Ten Days Old Already!

Wow, time does fly!  It's been a whole ten days since Brandon came into our lives.  It's difficult already to remember life without him, he is such a joy.  

On Friday we went to see the pediatrician for Brandon's first visit.  He has regained most of the weight he lost before leaving the hospital, weighing 7 lb 12.5 oz.  He has even grown 1/2 an inch in length and around his head!

Bath Time!

I'd almost forgotten how slippery babies can be.  Thankfully I had extra set of hands with Nana being here, so I was able capture his first bath at home.  This might not be the best of the pics, but it allows him some modesty!

Not quite sure of the whole bath thing yet.

The sleepy aftermath of the bath.

How Cute Am I?

I think that about covers it for this one!   

This warm and fuzzy outfit was a Christmas present from Aunt Rosemary, Uncle Angelo, Christine and Mark.   It is so cute on him and has provided much warmth during some chilly night sleeps.  Thank you.

The Staab Boys

Sean and Ryan were so happy to get their first opportunity to hold Brandon... under the watchful eye of Mommy of course!

Welcome Home Brandon!!

Despite the great new rooms at the hospital, by Saturday morning, we were more than ready to head home with Brandon.  When the doctors, mine and Brandon's, came to check in on us mid-morning we were already packed and ready to go.  It was a beautiful day and let's face it although in theory it sounds like a good idea to hang around and get some well deserved rest, the beds just aren't that comfortable and rest isn't that plentiful.  Besides I was feeling great. We arrived at home around lunch time and by 4:30 or so I was making dinner for the family!

We arrived just in time to catch Papa Joe and the boys before they headed out to a pancake feed for lunch.  The boys were so excited to have their little brother at home.  It was wonderful to see how they were dotting on him.  I do look forward to the novelty wearing off, just a little bit.  Although they do it because they love him, they can be somewhat smothering.

Brandon all bundled up and ready to leave the hospital.

Sean and Ryan checking Brandon out.

Very proud big brothers.

Brandon's First Visitors

Shortly after he was born, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana and Papa Joe came to the hospital to meet little Brandon.   After school, Daddy brought Sean and Ryan to meet their new little brother. They were so excited to see him.   Sean had already told everyone at school all about him!

Waiting for his big brothers to arrive.  Notice the picture the nurses put in his crib of Sean and Ryan in their "Big Brother" and "Biggest Brother" shirts.

Grandma and Grandpa visiting.

Hopping up on the bed for a closer look.

When I looked at the small pictures, I thought this was Daddy, Sean and Brandon.  Turns out it is just Daddy dishing out his peanuts to Sean.

Nana and Papa Joe visiting.

Giving birth is very tiring for the Daddy's apparently.

He's Here!!!

We arrived at the hospital last night at 7:00 PM for my scheduled induction.   We left two very tired and excited boys at home in the care of Nana and Papa Joe.   Upon arrival, I changed into my "lovely" gown and was set up with an IV.  We were told that I would need help prepping my cervix and that this would take several hours.  One pill would keep me in bed for 2 hours then I could walk around for the next two.  This would most likely have to be repeated.  Since we started the process at 8:00 I was not to expect any Pitocin until early in the morning and baby probably shouldn't be expected until Friday afternoon.   Turns out that the Pitocin wasn't necessary!   My contractions were coming fast and furious by 5:00 AM and I was set up with an epidural shortly thereafter.   I was dilated to 5 cm when the anesthesiologist was called and 7 cm by the time he was done.   Due to a spot where it didn't take, I was given more medicine.  It was great in that I felt nothing... not so great in that I couldn't tell if I had to push, when to push or if I was pushing.  However he came very quickly.  BRANDON JOSEPH STAAB ARRIVED AT 7:31 AM WEIGHING IN AT 7 LBS 13 OZ (yes my doctor was right!).  He is beautiful.  Looks just like Sean and Ryan did at this age.   Seems he is very tired from his journey as he has slept all morning and continues to sleep as I write.    Nana, Papa Joe, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandma Erm and Granny have all been to visit.   Tony spoke to Sean on the phone this morning. He was dying to know how big he is.   Tony will pick him up from school today and bring him to visit with Ryan.  I'm sure his teacher is cursing us today as he must be bouncing off the walls!

I had little if any sleep last night (half hour max), but that doesn't seem to be stopping me from staying up.  I'm sure to regret this later!  Our family feels complete with Brandon's arrival, I'm trying to soak up and enjoy every moment of this last birth experience.

The Latest Scoop

Yesterday, I went for what should be my last prenatal appointment.    My doctor's nurse explained that she could have gotten me in for my induction on Tuesday night, but since Wednesday is my doc's day off, and she knew how much I want him there she didn't go for that.  I thanked her... she knows me well.   My doc explained that I could have gone on Wednesday, but it would have been "stand-by" meaning that if someone were to come in on their own, I'd get a call telling me to stay home.   The only other option was Friday morning, he figured I could be done by then.   So, Thursday night it is... unless I go on my own first.   Since he is out of town this weekend,  I'm not ready for that to happen so I'm on self imposed rest.  Fortunately, Tony decided to take this afternoon off  to help with the boys.   That just leaves me on my own tomorrow.  Sunday of course he'll be home and Monday we return to the school/daycare routine. He (my doc) still believes that this little guy will be under 9 lbs.  He is so firm on this that he bet me a 12 pack of pop.  I buy him diet Dr. Pepper if he is right, he buys me Diet Coke if I'm right.   I am now 50% effaced, which apparently is the hardest part of labour.  This he said has me in good shape if we have to go ahead with the induction.   He also said that quite often women come in on their own before their scheduled date.  I told him that since with Ryan we spent Valentine's Day together, perhaps this time we should look at St. Patrick's Day!  He said "See ya Tuesday!"   I suppose that's up to me.  Keep watching to see if it's St. Patty's Day, Spring Day or some other day!

Okay, So the Date Wasn't Set

Just got another call from my doctor.  Seems that next week is a busy week in the birthing unit.  The earliest date he could schedule my induction... since I don't have preeclampsia, diabetes etc. was Thursday the 19th.  Ya that's right the day before my due date!!!!!  Maybe it is for the best, this way I can go in on my own and avoid a full fledged induction.   Oh ya, and the time to be there is 7:00 PM!!  So I guess I hope that I go on my own ASAP, before he goes out of town for the weekend or late Sunday early Monday.  I'll know more after my appointment on Thursday, always the chance one of the other scheduled inductions will go in on her own, leaving an opening.

The Date Has Been Set

My doctor called about an hour ago.   He has seen the results of my ultrasound and wants to go ahead and schedule an induction.   Unfortunately, the local hospital will not allow this before 39 weeks which is Friday.   Inductions also aren't scheduled on weekends, so we are looking at Monday March 16.    Ultimately this is only 4 or 5 days early, but I figure he isn't going to get any smaller between now and then so we should just go ahead and do it.  My only concern now is making sure that I don't go in on my own before then since my doctor is going out of town this weekend!   This seems to be a trend.  I went in with Sean on his day off and almost missed out on him being there and with Ryan he was leaving town for 3 weeks the next day!  Hopefully, we'll make it through this one too.   I suppose it is possible that I could go in on my own before he leaves, but failing that I might have to go on bed rest for the weekend... to make sure I get through it!  The upside is also that Mom and Dad might still get here before he is born or at least be here shortly after... before I'm released from the hospital.  Between school, daycare and Tony's parents Sean and Ryan will be well taken care of while we are at the hospital.

Pictures will follow as soon as I get them!

Ultrasound Update

I went to the hospital for my ultrasound this morning.  Everything looked good, little man continues to develop nicely.  However, he appears to be weighing in at approximately 8 lb 3 oz. with 2 more weeks to go.   My results will be available to my doctor today (I believe he is the doc on call... so he'll be around).  Now we wait and see what he thinks of this development!  

Baby Update

I was at the doctor this afternoon.   While my due date is not until the 20th, there is still concern about the size of the baby.   Since Ryan was so much bigger than Sean (9 lb 6 oz to Sean's 7 lb 9 oz), he wants to keep an eye on the size of this guy.   Consequently, I have an appointment on Sunday, yes Sunday morning at the hospital for an ultrasound.   The purpose is to estimate his weight.  If it proves that he is in the 90th percentile or above, he will induce me next week.  If he isn't... we continue to wait.   I'll keep you posted.

Swimming Lessons

A couple of weekends ago.... ya I've been a little busy to update regularly... the boys started swimming lessons.  I'm hoping to get a couple of sessions in before summer.   This session, Sean and Ryan are in two different groups within the same level making things much easier on me.  I'm able to take them at the same time and sit back and watch without having to worry about what the other is up to.  Despite the convenience of this, I hope this will not be the case next round.  I really would like to see Sean pass to the next level.   He loves the water, but is quite timid, not wanting to get his face or hair wet.   Week by week he is becoming more brave... we'll see.   Ryan on the other hand has no fear... major reason we are getting an early start on swimming season.   He is loving this.  During the first class, he kept turning to me and saying with a big smile "Mommy, me like swimming lessons!"

Enjoy the video!