We love him more than Jamba :)

Wow, it's been a while since I posted last! But that's okay because I've been preoccupied with other things, greater things :) 

My babe will be 7 weeks on Friday! What?? Where did the time go? Haha, I know, he's still pretty new, but really, I feel like I just gave birth to him! He'll be 2 months way too soon! 

He changes every single day! He's getting quite the fun little personality! Once he's fed and has a clean diaper and not needing a nap he'll lay there and grin at us and try to talk to us. He is finding that cute voice of his! Sometimes he'll make a noise that totally catches him by surprise and he gets a very concerned look on his face! haha I love it! He cracks me up! 

The kid loves to eat. He still hasn't decided to take a break through the night yet. Up every 3 hours to eat. Sometimes 4 if he's feeling generous! But hey it's better than the 2 hours we were doing last week, I think we were hitting a growth spurt :) Funny, he's sleeping right now and getting closer to 4 hours since eating...he would do that in the middle of the day instead of the middle of the night ;) he is starting to stay awake for longer stretches in the day time though so I just know that soon he'll have long stretches of sleep at night...I just know it. In order for me to stay sane and not fall asleep standing up it'll have to happen soon :) 

He is worth it all though! He's worth the days where I don't get "breakfast" until noon, he's worth the days that I'm lucky if I get to brush my teeth, and he's worth all the spit ups I get on my shoulder, or my leg, or even my face...yes my face. He's worth everything! 

I love the little squirt more than words can even say. I can't imagine life without him. Sure life has changed since he has come, we've had to adjust that is for sure. Dates aren't as easy as they used to be and spur of the moment jamba runs aren't as easy....but it's okay. We love him a ton more than a jamba :) He is perfect and we love him so. 

2 weeks under our belt...

We took little man to his 2 week appointment today and he's definitely eating enough! I was a little (okay--a lot) concerned about his eating when we first brought him home! He was 6 lbs 14 oz when he was born, 6 lbs 8 oz at discharge and at his 2 week appointment today was 8 lbs 5 oz. Oinker! The doctors told us in the hospital that the goal was to have him back at his birth weight at his 2 week appointment....definitely passed that! He's a funny guy! And he loves his food! If he doesn't get it when he wants it you hear alllll about it! ;)

So Nixon is quite the champ-he's really only waking up once in the dead of night. Granted he goes to bed pretty late and wakes up pretty early...it's still nice that the weird hours of the morning are only disturbed once (or twice) depends on the night. What I'm really trying to say is nights are getting easier---or we're just getting used to them more. Whichever works.

He's definitely staying awake a lot more during the day than when he first came home! We're getting really excited for that little personality to start shining through! We can already tell he's a stubborn one (unfortunately he did get that from me) but we can't wait to see what other quirks he has!

At first sight everyone says he looks like a mini Kohn---but I beg to differ ;) we pulled out my newborn picture and he has my mouth. And regardless of what aunts and uncles will say I don't mean that he has a big mouth (though he does have a lot to say when he's mad) but he has my mouth shape. And last night when I was holding him after his bath he was just looking up at me with the widest eyes and I swear to you it looked like my dads face on a baby...Kohn could see it too. It totally threw me off guard! So see---he got some Nielsen genes too :) though yes-the Thedell genes are strong!

It's funny what we get excited about. When he has a good poopy diaper we are the proudest parents, when he has a nice big burp we are again the proudest parents. And when he has a wet diaper we are also proud---but most the time he doesn't decide to pee until his diaper is off...I had to change his clothes 3 times the other day because he peed all over his shirt. And then it whizzes past his shirt and right into his face. I've gotten to the point where I just stick my hand over his unit and let him pee in my hand. Is that gross? Because I don't get grossed out about it anymore-I guess that's just part of being a mom.

I like bragging about my boy-I am a proud momma that is for sure!

He loves to hold daddy's hand!

This is definitely his favorite way to sleep! (Both of them)

We just had to meet Santa! :)

Nixon Grey Thedell

Nixon is here! And he has been for 2 weeks, well 13 days, tomorrow will be 2 weeks! I can't even believe it! At times it feels like he's been here forever and it's hard to remember what life was like without him, but at other times he seems very new, as he is, and we have no idea what we're doing! Haha! But we are figuring it out.

He's quite the sleeper during the day, night is another story though. He's definitely been doing better the past few nights though, I think we're figuring it out. Last night was a little longer of a night though because the poor baby just won't give his bubbles up so he lays there and squirms cause he's got a bit of a belly ache. And of course as his overprotective mommy I wake up to every little squawk or movement. So in the end he ended up in bed cuddled with mom. And I'm more than okay with that, I think it makes me sleep better too ;) oh I love that boy!

So, I think it's only necessary that I share his birth story, because I've documented the whole pregnancy, I can't not tell the story. Plus, he's got about 2 more hours of his awesome nap so I have time ;) I'm telling you, this kid sleeps.

So my due date was December 5th, and if you recall that day I kind of had a semi gripe fest on the blog because he wasn't here yet...little did I know what would happen in the next few hours. Kohn and I went to bed that night, and I went to bed really dreading the fact that I would have to go to work the next morning because I was supposed to have a baby by this point! Well midnight rolls around, and I wake up thinking I had just peed my pants. I know this sounds gross, but I tried to just go back to sleep, because it was only a little, but I decided against it because the thought of my water breaking crossed my mind. And as soon as it crossed my mind I decided I wasn't ready for labor and got really scared. So I got up to go to the bathroom to see what was happening. I was expecting there to be a huge flow of water after I stood up if it had been my water breaking, but there was no flow so I resorted back to the idea of having peed my pants. Well, I went to go to the bathroom, and I'll spare the potty details, but it was confusing. I woke Kohn up and told him I thought my water had broke, but then the flow stopped so I told him nevermind and to go back to bed, my bladder had just been really full. But then I stood up and there was no questioning it, my water had broke, and now it wasn't stopping! I changed my garments and put on a new pair of sweats and started to walk around to get stuff gathered when I soon realized that was a bad idea, because I was making a mess. So Kohn had me sit down while he gathered everything. I had to sit on a towel on the way to the hospital and walked into labor and delivery with the towel strapped around me. As soon as the nurses saw the towel they knew what had happened and we were quickly on our way to our room.

I had only been a 1 at my previous doctors appointment a few days later, and Nixon had still not dropped, so I still haven't really figured out how my water broke. It just did I guess. When they checked my cervix after I got all settled in I was only a 2 and I knew that it was going to be a long morning/day/night/whatever. I got to a 3.5 in an hour and then stopped. They tried to give me pitocin but Nixon didn't handle it very well, so they had to turn it off and I went from a 3.5 to an 8.5 all by myself, and I'm not even sure how long it took. It was just long. I got the epidural at a 3+ because yes, I am a wimp. But after I had the epidural and my legs were ridiculously numb I was annoyed and couldn't decide if I'd rather feel the contractions or not feel my legs.

Anyways, I got stuck at an 8.5 and Nixon was posterior. So I had to lay on my left side and have my right leg in a stir up for 30 minutes and then switch, which was annoying because I couldn't feel my legs anyway. Nixon eventually turned on his own, he is a champ! I still wasn't dilating though so instead of jumping to a c-section they decided to but fluid back in me so they could give me pitocin. Because since there was no amniotic fluid Nixon would roll and it would pinch his cord, causing his heart rate to drop, and that's why we couldn't use pitocin from a 3.5 to 8.5. But once we got the fluid in me he was fine with the pitocin and I eventually made it to a 10. And then it was time to push!

I pushed for 2 hours and then he finally made his appearance with the help of the vacuum at 8:05 pm on December 6th. Yes my water broke at midnight. 20 hours of labor. But it was all worth it! We are madly in love!

We got to keep Nixon with us for an hour after he was born but then had to send him to the NICU because I had a fever during labor so they had to monitor him for infection. He was in the NICU the whole time we were in the hospital but he didn't have any infection and he was such a healthy boy so it was okay! The NICU stay was just precautionary.

I can't even explain how much this little boy has changed our lives but it's a good thing and we love him more than words can even say! You know he's special when he can make you laugh at 2:00 in the morning when you're dead tired and a little flustered.

Every time anyone sees him for the first time the first thing they say is something about his hair. My whole pregnancy I kept saying I hoped he had a lot of hair, and boy does he! I comb it down after every bath but after it dries it poofs out. I love it, it makes him Nixon.

I miss having my boy in my belly sometimes, I miss feeling his little kicks, but I love looking at his face and cuddling him tight and mauling him with kisses. He is the sweetest and I love him!

Right after he was born! 6 lbs 14 oz, 20 inches long!

Coming home :) 

He makes the best faces!

Meeting Uncle David, Aunt Angela, and cousin Jaxon :) 

Due Date.

Today is due date and Nixon is definitely not giving us any indication that he'll be coming today. He's just too cozy in there, I guess. So yes, I am still fat and pregnant. At my doctors appointment on Tuesday I was only dilated to a 1 and a quarter, so unless I progress fast when I start to progress we could still have a few days before we meet our little man. I've had many people tell me that they stayed at a 1 until they went into labor, but I've also had many people tell me that they'd sit at a 3 or 4 for weeks. So, yes, everyone is different, but I hope I'm a 1 until labor.

I've been lucky because I haven't had to deal with painful contractions, just annoying braxton hicks that seem to be mocking me...but, at least I haven't dealt with the painful ones for the last 4 weeks. I hope I'm like my mom. With Meagan, she didn't have any contractions, like me. Her water broke, and then she started having the painful contractions, and had Meagan 2 hours later. I'd take that.

My next doctors appointment is set for Tuesday, the 10th. I hope I don't make it to that appointment, but with my luck I will make it there. But that should be my last appointment, because then we would get to figure out a for sure induction time. I reallllly just want to go into labor before then.

I don't want to get into a griping fest about how I'm so done being pregnant so I will just wrap this up.

*Nixon is the size of a pumpkin....at the last appointment Dr. N said he'll maybe be 7 pounds, but before that he was guessing 7.5...so I guess we'll just see.
*Nixon could come ANY DAY NOW.

How far along? 40 weeks... 
Total weight gain/loss: Enough.
Sleep: I actually have been sleeping like a baby lately..I know that won't last much longer. 
Best moment this week? It's fun tickling his bum and having him go crazy over it. 
Miss anything? Bending, breathing, walking normal, belly sleeping, but of course I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Movement? Oh yes! 
Food cravings: Chocolate chip granola bars...there seems to be a pattern with chocolate
Have you started to show yet? Uhh....
Gender? BOY!!!!! I don't know what we'd do if he ended up being a she though. We'd laugh about it eventually ;) 
Labor signs? Little things keep happening that show me the time is drawing closer, but nothing too exciting.
Belly button in or out? I am declaring it out. 
Wedding rings on or off? Off :( all jewelry is off. 
Happy or moody most of the time? If he doesn't make his grand entrance this week I'm going to be quite moody.
Looking forward to: Nixon coming!!!! He's allowed to now, so he should. My brother decided Nixon and Jaxon made a pact in heaven that they would both come late...Ang and I really appreciate it.

Week 37!!!

One of my pregnancy apps has a countdown on it...it says 21 days. TWENTY-ONE DAYS. That is less than a month! Soooo crazy! But I'm actually willing to bet it's actually 26 days (which is still less than a month). Seriously, luck is not on my side and I don't think being a November mommy is in the cards for me. We're moving along slowly, if you could even say we're moving along. Nixon is nice and comfy in my crammed belly, I guess. And I'm glad he is comfy because I am not. 

This whole enormous belly thing is not my cup of tea, but oh so worth it all at the same time. And I know it will be so much more worth it when I get to see the little man that's camping out inside there. Which is still really hard for me to wrap my head around, that there is a full sized baby in my belly. Miracle. 

I've had some friends make some guesses on when Nixon will make his big arrival. Bethany said November 23rd, thanks for being so generous dear :) Chase said the 28th, what an eventful Thanksgiving that would be. Miranda said November 29th. Kelsey said December 4th, and AJ said December 7th, while I don't appreciate him going over my due date it's probably pretty realistic. Because do you want to know what my guess is? December 10th. And I'm slowly coming to terms with that. You see, December 10th makes perfect sense BECAUSE: Kohn said that was the only day I wasn't allowed to have him on because he's got a huge final that day, Nicole and Jordana want me to have him that day because it's their birthdays and they think I owe them some big birthday present or something ;) and at my 20 week appointment Dr. Noorda had considered changing my due date to December 10th but didn't because he's a nice guy. So basically I will be 100% okay with him coming before December 10th, but I'm not getting my hopes up, and I will cry if he's not here by then. 

*Nixon is the size of a winter melon...or my other app says watermelon...

*Nixon COULD come any time now and be considered full term.

How far along? 37 weeks! 
Total weight gain/loss: Enough.
Sleep: I wake up a lot in the night to readjust, go to the bathroom, or just because Nixon thinks it's time to play and is having a hay day kicking me. 
Best moment this week?It's always a highlight to hear that heartbeat, and it's always so fun to feel him moving around.  
Miss anything? Sleep and being able  to walk and bend like a normal person.
Movement? Oh yes! 
Food cravings: Carbs....
Have you started to show yet? Uh yes.
Gender? BOY!!!!! 
Labor signs? False. Even braxton hicks aren't very common for me.
Belly button in or out? I am declaring it out. 
Wedding rings on or off? Off :( all jewelry is off. 
Happy or moody most of the time? It really just depends.
Looking forward to: Getting our little man here! But since we've still got a little ways before that happens I'll enjoy the little things between now and then, like my shower this weekend, getting to see David, Angela, and Jaxon in a little over a week, and stuffing my face with Thanksgiving dinner...even though I can hardly eat a lot of food at once anymore... 

Week 34!!!

All my October mommy's have had their babies, and even my November mommy's (now October mommy's) have had their babies too! So of the people that I know, that puts me next in line! And it's taking forever to be my turn...

6 more weeks! Well, 3-6, or 7. I could potentially end up being a November mommy, but I just don't know how lucky we'll get with that. A girl can dream! What's driving me nuts is if it were anything else we were counting down 6 weeks to it would seem a whole lot closer! In any other situation. I've been told that once I'm in labor I'm going to wonder where the time went...but until then time is dragging.

I think I've mentioned before we're taking a labor/delivery class. Well on Wednesday we got to take a tour of the labor and delivery floor and mommy/baby unit. We've got a pretty decent sized class, I think there is 11 couples. So when we got to labor and delivery and went through the doors the teacher sent all us pregnant girls first, kind of freaked out the nurses! Haha they were trying to figure out how they were going to make room for all of us! Kind of funny, as we were walking around the floor whenever we would walk past an occupied room there would be a comment about "Oh I can hear that baby's heart beat on the monitor" and one of my October mommy's was in one of the rooms we walked past! Fun coincidence.

A couple weeks ago my mom threw a baby shower for me and it was so great! Thanks mom! Baby Nixon got spoiled and we are just seriously blessed! I'm excited to dress my little man in all the cute clothes he got!

I haven't blogged since 32 weeks so if I repeat something, just excuse me. I'm forgetful as it is, but being pregnant takes that to a whole new level for me ;) so....Dr. Noorda decided to make an educated guess, and he made sure to clarify that it was just that, a GUESS. But he told me "Haley, you're not going to have a big baby....shux huh?" Haha yeah doc, shux. His guess is like 7 lbs. But I got to do an extra little ultrasound the other day and that said he was 4 lbs 11 oz at the time. The tech said that's just a little under the average baby weight. So we'll see. But she said he is healthy, healthy, healthy! Moving great, heartbeat is great, and everything looked great! :) He was a little bugger and was covering his face though...he's pretty good at that. He had his hands and feet in front of his face, I can't imagine that would be comfortable....but he did have a cute little ear. And I'm pretty positive we saw some hair when we were on the 3D image :)

*Nixon is the size of a butternut squash, 4 lbs 11 oz :)
*He can now open and close his eyes.
*He was head down when we did the ultrasound, she said he's pretty likely to stay that way now until delivery!

How far along? 34 weeks.
Total weight gain/loss: I just honestly don't look at the scale anymore.
Sleep: It has actually been pretty great lately. I fall asleep fast, mainly because I'm exhausted, and I sleep through the night! 
Best moment this week? For sure seeing him, even if I couldn't see his face. Oh and then during a heartbeat check he had the hiccups so we could hear the pattern of the hiccups too! Kinda cute! 
Miss anything? Pumpkin. Pumpkin gives me the worst heartburn! So hopefully he'll be here before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy all the pumpkin goodness without paying for it afterwards!
Movement? Oh yes! 
Food cravings: I'm a chocolate lover.
Have you started to show yet? Yes, and of course I have the dreaded stretch marks too.
Gender? BOY!!!!! 
Labor signs? I have been having little contractions, but I haven't been feeling them all.
Belly button in or out? I can almost say out. 
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or moody most of the time? There is no accurate answer for this. 
Looking forward to: Tomorrow should be pretty fun! We're having a murder mystery dinner with all our friends! You know, life size Clue! And Kohn gets to fulfill his dream, he gets to be a zombie! ;) and then of course I am excited for November to get here next week, because remember, I could be a November mommy if luck is on my side! 

Week 32!!!

Another week down, 8 more to go! I have a feeling this will seriously be the slowest 8 weeks of my life. No matter what I do, no matter how busy I am, it doesn't seem to go quite as fast as I'd like :) I know that it'll get here but it seems so far away!

Kohn and I started a labor and delivery class last night that goes for the rest of the month. On our way there I was kind of wishing we hadn't signed up and couldn't imagine having to go to the class anymore times than last night, but after last night I think it'll be a good thing. I'm definitely learning helpful things that I would probably have not known otherwise. And while I'm sure that going into labor and getting to the hospital and all those crazy things are never perfect I feel like we'll be way more prepared and ready to handle it than we would have been. And once this class is over we'll be 35 weeks! 2 weeks away from full term! So maybe the class will help time go by a little faster...not counting on it though ;)

I'm definitely feeling more pregnant than I have at all through this whole pregnancy. I swear I find a new stretch mark every day, I can't sit comfortably, I can't lay comfortably, and I can't walk up the stairs without gasping for breath. In fact, last night we were reading the scriptures and I was having to catch my breath more often than I'm used to during reading. We saw a little picture of what the body looks like inside when pregnant, and it totally makes sense to me why I'm out of breath all the time, having the lungs all squished and such (along with every other organ!!!), but it still isn't fun.

*Nixon is the size of a squash!
*Nixon is finally not transparent, his fat stores are coming in quite nicely.
*Nixon's hair is getting it's color.

How far along? 32 weeks.
Total weight gain/loss: I think I'm done with this question. Haha.
Sleep: The other night I was soooo tired that we went to bed at 9, which never happens at our house, and I still didn't manage to fall asleep until after 11...that's how hard it is to get comfortable. 
Best moment this week? Well I'd have to say it's been a pretty good week. A pretty typical week too. But I always love when Nixon is bouncing around inside! 
Miss anything? Sleep.
Movement? Oh yes! 
Food cravings: As of late: I can't think of a particular thing at the moment.
Have you started to show yet? I would sure hope so.
Gender? BOY!!!!! 
Labor signs? I think I experienced my first round of Braxton Hicks the other night.
Belly button in or out? I can almost say out. 
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or moody most of the time? Happy and anxious about getting closer to due date!
Looking forward to: Our pictures today (even if the weather is kind of lame) and baby shower on Saturday! :)