First Laugh Out Loud

 Today marks a very special day...the day our sweet boy laughed out loud.  He has been trying to do this for a few weeks now and will make a sound similar to sucking in air, but today was different.  It was a definite laugh that he continued to do over and over.  It was the sweetest, most precious sound I've ever heard!  It made my day and made my heart smile big!

 He must have thought Mommy was funny.  All I kept saying was "talk to Mommy..." and he was just a laughing.  It was truly a precious moment and I was so glad that I was able to record it!

You make our days so much brighter Happy Boy!!

~"A cheerful heart doeth good like medicine..." Proverbs 17:22~

3 Months Old

Mason William You are:

~3 Months Old~

September 11, 2014

 You had to go to the doctor's office only for shots this time, so you didn't actually see the doctor.

You received 2 vaccinations and only cried for just a minute and then I finished feeding you.  You were never overly fussy or had a fever after your shots.

You weigh about 12.5lbs and in a size 1 diaper.  We have been wanting to switch from Pampers and try and different brands due to a few "leaks," but we haven't done that yet, so you still wear Pampers.

You wear 0-3 clothes and some 3 months clothes.  I love the footed jammies on you.  You look absolutely precious in them.  Although Daddy thinks your feet are too big for some of them.  

You do have very long fingers and toes, but still average, I would say, on your weight and height.  We will find out for sure next month at the doctor.

Your eyes look brown from a distance, but are actually bluish/gray when you look up close.  We think they will end up being hazel.  Your hair is slowly growing back.  You have a little at the bottom that you never lost.  When you were first born everyone said you looked just like Mommy.  As you are getting older, everyone is saying that you look just like Daddy.  We think you are a good combination of both.  You are such a beautiful baby!

You started sleeping in your crib the day you turned 10 weeks old on 8/20/14.  It broke Mommy's heart to not have you by my bed, but we knew that you needed to be in your own space.  After reading the book "Moms On Call," we began doing a lot of things differently as far your schedule goes.  We begin your night time routine at 8pm-bath, 8:30-last bottle and you are in the bed by 9pm.  You were sleeping from 9-5 by the 3rd night of doing the new schedule and now you sleep from 9pm-6/7am.  You occasionally wake up around 2-4 and we just give you your pacy and you normally fall right back to sleep.  We were swaddling you with one of your aden blankets at first, but have since started using the Halo sleep sacks and love them.  You also rarely break out of these.

We lay you in the bed, pleasantly awake, and you normally fall asleep in less than 10 minutes.  I have only had to rock you twice since we started the new schedule.  You also sleep using a noise maker (the ipad) on a waterfall noise.  You move around all night and do "doughnuts" as Daddy calls them in your crib.

You nap pretty good during the day.  Right now your biggest naps are in the morning, after your first bottle and in the afternoon between 1-4.  We aren't as strict with the nap schedule.  Your favorite place to nap is on Mommy and Daddy (or whoever is keeping you.)  And that is my favorite place for you to nap.  I love napping with you too!  We nap on the couch, recliner and in the bed sometimes.  It's another one of my most favorite times!  You are such a cuddle bug.

You are drinking 4oz bottles during the day and 5oz before bed.  You are still only drinking breast milk. Your feeding schedule is:

6am-7am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 5:30pm and 8:30pm.  We don't always stay right on schedule, but we stick pretty close.  I am still exclusively pumping, and it works for us. I try to pump when you're napping or right after you eat, when you are full and happy on the days when it's just me and you.  You still get the hiccups occasionally after you eat, but not nearly as much as you did right after you were born.  You still spit up some after you eat.

You love bath time.  We still bathe you in a small tub (thank you Amy) that we place on the kitchen counter.  It  makes everything so accessible and easy on the back.  You will kick your legs and splash.  You are almost always happy when getting a bath.

You are such a happy baby!  You are most happy when you first wake up, during your bath and when your belly is full!  You smile all the time now.  You haven't given us a full laugh yet, but it's just around the corner.  You will make this sound like sucking in air sometimes when you smile.  You "talk" all the time now.  And you have begun to somewhat mimic the noises of others when they talk to you.  You love to stretch really big, especially first thing in the morning.  I love when you do that.

You are very observant now.  You follow things with your eyes and love to look at bright and contrasting colors.  You will turn your head all the way to the side and will lean your head back to look up when lying if you hear a noise or something catches your attention.  

You have recently found your hands.  You love to put them in your mouth and will suck on them.  You have occasionally just had your thumb in your mouth, but it's mostly your hand for now.  

We have finally found a pacy that you will take...Nuk pacifiers.  We were using gum drops and soothies and you just wouldn't keep them in your mouth.  We tried these over the last month and you really seem to like them and keep them in.  So Mommy went a bought some more :)

Your activities everyday include:  reading, tummy time, kicking on your piano gym mat (you kick hard and fast),sitting in your rock a roo and playing/looking at toys. 

Tummy Time is not your favorite activity, but this day you actually fell asleep while doing it.

Your most favorite thing of all is:

Swinging on the back porch.  

If you are fussy this will calm you like no other.  We sing songs and read books while we are out there and you love to look over my shoulder and all around.  Then you eventually fall asleep.  This is one of our favorite things to do with you too!  It's a special time.

You love to ride in the car and really don't mind your car seat.  You normally fall asleep when we are riding. 

Other things that happened this past month:

-you stayed at all your grandparents houses for a little while

-spent your first night away from home and with your Mimi

-rode in the car with other people

-had your 1st labor day

-watched your first Gamecock football game (well, just a little of it)

Imagination Library

Today Mason received a very special gift...

 His very first book from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.  Mason loved getting a book from Dolly!  I know we are going to really enjoy "The Little Engine that Could," and all the books we get from her in the future.  What a great program!  Thank you Dolly :)

 Daddy went back to work today :(  We know he has to go back, but we sure enjoy spending time with him on his days off (and the extra help :) After he left, we headed to one of our favorite spots, the swing!  Mason LOVES the swing.  He can be fussing one minute and as soon as we hit the porch swing, he is calm.  He loves to look around and normally falls asleep while we're out there.  I loved this picture above and the wonder and amazement I see in his eyes!  And speaking of eyes...his are still blue, but are getting small hints of other colors.  Sometimes they almost look grey.  I bet they'll be hazel.  We shall see.

 After a little front porch sitting, we headed inside for our night time routine:  bath, bottle and bed.

 Mason still loves bath time.  I have a feeling when he gets older, we will have a hard time getting him out!  He kicks and "talks" while he's in there.  He has recently found his hands and they have been going straight for his mouth.  Sometimes it's his whole hand and other times it looks like he is trying to suck his thumb.  Tonight was the first time he has been doing it in the tub.

 He is growing so much!

 We got all wrapped up after bath time and headed up stairs.  Then we had our last bottle, sang a few songs and hit the bed...well Mason anyway!

Mommy and Daddy Love you handsome boy!

37 Weeks

It's hard to believe I'm even writing this post, but today I am officially:

 37 Weeks!!  

And this will be my last "belly shot" post!  Because we will be having our sweet boy this Wednesday...yes that's right, in 4 days...Oh My Word!!  I still don't think it has sunk in yet.

My blood pressure has been slightly elevated at my last few appointments but I haven't been having any protein in my urine and no other symptoms besides lots of swelling.  But I truly have a wonderful OB MD and she wanted to check everything out, so she decided to check labs for preeclampsia this past week.  My blood results looked good but my 24 hour urine, we found out Thursday, was elevated.  So, I have mild preeclampsia.  Josh and I went in on Friday to be placed on the monitor.  Little man looked great and we talked with our doctor.  She decided that an induction was the safest plan for the baby and me and we agree.  Even though I really wanted to go into labor on my own, I, more than anything, want to do what is best for Mason and me.  So, we will be going in for an induction on Tuesday night with a medicine called Cervidil and then Wednesday morning, the drug Pitocin will be started.  This is all so bittersweet for me.  Because as much as I am ready to have our precious little boy in my arms, I am also a little sad that he is leaving my belly...his warm little home for the past 37 weeks!  I love being pregnant.  I love feeling him move and for Josh to feel him kicking and squirming and I love having him all to myself!  But I guess it's time to share! And even though this wasn't the way that I had it planned out, I can already see the Lord's hands at work!  Because this baby's expected arrival date of June 11th, is none other than my Papa, William Henderson's birthday, which is who Mason is named after!  What a sweet surprise.  Papa was so surprised and happy when he found out this news! And what an awesome belated bday present for me too!!

Please pray for us this week.  Pray that my body will respond to the medications properly and that everything will go smoothly.  And more than anything, pray that we have a healthy baby boy!!  I have been nervous about this whole thing, which is crazy, because I help women do this all the time, so I know what to expect.  But it's a lot different on this end, as the patient and being a little less in control than normal.  But I know that the Lord is already there and just like He always does, is going to protect us and keep us safe!     "He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection."  Psalm 91:4 

We are trusting in His plan, because He's never failed us yet!  Thank you Lord!

 So I officially look like I've swallowed a watermelon!!

 And this is what he is looking like in there:

 Since finding out that Mason would be here sooner than we were expecting, we have been in overdrive!  It's starting to look all things baby in this house.  And oh, how I love it!  Bottles and clothes have been washed, bouncers, rock a roos, pack n plays and bassinets have been built and the car seat is installed.  Josh said that if we get anything else "baby" that we could run a day care :)

 Daddy hard at work building baby stuff!

 Chloe had to try out Mason's new ride...she approves, despite her sticking out her tongue.

 Our glider finally came in and the nursery is now complete.

 Chloe is waiting patiently for her little brother :)

And my very last pregnancy highlights :(

How far along:  37 Weeks

Size of Baby:  A Watermelon (19-22inches, 6.5lbs)

Most dramatic development this week:  Baby has rotated to head down and engaged in to pelvis.  Baby is sleeping more and sucking thumb to prepare for nursing.

Total weight gain:  28lbs

Gender:  It's a BOY!

Movement:  Lots.  While on the monitor Friday morning, I thought he would knock the monitor parts off my belly.  It's so sweet to watch!

Cravings:  Still nothing in particular

Sick or queasy:  No

Symptoms:  Swelling, elevated b/p and protein in urine=mild preeclampsia :(

Best moment of the week:  Getting all of sweet boy's things together and having my first NST (baby on the monitor).

Looking forward to:  Having our baby on Wednesday!!  Next post...will have our son in it!!  Wow!

We are ready and waiting for you sweet Mason!  We can't wait to see your precious face and for you to make this a family of four!  We love you precious boy!!

~"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11~

36 Weeks

Today I am:

 36 Weeks!

And we had our final baby shower this evening!  It was a co-gender shower, which was awesome because Josh and all of the men were able to be there!  It was a joy for me to see Josh opening some of little Mason's gifts.  The shower was wonderful!  We had amazing food, fun and fellowship with our family and friends!  Thank you Julie, Katie, Derek, Dustin and Debbie for making this evening so very special!

 Our boy is now the size of head of romaine lettuce.  Around 6lbs and 19inches long.

And looking like this in there:

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along:  36 weeks

Size of baby:  A head of romaine lettuce (6lbs and 19inches)

Most dramatic development:  Rate of growth slows to store up energy reserves.

Total weight gain:  27lbs

Movement:  He moves so much all throughout the day :)

Cravings:  Back to wanting country veggies...bring on the meat and three

Sick or queasy:  Not really..Yay!

Symptoms:  Lots of swelling all over and slightly elevated b/p which my MD is keeping a close eye on.

Best moment of the week:  Getting his nursery all finished up minus the glider and enjoying our last baby shower.

Looking forward to:  Finishing up the last few things around the house for baby and resting :)

~"God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." Ephesians 3:20~

35 Weeks

Today I am:

 35 Weeks!  

Oh my goodness..I can't even believe it.  Less than 5 weeks to go.

We had our Maternity Portraits made yesterday by the wonderful Megan White and here is a little sneak peak.  I'll be putting up the rest soon.  I thought they turned out beautiful!

 Our big boy is now the size of a large cantaloupe.

 And this is how he looking in there...pretty cramped.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along:  35 weeks

Size of Baby:  Large cantaloupe (19-22inches, 5.5lbs)

Most dramatic development this week:  Baby is maxed out at length, but still has some pounds to gain.  Body fat is now 15% and by birth with double to 30%.  Fetal brain development is moving at a rapid pace and will continue through childhood.  Movements now feeling like rolls and slithers.

Total weight gain:  24lbs

Gender:  It's a BOY!

Movement:  Oh yes.  And it's so fun to watch my belly move around.  I never get tired of that special feeling.  In fact, I think I will really miss it when he is out of there!

Cravings:  Nothing in particular, just different things on different days.

Sick or queasy:  Not really

Symptoms:  Let me show you:

Huge lower legs, ankles and feet.  They have been swelling for the past few weeks now but have progressively gotten a little worse.  Also, by b/p was up this week at the MD and I had protein in my urine on my checkup on Wednesday.  I went Friday for a recheck and my urine looked good, but my b/p was still on the edge, so we shall see.  I'm resting and keeping my feet up as much as possible and drinking lots of water.  I'm also going weekly now to my appointments so I'll get rechecked soon. 

I have also started "nesting" for sure.  My Mom came over and helped Josh, and they got our garage cleaned out so that I can pull in now.  Yahoo!  I supervised with my feet up.  :) I also got our bags packed for the hospital and starting to do last little preparations before our sweet boy gets here!

Best moment of the week:  Definitely having our maternity portraits done!

Looking forward to:  Our final shower next Saturday that Josh gets to be involved in..yay! :)

~"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3~