1 Week Old

I can't believe Burke is already 8 days old today!! wow. So I have lots to say but not a lot of time to type (go figure) so I'll do bullets:

• The first week was rough. I didn't expect postpartum recovery to be so painful and intense.  Also because of the nature of my delivery (and all the stitches after) I didn't get a chance to breastfeed within that first hour.  We have been struggling with that majorly up until yesterday.
• Breastfeeding is going ok now that I am getting hour long breaks in between and am starting to get used to it! It also helps that my milk FINALLY came in yesterday.
• Burke is a strong baby! He already turns himself over onto his side to sleep since he doesn't like being on his back.
• Tommy and I have been doing really well. No fighting or anything, so that has been one really good thing that I didn't expect (everyone says you'll hate your husband haha)
• Today is Tommy's first day back to work and I think he is going to be happy to come home tonight!
• I am glad that I signed up for the formula samples through the mail because even though we aren't formula feeding and still haven't bought any, it was a lifesaver this week when he was so hungry he wanted to feed every 15 minutes.
• The pup is doing really well! We are trying really hard to give him attention too but for the most part he is pretty mellow around here. 
• I can't stop taking pictures of him! He is so sweet but the pictures never do it justice. :)
• Tommy is not a fan of our AMP diaper stash. I think the 2 part system annoys him. He does however really like the thirsties, so I am in the process of trading my AMPs for thirsties via kijiji.  This is ok too because I don't mind the AMP, so we'll just get a few extra all-in-ones for tommy to use and we have to buy large diapers anyway for when he outgrows the newborns.  So when we get large sizes, we'll probably just go with thirsties and bumgenius.
• We have been using disposable wipes (again Tommy preference, and if he is changing the diapers then I don't really care haha) and we ran out last night. It was funny because it was almost shocking how quickly that large tub went. Made me SO glad we have cloth diapers and not disposables!! 
• I have already lost 24 lbs!!!!! SO EXCITING :) I gained 32.5 overall, so only 8.5lbs from my original weight. Woohoo! Probably the hardest 8lbs but oh well :)
• One last note: If you are having a baby, never ever let anyone stay in your house.  The in-laws were here and granted it was the only way for them to see Burke, it was so much more stress than is necessary. We don't have a spare room so our living room was taken over and it was awkward breastfeeding around Tommy's brother, so I spent most of the weekend by myself in the bedroom. Not ideal. This plus having to think of meals and the massive sink of dishes I have to find time to do today from this weekend makes me very stabby lol.

Now some pictures from his first week:

Birth Story

I stayed home with contractions for as long as possible (almost 24 hours) and they were about 8 minutes apart most of that time. I went into the hospital Saturday night and they had me go walking for a couple hours. I went out and DH and I walked 5km and then did stairs for the rest of the time.  The nurses were really surprised because it turns out they meant just kind of wander the halls for a bit. So by midnight we decided to go to sleep at the hospital (we weren't admitted but they gave us the option since it is such a small hospital.) They were convinced it was false labor and I was pretty upset that I was in so much pain for nothing.

The next morning at 7am they gave me a paper with info on false labor and were telling me all the stuff about when to come back and I got very discouraged and started crying saying "then why does it hurt so bad??" I guess the nurse felt bad and decided to check one last time and when she did, my cervix was at 4. They said they would admit me but it looked like it was going very very slowly.

I was told I would have to walk around again so I got into the shower and relaxed for half hour before we would start that.  They came to check me and I was at 6.  I asked about pain med options, I planned on going natural but it seemed really painful so I was starting to get interested in the epidural.  The doctor broke my water and I talked to my mom and Tommy and told them to tell the doctor to come back and just give me the epidural. 

The doctor came right in and checked me first and to our complete surprise I was 9cm (this was before lunch). So they told me that I would not be getting drugs. I was a bit worried but it ended up working out like I had originally thought anyway so I just concentrated on the contractions. I stayed at 10cm for a long time until finally it was time to push.  

Burke got stuck on my pelvic bone so good thing I didn't get an epidural because I had to push on the commode as well as on my hands and knees to dislodge him. Eventually I was able to get close enough to use the vacuum.  The doctor used it 7 times and it was intensely painful with no medication. After 3 hours of pushing, Burke was born at 2:53pm.  When that morning nurse that was going to let me go home came back that evening she couldn't believe it went so fast after she left.

 I had 2 tears and an episiotomy that took 1.5 hours to fix up so I am having a very very rough recovery. That has been by far the hardest part of becoming a new mom... the pain! I am very proud of myself though and my husband is pretty amazed at the pain tolerance as well as usually I am a big baby!

38 Week Survey

How far along? 38 weeks
Sleep: Hard to sleep, very uncomfortable!
Best moment this week:  Tommy's grad yesterday!
Movement: Feeling little movements still
Symptoms: Tired, leg cramps, hips are super sore, back sore, lots of braxton hicks, heartburn
Symptoms I DON'T have: hmm. not sure
Food cravings: cheesecake, watermelon, oranges
Food aversions: pork, ham
Gender: Boy! :)
Belly Button in or out? I think I could call it an outie now :)
What I miss: running! Really can't wait to start running again. and walking without some sort of pain lol.
What I am looking forward to: summer :) and having the baby here
Milestones: I am now on maternity leave! yay
Size of Baby:



Weekly Belly Picture: