relieved.  She then proceeds to tell me that she and my midwife would be popping in and out.  I could not have asked for a better duo!  She checked my progress and says maybe 2 cm and 50%  ....WHAT?? that is it....She then told the nurses go grab the Pitocin....I have heard so many negative things about Pitocin that I was a tad nervous...but knew that if I had been induced the  next day this is how it would go.  So I relaxed knowing that these doctors do this everyday. 

Last pic as just the two of us!

After about an hour of Pitocin I started to feel my contractions.  They were about 3-5 minutes apart and were kind of strong, but still not very painful.  Shortly after our families showed up and came in to say hi.  After about 3 hours of Pitocin these contractions started to get quite strong, but I did NOT want my epidural until I was checked again.  I wanted to wait until at least 4 cm.  My midwife came in to check my progress and thought my contractions were looking good. She checked and said 2.5 to maybe 3 cm.  and still only about 60%.  Wow this was taking forever.  She then told the nurses to get some internal monitors (not my fav).  Brent noticed that the monitor was no longer picking up my contractions about 45 minutes later.  The nurse came in an paged my midwife telling her we were no longer picking up contractions.  But because I had not had any pain meds I said...I promise they are there!  Well my  midwife comes in removes the monitor and grabs another....mind you this process was a tad painful and I was totally upset this was happening again.  Not only did she want to place this monitor but she now wanted to attach a fetal heart rate monitor to Dawson's head.  UMMM WHAT?  I'm barely dilated and effaced and you want to do what?  So she proceeds to do this as she checks me.  She said wow good thing I came in your almost a 4 or 5!  What in 45 minutes???  WOOHOO...I knew things were getting a tad painful but really only in my back still.  I still didn't want the epidural because I knew that sometimes it can slow labor and obviously even with Pitocin this was taking a while.  I got a shot of some pain medicine to ease the pain I had started feeling.  MISTAKE!  The medication made me so dizzy I could not get my eyes to be still, finally I started vomiting...ugh this was not what I was wanting....but it did ease my pain somewhat.  About an hour later I was having "labor shakes" who knew there was such.  I was shaking uncontrollably and everyone kept asking are you cold.  Finally, I was hurting badly and all the people in my room kind of got me on edge.  I politely told Brent to ask everyone to leave the room because I was hurting and wanted my epidural.  Even thought I could feel my contractions, the majority of my pain was still in my lower back...I knew people have back labor and I was starting to sense this was going to be me too!  My nurses reassured me that the shakes were normal and that they may increase with the epidural...Oh Goody!  I was very excited about the epidural, but had mixed emotions of joy and fear.  Fear of pain, moving and messing things up, and fear of things not going well....but as people say, at this point...who cares!  It took a while to get an anesthesiologist due to being a shift change, but thank goodness he came up as soon as he was ready.  He came in and talked me through everything and told Brent to sit in front of me.  I truly think the worst part was that cold iodine hahaa!  It was a piece of cake!  Did not hurt one bit!  After about 30 minutes ahhhh no feeling!  This kept weirding me out throughout the day, but I knew it was worth it!  About 2 hours later I started noticing a spot in my lower back that still had feeling and at this point they had upped my Pitocin and I was definitely feeling that pain.  I tried to breathe through knowing that an epidural was all I could get.  Dr. Luge came back about 5 p.m. to check me and said I was a 7.  Getting close I thought!  Since I wasn't having the baby our family came back in for a little while and let Brent go eat :( boo since I had not eaten since our date night the night before!  She told me she would be back at nine or so to check my progress.  Well another shift change was taking place at 7 and my new nurse that would deliver showed up.  I told her I was still having some pain so she asked how severe.  I said well about a 7 now, but I figured as long as it stays in that tiny spot I would be fine.  My brother and sister-in-law came up to the hospital to see us and give us a gift for Dawson.  As soon as they came in the room I started to feel weird.  I knew it was close to time for Dr. Luge to come back but my nurse had checked and I still was only about 90% and 8 cm.  I told my brother sorry to kick you out but I am not feeling well.  Then it hit...the most excruciating lower back pain of my life....It was a 10 of 10 for sure...I was sweating, crying, saying "ouch" and trying to breathe but I kept telling Brent why isn't the epidural working.  At this point I had already used 2 bottles of epidural almost and she called the anesthesiologist to come inject something straight into my catheter which worked for all of 30 minutes.  Finally Brent was getting upset because we rang the bell and for 20 minutes could not get any nurse...apparently they deliver babies hehehe.....Finally once my nurse came in she called Dr. Luge to come check me.  She had been running behind so she did not make it back at nine.  She came about 9:30.  I knew she could see my pain so she immediately told the nurse to prepare the room.  She checked and said alright Dad lets get ready!  WOOHOO....As she checked on Dawson she said something ( who knows exactly but I think I kinda know) about his positioning and she did something and all of the sudden I had relief in my back.  I believe he was "sunny side up".  Once I felt better I had a great time as silly as that sounds.  During my breaks in pushing I was joking with Brent and Dr. Luge about getting me some food.  After about an hour and fifteen minutes Dawson Job entered our world at 11:13 pm Monday June 3, 2013.  That was the longest 18 hours of my life, but I would not change it for anything! 

We were a little busy at 11:13

So tired but so thrilled! 

Getting all cleaned up!

Getting cozy in the warmer!

Meeting Daddy! 

First Family Photo

Our Sweet Little Family

 

 

 

Dawson's Birth Story Part 1

Welcome to the world Dawson Job Little!

8lb. 3oz.  20 3/4 inches

Mommy and Daddy love you beyond what words can describe!

 

The day has come (where I have a time) to write Dawson's birth story on my blog.  At my 39 week appointment I just knew I would be progressed...I knew that any day now this baby was coming!  I had been having Braxton hicks 8-10 minutes apart for days and had felt just so blah.  I got to the doctors office telling myself not to expect anything, but in my mind I just knew that I had some type of labor progression, considering I was 4 days from my due date.  Well my midwife came in and did the normal routine...heartbeat...weight...blood pressure...and finally the big moment checking my progress.  She had asked if I had any contractions or cramping and I excitedly said yes several!  She said great that is what should be causing you to efface and dilate.  Well after she checked she had a puzzled look on her face.  I thought oh no...what?  She said wow you have no progression whatsoever, no dilating, no effacement....NOTHING!  I knew I still had a few days, but I was dreading that overdue appointment to talk about induction.  After we chatted a while she brought it up and I said well at this point whatever is best and necessary.  I had already been scheduled for the next week with my least favorite doctor.  He was the last person I wanted inducing me because he just is not good at explaining things on my level.  I love my midwife so I openly told her how I felt about that appointment.  She then said well I can take you if you want...in fact I do prefer you to come back in 5 days and have all of the routine over due testing done.  She was to measure the baby via ultrasound, do a non-stress test, and measure my amniotic fluid to make sure little man was still thriving. After she mentioned the appointment date she said that she was on call the next day and would slide me in for induction on her hospital day!  I left my appointment nervous, yet so excited about how everything was working out! 

 

Brent and I relaxed for the next few days knowing that this was it....our final weekend before our lives would change forever.  We enjoyed time with friends, we went to church on my due date and then went to our favorite Mexican restaurant and krispy kreme MMMM!  After that we rented a movie and enjoyed our "due date" date night!  I went to bed that night feeling completely normal...not a labor sign in the world.  My Braxton hicks had actually slowed down and I was really feeling quite good.  We decided since Brent had to work and I had my appointment that we would head to bed about our normal time and get some rest knowing that I would probably be induced on Tuesday.  I went to bed and slept great until about 2 a.m.  I kind of  felt restless and just had some back pain which has been normal throughout my pregnancy.  I got up several times and stretched and did not feel in pain in any way.  Over the next couple of hours I felt some light cramping but brushed it off because it wasn't painful.  Finally around 4:45 a.m.  I started feeling a little tightness in my stomach that was a tad weird.  I laid in bed until about 5 a.m. and decided I would go to the restroom.  As soon as I stood up to go to the bathroom....there it was....GUSH...I mean no denying what happened, my water had definitely broken.  I was so excited, then nervous, then trying to figure out what to do....I woke Brent up flinging the door open shouting MY WATER BROKE!!! I was excited....no tests...no induction...and only 1 day overdue!  WOOHOO!!!  We gathered our thoughts and got our plan.  I called my doctor who said to get to the hospital as soon as we were totally packed for the few days we would be there. 

I told Brent I knew that when your water breaks there is a 24 hour window before a C-section is necessary.  Also I had tested positive for Group B Strep which is very common in pregnant women.  I knew that as soon as we got there I would be hooked up to penicillin.  We probably spent 30 minutes laughing, packing, getting excited, and then me getting a tad nervous!