My little guy is 6 months old. Everyone said it would go fast, I just didn't realize it would be THIS fast. Why does it go so quickly?! I want him to slow down and stay little bitty just a little bit longer.

He's been sitting up for about a month now. He prefers this to laying down now, which I thought was a bad thing considering he still doesn't roll! Turns out he may just skip rolling and go to scooting and then crawling. He can push himself up really good when he's on his belly and even scoot backwards if he's on a slick surface.

His two bottom teeth finally broke through and happy Preston is back!

He's finally accepting baby cereal again after a long strike. It's still really soupy though, otherwise he frowns and spits it out. His pediatrician said to get him started on solids soon though, and go straight to stage 2 if he takes it well. His weight isn't where she wants it. So I bought a bunch of different veggies and fruits and I'm going to make his baby food. It's cheaper and contains a lot more vitamins and minerals. And, I'm bored.

We're still breastfeeding and I'm really proud to be in the 36% that make it this far! I plan to go a year or when cow's milk can be introduced, hoping he makes it that far. Why switch to formula and pay for it when I make it for free?! Plus making and cleaning bottles, I'd rather do without.

Preston has beena really poor sleeper the past couple months (could have been from teething). Last week I purchased a swaddling blanket and it has been WONDERFUL. Last night he slept from 10:30pm to 10:00am this morning, waking only once at 5:00am and not even crying then. I fed him and he went back to sleep. I can't remember the last time I got that much sleep! Or Preston for that matter!

Preston weighed in at 16lbs, 4ozs, the 27th percentile, and he is 27 inches long, the 67th percentile. I was really expecting him to weigh more, and it made me sad that he was in the lower percentile. But I suppose if you look at genetics, he's coming from two thin people. I'm still supposed to push more food on him and get him eating solids. We'll see how he does.

He didn't like the doctor or nurse. He screamed bloody murder when he was out of my reach both times, he's has bad seperation anxiety right now. He really didn't like the shots, but was instantly ok when I picked him up. He started looking all over the place for the nurse after his shots and I picked him up, like "Ha Ha, you can't get me anymore!"

Overall, he's the sweetest, happy little guy. He's starting to snuggle on your shoulder when he's tired, and say "Ma." I don't think he associates it with me yet, but I love hearing it! He's just wonderful and I love him so much!

Preston has his 4 month check up today. He would have went on Monday but the doctor called in sick. He has been given the ok to start rice cereal! We're going to be picking up a box soon to see how he does. She said if he's ready, most of it should go down, but if he's not then most will come back out. He checked out healthy! Still no ear infections (yay!, Justin had 4 sets of tubes in his ears when he was little), good eye sight from what we can tell, and still a small head. Oh well, it's growing and that's the important part. He's a healthy 14lbs 11oz (46%) and 25.5in long (66%). I thought he felt kinda hefty for his age and I often hear comments on how big he is, but he's a pretty average 4 month old! He received 5 shots and one oral again. He gagged on the oral, which made him upset and cry. The shots were no better. He gave it his all with the screaming! He grabbed my fingers so tight and squeezed harder with eat shot. With the last shot he was in such a frenzy that he stopped breathing in and turned bright read with little tears pouring out. It just breaks my heart! He calmed down pretty quickly once I picked him up though. He left out a few more cries when I put him down to dress him. As soon as we were in the car he was humming himself to sleep (It's adorable, but can get kinda loud when I'm trying to sleep also) and is still asleep now, an hour and half later! So it's back to the doc at 6 months.

Preston is 2 months old today! My baby is getting so big. I was very worked up about his appointment today. If you saw Oprah a while ago, they were discussing the link between Autism and vaccines. I toyed with the idea a bit, but decided on his shots. Autism would be better than death. I was also just feeling sorry for Preston. I didn't want to see him in pain or associate me with the pain he was feeling. I made Justin come along... and hold him! He ended up getting 6 different vaccinations and Tylenol on top of that. Poor guy is all drugged up! He cried as soon as we got him undressed. He hates begin naked. When she wiped the area to be shot, he screamed. He hates cold too. As soon as Justin picked him up he stopped crying and fell asleep in daddy's arms. Traumatized!

He's weighing in at 12lbs 1 oz. The 61st percentile for his age.

He's 22 3/4 inches long. 48th percentile for his age.

She said his head was small, but I don't remember how much she said. I guess all that hair on there makes me think it's bigger!

He's doing really well though. He wasn't fussy for the couple hours he's been awake so far and I even got some cute pictures. Me? Take pictures? Never. As long as he doesn't end up crying in pain in an hour, he's off the Tylenol. I'll post some 2 month pictures soon!

Preston had his 6 week check up today! He's now 21.5 inches long (at 2 weeks they told me 21 3/4...hmm... did he shrink?) putting him in the 50% for his age and weighs 10.14 pounds which put him at 75-90%. He's filling out quite nicely. They said breastfed babies gain weight quicker, but jeez... Some of him 0-3 months clothes are getting snug. He's also hit all his basic milestones and a few advanced ones. He can lift his head, follow objects (loves his mobile!), makes eye contact, and now does a social smile--so cute and melts my heart every single time! I just love, love, love him!

I already had my 4 week check up and everything checked out great. So now it's back to exercising... HA! Who has time for that anyway?

I'm 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant. I've been pregnant for 267 days. I have 12 days left until my due date. I am 95% of the way there! I'm dilated to 1.5cm and effaced 50% since 35 weeks. I've gained 26 pounds. I have no stretch marks... on my belly. I've had all my baby clothes washed since June 1st. I had the baby's room painted a week after we moved into our new house. The day of my baby shower, I had Justin help assemble and open every single item, including the high chair that he won't use until he's eating foods. I had my car seat professionally installed by our local fire department as well as safety checks done on it almost 2 weeks ago. I sleep an average of 5 hours a night because I have either A) Braxton Hicks contractions that are doing nothing to my body but annoying me or B) I have to pee at least once an hour. I have walked every single day since I was 36 weeks pregnant and I am now exhausted and sore, with no baby. I have had both the baby bag and my hospital bag packed and ready for 2 weeks now. I have cleaned my house from top to bottom at least 3 times now, hoping that tomorrow might be the day I deliver. I can't bend over to tie my shoes--I love my flip flops. Every time I get up from sitting, I have to limp because of a kink in my lower back. I can't sit in a recliner because the baby gets tucked up under ribs and I can't breathe. I haven't dropped. I've been carrying low since the very beginning. I get feet in my ribs every hour. Preston weighs about 7 pounds and 4 ounces. If I go another two weeks, I fear I may die during delivery, or worse, have a c-section. I'm terrified of the big needle they jam into your spine to shut you up. I have the most beautiful baby ever, at least in sonograms! I am ready to have this baby!

I know, I'm over 6 month late posting this. I've had computer compatibility problems. I'm using Justin's laptop for now while I have Preston upstairs. So here's his birth...

 

Preston’s Birth Story

On August 3rd, I woke up at 1:30am to what I thought was myself peeing. I got up, went to the bathroom and it stopped as usual. I laid back down and 15 minutes later it happened again. Back to the restroom and it stopped. So I put a pad on and laid back down. I knew my bladder was empty and half an hour later, it started seeping out again. I got up and got online to read about water breaking and by then the pad had filled. I didn't expect him to come 10 days early! I jumped in the shower and tried to relax. I was so excited though! Today was the day! I dried my hair and got dressed.

I called the hospital and let them know I was coming in. I wasn't having any contractions yet, just the Braxton Hicks, which made my water come out even quicker. I woke Justin up at 3:45am and told hi it was time. Half awake, he smiled and said, "really?" Yes! By the time we were at the hospital, I swear my stomach had deflated! When Preston would move around in there, it hurt really bad and you could see him so much better than when there was more fluid!

When I arrived, I was wheeled to the delivery floor to be checked. The strip came back positive for amniotic fluid adn I was told to strip down and put a gown on because there was no going home now!

The nurse called the doctor and he immediately said to start me on Pitocin. My body hadn't even had a chance to start working on it's own! I've heard a lot of painful stories that included Pitocin, so I denied it and asked for more time to progress on my own. Of course, since my water broke, I was on a timeline. I did have to have an IV for fluids though, which is fine with me. I didn't really come into this with a birth plan or anything. I wanted to just play it by ear since I really didn't know what to expect and in the end, I want what is best for baby.

I started at the hospital at 1.5cm and 50% effaced at 4:30am. By 7:00 I had to make at least one sign of progression. I could feel my contractions to really begin, although they were still not very painful, just a light menstrual crampy feeling, and they weren't very regular. By 7:00, I made it to 2-3cm and 60%. Yay! The nurse kept reminding me though that I had to keep progressing or they'd start Pitocin by 1:00pm. So I got up and walked around to try and get contractions going. I think this made them slow down! I barely felt them. So I went back to the room and tried breast pumping. This brought on a lot stronger contractions, but nothing that would continue on it's own. They didn't want to check me until 12:00 to reduce the risk of infection since my water broke so I had no idea if I was getting anywhere. I tried sitting on the birthing ball to open my pelvis and bring the baby down. This really helped after my contractions started getting stronger because I had a lot of back pain with them and I could lean over the bed through them. Finally the doctor called and wanted to see if I was getting anywhere. I was 4cm and 70%. Ugh! This was such a slow process! The nurse kept telling me that the pitocin would speed up my labor, but I knew it would be way more intense and I'd want the epidural right away. I wasn't against one, I just had a major fear of the needle going into my spine! Around 5:00pm I had finally made it to 6cm and 80% The nurse suggested getting in the birthing tub to help with the pain since I was feeling pretty crappy, but still able to tolerate the pain.

The water felt great! It was also nice to get away from everyone that had come for the birth. It was just weird having so many people stand there and watch me labor. I was about to give in to the epidural and get back in bed, but the nurse wanted to check me one last time. I was at 8cm and 90%. I was so close, I knew I could do this without meds. At 7:00, I was almost 10cm and 100%. My doctor finally showed up (I interrupted her workout at the gym and she kept asking the nurse for 20 more minutes! I was going to push when I was ready, regardless!) Just as she got there, I felt the urge to push, and the contractions were so much stronger. So in the water, I pushed away!

The first push felt like his head had to be filling my entire canal! But, no. He was right there, but he wasn't going to come out that easy! Each contraction and push felt like I was getting no where. I was beginning to think he wasn't going to come out. My midwife was great though! I did things on y own terms. After a really good push, she kept saying "push", but I didn't want to anymore and she was fine with that. The next contraction though, that was it! I didn't want to do this anymore, so I gave it my all and pressed down on my stomach, yelling. After "only" 15 minutes of pushing, he was out! It was by far the most intense, scary, exciting, and satisfying thing I have ever done! She pulled him above water and placed him on my lap. As soon as he cried, I started bawling with him, as well as Justin. Oh my goodness! I just gave birth! Naturally! In water! And I have a baby boy!  

August 3rd, 7:25pm. 7 pounds, 3 ounces, 19 inches long. Full head of dark hair!

We had a tough start with breast-feeding, but after 24 hours, he stayed awake long enough to actually latch on. It's a lot more painful than I thought it would be. I'm hoping that pain goes away when the milk comes in!

He looks nothing like what I had imagined! I thought he'd be daddy's replica, but he looks like me as a baby!