Have my Life Back :)

I know I haven't posted forever. For one thing, no one really reads this. But above all, first we were struggling with Adam's sleepiness and inability to feed (he kept falling asleep). Consequently, his bilirubin was growing very, very fast and he had to be hospitalized and spend a day under the bili lights. Thankfully this resolved itself once my milk came in. And then we had colic.

Well, you might know that colic is actually not a diagnosis, just a word for "there is something wrong with your baby and we don't really know what." It turns out that what is wrong with our baby is a severe lactose intolerance. First I cut out all the milk and milk products such as cheese, yoghurts and creme. No change. So I had to start reading the labels for hidden milk. No change. As a last try I got a list of things that have a relation to milk, which led to a temporary improvement and then a horrible blow out of symptoms. We have been on a special formula ever since and boy, I have an angel baby now! No more screaming in pain, no more holding when he is sleeping and way more sleep for momma. Which is why I came to be writing now - Adam is happily swinging in his swing fast asleep and if today is like the last two days, he will be sleeping till 1pm. Glorious :)

As far as I am concerned, I am feeling a bit down because of the whole breastfeeding thing. I had a very hard time getting used to it, hurt quite a lot and took forever to get the milk in. I had several infections, several days of fever as my supply was adjusting and pumping to build a supply for when I go back to work has been a challenge because it turns out I don't pump well at all. However, I built a stash of 350 oz to date, got to the point where my supply regulated and yet Adam will be a formula baby. I don't think that anyone who has not experienced this can understand how frustrating this really is. I was for sure not attached to breastfeeding, but the idea of Adam not getting the very best is breaking my heart. But I've got to do what's best for him. Aaah, the joys of parenthood.

Adam Radley is here!

Adam Radley has arrived on 7/9/09 at 10.21 pm. He was 21 inches long and 7 pounds 5 oz. He will be three weeks old tomorrow and he an absolute sweetheart (when he does not scream, lol). We are very much in love and very happy we were blessed with a happy, healthy baby!

One day to go

It came thus far. I will be checking into the hospital tonight to get the meds started and tomorrow at 7.30am is the official induction time. I would describe how I feel, but that would be mainly nervous. I am nervous about the pain, pushing, possible epidural, meeting the baby, the baby not being healthy, being exhausted, not being able to breast feed... I guess your typical the-day-before feelings. Wish us luck and a reasonably easy labor! 

Latest belly pic

Not much is new on our home front, aside of the fact that I am exhausted and increasingly abused from within. Oh, maybe that our induction date might be as early as July 2nd. Still hoping Adam will decide to make an early entrance, but if not, 6th is the most likely day per my OB. I was told today at work that I have visibly grown over the weekend. The fact that I have not put on any weight per my last dr. appointment is making me feel much better about it, mainly because it has to be the baby if it's not me, right? RIGHT! Anyway, here is me with my new belly. No hiding the pregnancy these days and finally I am looking my 7 and half month along!

Nursery pics

Last weekend, we have finally finished the nursery! It's not the most spacious room in the house given that it is a walk-in closet in a little townhome, but hey, I love it. It's way more nursery-like than I ever imagined being able to fit in there. We are still waiting for the changing table and a little side table from the storage unit, but it's essentially done!

Getting closer

Today marks the end of the thirtieth week of my pregnancy. And quite honestly, I am starting to feel it. I made good friends with heartburn (or what I assume to be heartburn - it does not feel good and goes away when I take Tums). When Adam kicks he really hurts me sometimes. And above all, the belly is getting heavy!  And in short 9 weeks, there is going to be 3 of us in the family :) 

We had our big baby shower, graciously hosted by Darina and didn't get almost anything we needed. Thankfully, Mike's coworkers have thrown him a surprise shower and gotten us most of what was missing. Yay! We are also half way done with the baby room (eg, it's not a closet anymore), have picked colors and are ready to start painting. I would love to share more, but I am so exhausted I really can't put a sentence together. I have not been feeling well the last 3 days and  had a really bad heartburn last night at 1am (don't ask me), so I really can't wait to go to sleep tonight. 

Long overdue

Just a quick catch-up - Adam seems to be doing good. He is passing his ultrasounds with flying colors. Not so much mommy's blood pressure, which keeps going up. There is always some fun around here. OK, took a few belly pics, some of them are not entirely horrible. Please don't mind my mini-bruises from my lovenox shots.