He Peed On Me Again?!....or, How Life With a Newborn Will Humble Anyone.

http://www.emaphotography.com/slideshow/jackson/

There are things no one tells you about what happens during labor and delivery....and then what happens to your body POST delivery.  And, while, I will talk about MOST everything on this blog - I won't talk about ALL of that here in an effort to suppress that from my memory.

Otherwise?  Jack will be an only child.

The good thing about C-Sections?  Percocet!  They send you home with that stuff....and that's really the only reason that Jack got fed and changed those first few days after we got home.  The walk from the bed to the crib....is WAY longer than I anticipated, which is why smart people have a bassinet.  We wanted to start with the crib though and so we did.  And, I became a zombie walking back and forth.  

The bad thing about C-Sections?  See first paragraph.

Otherwise, 

We have been pooped on, peed on, puked on....

We have wasted more diapers than we care to discuss....

We use more baby wipes than will ever be necessary for any activity....

We do at LEAST 2 wardrobe changes a day because we can't seem to keep that little wee-wee under wraps....  I mean, he peed on the wall.  And, on his own head.

We have WAY over analyzed where to buy diapers and which coupons to use.... Have you met Matt?  He hates math unless doing a little means that he's going to save $1.  

We have bought contraptions to help him sleep....

We have read more about newborn sleeping issues, patterns and solutions than we thought existed....

....but, we are having a ball!  We are over the moon in love with him and no amount of sleep deprivation prevents us from enjoying the sweet moments.  Like, when he is waking up in the morning and likes to stretch and grunt and roll around in the bed.  My fave!

We have figured out a "hungry cry" vs an "uncomfortable cry" .... and we've learned not to JUMP through the ceiling at every single coo, grunt and whine.  Sometimes, he just likes to hear himself make a noise. :)

He does have a little reflux, but I understand that most babies do...and if nothing else, they all struggle with gas.  Well, let's just say he gets that honest.  Thanks Matt.  

Living with three boys has been interesting....and for those of you worried about Lucky.  Refrain.  Lucky is well under control and doesn't even bat his fuzzy little eyelashes at Jack's screaming, cooing and grunting.  He's not even interested with Jack's tummy time.  Lucky is just as exhausted as we are....since he's up for every feeding/changing too!

The boys are adjusting very well.  Lucky gets daily loooooong walks...and if the weather permits, Jack goes along too in his Bugaboo.

See?  He even lived to be a month old!  Who knew?!

He had lots of visitors.....like Auntie DJ, MeMe, Grandpa Mayo, Granddaddy Bullard and GGMama:

Grand Daddy Bullard and GG Mama

Grandpa Mayo

Mayos and Schneiders
(yes, I look near death)

Quit it, Auntie DJ!!!!

Here are a few of his professional newborn photos:

Jackson James Schneider had different plans...

....and, so, I yield to him now.  Wait.  Who am I?

A new mom....that's who.

From the last post, we were hanging onto the verdict of the next appointment to see if my fluid was low again...and if they'd "just deliver him that day" as the doctor would say.

Turns out?  It was (low)....and they did (deliver him)...on 12/23/2011 at 9:29pm.  He was our little breech baby boy, so we went the c-section route (and there is MUCH to discuss on this topic), but first - here's how 12/23 looked in my rear view mirror.

We had a dr. appt at 2:00 pm to recheck my fluid and to do a non-stress test.  Jack looked really good on the monitor, responding well to contractions, movement, etc.  The fluid, however, was still super low.  This concerned the doctors just because it seemed silly to let me leave with a healthy baby that could go into distress at any moment due to low fluid.  Why risk that?  

So, as we are waiting on the dr. to come in and talk to us, I'm busy on my phone working on my next meeting back at the office....and trying to get a few things wrapped up before the team departed for the Christmas holiday.  I thought..."even if they want to deliver him this weekend or next week, I'll have time to go back to work, go home, finalize a few last details....yeah, this will be totally fine and uneventful"

Enter dr...."We're going to go ahead and deliver him today, so make a few phone calls and then let's get you admitted into labor and delivery"

Me:  "I'm sorry.  Today as in TODAY?  I need to go back to work.  I'm hosting a meeting in an hour...and we really need to have this meeting before the team leaves for the holiday."

Dr.:  <smile>  "You're having a baby today....it would have been right now, but you just ate a yogurt, so we'll need 6 hours for that to digest before we give you the spinal tap for the c-section."

Awwwwww Hell.  My first thought is that I need to make a list! 

Cancel meeting. 

Send lots of mass emails detailing what's happening.

Try not to freak out. 

Call my mother.

Call EVERYONE.

Think of all the stuff I need for a 4 day stay at the hospital....and try to help Matt figure out where all of that stuff is. (Did I mention that Matt handled this all VERY well.)

About 6 hours later....

I walk my happy self into the OR where there's a full team of people standing there all in blue scrubs and all I can think of is Grey's Anatomy....and wondering if Meredith Grey is going to get involved (she's not that great of a surgeon).  And, I start to get reeeeaaaallly nervous.  The anesthesiologist comes in with her assistant and pretty much proceeds to put me in the worst possible pain I've ever known....a spinal.

After that, I feel nothing from my stomach down.  

Jackson James Schneider was born in true dramatic fashion complete with some questionable breathing (WHAT?!).  There was a lot of pressure, but no pain....and I hear the doctor say "here he iiiiissssss!"  Matt, because he's really just not into blood (and who is?)...baaaarely peeks over the curtain.  All I can see is Matt's smile from ear to ear at sight of his son.  It was honestly the most excited I've ever seen Matt....and what a sweet moment.

As I'm laying on the operating table unable to move my lower half (have we reviewed my anxiety/claustrophobia issues?), I see the NICU team and the incubator roll in.  Of course, I FREAK OUT (because that's what I do).....and continue to freak out throughout recovery as the doctors keep coming in to tell me that he's having trouble breathing and that we probably won't take him home with us when we go home in 4 days.

Oh, you wanna make a bet?  I'm not leaving that kid here.  We made him.  We are taking him.  Now, give him some oxygen and let's get on with it so that I can actually hold him!

A Very Proud Dad
(Jack in the NICU)

A Very Worried Momma

Grandma Schneider made it to the delivery!

After all of that excitement, I can tell you this - by the time 4:30 pm rolled around the next day (less than 24 hours!)....Jack was out of the NICU and in our room.  He stayed there with us for the next 3 days and then went home with us on December 27.  

We learned SO MUCH in 4 short days at the hospital that I really wanted to take the nurses home with me.  Although, the way they throw newborns around in the hospital made me super nervous, but a bit relieved as I learned that newborns are tougher than they look!

Thank God for that.

More sweet moments from the hospital:

The Little Monster is Going Home!

Holding on to Daddy's finger in the NICU

Merry Christmas from Virtua Voorhees Hospital!

Morning Time with Momma

From there....well, it's been like a comedic sitcom complete with bad jokes and all the things that you would expect to happen.

(So, what you're saying is that if you wipe the warm baby boy with a cold baby wipe - he will pee all over you?  Check!)

(Also?  He will actually poop on the changing table WHILE you are changing his current poop filled diaper?  Check!)

(And, while he's getting his newborn photos taken...he will actually poop and pee in your bare hands when you are holding him?  Check!)

It's been an amazingly funny adventure in only 9 short days....and there's SO much more to tell you about. 

For now?  I have a baby to feed, change, snuggle and stare at!

More soon.

Love.

Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.

My Point is This: If There's a Plan, We Should Stick To It.....Or, Not. That's OK Too. I Think.

12/21/2011:
"If your fluid is still low tomorrow, we'll just deliver him," the doctor says with a calm, certain, nonchalant face.

WHAT?!

"....deliver him?!"  You can't "deliver him" now - it's not time.  I'm not 37 weeks (4 days away) and we didn't install the car seat yet!  Plus, we scheduled his little breech behind for a c-section on 1/11/12, so that's the plan.  OK?  Good.  I mean, who's running this workplan?  Finishing ahead of schedule is typically a good thing.....with a few exceptions - like birth.  I had about a few 100 people tell me that I wouldn't be able to control this part....boy, were they right.

In the mean time, I'll hang out at the hospital with an IV because you guys (the doctors) think I'm dehydrated.  Turns out?  Not so much....I'm just "naturally low on fluids."  Jack loves to be on the monitor though -- he starts his kick boxing routine and rebounds nicely from contractions and pushes on my belly.  He's only 6lbs, 10 ounces right now, but he's tough little dude.

12/22/11:
After 4 bags of IV fluids and enough water to float the Titanic, the amniotic fluid surrounding Jackson is still low....so I will go back tomorrow (12/23) to be re-checked.  If it's still low...or lower, they will probably deliver him.  Yeah.  I know, but he's full term on Sunday....so he's got that going for him.  Plus, no one's gonna love him like we will - so, it's alright if he wants to make his appearance early! :)

Then again, my fluid could be back up tomorrow....and he stays put for a couple more weeks!

Rest assured, that my AAAAHHHHMMMMAZING husband has us ready to go with bouncers and swings and pack n plays and a nursery fit for a wee little caterpillar to thrive in.  We even have a car seat and a stroller....and DIAPERS....and little butt cream....and all sorts of other things we don't know how or when to use!

We are ready to go.  Bring it, Jack.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas....or, How Can We Already Be 8.5 Months Pregnant?!

There's so much to do....SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much to do.  I just mopped the floors, but I swear they need it again.  I also think the baseboards could use a good wipe down.  I'm told this is normal...."nesting"....cleaning....OCDing....but I already had a severe case before pregnancy, so now - it's WAY out of control.

Luckily, Matt is here full time now and can help me stay calm about the "to do" list...which is mostly a "honey do" list.  We have managed to start the nursery...and it's mostly done.  We have some finishing touches, then we'll post some photos.  Let's just say that damn little caterpillar is EVERYWHERE.  I hope Jack isn't afraid of caterpillars.  Here's a sneak preview:

Oh yeah?  We decided on the name....Jackson James Schneider.  We'll call him Jack.

James is a family name on both sides of our families, so we couldn't pass up the chance to honor so many people at once.  I'm hoping that people don't call him JJ....while realizing that's not the worst thing people will probably call him.  HA!

For a while, at least he'll be riding in style....

Baby Jack's Bugaboo Donkey stroller, courtesy of some very, very nice people!

At 34 weeks, the little fella is 5lbs and breech....and he's starting to run out of time - and room - to flip, especially since I am apparently a bit low on amniotic fluid.  So low, in fact, that I spent a night in the hospital due to dehydration causing contractions.  Imagine my meltdown when they told me that they may need to induce labor at 33 weeks.  WHAT!?  All I could think about wast the fact that he was too small to be out in this germy world...and that we didn't have a mattress or any diapers for him.

Needless to say, I drowned myself in water....stayed in the hospital....and little Jack decided to stay in the belly.  

Crisis averted.

He IS still breech though and I've started my weekly appointments so I get to check on him once a week.  Hooray!!  

Here's his latest ultrasound picture with his little nose and lips:

Since he's breech, it's really hard to get a good profile or a face picture.  He just happened to turn his head and she caught his little nose and lips!

And, here's me at 34 weeks:

Lots of Events to Review:

We hit up Chicago on the weekend of Nov 12 for a friend's wedding:

LOVE this City....

Christine, Jamie and Mary threw us the cutest golf themed shower...here are some pics!  

They have the nicest friends ever, so I met a lot of really great people...and little Jack got so many great things!  He even has a book collection now thanks to Christine's idea of having the guests bring a book along with their gift.

Matt and I also took out last flight together as a childless couple.  We went to my parents house for Thanksgiving.  

Matt shooting guns in the country with Donald!

And he just HAD to drive the John Deere tractor....I'm surprised Donald let him.  He loves that thing!

While all of the travels and events have been exciting, nothing was more entertaining than watching Matt in our Breastfeeding class.  I thought his head may actually fly off his shoulders.  Holy SMOKES.  Let's just say that there was a LOT of information in that class....even for me.  

And, honestly?  There seem to be a lot of rules (i.e., don't use pacifiers, use pacifiers in this instance only, never use a bottle, use a bottle only after 4 weeks, never hold the baby "this way" - only "this way")

However, like my favorite "baby's first year" book says "use some common sense and you'll b fine."  

Amen, brother.

Let's just focus on getting food into the baby, getting the baby to sleep, changing the baby and not dropping the baby.  If that involves a pacifier, then so be it.

Next up?  Labor and Delivery Class!

Baby S is a Little Busy Body

October has been another busy month for Baby S!

On Oct 23, we attended Moira's (Matt's cousin) wedding in Cape Neddick, ME.  New places, some friendly faces and Baby S' first dance party!

Also during that same weekend, Matt and I recieved our first baby contraption in the mail and I thought FOR CERTAIN - it would turn into some sort of torture device...

....but, eventually - we figured it out and even managed to convince Lucky to like it.

We also picked up our new baby mobile!

And, even Baby S got a new ride, thanks to BMW:

On Oct 28, we had our 29 week appointment and we're right on track in terms of baby size, a little on the low side for weight gain (although 15 lbs seems like plenty to me!), but a little high on the blood sugar.  Yuck.  The doc said I need to back off on the fruit - since I crave apples and grapes....and they tend to be high in sugar.  My guess is that it also has something to do with the cocoa pebbles and chocolate milk too.  HA!  You crave what you crave....but, the adjustments have been made! 

On Nov 5, my best friend Becky (with the help of Rachel, Emmalee, Liz and Kelly) hosted the cutest baby shower for me....all with the theme of Our Littlest Seminole!  Great food (we had garnet and gold popcorn!), great friends, funny games, a onesie station and the cutest keepsakes ever!  Check it all out:



Onesie Station



MeMe (Dondi's Mom) Onesie....Baby S is her first grandchild!

Shower Fun....documented in our Shower scrapbook, made the day of as the shower was going on.  Amazing!

Baby S is so loved and got so many great things...as did Matt and I to make sure Baby S is very well taken care of.  Matt always says that if we can treat the baby HALF as well as we treated Damien, Daisy and Lucky....then he'll be juuuuust fine.

Our Keepsake from the first shower....which I'm hoping we can continue into the second shower:

Everyone at the shower filled out one of these cards for Baby S:

My wishes for Baby S.

 All of the wishes were put into a book...with a picture of the person that wrote them as well as their onesie creation.... 

Dondi's Friend Amy...mother of three...and genius when it comes to what you "need" and don't need for babies.  I will have her on speed dial!

The first page of the book - so cute!

Love, Love, Love!

You know what I don't love?  The weird line that has formed down the middle of my stomach.  I've read that it's called the linea nigra....and is due to, well, hormones.  Big surprise.  Hooray!

Speaking of weird, yet fun -- Baby S is big enough now that when he starts his kickboxing routine - we can actually see my stomach moving!  It's definitely a little odd, but also comforting to know that he's in there.  Plus, I now have to keep track of how often he kicks with my "kick counter" sheet from the dr. office.  It's not hard since he pretty much kicks and moves ALL day long.....I feel like he may have a little A.D.D. already.  Or?  He's just a busy body.

Also?  My newest worry is exactly how this child is going to exit my body.  We don't need to discuss it...but know that I'm concerned.  Yes, I've seen the videos - and they aren't helping.  I feel like I may need an epidural now, just in case.  I don't like pain....and I'm not trying to be anyone's hero.

This one is a little dark, but you get the idea!  30 weeks!

After a month of living apart (sad!), Matt recieved his annual bonus and even got an offer to keep his job with IMG after he moves to NJ (this week! hooray!)...which was really our best case scenario.  We are very excited to have that flexibility day to day (he'll be working from home) as we move into this new phase!  Whew!

I know, I know...Baby S needs a name because, well, I'm tired of calling him Baby S!  We finally short listed the names....we are down to 3 and will probably wait until we actually SEE the baby to name him.  We just can't decide otherwise!  (which is odd for me since I can make a quick decision about just about anything!)

November proves to be busy for the Schneider family too....a wedding, birthing classes (oh Lord), nursery setup (finally!), our NJ shower, an ultrasound on Nov 28 (our 2 year anniversary!) and a trip to Milton for Thanksgiving!