2 week doctor visit

The child has continued his strong growth pattern outside the belly just like he started inside the belly. Yesterday, He weighed in at 9 lb 15 oz.... and he's not even technically 2 weeks old until Sunday! Length was 21 1/4 inches and head is 36 1/2. His baby acne is coming in and he's peeling his newborn skin too. Thank goodness he's not old enough to have a complex ... he's just too darn precious and beautiful for any of that to matter. Doctor said everything looks good and we'll see him at 2 months!

His belly button fell off on Wednesday night. Thank goodness... that thing was getting mighty stinky.

Grandmom and Grampop deBeaumont made it in just fine. A little later than expected, but safe and sound. We had a yummy lasagna dinner and a visit and off to bed.

This morning we had special pastries... courtesy of Ayla's new favorite Kolache shop... and fresh Fredericksburg peaches courtesy of Papa and Jan who picked them up on their way back from Alpine. (So yummy, thanks Papa and Jan!!) Today, Ayla is busy trying to earn money to fund a manicure and pedicure before she leaves for Vermont on Tuesday. Grampop is helping her wash the cars, while Jim is mowing the lawn.

It's been a great week having everyone at home.

Jim's been busy staining and installing our new entertainment center. Now he's moved onto the coffee table. He's stripping and refinishing an old table of Tino's (Moody's actually). He's rearranged the garage so he can actually do work in there now. As soon as we can get a garage sale together... we'll have even more room. He's had lots of visitors while he's been working.... he found an ox beetle one night, this butterfly was so unbelievably friendly landing right on Jim, and one night 6 cats gathered for a block party in our driveway.


Henry has been busy doing his thing. He's been much more awake during the days.... which is so fun. One of his favorite activities is staring out the window and hanging out with Mr. Tiger (gift from Jim from the hospital giftshop).

Here he's playing a little air guitar.

He's such a great baby... growing like a weed. We see the pediatrician tomorrow morning for his 2 week visit. We'll let you know his new stats. AND Gramma and Grampop deBeaumont arrive tomorrow for a 2 week visit!!!! So exciting!

Settling in

We were released from the hospital just in time for 5:00 cross-town traffic, but I could have cared less. We were heading home and healthy and happy! After a shower and delicious dinner (Thanks mom!), I was ready for bed. A little rocky of a first night, but eventually we all got some rest.

Thursday, we went in for our first pediatrician visit. Really like our doctor and was so happy Jim was home to come along. Dr. said jaundice is looking better and was confident enough in his appearance that he said he wouldn't need to do a blood test. YAY! I love a doctor that speaks with reason. Henry has always grown well. In the hospital they predicted he could lose a good amount since his birth weight was so big... but he surprised them by only dropping 3 ounces! to 8 lb 12 oz. Today, he weighed 9 lbs even. So whatever he lost, he's already on top of it. And he's grown to 21 inches... up from 20.25 at birth. We'll come back for our 2 week visit on the 29th. We spent the rest of the afternoon just hanging out, cleaning up a little and settling in. It was a wonderful day of relaxing for just the 3 of us. Henry slept amazingly well our second night.

Friday, Henry couldn't be more excited... cuz sissy Ayla is coming home from camp! Watching them meet for the first time was such a dear moment. Ah... life is so sweet.

Henry's First Picture

Henry James deBeaumont

Henry was born June 17, 2007 at 10:55. He wayed in at 8 lbs. 15 oz. and measured 20.25 inches. What a little miracle he is; born on Father's Day, what a great way to celebrate. Words, of course, can't describe the feelings Sharon and I are feeling, but those of you that have experienced this will understand. We're tired, in love with him, and can't wait for everyone to meet him.

When we drove to the hospital Sunday evening, the sky was full of beautiful large clouds and a bright orange sun. There was also a small sliver of moon showing too. I took some pictures of the sky before we rushed in and will post them tomorrow along with the ones you've all been waiting to see.

As far as birth and labor, it lasted four hours all done naturally without any drugs!!! When we arrived at the hospital she was 5.5cm, progressed to 7cm within an hour and then 9.5cm another half hour later without her bag breaking. The Dr. broke her bag and had her breathe through a couple more contractions. It was quick, and Sharon did such a great job! I'm so proud of her! I was in the action with her, coaching her to breathe, rubbing her back and holding her head up for her to help push. Henry had a little trouble after his head came out, as his shoulders were a little broader than expected. So, the Dr. helped out with that too, the nurses pushed his shoulders through and out came Henry. We bonded with him for a brief moment and then cut the cord. I made sure I stayed with him through the weighing in, cleaning and measuring.
And now everyone is doing fine. Although, we need to stay another night as he has become a little jaundice (?). It's nothing critical, it just means he needs a little more nourishment and some extra napping with an ultra-violet blanket; makes him look like a glow-worm. It's kind of cute in a CSI kind of way; dark lighting, creepy lab lights, etc. I'll take pictures.
Our son is beautiful! God is great!

It's Go Time

Happy Father's Day!!!!! Sharon started with 3-4 minute contractions at 7pm. We're heading in with hope that he's heading out ;o)

Due Date.

Here we are. 40 weeks. The day that has been quoted over and over since October when we found out this little one was happening.

Doctor briefly stopped in while I was on the monitors this morning. I found out her request for another sonogram isn't to check his size, but to check the amount of amniotic fluid. If fluid is low, then they have a medical reason to bump someone else and induce me now. She decided that by the looks of the monitoring from today, that she didn't feel we needed to do the sonogram. I assured her I was more than willing now that I understood it was for more than just to check his size. She said we're good.

So our next move is to go in Tuesday for one last check. She said the hospital requires that we are checked the day before inducement to make sure the head is still down.

I then asked her to explain what her procedure is as far as inducement. IF I'm not already coming in Wednesday morning with consistent contractions, then she would break my water and see where that takes me for a few hours. She then said if no progress is made she would start me on 1 mm of petocin and see where I go from there. She then would bump it up every 15-30 minutes depending on progression.

So light a candle. Say your prayers. Let's get the show on the road before Wednesday!!!!

An appointment of surprises

First surprise.
I lost 4 pounds! Last appt. on June 4th I had topped out at 162. Today, we had dropped to 158! (Bizarre.)

Second surprise.
After 10 days since my last appt. I basically haven't dialated any further. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? She said, "no change", but then added a 1/2 cm, only after she sensed my sheer disappointment. So, I'm currently 3 "and 1/2" cm.

Third surprise.
They only allow 1-2 inductions per day. So even after I told her I was willing to go ahead with the induction, she said we'd be into next week for it. But we are on the "waiting list" (bizarre) if anyone doesn't need their induction time on Friday or Sunday. Our official induction date is Wedneday, June 20, check in time 6:00 AM. YIKES!

Fourth surprise.
She wants me to come in Friday, my official due date and week 40, for a non-stress test, which is basically hooking me up to monitor contractions and baby's heart beat. THEN, she mentions that she could break my bag of waters if I wanted to. Then, she left. I'm still trying to figure that one out. So, they can't get me in for induction until Wedneday the 20th, but she can break my water on Friday if I like?? Maybe that's just "unofficially" speaking or some kind of code talk I'm not used to. But if I understand right, the hospital has to admit me if my water has broken.

Anyone have any suggestions? Is breaking waters equal to going in for Petocin as far as contraction strength/pain/whatnot? If Friday we can "unofficially" induce by her breaking my water, then Ayla will be able to be here (she leaves for camp on Sunday) and father's day will have whole new meaning for Jim. But something about the idea of breaking my water doesn't SOUND the same as a little shot of petocin... we could do petocin all day until my body joins in, but once the water is broken, there is NO turning back or taking your time to get there.

What do yall think?

Still counting

I'm just amazed at this long first stage of labor. Last night, Jim and I had a great time at the movie "Knocked Up". I was timing contractions consistently every 10 minutes throughout the whole 2 hour movie. I kept thinking how funny it would be to have to leave the movie to go have a baby! By the time we were headed home... they had slowed again. So funny. Today at lunch, they kicked in every 3 minutes (!) for a solid 45 minutes. I told Ayla we should give it an hour, but we would most likely be leaving soon. As soon as we finished getting things ready, they stopped. So funny.

Good news... Wally's grandparents, Papa and Janni, returned from Zambia today. YAY! A great relief to have them home again.

I also cancelled the sonogram for tomorrow. It just didn't make sense to go through the whole process when I'm ready to go ahead with induction on Friday or whenever she can work it in. Let'a have a baby!!!

Still no baby

How many contractions does it take to get a baby out?.... I'm batting nearly 1000 since Sunday... any predictions?

I give up.

Wednesday, I was suspecting my water might have broken in one of those slow and you-hardly-notice ways... so I called the doctor to ask. Of course, they side with caution, so they asked us to go ahead and pack up and go in. It was a 2 hour field trip to find out water had in fact NOT broken, I was still at 3 cm and they sent us home. Nurse said until contractions are 3/4 minutes apart and you are unable to speak through them, to just stay home.

Thursday, I awoke with crazy nausea. Thinking this was just part of this unbelievably drawn out first stage of labor I'm in... but then it hit. I must have come down with the stomach bug that Ayla had earlier in the week. Unlike her, after I was sick, I wasn't feeling much better. So I spent the day in bed being nursed by Ayla and Jim came home early from work in the afternoon. Feeling discouraged? completely. Last night I was contracting like crazy... they were strong at times but all over the board... 20 minutes, then 5 minutes, then 8 minutes, 20 again, 10... I timed them for a couple of hours, then just went to bed and continued to contract all night.

The only remedy we've heard of that we haven't tried yet is castor oil (yum). Jim picked some up on his way home and I planned on taking it, but the label said not to take when experiencing nausea or vomiting. Gonna have to wait until this stomach bug passes. It's the last card we have to play, so I want to make sure it counts. Everything so far has made an impact, but either my body or the baby just won't get totally in sync.

So today, Friday, I'm resigned. I give up. I'm so tired of trying to instigate labor and not getting a solid response. Today is for fun and frivolous. Today is free day. Today, I'm letting go.

A brief look back in time...

We didn't take many pictures... so here are a few courtesy of others:
My belly at 24 weeks.


Doctor visit at 32 weeks.


Baby shower at 34 weeks.





Skaggs family reunion at 38 weeks

A quiet night

It was quiet alright... except for the ridiculous rantings of the mockingbird that has chosen the Crate Murtle outside our window as its soapbox to sing off of. This bird seriously starts going at it around 1:30 AM ... as soon as everything in the neighborhood is at its most peaceful. Then around 3:30, Ayla wakes up with a serious stomach ache. She eventually gets sick and feels much better. I definitely think she's having empathy pains for me.

Last night I was half expecting to repeat what had taken place on Sunday night with 10 minute contractions... but things have continued to slow down. I know technically I am still in early labor, but the contractions have taken a back seat. Looks like we are still just in a holding pattern at 3 cm. Contractions will start strong, but fizzle out half way through. We tried acupuncture this morning. I was half expecting it to open things up quickly, but it all depends on my body. We are going to continue with acupuncture everyday this week, so maybe the cumulative effects will be more productive. I'm laying off the spicy foods cuz I'm not convinced they are doing anything but making my heartburn soar out of control. It looks like the storm from Sunday night might have been more of a catalyst than everything else I'm doing. Bring on the thunder!!

It's official

Doctor confirmed it. I've been riding at <1cm since preterm labor at 26 weeks. But today, after laboring last night with 10 minute contractions, I'm officially moving... 3 cm and almost totally effaced. GREAT news! The unfortunate part is that the 10 minute contractions haven't continued today... they stalled out around 6:30am. But the great news is that things are moving. Doctor said she would be surprised if I made it to my next appointment on the 13th. Thank you ALL for your support and good ideas... its working! Bags are packed and everyone is poised... we'll keep you posted!