1st week of Grayson's Life

It has been an exciting, emotion, and exhausting week since Grayson James came into our lives.   He is the new love of our lives!

  

We were sent home from the hospital on Wednesday, a day and a half after he was born.  I have to admit, I didn't want to leave at all.  I was terrified.  The first night was so hard.  I couldn't sleep at all.  My heart was pounding.  I couldn't take my eyes off him.  Grayson was fine.  It was all mommy's issues.  

We have been in and out of the doctor's office and hospital ever since we were discharged. Grayson lost a pound and we were instructed to start giving him formula.  Formula is SOOOO expensive.  Luckily I have received some samples in the mail and at the hospital.  I need to start saving formula coupons!  He loves formula though.  He was in an Enfamil coma pretty much all weekend.  

Grayson also had a bit of jaundice so we had to go to the hospital twice to get his levels checked.  We baked him in the window and it appears like it's going down.  

David and I are handling it well though.  When we changed our first diaper, we used almost an entire pack of wipes.  Now, we are pros.    

Even with sleep depravation, we are enjoying our peanut so much.  He responds so well to Music.  We have been so tired that the only song we can think to sing for comfort is "You are my Sunshine."  I swear one night we repeated it 15 times while trying to calm him.  I, of all people, should have a huge lullaby repertoire stored in my head.   

We love just watching the new things he's discovering.  Check out his boxing video:

Grayson - Boxing Champ

Grayson has had many visitors this week.  He likes all of his new friends.  Some of our friends brought us meals.....the best gift you can give new parents.  We are so thankful for the wonderful people in our lives.  

Grayson is finally here!

Well the biggest day of my life has finally arrived.  I felt like I had been pregnant FOREVER.  I was beginning to think he would never come out!

Grayson James Hardwick was born April 22, 2013 at 11:06PM weighing in at 8 lbs 13 oz and 21 inches long.  What a big boy!

Just incase someone that is pregnant is reading this blog...let me just say that raspberry tea, balsamic vinegar, eggplant parmesan, mexican, pedicures, chinese, cupcakes, and anything else you have been told will not miraculously induce labor.  Sorry.  My baby had to be forced out.  He was way too comfortable in the womb.  Babies do what they want to do.

I won't go into my entire labor story.  Some of it was easy, some really hard.  The moment he was born was unlike any feeling I have ever experienced.  I cried so many tears of joy...and relief! They laid him on my chest and he immediately stopped crying.  My sweet baby!

We are enjoying getting to know our son.  He is VERY alert and chill.  We have only heard him cry for a few seconds here and there.  Hopefully he will be like this at home.  I better go knock on wood.

I love his smell, his lips, his feet, and the little noises he makes.  He is so precious.

We are blessed parents, loving every minute of it!

40 Weeks

I am SO extremely pregnant!  

There will not be a 40 week picture today.  I just can't even think about taking a picture right now.  I'm OVER it!  That sounds familiar.  I think I've been saying that for weeks now.  

I went to my 40 week appointment today.  Unfortunately, I still have not progressed the way they would like.  I am still 2 cm.  I have a stress test scheduled for Thursday.  If everything is OK at that point, I will go into the hospital Monday at 8pm.  They will give me cervidil and start pitocin on Tuesday.  Grayson may decide he can't wait that long.  Either way....there is an end to this madness!!

I never thought I would actually make it to 40 weeks.  Everyday I look around the house wondering if my water were to break right now, would I be ready?  So I've cleaned, organized, and cleaned again.  I'm sure we have forgot to do something, but I don't really care at this point.  Come on Grayson!

The house is spotless.  I vacuum just about every day thinking 'today could be the day!'

The van is clean.  I need to get gas though.  I should do that today!  I hate getting gas.  I usually wait until it's empty and then conveniently switch vehicles with David.  He hates that.  :)

Our hospital bags have been packed and in the van for 3 weeks now.  

We have a few freezer meals prepared.  I had hoped to do more, but Channellos is just a phone call away.

The only thing missing from the nursery is the crib skirt and teething rail cover I custom ordered from Etsy.  Something tells me that Grayson won't really care.  Curtains will be put up tonight!  Yay!  

Am I forgetting anything???

How far along? 40 weeks

Stretch Marks: Notta one.  Although I hear that sometimes you don't see them until later.  

Maternity clothes? I can only wear either maternity jeans, yoga pants, or regular dresses.    I do have some regular shirts that still fit.  I am so ready to have my body back.  

Sleep: I get about one hour before nature calls.  

Best moment this week:  Today at the doctor.....I found out that I won't be pregnant forever.  

Miss Anything?  Yes!  Walking normally.  

Movement:  I've heard that movement slows down at this point, but Grayson is really active still.

Food cravings: Sweets!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Aside from the thought of giving birth? 

Gender: It better be a boy!

Labor Signs: Sometimes I get really bad cramps, but then it goes away.  Nothing too exciting I guess. 

Symptoms: Swollen feet, swollen hand, swollen belly, tiny bladder.

Belly Button in or out? In, but my belly button looks so sad.

Wedding rings on or off? It's been off for awhile.  :(

Happy or Moody most of the time: I don't think I'm moody, just uncomfortable.  

Looking forward to: Meeting this miracle, seeing his smile, picking out his outfits, hearing his cry, going on walks around the neighborhood, adorable newborn photos, watching him sleep, reading to him, spending mommy and baby time together at 4am, finally being a mom!

Showing: Ummm Yes!  People look at me so funny in public.  I think they're scared that my water may break right on their shoes.  

Instead of posting a 40 week pic today of my HUGE self.  I decided to post some of our cute baby pics!

DAVID

 KERRI

I wonder who he will look like.  Come on Grayson!  We are ready when you are!

38 Weeks & 2 days

I didn't even want to take a pic this week.  I've been so uncomfortable and HUGE. 

Here's the latest news:  last week we had a ultrasound because my doctor thought the baby might be getting too big.  He was 7 lbs, 12 oz last week.  I was put on bed rest because I can barely walk.  The baby has been on my sciatic nerve for about 6 weeks.  Also, my fingers and hands feel like they are constantly asleep.  My doctor said everything will be back to normal after delivery.

During the ultrasound, Grayson was making the funniest face, like he was pouting.  He is so precious!

So today I had my 38 week appointment.  As of today, Grayson is 8 lbs, 2 oz.  No wonder I'm so uncomfortable.  If I make it to my actual due date, he will be around 9 lbs!!!!  The doctor explained that they don't like to induce unless I'm dilated at least 3cm.  It increases the chances of having a c-section.  So I just have to wait it out.

The things that people tell you to do to induce labor are hilarious.  I have to share this one.  My friend told me to try a lemon drop cupcake from Carolina Cupcakery.  I knew this was ridiculous but I'm always up for a cupcake.  I went in and ordered a lemon drop for me and a french toast cupcake for David.  The lady helping me asked if I was close to my due date...she knew about the miracle cupcake...I started to get excited.  She went on to tell me that it's been "proven by science" to induce labor.  She said that some doctors send their patients to them.  I ate the cupcake and anxiously waited for something to happen.  Well, nothing.  Thinking I got the dosage wrong, I went back 3 days later and bought another lemon drop.  It's been 2 days since my last cupcake.  I will say, their cupcakes are delicious, but don't get your hopes up ladies.  This doesn't work!  

I finally put up some decorations in Grayson's room.  It's starting to come together!