A lifetime of firsts.

I knew when I had a child of my own I would experience many "firsts" that have an impact on my life--the first smile, the first word, the first poop, the first time she gets sick. In the past few days, we have experienced many wonderful "firsts" and one that I could have never prepared for. We had our first pediatrician visit today and learned that Olivia has jaundice. Now I know this common among newborns, and in most cases, not serious. However, hearing the doctor tell you that your baby may have to re-admitted to the hospital is scary as hell.

We had to take her to the hospital for blood work (another experience I had rather not have) and luckily her numbers were not as bad as the doctor thought. We have her at home, but she has to be hooked up to a Bili-Blanket non-stop. A Bili-Blanket is a small, flat light source connected to a machine by a stiff hose. Since she has to be on it all the time, it is difficult to nurse and change her, but we are getting by. We have done a lot of snuggling today because I figure if she has to be connected to this miserable contraption, then she deserves to be held. (I think she deserves to be held anyway, but I have been trying not to spoil her too much by holding her while she sleeps.)

Anyway, there is no need to be alarmed. She should be fine in a few days. We will check her blood again tomorrow to determine if the levels are going up or down, which will determine how much longer she needs the treatment. I will keep you posted.

More photos of Liv

Below are a few more photos of the precious one. I have also posted some new ones on Yahoo! (click here). We are all doing well. I continue to be sore, and Sean is being a tremendous help (laundry, grocery store, etc.) I, of course, am thankful that my mom is here with us. I was able to let Sean sleep through most of last night's feedings, but my mom was more than willing to get up and keep me company.

I hope you enjoy the new photos. Feel free to post comments and tell me how cute she is.

See my hair...

Liv with a full tummy.

Dad's teaching her bad habits already. Here they are playing cards online.

Such a good sleeper.

Pucker up and hook'em horns!

Night No. 1

We survived! Night No. 1 at home alone without nurses to call, without beds that go up and down, without a nursery to send the little one off to when you just can't take it anymore--we survived it all. The first couple of hours were rough. Apparently, you can't breast feed a baby that is screaming at the top of her lungs--the boob just falls right out of her mouth. We worked on this for 2 hours or so starting at about 1:30 a.m. Turns out all the bubbling and gurgling coming from the little one's tummy and all the toots coming from her bottom make her a little testy. Many thanks to Cousin June for reminding me (and giving me as a shower gift) Mylicon drops. Within minutes, tummy was soothed and Liv was free to eat again. We were up two more times for a little nourishment, then out until 9:30. That's right 9:30! Now we have had some breakfast and Liv is sleeping in my lap as I write this. I will have some more photos posted this afternoon. Thanks to everyone for the phone calls and emails. Liv says hello.

Here she is!

As most of you know, Olivia James was born Thursday, May 26 at 9:35 p.m. She weighed 7 lb. 11 oz. and was 21 inches long (are those good gambling number or what?). She has a head full of black hair and big round cheeks. Granny and Grandpa Bear think she looks like Sean. Below are some photos. There are more on Yahoo! Photos (click here).

We came home from the hospital a couple of hours ago. Liv is perfectly healthy and I am doing good (although really sore). I will post a more detailed account later on, but now I am ready for a nap.

Liv and mom.

Liv and Dad

Liv and Granny Bear

Liv and Grandpa Bear.

Our little Longhorn.

Liv just after birth.

This is it!

Guess what! I am in labor! Just went to doctor and I am 2-3 centimeters dilated and 90% effaced. Contractions are 4-5 minutes apart. We are leaving for the hospital in about an hour. Stay tuned for news of Liv's arrival.

My baby boy.

Someone is going to be very upset when he is no longer "the baby" of the family. I was convinced I was close to labor the other night because Stanley was acting so needy. We sat like this for hours, and every time I moved, he inched closer. Audrey has taken the opposite approach--she is ignoring me before I have the chance to ignore her.

Yikes!

Humility aside, I thought I would share this horrible photo with you. This is me at 39 1/2 weeks, with no makeup and in my pj's. I figure any photos taken in the hospital will be equally bad so I should prepare you now. (Of course, there will be something more interesting--a baby--in those photos.) Oh well.

Still here, still pregnant

Well, the full moon came and went without bringing about labor. I am sure that my dad is very disappointed that his theory proved untrue (as am I). For a brief moment last night, I thought it was time. I awoke at 1:30 a.m. with the strangest feeling--not contractions or pain, just a strange sensation. Turns out that my stomach was doing battle with the antibiotic I took too close to bedtime. I spent the next half hour throwing up. Then a couple of more hours watching really bad late-night TV (E's True Hollywood Story of Winona Ryder to be specific). Oh well, I now predict it will be next weekend before Liv's much anticipated arrival. Stay tuned.

My pledge to you

I know that many of you are wondering daily if I am off having a baby. I am going to do my best to post everyday just to let you know my labor status. I have heard from some very old and dear friends today who were just checking in. Carrie and Tammy, it was great to hear from you. Rest assured, I am still here and still pregnant. Today was my first day of working from home. I got up and took a nice long walk around the block about 3 times. (Happy Mom?) We also walked last night once the temperature dropped from the 90s.

Anyway, these posts will be probably be short, but for you worry warts, comforting.

No news is not good news to me

Just thought I would make a quick post to let everyone know that I am NOT having a baby right now. Despite having completed all get-ready-for-baby chores, Liv makes no signs of wanting to leave her nice cozy room. "She'll come out when she gets ready," everyone says. Well, I am not running a hotel here people! Rates are going up really soon. I have actually been feeling a little better the last few days, so I guess I can stick it out. I really hope she doesn't wait until June, though. It reached a record high of 97 here in Austin today, and tomorrow's high is 99. (Please note that the temperature reading from the car said it reach 101, but in in the interest of fairness, I reported the "official" temp.) Anyway, I am thankful that I will not be pregnant for much more of the summer heat. I love Texas, but the summers are unbearable, even when you are not pregnant.

We had our 39 week doctor's appointment on Friday. There was absolutely no progress since the last visit, which essentially means no progress at all. WARNING: TMI (too much information) AHEAD. One of my biggest complaints lately has been my ever-shrinking bladder and how much discomfort (and time spent in bathroom) it has caused me. I was complaining about it to my doctor and told her if I didn't know better, I would think I had a bladder infection. She suggested we test to make sure that was not the case. Lo and behold, I got a call a few hours later that I did indeed have a bladder infection. Well hell, that explains so much. I guess I should apologize to Liv for blaming her for my 6-10 trips to the bathroom each night. (Yes, that's right, 6-10!)

Wednesday night, my friend Alison and I attended what we refer to as "boob class." In reality it was a lactation class where we were supposed learned how to breastfeed. My question is this: If childbirth and breastfeeding have been around since the beginning of man, why in the world is it all so complicated? Sean did not go with me to this class and for that I am thankful. Alison and I were the only women there without their men (and hers in in Iraq), but given the amount of giggling that came from the man behind me, I can't imagine Sean getting through the 2-hour class without embarrassing me. We saw more nipples than a late-night Cinemax movie--and let me tell you, it was not a good thing.

The lactation consultant went over what we can and cannot eat while breastfeeding. First came the good news: I can drink alcohol as long as I do it at least 2 hours before feeding. You have no idea how good an ice-cold beer sounds right now. Then came the bad news: NO ICE CREAM (for the first couple of weeks)!!!!!! What???!!!???? I seriously shrieked out loud. She explained that the calcium is too hard on the baby's tummy. Well, at least I can have a drink.

I am not interesting today....

While I would love to post something witty and amusing today, I just don't have it in me. The best I can do is to promise not to complain TOO MUCH. Sean & I just finished our birthing class DVD, tonight I have my lactation class, and I am about to go install the car seat in my car. So I am hoping that once those three chores are out of the way, Liv will know that it is okay to come out because (1) I will know how to get her out when the time comes, (2) I will know how to feed her, and (3) we will not endanger her life on the way home from the hospital. I am not sure of this kind of logic works on unborn children, but at this point I am willing to give anything a try.

Nursery Photos

It has taken forever, but finally here are some photos of the nursery. The walls are a much prettier shade of yellow when you see them in person.

Remind you of anything?

In case you didn't believe me about my grotesque feet, I thought I would share a photo with you. I think they resemble the Hobbit's feet in Lord of the Rings (minus the hair).

Quick Update

Just had weekly doctor's appointment. Seems that Olivia has dropped, which explains some of the really strange pains I have been having in my lower region. Cervix remains same as last week--soft but not open. (Sorry for TMI.) Dr. Hooi indicated that it could be any day now, but didn't seem too confident about Liv arriving in time for Cindy's birthday (May 18)--I guess we need to get her a gift now since we can't claim that another grandbaby is gift enough. :) I have my Lactation Class on the 18th anyway, so it is probably best Liv stay put until then--at least if she wants to eat when she comes out.

My feet remain grotesquely swollen. I can't bend my toes, and my shoes have left permanent marks across the top of my feet. The only good thing about it is that I have been wearing flip flops to work everyday (against company dress code), and I dare anyone to challenge me on it.

My attitude has taken a turn for the worse in the last week. I have made multiple threats to go up there and get this baby out myself. Unfortunately, the poor Target employees caught the brunt of my wrath one evening this week when I tried to return a duplicate baby gift. I won't go into the details, but let's just say I will be shopping at a different Target for a while. Sean has also grown tired of this pregnancy, or at least he's tired of me complaining about this pregnancy. Either way, we are a miserable lot around here and it is time for a little bundle of joy to arrive.

Happy Mother's Day!

So I have lots of updates and they are coming to you all at once. Just keep reading because there are several posts for today.

First, let me say Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and soon-to-be mothers out there. I had a lovely Mother’s Day. My mom and dad came to visit, and we went to see Bill Cosby on Sunday afternoon. He put on a 2 1/2 hour show that was just hilarious.

My wonderful hubby surprised me with gorgeous flowers (see photo below) and the most touching card. I also received flowers from Grumpa Tom and Bunny (Tom & Cindy). What a thoughtful gesture! My mom even got me a Mother’s Day gift—a Mother’s Keepsake Journal so I can record my childrearing experiences. (That says childrearing, not childbearing—I am sure that will not be something I will want to record in writing, for I would not want my daughter to hear such words.)

Of course, the two children I actually have right now (Audrey & Stanley) didn’t get me squat for Mother’s Day—not even a card! I think they may be a little miffed about the soon-to-arrive sibling.

Flowers from my wonderful husband.

Mama got a brand new car!

So perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend was the spontaneous purchase of a brand new GMC Envoy—ALL FOR ME! I am been complaining about many many thing over the last few months. One of my complaints has been the size of my Jeep Liberty. While I certainly enjoyed the fact that it was as easy to park as a Volkswagon Beetle, I was concerned that it would not have enough cargo space once I was hauling a baby and all her gadgets around.

Of course, this complaint has not been at the forefront of my mind lately, since all the aches and pains that come with the last few weeks of pregnancy have pretty much consumed me. But we got up Saturday morning and Sean said, “Let’s go look at cars.” I agreed thinking we were just looking for fun. But I found this Envoy that was so fully loaded, it is almost embarrassing. We somehow managed to get lower monthly payments than we had for the Liberty, and our insurance rates went down! Seemed like a no-brainer, so we bought it. Now I am riding in style and Sean has marked one complaint off the list.

From grampa with love...

It is time for the official unveiling of the Jimmy Bear custom made door! If you remember back to an earlier post, we bought a stained glass window in Round Top back in April, and my dad planned to make us a door. Well, the door is complete, hung, and looks absolutely fabulous. This is the perfect addition to our house and we are so proud of it! The picture below does not do it justice, but hopefully you can get the idea.

I knew the door was coming this weekend, but the surprise was a hand-made cradle for Olivia. Words can’t describe how beautiful it is or how touched I was to receive this from my dad. I was moved to tears just knowing that Liv would have this piece of her grandfather forever.

It's called a "due date" for a reason.

We had a doctor’s visit on Friday, which included the 3rd trimester sonogram and a very unenjoyable cervix check. I went in with the hopes of learning that labor would occur any day (SOON). However, it seems that Liv plans to stay put for a while. Dr. Hooi said that if she had to guess (I told her she had to), she would expect it to be the week of my due date or a little later. Crap!!!!

Prior to the visit, I had convinced myself (and Sean and my mom and everyone at work) that Liv planned to make an early exit. I was certain that all the pains and pressure I was feeling meant nothing short of labor within a week. Apparently, these pains and pressures are just the normal progression of pregnancy and nothing special. Nevermind that I feel like her head is going to pop out between my legs every time I stand up, or that my stomach is as hard as a boulder all the time. Normal, hmmphh.

The sonogram showed everything to be on track—all organs functioning properly, proper amount of fluid, etc. Liv measured at 6 ½ pounds. Dr. Hooi said she will gain about ½ pound a week from now until the end. Now, I am no mathematician, but that sounds like an 8 pound baby to me. Yikes!

The sonogram was not as exciting as those in the past. We couldn’t really make out the things that were pointed out to us. I am told she has lots of hair, but don’t ask me to show it to you because I couldn’t see it when the technician pointed it out and I can’t find it when I look back at the video. Oh well, hair or not, I am ready to meet this little girl who likes to kick me in the ribs and causes me so much joy and discomfort at the same time.

Happy Monday! Well, there is really no such thing, but I thought I should start out on an upbeat note. After what seemed like the longest week in history, Sean and I spent our weekend at La Cantera Resort in San Antonio for my firm retreat. We had a nice and relaxing time, or at least I did. Sean participated in a golf tournament with my fellow attorneys and ended the day pretty frustrated. I think he failed to understand that he was dealing with lawyers, who would rather get drunk and have fun than actually try to win (if they even had the ability to win in the first place). Regardless, his team took 3rd place. While Sean was watching grown men chase golf balls all over the place, I enjoyed a wonderful nap in the Westin’s Heavenly Bed, laid out by the pool, and had a one-hour pedicure. I can understand why he was jealous.

In anticipation of the event, I bought a maternity swimsuit (also known as a tent) from Target. When it came down to pool time, however, I did not have the courage to put in on. If you think this is ridiculous, you need to understand a few things: (1) my body is no where near a normal size, and certainly larger than 98% of the other guests, (2) my poor bloated body had not seen the light of day since last summer—we’re talking borderline albino, and (3) La Cantera is only minutes from Seaworld. Don’t understand the connection? Well, I feared that should I cloak my very white, oversized body a gigantic black swimsuit, someone might call the Seaworld officials to report that Shamu had escaped. There would then be a huge scene as they stormed La Cantera with giant nets and tranquilizer guns. This is not how I wished my colleagues to see me. The swimsuit goes back to Target.

I am hoping the week passes quickly. I will officially be full-term on Friday, and we have a doctor’s appointment that day. We get to have our final ultrasound and should get an idea of how ready Liv is to make her exit. I am hoping that it is sooner rather than later. We will also further discuss the option inducing, but after doing some research online, I am not feeling like it such a good idea. If you have thoughts or experience on the subject, I would love to hear them. Just post your comments here.