More Brady Photos...

It's hard to believe, but Brady is almost three weeks old. The past three weeks have just flown by for us, but we're having lots of fun. Here are some more pix from the past couple of weeks. Hope you enjoy.

Projectile Poo...

Today we learned the importance of waiting at least 10 minutes after a feeding before changing a wet diaper as there are hidden surprises if you change too early. Nick had just removed the tabs from Brady's diaper and we had projectile poo. It shot out and hit the back of the diaper. Nick quickly covered his output areas with the diaper...we thought after a moment or so he was done, but we were wrong. Nick began to remove the diaper again and this time we had projectile poo across the room, on the floor, on Nick's shirt, and on the changing pad. To top it off when he went to pull the now poopy diaper away Brady started to pee like a fire hose. This is where mom got hit and so did the changer. I think I vaguely saw him smiling through the whole thing :-).

Doctor Appointment

Today was Brady's second doctor appointment and he passed with flying colors. We are so proud of him. He went from 5lbs 15.5 oz and 19.5 inches long to 6lbs 15 oz and 22.5 inches long. He gained a full pound and grew two inches in one week. I'm so elated. This means we don't have to go back to the doctor until August 27th for his vaccinations. Thank goodness!!! Nick is funny he said at this rate he's going to be 20lbs in no time :-)...I think he's crazy.

Guess what I lost...

Yesterday Brady lost his umbilical cord. I went to change him and noticed something was missing. I didn't see it right away in his sleeper, but later Grandma Enders found it in his sleep sac, it slipped through his buttons and fell out. It sounds gross, but we decided to keep it. We put it in a plastic baggy and put it in his baby book. When he gets older he might really think we fell off the deep end. Now we're just waiting for his wounds to heal from his circumcision and he'll be a much happier baby. He goes back to the doc on Tuesday and will have it looked at then to make sure it's healing well.

Mom's First Kiss

I got my first kiss from Brady...it was the most precious moment. I've got a couple more since, and cherish each one. He's so darn cute!

Play Time with Daddy

Brady was up for some tummy play time with daddy. It's amazing how strong he is already. He holds his little head up so well and pushes his butt up with his hands and feet. He gets stronger and stronger each day. We're so proud of him.

The First Doctors' Appointments

Tuesday was a big day for Brady man, it was his first doctor's appointment. Brady was handled it pretty well. I can say he hates being naked in a cold doc's office. The poor little guy was shivering. He weighed in at 5lbs 15 1/2oz and measured at 19.5 inches. He lost a little weight from leaving the hospital, but the doctors say that is normal for breastfed babies and on average they lose 10% of their birthweight in the first week. The doctor wants to see him weekly for a while to make sure his weight gets up there, but he doesn't see any other reasons for concern and was pleased with his sucking progress. At birth he was not responsive at all to sucking and now he's doing great. The feeding have been going a lot better so I think we're in the clear.

The second appointment Brady had which was today did not go as smooth as the first...it was his circumcision. The hospitals and doctors out here will not circumsize babies in the hospital and you have to bring the babies either to their pediatrician or gyno if they perform the procedure. It was an interesting appointment to say the least. To start it off the appointment the doc went over all the cleaning and maintenance of his privates, then we had to undress the little guy and he had a stinky poopy diaper waiting or the doc, and he actually changed it for us. I have to say neither Nick or I have been peed on yet and the doc got peed on today. Brady let him have it. It was pretty funny. What was not funny was having to watch Nick hold brady's legs down and the doc snip the poor little guy. One of the hardest things I've had to do and watch. Nick was not too fond of having to hold his legs either. Nick asked the doc what about his arms and he said don't worry I've never had a baby reach down toward his privates with his hands...sure enough guess what Brady did...instantly he threw his left hand toward his crotch. So hard to watch. He seems to be doing okay now, but he's really not happy when you have to change him it drives him mad...needless to say we're taking it easy tonight.

His next appointmen is on Tuesday, June 24th, I'm hoping it goes better than todays!

The First and Last Prego Shots...

To complete the pregnancy journey we thought you'd all like to see the first pregnancy photo and the last one. Note the golden spoon shelf...I had to indulge on my craving one last time.

Check out my Slide Show!

Thank you an Happy Father's Day...

I realized I didn't say thank you enough to my family for all of their help and support this week. Thank you to mom and Mindy for being at the hospital with Nick and I, Mindy for taking so many pics and sending them out, and mom for being here with me and staying in the hospital and helping me prepare for the big day. My wonderful husband for all his love, support, and extra assistance, and to my mother-in-law for all your help with the late nights. You guys have been great. I appreciate you being there to lend a hand. I know I have a hard time asking for help, but the help is greatly appreciated. I would again also like to thank my dad and sister for all the phone calls and talking me through things. Even though you aren't physically here you guys have been fabulous.

Next I would like to say Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there. I know Nick is enjoying his first dad's day. He got two gifts this year, the first of course little Brady and the second an Indian's jacket he's been wanting for a while. I'd say he's pretty spoiled.

Our Special Delivery...

Please welcome Brady Elijah Enders born at 11:56 am on Tuesday, June 10th. He was 6.7lbs and 19.5 inches long. He is the most beautiful and precious little angel. He is so small, but so cute. His apgar scores came back as an 8 and 9. It was a different experience having a c-section, but still an emotional experience. It was the most amazing thing I've ever gone through in my entire life. The funny part is the doctor asked what kind of music I wanted to listen to and I told him Dave Matthews and he actually had it. Brady came into this world listening to mom and dad's favorite band. Since he had to listen to them the entire time in the womb, I hope it becomes his favorite too.

The photo is our first family photo. They brought him into see me after being in recovery for almost two hours. It took just over an hour for him to get all of his tests done in the nursery so it wasn't too long we were apart. The other photos is of Brady and dad's first diaper change.

His first visitors were Grandma Lehman, Crazy Aunt Mindy, Jessika and Beau Pelt, and then Grandma Enders to bring him home on Thursday.

I would also like to say a special thank you to the nurses and staff at JFK hospital, they were wonderful. All the nurses were so kind. Baby Brady was the talk of the nursery and so was his daddy.They all said they have never seen such a proud and happy papa following Brady in and out of the nursery. They said they could see his face imprint on the nursery window.

Dad stayed in the hospital with me on Tuesday night and then Grandma Lehman took shift on Wednesday night and they released me late in the afternoon on Thursday. We had our first night home last night and I think all and all things went pretty well. Dad took the first shift, except feedings, and mom did the second shift.

Speaking of feeding, we are having a hard time getting him to latch and feed, but we're hoping he's going to get there. We have to take him to the doctor on Tuesday to make sure his weight is okay, his jaundice is all clear, and he's all good. We then take him back to the doctor on the 19th or his circumcision...this appointment i am not so much looking forward to. Going to need dad for that one.

Well Brady is calling so it's time to call it quits for tonight, but I'll post more pix later and add them to snapfish and shutterfly and send them out.

Lastly, thank you to everyone for all the texts, emails and phone calls. We love you all and greatly appreciate your support.

Surgery Delay...

Just in case some of you are checking this today, we had a slight delay in our delivery time. We are now scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PST. For all of you back in MI and OH around 2:00pm they will wheel me into the delivery room. I'll make sure Nick posts some updates.

Also, thank you to everyone for your wonderful phone messages and texts with words of support, it really means a lot to us! We can't wait, just a few more hours and we'll be PARENTS!!!!!!

Stay tuned for more updates....

More Test Results

I went to the hospital yesterday and had our stress test and amniotic fluid check, and according to the stress test, the baby is doing great. They said he is a very active baby. The fluid levels on the other hand are not as high as we had hoped. This doesn't mean anything bad, it just means that I could go into labor at any time. I went from a 9.4 level out of 10 to a 4.7. Basically the doc recommended keeping my feet up, drinking lots of water, and resting. I'm really not supposed to go anywhere and do anything, so needless to say I'm a little bored, but catching up on movies!!! I have another appointment on Monday to make sure all is well. Needless to say, I was supposed to go to a wedding on Saturday, but I'm thinking that isn't going to happen now, sorry Dave and Alysa. I'll do my best to make it, but I'm sure you don't want the drama of a prego lady going into labor at your wedding. It would make for a good story later, but I'll let it be someone else's story and not mine :-).

Test Results...

Good news on the kidney test results, they didn't find any stones or abnormalities, but the bad news is they have no idea why I was having all the pain and discomfort. Their best guesses are that I had a kidney stone and passed it and the other is the baby moved positions off my kidney and isn't pressing on it anymore. Either way as long as I'm not in pain I'll accept any solution.

Had my first stress test yesterday and I guess it came back as good because they didn't keep me at the doctor's office. The tech put the monitor on the wrong side to start with, so we didn't get all the info we wanted in the beginning, but I think they got enough for their purposes. I go back again on Thursday to the hospital for another stress test and fluid check and then again on Monday. If all goes well Thursday and Monday we'll be ready for our delivery on Tuesday. If not, they'll take him a little early.

Got the phone call too for our pre-op, we go in on Monday at 2:30pm. It's getting down to the wire and really happening. Nick and I can't wait!!!! We have exactly one week to the day before we get to meet Brady!!! It's so exciting.

Nursery Photos

Here are some photos of the nursery. The stork was used at my shower out here, thanks to my friend Mary's daughter. She is a very gifted artist. We ordered another sports shelf, are waiting for Grandma Enders to bring out the mobile, and Grandma and Grandpa Lehman are buying a chief wahoo light to go on the wall. I'm not exactly thrilled, but it's Nick's favorite part of the nursery so how could I say no. Will send more pix when it's complete.

The most recent arrivals...

I have to give a shout out to the most recent baby arrivals. First to my little nephew, Jack Thomas Helsel born on April 1, 2008. He is a stud in the making. What a cutie pie. I officially think my sister has gone off the deep end with the videos she sends of him, but I am so thankful as I haven't been able to meet him in person yet. I can't wait to come home in August and hold the little guy! He's so handsome! But then what do you expect look at his parents. Congrats again Nicki and Russ. We can't wait to have the boys together!

The next is to Amy and Brady Uchacz for their precious arrival, Kinsley Joy Uchacz on February 3, 2008. Kinsley had a rough start at life with some stomach problems, but is overcoming it all and is a beautiful little girl. Like Jack I have yet to see Kinsley in person, but I'm hoping that will change and I'll see her in July. Congrats again Amy and Brad. (Pictures to follow of Kinsley, have to download them, too many cute ones to pick from!)

Lastly to my sorority sister Erin and her husband Bill Britton for the arrival of their twin sons Colin and Aidan. The twins are absolutely adorable and will be turning two months old this Tuesday. As they are in Michigan I haven't seen them in person either, but thank you Erin for keeping me updated with photos and e-mails, I'll soon be doing the same. I'll be adding pix of these little guys as soon as I download them. Congrats again guys! Hope to see you when I'm back in MI!!!

The Booze Story...

To all the pregnant ladies out there that have purchased alcohol while being pregnant you'll appreciate this story.

I decided since I was at Sam's to buy fruit I would pick up some bourbon and vermouth for Nick as he was out, this proved to be an embarrassing situation. I went to check out with my bulk box of kiwi and strawberries and handle of Jack and Vermouth and that's all when the cashier started to scan my items and stopped. She looked at me, looked at the booze and said ma'am, (yes she called me ma'am) I can't sell this to you, are you drinking this right now...I calmly and non-hormonally looked at her and said no I'm drinking this, but this is the only way my spouse can stand me so I'm buying it for him. She turned bright red, started to laugh and continued with the sale. At first I was offended she actually thought I would drink it and then I had to laugh. I later found out (at the bar that evening) that it's illegal to say things like that to a prego lady. I just had to share my story. I told Nick he's on his own for booze from now on :-).

Week 38...

This week was a rollercoaster for Nick and I. Misinformation, bad ultrasound techs, and differing of opinions from doctors can create quite the stressful load when your about to deliver. We managed to find out my amniotic fluid is low and I am now placed on modified bed rest. Basically that means I have to take it easy from now until our delivery on June 10th. I have to go to the doctor twice next week to have stress tests done for the baby and they will also measure my fluid levels to make sure baby is doing good.

We got our results back from me measuring small and the doctors are not all that concerned. They said it could just mean little Brady is going to be exactly that, little. Right now he is probably around 6lbs. We should hopefully find out more on his size at our appointment on Thursday. Originally the doctor thought he might come out at around 7 1\4lbs at delivery and now we're not so sure. He might be a small fry like his mom was.

As per the kidneys, still no answer, but the doc thinks it's renal colic caused by the baby sitting on my kidneys. I had another ultrasound on Friday to see what was happening and they will give us the results on Monday. The good news is, if it is renal colic it should go away after the baby is born and I'll be back to normal (as normal can be :-).

With all the doc appointments, Nick and I still managed to have a night away and out with friends. It was my good friend Katie's birthday party on Saturday night, so we went out to eat just the two of us before and then off to the Firehouse for the festivities. I've put some pictures up from the night.

It was so nice to go out to dinner just the two of us, we haven't done that in a while, but it was loads of fun to see everyone for Katie's b-day. I have to say the level of service you receive when your pregnant is great!!!! I'm going to miss that :-).