Connor -- 8 weeks

Today my sweet boy is 8 weeks old. Monday will be 2 months. He is growing so fast!

Little Man is 7 weeks old!

Well, today my little man turned 7 weeks old. Seven weeks?!?!? Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was up here updating about a pre-natal appointment! He went through a little episode earlier in the week where he wouldn't eat -- at all. I was so concerned. So, first I tried a little pedialyte. He wouldn't even drink that. So, out of desperation, I tried a different bottle nipple. Guess what? He drank not only the 2 oz. of pedialyte I had in the bottle but 10 oz. of milk. Little booger has decided that he preferred this nipple instead of this nipple; when for the last 6 weeks, it had been reversed. He's a pudgy little thing, but still short. His 0-3 months clothes are a tad tight around the waist. He can wear 3-6 months shirts with no problems. But, 3-6 months pants are way too long! LOL

So, here he is:

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE U -- Yes, it really is!

Now, I am a LSU girl. I love them. If I had to choose colleges/universities right now to submit my transfer record to, LSU would be on top of the list (along with Tulane). They are my NCAA team through everything. And all was right in my world when they won the NCAA World Series last year. But......... I want my son to go to the University of Miami (FL). Why? Because they have one of the best NCAA football programs in the country. Sure, their record hasn't been showing it, but look at the football talent that has gone through there. Some of the current NFL players -- Frank Gore, Devin Hester, Darnell Jenkins, Ray Lewis, Willis McGahee, Santana Moss, Sinorice Moss, Clinton Portis, Ed Reed, Glenn Sharpe, Jeremy Shockey, Santonio Thomas, Jonathan Vilma, Reggie Wayne, Kellen Winslow II, among others. Past NFL talent includes, among many others - Bennie Blades, Ken Dorsey, Michael Irvin, Jim Kelly, Jim Otto, Warren Sapp, Vinny Testaverde, and Sean Taylor. Now, why wouldn't I want my son to go through their program? Yes, I am one of those moms who wants their son to be the next football star. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't. But, if it does, you won't find a more proud mama in the world!

Now, there is a Hurricane fan in my household -- my husband. He always has been, always will be. So, Miami clothing is normal around here.

So, I took these pics of Connor just for the hubby. Ok, and the fact that one day I hope he does play college ball there.

Connor is 6 weeks old!

Time sure is flying! It has been 6 weeks since my little man was born. He is growing so fast. He eats like a piggie. Really, he does! He ate 15 oz the other night in an hour. And he kept it all down! LOL He usually eats between 6-10 oz every 3-4 hours. I guess he thinks he's a growing boy.....


Here he is:


And look at those little chunky cheeks!!!




And, for those who may wonder....... I try to dress him in themes. Most of his clothes are football related or "bayou animal" (turtles, alligators, crab, etc) related. He is, after all, my bayou baby.

It All Begins Here.....

That's the corny saying for our hospital......

In the city where I live, the hospital has a billboard by the Sam's Club. After you have given birth, you are given a form to fill out giving them permission to put your child's info on the board. You have 30 days to get the form in if you want the info on it. It is then displayed within 3 days and stays on the board for 10 days. I waited so long because my van had been in the shop and I wanted to ensure I was able to see the board and take pictures. So, here is the hospital bulletin board announcing Connor:

Connor -- 5 Weeks Old

Connor Jamison5 weeks old

Connor turned 5 weeks today. Time is flying by so quickly. But, I didn't expect anything less considering this is my last baby and I want to enjoy the baby years as much as possible. He now eats anywhere from 4-10 oz at a time and anywhere from every 2-4 hours. His size 1 diapers (that he has been wearing since birth) are now too tight around the waist. His 0-3 months clothes are starting to get too small, except for pants. They are too long! So, he's short and chunky! LOL

And here's what I was talking about with his toes. He has the big gap between his big toe and 2nd toe just like me. Poor thing. I was teased relentlessly about it.

More pictures here.

Connor -- 1 week until 1 month

Here are some pictures I have taken of Connor over the last few weeks.

1 Week Old

8 Days Old

2 Weeks Old

17 Days Old

3 Weeks Old

23 Days Old

Isn't this the truth???

25 Days Old

1 Month Old

All Blogs About Connor's Grand Entrance

Here are all the posts about Connor's birth and hospital stay (I wrote them on paper in the hospital and have just now gotten to typing them):



2/25/10 -- 38 week appointment

2/26/10 -- Delivery Day

2/27/10 -- Day 1

2/28/10 -- Day 2

3/1/10 -- Day 3

3/2/10 -- Day 4

3/3/10 -- Coming Home Day

Connor -- Day 5 -- Coming Home!!!!

SUCCESS!!!!!
Connor Jamison5 days old

Well, we did it! No more episodes, bilirubin was good. It was still elevated, but good enough to leave. So, we'll be going home this afternoon! Yay!!!

For the pictures I took before we left the hospital, click here.

For the pictures the hospital took, click here. These are copyright of Our 365.

Connor -- Day 4

Connor Jamison4 days old

I woke up today with the worst feeling ever. I was going to be discharged and my baby was not. I was in tears all morning. I could barely find it in me to even get up and go to the NICU. I was told at 11:45 am that I was not allowed in the NICU at the time because the doctor was making his rounds. For some reason, this quack cannot do anything in front of a parent. Really irked me. Later on, when I went back, the neonatology nurse practitioner came to talk to us. She told me that as long as Connor didn't have another episode with his heart rate and oxygen levels and as long as his bilirubin level was good, he could come home tomorrow. Great! And now, even better - it's policy that baby room with mommy the night before discharge. Yea! I was told I would be able to stay again tonight and have Connor with me! I was informed that his nurse would bring him to me around 7-8 pm and let me know what was going on.

At 8 pm, his nurse brought him down with a list of instructions (ok, I knew all of this already but I humored her simply because I was excited to have my baby with me!). I was supposed to feed him 2.5 oz every 3 hours and document. I had to change his diaper before every feeding and document what was in it. I had to change his pulse ox reader from one foot to the next at every feeding. He was still hooked up to the monitors overnight, but I didn't care. He was with me!

Pictures: Click here

Connor -- Day 3

Connor Jamison3 days oldMy Glo-Baby

My doctor came in to check on me this morning. He says that my incision is healing nicely and all else with me is going well. He also said that the NICU doctor told him last night that Connor would probably go home tonight or tomorrow. That cheered me up.

But........

Then, I called the NICU this morning and was told that Connor had one setback at 7 am of his heart rate and oxygen levels dropping. And his bilirubin level was high. I was told it would be at least 48 hours before they would consider letting him come home. Tomorrow is my last day here. I have to be discharged tomorrow night. So, I was back to square 1 and upset about leaving my baby boy behind. I went to the NICU to see him and he was in the incubator under the phototherapy lights. I couldn't hold him except to feed him then he had to go right back in. It was so heartbreaking to me.........

I really hate the doctors in the NICU. They have NO interaction with the parents whatsoever. The nurses are really helpful and will tell you whatever was done that day or charted. But, what if I have a question that they can't answer? What then? Grrrrrr..................

Connor -- Day 2

Connor Jamison2 days old

Day 2 and back to the NICU I go. I could have been released today, but I chose not to. I can technically stay until Tuesday and I will if that's how long they keep Connor. I got to hold him today. He is off the oxygen and GI tube and in a regular nursery crib, just still in the NICU. I was so happy to hold him, finally. And I got to feed him his bottles. I was so overjoyed. Now, to just get him out of the NICU and home.....

I found out from my doctor that my uterus was about to rupture on Friday. Good thing he bumped me up to Friday over Tuesday. I don't even want to think about what may have happened to me if I had to wait those 4 extra days! I guess that's what "Now" meant. Nice to know. Thank goodness I am done with babies.

On another note, I am pretty sure that I will be banned from this place after my discharge. Me and one nurse had a little issue. Ok, not so little considering I locked myself in the bathroom and refused to come out! It happened really early yesterday morning. They took my catheter out Friday night. I was told I had to pee twice in 12 hours, they had to check and make sure I did or I would have to be re-catheterized. Ummmm.... whatever. I went once Saturday morning around 545 am. It was just a little; remember now on Thursday I was told I had a UTI coming. She came in around 6 and told me that I had to pee again before 7 am or she was going to put the catheter back in. So, at 7 I went to the bathroom and guess what -- I couldn't pee. Now, this is really no one's business, but ever since I was about 5 or so, I would go to the bathroom to pee twice or occasionally 3 times a day. That's it (well unless I was preggers). I don't know why and it always infuriated my parents. It actually irritates Chris as well, but hey, its the way I have ALWAYS been. So, the nurse knocked on the door and told me to come on out and she would do my catheter. Whatever -- I don't think so! I just stayed in the bathroom with the door locked. She kept knocking and telling me to come on; I kept not answering. Finally, she said "I'll just tell the doctor you refused the catheter." I said "You do that. I pee twice a day. You missed it this morning." She left. I peed a couple of hours later. She came in when her shift started tonight and said "I guess you proved me wrong." Well, yeah I guess I did. Never saw her the rest of the night. She was my nurse for the night, but she sent another one in with my meds. Teehee.... don't mess with the hormonal post-partum mommy!

Well, here's to hoping that little man is able to come out of NICU soon!! I miss not having my baby with me in the hospital room. I hate the feeling of knowing that he's not in me anymore and he's not with me either.......

Click here to see the one other picture from today.

Connor -- Day 1

Connor Jamison1 day old

Connor is 1 day old today. I still have not held him. I went to the NICU today to sit with him. They are now feeding him formula through a GI tube. Hmmmm..... whatever happened to mommy milk? No one has bothered to discuss this with me. Later in the evening they decided to bring me a breast pump. Thanks....... should've been doing this since yesterday right? Chris came to visit and see Connor. It's really no fun to just sit there and stare at him. I want to hold my son!

For more pictures, just different angles click here.

Delivery Day!!!!!!!

I got to the hospital at 5 am and went into my "delivery waiting room". They put the monitors on me, started my IV and did my catheter (have I ever mentioned how bad that procedure hurts?!?!?). I laid there waiting..... I got nauseous once and I still have no idea why. At 7 am the nurse came in to tell me that I was the next one to go (I was #3 out of 4) and explain the procedure to us (ok.......). They came in to get me around 730 am to take me to the OR to get my spinal and then would let Chris in and do the c-section. It took them almost 30 minutes to do my spinal! Now, me + big needle + my spine = tense. So, to keep me from tensing up the nurses were attempting a conversation with me. Of course, they start with the most frequent question - "Is this your first?" I said no and another nurse made the comment that this was my 7th. The first nurse responded with "Wow! You must be Catholic!" WTF? I simply replied "Why, yes I am!" (I was baptized Catholic and attended a Catholic church for the first 15 years of my life). So, 30 minutes, 2 anesthesiologists and 1 stupid comment later, I am finally laying on the table ready to go. But, wait.... I could still feel my feet. I racked my brain trying to remember if I could feel my feet with my last c-section. I couldn't remember. I saw the doctor walk towards me and say he was getting to start. No!!! I can still feel my feet! The anesthesiologist asked if I could feel where the doctor just cut. No... Wait, you can't cut yet! Where's Chris..... The nurse assures me that he is on his way in. The doctor says Now. I'm thinking to myself, "Oh God, what? What does now mean? Where's Chris? Hey, I can't feel my feet anymore. But, where's my husband?" Then I hear, "That's a big baby!" I hear him cry and then Chris appears. Chris tells me that the baby has my feet (I have really strange looking feet... Poor kid). I was also getting a tubal, so there was quite a bit of time I just laid there while they took care of that part. I remember the nurse bringing Connor over and asking us what name had we chosen. Chris told her Connor and she said "Say hello to Connor." That was one of the happiest moments of my life (and obviously I have had several!). He looked so sweet and adorable. I immediately noticed the cleft in the chin, just like Chris. Chris held him while I rubbed his little cheek. Then the nurse came to take him and Chris said it was because he was breathing heavy. They finished up my tubal and "put me back together". I don't remember much; I was going in and out.

They took me back to my "waiting room". Around 10 am the neonatologist came in and said that they were concerned about Connor's breathing and were putting him in the NICU. He assured me that it was just for observation and that he required no oxygen or such. Then it came time for Chris to leave and get back to the girls. I was left all alone. They finally moved me to my post-partum room. I asked about Connor and when I could see him. The nurse told me that if I could get up and stand up without feeling faint or light-headed, that she could wheel me down to the NICU right then. So, I did it. I got out of that bed, by myself and stood up alone. It hurt like hell, but I did it! I went to see my son.

When I got to the NICU, I did not see what I was told. My son was laying there in the bed with a nasal cannula and a GI tube. The nurse told me that the tube was to remove fluid from his stomach. He was also connected to an IV. I was told that he was also on antibiotics because they believed he got an infection from me (they rattled off a bunch of possible ones. The doctor did tell me on Thursday that I had another UTI starting and that was one they said it could be from). I sat in my wheel chair (still had my catheter) and touched his arm. This was one of the worst moments of my life. I went back to my room, feeling 110% miserable. My baby wouldn't be in there with me.

Connor Jamison S.2/26/2010 @ 817 am8 lbs, 10 oz. 19.25" long

38 Weeks.....

I went in for an appointment today. It was supposed to be just for a NST. (Let me insert here that I had been given a c-section date of March 2). I did the NST and it showed the contractions I was having. However, I was feeling them in my back rather than in my abdomen. The doctor came in to see me and decided that due to the contractions and my suddenly high blood pressure (although that may have been from my frustration with the cab company I was using!), we would do the c-section tomorrow morning rather than wait until Tuesday. I had another ultrasound as well to do fluid check and growth scan. They estimated his weight to be between 7#, 8 oz and 7#, 11 oz. I was instructed to go to the hospital for blood work that afternoon and then to be back at the Women's Center at 5 am for the c-section.

35 Week Appointment, Part 2

As I said on Tuesday, they wanted to see me again today for a growth scan, NST and general appointment. I got there a little early and had to, of course, sit around and wait. They finally decided to take me back and start doing something, anything to move time along. So, first they did my weight. It was the same as Tuesday, no change. I still have a slight UTI, but it's looking better. Then they hooked me up to the NST monitor and I got so nauseous. I have no idea why, but I couldn't find a way to lay without wanting to hurl. Plus, I was having trouble catching my breath. They made me lay there for 30 minutes like that. A couple times I had the uterine activity number up to 100 just shifting and trying to sit up. I have no clue how they got an accurate reading. Then they sent me back to the ultrasound room. I did get a few pictures, but can't scan them until I get my computer back (the one the scanner is loaded on). I know I got one of his nose and that's only because she labelled it. There is one of his arm and his hand balled into a fist. And one of his foot. As for the others, your guess is as good as mine! They approximate his weight to be 6 lbs, 6 oz. He is measuring around 38-39 weeks in size. Then I went back into the exam room. The doctor came in and started talking to me. he said that I seem to have more fluid than normal, but that it wasn't a problem. He said the baby was now head down and hopefully would stay that way. Why? I'm having a repeat c-section and it should already be scheduled by now. Then he said by mid-March I should have a baby. No, I should be having it sooner since my due date is actually March 10th! I really didn't feel good from nauseousness, so I didn't argue. However, I will be bringing these things up at my next appointment. It's like he never read my chart.

I go back on Tuesday for another appointment (exam) and NST.

As soon as I get my laptop back and scan the ultrasounds, I'll be posting them.

35 Week Appointment

Well, it was actually 34 weeks, 6 days. But, who's counting? I got there about half an hour early and they took me back 15 minutes earlier than my appointment time. Surprising.... My weight was 208 which was 2 lbs less than last week. Now, me and Chris have been having this debate because honestly I have never been over 200 lbs in my life; not even when I was pregnant with twins. He told me I would eventually get to that point. However, I reminded him that *my* weight was still technically under 200 lbs once you add in Connor's weight and the weight of the placenta, fluid and other pregnancy things. So, ha. They never tell me numbers when they do things, but anyways -- I had protein in my urine, elevated blood pressure and swollen ankles. So, of course, they are thinking pre-eclampsia. I had my NST as well. It showed Connor's HB to be around 140 bpm. It also showed several contractions within a 10 minute period. Not strong contractions, but enough to have them worried. I told her (the midwife) that I don't feel pain with them, my back doesn't hurt (normally doesn't until my water breaks) and there has been no bleeding, loss of fluid or plug discharge. So, she decided that I needed a cervical exam. Oh, fun..... so she did that and I am 2 cm dilated but 0% effaced (thankfully). I also have a UTI and she prescribed antibiotics for that.

I go back on Thursday (2 days) for an ultrasound, another NST and to check my BP again.

34 Week Pregnancy Update

It's been awhile since I last updated on my pregnancy. Well, today I am 34 weeks along with Connor. I also had my 34 week appointment. I had a NST (non-stress test) and that went well. I also had a growth scan. Connor is breech, but makes no difference since I am having a C-section. He is measuring about a week or 2 ahead. They approximate his weight to be almost 6 pounds. All other stats on us were good.



I go back next week for my 35 week appointment and a NST.

Here are the two pics I got from the scan:

The arrow is pointing at his hair:


His ear:



The more she tried to look at him, the more he tried to hide.

Updates, updates, updates.....

Well, it is 20 days into 2010 and I have only written one blog for 2010. I always tell myself around December 30th that I will blog at least 5 times a week. It never happens; I don't know why I keep lying to myself about it. So, since I've already ruined the 5 times a week thing, I am resolution free!



Updates on us:



Chris -- Not much to report on. He's still working.... and hating it.



Me -- Spring semester has started for college. I am only taking 4 classes this semester: Intermediate Accounting, Auditing, Cost Accounting, and Principles of Macroeconomics. Hopefully I'll do decent this semester, and keep current in my classes instead of falling behind.



Crystina -- Well, in as little words as possible, she is no longer a little girl. And we'll leave that at that. However, no - Daddy and I are not dealing with that all that well. Its a hard fact to face. Also, on the Tina front, she has become such the typical teen lately. However, this attitude just isn't going to cut it here anymore. She blatantly lies to us. I mean we can literally sit here and watch her do something, see it with our own eyes, then ask her about it and we get the "It wasn't me. No I didn't!" Any advice on how to curb this attitude, please let me know. I just don't want *my* kid to be the lying, stealing kid!



Carolyn -- Has become highly whiny. I mean every time she says something its with a whine. She is still such a tattle tale. Every little thing is something I must know about whether I want to or not. I mean do I really need to know that one of the kids is wearing mis-matched colors? Not really, but apparently Carly thinks I do.



Caitlyn -- She is still my tomboy. She is also the more aggressive of the 4 youngest. She still loves wrestling and is determined to one day marry John Cena. Not sure how to break it to her that it will most likely never happen, but for right now she can dream. It's either him or Mickey Mouse and I really don't want my daughter to marry a mouse! LOL



Charlotte -- Still convinced she is a princess and says that one day her prince will come for her. I hope her fairy tale happens for her. She is prissy and loves to dress up.



Cheyenne -- Is the most talkative child I have ever encountered! She talks from wake up to bedtime and even in her sleep! She still sleeps with us. I don't think she understands how it's going to be once Connor is born. She prefers to be right between me and Chris. She's still a little chunky thing!



Courtney -- Is still my runt! She is barely wearing 18 months; they are still too big on the waist but she needs the length. She loves all things monkey. She's obsessed, I would say. I even call her my little monkey because of her long legs and arms.

Pregnancy -- I am 33 weeks along now. I am eager to meet my baby boy. I am eager to have my body back. I don't share that well, body space included. Chris and I have been arguing over the details. You know, which college should Connor play football at, what position, what we would do if he got drafted to an NFL team we hated (cough... cough.... Cowboys). You know, all the things parents of boys worry about during pregnancy! LOL Just 7 or less weeks and he'll be here! I so cannot wait!

Pregnancy: 28 Weeks!

I am almost there! Just 12 more weeks until my due date! I'm starting to believe it will be sooner as I am having minor contractions already. I have started this early with my last two pregnancies.

I have 3 weeks to come up with the money for Connor's circumcision (considered cosmetic therefore an out of pocket expense). Final decision = no circumcision. I am too much of a "Crunchy mama" these days!

Otherwise, I am doing good. I had to cancel my 28 week appointment. I'm going to wait until after the holidays to reschedule.