Matthew Meets Family

Although we live in Kansas, which is several hundred miles away from our family, Matthew has been able to meet most of our immediate families.  We are really blessed to have a great family, that doesn't mind traveling a lot to meet Matthew and love on him. 

 

 Aunt Kristin, Uncle Joe and cousin Emma drove from College Station to visit the week after Matthew was born. Emma was more than excited to meet her first baby cousin, and told us all several times a day, "I like him".

 Aunt Kristin helped us a lot with some practical baby tips, she's a pro at being a mom!

 Emma and Aunt Kristin made matching cousin shirts.  We can't wait to meet cousin Cate next month and get a picture of all three of them!

 Everyone had a blast while they were here.  The weather was beautiful and we all enjoyed a lot of time outside playing on the playground, grilling, frisbee, and relaxing.

 Papa flew in for a weekend to meet his first Grandson.  They really hit it off and Matthew was so sweet to him!

 Matthew even tried to show off, eating extremely well for Papa.

 We had a good time visiting, showing him around post, and just starring at our precious Matthew. 

Grammy came back for her second visit to help with Matthew while Shane was in the field for the first time.  She was a huge help since we had quite a few obstacles to face while Dad was gone.  Matthew enjoyed (maybe too much) lots of one on one time with Grammy, aka spoiling!

Newborn pictures

 

First of many...

We've had a lot of first in our household lately.  Matthew is experiencing everything in full force.  Here are some of his first.

 

 Watching his first Aggie football game just 6 days old

 Awake in his bouncer

Trying out his swing

 First bath, which he did not enjoy

 Trying out his changing table

Sleeping in the moby wrap ready for an afternoon at the Apple Days Festival.

First trip to the park on a beautiful afternoon.

First family walk in his stroller. 

My first holiday outfit!

Matthew's Arrival

This post is really long, and may have too much information for you.  I wanted to write out what I remember from Matthew's birth, more for the future so I will remember, but thought I'd share also.  Enjoy some pictures of our sweet boy during our time at the hospital!

 

On Sunday night September 16th about 7:30pm my water broke at home.  We had just said goodbye to our parents who were in town for my scheduled induction Monday morning.  My dad and Shane’s mom had just gotten into town a few hours earlier, and we all enjoyed a pizza dinner together just an hour earlier (that I would later regret).  I told Shane I thought my water broke and he immediately kicked it into gear running around getting everything together, all while telling me it was okay (I was slightly freaking out).  Within 10 minutes contractions started.  A few minutes later we were on our way to the hospital, and I had at least 3 contractions just walking from the car to labor and delivery.  One of the most vivid things I remember from the whole night was walking past the front desk in the hospital.  The sweet lady at the front desk said, “Oh we’re having a baby, good luck, you can do it!”  For some reason that just made me burst out crying and I think that’s when it really hit me - we were getting really close to having a baby.  After going to labor and delivery the doctor quickly confirmed my water had broke, and I was having contractions very close together.  I was also 2cm dilated.  By that time contractions were getting really strong and I was begging for an epidural.  All I really remember was continuing to ask when I could have one.  I had no clue what contractions felt like before my water broke, but every time I had one I just remember saying “oohhhhhhhhh” forever, moaning a lot, and squeezing Shane’s hand.  He was so sweet and helpful throughout the whole process and tried rubbing my back and helping me in any way he could (even when I swatted his hand, and gave him not-so-nice looks).  The nurse had a really hard time getting my iv in and drawing blood, poking me 5 times (which in the end hurt more than anything else that night).  They also had to call in the anesthesiologist so that took a little while.  About an hour after we got there I finally got an epidural.  I really wanted to kiss the anesthesiologist, I was SO happy to see him.  Before going into labor I was pretty scared of getting an epidural, and now I don’t know why.  I barely felt anything, but soon receive a ton of relief from the painful contractions.  After getting the epidural the doctor said I was at 3cm, and told me it would likely be awhile and to try to get some rest while I could.  There was a chair that made into a bed for Shane, and so we both slept for about an hour, when I woke up feeling contractions again.  They gave me more medicine in my epidural and called the doctor to check me because I was starting to really feel things again.  The doctor all of the suddenly said, “whoa…what are you trying to do here, you’re at 9cm!”  Within a few minutes doctors and nurses started coming in and out getting things ready.  A pediatrician and his nurse was called because there was meconium present when my water broke, so Matthew had to be suctioned out immediately after birth.  I remember looking at Shane semi scared and still in shock, but he was all smiles and excited.  It seemed like just a few minutes later when I could feel his head and was ready to push.  Shane and the nurse helped me push for a while, and then the doctor came in a little while later.  The worst part of pushing was just being out of breath and tired, but it wasn’t terrible.  After about an hour of pushing Matthew was born at 1:33am, weighing in at 7lbs, 12oz, and 21 inches long!  I didn’t get to see him much at first because the pediatrician had to examine him, but Shane was able to go and be with him, while I watched across the room, anxiously waiting to hold our sweet boy for the first time.  It seemed like forever, but I was finally able to hold him and I fell in love!  I really couldn’t believe he was ours, and so perfect and wonderful. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40 Weeks!

Week 40:

How much weight gained: 1lb this week, 11lbs overall.
Latest food craving: chocolate, fruit

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just if I eat to much.

Mostly happy or moody: Happy, but very ready to be done being pregnant
Wedding rings on or off:  On
Worst Thing about being pregnant this week: Not sleeping at all anymore

Best Thing about being pregnant this week: We scheduled our induction date for Monday September 17^th, so there is an end in sight!  We will get to meet our little man soon!

Update from within:  Mom thinks these last few weeks are dragging by.  Our house is so clean I think you could eat off any surface within a mile of it.  She cannot get anymore ready.  Dad has been in the field for almost two weeks, which is not fun.  Good thing my Grammy came to stay with mom during that time.  On the weekend when dad was home him and mom managed to play 18 holes of Frisbee golf, I don’t know many other moms who are full term that can do that, mine is pretty amazing!  Pawpaw even came for the weekend of labor day to drop Grammy off, everyone was hoping I’d make my debut then, but I’m still enjoying life from within.  When dad is home mom and dad are enjoying a lot of date nights.  Although mom seems miserable, I know she is hanging in there.  She has experienced heartburn for the first time these past few weeks also.  Only time will tell when I make my grand entrance into the world, I think I’ll cook just a little longer though.