We are home!!

After an early morning circumcision and check by both doctors, we are finally home! It feels so great to be back at our own house. We spent the early afternoon just napping and getting things put back together before Gigi picked Madelyn up from school. After that, it was a whirlwind with 2 kiddos for the first time. It went pretty well but will take some serious juggling to get both kiddos fed, happy and to bed. Mason's first night went okay. To be honest, the night was a blur...I think that he was up every 2-3 hours eating but we feel asleep together a lot so the time all runs together.

Daddy and Mason napping

Madelyn checking out her new baby brother at home.

And they meet...

On Saturday, Gigi and Papa D brought Madelyn up to the hospital to meet Mason and see Mommy and Daddy. It did not go as smoothly as we would have hoped. When they arrived Madelyn was not very interested in either of us and acted indifferent to Mason. Soon after they arrived it got very busy in here. The doctor and nurse came in to release me out of bed. This was an involved process including taking off all the wires and such. It was not a great time for Madelyn to meet her new little brother. She began to get fussy and wild so they went home to take a nap.

The next day Gigi and Hallie brought Madelyn back and it went much better! It was much calmer here and I was able to get up and around more. Madelyn was very interested in giving me Mason's diapers and pacifier. She still did not seem very interested in him but I am sure she will warm up to him when we make it home...

More About Mason

We are loving spending this time with our baby boy! He has had some tummy issues but otherwise is very sweet and happy. He has gone down to 8 pounds 6 ounces as of last night but we are hoping that when my milk comes in he will gain back the weight and hopefully grow out of the tummy troubles...

His eyes are a deep blue color and I am curious to see what color they may become. He does not have very much hair at all but what he does has and his eyebrows and eveylashes are very light colored, almost strawberry blond!

We are very ready to get home and will probably get discharged around lunchtime tomorrow. He has his circumcision in the morning and they want to watch him for a little bit before we can go home. We are ready to be in our own house and bed!

What about Madelyn?

What has Madelyn been doing while we are at the hospital? Getting spoiled by Gigi, Papa D and Hallie! She came to visit yesterday and then again today. In the meantime, she has been swimming and playing like nothing is going on. Hallie sent me these pictures from yesterday!

The Birth Day

Friday, August 28, 2009:

Friday started very early - I could not sleep past 5:00 so I went ahead and got up and got showered and ready to go. I puttered around the house waiting until Madelyn woke up to take her to school. We finally headed down to the hospital around 10:30. We sat around for a few minutes before they took me, and not Derek, back to the recovery room to begin the process. It made me more nervous not having Derek there. They hooked me up to the different machines (one for baby's heartbeat and one to measure contractions) and realized that I was contracting very 1-2 minutes already! The nurse had me lie on my side and they slowed down a little bit to around every 5 minutes. But when they were all done with the paperwork and allowed Derek to come back to the room, they really slowed down even more.

Getting ready to head back to the OR.

Around 11:30 they begin to get things really started. The doctors came to talk to us about the spinal and taught Derek how to get dressed. Right at around 12:00 I walked into the OR and began to get prepped. I did not realizes how much had to go on and how many people were part of this process! I was not feeling too nervous at this time but did get a little scared right before the spinal (done very similar to an epidural). Once I was numb, they laid me down and finished getting the room ready. Around 12:45 they called Derek to come back into the OR and began to cut. It was the strangest feeling when they were pulling and pushing me to get Mason out but at 1:01 PM he was out and SCREAMING!

First picture with Dr. Patton

The NICU was there to check him out. They weighed him (9 pounds, 3 ounces), cleaned him up a bit and then checked him out. He was doing very well so he was able to stay in the warmer in the OR until they were done with me! Derek left for a little bit while they were closing me up to show the pictures to family in the waiting room.

First semi-family picture (missing Madelyn)

Once they were done with me, I was wheeled back into recovery to wait for the spinal to wear off. To my surprise they not only let Mason stay with us during this time but my mom and Derek were both allowed to sit with me as well. I also got to feed him at this time (since Madelyn went straight to NICU after her birth this was a wonderful surprise) and he nursed like a champ. Once the spinal started to wear off and I could move my legs they took Mason to the nursery and me up to the postpartum room. We got upstairs around 4:00 and sat around with family until they finally brought Mason back to the room around 7:30 so I could feed him!

Daddy and Mason in recovery

We spent the rest of the evening loving on him!

We had a pretty good night - eating every 3-4 hours and sleeping in between. Around midnight the Neonatologist came in to let us know that he checked Mason out and looked over all his labs and deemed him PERFECTLY HEALTHY!! This was such an answer to prayers.

We are so in love with our sweet little boy!

Happy Birthday Mason!

Mason Charles Bird
August 28, 2009
9 pounds, 3 ounces
20 1/2 inches

We are both doing beautifully and so thankful for all thoughts and prayers over the last 9 months!

Last Day as a Family of 3!

Last night in the bathtub, Madelyn was playing with her ducks for a long time. She lined them up on the edge of the tub and named them all. There was Mommy, Daddy, Madelyn and Mason duck.

Anytime anyone mentions anything about the new baby Madelyn is quick to explain to them that it is her 'Baby Brother Mason'. I think that she is excited to become a family of 4 tomorrow! (we will see how excited she is she we actually bring Mason home!)

OB Appointment - 39 Weeks

Today was my last appointment before we meet Mason on Friday. He is still looking good and doing what he needs to be doing. My fluid levels were down even more (still in the 'high' range but much lower than previous weeks) and we are all set for Friday! She did not do another growth scan so we will see how big he in on Friday. His bag is packed (probably overly packed but not knowing how big he is going to be I packed newborn and 0-3 month outfits!), his clothes are put away and his room is ready. I just have to get myself packed and Madelyn all ready to spend the weekend with Gigi and Papa D! I plan on bringing my computer to the hospital so hopefully I will get a chance to post an update as soon as I can. Please keep us in your prayers on Friday, specifically that he is completely healthy and that the surgery goes perfectly! NICU staff will be in the room when he is born just to make sure he is doing well and there are no surprises. Pray that they are not needed!

First Day!

Today was my 4th first day of school as a 2nd grade teacher! I really enjoy this day of the school year because it is so fun to meet all the new kiddos (and they are usually well behaved!) and get a glimpse into what this new year will hold! Although this year will be a little bit different than previous years, since I will not be there for the first 2 six weeks, I think that it will be a great year. I was feeling pretty good all day long but had a few contractions during my lunch and decided that the first day was going to be my last day! It will be nice to be at home with Mason and Madelyn for the next few weeks but excited to get back to my little ducks around Thanksgiving.

ABC Shirt

Since my sister is attending TCU this year, we had to get Madelyn some team apparel. She loves this shirt and calls it her ABC shirt (anything with letters is called ABC in Madelyn's world :)).

Go Frogs!

My sister, Hallie, transfered to TCU this year and moved into her new apartment last weekend. Since she is so close now, we headed down to Ft. Worth today to visit Aunt Hallie! Madelyn had such a good time running around her apartment and we had a yummy lunch at Fuzzy's Taco!

More Tea Party!

Madelyn loves playing tea party at Gigi's house so much that Daddy bought her one to play with at our house. I love how she takes out all the pieces, lines them up and then serves them around the house.

Blog Slacker!

I know, I know...I have been slacking on updating the blog lately! I could give you all the excuses but I won't. Instead, I am going to work on posting a few tonight!

OB Appointment - 38 weeks

Today was my second to last appointment before this big boy comes (unless he comes earlier). Almost there! I have to admit that I am ready - I am getting very uncomfortable and tired. I have been back at work this week and a little bit of last week (no kids - just meetings and getting my room ready) and it has been really hard being active all day, I am feeling it every night. Anyway, the appointment went well. We had another non-stress test ultrasound and Dr. Patton says that Mason is still looking good. My fluid levels were back up a little bit but not as high as they had been. He is still head down but face up. Dr. Patton says that this is why my back and hips have been hurting so much lately. We have another ultrasound scheduled for next Tuesday for a last check then I go into L&D for a few hours on Thursday to be monitored and get blood work and paperwork done then back on Friday for the c-section! A little more than a week - I am excited but starting to get really nervous. Pray that all goes well during the surgery and that Mason is a healthy little boy. :)

"Happy Birthday To You"

We do not usually keep decorations on the coffee table in the living room because Madelyn is very interested in them but we do replace them when we have people over. Madelyn had some fun playing the the (unlit) candles that sit on the coffee table. She would sing Happy Birthday and then pretend to blow them out! She is super silly and was showing off for her grandparents!

PS - Yes, Madelyn is wearing the same dress as several other posts. Pictures taken on the same day, just posted on different days! :)

Madelyn Loves Grandma!

Derek's grandparents came in town today and Madelyn is in love with her Great-Grandma! She has been telling her stories and giving her hugs all evening long! How cute :)

OB Appointment - 37 Weeks

Today was another appointment and another ultrasound but this time with a growth scan as well as a non-stress test! I love getting to see Mason every week and he is looking good. He was moving all around and doing his practice breathing like a pro. My fluid levels were still a little high (lower than last time but still in the high range) and Dr. Patton said that with his current size and my fluid levels, it is like I am carring twins!! No wonder I have been feeling HUGE lately. The growth scan shows that he is currently measuring around 8 pounds 6 ounces! YIKES...But, my doctor keeps saying that not only are ultrasound measurements not super accurate but also that size does not mean maturity so we are still set for a c-section at 39 weeks. We got put on the OR schedule for noon on August 28th!! I have to go in the day before for a few hours to get blood work done and get all the paperwork filled out then head back to L&D on the 28th around 10:30 to get the IV started and the surgery is scheduled for 12:00! I have been having some minor contractions the past few days (I even had a few during the ultrasound) and just generally not feeling very well so I am ready for him to be here!! I have two more appointments and lots to do until his arrival a little more than 2 weeks!

I have several back posts that I need to work on - I have not been in the blogging mood and my photoshop has been acting strange but I will get them up in the next few days!!

Daddy's Little Girl

Back to School

Today was Madelyn's first day at her new daycare. I do not officially have to go back to work until Friday but I wanted her to get used to the new school before I really had to go back and I was going to use this time to work in my classroom. Madelyn did much better than I expected. We walked down to her room and she was a little shy at first, staying by me but then saw all the toys. She went to go play and told me "Bye Bye Mommy!" She took a good nap and ate all her meals! I think that she likes it :).

Baby "Sprinkle"

Today my mom and sister threw Mason a little Baby "Sprinkle". It was lots of fun! It was very different opening blue things, but Mason gots lots of cute things! Of course, Madelyn was the center of attention most of the time!

Helping Mommy open the presents!

Mommy, Madelyn and Mason (not a big fan of this picture of my but Madelyn is cute and I have so few of me and her!)

Playing with Aunt Hallie's phone!

Drinking milk and getting tired!

Backpack, Backpack

Today I had a training at school so Madelyn spent the day with Gigi, Papa D and Aunt Hallie. When I came up there to pick her up she had a new toy to show Mommy. Gigi had bought her a Dora backpack that talks and sings...Madelyn is obsessed! She does not let it out of her sight and has to have it when watching Dora! Thanks Gigi! :)

Fun in the Backyard!

Trying to stay cool and have some fun!

Take a Guess!!

I have added a poll to the right to guess how much Mason will weigh when he is born in 23 short days!!

Some background information to use to make an educated guess :). We know that he is big but ultrasound measurements are almost always off. As of a few weeks ago the ultrasounds said he was already 6 1/2 pounds. Madelyn was big - she was 8 pounds 12 ounces. But, I have been having crazy dreams that they are all wrong and he weighs somewhere in the 7 pound range! I also have not gained any weight in almost a month - maybe he is slowing down?? Take a guess...what do you think Mason will weigh??

OB Appointment - 36 Weeks

Had another appointment today with another ultrasound. After doing some looking around and measurements (Mason looks wonderful and doing what he is supposed to be doing), Dr. Patton announced that my fluid level was back up and we needed to make a decision about this baby! We had been talking about an 'elective' c-section which Dr. Patton was recommending again today. So, I asked a few questions about the logistics of a c-section (the length of hospital stay, epidural vs. spinal block, etc) and we made a decision to schedule it for when I turn 39 weeks! Baby Mason's (tentative) birthday, as of today, will be August 28!!! I have another appointment next week in which I will get another ultrasound as well as set the time of the c-section and officially get on the OR list! A little scared and a lot excited that little Mason will be here in 24 days!

Love those curls...

Madelyn is getting much more hair lately...It may even be close to time for a 2nd haircut already!

Swimming Pool Fun!

Getting a little creative in pool play time! Madelyn had such a good time playing 'tea party' in the pool and then taking apart all the puzzles and letting Daddy put them back together again! Over and over...Fun day!