Meeting my cousins!

We had some visitors last weekend. Aunt Ellie and Uncle Josh came up with Luke & Emma and Nate's Aunt Barb and cousin Steph came down from NYC with her son Milo so Max got to meet some cousins.

Cousin Emma and Max

Second cousin Milo and Max

Cousin Luke was having more fun in the leaves and unfortunately Max got a little sick and didn't get to see people on Sunday so next time Luke and Max can hook up for a picture!

One week and some firsts

One week old! 12:48pm on October 16th (which was to be the due date).... I can't believe how much he's changed already!

Some swing time and some tummy time. He's getting really good at holding his head already which is nice because wobbly heads are a pain to always be watching!

We did have our first "real" trip to the Dr's on Sunday. He has some sniffles, coughing and sneezing but he checked out ok. He had no fever and we got a "solution" prescription to use only if he has trouble breathing while eating or sleeping but he's much better now.

I'm one week old!

Today I'm a week old! I'm starting to get the hang of being out here in the real world. Mom and dad are pretty cool and I'm getting to know my grandmas pretty well too. I'm hungry ALL the time now and I've been what mommy calls "bulking up". I guess that's a good thing cause mommy and daddy told me they were proud of me at the Dr's yesterday for gaining 7oz in 2 days so I guess I better keep eating like this.
I've discovered some other fun new things, like peeing when I take my diaper off. I just wish mommy didn't have to change my diaper and outfit 20 times a day because I hate being naked but she keeps telling me I'm leaking. I have some belly issues sometimes but the Dr also told mom and dad how to make that better and even though I don't always cooperate while they're doing it, it does seem to work good.
Mommy and daddy seemed kinda tired so I decided I would try to sleep more last night. We watched the Phillies win the big game and then went up to bed and I only woke up twice to eat (I like to eat very slowly at nighttime!) and slept in my cradle for them. They seem very happy this morning.
They put me in a swing now which I really like and have also been getting tummy time, which I don't really understand but whatever....
I keep seeing a flash in my face so I'm guessing that means there will be more pictures of me to share soon but for now I just wanted to give my one week post.
Hugs and kisses to everyone (or just sloppy milk slobber)
Max

5 day update

Thanks SO much to Aunt Ellie who had a great idea for some "real" pictures. Its nice to have photographers in the family!

He's FULL of expressions!

Mini me...

You've been asking for some real pictures so here we go. We're doing good. He's nice and calm being held all day sleeping, not so easy at night but we're getting there. He's down just a little bit (to 6.5) in weight but again, we're learning as we go and nursing is going well. He's the sweetest thing ever and we just love him so much of course. Most of my issues I was having are heeling so I'm slowly starting to feel somewhat human again though I still think I'm in such a sleep deprived daze most of the time I'm not sure what is going on. We've had so much family around to help (we appreciate the help of course but we know they're mostly there to fight over who's holding him next!) and things are going well. He and the whole process is a much answered prayer and we're truly blessed!

Even though poor sleepy daddy had to help replace a porch roof Sunday and could only listen to the game, he did get to watch with Mommy and Mom-Mom. You can tell he was very into it! (At least they won!)

Mini Nate is here!!!

A week early but he's here!!!! Maxwell Kenneth Swanson, born at 12:48pm on October 9th. He was 6lbs 14oz and 18 inches long. He's perfect! I lost my plug on Wednesday and we went to the mall to walk around after work. When we got home I was lying up in bed while Nate was in the shower and felt my water break so we called the doctor and went in. I was only having tightening contractions but they want you if your water breaks. So we went and got all checked in and settled. I took a shower to get ready too and after a little while they hooked me up to pitocin and an IV to prepare for an epidural. I was shortly having real contractions and by 3:30am I was 4 cms dilated. I waited a while and finally got the epidural about 6am or so. I wouldn't have minded the contractions as much if I didn't have to be almost laying in the bed. I had a few problems with it, getting shocks down my right leg but it took quickly and was wonderful. My legs and feet were Totally numb. I pumped it a few times when I could feel a lot of pain in contractions again but had no other side effects. I actually thought it was cool to feel what I did. By the time the mid wife checked in again in the morning, I was already 10cms and just about ready to push. Pushing went longer than we wanted but in just over 2 hours he was here. I could feel the pressure from contractions to know when to push and could feel exactly where he was (just going in and out and in and out, but not staying out of course). I could even feel him come out completely. We had a really nice nurse who was very encouraging (and impressed I never complained, there didn't seem much point, all I wanted to do was push to get him out anyway) and the mid wife was great too. Unfortunately it was an oddly VERY busy day for the hospital so she didn't get to spend as much time with me as she would have wanted but we were fine. The grandmas came in quickly after and we were all doing well and moved to the maternity ward. Nate did awesome. He watched while I pushed to encourage me and he even cut the cord (which he was Sure he wouldn't do).

Max is awesome, he sleeps a lot and rarely fusses or cries. The labor nurses just gushed over him and of course we think he'sthe most beautiful thing ever. He's kinda getting the hand of breastfeeding but my milk hasn't come in yet and often he just falls asleep when we try. He seems to "get it" though so hopefully it will go ok.

Nate is being the best dad ever and just loves him to death of course. I'm doing ok.... I had a tear to stitch up and I'm allergic to motrin, which seems to be the only antiinflamitory the hospital has so I'm just on tylenol for pain which doesn't help the swelling. I'm also having some bladder issues and finally have a catheter in which is actually a big comfort right now and we're waiting for the Dr.

So thats the story so far....thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

Mom's House & Baby Update

After 29 years of calling it "home"I think the house is worth a post! I know if you've moved around all your life you can't begin to understand what a house can mean but it was hard to say goodbye. Even Nate admitted he didn't know why I was so upset but was comforting anyway. The good news is we're SO excited to have my mom move out close to us and be in a new house. It feels like the end of an era, and with the baby coming our house really feels like "home" now. Lord willing, she'll be out here by the end of the month, even better if she can be out here by baby time!

And just when you thought I couldn't get any bigger..... 37 1/2 weeks.....

We had another appointment this morning. Everything is looking good. I'm not dialted at all yet but she said that doesn't mean a whole lot. I surprised them with my blood pressure being right on. (I guess people start to panic as they get close to due dates.... made me wonder if I was supposed to too...). Jr's heartbeat is perfect as well. He's still very active which the midwife said could be an indication of what he'll be like on the "outside"..... wonderful! I'm still measuring at 37 because I'm starting to drop some but not all the way yet. We still have 2 weeks and 2 days left at this point but we're ready. Nate just can not wait to meet his little fishing buddy and I can't want to not be pregnant anymore!

Happy 29th & almost 36 weeks!

I guess its better than next year's huh! With everything going on, my birthday seems so small but we did get some time to celebrate. Nate took me out for a yummy shrimp fest dinner at Red Lobster. Tuesday Melody cooked me another yummy stir fry dinner and more cake....And of course thank you everyone for the gifts, calls, texts and cards.

We're officially in the home stretch now too. We had a Dr's visit today (going every week now) and I was told, if I go into labor now they won't be stopping me! Though first babies tend to come a bit late. I'm measuring right on at 36 which I will be 36 weeks tomorrow. Everything else is looking good. He's been getting into some weird positions but still head down and they don't think he will change much at this point. I'm starting to swell in my hands and feet some which is uncomfortable but its still not too bad, I can still wear my wedding band so that's nice for now.

We're pretty much all ready too! I had another shower at work last week which was so nice, I got a lot more nice things, we really can't get over how generous everyone has been and we SO appreciate all the gifts we've gotten.

So between all the birthday and baby celebrations I've gained about 35lbs now which just freaks me out totally but I guess there isn't too much I can do at this point (except stop eating cake!).