Changes

Ive always pictured and dreamed of what it would be like to be a mom. I KNEW it would be amazing and challenging....but its SUPER challenging!! I Love my son more then life it self, but boy is this hard!! I'm hitting the "3 week blues" - things are getting to me mentally. I'm physically drained, mentally exhausted but emotionally in love.
Mike and I are having some rough patches. We are trying to learn how to adapt to our new life as parents to Remi...as well as lovers to each other. Mike works all day and wants to come home and relax. I 'work' all day long and when Mike comes home- I want to relax and hand Remi to him! So we are butting heads on this issue. I am with Remi 24/7 ~ Mike 'gets a break' everyday at work. He also gets a break while he sleeps at night 'cause I also get up with Remi- hence why I am just drained to the core. Somehow and someway- we need to figure out how to be parents and spouses at the same time. This was something they didn't teach you in "prenatal class"

Remi is going through an obvious growth spurt. When I bottle feed him, he usually consumed 2 oz every 2-3 hours. Well the last few days hes been SO fussy and just not a happy baby. I felt like maybe I was doing something wrong! I WAS!! Poor baby was starving!! He's now eating 3oz every 2 hours! I've JUST figured this out so mabye I can get some sleep finally! Hes only been sleeping 2 hours at night!!! Makes it super hard to function all day long and not be a grump....which I am BUT I have every right to be :)

* Here are some recent pics of my little prince charming *

"Anything Like Me"

Mike has been back to work for a week and a half now....or 6 actual 'days' of work. His alarm clock IS the radio- meaning when it goes off, its the radio that plays- not an annoying beep. Anyways, Mike and I have LOVED the song "Anything Like Me" by Brad Paisley. Its about a Daddy singing about his new baby boy growing up to be 'just like him'. We fell in love with the song the minute we heard it. We even bought the CD JUST for that song!
So here is the cool part-- for the last '6 times' that Mike has had to get up for work since Remi was born, that song is the song that is on each time the alarm goes off!! The first time it happened we thought it was cool. The second day it happened we thought "awesome'....the third day it happened we thought "hmm..okay.." .........the fourth fifth and sixth day it happened - we were a little freaked out!!
How ironic it is that 'that' song has played every single morning that Mike has had to go to work since Remi was born!! And like I said-- it comes on when the alarm goes off --- OH and Mike does NOT get up at the same time every morning...so the thought of "the radio station plays that same song the same time every day" is out of the question.......We think its just a cool awesome coincidence!!
I guess that song is 'our new song'.....!!! Lets just say-- we now listen to it every day :)
Heres the link to the song just in case you've never heard it ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZazrQYirYLs

*Remis First Christmas*

I've dreamed of having a baby since I was little, planned on having a baby since I met my hubby and tried to conceive a baby for almost a year and a half--- and got the greatest gift of all-- waking up to my sweet 3 week old on Christmas morning.

I felt like the luckiest woman on earth!!!

We always wake up super early on Christmas morning and drive to my moms house a few miles away. But this year- we decided to have a little Christmas morning at our house, with our new family, before heading over. So Mike and I opened up the gifts from each other and Santa! It was so much fun! Remi was awake the entire time too!! He even got dressed in his cute Santa outfit that he wore on his way home from the hospital.

Santa came for Remi!!

 Remi is helping me open gifts

 I made these shirst for Mike. Those are Remis actual footprints on the shirts!

 Mike and I at my parents house

He's "official"

Decided to take Remi for a walk this afternoon to the mailbox. I was expecting tons of Christmas card and bills....but what I received instead was far more exciting..!!!! Amongst the Christmas cards and ONE bill..thank goodness....I found a piece of mail addressed to "Remington James Ewald"---- I got scared for a minute untill I saw that it was from the Social Security Office. We walked home super fast and opened the letter~ It was his social security card!! For some reason- I started crying. For me it was a moment of "He's Official". It was an emotional 'letter'. My son, my dream, my 2 years of hard work- was now recognized as a citizen of the United States. Yea I know..I'm a bit dramatic but if you could 'feel' what I've been through to get to 'this' point of holding my son in my arms....EVERY little thing that pertains to Remi is so emotional for me, so special and such a milestone.
I called my mom right away and she was just as excited as I was!!! "HE'S OFFICIAL!!" she yelled!!!!

The words I've waited to hear.....He IS official...He IS a REAL person......he's not just a dream anymore....He is HERE!!!!

I'll say it agian...hes growing FAST!!!

Remi had another pediatrician apt today to check on his jaundice and weight. GOOD NEWS all around!! His jaundice is gone!!! Also, as noted before- he was 5.13 at birth, dropped to 5.2 the first week---and today he is a whopping 6.2 lbs!!!! So he's gained a whole pound in about 2 weeks!!! Also- he was 18 inches at birth and today he is 20 inches!! Again-- he is growing FAST!!! WOO!!!
On top of that (I've never talked about this) he has a "Pilonidal Dimple" on his spine. Its actually a 'hole' type thing right on his tailbone. Its 'kinda' common. The risks if its 'open' all the way to his spine is Spina bifida- a type of nerve disease that results in paralysis and other defects. *Yea....just what a mom wants to hear minutes after her baby is born.* BUT-- the pediatrician says it looks closed so the thought of it going to his spine is low....but wants to double check it with an ultrasound. She said not to worry, his movements are great and if he did have this spina bifida thing- we'd already be seeing effects of it. Its actually hereditary. My Mom, my sister and her daughter were all born with this 'dimple' thing. It's kinda scary but we're thinking positive thoughts! Ultra sound will be scheduled in the next few weeks.
In the meantime~ we're gearing up for his first shots!!! (or should I say Mom is gearing up for his first shots) :)

~2 Weeks Old~

WOW!~!!

Remington is 2 weeks old today!!!!!!!

I can't believe it!

 

We ALL are doing great! Hes eating about every 2-3 hours now during the day at 3 hours at night.

Speaking of food- I've given up on breastfeeding. I was in so much pain each time, crying every single feeding and getting so frustrated that I felt it would be better for me mentally to not breastfeed. I feel that a "happy mom will make a happy baby" and if I dreaded feeding my own baby; something had to change.  So I am now pumping every 3-4 hours and I am LOVING it.....well liking it a lot better then actual breastfeeding. I'm on average I'm getting 6-7 oz each pump- which is roughly 3 bottles worth right now so its totally worth it. Our supply in the freezer is about 50 bottles so far...so in another 2-3 weeks when I return to work, we will have a good supply!  I am WAY more less stressed, not moody and I can now have help in the middle of the day or night with feedings from Mike. Plus- the smile Mike has on his face when he's feeding Remi is priceless :)

So things are going great!! I fluctuate one or two pounds at my pre pregnancy weight (which I'm happy with). I'm getting at LEAST 8 hours of sleep a night or more!!! And thats with feedings and changes all night.  Mike and I still stay up late and enjoy our same routines that he had before Remi was here. We are really enjoying being parents and so far- its pretty easy!!

PS- Mike went to work today and I managed SUPER well.....I cheated a little. We spent most of the day at my sisters house and as soon as we got home, we both took a nap 'till daddy got home. So other then the hectic morning we had- the day went super smooth!! Mike goes to work again on Wednesday so that will be the TRUE challenge for I have nothing planned that day.

My FIRSTchallenge

Mike has gone back to work today...........that  means I'm ON MY OWN with Remi!!!! Im SUPER nervous even though I "know" babies really good! Its just that its MY baby this time...not a baby that I can 'give back' when I'm done!! haha
Anyways, one hour is already down- we've done 2 diapers changes, a feeding, pumped, got Remi bathed and dressed, got me bathed and dressed, made me breakfast and coffee and had time to check my email!! I'm headed to my sisters actually do to some Christmas crafts so the next few hours will be okay....but the 'nerves' will start all over again when I come back home....Mike better get off work early today :)
I'll let you know how the rest of the day goes.....

PS- Remi has another Pediatrician apt tomorrow to check on his weight.........AND Mike took the day off so I'll be much better tomorrow :)

Bath Time!!

Remi had his FIRST bath today!! We've been giving him spunge baths every few days due to his bellly button and circumcision but his belly button is healed and his "peepee" is too!! We bathed him in our kitchen sink! He actually did super well! I made sure the warm water ran on him a majority of the time. He cried a little at first but seemed to enjoy it!
He also decided to pee and poop during his bath :) Luckily we were able to wash him right back off!

 

Our dog Mia was worried about him!

  

All fresh and clean!!!!

The many faces of Remi

My camera is with me now wherever I go....or Remi :) We've captured MANY faces of Remi!! Its soo funny!! OH~ and who says newborns don't smile????? MINE DOES!!!!!

Lab work

Remi had to get his second 'newborn screening test' done today (also known as PKU test). I was more terrified then anything!! He had to get a prick in his heal and have it bleed enough to cover 5 circles on a piece of paper. Poor baby had no clue what was coming to him!! But he did great!! (and so did mom and dad). I had to hold him in the chair while they did his heal prick. He cried when they pricked it but I immediately put my pinky finger in his mouth and he was pretty content the rest of the way. The nurse said he did a great job!! She complimented him on being 'so calm' :) "Thats my boy!!" Daddy said :) I didn't get any pictures of the actual 'pricking of the heal' but I got a picture of the heal warmer I had to tape on his foot.

Mommy's little tough guy!!!

"Out and About"

Mommy needed to get out of the house again so we decided to head towards the mall. We got everything packed for Remi, made sure we had diapers, wipes, bottles and blankets for him (since it was cold and rainy). Our car is parked in the garage so after loading everything in and backing out of the driveway, we realized it was SUPER cold and mommy and daddy didn't have any jackets for ourselves!! We kept going and figured "it wasn't that cold!"
Once we got to the mall, it was POURING rain!! ...and not to mention FREEEEEZING!! This was the first time we had ever got the stroller out and actually used it so getting it out for the first time, let alone in the rain, was a challenge. But we DID IT!!!
We walked pretty fast from the parking lot to the mall and was laughing the entire way. I know understand when people say "You will over pack for baby and under pack for yourselves"~
Anyways, we visited a dear friend of ours- Heidi. She works at a jewelry store inside the mall. She has 'known' Mike and I since we were dating. She sold us our engagement rings, then our wedding rings and celebrated with us when we found out we were pregnant. Its like shes been with us since 'day one'. She had no idea Remi was born so when we showed up with baby in hand- she let out the highest pitched squeal!!! She fell in love with Remi immediatly. She took him in her arms and actually started helping customers while holding him (Shes the manager so she was allowed) haha! So Remi has already been to work!! Here is a picture of her and Remi 'behind the scenes'~

I also fit into my 'pre pregnancy' jeans that day so I was feeling pretty "hott!!" I was proud :)

And can you tell how excited Remi was to be at the mall???

I think he did pretty well :)

All in all, It was a fantastic day to 'get out'! And as first time parents on our first official outing, we did great!!!

ONE WEEK!!!!!

My sweet baby boy is already one week old!!! Time is flying by already!!! I got pretty teary eyed...okay- I bawled my eyes out- when I realized it had been a whole week already!! (Yea...those pregnancy hormones take a bit to leave your system :) Anyways, this week has been amazing. We've had our 'moments' of frustration for only seconds but moments of love and excitement follows quickly.
I have Remi in a bassinet right beside my bed and I catch myself waking up every hour just to look at him. I seriously stare at this boy for about 20 hours a day!!!! OH- and my cameras 4 gig card is filling up quickly!! I take pictures of EVERYTHING he does and everything we do with him like baths, feedings, diaper changes, tummy time and even nap time! I am officially obsessed with him :)
We took him out to the park today- kinda. Its a big grass field right next to our house. Mike made us sandwiches for lunch, we took a big blanket and headed out for a pic-nic. It was SO much fun!! Remi did NOT like laying on the ground so I ate my sandwich holding him. We put his baby sunglasses on and he was hanging out like a 'cook kid'.
He LOVES tummy time! Daddy will lay on the couch and hold Remi on his chest. Remi lifts his head up SO high! Its awesome! Oh and did I mention Remi loves classical music? Its our bedtime routine now :)
I could go on and on and on about my baby boy. He is so amazing...I am so love struck....WE are SO in love with him!!
We are still having guests come in and out to meet him. Of course I brag that hes a good baby that doesn't cry...and what does he do?? CRYS as soon as someone comes over!! Yea..thanks Remi!!
Anyways~ Things are going fantastic!!! I can't imagine my life without him already. He IS my life!!!!!

Breast Feeding 101

HOLY HELL!!!! It hurts!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I am liking my new 'boob job' I received over night :) Remi breast feeds SUPER well....its just Mama who is not liking the bleeding nipples I get from doing it! OUCH!!!
But I will do what I need to do to keep my baby healthy!! I can't wait 'till I'm past the 'bleeding and chapped' nipple stage...hopefully its sooooon.
In the meantime~ here are some cute pictures of Remington. He gets cuter everyday!!!!

What a weekend!!

We had a few visitors~ my parents brought us meatloaf for dinner Thursday night, my sister and her family brought us pizza Friday night, a good friend brought us more pizza Saturday night, mikes parents brought us steak and veggies tonight and we have some other friends bringing us pizza tomorrow night. We are so thankful for all the love and support that we get from all our friends and family. We truely can not thank them enough.
Besides the FOOD~ We've been hanging around the house trying to get into some sort of routine. We've managed to squeeze in some naps in between guests and still enjoy time with Remi while he is awake. By the way- he gets SOO alert after he eats! Its great!!
I have managed to talk a few walks around the block or at least up and down the street. It feels great to get out but I sure do 'pay' for it when I return. I still hurt pretty bad 'down there'.
Anyways~ things are going pretty good! Remi now wakes US up in the middle of the night when he is hungry...but its at least every 3 hours so we get some sort of sleep at night. We play classical baby music while he feeds at night. It keeps him calm...and us calm...and creates a really nice stress free environment for all of us.

LIFE IS AMAZING!!!!!

First Pediatrician Apt!!

We woke up this morning to our beautiful baby boy but noticed we was looking a little yellow. My sister then came over to hang out and noticed the same thing so I immediately called his pediatrician to see if we could come in to get him checked out. They indeed has a spot open for noon, which gave us just 30 mins to get our things together for our 'first outing'. We scrambled all over the house, running around wild trying to figure out what we need to take this boy out of the house. We had never taken him out of the house obviously so we were so unprepared on what we need or didn't need. We threw some clothes on us, and him, packed some diapers and wipes and off we went!
The doctor commented on how teeny tiny he was and asked if he was a preemie. "NO!!! He was 12 days away from his due date~ hes' just tiny" I explained.  (I get this question all the time now) Anyways, at birth he weighed 5lb 13oz and today at his apt he was down to 5lbs 2oz but the doc said it was due to me not having my milk in yet. She also confirmed some slight jaundice but requested that we supplement after I breastfed to help his weight and jaundice. She said he 'peepee' is healing good, his belly button looks good and HE looks good!! We we're super please! We go back in 2 weeks to get him checked again!
We did pretty good for first time parents leaving the house with a new born...for the first time!!! :)

Super tiny in his huge carseat!!

 A nervous (and exhausted) mama at the doctors!

We survived the first night!!

We survived the first night home! Pretty good I'd say! Remi slept super well- in fact we had to wake him up to feed him. We didn't get much sleep due to our nerves but we certainly slept good knowing we were home with our baby.
Breast feeding is going pretty good. I don't have my milk yet so I'm not sure Remi is getting 'full'. Although he sleeps much of the day and seems happy, I just feel bad that I can't fill his tummy with much food yet. I hope that within the next day or two my milk shows up.
We didn't have any visitors yesterday, besides my mom, who 'babysat' Remi while I took a shower and daddy and I took a nap. It was a WONDERFUL nap!! She then cooked us some mac and cheese with a side of green beans for lunch then left in the evening to give us our space. We literally just sat there on the couch for hours staring at our new bundle of joy and talking about our last 72 hours.

Here are some pics of Remis first night at home!