This is long overdue seeing as how our little man is 10 weeks old... but here are some of the photos taken of our little pumpkin in the hospital when he was 4 days old. The sleep sack and hat were knit by mom... thanks Grandma Karen!
Dear William,
Where has the last 10 weeks gone? In some ways, it seems like only yesterday that we brought you home. Yet, you've grown and changed so much in these last 10 weeks that sometimes it feels like you have been a part of our lives for so much longer.
I have to say that you are an amazing little man. You have taught me to love in ways that I never even knew were possible. I have loved your daddy for almost 5 years now but the love that he and I have for you is indescribable. You have completely changed our lives. And I can not even remember what life was like before you were a part of ours.
The first night we brought you home (and those first couple of weeks, really) is mostly a blur. When we got home we introduced you to your big sister, Stella, and she was very curious about you. But also very good about not getting too close. I remember trying to figure out what pajamas to put on you and sort of freaking out because I didn't know what to do. It seems like a million years ago.
William. You are a such a happy little boy. You have been smiling since you were about 5 weeks old. And as of yesterday you have discovered your laugh. When I heard you genuinely laugh for the first time while you were sitting next to daddy on the couch, my heart literally skipped a beat. Your laughter is contagious and all I could do was pick you up and hug you out of pure joy.
You are a little talker. You just love to coo and smile at me and daddy when we talk to you. And you move your mouth like you are seriously trying to tell us something. I have no doubt that you will be talking in no time.
You are so personable and easy-going. You get your laid back nature from your daddy. Thank goodness. I hope that will continue and that you will have his patience moving forward as well. Because if you end up with my patience we will be in trouble!
You are a fantastic snuggler. In the beginning we called you our little frog baby because you liked to curl up with your head on my or daddy's shoulder with your legs all scrunched up. It was so sweet. You are still a snuggly little boy but you have many different positions you like to be cuddled and it seems like every day its a little different.
As of late you are a very good sleeper at night. But, trust me, it has not been that way from the get go. There have been many a night when you have had me just about at my wit's end because I couldn't get you to sleep before 1:00 AM. Thank goodness those days have passed and you now have a more regular "bedtime" around 8:00. Right now my routine with you is to give you a bottle, get you into your pj's, swaddle you, read you a book and put you to bed. And most of the time, you are still awake when you go to bed and have learned to put yourself to sleep. Something daddy and I are very thankful for.
My dear William, you are a terrible napper. Some days you will nap in your swing. Some days, like today, you won't let me put you down for a nap and insist on being held while napping. Some days you'll nap for 2-3 hours in the morning. And then fight naps the rest of the day. I am convinced it is because you are afraid you are going to miss something. And you refuse to nap in your crib. But I can't complain too much because you are such a good sleeper for us at night. I'm hopeful that these next few weeks I can get you into a better napping routine, but we shall see!
Last night, 1 night before you turned 10 weeks old, you rolled over in your crib for the very first time. Little man, you just about gave momma a heart attack. Last week you turned yourself 90 degrees in your crib when I came to get you in the morning. Stop it. I just want you to know that you are too little to be doing such things.
You are such an active little boy. Daddy and I keep saying that once you figure out how to get moving we are going to be in big trouble! You kick your arms and legs a ton when laying down. As of this past week you want so badly to sit up even though your little body just isn't strong enough to do it yet. You love to stand up in our laps and do squats and we can't believe how strong your little legs are. You have been turning your head during tummy time since the first week we brought you home. Sometimes you really like tummy time, and others you hate it. But you are able to lift your head and do a mini-push up without a problem. Once you're able to roll onto your tummy regularly I am convinced you are going to be a belly sleeper like your momma.
You are so very aware of everything going on around you. When I hold you and you hear daddy's voice from across the room, you turn your head to look for him and vice versa when he's holding you and you hear me. You know your Stella and watch her as she walks by you when we're playing on your blanket on the ground. Luckily, her bark doesn't scare you!
You love to watch the TV. So much so that I now keep PBS on in the morning if we have the TV on, otherwise I try to turn it off so that you don't watch it so much. I know it's just the light, motion and sound that intrigues you and catches your attention, but I also know that I don't want you to form a bad habit already.
William. You have changed my life. I love being your momma and getting to spend every day with you. You are an absolute treasure and every day I am so very thankful that God has blessed us enough to have you as a part of our lives. Thank you for your smiles and your coos. And thank you for loving me and daddy as much as we love you.
Love,
Your Momma
Where has the last 10 weeks gone? In some ways, it seems like only yesterday that we brought you home. Yet, you've grown and changed so much in these last 10 weeks that sometimes it feels like you have been a part of our lives for so much longer.
I have to say that you are an amazing little man. You have taught me to love in ways that I never even knew were possible. I have loved your daddy for almost 5 years now but the love that he and I have for you is indescribable. You have completely changed our lives. And I can not even remember what life was like before you were a part of ours.
The first night we brought you home (and those first couple of weeks, really) is mostly a blur. When we got home we introduced you to your big sister, Stella, and she was very curious about you. But also very good about not getting too close. I remember trying to figure out what pajamas to put on you and sort of freaking out because I didn't know what to do. It seems like a million years ago.
William. You are a such a happy little boy. You have been smiling since you were about 5 weeks old. And as of yesterday you have discovered your laugh. When I heard you genuinely laugh for the first time while you were sitting next to daddy on the couch, my heart literally skipped a beat. Your laughter is contagious and all I could do was pick you up and hug you out of pure joy.
You are a little talker. You just love to coo and smile at me and daddy when we talk to you. And you move your mouth like you are seriously trying to tell us something. I have no doubt that you will be talking in no time.
You are so personable and easy-going. You get your laid back nature from your daddy. Thank goodness. I hope that will continue and that you will have his patience moving forward as well. Because if you end up with my patience we will be in trouble!
You are a fantastic snuggler. In the beginning we called you our little frog baby because you liked to curl up with your head on my or daddy's shoulder with your legs all scrunched up. It was so sweet. You are still a snuggly little boy but you have many different positions you like to be cuddled and it seems like every day its a little different.
As of late you are a very good sleeper at night. But, trust me, it has not been that way from the get go. There have been many a night when you have had me just about at my wit's end because I couldn't get you to sleep before 1:00 AM. Thank goodness those days have passed and you now have a more regular "bedtime" around 8:00. Right now my routine with you is to give you a bottle, get you into your pj's, swaddle you, read you a book and put you to bed. And most of the time, you are still awake when you go to bed and have learned to put yourself to sleep. Something daddy and I are very thankful for.
My dear William, you are a terrible napper. Some days you will nap in your swing. Some days, like today, you won't let me put you down for a nap and insist on being held while napping. Some days you'll nap for 2-3 hours in the morning. And then fight naps the rest of the day. I am convinced it is because you are afraid you are going to miss something. And you refuse to nap in your crib. But I can't complain too much because you are such a good sleeper for us at night. I'm hopeful that these next few weeks I can get you into a better napping routine, but we shall see!
Last night, 1 night before you turned 10 weeks old, you rolled over in your crib for the very first time. Little man, you just about gave momma a heart attack. Last week you turned yourself 90 degrees in your crib when I came to get you in the morning. Stop it. I just want you to know that you are too little to be doing such things.
You are such an active little boy. Daddy and I keep saying that once you figure out how to get moving we are going to be in big trouble! You kick your arms and legs a ton when laying down. As of this past week you want so badly to sit up even though your little body just isn't strong enough to do it yet. You love to stand up in our laps and do squats and we can't believe how strong your little legs are. You have been turning your head during tummy time since the first week we brought you home. Sometimes you really like tummy time, and others you hate it. But you are able to lift your head and do a mini-push up without a problem. Once you're able to roll onto your tummy regularly I am convinced you are going to be a belly sleeper like your momma.
You are so very aware of everything going on around you. When I hold you and you hear daddy's voice from across the room, you turn your head to look for him and vice versa when he's holding you and you hear me. You know your Stella and watch her as she walks by you when we're playing on your blanket on the ground. Luckily, her bark doesn't scare you!
You love to watch the TV. So much so that I now keep PBS on in the morning if we have the TV on, otherwise I try to turn it off so that you don't watch it so much. I know it's just the light, motion and sound that intrigues you and catches your attention, but I also know that I don't want you to form a bad habit already.
William. You have changed my life. I love being your momma and getting to spend every day with you. You are an absolute treasure and every day I am so very thankful that God has blessed us enough to have you as a part of our lives. Thank you for your smiles and your coos. And thank you for loving me and daddy as much as we love you.
Love,
Your Momma
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| William. 1 month old. November 29. |
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| William. 2 months old. December 29. |
Yep, I'm a little overdue in writing this post but, what can I say, I've been a little busy!
I went in for my induction at 6:00 AM on Monday, October 29.
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| 40 Weeks, 6 Days |
After getting checked in we went upstairs with the nurse and they started the Pitocin to get things going right around 7:00. By this point, I had made very little progress on my own, even though I was 6 days overdue, so I was hopeful that the medicine would do its thing and baby would make his appearance.
The contractions started slowly and the doctor came in to break my water around 10:30 AM. I had made barely any progress since the meds started so he was hopeful that this would get things going.
Luckily the contractions picked up considerably and I was definitely in labor within the next couple of hours.
I was uncomfortable, but was hoping to go all natural so I walked laps with Erik and my trusty cart that had my IV and meds hooked up to it. I also spent a lot of time sitting on the birthing ball with Erik rubbing my back to help relax me.
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| Me and Bart the Cart. I'm sexy and I know it! |
After some more checks by the doctors and nurses, my contractions were coming on quite strong. I was hopeful that the meds were doing their thing and that baby would be making his appearance soon!
But, alas, my body was not making as much progress as the doctor had hoped. The contractions were close together and strong but for some reason this baby just did not want to come out. I finally caved and decided it was time for an epidural in the hopes that it would relax me and move things along.
I don't know the exact timing of when everything else transpired as it all became sort of a blur...
At some point in the early evening as I was relaxing in bed with my epidural, the nurse came rushing in and told me I had to switch positions as quickly as possible. I had no idea what was happening but did as I was told as the nurses put me into place. After they helped me move, the nurse told me that baby's heart rate had started dropping and that sometimes a change in position can help. Luckily it did.
They decided to stop the Pitocin as they thought that may have affected baby's heart rate. But since I hadn't made a ton of progress they planned to start it back up at some point. They were monitoring baby's heart rate more frequently and keeping an eye on me to make sure everything was going ok.
Around 7:00 PM, they restarted the meds and the doctor came back to check on me. I still hadn't made progress since the early afternoon and once the Pitocin started up again, baby's heart rate started dropping. The doctor told them to stop the meds.
Needless to say, Erik and I were more than concerned at this point. I had been in labor 12 hours, baby didn't appear to be making an appearance anytime soon and his heart rate kept dropping.
At this point, our doctor told us we were going to need a C-Section. You'd think I would have been nervous or scared of such a thing but all I felt was a sense of relief that we had a game plan in place and that we were going to get to meet our baby soon.
We called our parents around 8:00 to let them know what was happening since we had barely been in touch with them all day. And then waited 2 hours to go back for the procedure. It was only 2 hours compared to the 13 that we had already experienced, but it felt like the longest 2 hours of my life. Luckily, with the meds stopped, baby's heart rate was going strong so there was no need for an emergency C-section. But, that didn't make the waiting any easier.
Finally, at 10:00, it was time to go back to the operating room and meet our baby!
I remember the room being incredibly cold. And bright.
I remember Erik coming in once I was prepped and standing right next to me the whole time.
I remember Erik leaning down to tell me "It's a boy" and immediately crying once I knew our son had been born.
I remember hearing our baby cry for the first time and crying again.
I remember the nurses commenting on how big his feet are!
I remember Erik bringing our son over to meet me for the first time and, you guessed it, crying again.
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| Will. Minutes after being born. |
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| Our first family picture. |
It's funny how most of the day is now a blur to me, but the memories I have of hearing our son cry and meeting him for the first time while my amazing husband held him close to me is something that is burned into my brain. It was the single most amazing experience I have ever had. I can't even put into words how it felt.
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| Will and mom |
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| Will and dad |
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| Before his first bath |
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| Will and Dr. Shea |
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| Our beautiful boy |
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| Getting ready to head home |
So, that's how William McAdams Brandstaetter came into this world at 10:15 PM on Monday, October 29. He was 8lbs, 1oz and 21 inches long. And he is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen.
T-minus 1 day until this kiddo is supposed to make his or her appearance into this world. But, I have a feeling tomorrow is not going to be Frank's birthday. I guess we shall see!
In the meantime, here I am as of last night. Technically it was taken 2 days before I'm officially 40 weeks but I figure it's close enough. You can argue with me about it if you want to but I'm 1 day away from being 40 weeks pregnant. You may not want to deal with those pregnancy hormones.
And, the side by side comparison from when I was skinny :)
As promised, here are pictures of the nursery. Yep, it's done and just waiting for this kiddo!
The crib is from Pottery Barn Kids. My mom helped me make the quilt and I made the crib skirt. all. by. myself. Pillow cover, too!
The dresser/changing table is also from Pottery Barn Kids. The dresser has diapers, cloth diapers, onesies and all sorts of hand me down clothes.
I made the pinwheels from cardstock and stuck them on the wall with some double sided foam adhesive circles. That way, if baby pees on them, I can just take them down and rearrange! Originally I planned to do a mobile above the changing table but saw the pinwheels on Pinterest and figured I'd give it a try.
The glider/rocker is from Dutailier and is super comfortable. I already had the side table and the ottoman (which I may slipcover eventually... we'll see). I found the lamp at Marshall's, the coral bowl on clearance at Target and the owl picture at Pier One.
Bookcase is from, you guessed it, Pottery Barn Kids! It's not part of the same collection because the bookcase that went with it was discontinued. But, we found one in the same finish and it matches perfectly! We got lots of books and toys from our showers so this was perfect to fit everything.
Erik put together and installed the closet organizer and I found the baskets at Target, which fit perfectly into the closet organizer openings. They are filled with blankets, burp cloths, diapers and all sorts of other goodies.
Our awesome friends Steve & Jennifer were up visiting last weekend and Steve helped Erik get the doors installed. Thanks, Steve! :)
Here's a view of the room to give you some perspective of how we have things setup. Almost all the frames in the gallery were frames I already had on hand that I spray painted black. Some of them have artwork in them and some of them are waiting to be filled with pictures of baby, baby footprints, hospital bracelet, etc.
Curtains are from Target and the toy basket was a gift from my sis-in-law. It fits perfectly under the window and has a lot more toys in it.
And here's another view of the nursery to give you the rest of the perspective.
So that's it, folks! Now all we need is the baby and the room will be complete!
Before we got married, my parent's neighbors (who happen to be dear family friends) were kind enough to take our engagement photos. They turned out better than we ever could have hoped.
So, for the momentous occasion of capturing these last few weeks before Frank comes into this world to turn our lives upside down, we thought it only fitting to ask them to take some maternity photos for us.
And again, we are so happy with how they turned out.
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| Matching bellies. |
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| My handsome husband. :) |
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| The "Oh no, I'm pregnant!" realization |
And that's that! Thank you to Pete & Sharon of Third Floor Artists for the pictures. You guys rock!!
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