A 2 month post about my little man but first an update since my last post. After the lactation appointment I made an appointment with the pediatrician a week later to check Ethan's weight. The kid gained double what they expect as a minimum. Supplementing with a bottle of breast milk is working. He's gaining weight. I'm also continuing to take the herbal supplement and it's working, I'm making more milk. We've managed to supplement Ethan with breast milk, thus avoiding formula and he's gaining weight. All the chaos and extra work is working, so I keep on keeping on with it. We shall see what happens when he starts daycare and I go back to work, but for now it's working and I've even managed to start making enough milk that I can freeze a little here and there for the future. I'm feeling better about the whole situation. Tons better.
On to the 2 month post. Ethan...you are now 2 months old. You are getting be more fun and grown up looking every day. You love to smile and show off your dimple (yes, you only have one right now but we are holding out that a 2nd might appear!). You love talking and having people talk to you. You are very social which I appreciate because you are so easy to take out with me. You usually sleep while we are out or sit contently in your carseat and stroller. You are a great baby. Last week you took to waking up about every 2 hours, this killed me. Daddy and I have been so spoiled by your great sleeping habits that last week was completely unknown to us. I became a walking zombie with very little sleep. Luckily you've switched that around already. You are still sleeping in your bassinet in our room, but willing be transitioning to your crib in your room this week. Also you are starting to have more of a routine and even getting a little better at falling to sleep quicker and more on your own. As I type this you are sleeping in your bassinet taking a nap. We are also going to start working more on you falling asleep by yourself without needing Mommy or Daddy rocking, bouncing and walking with you.
We spent your 2 month birthday up at Grandma and Grandpa's cabin. It was your first trip to either cabin. We were heading up for our annual Christmas tree cutting party with the Gould's and the Cannon's. Daddy and I were so excited to share this experience with you because we both love Christmas and all of our traditions that go along with it. Mother Nature had a different plan for us though. We went to the cabin on Friday and knew that there was a big blizzard predicted. We decided to go to the cabin anyway. Friday night while I was up feeding you, we looked out on the lake and watched the snow fall. It continued to fall all Saturday as well. Being at the cabin was great, we had no where to go, we could stay cuddled up watching the snow fall and hang out with family. We were supposed to cut our trees this day, but the tree farm closed due to all the snow. Our neighbor Mark called to let Daddy know that we had 18 inches of snow and it was still falling. Oakdale was the city with the 2nd highest snowfall, we ended up getting 20 inches of snow.
On your 2 month birthday Minnesota had it's 5th largest snowfall of all time. Despite the weather trying to wreck our Christmas tree weekend we continued with our plans. Saturday we went to the Gould's cabin and had dinner, played games and you got to meet Dylan Cannon who is just 4 months older than you. We had a great time. Sunday it was bitterly cold but Daddy was set on continuing with the tradition of cutting down our Christmas Tree at Wagon Landing Tree Farm. We all set out in search of trees, I stayed in the car with you while Daddy and Kona went searching for the perfect Christmas tree for 2010. It was a big deal because it's your first Christmas tree. Once Daddy found the perfect tree, I bundled you up in your snowsuit and zipped you up in my coat. We headed out to check out the tree and get a family photo in front of it. While Daddy was coming to get us, Grandpa tried to steal our tree, but gave it up once he knew we had already claimed it! It was a great tree and Daddy did a great job finding it! You love the Christmas tree...you watched Daddy put the lights on it and then watched as we trimmed the tree with ornaments. You love to sit in the dark and look at the lights.
You are getting so grown up, your smiles light up a room and make mommy's heart melt. You are also into playing with toys and starting to figure out that you can use your hands and arms to reach things. While Daddy was out of town for work this week we spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa's and you figured out how to play with the toy bar Grandma bought you. It is so fun to watch you grow older and start to figure out the world around you. Mommy is starting to get sad because I only have 2.5 weeks of maternity leave left and I'm dreading going back to work. The more you start to interact and figure things out, the less and less I want to go back to work. I don't want to miss out on any of these milestones you are starting to reach. I had a phone interview yesterday for a job that is very close to home and only half time. I should find out in a few days if I got an interview next week and I'm praying constantly that I get one. I would love to have the opportunity to spend so much more time at home with you!
Little man, these past 2 months have been the best. We are so lucky to have you! We love you! You are waking up from your nap so I will have to post pictures later.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Mothers Instinct
We just got back from the lactation consultant. This is an appointment I've felt like I should have made awhile ago, but at the same time kept putting off because I didn't know it was necessary. I think deep down I knew it was necessary, but was trying to take cues from Ethan and listen to what other people who love us had to say. In the beginning I was exclusively pumping and feeding Ethan what I pumped, he was thriving on this and was pretty happy, but I started getting concerned he was going to start eating more than I was able to pump. I was also feeling guilty that I wasn't breastfeeding him and we weren't getting that bonding time. So I started doing a little of both, gradually I started breastfeeding more than I was feeding him out of the bottle. I thought things were going pretty well, he adjusted nicely and was eating well from the breast. I was also trying to continue pumping to increase my supply and build up a freezer supply for daycare.
A few weeks ago I went to my friends Aleks' house...her son Kade is just a week older than Ethan. Kade was way littler than Ethan when he was born, but the day I was there he looked huge compared to Ethan. It was at this moment I thought maybe something was wrong or not going well, but I kind of blew it off. A week later, I once again was at Aleks' house and saw Kade again, he was even bigger however Ethan still looked the same. I also got to see Aleks feed Kade, he ate like a champ and seemed to be guzzling the milk down...something Ethan rarely does. I also took the opportunity to use Aleks baby scale to weigh Ethan, he was 10 pounds, only about a pound heavier than he was the day he was born. Last week this nagging feeling inside continued. I called the lactation people to talk about Ethan's eating habits. I also called the pediatrician for a weight check. He was still 10 pounds and had grown an inch. The pediatrician and I talked about what I was doing feeding wise and she seemed okay with everything, so told me she'd see me at his 2 month appointment. I was still unsettled. Something still didn't seem quite right. Ethan seems content after feedings and when he obviously is still very hungry Kevin or I feed him breast milk from a bottle. Today I finally called the lactation people again and set up an appointment because I continued having a nagging feeling every time I fed him. I just had a feeling that it wasn't going as well as it should. Today I was confirmed. Ethan once again only weighed 10 pounds. The lactation lady confirmed that he likes breast feeding and also that he is able to latch on well, the problem is my body isn't making enough milk. When he feeds from me he only gets about 3 ounces. OUCH.
A little disheartening to know that the hours I've put into breastfeeding and pumping for the past 6 weeks still aren't enough. Luckily for both of us I listened to my gut and took action. The lactation consultant and I came up with a plan. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with the plan but if it enables me to start making enough milk to continue breast feeding the little man, I'll do whatever I need to. If it doesn't help it looks like he might be headed for formula. Not the worse thing in the world but definitely not what I wanted and makes me feel guilty and like I'm not doing a good enough job. So the plan is to keep breastfeeding, continue pumping after breastfeeding, supplement with breast milk that I've pumped after feeding him and take some herbal supplements that are supposed to help boost my supply. This is my last resort...I'm going to try it for 2 weeks or so, if we see a difference great, if not I'll concede and recognize my body just wasn't meant to breastfeed our little guy. Really I just want to see him healthy, gaining weight and thriving.
Today though I'm overwhelmed with feelings...guilt for not doing something sooner when I had the feeling it wasn't enough, sad that I really want to breastfeed and just might not be able to, and worried that I've somehow made him worse for the wear in the past few weeks. In reality...I know he's fine. He's been getting enough to sustain and be happy. The kid loves to talk and smile. He's happy. This is what has kept me from calling in the first place. As the lactation consultant put it today, "The good thing is you have a happy baby, the hard thing is he doesn't really let you know when he's not getting enough." Ummm...true that lady. He's had me fooled, the cute smiles, the coos, the being content, you'd never know he hasn't been getting enough. And maybe he has. Maybe he won't want tons more after breastfeeding him. It's a guessing game for everyone, which is what I keep telling myself to keep my guilt at bay. So let the new plan begin and the craziness it will bring. Let's also just hope it brings a somewhat chunkier baby and more milk from mom. I guess I know what I'll be praying for the next few days. And hopefully I'll have something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving...more milk!
A few weeks ago I went to my friends Aleks' house...her son Kade is just a week older than Ethan. Kade was way littler than Ethan when he was born, but the day I was there he looked huge compared to Ethan. It was at this moment I thought maybe something was wrong or not going well, but I kind of blew it off. A week later, I once again was at Aleks' house and saw Kade again, he was even bigger however Ethan still looked the same. I also got to see Aleks feed Kade, he ate like a champ and seemed to be guzzling the milk down...something Ethan rarely does. I also took the opportunity to use Aleks baby scale to weigh Ethan, he was 10 pounds, only about a pound heavier than he was the day he was born. Last week this nagging feeling inside continued. I called the lactation people to talk about Ethan's eating habits. I also called the pediatrician for a weight check. He was still 10 pounds and had grown an inch. The pediatrician and I talked about what I was doing feeding wise and she seemed okay with everything, so told me she'd see me at his 2 month appointment. I was still unsettled. Something still didn't seem quite right. Ethan seems content after feedings and when he obviously is still very hungry Kevin or I feed him breast milk from a bottle. Today I finally called the lactation people again and set up an appointment because I continued having a nagging feeling every time I fed him. I just had a feeling that it wasn't going as well as it should. Today I was confirmed. Ethan once again only weighed 10 pounds. The lactation lady confirmed that he likes breast feeding and also that he is able to latch on well, the problem is my body isn't making enough milk. When he feeds from me he only gets about 3 ounces. OUCH.
A little disheartening to know that the hours I've put into breastfeeding and pumping for the past 6 weeks still aren't enough. Luckily for both of us I listened to my gut and took action. The lactation consultant and I came up with a plan. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with the plan but if it enables me to start making enough milk to continue breast feeding the little man, I'll do whatever I need to. If it doesn't help it looks like he might be headed for formula. Not the worse thing in the world but definitely not what I wanted and makes me feel guilty and like I'm not doing a good enough job. So the plan is to keep breastfeeding, continue pumping after breastfeeding, supplement with breast milk that I've pumped after feeding him and take some herbal supplements that are supposed to help boost my supply. This is my last resort...I'm going to try it for 2 weeks or so, if we see a difference great, if not I'll concede and recognize my body just wasn't meant to breastfeed our little guy. Really I just want to see him healthy, gaining weight and thriving.
Today though I'm overwhelmed with feelings...guilt for not doing something sooner when I had the feeling it wasn't enough, sad that I really want to breastfeed and just might not be able to, and worried that I've somehow made him worse for the wear in the past few weeks. In reality...I know he's fine. He's been getting enough to sustain and be happy. The kid loves to talk and smile. He's happy. This is what has kept me from calling in the first place. As the lactation consultant put it today, "The good thing is you have a happy baby, the hard thing is he doesn't really let you know when he's not getting enough." Ummm...true that lady. He's had me fooled, the cute smiles, the coos, the being content, you'd never know he hasn't been getting enough. And maybe he has. Maybe he won't want tons more after breastfeeding him. It's a guessing game for everyone, which is what I keep telling myself to keep my guilt at bay. So let the new plan begin and the craziness it will bring. Let's also just hope it brings a somewhat chunkier baby and more milk from mom. I guess I know what I'll be praying for the next few days. And hopefully I'll have something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving...more milk!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
A month old
Ethan you are now a month old (and a few days!) It's taken me awhile to get this post written, but I wanted to document the first month of life so I don't forget it! You are still sticking to the schedule of going to bed around 11pm and sleeping anywhere from 3-5 hours. Now that we are primarily breast feeding and not giving you many bottles you are sleeping closer to 3 hours in your first stretch of sleep and then waking up every two hours after that. You still love to fight sleep but are getting a little better about giving in when you are tired. You still love riding in the car and it immediately settles you down unless you are hungry and then you let Mommy know that it isn't okay to be riding in the car when you'd rather be eating. Over the past month I've learned that your nursery is your happy place. You love to lay in your crib and "talk" or lay on your changing table and talk. You usually settle down immediately when we go into your room. It makes me happy to know that you like your nursery so much! You are also quite the snuggler...you love to be sleeping in someone's arms or be close to someone. When you wake up in the morning you often are still tired, but will cry until we let you come into bed with us and then will quickly fall back to sleep. You are still sleeping in the bassinet in our room and still sleeping propped up on your boppy pillow but I think the boppy is short lived. You are such a squirmer that now when you sleep on your boppy you usually wind up squirming into the hole and getting upset. It's amazing how much a month can change you and us as your parents. We are more in love with you than ever! Since I've been talking about posting pictures forever I figured now is as good as time as ever to do a month in review of pictures! Enjoy!
And there you have it...a month in review! Can't wait for the next months and to see what changes they bring! We love you little man!
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| First picture, showing off your muscles. |
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| Mommy getting to meet you for the first time! |
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| Daddy holding his son! |
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| First family photo. |
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| Hanging out the evening of your birthday. |
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| Getting ready to go home. |
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| All buckled in to head home. |
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| Family photo before leaving the hospital |
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| Meeting Kona for the first time |
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| Hanging out in your crib |
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| Family walk the 2nd day home. |
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| First bath. |
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| Drying off with Daddy after your first bath, in your Tigger towel |
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| Mom's attempt to get a good picture for Dad, instead caught the cross-eyes. |
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| First Halloween in Auntie Katie's costume from 23 years ago. |
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| Kung Fu Ethan |
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| 1 month birthday, getting so old! |
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| Another shot of the 1 month old! |
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| Getting bored with Mom taking pictures. |
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| Getting so big! |
Monday, November 8, 2010
4 weeks old
Today Ethan is 4 weeks old...in some ways it has been the longest 4 weeks of my life and in others it is the fastest 4 weeks ever. We are getting settled into life with a baby and I have to say that Kevin and I make a pretty good team. Kevin's a great dad and always willing to help out in any way he can. The past two weeks haven't brought much change, but things are constantly getting easier. Ethan still usually sleeps for one 3-5 hour stretch and then wakes up for a bit and goes back to bed for another 2-3 hours. The most recent development is to wake up around 6 and then go back to bed at 9am for a couple hour nap. As I sit here typing this he is on his second nap of the day and it's only 12:15!
The biggest change of the past two weeks is probably breast feeding. I think we are both finally starting to figure things out. Ethan is doing better latching on and staying awake to feed and I'm feeling more comfortable with it as well. It's nice to feel like things are starting to go how I thought they would. Don't get me wrong...it is still the most difficult and frustrating thing I've ever done! I worry he's not getting enough food, that I'm not producing enough and worry about how I'm going to fit in breast feeding and pumping when I go back to work. Kevin once again has been amazing. He's constantly reminding me to take it day by day and when I'm totally frustrated and overwhelmed he's there to give me a hug, reassure me and give me a break from Ethan if I need it. Overall though I'm still feeling pretty good about how things are going. I just have to remind myself that I went into this without expectations and need to remember that. It's hard when I start feeling guilty for not doing the right thing or worrying about not making enough, but I continue to try and take it day by day. Being a mom is hard, but definitely the most rewarding job.
Kevin and I also got a date night this weekend. We went to see a movie and then grab a drink and some appetizers. It was nice to get some time alone, but definitely weird. It's almost like we didn't know what to talk to each other about. The movie was great and it was nice to get out sans baby for awhile. Next time I have to remember to bring my ID so I can have a drink with my hubby while on date night. I guess that's what happens when the diaper bag also doubles as my purse these days. Ethan is starting to wake up so I guess it's my cue that I'm done posting. I'll try to get pictures up soon and write more about the things little man has learned in his first month of life!
The biggest change of the past two weeks is probably breast feeding. I think we are both finally starting to figure things out. Ethan is doing better latching on and staying awake to feed and I'm feeling more comfortable with it as well. It's nice to feel like things are starting to go how I thought they would. Don't get me wrong...it is still the most difficult and frustrating thing I've ever done! I worry he's not getting enough food, that I'm not producing enough and worry about how I'm going to fit in breast feeding and pumping when I go back to work. Kevin once again has been amazing. He's constantly reminding me to take it day by day and when I'm totally frustrated and overwhelmed he's there to give me a hug, reassure me and give me a break from Ethan if I need it. Overall though I'm still feeling pretty good about how things are going. I just have to remind myself that I went into this without expectations and need to remember that. It's hard when I start feeling guilty for not doing the right thing or worrying about not making enough, but I continue to try and take it day by day. Being a mom is hard, but definitely the most rewarding job.
Kevin and I also got a date night this weekend. We went to see a movie and then grab a drink and some appetizers. It was nice to get some time alone, but definitely weird. It's almost like we didn't know what to talk to each other about. The movie was great and it was nice to get out sans baby for awhile. Next time I have to remember to bring my ID so I can have a drink with my hubby while on date night. I guess that's what happens when the diaper bag also doubles as my purse these days. Ethan is starting to wake up so I guess it's my cue that I'm done posting. I'll try to get pictures up soon and write more about the things little man has learned in his first month of life!
Monday, October 25, 2010
2 Weeks
It's amazing how fast time goes and how much can change in just a few weeks. Ethan today you are 2 weeks old, in some ways it feels like you've been part of our family forever and in others it seems like just yesterday we were welcoming you into the world. Either way, our lives are completely different in just those short 2 weeks. We are starting to establish some sort of a routine and as a mom I'm starting to feel like things are a little easier. I've long let go of the house being clean, although I'm still trying to make sure it's at least picked up, and I spend my days making sure you're taken care of instead. I'm starting to be able to have an idea for what's for dinner when Dad walks in the door, although making it is still presenting a challenge! I'm working hard at reinserting some of the normalcy to our lives, dinner on the table, showers taken, the house picked up, and everyone taken care of...it doesn't always happen, but I'm trying. You and I though have definitely got some sort of a rhythm down for the day. You are an awesome baby and I really can't complain! You usually go to bed around 11 or 11:30pm, this is a little late for mom's liking, but I'm slowly adjusting. Once you're asleep (and you usually fight going to sleep a little) you sleep for 4-5 hours! I'm a lucky lady to get a solid stretch of sleep in. Then you wake up and either breastfeed or take a bottle of breast milk and are up for about an hour and then go back to bed for 2 hours. This morning you were pretty fussy from 4:30am to 6:30am when Daddy woke up for work, but you were never really awake. You were grunting and whimpering, but stayed asleep, so Daddy and I tried to sleep through it as well. You usually take a couple of good naps during the day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. By the time Daddy is home from work, you want to stay awake and hang out with him! As for sleeping you're still hanging out in your boppy and either sleeping next to Mommy on the couch during the day, or in the bassinet in Mommy and Daddy's room at night. Soon I think we'll start trying to wean you away from the boppy and eventually into your own crib! For now though, Mommy and Daddy like having you close at night!
You're eating every 2-3 hours and usually eat 2-3 ounces at a time. Mommy is still working on breastfeeding with you...you seemed to not be satisfied if you're not eating from a bottle, but we're working on this. So mommy usually pumps and then feeds you the breast milk from a bottle. I'm hoping this will change, but for now it's what works and we're going with it. I'm working on reminding myself that I was planning on going into breastfeeding with an open mind and doing what works. As long as you're growing and are happy, I'm okay with where we are.
Over the past two weeks we've had several visitors and have made it out of the house a few times too. We've gone to Target, to the Doctor, to visit Aleks and Kade, Great-Grandma Cleo, Great-Grandma Doris, to get your newborn photos taken, we've even had lunch with Daddy and Auntie Katie at the office where Daddy got to show you off a little! Oh and we can't forget the ever important trip to Caribou! Getting ready and out of the house is getting easier. Today you gave Mommy the gift of getting to shower and do her hair, you just laid in your crib like a big boy looking at all of your stuffed animals! It's easier to make plans knowing that you do such an awesome job and like riding around in the car and seeing new things!
You've definitely brought a lot of joy to both Daddy and I and also all the other family! You are definitely everyone's favorite and everybody wants to see you and hold you as much as they can. Mommy and Daddy feel pretty lucky to have such great family to help out with the transition and you are lucky to be SO loved! Daddy is one special guy and we can't forget how much he does for both you and Mommy. After working all day he comes home ready to hang out with his little guy and help around the house anyway he can. He's awesome at giving Mommy a break when she needs it and doing exactly what Mommy needs, even if she doesn't know she needs it! Mommy loves seeing you with Daddy and knowing just how much he loves you. I can't imagine how hard it is for him to be at work all day and away from you! We are definitely lucky to have such a great guy to take care of us.
Baby Swan...you definitely are a great addition to the family! Life before you seems like forever ago and I can't imagine not having you here. The addition of you has brought Mommy and Daddy closer together and made Mommy appreciate and love Daddy more than ever. The past two weeks have flown by and make me feel so lucky that I still have many weeks at home with you! You've started fussing...time for Mommy to be done and go take care of you!
You're eating every 2-3 hours and usually eat 2-3 ounces at a time. Mommy is still working on breastfeeding with you...you seemed to not be satisfied if you're not eating from a bottle, but we're working on this. So mommy usually pumps and then feeds you the breast milk from a bottle. I'm hoping this will change, but for now it's what works and we're going with it. I'm working on reminding myself that I was planning on going into breastfeeding with an open mind and doing what works. As long as you're growing and are happy, I'm okay with where we are.
Over the past two weeks we've had several visitors and have made it out of the house a few times too. We've gone to Target, to the Doctor, to visit Aleks and Kade, Great-Grandma Cleo, Great-Grandma Doris, to get your newborn photos taken, we've even had lunch with Daddy and Auntie Katie at the office where Daddy got to show you off a little! Oh and we can't forget the ever important trip to Caribou! Getting ready and out of the house is getting easier. Today you gave Mommy the gift of getting to shower and do her hair, you just laid in your crib like a big boy looking at all of your stuffed animals! It's easier to make plans knowing that you do such an awesome job and like riding around in the car and seeing new things!
You've definitely brought a lot of joy to both Daddy and I and also all the other family! You are definitely everyone's favorite and everybody wants to see you and hold you as much as they can. Mommy and Daddy feel pretty lucky to have such great family to help out with the transition and you are lucky to be SO loved! Daddy is one special guy and we can't forget how much he does for both you and Mommy. After working all day he comes home ready to hang out with his little guy and help around the house anyway he can. He's awesome at giving Mommy a break when she needs it and doing exactly what Mommy needs, even if she doesn't know she needs it! Mommy loves seeing you with Daddy and knowing just how much he loves you. I can't imagine how hard it is for him to be at work all day and away from you! We are definitely lucky to have such a great guy to take care of us.
Baby Swan...you definitely are a great addition to the family! Life before you seems like forever ago and I can't imagine not having you here. The addition of you has brought Mommy and Daddy closer together and made Mommy appreciate and love Daddy more than ever. The past two weeks have flown by and make me feel so lucky that I still have many weeks at home with you! You've started fussing...time for Mommy to be done and go take care of you!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Dad's blog to his son.
Hi little man.
It's your dad. I figured I should check in since it's been since July that I contributed to this blog. Your Mom made sure to remind me how long its been.
Well, you made it. You have been welcomed into the world and your mom and I couldn't be happier. You decided to make your arrival pretty interesting. You made the announcement that you were on your way on Saturday at 8pm. From that point on, Dad didn't sleep too much. We waited 11 hours to head to the hospital and once we got there the marathon that was your birth started. My job was pretty clear cut: Make mom as comfortable as possible. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be and there were times where I was worried that Mom wasn't going to be able to go on, but you should know one thing. Your mom is superwoman. She might not act like it all the time, but just like a Trauscht, she stepped up when the pressure was on. She hung through it all, the long labor, the pain, the lack of sleep. There was even a point where Dad almost lost it. I wasn't expecting to be very involved but I had no choice. And after a little regrouping with myself I got back in it and helped mom welcome you to the world. My favorite part was when they had you in the warming bed and the nurse told me I should say "Hi" and that you would recognize my voice. I leaned over and said "Hello Ethan, welcome to our family." And right on cue your little eyes popped open and to this day I swear you smiled. I got to be the one to carry you over and introduce you to your mom. You two were made for each other. The look on her face is something i'll remember for the rest of my life.
Since coming home you've given us a run for our money. You've been the focal point of our family and friends and everyone knows why. You're so special and a wonderful baby so far. We've been the typical nervous parents on more than a few occasions, but that was to be expected. You've really settled into a groove and made it pretty easy for Mom and Dad. Even Kona seems to like you being around, or maybe she just enjoys having someone around all day. You have some really great Aunts and Uncle's and some outstanding Grandparents. There are some extended family members that have yet to meet you but I just know they'll love you right away. You're almost 14 days old now and time is already flying by in Dad's perspective. Every day I leave for work is hard because I would much rather be at home with my new family. But i guess someone has to make some money. Weekends are that much more enjoyable because I can spend my time on the couch with my little buddy watching sports. The nice part is Mom doesn't get too upset with me when I do this anymore because it gives her a break! :-)
There are so many things I look forward to teaching you and also experiencing with you. Nothing is set in stone but I am hoping certain things are in the making. One thing I do know is that you're going to have two loving parents for the rest of your life so get used to it. I hope you enjoy this blog of yours because it's going to be an experience looking back on the things you experience and the stuff we remember.
Welcome to the world Ethan. We're glad you're here.
Dad.
It's your dad. I figured I should check in since it's been since July that I contributed to this blog. Your Mom made sure to remind me how long its been.
Well, you made it. You have been welcomed into the world and your mom and I couldn't be happier. You decided to make your arrival pretty interesting. You made the announcement that you were on your way on Saturday at 8pm. From that point on, Dad didn't sleep too much. We waited 11 hours to head to the hospital and once we got there the marathon that was your birth started. My job was pretty clear cut: Make mom as comfortable as possible. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be and there were times where I was worried that Mom wasn't going to be able to go on, but you should know one thing. Your mom is superwoman. She might not act like it all the time, but just like a Trauscht, she stepped up when the pressure was on. She hung through it all, the long labor, the pain, the lack of sleep. There was even a point where Dad almost lost it. I wasn't expecting to be very involved but I had no choice. And after a little regrouping with myself I got back in it and helped mom welcome you to the world. My favorite part was when they had you in the warming bed and the nurse told me I should say "Hi" and that you would recognize my voice. I leaned over and said "Hello Ethan, welcome to our family." And right on cue your little eyes popped open and to this day I swear you smiled. I got to be the one to carry you over and introduce you to your mom. You two were made for each other. The look on her face is something i'll remember for the rest of my life.
Since coming home you've given us a run for our money. You've been the focal point of our family and friends and everyone knows why. You're so special and a wonderful baby so far. We've been the typical nervous parents on more than a few occasions, but that was to be expected. You've really settled into a groove and made it pretty easy for Mom and Dad. Even Kona seems to like you being around, or maybe she just enjoys having someone around all day. You have some really great Aunts and Uncle's and some outstanding Grandparents. There are some extended family members that have yet to meet you but I just know they'll love you right away. You're almost 14 days old now and time is already flying by in Dad's perspective. Every day I leave for work is hard because I would much rather be at home with my new family. But i guess someone has to make some money. Weekends are that much more enjoyable because I can spend my time on the couch with my little buddy watching sports. The nice part is Mom doesn't get too upset with me when I do this anymore because it gives her a break! :-)
There are so many things I look forward to teaching you and also experiencing with you. Nothing is set in stone but I am hoping certain things are in the making. One thing I do know is that you're going to have two loving parents for the rest of your life so get used to it. I hope you enjoy this blog of yours because it's going to be an experience looking back on the things you experience and the stuff we remember.
Welcome to the world Ethan. We're glad you're here.
Dad.
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Arrival of Baby Swan!
While the story is still fresh in my mind and baby swan is currently sleeping next to me, I thought I'd take the time to document the story of baby swan's arrival into the world. This is mostly for me, so I remember the details of the labor and delivery of baby swan. I'll try not to include too many graphic details, but consider yourself warned.
It all started Saturday, October 9th. Kevin and I spent the day doing some yard work and trying to pass time while we still waited for baby swan. We also had plans with my sister, Katie and her boyfriend that evening. Kevin and I finally had plans after sitting around waiting for baby swan! We went to my parents for cards and the Twins game with Katie and Chris. We'd only been at the house for about 30 or 45 minutes. Chris was talking to me about waiting and how I was handling it. I made some off the shoulder comment about how people who's water breaks have it easy, they know that the baby is coming soon. I'd been having some contractions on and off all day, but nothing really out of the ordinary. In hind sight, I must have known something was different because I had this weird nagging feeling in the back of my head. At one point I told Kevin to feel how rock hard my stomach was, and confided quietly that I'd been having contractions on and off all afternoon and evening. It was then I decided I needed to use the restroom. While walking across the kitchen at my parents house I felt a trickle, I started silently questioning myself if I had just peed my pants or if it was my water breaking. It was confirmed shortly it was my water breaking, 8pm Saturday evening. I discretely tried to tell Kevin we needed to head home, but realized I was never going to be able to leave without telling my family, so everyone there got to find out...baby swan would be arriving shortly (just not as short as we all originally thought!).
I called the midwife on-call on the way home and she told me to come in at 8:00am Sunday morning if I didn't get uncomfortable before then, but she thought she would see me in a few hours. Kevin and I got home and started reading through the material for the hospital brushing up on what we needed to know. I continued to have contractions, but not regularly and they weren't making me uncomfortable. Around midnight I decided we need to head to bed and attempt to get some sleep. Of course, who was I kidding...we were both too anxious and excited to really get quality sleep. 7am rolled around and I decided it was time to wake up and get ready to head into the hospital...only problem was, I didn't feel any contractions. I felt like an idiot checking into the hospital without any contractions, and I started doubting that it was truly my water that broke the night before (even though I knew it was and Kevin kept reassuring me it was what I thought it was). I got put into a triage room and the midwife came to check me. My water did in fact break and I was 3cm dialted and 80% effaced. Not much progress since my appointment, but a little. They started IV fluids and told me that I'd be starting pitocin soon to get the labor moving.
Once into our delivery room and the Pitocin was started Kevin and I started making bets about when baby swan would make his arrival. This was at 11am Sunday, October 10I can't remember what either of us guessed, but it was definitely that he would be born on 10-10-10. We also called Bubba to wish her a Happy Birthday and let her know we'd be missing out on her birthday celebration, but that we'd likely have a gift for her later...little did we know. So the Pitocin was running and Kevin and I were hanging out watching football all Sunday afternoon. My contractions started getting stronger, but nothing I couldn't handle. At 5:30pm my contractions were starting to make me pretty uncomfortable and I was waiting for the midwife to deliver another baby before I would be checked, so I decided to take a bath and try and relax. The nurse turned off the lights and put a flashlight in the room, Kevin put the Ipod and speaker and I hung out by myself in the tub, singing along to the music whenever I had a contraction. It was while I was in the tub, I decided I may need pain medication, but didn't want to make the decision until I knew how far along I had progressed. The midwife came in and checked me and took the wind out of my sails...I was only 5 cm dialted and 100% effaced. I had been laboring for 7.5 hours and hadn't progressed much at all. I decided the epidural was needed and it couldn't come soon enough.
The epidural was a life saver. I was able to sleep a little and just be more comfortable in general. Kevin and I quickly realized that baby swan was likely not going to arrive 10-10-10. When the midwife said goodbye to me at 7pm and told me she'd be back at 7am and she hoped I had a baby by then I thought she was kidding. I never thought it would take another 12 hours for me to have a baby, but she was just about right. There were several times over the next few hours that I cried to Kevin that I wouldn't be able to do it. I couldn't take anymore. Kevin was awesome and kept telling me I had more strength than I knew and I could keep going. It was what I needed to keep moving forward.At some point during the night they realized that baby swan had pooped in the womb and we would need more staff at his birthday party. This made me nervous, but I was just focusing on having a healthy baby. At 3:30am the midwife came to check me and told me that I was 10cm dialted and 100% effaced, but the baby was still a little high...she also told me I could start pushing. The only problem was, I couldn't feel my contractions, just one painful spot on my pelvis. We then decided that we'd wait a half hour and see if he'd dropped down any farther. It was at 4am on Monday, October 11 that I truly started pushing. I pushed for a half hour and felt like I made no progress, no one was telling me anything. I started crying to Kevin telling him I couldn't do it, I didn't have anything left in me. He kept telling me what he'd been telling me all night, that I could in fact do it and he would help in any way he could. So at 4:30am I put my mind to it and started pushing like crazy. I don't remember at what time, but suddenly the midwife said, you've done awesome we're going to have a baby. This seemed surreal and the actual birth of baby swan seemed too easy. So after 2 hours and 11 minutes of pushing...Ethan Daniel Trauscht was born at 6:11am weighing in at 8lbs 15oz and 22 inches long! He also had a huge 15 inch head! Due to the meconinium, I wasn't allowed to hold Ethan right away. He was quickly wisked away after delivery to be checked and make sure everything was okay. I wasn't able to hold him in my arms until he was almost 45 minutes old.
So, the labor and delivery were about as far from what I thought would happen or could plan for, but in the end Kevin and I ended up with the most perfect little boy and we couldn't be happier. The hospital stay was nothing like I envisioned either. We ended up having to follow Ethan's blood sugar, feed him formula, deal with massive spitting up and trying to learn to how to breastfeed. It was a whirlwind of things going on and we ended up home Tuesday night at 9pm. Kevin and I were both exhausted and couldn't believe he was home. Now just a few short days later...I'm feeling less sleep deprived, more confident in my ability as a mother and lucky as ever to have the most awesome husband in the world. Truly this experience has brought Kevin and I so much closer together. Kevin dealt with and did more than I ever thought he would and was my rock throughout the whole experience. True to Kevin's form...he helped ease my anxiety, reassure my abilities and knowledge of what is right. I'm so much more in love with him now than I was just a few short days ago. Seeing Kevin as a dad is everything I thought he'd be. It's obvious how much he adores Ethan and wants to be the best dad and husband in the world and he is. I'm so lucky!!
If you've made it through this monster post, congratulations! As soon as I find my camera charger and cord, I'll post pictures of Ethan. I already have more pictures of this little man than I know what to do with, but I can't help document all of his cute little quirks! So that's the update from the Swan family, we finally have a baby and are so head over heels in love with him!
It all started Saturday, October 9th. Kevin and I spent the day doing some yard work and trying to pass time while we still waited for baby swan. We also had plans with my sister, Katie and her boyfriend that evening. Kevin and I finally had plans after sitting around waiting for baby swan! We went to my parents for cards and the Twins game with Katie and Chris. We'd only been at the house for about 30 or 45 minutes. Chris was talking to me about waiting and how I was handling it. I made some off the shoulder comment about how people who's water breaks have it easy, they know that the baby is coming soon. I'd been having some contractions on and off all day, but nothing really out of the ordinary. In hind sight, I must have known something was different because I had this weird nagging feeling in the back of my head. At one point I told Kevin to feel how rock hard my stomach was, and confided quietly that I'd been having contractions on and off all afternoon and evening. It was then I decided I needed to use the restroom. While walking across the kitchen at my parents house I felt a trickle, I started silently questioning myself if I had just peed my pants or if it was my water breaking. It was confirmed shortly it was my water breaking, 8pm Saturday evening. I discretely tried to tell Kevin we needed to head home, but realized I was never going to be able to leave without telling my family, so everyone there got to find out...baby swan would be arriving shortly (just not as short as we all originally thought!).
I called the midwife on-call on the way home and she told me to come in at 8:00am Sunday morning if I didn't get uncomfortable before then, but she thought she would see me in a few hours. Kevin and I got home and started reading through the material for the hospital brushing up on what we needed to know. I continued to have contractions, but not regularly and they weren't making me uncomfortable. Around midnight I decided we need to head to bed and attempt to get some sleep. Of course, who was I kidding...we were both too anxious and excited to really get quality sleep. 7am rolled around and I decided it was time to wake up and get ready to head into the hospital...only problem was, I didn't feel any contractions. I felt like an idiot checking into the hospital without any contractions, and I started doubting that it was truly my water that broke the night before (even though I knew it was and Kevin kept reassuring me it was what I thought it was). I got put into a triage room and the midwife came to check me. My water did in fact break and I was 3cm dialted and 80% effaced. Not much progress since my appointment, but a little. They started IV fluids and told me that I'd be starting pitocin soon to get the labor moving.
Once into our delivery room and the Pitocin was started Kevin and I started making bets about when baby swan would make his arrival. This was at 11am Sunday, October 10I can't remember what either of us guessed, but it was definitely that he would be born on 10-10-10. We also called Bubba to wish her a Happy Birthday and let her know we'd be missing out on her birthday celebration, but that we'd likely have a gift for her later...little did we know. So the Pitocin was running and Kevin and I were hanging out watching football all Sunday afternoon. My contractions started getting stronger, but nothing I couldn't handle. At 5:30pm my contractions were starting to make me pretty uncomfortable and I was waiting for the midwife to deliver another baby before I would be checked, so I decided to take a bath and try and relax. The nurse turned off the lights and put a flashlight in the room, Kevin put the Ipod and speaker and I hung out by myself in the tub, singing along to the music whenever I had a contraction. It was while I was in the tub, I decided I may need pain medication, but didn't want to make the decision until I knew how far along I had progressed. The midwife came in and checked me and took the wind out of my sails...I was only 5 cm dialted and 100% effaced. I had been laboring for 7.5 hours and hadn't progressed much at all. I decided the epidural was needed and it couldn't come soon enough.
The epidural was a life saver. I was able to sleep a little and just be more comfortable in general. Kevin and I quickly realized that baby swan was likely not going to arrive 10-10-10. When the midwife said goodbye to me at 7pm and told me she'd be back at 7am and she hoped I had a baby by then I thought she was kidding. I never thought it would take another 12 hours for me to have a baby, but she was just about right. There were several times over the next few hours that I cried to Kevin that I wouldn't be able to do it. I couldn't take anymore. Kevin was awesome and kept telling me I had more strength than I knew and I could keep going. It was what I needed to keep moving forward.At some point during the night they realized that baby swan had pooped in the womb and we would need more staff at his birthday party. This made me nervous, but I was just focusing on having a healthy baby. At 3:30am the midwife came to check me and told me that I was 10cm dialted and 100% effaced, but the baby was still a little high...she also told me I could start pushing. The only problem was, I couldn't feel my contractions, just one painful spot on my pelvis. We then decided that we'd wait a half hour and see if he'd dropped down any farther. It was at 4am on Monday, October 11 that I truly started pushing. I pushed for a half hour and felt like I made no progress, no one was telling me anything. I started crying to Kevin telling him I couldn't do it, I didn't have anything left in me. He kept telling me what he'd been telling me all night, that I could in fact do it and he would help in any way he could. So at 4:30am I put my mind to it and started pushing like crazy. I don't remember at what time, but suddenly the midwife said, you've done awesome we're going to have a baby. This seemed surreal and the actual birth of baby swan seemed too easy. So after 2 hours and 11 minutes of pushing...Ethan Daniel Trauscht was born at 6:11am weighing in at 8lbs 15oz and 22 inches long! He also had a huge 15 inch head! Due to the meconinium, I wasn't allowed to hold Ethan right away. He was quickly wisked away after delivery to be checked and make sure everything was okay. I wasn't able to hold him in my arms until he was almost 45 minutes old.
So, the labor and delivery were about as far from what I thought would happen or could plan for, but in the end Kevin and I ended up with the most perfect little boy and we couldn't be happier. The hospital stay was nothing like I envisioned either. We ended up having to follow Ethan's blood sugar, feed him formula, deal with massive spitting up and trying to learn to how to breastfeed. It was a whirlwind of things going on and we ended up home Tuesday night at 9pm. Kevin and I were both exhausted and couldn't believe he was home. Now just a few short days later...I'm feeling less sleep deprived, more confident in my ability as a mother and lucky as ever to have the most awesome husband in the world. Truly this experience has brought Kevin and I so much closer together. Kevin dealt with and did more than I ever thought he would and was my rock throughout the whole experience. True to Kevin's form...he helped ease my anxiety, reassure my abilities and knowledge of what is right. I'm so much more in love with him now than I was just a few short days ago. Seeing Kevin as a dad is everything I thought he'd be. It's obvious how much he adores Ethan and wants to be the best dad and husband in the world and he is. I'm so lucky!!
If you've made it through this monster post, congratulations! As soon as I find my camera charger and cord, I'll post pictures of Ethan. I already have more pictures of this little man than I know what to do with, but I can't help document all of his cute little quirks! So that's the update from the Swan family, we finally have a baby and are so head over heels in love with him!
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