Our Sweet Little Man

We made an outing yesterday to an exciting place...the hospital. I needed to see a lactation consultant with the issues I am having nursing...yes, just as fun as it sounds. All went well, but the best thing was that we got to weigh Foster again. He is a big boy, weighing in the far corner at...8 pounds, 5 ounces. That means he gained a whole pound since he left the hospital...Wow! We are so proud of our growing boy!

Here are some new pics...

The Karate Kid


I'm no crab, I'm a sophisticated crustacean!

IT's a very, merry unbirthday...to you!

Yesterday marked Foster's first week on the planet. Although it was not his birthday, we will call it his unbirthday as the Mad- Hatter did in Alice in Wonderland. It seems like each day he grows and changes. He has become much more aware of things around him and has even started tracking with his eyes occasionally. I really look forward to the moments of the day when he is awake and able to respond to sounds and light. He is just so cute!

However, as a new mom let's be real for a second. I would like to take a moment to make a statement to all other mother's in the world. You are all LIARS!!! You know, when you decide that you want to procreate and then "lo and behold" you find yourself pregnant with the greatest joy that will ever enter your life, everyone has advice to give. Even self-pr0claimed bachelors seem to have advice on birthing, and rearing children. Everything is so wonderful and everyone is so excited and the advice seems so wonderful at the time.

No one ever mentions the absolute agony of giving birth, the healing, or the breastfeedng that follows. I expected that birthing a baby out of a very small opening would hurt. And...it did. I can tolerate that kind of pain, because it ends...fairly quickly (in my case 32 hours, but still...it ended!) What I was never told and did not anticipate was the extreme and prolonged bruising of the rear section of my body that has made it difficult to sit on any surface, or the constant feeling that I have on a wet bathing suit that I am unable to remove.

Now...on to breastfeeding. Although much of the world looks down upon women who breastfeed even in the modern world of super-moms, I was determined to do it. It is economical and seemed easy enough. Baby opens mouth, closes on nipple, sucks, and presto...milk for baby! Hooray! Many of my friends had breastfed their young ones without any mention of pain soreness, tears, etc... Even after having a lactation consultant on call, catering to my every whim in the nursing realm, I am at a loss to describe the self-inflicted torture that nursing has been for me. I am on day 8, and not only have things not gotten better, they are actually worse. I honestly have to practice breathing techniques to make it through the 15 minutes on each side 6-8 times a day! Perhaps many women simply don't share my experience...who knows? All I know is that describing the pain as a knife being jabbed directly into the center of your breast and then twisted in circles for minutes at a time cannot even begin to describe the feeling I have while nursing. And yes ladies...I have checked the latch, had the latch checked by a lactation consultant, my doctor, and I constantly check it myself. I am just hoping there is an end to this agony...an end that does not mean my throwing in the towel and shelling out thousands of dollars a year on boring, commercialized formula.

I hope I haven't turned any of you future mothers away from the process. I just wanted to share my experience. As you all know I am just about as honest as they come, so there you have it. The truth about bringing a bundle of joy into the world.

And you know what? In the end...it truly is worth it. Foster is amazing! Here he is after his very first bath. Now, I ask you...Would you go through all that for this end result? I would absolutely do it all over again.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superbaby!

I know...its a lame title for the blog, but just so fitting for this picture I snapped of Foster the other day. HE really is a super baby. He feeds well, sleeps well, and cries only when appropriate (changing of the diaper, hungry, gasy) He is such a joy!

Welli Helps Out

While Foster and I spent some time in the nursery this afternoon we had a little help. It has taken a few days and lots of sniffing, but Welli has finally welcomed Foster into our home. How sweet is this bundle of fur...

Our Biggest Adventure Yet!

Well, it finally happened. Foster decided to view the world for the first time 2 weeks ahead of schedule. After 32 hours of labor, he shot into life, literally! Although Daniel was unable to make it back, he did witness the event over speaker phone and saw Foster's sweet face moments after birth over Skype. Let's just say how thankful the Russell's are for the advancements in technology!

Foster was delivered by Dr. Latoya Kuester at Baptist of Nassau on Amelia Island, Friday July 15, at 3:49 p.m. My mother, Mama Jill, helped coach me through the pushing and Daniel's mother, Nana, cut the cord and took charge of the technology. The experience was unforgettable and absolutely amazing. It seems surreal to have carried our little man for 9 months and suddenly have him in your arms cooing and staring into your eyes.

Since then, Foster has met our dogs, Welli and Chloe, as well as my parents greyhounds, Sadie and Lovie, he has felt the afternoon breeze on the back patio, listened to the outdoor chimes, learned how to drink milk, and met many of our dear friends and neighbors.

The support that we have received over this past year has been nothing short of incredible. Thank you to everyone who has offered to do the thousand things that a pregnant woman simply cannot do herself and that a new mom simply doesn't have time for.

I will be doing my best over the next few months to make sure I post as often as I can with new photos of Foster's small and large accomplishments!

I have no words for the joy that I feel in my heart. It is true, what they say...How can you love something you just met so much? The answer to that is...you just do!

More Finishing Touches

Just when you think you have it all done, you find more to do! I just wanted to post a few more pics from Foster's nursery. The final wall pieces have been hung, and I am thrilled with the results. Thanks Frank and Dad for all your handy work!
Check out the shadow of the plane flying overhead...so sweet!

Jaime bought Foster the Raggedy Andy and Mom found the adorable sailor. (Hoping for our little man to be a blonde haired blue eyed cutie too!
We aren't sure who actually made this for my sister and I, but mom found it in our baby things and we just had to frame it. We have narrowed the possible stitchers to my Aunt Randy or my Grandmother Casper. No matter who made it, I had to hang it up in Foster's room.

Extry, Extry, Read all about it!

Well, the day may have finally come. I was 37 weeks this past Thursday, July 7th. During my visit with the OBGYN the day before, we decided that with a belly measuring 44 cm (Holy Moly!), it might be best to go ahead and induce a bit early. With a due date of July 28th, July17th sounds very early, but Foster appears to be really big! (Thank you Russell family!)

Monday I will have what I hope to be my final ultrasound just to be sure of his size, and if everything goes as planned, I will be induced next weekend! Can you believe it?

I am excited, anxious, nervous, but also prepared (or as prepared as anyone can be to pass something the size of a watermelon through a hole the size of a bottle cap!) But hey, it is the miracle of life, and I am so ready to embrace it.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our family through this pregnancy...the fun is about to begin.

I will update again when I know more. Until then cross your fingers for me that everything goes as smoothly as it can!

Will Work for Treats!!!

I must be the luckiest girl in the world to have so many people so willing to help me without a second thought. Of course, it is a little strange for me to accept any help- as you know I am the most independent, do-it-yourself female on the planet. Asking for help is almost impossible, and accepting help is even harder! You could compare it to asking for a root canal or accepting a good kick from a horse. All are painful and hard to recover from!

However, I must say that when you are 9 months pregnant with two dogs and a house to keep up, your perspective on help does tend to change a bit. Recently I was lucky enough to have my inlaws, sister, and parents down for several days, doing just that!

We did have our fair share of beach time and frequented may of the local restaurants (since I hate to cook, I single handedly keep the local eateries in business), but much time was spent doing all those little things that with a belly this big I can no longer comfortably do! I appreciate all the help that I have been given, especially knowing that so much precious vacation/relaxation time was spent working for me!

Our newest addition to the family, Welli, our one-year-old Briard decided he would give a helping hand to my dad, while he was working in the house. He was his little helper for the day, learning the trade, investigating the problems, and then fixing them with a little slobber and a whole lot of love. Thanks Welli- I know Dad sure did appreciate your help!
So, I guess not only dogs work for treats, humans do too! And it was such a treat for me having so much company these last two weeks!

I am so done!!!

Okay, so all I have to say is that all these happy pregnant women are liars! Being fat, swollen, sore, and slow is not exactly my idea of absolute joy. I understand that carrying life's greatest miracle is an amazing experience, but come on ladies...let's be real- it is hard work! I am so ready to have Foster and get back to myself.

Honestly though, I cannot wait to see him. 3 1/2 weeks to go! Come on out Foster...anytime- Mom is waiting!

Foster Visits Daddy's Homeland

A few weeks ago Foster and I took our last trip as a fused unit. At 34 weeks I bit the bullet and boarded a flight to North Carolina to visit my in-laws. The Russells, Nooes, and friends decided to throw me one more baby shower and boy did they ever! Elizabeth Dozier hosted the event in her beautiful home, aided by my sister-in-law, Charity, Daniel's cousins, Lori and Christy, their mother, Marsha, and Daniel's Aunt Amy. The spread was fabulous with blue crab dip, chicken salad croissants, petit cupcakes, and punch just to name a few of the delectables.

It was so wonderful to see such a fantastic turn out. I truly felt incredibly loved with so many family members and friends wishing me well. It was a full house to be sure! It is a lucky mom-to-be who receives 10 packs of wipes, 7 boxes of diapers, needed safety and medical items, sweet stuffed toys, and clothes, clothes, clothes!!! Not to mention the loud, obnoxious toys that I will be sure to take to Nana and Papa's to remain! A gift I needed as much as a dairy cow needs a pair of strong hands, was my breast pump. Thank you to everyone for your generosity, kindness, and support as we prepare to bring our little man into the world!

It was also a treat to get to see my friend, Amy, who traveled a few hours to spend the day with me. Her son, Brian is absolutely precious and I look forward to 8 months from now when our little Foster is at that same fun age!

The next time I make my way up north I will be plus one and I can't wait!