Syler: 4 weeks old

Four weeks ago today, Miguel and I became a mommy and daddy. The day that Syler was born was the absolutely best day of my life. I can not believe that Syler is 4 weeks old already. These past 4 weeks have gone by so fast. I must say it has been an amazing, amazing 4 weeks. The first 2 weeks were very emotionally provoking and a bit of a roller coaster ride, but we managed to get through it. I can tell you that the first 2 weeks while Syler was in the NICU/CCN unit, I realized that I am a much stronger person than I thought I was, and that Miguel and I are a very strong/supportive team. Even though the kids in the NICU/CCN were much sicker than Syler, it was still very difficult to see him there and to learn that he has herb palsy, sleep apnea, and breathing problems. I give great credit, admire and look up to the parents who had a child in the NICU/CCN unit while we were there. Their strength, devotion, love that I saw from some parents was unbelievable (and I internally cried for those children who never had a visitor.)

Today, we can say that Syler weights over 7 lbs. We won't know for sure until we go to the doctors on 9/15, but he has been eating really well and you can tell in his pictures that he is chubbier. Syler is also a good sleeper. Granted there have been some nights he has been fussy and not wanting to sleep, but over all he sleeps well. He loves to cuddle, and I LOVE having him lay on my chest and sleep. I cherish every minute of that time we get to spend together. It strengthens our bond as mother and son and I love that. I also love it when Syler is wide awake and just wants to hang out. He makes such cute noises and he is so active; swinging his arms and kicking his legs. Miguel and I like to say he is dancing. It is too cute!

One thing that Syler is not too thrilled about it taking a bath. He seems to not like it very much, and tends to scream the whole time. I am hoping that his dislike for baths quickly fades. I'm hoping it fades when we are able to use the baby bath tub and he will be able to sit in warm water instead of laying on a blanket or towel during bath time. He is also not a very happy camper, most of the time, when he is getting his diaper changed or we are clothing him.

What I have learned:

What I am looking forward to:

I'd like to say THANK YOU to:

Nursery Pictures

Will be adding a rocking chair and wall decor.

34 weeks pregnant

I can't believe that I am 34 weeks pregnant. The time has flown by so fast. I only have 6 weeks (possibly) left. So, how am I feeling? That seems to be the question everyone is asking lately. Honestly, I am feeling great! I am more tired this trimester than I was in my 2nd trimester, but that is part of the 3rd trimester. I am having more difficulty sleeping and finding comfortable positions to sleep is becoming more challenging. This late in the pregnancy, one does not have many choices of sleeping positions. Its either sleeping on your left side or right, but really you shouldn't sleep on your right side. So, that leaves only your left side, which is the side doctors prefer you to sleep on anyways. I am finding that if I stay on one side for a long period of time, I get really bad pains in my hip, making if painful and more difficult to change positions. Also, while changing positions, I feel discomfort and pain in my stomach, especially my lower abdomen.

Moving in general is getting more difficult. I have a hard time moving around in bed and getting out of bed, along with getting off the couch. A friend told me the other day that I am starting to waddle. Which is true. I have noticed it myself. Doing different activities (cleaning, dishes etc) are still difficult, but I have noticed that I don't get as short of breath as I use to when I walk up the stairs. I also feel like my stomach leads me to where I need to go. I have also noticed a decrease in baby movement, which I was told was normal, and a decrease in appetite. I am still craving fruit, but I don't feel like eating all that much. Oh, and there as been an increase in stretch marks also, which I am not happy about.

As for doctors appointments, I am now going weekly. My weekly appointments, which were not suppose to start until I was 36 weeks, were prompted after my doctors appointment this past Monday. During my appointment, I expressed my concern regarding the decrease in baby's movement. My midwife was concerned with this also, so she had me come back after lunch and hooked my up to fetal monitors to track baby's movements and baby's heartbeat. After the doctor reviewed the tracking sheet, he said everything was normal and to not worry. Since then, baby has been very active. I guess Baby Barroso was just taking a long break. My midwife was also concerned about my blood pressure. So she took it a second time while I was laying on my left side and she was more please with it. She also mentioned that I should decrease my activity, which I will find difficult because I hardly do anything as it is. Any who, our next doctor's appointment is this coming Monday.

I must say that the closer I get to giving birth, besides getting more scared/nervous/anxious about giving birth, the more sad I feel about not being pregnant. I'm going to miss carrying a little baby in my belly, rubbing my belly as it grows, and feeling the kicks and punches from the little cutie.

Looked, I figured out how to add pictures!!! I'm so proud of myself :-)

Childbirth/Lamaze Class

Well, these past 2 weeks at lamaze class have been interesting. Last Tuesday we got to watch not 1 but 2 birthing videos. I guess our teacher thought it would be funny or something. The first video was not that bad. It pretty much showed the women using breathing techniques and different positions to help with the pain. Even a little pain management. Then showed the tail end of her giving birth. After watching that I was like, "Oh, that wasn't too bad. I can do this." But, the second video was ALOT more graphic! The second video showed, literally, step by step, the birthing process from early labor to the baby being delivered. It showed baby steps of the baby crowning to shoulders popping out, half the body then whole body. Oh, and you can't forget the video showed the placenta being delivered also. Our instructor warned us about the delivery of the placenta. She stated, "Here comes the gross part." After watching the 2nd video I was thinking, "What did I get myself into. I don't want to do this anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

After we watched the video's we discussed pain management and practices our breathing techniques, massage, and different positions I can put myself in to help with the pain. Like the first class, I again had a hard time taking the breathing seriously. I did better than our first class, but still laughed and joked.

This past Tuesday's class we had the pleasure of watching a video of a woman having a C-section. That was fabulous. Honestly, it was actually pretty interesting. I felt bad for the little baby being delivered because the doctor had a hard time getting him out and was really pulling and tugging on the little guy. After watching the video, we practiced 'pushing'. We went through the steps and pretended we were giving birth. Next we talked about "assisted delivery" which I did not like. We talked about vacuum extraction and forceps. I DON'T like either option! Our instructor showed us the actual vacuum and forceps used in assisted delivery, and the forceps are scary! I will opt to have a C-section before those other 2 options (if possible of course).

The best part of this past Tuesday's lamaze class was getting a tour of the labor and delivery units. We were shown what the delivery rooms looked like, saw pictured of the operating rooms, and the nursery. Seeing the nursery was obviously the best part of the whole tour!

We have one more class left!

32 weeks pregnant

I am 32 weeks pregnant today!! I can't believe it.. These past 8 months have gone by so so fast. Its unbelievable that in 8 weeks Miguel and I will be caring for a little baby. The closer I get to my due date the more reality checks I have. For example, lamaze class yesterday. I am starting to feel more anxious, nervous, scare, worried, terrified and so on....... But on the other hand, I am getting more excited, happy, and anxious. I can't wait to meet this little baby!!!

So, I am 32 weeks pregnant. I am still feeling pretty great. I am a little more tired now and I think that is because I am starting to have a little bit of a hard time sleeping. I am no longer wearing my wedding rings, and haven't for the past 3 weeks, and I have very little swelling in my feel/ankles/leg. It is also getting more difficult for me to do physical activities; like walking up the stairs. By the time I make it to the top of the stairs I need to take a few minutes to rest and catch my breath. Even talking and walking at the same time causes me to be short of breath. I was thinking to myself today that I needed another pedicure and to save money I would just do it myself. Yeah right, I can't even reach my toes anymore..

What else??? I can definitely tell now that the baby is resting on my bladder. I am constantly going to the bathroom. I also think the baby plays tricks on me. The reason being, it will feel like I have to go to the bathroom REALLY bad, but when I go hardly anything comes out (sorry if this is TMI for you). I have a huge craving for fruit, especially strawberries, blueberries and banana's. YUM!!!! I am feeling the baby kick/hit a lot more now, and I am also starting to see these movement roll across my belly. Super exciting!!!! There are also times that my whole belly moves. The baby must be dancing or shifting positions or something. Its pretty incredible. Also, I am hot all the time. I turn the AC on and I have it so cold that Miguel will put on sweat pants and a sweat shirt to keep warm. He will even sit downstairs on the couch with his sweat pants/shirt on and a fleece blanket over him.. Its kinda of funny. Sorry sweetie!

(a 32 week prego picture will be posted soon)

Childbirth/Lamaze Class

So, Miguel and I went to our first of 4 lamaze classes yesterday (Tuesday 7/7). Let me tell you, it was interesting, fun, slightly informative, nerve racking and scary... Interesting because our instructor is very peppy and drew us a diagram on how to get to the bathroom, which was literally 15 feet from where our classroom was. Fun because the group of people in our class (a total of 11 couples) seem to be really relaxed and laid back, which allowed us to be more comfortable and joke around a little bit. The class was slightly informative for me, but Miguel ended up learning some things, which is good.

The class was nerve racking and scary because we got to see diagrams and videos (not the birthing video. Thats next Tuesday. Super!) that made me think, "What did I get myself into" and "How is an 8 pound baby going to fit down there?!?!?!?!?" This class was just another reality check that in only 8 weeks (give or take) I am going to be responsible for a little baby (holy $@$%!!!) I am starting to have more freak out, OMG moments lately.....

On the other hand, I did have a good time practicing my breathing (hee hee hee hoo). Well more laughing than practicing. I would go to practice and all I could focus on was Miguel sitting next to me practicing also. Hearing him practicing his breathing then made me run scenarios through my head of the actual day. All I could picture is Miguel coaching me with my breathing, but at the same time making faces while doing it or coaching me in a funny manner that would make me laugh.. For those of you who know Miguel, you know what I mean... He is a jokester and to lighten the mood or to make himself feel better because there is nothing else he can do while his wife is in a lot of pain, he would make jokes during the whole process. Humor is the best medicine right?.

I also found a few items on the "What to pack for the hospital" list kinda of funny. One item listed is breath spray. Seriously, breath spray? I don't know about any of you, but how my breath smells during that day is going to be the last thing on my mind. Also on the list, tennis balls.. I told Miguel that I am going to pack tennis balls so I can throw them at him while I am having a contraction. That will definitely keep my mind off of the pain. 8-}

Bi-weekly Dr.'s Appt

Well, Miguel and I went to yet another doctors appointment this past Monday... It was a late appointment (4 p.m.) so I figured the wait would not be too long. Well, I was wrong.. We get there and waited about 20 minutes before we were called in. Once in, I did the usual pee in a cup and get weight in (I must say that I am doing pretty good with maintaining a health weight gain). Then the nurse escorted me, Miguel was already there, to the exam room where we waited another 15 minutes or so.. I don't get it. I was the ONLY patient in the office. Why was I seen 35 minutes late???? 

Anyways, the check in went well. My midwife measured my growing belly, which the measurement was normal for me being 31 weeks and 6 days pregnant. Then Miguel and I got to hear the best sound in the world....... The baby's heart beat.. I LOVE that sound and it brings a huge smile to my face every time I hear it. I wish my midwife would leave the doppler on my belly just a little bit longer... Well a lot longer :-)   We finished with the midwife and then scheduled another appointment, which will be July 20th.