Duke's Big Day

Happy 5th Birthday, Duke! We didn't forget about you! (Ok...well...we kinda did!) But of course, our furry little boy is still ready to party!

One Week Later

I can't believe how much our little guy has changed in just one week...although it could be my blurry vision from lack of sleep. Segen is a MONSTER eater. He loves him some booby. We met with our lactation consultant yesterday, and he's already up to 8 pounds 6 ounces!

His birth story will have to wait until I have more than two minutes to sit and type...which could very likely be a good 12-16 years! But until then, a few more pictures of the newest man in my life will have to suffice.

As always, thanks to everyone who took time to leave such kind comments about his arrival!

Our Little Blessing

So Proud to Introduce...

Segen Harper

8 lbs. 3 oz.
20 inches

Born Tuesday, June 16th at 2:32 p.m. via emergency c-section. Mommy and baby are doing very well and have just settled into life at home. Will update with more pictures and details in the coming days! Segen, pronounced "Sea-Gen" is the German word for "blessing."

On Our Way...

to welcome baby Pat into our family! We'll see you all on the other side!

One Year!?!

Today is my one year blogoversary! I remember how desperate and sad I felt at this time last year. Traveling back and reading my very first posts (In The Beginning and The Beginning of the End and Failure to Communicate) is a gut-wrenching trip. I remeber how I sobbed as I recounted our loss. I remember lots of crying in those days. But now as I reflect, I'm so thankful that I didn't give up, sought emotional/physical/spiritual support and fought for proper medical care and diagnosis.

Thank you to all who have been a part of my journey so far!

The countdown begins again...

It's official. D-Day (induction) is now set for Tuesday, June 16th. We are to arrive at the birthing center promptly at 7 a.m. There IS a light at the end of this tunnel. My bruised belly, sore hips and frazzled emotions couldn't possibly be any more excited or relieved!

39 weeks and 1 day

Single digits?! How is it possible that I'm only 6 days away from my due date?! I look back over the past year and I'm awed and amazed at where we've come from.

I've reverted back to scrutinizing every single symptom my body has...cramping, twinges, bathroom habits, pressure, random bodily fluids, baby's position and movement. Helllooo....2 week wait all over again! Just when I think: "I can't possibly be any more uncomfortable!" My body surprises me with a new ache, pain or strain. My mantra for the past couple of weeks has been: It's all temporary!

I saw Dr. OB Thursday afternoon, and my stubborn cervix is still holding strong at about a 2 and I'm 60 percent effaced. He explained that theoretically we "could" choose to induce at this point, but because of the position of my cervix (still tucked way back behind baby's head) we'd be inducing into about a 50-50 chance of C-section. Baby Pat still looks fantastic on his weekly non-stress tests and my blood pressure (118/20) and weight (officially up 20 pounds!) indicate that I'm doing well, too. I think it would be difficult to justify the risk of major surgery, with my risk for clotting problems, when baby and mama are both doing well. Soooo...we decided to wait-it-out. For now. I see Dr. OB and have another NST on Tuesday. Hopefully we'll see some more progress at that stage. I think I've finally (maybe?) come to terms with the fact that I'm in control of NONE of this...and that scares the crap out of this Type A, control freak!

And yes...we've gotten ALL kinds of advice about bringing on labor. Eat spicy food. Take lots of long walks. Have bunches of crazy sex...and you've got to be kidding me with this one?! Squatting with and without a birthing ball. At my massage appointment yesterday, the therapist even gave me a chart of acupressure points on the ear that are supposed to bring on labor. I honestly think baby laughs at all my shenanigans and nestles in a little bit more snugly every time I even attempt to coax him out!

So for now, I'm still pregnant. And I know that it won't last forever. So I wait. And I clean. And of course, I worry. But above all, I enjoy the last few days of bladder jabs, rib kicks, 1 am flutters and hiccups because I know that they soon will become diaper changes, inconsolable wails and 2...4...6 am feedings. Please remind me why I want to rush this little guy out?!