Whaaat? You'd like pictures when I post?

Three Weeks Old

Thomas is three weeks old today and has officially passed his birth weight. He is now our Chunky Monkey at 8lbs 5 oz!!

Funny Face

These aren't the best pics because I took them on my phone, but he's still the cutest baby in all the land!

Blankets from Aunties

Here are two pics of Thomas on blankets from his Aunties. Aunt Julie (Daddy Monkey's sis) gave him the Thomas monkey blanket at the shower. Aunt Julia (my sis) made the blue blanket for our cousin before she passed away, and so my cousin passed it on to Thomas. I know Julia is loving peeking down on him from heaven... I miss her so much, but it's a comfort to know Thomas has such an amazing guardian angel watching over him.

Two Week Check-up

Thomas now weighs 7lb14oz, so he's gained 12 oz back- only 4.6 more to go until he is back to birthweight. He is in the 50th percentile for weight. He also measured 20.75 inches long, which is the 90th percentile and his head circumference was 14.5 inches which is the 75th percentile.

First Sponge Bath

The Long and Sordid Story Part II

After I finally got to see little Thomas for the first time, he had lots of visitors! I got to hold him some, but I tried to share! We made an attempt at breastfeeding a few times during the day. That night, he was weighed and had lost about 7 ounces, so Daddy Monkey and I talked very calmly to the nurse about options (okay, we freaked out a little that I was starving my baby...) I ended up pumping to see if anything came out (after about 30 minutes- not a drop), so we decided to give him an ounce of formula. That night we didn't really sleep (which really shouldn't be a surprise). Thomas was crying all night- he just wanted to be held!

That night also tried to get up and walk to a chair. I succeeded in getting up, but didn't have any feeling in my right leg, so I couldn't walk. They stopped the epidural completely, so by the end of the night, I was able to stand and shuffle my weight between both feet (I didn't try walking just yet). The next day I was able to get up and walk around! They took out the catheter in the morning and then the epi and iv later on that day.

On Wednesday morning, we got more good news.... we were mostly likely going to be able to be discharged on Thursday, rather than waiting the standard three nights.

I'm off to go feed Thomas now... more about the next few days (including his first doc appt!) later... (and yes, more pictures later too).

The long and sordid story (part I)

I showed up at the hospital on time at 6:30 and then waited over an hour for a pre-op room. I got up there an waiting again for a while. As soon as I actually got up to L&D OR, things moved pretty quickly. I got the epidural- it took about four shots of numbing meds because it really hurt (and it's not supposed to- you're supposed to feel pressure but not pain). Once that was in, they started telling me how I was going to swing my legs, and I was like "what legs???" That epi was FAST! It did make me a bit nauseous, but the doc gave me more meds for that too. They brought Daddy Monkey in after about 10 minutes of scrubbing me down and doing all kids of stuff that I couldn't see (but probably wouldn't want to anyway). They never said they were starting I just constantly felt people messing with me (but couldn't tell what they were doing). After a few minutes, I asked Russ if they had started, but he didn't know either. I guess they had because a few minutes later a heard the most amazing sound- Spawn's first cry, and the doc announced 9:38 am! After a few minutes, Russ got to go over and see him, he took pics and brought them over to me, then went back. A few minutes later, he came over to me with Spawn (APGARS of 9 and 9!) and I got to see him for a few minutes. I put out my pinky and he grabbed onto it with his tiny little fingers... Then he had to go to the nursery and I had to get sewn back up. That took what seemed like forever and it actually hurt quite a bit "pressure" is a big fat lie. The doc kept upping the meds, and right about when they said "almost done" I couldn't feel it any more. Sigh. Then I had to go to recovery, I was there about an hour. She gave me ice chips because I kept bugging them about getting something to drink before, during and after the surgery. I was THIRSTY! At about 11:00, I got out of recovery and was wheeled past the nursery window where Daddy Monkey held Spawn up to the window so I could see him. Then I went to my room where I had to wait FOREVER to see my precious baby! I finally got to hold him at about 12:45. LONGEST THREE HOURS EVER!!!

Discharged!

Going home! (Sorry, can't figure out how to fix the pic so it isn't sideways since I sent it in from my phone)

Cutest Picture in All the Land

Here is another picture of Thomas. Thanks to Bethy for sending this in :) Thomas Julian Lycan. 8lbs 3oz. Born June 9 at 9:38.

Brand New

Thomas Julian Lycan. 8lbs 3oz. Born june 9 at 9:38.

Multimedia message

8lb 3oz 20.5 inches long

Re: Getting ready...

Russ' phone isn't working, but here's the news... Thomas was born at 9:38 a.m., 8 lb 2.6 oz and 20.5 inches! Yay!

Getting ready...

I'm at the hospital still waiting to get started! Russ will be emailing you before I get to my phone, because of the time in the recovery room.

Just a few updates...

So I haven't posted in a while (not that I generally post anything but pictures anyway)... so here are the updates:

• Still on for a c-section, next Tuesday June 9 at 9. He's still breech. Current nicknames (cause Spawn needs a nickname) are Spawn Taco or Frankenspawn (said like Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein with Gene Wilder of course) because of how he is breech (folded up like a taco, or officially, a Frank Breech).
  
• Spawn's room is done- maybe I'll take pics one day :)
• Had more 3-D pics taken (will post with this message), not as good pics as at 28 weeks, but he's a little more cramped now so that's to be expected.
• Freezer isn't freezing. Sigh. Called today for an appt- next Wednesday is their first! Luckily we have another freezer so the food doesn't spoil.
• Took a job in Connecticut. Decent raise which will just about be equalled out with cost of living, but it certainly is a step in the right direction professionally. 
• Which means we're moving to CT in August/Sept.
• Which means we're selling/renting our house---  drama has already and will continue to ensue.
• Back to Spawn- no sign so far of going into labor early (even though I'm full term and have been for a week). Which is good in a way because all plans revolved around June 9- but it be kinda cool to have a least part of the labor experience.
• Yes, I'm working on my dissertation. Which is why I haven't posted in so long. 
• Daddy Monkey is on a mix of paternity/terminal leave. He will have to go in once a month for a few days but that's it.
• We've built up a decent starter stock for cloth diapers- a few of different kinds so that we can buy more of a kind we really like once we figure out what that is.  Of course we now have so many different kinds that are used/taken care of in different ways I don't know that anyone else will be able to change Spawn's diaper without a cheat sheet!
• We have conceded defeat to Punk Kitten and she now has her own collar for the dog door. 
• By the way, Punk Kitten is currently sitting on top of Spawn with her Punk Kitten Butt in my way so I can't see the computer- will fix typos before I post.
• Nancy has a new nickname. Spaetzle. She really likes it. Feel free to use it. Often.
• And now on to the pics...
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