Timeline Thursday

Drew and daddy sleeping alike 4/23/2009

He loves to eat 4/24/2009

Sleeping like a big boy 4/25/2009

Drew's little foot 4/26/2009

Drew's little hand 4/27/2009

Sprawled out on daddy on a hot day 4/28/2009

Someone like to squirm in his sleep 4/29/2009

Look at me, I'm two weeks old 4/30/2009

A Little Change

As you know, I have a little feature on the occasional Wednesdays that I do called Wordless Wednesday. I did steal the idea from another blog, but it was a cute idea to just post a picture with a title for that day's post.

Also, I had the Thankful Thursday that I also "borrowed" from another blog that I would occasionally post the things I was thankful for.

Well......I have come up with my own feature that will replace both. It will be about my baby boy called Timeline Thursdays. It will showcase pictures of Mr. Drew's days as they pass so quickly. This will help us reflect back and see how much he has grown up. So, I hope you enjoy this new addition as I know I will.

Signs Of Spring

Yes, the signs of spring are all around us. The trees are budding, the spring flowers are in full bloom, the birds and other critters are out doing there thing and the weather is definitely warmer. The temperature around here has been in the 90's for the last couple of days, it will cool back down into the 60's shortly, but its still warmer.

Also, the major sign for us around here that spring is here (and summer is around the corner), our ice cream stand at the end of our street is open!! Yeah! We strolled down to the end of the street last night, pushing the baby for his first walk to "Mr Cone". It was great. Of course Drew didn't have any and he slept the whole time, but it was nice for mommy and daddy (grandpy too) to have our first ice cream cone of the season. Yummy!

So, bring on the warm weather since we now have our ice cream stand open!

Formula Feeding vs. Breastfeeding

Jeff and I had to make our first big decision for little Drew last week. Jeff and I always talk things out and weight the outcome together, even though Jeff says what ever I decide he will back me up. But, I like it when we talk things over and we both put our thoughts into a decision.

The big debate for Drew was to keep breastfeeding or give him formula. That conversation came about last Monday morning around 6am after 4 nights of barely any sleep for the three of us after trying to breastfeed the baby. Yes, Jeff couldn't feed the baby, but he got up with me at each feeding time to assist me getting Drew set since I was so weak.

Since before I got pregnant, I just assumed I would breastfeed. Now-a-days, that is what you should do (according to doctors, research, parenting classes, etc), so I had no second thoughts since it would provide great nutrition and antibodies for my child. It was a set decision that Jeff supported 100% since that is what I wanted and he was going to help me all the way. Don't get me wrong, I had nothing against formula feeding, this was just something I wanted to do for my child since it seemed to be the best way to go for him.

We purchased a nice double breast pump, all the supplies to go with it, attended a class at the hospital and I researched on techniques, hints and ideas to make things go smooth for mommy and baby. We were ready for little Drew to arrive.

A couple of hours after Drew was born, it was time to feed him (the reason it wasn't right away was the visitors who were waiting outside the door who wanted to meet him and he had to have a bath). Breastfeeding felt a little awkward, but it was the first time for all of us. The nurse assisted a little (the first night nurse wasn't the best), but it still didn't help. Mr. Drew had a hard time latching on and understanding the concept, but he did eat a little. We made it through the first night with the resistance from the baby and no sleep, but we were going to keep trying.

The following nights were not any better. It seemed to have gotten worse since he was getting more hungry but having problems latching on. We were all frustrated, tired and I felt I was force feeding my child since he was crying while I tried to show him where he needed to be. The nurses just kept telling me that this is new for the both of us and that we have to keep trying. I kept thinking to myself that I have no idea how much he's eating, he keeps crying, his sleep pattern was all over the place since he was so hungry and tired, never mind what Jeff and I were going through. What I was concerned about was my child.

The forth night was the worse. We were home by this time and we just couldn't sooth baby Drew. Jeff and I tried everything from rocking, different sleep positions, where he slept, household noises (like a vacuum....it worked for my niece) and anything else we could think of with an exhausted mind. By the time it reached Monday morning we may have gotten 10 hours sleep over the 4 days. Jeff was rocking the baby (since I tried to feed Drew for the hundredth time with no luck) and I was standing in front of him out of solutions and I asked Jeff if we should just make a bottle with the formula samples from the hospital? Jeff slightly shook his head yes and I made a bee-line to the kitchen.

I made the bottle, handed it to Jeff and there was silence. Drew was eating with no fussing, no resistance, no crying. After he ate, he slept so soundly I think for the first time since he was born. While Drew slept, Jeff and I sat at the kitchen with bags under our eyes with relief felt throughout our body.

Later that day, Drew had his first doctors apt. His pediatrician asked the big question, how was the breastfeeding going? I explained our situation. She said that I had to make a decision on which method we were going to use since you cannot mix and match with the milk production. The doctor of course leaned towards us to continue breastfeeding.

After the apt I started to cry while we drove home. I told Jeff I didn't know what to! He told me that yes the decision was up to me, but we thought back about what happened over the last few days and how much happier Drew seemed already. I took a deep breath and said "I just want a happy and healthy baby and if he is going to sleep and eat regularly this way, then lets stick to formula".

Let me tell you that I felt so guilty making that decision! I felt so selfish. I just hope it was the right choice for my child. But ever sense going to formula, he sleeps so much better and we know how much he gets. On Drew's follow up apt and we broke the news to the doctor, there was no lecture (which I had expected). I told her the progress and she was very happy with the results. Aren't we all!!

Zack's April Visit

As you know, our weekend plans changed drastically for Zack's April weekend visit. It was all rearranged for a good reason, but at the end of the weekend, both Jeff and I felt bad since most of the visit we were between the hospital for Drew's delivery and then adjusting to our newborn at home for the first night.


Zack said he didn't mind since his grandpy and him had a great visit and spent a lot of time together, but Jeff and I just felt guilty since we don't see him too often.


Regardless, Zack loves his little brother. He couldn't wait to get back home to show off his pictures of his little brother Drew. I had picked up a Big Brother brag book a few months back, so we filled it with photos before he left. He was so tickled.


We can't wait to see Zack in June for fathers day weekend in Maryland. Before he left, Zack, myself and Drew were sitting on my backyard swing and we chatted about the next visit. I tried to explain to him that the hotel arrangements will be a little different then we are all used too with a baby (you know, the night feedings, changing and what ever else may come up) and he shook his head in agreement, but who knows how he will feel when it actually happens. I then explained to him that we had all kinds of weekend plans while he was here, but his little brother wanted to meet him instead of waiting for June. Zack just smiled with agreement.


Also, on a side note......Zack's mom mentioned the two times we saw her over the weekend, that her and her soon to be husband have been talking about having a baby after they get married. Guess what Zack told her.......she was too old! I looked at her (while I laughed in my head) and said, oh its just his interpretation of your age (she's 31 by the way). That little comment made my day! Not that I think 31 is old, just that he thinks she is old!

Drew's First Week

I cannot believe it, my little munchkin is a week old today. It just doesn't seem possible, but I better get used to it, huh?! I have taken a picture a day of my little Drew on my cell phone to help document his first week (and most likely beyond since I can send daily photo's to his grandparents). Yeah, I have a camera and have taken plenty of photo's with it, but my phone was handy while in the hospital (and at home too when the camera was not easy assessable).

So, I'd like to share my son's first week in photo's with you.......

On his actual birthday, 4/16/2009 moments after birth

Resting with his mommy in the hospital on 4/17/2009

Getting ready to head home on 4/18/2009

Relaxing in his swing on 4/19/2009

Doing a little bit of crying on 4/20/2009 (not his first time)

Napping with mommy at home on 4/21/2009

Sleeping in his crib for the first time (and staying there all night) on 4/22/2009

Early morning tummy time today, 1 week old

D-Day

Delivery day was a surprise, for us all. The day proceeded as follows-

It was time to get up and ready for work last Thursday, 4/16. I started my normal routine, head to the bathroom, take care of business and take my morning thyroid pill. As I was standing in the kitchen rooting for the pill at 6:30am in its bottle, I felt fluid run down my leg. My first thought was, oh great I didn't empty my bladder enough. Then a little thought entered my mind, this could be my water breaking.

I went back into the bathroom to check things out. When I wiped (pardon the description) it was noticed that what was on the toilet paper was much different then urine and there was a little blood. When I returned to the kitchen area where I was standing, there was a puddle of fluid sitting there. I now had a 95% belief that this was my water breaking.

I text Jeff (since he has to be to work for 6:30am) and let him know my discovery. We both agreed to contact the doc's office. Well, after an 1/2 wait of back and forth phone calls with the answering service, the office finally opened at 8am and they told me to come and get checked out. When I was in the doc's office, she was about to conduct a test to see if it was truly my membrane rupture, but she was convinced right away when she saw the suspected area that it was indeed my water breaking. She sent me right away to the delivery floor of the hospital for baby Drew's delivery. I wasn't having many contractions at that time either, so I was able to move around ok.

After a quick check in, it was time to head to my room (where the delivery and recovery occur). My contractions were slow starting, so I was hooked up to pitosin for assistance. I don't remember the time line, but after the medication started to kick in, the contractions started. I went from 3 centimeters, to 4 1/2 (this is when I ordered my epidural that at first only helped my right side, but it was working fine shortly after), to 6, to 6 again and then at 8pm 10 centimeters.

My mom, FIL, SIL Jen and Jeff were there when it was announced that I was at 10 centimeters and on the next contraction I would start to push. I was a little shocked that it came so fast, but I was ready to meet my little guy. I was actually joking around until the final 15 minutes of pushing. The total amount of time pushing was 45 minutes and then, my dreams came true.....I met my son for the first time.

Drew was placed on my chest while he was cleaned up. He heard my voice and started looking for me right away and then he peed on me. Yup, he christened me right away, but I didn't mind. I looked up at Jeff who had tears in his eyes and it was the best feeling anyone could have seeing my little family all together for the first time.

Jeff was there for the entire time. He helped me through each contraction, held my hand, rubbed my back, helped me move when I couldn't from the epidural and was just there for me for anything I needed. During the pushing part of my labor, he was there holding my leg and coaching me with the doctor and nurse. He cut little Drew's umbilical cord and witnessed all the after effects of birth.

The labor was quick for us, even though it was an all day event, but it went smoothly besides the little issue with the epidural and the painful IV insert on my hand. Drew and myself are home, happy and healthy. I can't wait to share more very soon (and catch up with everyone too).

Our Little Surprise

Our little guy arrived a little early (as my dad did so wonderfully keeping everyone updated), but that's ok. He arrived healthy and early so his big brother could meet him. We still has Zack for the weekend, it was a challenge but thanks to my FIL who helped out with Zack while we were in the hospital.

Here is Mr Drew's stats and a cute little picture I snapped on Saturday before we were discharged from the hospital on my phone. I promise to fill in all the details very soon, but I wanted to thank everyone for their support and anticipation of our big day. We are working on our new schedule, but I hope to post a little each day soon.

Drew Thomas

Born 4/16/2009 at 8:51pm

Weighting 7lbs 9ounces

Length of 20 1/2 inches

Zack's Heading North

Zack is heading our way for the weekend, yeah! He will arrive early tomorrow afternoon and be here through Sunday afternoon (well, at least that's what the plan is right now).

We have a busy weekend planned and we can't wait. As of right now, we are planning on going to the movies Friday night to see the new Fast & Furious movie (Zack loved the first movie when he was younger and grew up with the series, so it makes sense to go). Then on Saturday head to the main Yankee Candle headquarters and have a nice lunch out. Zack loves to explore at Yankee Candle, so we don't mind taking him. Then we hope to have a family visit that night. On Sunday, the boys will play their video games in the morning and then go out to lunch with his mother to hand him back over.

So, that's the plan right now. I'm sure things will change a 100 times before we get him tomorrow. But, we can't wait to see him. Also, this will be the first time he sees the room all re-arranged for Drew's stuff. We'll see what he has to say!

The next visit after that is planned for Father's day weekend in Maryland. I can imagine how many time that will change, but I will try my best to nail down plans when I see her this weekend. I'm going to have too many things on my plate to have to worry about her petty reasons to change the next visit.

Worldess Weds - Jeff's New Car

*Jeff's new vehicle is a 2007 Ford Taurus with awesome mileage and the price couldn't be passed up*

38 Week Check Up

This week, I reach the 38 week mark and I think its amazing. I had my check up and everything looks great. All my vitals are where they should be and I feel good.

I have had an increase of those practice contractions, where my belly gets really hard for a few seconds, but that's about it. I don't feel anything else that would go with a contraction.

The doc says Mr Drew has dropped, which is a good sign but no dilation. She did explain that I could go two weeks past my due date (which I knew I could already). If I go one week past the due date, we have an ultrasound. So, if I happen to go that long, at least I'll be able to see him before his grand entrance.

Other then then, he's moving around good, his heartbeat is strong and we are enjoying end together.

What a day, what a day!

Our Easter celebration this year was filled with food, family, flashbacks and a hospital visit (not for me).

Let's see, where to begin.......

Yesterday started off early for me. I was up early preparing the nice big garden salad and the gorgeous fruit salad along with getting everything ready to be heated up and cooked. I then took on straightening up the main level of the house, hid the Easter eggs, laid out the baskets for my niece and basically got ready for everyone to arrive for our visit.

A little after 11am the house phone rings. My in-laws just arrived with my niece and she was excited to look for Easter eggs. My FIL hands me the phone and in a joking voice says, its a bill collector. I had a feeling it was my parents asking if we needed anything before they arrived, so I took the phone and said hello. Yeah, it was my dad, but for a completely different reason.....he had just called the ambulance for my mom because she was having chest pains.

It was agreed that I'd meet them at the hospital shortly. We did a quick Easter egg hunt with my niece, said goodbye and took off like a bat out of hell to the hospital (I beat the ambulance by the way.....I guess its because I live a little closer to the hospital then my parents).

While I was on the way to the hospital, I had myself a flashback. Over 15 years ago, my mom was being rushed to the hospital on Easter for falling down our old house's staircase while she was caring the baskets downstairs. I just shook my head and told myself that I have to remind her of this and Easter was not her holiday.

My parents soon arrive at the emergency room. My mom had another chest pain attack in the ambulance on the way to the hospital so they gave her some medication which seemed to help her. She was feeling much better after she was checked in by the nurse.

My mom had tests (chest x-ray, sonogram and blood tests) while we were there waiting for several hours. My dad and I had Easter dinner at the hospital which was nice, just the two of us. We had food waiting for us at my house, but we weren't sure when we would get a chance to actually eat it (tell a diabetic and a pregnant women they couldn't eat when they are actually hungry and they had to wait, it wouldn't have been pretty). But, when we returned from our meal, she was clear to leave but not until after she argued with the ER doctor who wanted to keep her overnight for observation. She refused outright. My mom has had lots of history with hospitals and she just is afraid. So, she had to promise to call her doctor first thing Monday morning and if she had to pains again, to return. She promised.

Mom is doing OK. She is lined up to call her doctor first thing this morning and I am on stand-by to bring her. We still don't know what caused the sudden chest pains either. All I can say is, what a day, what a day! Oh, and we were kidding around that next year, with my mom's history with this holiday, that we should celebrate the weekend after the actual Easter day.

Happy Easter!!

Easter Plans

I can't believe its already Easter time. Its time for the chocolate bunnies, plastic eggs to hide, baskets filled with goodies and family visiting with lots of food to eat.

I'm cheating a little this year (just like Christmas) for our Easter dinner. I ordered already prepared food (mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes and mac & cheese) from Boston Market,we have the pre-cooked spiral ham and a lemon cake from Swiss Colony. The only thing I have to worry about is making a garden salad and fruit salad. My mom will bring the deviled eggs and my SIL Sarah may bring over some cupcakes. So, dinner will be easy this year. Also, my FIL is in charge of the ham, so I don't have to worry about that (except telling him the cooking schedule).

I can't wait to see my niece finding all the eggs filled with candy and money we hide for her. That is so much fun watching her do that. Also, seeing the excitement in her eyes as she goes through her basket. She will be the pro next year with little Drew and the other new baby in the family for the next Easter holiday.

Its too bad Zack won't be around, but we will chat with him that day to see how his day is going.

Thankful Thursday

1. Our hospital will install our infant seat. That apt is later today and it takes the worry off of our shoulders.


2. The warm sunshine. It means the warmer weather is definily coming to stay.


3. The early spring flowers. Its so great to walk out your door and see the early spring flowers in full bloom now-a-days.


4. Looking through old photos. We had a project for work last week, to bring in old photo's, and it was great to look back at my wonderful little life.


5. To have such a wonderful hairdresser. I don't have my hair colored at the time, but she is still great at cutting my hair and making me look fantastic!

Wordless Weds - The Kids Room

Jeff's Nesting Phase

So, I'm going to call what Jeff is going through as his nesting phase. I'll give him that because of the timing. I'm giving him space to do what he has to do since I know I must be driving him crazy with me going through my phase. But, our phases are a little different.

Jeff has the urge to buy a new car. It won't be a brand new car, but a vehicle to replace his cute little VW Jetta. He's mentioned it once or twice before about wanting to get a bigger car for the expanding family, but now all of a sudden the need to take care of this has hit him hard. The reason he feels the Jetta isn't appropriate any longer is the limited backseat room. Zack even made the announcement about a year ago that he doesn't like the Jetta because there isn't enough room for him (he likes my mini-van better).

Jeff's Jetta when he first purchased it

Over the weekend he was looking online for vehicles, making calls and doing his thing. He's narrowed down the search and we have an appointment on Thursday to look at vehicles in person and crunch numbers. I know the timing is close to other life changes, but it eases Jeff's concerns and it'll make my life easier.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Another busy weekend for me. I don't mind, it keeps my mind focused. Also, I had made sure there was time to sit back, relax and put my feet up too. So, I guess it was a combo weekend to be more precise.

Let's see, where to start. Ahh, Friday night.......

Since Friday was my dad's official birthday, we had to have cake. Since it was his big day, I let him pick out what kind he wanted and right away, with no hesitation, his answer was ice cream. So, we had a delicious Dairy Queen cake Friday evening. He Also opened up some presents too, since what's having a birthday cake without gifts, right?

Saturday I was able to accomplish washing all of Mr. Drew's newborn and 0-3 month clothes, blankets, sheets and anything else I could get my hands on. I also had to mail out Zack's and Grandpa's Easter packages filled with lost of Easter surprises. So, in between all that, I was able to relax a little.

Then Saturday night, Jeff and I took my parents out to a lovely restaurant to continue my dad's birthday celebration. The restaurant is called Goten and its a Japanese, cook in front of you restaurant. None of us had ever been there and it was the perfect opportunity to check it out. The table sits about 8 people around a grill. You have some soup and salad while you wait for the cook. He comes out, introduces himself, double checks what you ordered and then puts on a little show while he cooks you supper. The amount of food was unbelievable too. Definitely worth the price! It was such a great evening.

Then Sunday my mom and I ran around and returned items we didn't use for the baby shower (like decorations, etc). So, it was busy, but I got lunch out of the deal!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend no matter what you did! Also, I hope the weather is getting nicer for you too. Ours is in a rut, chilly and windy for now, but there is now snow!!

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy 60th BirthdayDad!

Hey, thats Jeff!

We have a local restaurant called the 99. Its a casual sit down burger, salad and sandwich type of place. They have local memorabilia on the wall related to the town the restaurant is located in including the town's high school sports teams that go back several years. We have a couple in the area, so its interesting to see all the neat stuff on the wall.

One day, my mom and I were in the restaurant that is located in the town I grew up in. I am always checking out the sports pictures on the wall since I played in high school along with Jeff and my in-laws. So, I noticed the years posted were around the years we were in high school (yeah, that made me feel old when I realized they were posting pictures from over 11 years ago, yikes!).

While mom and I were waiting for our food I noticed a volleyball picture, but I didn't see the year. I knew Jeff and my BIL played vball in high school, so I got up and checked it out. It was Jeff's Senior year team photo. I couldn't belive it! I started laughing and told my mom that it was Jeff. I snapped a photo with my phone and text it to Jeff.

He couldn't believe it! I asked him for his autograph since his photo is up in a restaurant. He just laughed!

Here is the "famous" photo. Jeff is in the middle row, first on the left side with #28 on his shirt.

Drew's Shower, Part 2

First, I have to explain that some photo's were lost (I don't want to point any fingers and blame anyone but it could have been a malfunctioning camera or operator error, but I don't want to get involved in that mess).

So, we don't have photo's of what the room, the favors or the tables, but I will share with you some of the pictures that were able to be saved since the operator switched camera's half way through the shower.
Me and the proud grandpa-to-be, my dad. He came to visit with friends and relatives and enjoy the party he and my mom hosted. He loves to ware his tux tee-shirt to casual gatherings. He wore the same shirt to Jeff and my wedding reception (since it was a casual BBQ). Isn't he adorable though?

The gift table. The first table with the arranged bags are the raffle prizes, but beyond that is all the goodies we had fun opening during present time. Oh, it was fun getting it all into the trucks and mini-van without worrying about the rain or getting things wet, but we managed!

Someone asked me if I had a favorite gift and I couldn't think of just one gift I loved more then another. I am just so grateful for everything we received, but the cutest arranged gift was from my grandma and her bff Louise. Above is a picture after we opened it up, but it had her homemade quilt, diaper bag, clothes, toys and receiving blankets all arranged in Drew's first wagon. She went with the John Deere tractor theme since it matches the baby's room theme.

This is my dad holding up the wall during present time. He had a great view of all the presents being opened and he guarded the cupcakes too.

My Auntie Vicki and her bff who is a great friend of the family too. My aunt is the one who cooks up the idea for the clothes line of different baby clothes for the baby shower gift. I know all my aunts pitched in, but she gets the full credit in my mind since she puts it all together.

Another picture of family. The women in the black shirt is my grandma's bff Louise, middle is my cousin Molly and then my grandma in the white shirt. Some people think that my cousin Molly is my little girl at functions who don't know who parents.

Isn't he the cutest little man? This is my cousin Sebastian who was born last September. He can't wait for his new buddy to be born soon so he can have someone to play with! And what's a baby shower without a baby anyways!

When we got home, the boys placed gifts in any open area. Here is a snapshot of Drew's area. The rest was placed in the living room (pictured below) and in the kitchen.

Almost everything has a home now between the baby's room, the living room, basement or our room. We still have a few things to pick up and arrange, but we are pretty much ready to welcome Drew. Yeah, I still have to wash the clothes, sheets, towels and blankets, but that won't take too long since the items are so tiny. We are heading to Babies R Us tomorrow night and I can't wait to hit the store and take care of business. When the room is complete, I'll show it off.