Friday, September 28, 2012

7 Weeks



Dear Harrison,


Hi my love.




You are losing more of your hair.  You have much more in the back than on top.  You kind of have old man hair but you are still cute regardless.  If you are ever bald like your Dad your little birthmark will show.  I have the same birthmark but according to my Mom mine was only noticeable when I was hot or mad.  I do hope you have a nice head of hair.  I know your Dad hopes the same for you even if it will make him jealous.




I stripped you down to nothing this week and let you lay on a blanket outside.  It could have been disastrous but you loved it besides the sun being too bright for your sweet little eyes.






Bath time is getting easier on you.  You are getting bigger so it's almost a 2 person job but once you can sit up it will be easier on me too.  We wash quickly and get all of the creases and folds.  This is what is getting easier.  The part you still hate is being cold.  So as soon as you are out you get a nice soft blanket to warm you back up and all is right again in your world.






You are the happiest little guy.  You are a grinning, laughing, thumb sucking, kicking, stretching, grunting, eating, sleeping, pooping machine.  You've got it great kiddo.




And you have my whole heart.


It's blurry but I love this pic anyhow

I love you,
Momma







Friday, September 21, 2012

6 Weeks



Dear Harrison,

You are six weeks old today!!  I am very blessed that I still have more time at home with you before I start back to work.  Some Momma's maternity leave is only 6 weeks.  Anytime after I go back to work and I am home with you baby boy I will make sure I feed/diaper/love on you because I am your Momma and it's what I want to do.  Your Dad and I created you, you grew so beautifully in my womb, and are growing like a champ in the world.  I was made for this thing called motherhood.  I worry and have anxiety over you already and you are just 6 weeks.  It's even keeping me awake at night thinking of leaving you, which your Dad says I would have made fun of someone that said that.  And I probably would have and I had no right because I was not a mom.  Now I am and I can be concerned over things like this.  Concerned over where you go, who you are around, when you eat, when you sleep, when you play, etc.  This all goes with the territory my love.




By our home scales you are weighing 12 pounds now, 4 pounds gained from birth.  You make an elephant noise when you breathe sometimes.  It tickles me.  We lay in the floor together and look in the mirror or play with the camera.  You think it is funny to see yourself and two of Momma.  You want to hold your own bottle.  Your hands and I might get in a fight one day because they get in the way when trying to feed you but how can I when they are so cute and little.




You are stretching your time between feedings beautifully.  Last night for instance you ate at 855pm, when straight to sleep and woke at 215am for a feeding. You and I have a great night routine and it is one of my favorite times.  Luckily I will not have to give that up when I have to go back to work.  During the day you are hungry more often but it is normally now 3 hours instead of 2 1/2, mostly because you are eating more and if you wake early from a nap I make you wait.  You normally do not even protest but sit in your bouncy seat, suck your thumb, look outside, and doze back off to sleep.




It has been gorgeous here this week.  I wish this was the weather we could have year round.  We have been walking every night because you like it and because Momma needs to loose some weight.  We went outside a few times this week on our deck.  You have some tummy time and listened to the wind chimes.  I was busy taking your picture and looked down to see Minerva, our cat trying to eat your foot.  She is very intrigued by you.  The dogs, Duke and Daisy they are scared of you and see you from afar.  Right now you don't need to be around them.  They do not know what you are and you have no idea what they are.  You will have plenty of time to play with your furry brother and sisters when you are older.  






Since you were going outside in the sun, I tried some sunglasses out for you...yeah they belong to a stuffed cat your Dad gave me for my birthday the first year we were dating.  





I also made you a pair of "baby legs" out of some socks that were in my closet.  I think you look so adorable in them.  I can't wait to go shopping for socks to make you more :o)




I love you to pieces my sweet little man.  I am so proud to be your Momma.    






Friday, September 14, 2012

5 Weeks

Dear Harrison,

I was debating on stopping weekly posts and go to monthly now since you are officially ONE MONTH OLD!!  But I could not resist...



This week you have received some wonderful gifts (and I received a box of scarves...Jen you are the BEST!)

As promised I bought you an activity mat and you LOVE it!





Your extended family in the wonderful UK sent you a care package (and Momma a little chocolate too)  I cannot wait to tell you all about our adventures we had while we lived in England and introduce you to the amazing people we sincerely think of as family.



You also got to meet my dear friend Tilly.  She and I were inseparable in high school and we have since been in contact again after many years.  She also showered you with some awesome gifts and your first Elmo.  Soon you will meet her little boy Hess.  He is waiting to visit until you have had your 2 month shots. (Sorry but too many faves holding Elmo)





Today you accompanied me to the dentist for a cleaning and we popped into the grocery store for food and supplies for tailgating tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the UT/FL game.  We are beyond pumped!  The game has been seriously hyped up and the Big Orange hope to live up to the hype.  We have had some rough years as of late and FL has beat us 7 years in a row!  It's time for redemption little one.  Neyland will be rockin...the game is sold out and will be 102,455 strong.  And while you will not be there you will be sporting your orange and white!



GO VOLS.

I love you,
Momma

Monday, September 10, 2012

1 Month and Your Birth



My dearest Harrison,

You are one month today.  Be still my heart.




A few days after you were born I started writing about your birth.  Your birth is not the first nor the last but the moment you were born is yours alone.  As you can tell from my posts, I am not a writer but I wanted to write details of the day because down the road I might forget certain things about how you came into my life...

*****

The morning of your birth, your Dad and I needed to be at the hospital at 9am as I was scheduled for c-section delivery at noon.  We woke anxious as any first time parent would be - I even cleaned the inside of the fridge but you will learn this is just how I am.  After a few last checks of our overnight bags and we were on our way to the hospital.  

Once we arrived at patient registration we patiently waited and watched synchronized swimming on the TV in the waiting area until my name was called.  I had never been admitted to the hospital for anything before besides one outpatient procedure so this was all new for me.




 We got checked in and escorted to our labor and delivery room by a very nice older man with a pretty white beard.  We unpacked items from our hospital bags and I started a genius playlist on our iPod "The Sweetest Thing" by U2.  Soon my nurse for the day, Victoria, come in to get me hooked up and began prepping me for the c-section.  First she hooked me up to a monitor so we could hear your heartbeat.  I am very glad we chose this day for your birthday as you were obviously ready to enter the world as I was having contractions 3 minutes apart.




By this time your Aunt Brooke had joined us as she was documenting the entire day and after a few bas of fluid had went through my IV, Dr. E came in to take one last look at you in utero to ensure you were in fact still breech, and you were.  The hospital has to make sure we were in fact doing the c-section for the right reason as it is major surgery.



The time was close now and I was getting very nervous as I had no idea what was in store for us in the next hour or so.  I could not wear my wedding rings due to my hands being swollen so instead wore my rosary from the Vatican to keep us safe and protected but they would not let me wear it into the OR so your Dad wore it instead.
  



Soon everyone was ready for me in the OR.  I had to go into the OR alone to get my spinal and some final prep before your Dad could be let in.  The OR was very intimidating but Dr. E was a Godsend and kept me calm with her always practical yet caring beside manner.  I also had made zucchini bread for the nurses so they mentioned in the OR how great it was as none of them had breakfast.  I made it as as thanks and hoped it would help them to be a bit nicer to us ;)




When I was ready they brought in your Dad and got started.  I cannot describe the sensation of the procedure but there was no real pain.  Your Dad just stroked my face and held my hand and made me calm as he only knows how to do.  As your gender was a surprise, Dr. E had asked how we wanted to be told if you were a boy or a girl, either by holding you up over the curtain or just announcing it.  I opted for her to announce the much awaited news.  While Dr. E was pulling you out you were pooping.  She said "You've got a pooping boy!"  I thought I might be dreaming or it was an affect of the drugs and I said "What did she say?" and she said "IT'S A BOY!!!"  Tears of complete and utter joy streamed down my face as I stared at your Dad.  You were the best surprise and so worth the wait.


Besides the day I married your father, 08.10.12 was the best day of my life.


Our First Photo

After your arrival, your dad escorted you to the nursery for routine checks while I was being stitched up.  While Dr. E was working she told me she knew why you were breech.  The umbilical cord was wrapped around your neck.  Oh sweet baby, I am so thankful I followed my heart and did not try to turn you.



After I was all back together, I was wheeled back to our room to find your dad sitting there but you were not.  You were still in the nursery getting your first bottle and a bath.  Everyone waiting to see you got to witness this from the nursery window.


It seemed like forever before you were brought in the room to us.  We passed the time looking at congratulatory emails as the news of your arrival had travelled like wild fire.  I had drafted an email and your Aunt Jess sent it out for us the minute she heard the news. Your birth was highly anticipated :)




As the minutes passed I was getting nervous to meet you and hold you for the first time.  I prayed you would know we were your parents and could feel our love in your short minutes of life.


Your Dad can explain his Wolf shirt to you...for those interested check out the reviews  :)

Finally you were brought to us.  Your Dad had never held a newborn before but he took you in his arms like a pro and then placed you in my arms.





Oh little one, I just love our family of three.  You were exactly what I had hoped for but nothing like I envisioned.  I still cannot get over all of your beautiful hair, as your Dad and I thought you were going to be a bald little girl.  I wanted you to be a boy so badly, not just to give your Dad a son, but because I honestly saw our family with a boy over a girl.




The first moments with you were amazing and I loved your Dad so much in the moment.   It is a feeling I could never describe to you but you will understand one day.  My love grows each day as I watch your Dad love and care for you.  He loves you fiercely and with all of his heart.  I know this because it is also how I love you.  We created you, loved you as you grew inside of me, and waited patiently for your birthday.




You were visited by many and loved on throughout the day.






You were celebrated.




Thank you for being such a blessing and opening our hearts to more love for each other and you.



Happy One Month!

I love you,
Momma