Saturday, February 23, 2013

E is 2 weeks old!

Mr. Everett is 2 weeks old!  We had our first full alone week.  He's still being a great baby and sleeping/eating every 4 hours.  We had a couple frustrating nights but I think both Andy and I have him figured out now :)

Saturday the 16th we had friends over for tacos, corona's, cards and a little Everett meet and greet.  Everyone thought he was a really ugly, annoying baby ;)  He got passed around the whole night and didn't make a peep.  It was so nice to finally enjoy a couple adult beverages with friends again!  Everett has already managed to steal a couple hearts.

Sunday the 17th was my due date!  We did his newborn photos in the morning.  That was quite the experience...He struggled at first since he was hungry and managed to poop and pee on everything, including the photographer!!  I'm sure she is used to it but it was still slightly embarrassing and quite the mess.  After he ate and got sleepy E was much more cooperative and hopefully we got some good shots! We can't wait to see how they turned out!
Everett had lots of firsts on the 17th.  He went to his Dad's first hockey game and then to our favorite sushi restaurant.  He was so good.  Thanks to his 4 hour feeding schedule we were able to go to the hockey game and get through dinner and home before he needed to eat.  No screaming baby in a restaurant for us yet!
Snuggled up and cheering on Dad
Andy was off on Monday for the Presidents day holiday.  The weather has been really nice and most of our snow is gone so we've been trying to get out and walk Cali and Everett around the block every day.  So far he loves the walks!
Everett loves hanging out and checking out the world after he eats.  Love when his eyes are open big and wide :)

We had his 2 week checkup on Thursday the 21st.  He is doing really great!  He's up to 6 lbs and 1.5 ounces and 19 1/4 inches.  Considering he only eats every 4 hours he's gaining almost an ounce a day so he's right on track.  Because he's eating so well his color is now normal so we didn't have to get another bilirubin test done, thank goodness.  He did have to have a heel stick to do the PKU newborn screening.  We still had trouble with that.  The blood wasn't filtering correctly through the paper because he clots almost immediately.  Guess we don't have to worry about him having a bleeding disorder!
I'm 2 weeks old today!
Still so little but snuggly in my new monkey jams
Yesterday (Friday) I had book club and everyone got to meet little Everett.  Again he was so good and just slept the whole time.  Mom got to enjoy good friends, conversation and wine and he got snuggled and passed around.  Everyone says he looks like Andy.  He's pretty cute so I'll agree :)

Today we got a big snowstorm...:(  I'm ready for spring and mountain biking.  We were feeling a little cooped up so we decided to go for a quick hike.  There's a great canyon just 5 miles down the road that we always take Cali to and also bike at a lot.  We rigged Andy up with the baby Bjorn, strapped Everett in and went trekking through the snow.  We were only out for about 15 minutes but we all had a good time, especially Cali.
You can see just a little bit of Everett's head poking up inside Andy's jacket :)
My new bike!!
Andy's parents and sister will be here next Friday, March 1st.  We are so excited to see them and can't wait till they are here!!  Crossing our fingers for good driving weather!

Till next week!
Love, 
Lexi, Andy, Everett and Cali

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Mayhem has arrived!!

Mayhem has arrived and his name is Everett Andrew :)  He was born on Thursday, February 7th at 10:05am.

Before we get too far, we did take a 38 week photo but never got around to posting since Mr. Everett decided to make a surprise entrance.
This picture was taken on Sunday the 3rd.  Superbowl!  We had friends over to watch the game which turned out to be our last no baby get together.  My 38 week appointment was on Wednesday at 5:20pm.  My doctor was going to be out of town the weekend on my due date (17th) so she said she could strip my membranes to try and get things moving.  I had heard the term but didn't know much about it.  Essentially she separated the amniotic sac from the uterine wall which can produce prostaglandin hormones which can start labor.  She said it only works 25% of the time so we moved my next appointment up to Monday the 11th to try again.  Everything I read said if it does work labor would start 24-48 hours later.  Well, Mayhem was ready to go and I had my first contraction 4 hours later. 

I feel a little silly looking back on it but I had no idea I was in labor :)  I thought I was just cramping from the procedure since the contractions didn't feel like anything they taught us in class or I'd read about.  I didn't sleep at all Wednesday night.  I spent the hours of 2am-5am downstairs in the glider.  At 5am I finally gave up and told Andy we needed to go to the hospital.  Needless to say he was surprised and confused.  I still didn't think I was in labor and was hoping to just get some meds for the pain.  We hastily finished packing and arrived at the hospital at 5:30am.  We were both surprised to learn that my contractions were 3 minutes apart and I was at 4cm.  Luckily it was super quiet and the anesthesiologist was able to get to me right away.  I got the amazing epidural at 6:30am.  I didn't realize how out of it I was until the epidural kicked in.  Kudos to anyone that goes drug free.  I was lucky to get the epidural when I did because by 7:30 I had progressed to 9+ and they were scurrying to get my doctor to the hospital.  The hard part lasted for an hour and our amazing little guy was born at 10:05am.  He weighed 5 lbs and 10 ounces and was 19 inches long.  Can't complain about a 7 hour labor for a first timer.
 
Dad and Everett :)
First family photo.  All just a little tired.
 
We think he's pretty perfect!
We spent 2 nights at the hospital.  We were definitely getting antsy and were ready to go home after the first night but were very happy to have the help and the nursery to get a little sleep.  Andy stayed at the hospital the first night but the hospital bench wasn't all that comfortable so he went home the 2nd night to catch up on some sleep.  We were discharged at noon on Saturday the 9th and then went and picked up Cali from our friends' house.

All ready to go home!
Sunday, February 9th
Everett's bilirubin was borderline so we had to take him back to the hospital to get a heel stick.  30 minutes later we got a call saying we had to come back because they didn't get enough sample.  So not fun.  We also made our first Target run as a family.  I also put on my pre-pregnancy jeans for the outing!!!  Soooo happy.  I've been very lucky and haven't had much pain.  Just keeping up with my ibuprofen has been enough.  Still pretty tired but my parents arrived in the afternoon after a rough 3 day drive out through a snowstorm.  Everett is really spoiling us.  He is eating well and sleeping for 4-5 hours at a time.  He only cries when he's hungry and soothes really easily.  Such a little sweetie.  Cali is still pretty standoffish.  My parents brought their 2 dogs so I think she's a bit preoccupied.
Monday, February 10th
 
Everett had his first doctors appointment.  He only lost 3 ounces after birth and is back up to his birth weight already.  His cone head shrunk a little so he was at 18 3/4 inches at his appointment.  His bilirubin was still a little elevated and borderline so we had to get get another heel stick.  And AGAIN we had to go back because they didn't get enough.  Poor little guy.  Apparently he has a higher count of red blood cells so when they spin down the blood they don't get as much serum.  I also picked up the finished penguin quilt!  Turned out great.  Now I just have to find the time to finish the border :)  Andy's been working half days while my parents are in town. 
1st doctors visit
Wednesday, February 13th
Visited the hospital again...we had to redo his newborn screening for the same reason as before.  Supposedly we are good to go with the bilirubin since he's eating so well and hopefully we are done with heel sticks until his 2 week checkup.  Everett got his first sponge bath.  He wasn't a huge fan but boy is he cute.  His hair got so soft and spikey.

Thursday, February 14th
We had cheese fondue, pork tenderloin and strawberry cheesecake for our Valentines dinner. 
Helping Dad read
Out for our first walk

Friday, February 15th
My parents left at 8am on Friday morning.  It was the first time since the hospital that it was just Everett and me.  A little bit of a weird feeling but we're excited to get into our routine.  He's still spoiling us and being a great baby.  He's very content to just hang out in his swing and check out the world.  He also loves his snuggles.  It's nice that he doesn't want to be held all the time.  Everett and I met Andy for lunch at Chipotle.  It was really nice to get dressed and get out of the house even for a little bit.  Stopped at Target again :(  It seems impossible to be fully prepared for a baby.  All my maternity clothes are packed and stored!  So excited to be able to wear my old clothes again. 
Soaking up some rays
They're going to be best friends :)
Saturday, February 16th
I think his hair grows longer every day.  He's got quite the little spikey mohawk all of a sudden.  Andy went skiing in the morning so mom and Everett got to hang out.  Hard to get anything done with this little cutie to hang out with :)  Newborn photo shoot tomorrow morning.  Hopefully E cooperates and we get some good pics. 

Random side note:  We finally finished the downstairs bathroom.  I think we finished it Tuesday before Everett was born.
 
Can't believe tomorrow is my due date and we have a 10 day old :)
 
Thanks everyone for checking in! 
Love,
Lexi, Andy and Everett!