The First Week

Baby Robin is now a whole week old.  I feel like time is already flying by me. He is up to a whole six pounds. As much as I LOVE tiny babies, it's nice to see him filling out a little bit.  It's been a busy week for sure and I am grateful that Dave is taking two weeks off from work.

Becoming a mom for the third time is a far cry from the first.  I know what to expect to some degree, am able to anticipate problems, set better boundaries, we sort of know what we are doing, and I am more proactive when things aren't okay.  It has also helped that this birth was significantly less traumatic than the first--physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I knew within two nursing sessions that Robin was tongue-tied (Eileen was tongue-tied).  I left the hospital with an appointment the next day to see the special breastfeeding doctor.  With Eileen, I suffered for two weeks before seeking help. That ended up being a rough day for Robin, he got his tongue clipped in the morning and had to have a bilirubin test in the afternoon.

Back at home, the kids have started sleeping in later than 5-6 AM.  Young children are like roosters and get up with the sun.  Eileen pretty much ignores Robin.  She has very little interest in him which has been a bit of a surprise.  What I love is that she has taken to calling him, "Robin Hoodie."  Linus is in love.  He holds Robin every chance he gets.  Already he has taken it upon himself to teach Robin about the finer things in life, like Legos.

I am really trying to take advantage of the whole "lying in" thing.  I love spending hours just snuggled with Robin in bed.  Dave bought me a television for our bedroom so I could heal in luxury.  It's hard to pull back and not try to get stuff done.  I've definitely over done it a few times.

Things we know about Robin thus far:
He likes sleeping, nursing, Mama, Daddy, Linus, his bunny lovey, soft things, being snuggled.  He is very good at peeing on Daddy and himself during diaper changes.  He prefers to sleep in bed with us versus his co-sleeper.
He dislikes poopy diapers, darkness, baths, being in a state of undress, diaper changes, being away from Mama for too long.

The Week in Pictures (prepare for cuteness overload)

Aunt Sally

First Bath.  Robin didn't get a bath at the hospital because they didn't want him getting too cold.  Good thing he has a Daddy and siblings to take care of things.

Eileen was less impressed.

very proud big brother

grandpa

serious grandpa, I know I will treasure this picture some day

A frequent sight.  I can now use holding Robin as a bribe to get him to do things.

Cousin Dylan.  The Rousseau family came and stayed with us for the weekend.

Turns out he likes to suck his fingers just like his mama did.

a baby blue kind of day

grandma gail

must. shove. every. finger. in. mouth.

he likes to pose

he even poses during burp sessions

brothers

evening nap after an exhausting walk around the block

You seriously named your baby Robin?

Choosing a name for our baby boy was unexpectedly difficult.  Dave had a list, I had a list.  Names moved off and on the list.  We did not really talk about it because we didn't really like each other's list and there just wasn't a lot of movement.  I don't think either one of us even had a name that we were passionate about, except to be against. I am sure our choice of Robin came as a big surprise, it was to us.

Robin was the dark horse name.  It was on my list early on and then was removed.  It was only added shortly again before our weekend away in July when we chose a name.  The name was chosen over the course of about 3 meals.  I had really thought he would have Francis as a part of his name, but with the new pope being named Francis, I feared it was going to become too popular and it was suddenly a little bit too religious for Dave.

There was a lot of reasoning out of names.  What was important to us in a name.  Eventually, Dave agreed that we should name he either Alistair (my first choice) or Robin (also from my list).  The only hesitation was that Robin is also a girl's name, but I am determined to help reclaim it for boys.  It's funny. I could actually sense the moment that Robin became Dave's top choice.  We were listing songs about Robin--Rockin' Robin, Red Red Robin, Robin in the Rain--when I pulled out "Brave Brave Sir Robin" from Monty Python Holy Grail.  Suddenly, Dave was sold and our baby was named Robin.  We settled on Patrick as a middle name.  It's a good Irish Catholic name.

In case you were wondering, there are many famous males named Robin:
Robin Hood
Robin, the Boy Wonder (Batman)
Christopher Robin
Robin Williams
Robin Thicke -- if he wasn't suddenly at the top of the charts with "Blurred Lines," I am sure this would have seemed like a more obscure reference.
Technically, the character of Robin on How I Met Your Mother is a boy's name.  Her father always wanted a son and named her Robin Charles Sherbatsky, Jr. So there.

About two weeks ago I let Dave know I still liked Francis for a middle name and left it at that.  Two years ago when we were driving to the hospital to have Eileen, Dave changed his mind on what Eileen's middle name should be.  As we pulled into the parking garage of the hospital this time, Dave turns to me and says, "So how about Francis?"  I was surprised and just had to laugh since history was repeating itself.  I truly believe Francis is a much better fit and almost can't believe we chose Patrick (it's a great name but it's not supposed to be Robin's middle name).

We are reclaiming Robin as a boy's name.  What I like best about the name Robin for a boy is the immediate sweetness and warm memories it evokes in relation to Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Robin Hood and childhood.  It's a perfect fit for my little man. 

Robin Francis, two days old

Hatching Robin

My pregnancy journey has finally come to an end.  My doctor came back from France on Sunday.  This sent me into sort of a zen state. I finally felt incredibly calm.  I knew the pregnancy was ending in the next few days.  Before he left for vacation, it was decided that due to restricted growth, I would attempt to reach my due date and then would be induced.

On my due date, I went into the doctor and it was decided that induction would happen the next day early in the morning.  The receptionists cheered for me as I left the office.  I was only 2 cm dilated and not at all effaced so the induction would start with using misoprostal.  The doctor told me to not to expect to start pitocin until night.  I was given misoprostal at 8:30 AM.  Dave and I spent the morning napping, watching a movie, and playing Phase 10.  At noon, I had progressed to 3 cm but was having contractions every 2-3 minutes.  This meant that not only did I not need another dose of misoprostal, but I didn't need pitocin either.  I would just like to say the labor is definitely easier to manage without pitocin.  Our doula, Jennifer, showed up around 2 pm.  Contractions were still totally manageable until about 4 pm.  Everyone was in really good spirits throughout the day. 

At 4 pm I was laying across a yoga ball and refusing to move due to requiring effort.  I announced my grand plan to Dave and the doula--at 4:40 pm I would go to the bathroom, when I came out, I would stand up, my water would break, and then I would go labor in the tub.  After which I would get an epidural.  That is exactly what happened!!!  I went to the bathroom, came out, stood there, and at 4:45 my water broke.  I am AWESOME!!!!

The tub was great.  My doctor checked me at 5:30 and I was 4 cm.  It was a little disheartening to hear so little progress after 5 hours.  Suddenly, around 6 pm I was in excrutiating pain so I ordered the epidural.  By the time we were back in the room and the epidural was in, it was 7 pm.  I had barely laid down on the bed and the nurses were telling me I would feel the full effect in a little while, that I started feeling the need to push.  Apparently, all that pain was transitioning from 4 to 10 cm very rapidly.  The nurses looked and the baby was ready to come out.

This baby has shown a flair for creating drama during this pregnancy and decided to have one more surprise up his sleeve.  Every time I pushed, the baby's heart rate fell to 60.  Of course no one told me this but instead the nurse and doula started flipping me from side to side.  I then heard someone say to get oxygen.  My eyes had been closed while I focused on breathing/pushing.  Panicked, I looked up and saw the vacuum in the doctor's hands and everyone watching the monitors intensely.  I realized I really needed to get that baby out and gave it another good set of pushes. 

After a total of 13 minutes and 3 sets of pushes (a far cry from the 2 and 1 hour pushing I did with the other two kids), the baby was out.  The cord was wrapped around the neck and his body.  They put him on my chest right way but had to take him and revive him a little bit.  Luckily, the baby quickly responded.  I cried lots of tears of joy.  The baby had a little trouble with body temperature so he got to have extra hats and blankets. 

The labor was really great.   There were lots of laughs throughout the whole experience (except for the part where I was pushing).  We had an amazing birth team of our doula, doctor, and nurses.  I feel very lucky.  Robin Francis was born on Wednesday, October 2 at 7:33 pm.  He was 5 pounds 14 oz and 19 inches long.  He is beautiful and I don't know if I have ever been more in love. 

***on the issue of IURG (interuterine restricted growth).  Robin's placenta was small, but did not show ill effects from the hemorrhage earlier in the pregnancy.  The cord was very thin.  These factors, in combination with the cord being wrapped around him, are thought to have contributed to his restricted growth.  Robin basically stopped growing around 34 weeks, but probably had been struggling for a little while.

My mom watched the kids while we were at the hospital and brought them in the next morning to meet their new brother.  Linus is head over heels in love.  Eileen is fairly ambivalent about the baby.

We can't thank all the people who helped and supported us throughout the pregnancy and for all the prayers we received as Robin gave us a few scares.  We completely welcome visitors to meet the new baby (as long as you aren't sick).  I just ask that you bring food :)

From the Mouths of Babes in September

Linus:  You ass-cally rabbit.

While at the nail salon...
Eileen:  I want dragon nails.  (chooses a deep blood red/purple)
Nail Tech: Oh, that's an old person color.  (offers hot pink)
Eileen:  No.  Dragon Nails.  My nails will breathe fire and roar.

Eileen:  I'm going to be a princess for Halloween and Daddy you're going to be a big daddy princess.

Linus:  Why do I have to do this!?!  It's not even on my honey-do list!

So Over It and So Close

I am 38 weeks pregnant today.  It's been a roller coaster of a week.  At my appointment last week we learned I had not gained weight, my blood pressure was up, the baby had not grown, and his heart rate was a little low.  An ultrasound confirmed the baby's lack of progress.  After the ultrasound on Thursday, there was a flurry of phone calls between the doctor, myself, the radiologist, and an obstetrician.  In the end it was decided that I was not going to be induced just yet.  This left me in a puddle of tears, not so much because I really wanted my baby induced that day but because of what it meant---my baby wasn't doing well and my doctor was leaving for another country in a couple of days right when everything got scary again.  Did I mention that at my doctor's appointment I also learned I would not be getting the back up doctor I wanted, but rather my last choice instead?

Fast forward many tears and a few days later, I met the new doctor.  She's alright.  She's nice, seems competent, looks/dresses like a nun, and has a crazy looking nurse.  After gorging myself on food all weekend (I was told to eat to my heart's content.  I took this to mean eat until you're uncomfortable), I gained some weight for the first time in a month or so and my blood pressure was back down to where it normally sits.  Even better news was that the baby grew and his heart rate improved.  He is still measuring behind, but at least he didn't fall further.  I had a nonstress test.  The baby is not a big mover and shaker and takes quite a bit to be woken up.  It took some convincing, but he finally cooperated.  I had my first biophysical profile ultrasound which was really reassuring because it showed that the cord is functioning properly and my fluid levels are still high.  It immediately reduced some of my fears and stress.

Unfortunately, some time in the last 24 hours the baby decided that after many months he no longer liked being head down and is now breech. Ugh.  I plan to do lots of downward facing dog in the next week. I may also give my acupuncturist a ring. I'd like to avoid doing an external version to flip him if possible.  If it's not one thing it's another. Geesh.

I am soooo close to being done and soooo tired of this pregnancy, or rather the stress this pregnancy has brought.  Despite this newest development I am focused on growing this baby and keeping him inside until my due date.  Fingers crossed. 

Family Portraits

St. John Parish is putting together a parish directory.  After lots of reminder emails, they get you in with the promise of a free family portrait.  Despite not really feeling like being uber-pregnant was the best time to do pictures, I did my duty and signed us up.

I tried to dress us in colors that sort of went together.  I let Linus pick his own outfit, although I wouldn't let him wear his black velvet jacket due to the fact that it was over 80 degrees (and it would have messed with the color scheme).  Considering the pictures were taken by the same people who do school pictures and yearbook photos, they aren't half bad.  Linus gave the poor photographer a run for her money.

We ended up buying a couple of pictures.  We have almost no pictures of the kids together so we had to take advantage of it.

Official family portrait for the St. John directory.

I look better in this one.

Linus is not without distinction.

Like I said, they aren't amazing but sometimes it's nice to just have a record of yourself as a family.  We'll do nice family pictures after the baby is born.

Never a dull moment in pregnancy

I'm now 36 weeks pregnant.  Woo-hoo.  Life has been pretty full recently.  My sister and her dog lived with us for 3.5 months and just moved out this past weekend.  We spent Labor Day weekend celebrating Dave's birthday and getting the house in order.  Finally being able to nest was wonderful.  We are now more or less ready.

After my doctor dropped the bombshell on me at my last appointment that he was going to be in France until right before my due date, I spent a few days in shock/frustration/tears.  I really hate confrontation, but I knew that I really needed to talk to him in order to be okay with things.  I put on my big girl panties and made an appointment to sit down and talk.  I wrote a nice long angry letter (which was very cathartic) and threw it away.  I went into the appointment with a few talking points to stay on track.  The talk went well.  He didn't rush me out, he listened, and we talked for a good 45 minutes.  It was important to me that he understood that there had been a breach of trust. I've had a pretty close doctor/patient relationship with him over the past 6 years so I am hoping things work out okay and I'm able to forgive him.  Right now I've told him I just need to see how the birth goes.

Things ended on good terms which was good because that night I woke up with contractions every three minutes.  After 3 solid hours of contractions (painful but not so intense) I went ahead and called since I was only 35 weeks.  The contractions eventually stopped, but it provided us with a nice dry run of how the actual birth might go.

As of right now, I don't technically have a doctor while mine is away.  The doctor we both agree would be a good choice has been on a vacation.  I do have someone now, who I feel very comfortable with, to cover the pediatric part of things should it be needed.  The downside to your family doctor being your OB and then taking off to France unexpectedly is that you are also out a pediatrician.  It's really hard to not know who is going to deliver your baby or who you are even going to schedule your OB appointments with.  After having so much happen during this pregnancy, it's hard to not have control over the one thing I thought I did.

Unfortunately, at the 36 week appointment there were concerns.  I recently stopped gaining weight/have lost weight despite the copious amounts of ice cream I consume daily.  My cute pregnant belly is actually measuring small.  Today I got to go in for an ultrasound.  The ultrasound tech and I became pretty tight during Eileen's pregnancy and I've gotten to see her a few times this pregnancy as well.  This is good because due to a scheduling snafu I was not on the schedule, but she saw it was me and made room :)  While my fluid levels are amazing, the baby is small.  His head is measuring on track but the rest of him is not. Since the baby is not dangerously small, we are in a wait and see mode right now.  I see my doctor on Tuesday.  Hopefully, the baby will do some growing.  I'll probably get to have another ultrasound.  Let me tell you, with this recent development I'm even less thrilled about being passed off to someone else.

My prenatal yoga class has been my saving grace this pregnancy.  With so much stress, having directed breathing every week for an hour and time to myself is incredibly helpful.  I've had the same instructor for all three kids.  Linus' pregnancy is legend in the yoga studio.

I'm looking forward to no longer being pregnant.  I'm trying to find ways to enjoy it since I don't think I am going to do it again.  I just have to pray that it's all going to work out and in a few short weeks I am going to have a healthy, precious baby boy in my arms.  In the meantime, God this pregnancy sucks.