8 Months

Was month 7 that hard? hmmm. As you might have seen, you can follow my Twitter updates on the right of my blog or start Twitter yourself and we can update each other from our phones! How totally awesome! Or maybe thats TMI! OMG!!

Sorry it has been a while since the last post but for an update: we were packing and preparing to be in Australia for 3-6 months. While dropping our dog off at Grandma's a week before leaving we were told that we weren't going to go to save costs and so then we had to undo it all. And then the holidays came. So I guess that's why. I only just realized this now as I am typing.

Jack has been entertaining through it all. He discovered the world and is inspecting it thoroughly. He is a pro roller but is now sitting which takes a load off of me holding him (at 28 pounds. Yes, that's a lot). He plays on the floor by himself for minutes on end! He loves the book Where is Baby's Belly Button because we play peek a boo out of it. Now he recognizes signs and things with big print. He is also crawling on his tummy. He pushes with his feet and kind of wiggles to get where he wants to be. He used to only push himself backwards.

He also learned how to wave to Grandma Mary Margaret. This week he learned high five from his Abuelo and now tries to give people in stores high five and waves and smiles. He is a ham. He had a line of ladies waiting to love him when we were Christmas shopping the other day. He is the Gerber Baby to everyone. It is amazing to see this little blob turn into a charming little man with convictions and a sense of humour. He laughs at random things but always at baby pictures and his dog. He is also eating a lot of pureed things and Cheerios. He loves his food.

I am back to playing water polo with the amazing ladies. This is one of those things that you can't put a price on. The time spent for me, with a supportive group of ladies who have been through it all and love to help each other, swimming my heart out, tyring not to drive our coach crazy. It's great. At the same time, Grandma and Abuelo get thier time with him. I am lucky.

We have a Christmas tree which is so awesome. The first in our place. I am cozy. Time for bed before the baby wakes up again.

Computer for infants

My friend told me about http://kneebouncers.com where the baby can press any button on the keyboard and the screen will do something. Jack likes "jump and float" and talks to each character that pops up. He figured out that if he pushed a button, someone would pop up! Well, he is advanced;)

Happy Early Halloween! 6 month Jack McLantern

Jack is almost 6 months and last time I checked 22 pounds. He is a sturdy baby. He has been so much fun with all of his giggles, babbling, rolling, bouncing and grabbing.

Physically he is rolling from front to belly to front again. He is also sitting by himself for about a minute when he leans off to the side and finds something to play with, or arches his back, or leans onto his tummy like a cobra pose. He is also spotting things and reaching his arms out to grab them. I noticed yesterday when people would hold him, he would reach his arms out to me when he was done. It's wild to see these things come out of a child from nothing. He also enjoys the exersaucer and jumper thing. He squeals with delight! I love it because it gives my tendinitis a rest:)

Mentally and socially he is developing by constantly watching what is going on around him, smiling at every person he passes and giggling when they talk to him. He is saying dada and only mama when he gets frustrated. (No link to either of us yet). He is waking up like crazy and more fussy I think due to some teeth pain that might be coming. We'll see!

He is eating! His favs include avocado, rice cereal, and sweet potato. He is not too keen on the oatmeal and multi-grain cereal but who is, really. He has time for that later. It is so fun to see him explore the word of taste! His first tastes of life and the start of great food. He, as expected, is a good eater. It's fun ot see his dad be able to spend this time with him too.

We are getting ready for our trip to Australia now and getting excited! We will be on the plane for Halloween. What will the plane trip be like with a baby? 2 hours is nothing but 14? Keep posted to find out more.

I Know Everything and Nothing

I have just realized that we all go through life knowing nothing and then thinking we know everything. When we are kids, we don't know everything and we don't care because being a kid is fun. Then pre-teen adolescence and teen years, we know everything. College, nothing. Graduate and get a job, everything. Have a child, nothing. (Retirement, everything? Not sure yet. I haven't gotten there)

I see it in the children playing in the water fountain when their moms tell them to be careful. The either do what she says or don't because they want to do it so badly, not because they think they know it all. Then in the teens when they walk around town with their friends. They know it all, or at least they have to try and act that way. The college goers just have a deer in the headlights look (or maybe that's just a hang over). I notice this in the young twenty somethings without children. They know how to stop my child from crying when we are in public and are disgusted that I don't. I am sure they will understand in their next step, or at least see it in their close friends' struggles. Having a kid, I am not sure I will ever know enough.

Jack at 4.5 months

He is amazing! I always thought this was funny when parents thought that these little things were so amazing but it is when just yesterday they were blobs in a car seat! Jack has done so much in these past weeks:

*He is rolling over like crazy! Sometimes to his own frustration. I don't think he wants to be on his belly so often but he can't remember how to roll back onto his back. He also was waking himself up at night by rolling onto his belly and not liking it, banging his head on the crib, so we got those wedges on either side of him and he's sleeping better.

*Yesterday he had his first "solid food" of rice cereal while we ate dinner. He loved it! He's an eater (as we all know from his 20 pound girth).

*He is playing in his exersaucer and jumpy thing in the doorway. It's fun to see him enjoying himself without needing me. He is a real explorer. He also loves watching the trees outside the living room window.

*He is learning how to take naps. We all know how cranky we get when we don't get sleep. Well, Jack was starting to miss his naps and be real fussy toward the end of the day (Steve gets home and I do the quick hand off). So we are "Ferber"ing him, letting him try and find his own ways to sleep, even if he has to cry a little- it's tough. Dr. Ferber is a sleep specialist and he has some great ideas on sleeping. It makes us all happier and healthier.

Next up is sitting! I get all excited about his develpments but will be running much more when he starts running, I am sure.

Fluids

I know this sounds gross and it kind of is. These days I don't know where some of these liquids come from that are on me. In my hair, on my shirt, even on my pants or on the top of my foot! It could be from Charlie (he drools a lot), it could be from Jack (he drools a lot too), it could be spit up, it could be worse, #1 or#2! Having kids humbles you.

Oregonian

A typical year usually includes a trip to Oregon to visit my good buddy Christina and brother-in-law John, and their kids. It's always a great place to be. There is so much beauty and land to hike on and explore that you can hardly believe that any one person deserves to enjoy that beauty. Everything is so full of life. Even in the winter, the snow is abundant and coats every top of the tree or house with innocence and simplicity.

This trip was a little more interesting with a little one. Steve and I rented a car because we were not sure how we would fit 3 kids in car seats in one car. As it turns out, Christina and I did on our was to a walk, along with 2 dogs. It was awesome. It's interesting being an aunt turned mom because you can longer be at your nieces and nephew's disposal. Play time has to be after a feeding or diaper change.

This was one more week of Steve's paternity leave so Steve got to hang with the boy as I played with Patrick and got to know the little charmer girl who will be 1 soon. They were a blast and we miss them already. Though we can hike here, it's no where close to the same as the mother load of nature up there.

Nieces and Nephews

The cutest things that my nieces and nephews have said:

Gabrielle age 5:
"Can Jack be my boyfriend? Not to marry or anything, just to be my boyfriend."

Olivia at age 5 or so:
Andria -"Olivia, how do I print this?"
Olivia- "I think you go to print.com."

Patrick age 4:
After seeing Incredible Hulk, with jaw to the ground:
"Awesome!"

Australia

New news: Steve and Jack and I get to go to Sydney, Australia for 3 months for Steve's work. WooHoo! We've always wanted to go there. I bet we could get some great weekends in there. Taste some serious wine. Check out a dream of a place in New Zealand . Scuba dive ("Are you for scuba?")


If you have suggestions for places to see in Australia or Sydney, let us know!

4 Months: Livin' Large & Sleeping-ish

Jack will be turning 4 months this Saturday and last weigh in showed about a week ago showed him as 18.03 pounds. Yeah, he's a big boy. We have him in 6-9 , month clothing now. Though it seems to not phase many mothers who have had similar stories, it amazes me (and tires me out from holding him!)

There are, of course, the amazing things that he does. He rolled from him back to his belly a couple times, once ending in a little accident. Yes, bad mom. No more couch lay downs! He loves his tummy time. He loves to bat at things with his arm and looks at them as he does it. He loves his new friend Sophie the giraffe which I recommend to any parent.

He also giggles when tickled or attempt to tickle. He knows what we are going to do before we do it! He laughs when I make sounds with my tongue.

A cool thing for Steve and I is that he is sleeping for longer amounts of time. Now I say this with a grain of salt as tonight it will probably change now that I wrote this. But my friend Amy told me to try and feed him when he's good and hungry (like 3 hours in between feedings) and put him down at 9 or 10. It works for most nights and we sometimes get 6 hours of sleep before he wants to eat again. It feels good and normal, even though that sounds crazy to a person who has not gone through this. Oh the humanity. I love sleep and so does Jack. Now he is getting naps during the day down. I also started reading How to Solve your Child's Sleep Problems by Dr. Ferber. This was recommended by my doctor and my friend. It's supposed to help you understand sleep patterns, even if you think you don't have a problem, per se.

I will try to write more so I can remember all these cool things he is doing. He's amazing of course and does so much. In the meantime check out our photos.

3 Months for Jack

Happy 3 month Birthday Jack! He has done such great things in the 3 little months that he has been in this world. He has found the cure for parkinson's, set up adoptions for millions of children all over the world, and brought aid and medicine to the people in the world that do not have access to it.

Okay well maybe not that scale of wonderfulness, but wonderful to me none-the-less. He has flipped over from his tummy to his back a handfull of times, he has gained the same amount of weight as most 4 month olds (he's up to 15 pounds now), his expressions and smiles have made many laugh, he is practicing all of his vowels and some consonants as he talks away and he spits up more.

Only big fusses have been a bought of over heat as we rolled in to Southern California. He has trouble burping sometimes that makes him look like he's pushing all the time. Otherwise, he a bundle of fun.

More pics to come on the blog but in the meantime, check out the links on the right of this blog for our albums. Steve is working hard to get our Europe trips up as well.
Jack sends out his love by saying "GOOO!"

7 weeks for Jack!

After a positive check up for me from the doctor last week, I got to return back to the pool with Jack in tow. Coach Andrew kept an eye on him (an ear actually) as Jack slept in him stroller next to the pool. It was great.

Jack is enjoying his baths a little (I can't wait to get him in the pool in one month), growing like crazy (12 pounds, 3 ounces), eating well and sleeping longer! I am excited about the 5 hour sleep times. 2 hours is getting a little tough:) Jack is getting to be a little chubster. He is starting to smile in a reaction to our voices. Steve and I were hanging out with Jack yesterday and he giggled! It was adorable.

It is still a little weird being responsible for a human life, but it feels so good. I am surprised at how much time it takes to raise a child. Feeding every 2-3 hours is tough. He doesn't even walk yet!

My Birth Story

Finally I am back online! It only took 3 weeks but here I am. This is the story of how the birth of Jack Brian McGhee went down. I may be graphic so this is your fair warning.

Three weeks ago, on Tuesday, I was at Target, picking up the last finishing touches for Jack's room and doing some touch up paint.

At 2:38 A.M. on April 9th, Wednesday, I felt a huge rumble in my tummy like I had eaten some serious fettuccine the night before and then some kind of trickle on my leg. Weird. I though before that my water may have broken but it was a false alarm. It is rare for your water to break before you go into labor anyway. So I went potty and waited and it happened again. We called the doctor and he said to call the hospital and go on in.

I brushed my teeth, Steve gathered up our packed bag, and we strolled on to the hospital. It was so quiet and calm on the streets of Walnut Creek and in the parking lot of John Muir. I was finally starting to feel contrations and I practiced breathing through them, though they had no great deal of intensity yet. The security guy welcomed us and we went up to the third floor. The lady had me fill in a small sheet with my name and some other little info (we had pre-registered online which helps make a smooth check in). She put us in a room and Steve and I napped for an hour or two before things started happening.

When I awoke the nurses just checked in and we went through a series of contractions and relaxing. My friend Christie was on her way to be my support gal and my mom and step-dad were on a plane from southern California. It seemed like everyone got to me at about 10 or 11 A.M. Everyone was so good at holding my hand while I breathed through the contractions. I was lucky enough that the breathing worked! No back labor or anything crazy to deal with. I was super sensitive about smells. Any whiff of food that I got was totally annoying to me, probably because I wanted to eat something so bad and hadn't eaten for 24 hours. Even if there was food on the other side of the room, I could smell it and it had to go. We watched the events of the Olympic torch running through San Fransisco that day as a good distraction.

At about 2 to 3 P.M. the contractions started getting more intense and I asked everyone but Steve to clear the room. The T.V. had to be turned off. I was ready to have this baby but my body wasn't quite ready. The nurse (one of the many I had seen that day, who were all awesome) had told me not to push as I needed to be dilated about 1-.5 cm more. My body was realing and longed to just push this baby out. The nurse called the doctor to come and he wasn't coming. I think she just told me he was coming to pacify me a little.

At 4:00 I didn't think I could handle this feeling of pushing any longer and could barely even breath through it as my air wouldn't come in. 4:30 she checked me and I was very close, and I asked her (in a very demanding way) to call the doctor and see where he was. She found him at his office, right across the street and he came over for sure this time. I couldn't wait. I heard him in the hallway and was about to yell for him to get in the room, but tried to remain civil. When he walked in to the room, I don't think I even greeted him. I just asked, "Can I push yet?" He said to go for it and I did.

Thanks goodness for swimming because that put me right in pushing shape. He noticed my strong pushes and asked me to stop so he could get his stuff in order to help me deliver. I started pushing at 5:00 and with 3 series of contractions, about 4 pushes each one, he was born at 5:17 P.M. It was amazing. At one point Dr. Katz asked me to stop pushing and feel the head crowning. Then as the Dr. was pulling out Jack's shoulders, he told me to look down at this huge headed baby all covered in goo. I couldn't believe that that being had come out of me.

When they took him out, he was paced on my chest and we just cuddled. He was covered in waxy vernix still and all purple from the trama of birth. I was elated and Steve was right there holding onto us both. The umbilical cord was clamped after a few minutes and Steve cut it. It was a free baby. I had my body back! Well, kind of.

They took him to the little center to get cleaned up as I got stitched up a little. I tore and so they did a little of an episiotomy which is not very common these days. I fed him and then I fed me. That meal was so great tasting after not eating for so long. Steve got to hold him for sometime while they were waiting for the stitches. My parents came in once the mess was cleared and got to see their grandson.

They transfered us to the smaller post pardum room, ate again, and then went to bed. the nurses were very good at helping me take care of my wounds and helping in breastfeeding. We stayed two nights and went home on Friday to a clean house and flowers everywhere, thanks to my mom and step-dad.

I couldn't complain one bit about the delivery at that hospital and the care given to us afterward. I have to say that I was so lucky that no complications arose and I got to do everything naturally. I am amazed that most people do this voluntarily. I feel as if I am a member of a club now. I have endured the hazing of birth and still to come: childhood, then adolescence. Eeek!

All is well in this third week and getting the hang of breastfeeding. Jack loves to sleep so I have to make sure and wake him so he gets enough feedings. He is definitely the son of Steve. He has cute red hair and fare skin. Lett's hope he got my melatonin! Check out pictures on our galleries and I will try and post some soon here on the blog. More adventures to come.

Baby's Room

Steve and I have been working hard on the baby's room and with only little detail touch ups, we have it ready to go. It's so exciting! And don't worry, the paint is water based Benjamin Moore, zero fumes. It does have a smell to it but it's supposed to be safe.

The days after the belly picture was taken, at 35 weeks, I went to the doctor and she said that I was dilated already at 2cm. That is a little surprising for my first baby. The lungs haven't developed fully yet, so I cannot do much activity for 2 weeks. Then he can come out!

I am feeling tired often so I do a little chore, then rest. It's crazy building a baby. So tiring!

Charlie update

Just wanted to post some cute pics we have of Charlie. He is feeling quite at home now, not barking as much, can stay home by himself sometimes, and is entertaining us like crazy. He is learning to stay but sometimes bolts to see neighborhood dogs walking down the street. We love him!

(Picture left) Charlie loves his Christmas toy.
(Picture right) Who says bassets can't jump. Those feet are off the ground!

Now we can start looking at a pal for him when our little son turns about 6 months. That should be fun.

Baby Ready

We are getting ready for the little one by finally doing something with his room. We took down the wallpaper mural of African animals (sorry Devlins) and painted the walls light and navy blue with a soon to come white chair rail. We are trying to organize all of the baby paraphernalia, and clean all of the baby clothes, while still not having any baby furniture or closet organizing. It will all come in time. We have car seat, a stroller, food and diapers on the way, so we will be fine:)

A funny blog about what a baby REALLY needs compared to how much is bought for these little things. http://www.sweet-juniper.com/2008/03/sacajawea-theory-v20.html

The baby is healthy and his heart is beating well. He has hiccups daily, sometimes twice a day! It's such a funny feeling. He really likes to keep his foot under my right rib and so hopefully that means that he is head down! He should be about 4 pounds now with limited room. My belly is getting bigger by the day and often sends a ripple across my belly. Sleep is much needed and my muscles are much tighter. I walk like a true pregnant woman.

8th Month!

We are now officially in week 32, which technically is 8 months. Due date is April 21st so I still have 2 months left. Am i doing that math correctly?

Anyhow, the doc says that all is good. The heart beat does a slow and then quick heart rate which she says is a sign of good health. He is also quite active in my belly all day long which is a good sign. We are now getting to see someone every 2 weeks.

Jack is growing fast and real estate is limited. When he spins and turns, I can feel every inch of him. He jabs and stretches into my rib, into my bladder. I am starting to feel indigestion and acid reflux when I eat so I have to limit my food intake to the size of my fist, only increase the eating to 5 times a day. Only half sandwiches now!

While I was treading water yesterday at practice, I could feel something sticking out of the middle of my belly and it was moving side to side and I was treading side to side. It was freaky! Totally amazing.

The child birth class was great. It informed us on all the things that will and might happen. It gave us our options and informed us about medications. It convinced both Steve and I that I would like to go it without drugs as long as I can. I want to push and get it over with. I would love your support in this! Tell me what you did to help you through labor! What positions helped you during labor?

This week's pic is my swimsuit runway snapshot right be fore getting in to the pool with the Soda Moms.

Peek-a-Boo from Whistler, Canada

Steve and I decided we needed to have one more trip before we had a baby and we would have to settle for little travel for a while. Alaska and Canada were our options since we have never been to either, so our friend Dorothy got to it and found Whistler, Canada to be a great option.

It was quite beautiful. Snow was everywhere. Walls of it. We flew into Vancouver, an okay city, nay a snowflake, with overcast skies and drove to Whistler. Dorothy found all 8 of us a condo that had 4 rooms and was sweet and cozy. The next 3 days were clear skies, bright white snow, and not as cold as we all expected.

6 of us found a snowshoe trail and Paka and Steve went snowboarding. The snow was slightly used since so many people visited the place, but it was still so white, beautiful and fun. The girls also took a day at the spa for some super luxurious massages at the Vida Wellness Spa. It was the best one I've ever had. I think I just appreciated it the most with all the weight I've added and strain on the muscles.

It was a great trip to enjoy the friends we rarely get to see and celebrate our friendships. I really count my blessings in my friends. To see more pictures, click on the link below. Hopefully you can spot a rare looking moose in that lot.
http://gallery.mac.com/stevenandria#100144

almost the 8th Month

(written 2/11/08)

Today is the 30 week mark of my pregnancy. Is that eight months? I guess in pregnancy terms it is. 40 weeks is full term but they don't tell you that 40 weeks is actually longer than 9 months. You just have to be the one to be good at math to figure that out:)

All went well on our last check up. My glucose test results say I do not have gestational diabetes which a woman can often get from pregnancy. It would have not been that bad, except that you have to watch what you eat so much closer and I love sugar too much to part with it at this time!

I am heavy now and my feet hurt from it. It's hard to sleep or lay on my back. I get cramped legs more often. My bottom nerve gets pinched quite often. That is the worst of it, so I am not so bad off. Things are truckin' right along. I love swimming with my water polo ladies. Their mommy stories are great and so is Coach Andrew's swimming support.

The fun stuff like baby showers are coming along soon. I have 3 weeks of work left! I can't wait to celebrate the boy in my belly. We are going to start painting the room and get some decorating in. I just found out that the boy will be spending most of his time in our room for the first couple months anyway, but at least he will have a room, if it's needed.

The picture this month features my nieces Gabby and Madeline who visited us this week. Along with my boy Charlie and bro Brian, father of the two girls.

Registry

If you would like see our registries, click on the store below and you'll be taken right to our online registry!

Also, feel free to make anything because that is such a special thing or please get us something that you think is really cool. I am not picky. Thank you in advance for wanting to help us out with the baby and celebrating with us:)

1 Cleaning person to clean our house for the first 2 months- anyone you have in mind?

Bellini Baby Furniture:
(No online registry. Call or visit store for purchase or to give toward a gift, old school style)
(925) 274-0829, 1651 Botelho Drive, #190, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
-4 Piece Chenille Bedding $160. 85
-Chenille crib sheets cheaper than Pottery Barn:)

Diaper service:
ABC Diapers 925-935-4502
-a month of diapers $74.00 a month, 80 diapers
-Starter Kit- Deluxe Value Pack $24.95 (Includes: one deodorized diaper pail, three Litewrap with velcro and snap closure, one tub of pop-up Tushie Wipes)

Pottery Barn
The softest linens

Target
Necessities like car seats, baby feeding, storage

Babies R Us
Mechanics like rockers, bouncers, monitors, stroller, first aid, diaper bag

7th Month

I am at 29 weeks which means that I am at 7 months! Woo Hoo!

This feels like pregnancy. I have a huge ball in front of me, inhibiting me from tying my shoes with ease, making me sit down whilst I teach, giving me weird sudden sharp pains in my butt muscles if I turn wrong, and the little alien inside it is doing gymnastics all the time! Elbow jab! Somersault! I think the punch, punch kick combo is his favourite. He is an active boy. We are looking forward to holding him in our arms here soon.

All is healthy with him and I. Yes, and Steve too. I am enjoying swimming so much more these days. It stretches out these tight stomach muscles. Showers are being planned, registries are made, decoration ideas of race cars for his room are underway. 3 more months and our lives will be a marathon. Oh man.

Pictures of this enormous belly will be posted this week. People are actually starting to notice that I am pregnant!

The RH Factor- I don't have it

Not the Fear Factor thank God.
The Rhesus is found in 85% of Caucasions. I found out in my first trimester that I am the 15 % of the population of people who don't have this + sign next to my blood type, making me Rh negative. It has gone missing. It was never there. So that makes me a difficult match in the fact that if Steve, my mate, has it (is a + positive) than we might have a + positive blooded baby.

If our baby is + positive (which we will not know until birth) and I am -negative, and our bloods come into contact, then my body can produce antibodies to defend itself against this being that is carrying the + positive blood. My blood would be Rh-sensitized. That would mean my body would kill the little one inside me. Hostile environment! Or my body would kill off any positive blooded baby in the future and Jack a boy would be an only child.

Good news: is that in your 28th week, you can get this shot in your glutious (Rh immune globulin or RhoGam is what the nurses call it) to make your body forget what blood type your baby is and all is right with the world. If your blood mixes in birth or pregnancy, you and the baby and future babies will be fine.

Important for Mothers: make sure you get this done in the 28th week if you are a negative blood type and plan for it now. I was reading an article in my 28th week and realized that I had to make an appointment ASAP. It was not planned for me so make your appointment now.

If this is the only complication I have in my pregnancy, I am thankful. I am so happy for civilized medicine so that I may be able to have 1 or more babies in my life.