Wednesday Randoms, Let's catch up!

Our sweet Amy is embarking on quite the adventure!  She's moving to Alaska to be a nurse.  We're going to miss her so much!  She came to lunch to bid the Maxwell family farewell.  Of course I had to get her picture with Barrett.  I've always wanted to visit Alaska, I'm excited to have an excuse to go now!

Patrick went to walmart after work one day and came home with a play mat for Barrett.  Ally thinks it's for her.  When he's laying on it she usually takes one of her toys over to play on it.

Last week we started putting Barrett in his crib for naps and bedtime.  So far he's done pretty well.  He's not really sleeping any longer at night but it's been good getting into more of a night time routine.

This picture of Porter and Barrett melts my heart.  It is priceless, one of my favorite cousins pictures!

Porter and Barrett were napping and Grandaddy pretended to be asleep too!

I'm trying to get better about blogging.  We've been going through an adjustment phase where Barrett will only nap while being held or sometimes in his car seat after we've ridden somewhere.  I'm getting better about putting him down to cry but it's so hard.  I think it's a growth spurt because he's been eating every two hours during the day and one night.  He's usually been going 3 hours.  So hopefully we'll get this figured out soon!

Due Date

January 15, 2013.

Today is my due date.

Today my baby is 3 weeks old.

Times flies.  I can't believe how fast the last 9 months have flown by.  I can't believe that my baby is already 3 weeks old.  I want to hold on to this precious baby time.  He's so cuddly and loves to be held.  I also love seeing him smile and do new things.  I've been so bad at taking pictures.  I'm trying not to obsess over capturing every little thing so much that I miss it myself but I'm already kicking myself because he changes so much everyday it seems like.  I finally got around to taking some pictures of him in the stocking they gave us at the hospital today.  I want to use one on his birth announcement but I don't want it to look to much like a Christmas card.
Here are a few shots straight out of the camera.  They need some editing but I don't have the energy tonight.  I can't believe how much he has changed in 3 short weeks.

My sweet Christmas baby. 

 I know he's mine but isn't he beautiful.  Hes so sweet too.  He's sleeping 4 and 5 hour stretches at night. He really only cries when he's hungry and when you change his diaper.  He doesn't really cry when he has a wet or dirty diaper only while you're changing it.

 

We are so blessed.

 

Barrett's first week or so...

After we had our picture made by the Christmas tree they wheeled me back to our room.  It wasn't much longer that they let our families come in to see the baby.  He was under the heater so they just got to look at him.  I was so excited my whole family was there.  They just finished up Christmas and headed to the hospital.  When we were back in the room they immediately gave me morphine for pain (although I don't really remember being in any pain) and it almost immediately made me sick.  (I finally told them not to give me anymore pain medication until I was able to eat something.)  So while our families are giddy over the baby I'm hollering for a barf bucket.  I felt bad that they had to witness that, especially the kiddos.  My siblings left not long after I started vomiting (can you blame them) they all had other places to be for the holidays.  So it was just us and our parents.  His temp was finally up enough that the grandparents got to hold him.  I loved getting to see other people love my child.  I'm not sure how to describe the feeling.  You feel loved ten times over when someone loves your child. 

Patrick didn't leave his side all day it seemed like.

Nana & Barrett

Grandmamma & Barrett

I'll be honest the first few days were a bit of a blur.  We had lots of visitors in the hospital and we loved getting to show off our little man.  We had a nice stay, the nurses were great.  I was so thankful for all their help.  It was so nice to have someone to ask when we had stupid questions.  We had some trouble feeding while we were there.  Barrett did not want to nurse.  He'd rather sleep than do anything else.  Which I guess isn't really a bad thing.  His blood sugar kept dropping so they made us give him formula to keep it up.  I was so nervous that he was never going to nurse but so far so good.  We've had a few bad days but overall he seems to be getting it. 

I was going stir crazy in the hospital, I was so ready to get out of there.  They checked him out Friday morning and we found out him bilirubin was a little high so we were sent home on phototherapy.  I was so nervous at first but it wasn't that bad and he actually slept so good on it that I was sad to see it go.  A nurse came to our house Saturday and Sunday morning to check his weight and draw blood to check his bilirubin.  Monday we had to get out and go to the pediatrician's office but it worked out because I had to go to my Dr too.  I was so proud that we were early to our 10:15 appointment.  I felt like I'd run a marathon by the time we got home.  His bili numbers had dropped but they wanted us to keep him on the light until midnight.  Which worked out nicely since it was New Years Eve, we counted down to taking the baby off the light!  He slept pretty good that night, not as good as he did on the light.  The nurse came the next and told us that we didn't have to use the light but it wasn't going to hurt him so use them if we wanted.  We put him on it to sleep and that was pretty much it.  We've stayed in a pretty good eating every three hours.  We have to set an alarm and wake him up to eat, so I guess things could be worse.

Heading home.

Meeting his big sister.

Laying on the bili light.

Happy New Year!

We were so sad we missed getting to go bowling to celebrate my sweet niece Ava's 9th birthday.  I can't believe she's 9 years old!

We spent a quite night at home counting down to midnight to ring in the New Year and celebrate Barrett getting off the bili light!  It was a perfect night.  Everytime I think about the past week, I am overwhelmed with joy.  We were sitting in our big cozy living room chair last night, watching Dick Clark's New Years Rocking Eve as a family of 3 (well 4, Ally was snuggled in there too!) and I just cried.  I'm pretty sure it's still the hormones but I just couldn't help it.  In that moment life was perfect!  It was one of those moments that you've pictured for your life for years and here it was completely real. 

Sweet baby. We have the new parent look of exhaustion glow! I love this one.  Barrett looks like he's at a rock concert with those hands in the air. 2013 has a lot to live up!  There's no way we'll top 2012 but I can't wait to try!

Christmas Baby

So the stork decided to pay us a visit this Christmas instead of Santa.  I'll start at the beginning. 
 

I woke up Christmas Eve morning around 8:30 and went to the bathroom (like I do every morning).  After I used the bathroom I stood up and thought I peed on myself.  I thought, "Oh this is nice.  I have to much to do today to be peeing on myself!" It happened over and over again so I finally decided to wake Patrick up.  We were planning on going to my grandmothers for Christmas Eve lunch and it was time for him to get up anyway.  I told him we had a little situation and I wasn't sure what to do.  I explained to him what was happening and he too was convinced that I was just peeing myself.  I called my best friend (and nurse) Lorie and asked her how you knew if your water broke or if you just peed on yourself.  She disagreed with Patrick and I, she thought that my water probably broke and I should call the doctor.  So that's what I did.  I know they thought I was crazy.  All I could think about was the fact that most people's water doesn't break on its on and most first babies are born on or after their due date.  Here we were 36wks 6days and my water broke.  I just couldn't believe it.   We got our bags packed and calmly headed to the doctor.  We called our parents on the way.  Mainly to tell them we wouldn't be participating in any Christmas festivities for the day.  As Lorie said I was in complete denial.

 

We arrived at the hospital around 10:30 and they immediately determined that my water had broke and that I would be celebrating Christmas in the hospital.  At first we thought they might let me go until the 26th because I wasn't in labor, hadn't had the first contraction but they quickly came back in and said they'd start pitocin at midnight and I'd be having a Christmas baby! 

We spent most of the day Christmas eve hanging out, watching tv, I caught up on blogging, Patrick ran back home to get the things we forgot and we were in constant contact with all our people.  I was so glad that they all went about their plans for the day.  It was nice to have some time just Patrick and I to really process what was about to happen (although I think we were both still in denial.)  Kristen, Lorie, Joseph and Ellie came to visit.  Fun fact I was in the same room that Lorie delivered Ellie in.  The dr. came in around 9:00 and decided to start the pitocin and put in what they call an easy cath to jumpstart the dilation.  That was not fun!  Everyone left not long after that and I was officially in labor.

 

The night was pretty uneventful.  The contractions started to get painful around midnight and they gave me something but it made me sick.  So I spent the next few hours throwing up. Around 3:00 I was dilated 4 or 5 so they gave me my epidural and I was able to sleep for a little while.  The next time they checked me there was no change.  They started throwing out the idea of a c-section which was not the way I wanted to go but I was ready to hold my baby.  When they checked me around 8:00 I was 7cm so I was making progress.  Since the baby and I were holding up nicely they decided to let me keep going.  I guess it was around 10:00 or 11:00 that I was 9 cm but the baby was face up instead of face down and he had not dropped where they wanted him to be.  The dr. thought I could probably push him where he needed to be so I started pushing.  I felt like I pushed all day, in reality it was about 2 hours.  I had a meltdown at one point in the morning.  I was convinced I was never going to have this baby.  I was upset that I was missing Christmas and I just wanted my baby to be here.

  We were trying to keep everyone updated but towards the end everything started moving kinda fast.  My mom called while I was pushing, Patrick answered told her I was pushing so they jumped in the car and headed to the hospital.  I was so glad they did because it wasn't 20 minutes later that the doctor decided that the baby wasn't low enough for him to safely deliver so I was headed to the OR for a c-section.  Patrick called my parents to tell them and they were almost at the hospital.  At this point I lost it.  I was bawling and shaking.  I was relieved and scared.  I'd never even been in the hospital before now I was having surgery.  There were people in and out of the room getting me ready.  Everyone was so nice.  Then I heard my parents in the hall, they came in to see me and I lost it again.  I felt so bad because I didn't want them to worry, I hated for them to see me so upset but I was so glad I got to see them before they took me back. 
Before I knew it I was in the OR.  The anesthesiologist and his nurse were so great.  I think the first thing I said when they put me on the table was "This looks nothing like Grey's Anatomy!".  They thought that was funny.  Everything they gave me for pain made me sick.  I was throwing up and I heard the Dr. say "good thing we can hit a moving target."  I finally calmed down and it was no time until I heard the baby cry and they lifted him over the drape so we could see.  I also remember the dr. saying something about if we'd gone to full term he'd be a record setting baby and that he looked like his daddy minus the full beard.  They cleaned him up and laid him beside me.  He was so alert and just looked at me.  I was crying and I could hear Patrick crying behind me.  It's a moment I will never forget.  Then they let Patrick hold him.  Our camera wasn't working right, I'm so glad Patrick had his phone so we at least got some pictures that way. 

He looks so big here.

Best moment ever.

Love this one of Patrick.

First family photo!

 

They let me hold him as we were being wheeled back to our room.  No words can describe the way I felt.

I wanted a family picture in front of the Christmas tree.  We have one of us every year we've been married. Not exactly perfect but it gets the job done!

Ok, I guess I wrap this post up now.  I know it's long, but I wanted the whole birth story in one place.  Having a baby is the most amazing experience.  I've never felt love like this.  The love I have for my son is often times overwhelming.  Watching my husband love our son and the way he's loved me over the past week is also overwhelming.  We are so in love!

Merry Christmas from the Horton Family

We got a surprise Christmas present this year!

Barrett Maxwell Horton arrived Christmas Day 12/25/2012 at 1:06pm He weighed in at 8lbs 1oz and 21" long! We are so in love!

36 weeks

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Size of baby: Large Cantaloupe (19-22in, 6lbs or in our baby's case over 7lbs)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 51lbs. I'm not sure if the Dr. was just trying to make me feel better or not but she said not to worry that the weight I've gained lately has to be mostly fluid with how swollen my feet and legs are.
 

Maternity Clothes: Yes, all the time. I wear the same few outfits over and over again.

Gender: Boy!

Movement: He's running out of room.  But he's still wiggling as much as he can.
 

Sleep: Not so much.  I've slept better this last week than the week before, I think I'm just so tired that I can't help but fall asleep.

What I miss: Not having heartburn.

Cravings: Nothing particular.

Symptoms: Still just heartburn and swelling, swelling and heartburn. 

Best Moment this week:  We had an ultrasound yesterday, he's measuring about 2 weeks ahead, which come to find out really means nothing other than you have a big baby.  I felt bad for him when we saw him on the ultrasound.  We couldn't really make out any features he's so crammed in there.  He already has a head full of hair from what they could tell.  I can't wait to meet him!

35 weeks

How Far Along: 35 weeks

Size of baby: Large Cantaloupe (19-22in, 5.5lbs)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 45lbs. I'm not looking forward to the aftermath of this pregnancy. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes, all the time.  I wear the same few outfits over and over again.

Gender: Boy!

Movement: All the time.  He's getting stronger.  He also gets the hiccups almost every night.  Patrick was able to feel it the other day.  Pretty cool stuff!

Sleep: Ha ha.  What sleep?  I suppose this is a sort of training for life with an infant!  I'm sleeping in two hour increments during the night.  It hasn't been fun!  I'm just ready to be able to hold my baby when we can't sleep!
 

What I miss:  Not having heartburn.
 

Cravings: Nothing particular.

Symptoms: Heartburn and swelling, swelling and heartburn.  The heartburn is starting to make sleep nearly impossible.  Last night I slept in the recliner for 5 hours.  It was the best sleep i've gotten in days!
 

Best Moment this week:  We had an appointment yesterday where the doctor told me, "Wow, you're measuring big!!!".  I get to have an ultrasound next week to see how big he is.  I'm a little nervous.  2 weeks ago she said I was measuring right on time.  I'm not going to lie, the thought of meeting him a little earlier than we originally thought thrills me!  Hopefully we can keep him in there a few more weeks.

34 weeks

How Far Along: 34 weeks

Size of baby:Pineapple (19-22in, 4.9lbs)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 41lbs. I'm not looking forward to the aftermath of this pregnancy.

Maternity Clothes: Yes! I'm getting tired of wearing the same things over and over again. But I don't want to buy anything else now. I ready to wear my old clothes again!

Gender: Boy!

Movement: He's been moving like crazy this week.  He's still shy and doesn't move a lot when I'm around other people but he's definitely getting stronger.  I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the iron supplement making us both stronger or just the fact that he's bigger.
 

Sleep: My body is apparently training to function on less sleep.  I've been waking up around 3:30 every morning and not going back to sleep.  I'm usually dragging by 3:00 in the afternoon and take a quick nap when I get home.
 

What I miss: Nothing really.  Sure, I miss my shoes and clothes and my ankles but I know it will all be worth it when I meet my little man. 

Cravings: Nothing really.  I'm tired of eating and being hungry all the time. 
 

Symptoms: Swelling, swelling and more swelling.  Some days I think my feet may explode they are so swollen.

Best Moment this week: Our chair was delivered!  Feeling him move more and more knowing he's getting so much stronger.  We have chosen a pediatric practice now we just have to choose a doctor in the practice.  We have several friends and family that use the practice, they all use different doctors and we really liked all the doctors we met at the open house.  So now we just have to choose one. 
Bama won the SEC Championship so they're headed to Miami to play for the National championship January 7th.  I'm hoping he comes before or after the game.  I really don't want to have to watch the game in the hospital! 

33 weeks

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Size of baby: Honeydew (19in, 4.5lbs)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 41lbs.  I'm not looking forward to the aftermath of this pregnancy. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes! I'm getting tired of wearing the same things over and over again. But I don't want to buy anything else now. I ready to wear my old clothes again!
 

Gender: Boy!

Movement: He's been kinda lazy lately.  I know he's okay because the minute I start to worry he'll give he a little kick or jab. 

Sleep: Sleep took a turn for worse this week.  Patrick is back on day shift which I love but readjusting to sharing the bed is proving more difficult than usual.  Luckily he's a pretty hard sleeper so all my tossing and turning hasn't bothered him in the least. 
 

What I miss: All the little things that I never thought about giving up.  Shopping for long periods of time, my shoes, standing for more than a few minutes, eating without getting heartburn.  Just to name a few.

Cravings: I haven't wanted much of anything lately.  I basically eat because I'm hungry and have too.  I always feel so full even if I eat just a tiny bit. 

Symptoms: I found out yesterday I am anemic so that would explain the exhaustion.  Heartburn, exhaustion and my feet are still swelling.

Best Moment this week: Spending Thanksgiving with our families!  Getting the car seat out and putting the strollers together.  Also Lorie brought me several things to borrow!  Our chair for the nursery is in so now we just have to have it delivered. All we're waiting on now is the bedding and curtains. Still got to get everything hung on the walls.  I've got to wash everything we have and make a list of things we still need.  It seems so close and so far away at the same time!  I'm just ready to hold my little man!

Baby Tea

Last Sunday we were blessed by 29 of mine and my moms dearest friends with a beautiful tea to celebrate baby Barrett.  It was beautiful and perfect.  We got lots of great stuff and feel a lot more ready for our boy to get here.

This was the sign in table with his baby book, the wreath for the hospital door (I have another canvas for the center to put his stats on) and his sweet ultrasound picture.

My friend Brittany did all the decorating and it was perfect. It was everything I'd imagined when I thought about a tea for a baby boy!

The food table with all of my favorites!  Cake balls, chicken salad wraps, bacon wrapped cracker things, Cajun caviar, fruit and this cheddar cheese ring with strawberry jam.  Lorie made the banner and I'm going to use it in the nursery!

My sister, mom and I.  I guess when you see yourself everyday you don't realize how big you look but these pictures had me doing a double take.  I look huge. 

My mom and Patrick's mom. 

 

Patrick came to help load up all the goodies.

 

My bestest friends.  These girls have laughed and cried with me.  They are always there when I need a shoulder or someone to vent to.  I think we each have a different special relationship and I'm so thankful for each of them. 

 This cutie made an appearance after her nap.  I can't wait to see her and Barrett play together!

I am beyond thankful and humbled by the generosity of our friends and family.  We feel so blessed that so many people love us and our baby so much all ready.  We can't wait for him to get here!

32 weeks

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: Head of lettuce (19in, 3.9lbs)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 35lbs. Hopefully we are slowing down in the weight gain department.

Maternity Clothes: Yes! I'm getting tired of wearing the same things over and over again. But I don't want to buy anything else now. I ready to wear my old clothes again!

Gender: Boy!

Movement: He's getting so strong. I'm also learning he's shy. He doesn't move around much when I'm with a crowd. He prefers quiet nights at home.

Sleep: I love sleep!  I wish there were more hours in the day for napping and getting things done.

What I miss: Having energy.  Not getting tired after getting ready. Getting up and down without a struggle.  I know it will all be worth it.  I'm just ready for it to be over.

Cravings: This week I'm ready for Thanksgiving food.  I wouldn't really say I'm craving it, just really looking forward to it!

Symptoms: Heartburn, exhaustion and my feet are still swelling.

Best Moment this week:  We had our big tea hosted by 30 of mine and my mom's friends and family.  It was beautiful!  We got most all of our big things and lots of cute things that I can't wait to use!  We have one blessed little boy!  We also got all the furniture moved into the nursery (except the chair, it won't be here until January).  We put together the pack and play last night and got the carseat out.  I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with everything we still have left to do for the baby then throw in the holidays and I may have a nervous breakdown.  Hopefully not.

Mustache Baby Bash

We had our first baby shower this weekend!  It was an intimate get together hosted by Patrick's Aunt and cousins.   The theme was a "Mustache Baby Bash" and they did such a wonderful job!  There were all kinds of sweets and candy! The bow ties and mustaches everywhere were so cute!

They had these cute frames and mustaches for pictures!

My mother in law and me!

Meredith and me.

 

And my favorite picture of the whole day.  Patrick's cousin Vikki and her dog Buddy, I think he liked the mustache!

 

We got some great gifts that I can't wait to use with our little man!