Cute joke:)

The 'Middle Wife' by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back. When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, show-and-tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome. Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater. She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.' 'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.' She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement. 'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. 'She walked around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, o h!' (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning. 'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.) 'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!' (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!) 'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe. They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, so there must be a lot of toys inside there.' Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat. I'm sure I applauded the loudest Ever since then, when it's show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another 'Middle Wife' comes along.

Blake's first shots...

Gator bait!
Florida/UT game...socks were given by his Uncle John
Thanks Susan for the Noles outfit!

Gator boys

Jeanine remindsa me so much of Shannon...
Mrs. Gunter
Nessa

watching football...his first season!

Well, my baby boy is growing like a weed. I was in denial until I went to the doctor yesterday! I knew that he had been going through a growth spurt because he was wanting to eat longer and we hadn't been able to go the full 3 hours between feedings like normal. We adjusted his eating time to around every 2-2 1/2 hours and it was like he was always hungry! I had pumped some milk for church on Sunday and it had a little over 5 oz. in it. I thought he wouldn't eat that much, but yep, he did! With not much coaxing, either! So, needless to say, I was still a bit shocked when they weighed him. I was expecting him to be 7 or 8 pounds, since we had originally clocked in at 6 lbs. 6 oz. at birth and 5 lbs. 13 oz. when we brought him home. Once placed on the scale, it read 9 lbs. 9 oz. No wonder my arm was going to sleep more! I couldn't believe he had gained that much so quickly. Where's my little 5 lb. baby? He's also grown longer...but Raun and I had figured that much. He is 23 inches, so he's gained 2 inches since birth. He's also filling out more and staying awake most of the day. He has such beautiful, clear eyes and is starting to smile. I'm still not convinced that he knows why he's smiling, but I expect that to improve over the next couple of weeks. He is still sleeping really well and we're about to move him to his very own room. He's become a very noisy sleeper and despite him being in the cradle all night, I'm not really having to get up with him except through growth spurts. So...once we get a baby gate, (mostly to keep the dogs in the room) then we will place Blake in his very own big boy bed....no more cradle! I'm still sad about that, so I'm not rushing into it, but I do imagine it being rather soon.

Blake got his first 2 shots yesterday. He did great and only cried a little. I think I cried more than him! It was so hard to see him scream and to know that I couldn't take away the pain for him. I was torn about the shots, since I work with so many children with autism. Raun and I decided that he would get all the shots, but in a modified schedule, so he wouldn't get more than 2 at one time and they are spaced out. I am probably going to pick apart the MMR shot, just for my ease of mind, but I'm still praying about the best decision for that. It's just scary since boys are at a higher risk of autism and I can't imagine something happening to him.

Raun's mom has been so wonderful in helping me get things done. I'm still trying to figure out how to do everything and not to feel guilty about not being as productive as normal. It's weird...I feel guilty if I'm with Raun and not with Blake and vice versa. I'm still trying to figure out where I fit in. I know it's very important for me to have my time and date night...I feel that's important for me and our relationship. She has been able to come watch him while I clean and get some work done. She has been cooking for us about once a week, which has been great. I love having a day off from cooking!

My mom came up to stay the weekend with us this past weekend and she got to babysit him for us on Saturday. Raun had gotten me a pregnancy massage for my birthday, so I went for my massage (which I switched to a different type of massage). I also got my manicure and pedicure, so it was a very relaxing day. I'm thinking that massages are going to be a monthly must for me. I felt so good afterwards and my back pain is gone, as well as my neck pain.

I also got to see one of my best friends, Nessa, this weekend. She came down on Friday on her way to her neice's birthday party. We got up early on Saturday and went to Panera Bread and Starbucks for some nice girl chat before my massage and her meeting the in-laws. I have missed her so much. There's just something about being with your girl friends that know everything about you! And good news in her life...Josh is coming home for their anniversary and might be there for Christmas! Please continue to pray for Josh's safe return from Afghanistan. Nessa is one strong woman and I truly admire that girl!

I'm packing our bags for our first weekend visit to Manchester. I'm heading there to see Mandi's new baby boy (Turner), a middle/high school friend of mine (Danielle and her son Owen) and then to see the parents and grandparents. Even Mama's coming in for a visit! I'm so excited to see her again. I'm looking forward to seeing the family and well...there's no other way to put it...showing off Blake! This is his second visit there, but his first overnight one. We'll see how he does in the car ride!

In breastfeeding news, my plugged duct finally became unplugged and feels MUCH better. Last Sunday morning at 6 a.m., Raun went to Walmart to buy cabbage leaves. I put the leaves on there and it relieved the pain! Who knew! My nurses told me about that before leaving the hospital and they were right. I also used that as an excuse to get in my jacuzzi tub! But all is well and back to normal this week!

Enjoy the new pictures! More is on the other site!

The photos are up!

Just a quick note to let you know that Blake's photos are up! Go to

http://www.jmeyerphotography.com/clients.

Click on the Access Gallery link. 

Enter the access code: blue

The gallery will be up for two weeks,

so if you want to buy a photo or two, do it soon!

If you have any questions, just let us know!
 

My baby's a month old

I absolutely can't believe it has been a month since I had Blake! It seems like yesterday when my water broke and the contractions began and I was pushing him out. I remember when I got back from the operating room and I looked at Raun telling him that it would definitely be a while before we had our second child because I was in so much pain. However, the next day I couldn't remember what the contractions felt like! Mom was right; you forget about the pain when you look at that baby. I mean, yes, there was lots of pain, but as each day passed, it got less and less, which was better and better. Not that I'm saying that a second child is in our near future...definitely hoping to wait a few years:) And hoping those years don't go by too fast!

I love being a mommy now. Not that I didn't love it before...it's just an adjustment with so many weird feelings. I look at Blake and hold his tiny hands and remember the week that his hands were supposed to be formed and his feet and his hair. It's amazing that his little body was inside me. We haven't had our doctor's appointment for him yet, so we're not for sure how much he weighs now. We'll find out at the end of the month. However, I'm entirely convinced that he is definitely in the 7 pounds category. I can't believe that he's gone from 5 pounds to somewhere near 7 in a month! Sheesh!

He's very consistent in his schedule; eating every 3 hours. It's wonderful. At bed time, he sleeps from approximately 11:00 to 6:00, although last night was a little rough. He stays awake during most of the afternoon, which makes from around 3:00-7:00 his cranky time. During this so-called cranky time, he likes to be held and rocked...but what does wonders? Hearing his mommy sing to him! That's right...I make up songs! Those same songs that Jen and Nessa used to make fun of me for singing in our apartment...those are the ones I sing...including Rubber Duckie! "Twinkle, Twinkle", "You Are My Sunshine," and "Rock-a-bye Baby" are his favorites. However, he also likes the songs that I've made up to popular tunes. Mom said that I became a music therapist so that I could write my own songs. Perhaps she is correct! It's just that my clients actually appreciate my sorry attempt at songwriting. Poor Jen and Nessa would often awake to my silly songs...although I like to think I inspired them to be creative beginning at the start of the day instead of in the practice rooms!

Blake's little legs are becoming more baby-like. The newbornness is going away...so sad! I loved those little wrinkles where it looked like he had come with extra skin. His little cheeks are filling out more and his lungs are really beginning to develop. He's tracking more and likes to look at your eyes. He responds very quickly to music...it calms him the fastest and it also does wonders in putting him to sleep. Don't worry...we use classical music...although he does respond to rap music (as noticed when we were out shopping and he was crying. He stopped!). I haven't tried the drums, yet...but one day I'm going to. He sleeps through the orchestra playing and the singing at church; he is not even disturbed! Amazing!

So far, Raun has been spit up on twice. We think it may have to do with the swaddle because it's happened 3 times at that point. Speaking of the swaddle...it's a lifesaver. We've purchased these SwaddleMe contraptions that are great! Even I can get it perfect everytime! He sleeps like a baby when he's swaddled...and so do we:)

We went outlet mall shopping last weekend so that I could get out some. We had a blast shopping and all. I only went up one pant size and stayed the same in shirts, so I had to buy a few pants to wear. I'm amazed at how much weight you loose during the first few weeks. It's kinda coming off more steadily now. I think I only have about 12 pounds left to loose until I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.

I had my doctor's appointment this past Thursday and all was well. I thanked her for everything and for not making me feel scared at any point and for being so in charge when they had to take me to the OR. She said that it was definitely a rough time, but she just needed more light so she could get the bleeding to stop. She said it had happened somehow almost underneath my butt and she couldn't see all the way back there to fix it. I almost got teary-eyed talking to her because I knew God had worked out everything and had made it all happen the way that He knew it needed to (even though NONE of it was according to MY plan)! She said I was all healed and I am now cleared to work out and do everything like I did before. So...the next day, I hit the working out. Boy have I missed it! I'm easing back into it, but I can't wait to get into a regular schedule. I miss lifting weights and running...never thought I'd say that! Hear that, Nessa?!

Well, that's the update from this week. I'll try to post some new pictures tomorrow. I've got to tend to my son at the moment! I'm shocked I even had time to write this much!

Labor Day weekend and visits with family

I'm not going to lie...I've had a wonderful time with my husband the past two weeks. It was so nice to have him home with me and Blake. We went to the movies, ate out, slept in, relaxed...it was honestly more like a mini-vacation! However, he had to leave us this morning to go back to work...if he remembered how to get there. He did inform me that he was really going to miss me and Blake and he wished he could take off another week to spend with us. He's such a good daddy and husband!

Last weekend, we went to Manchester to see my great-grandma, grandma, and great-aunt. It was funny to watch Mama, Ma, and Mom fight over who got to hold him. I loved the pictures that had Mama holding him...her pretty face lit up when he was in her arms. He did really good on that little road trip. He slept the entire time. Dad is trying to teach him to cry louder so it bothers us more, but so far, Blake isn't taking his grandpa's advice. Thank goodness! I told Dad that when he starts crying the entire way is when we'll meet them halfway and let them take him the rest of the way home:)

Labor Day weekend was spent with Raun's family on Saturday at the lake. I have lately had lots of trouble remembering things, so the camera did not go with me. I even had it out on the dresser to take, but it didn't make it into the diaper bag. We had a picnic lunch under the trees, which was really nice. Ruth, and Raun's aunt and cousin were all there so they got to spend some individual alone time with him. I wish I had some pictures, but next time! Labor Day was spent with my parents coming to Chattanooga. Mom and I even got to go shopping for a few hours, which was nice. We left the boys (including Blake) watching football. Our friends, Damon, Leigh Anne, and Liam came over to join us for our cookout foods. Since my camera was at home, I was able to get a few pictures. I think Mom took a lot more than me, though.

I have to say...Mom's friend, Susan, is WONDERFUL!!! She bought Blake his very first FSU clothes! Raun was not too enthused, but do I look like I care? No! I mean, I bought him a cute little Florida outfit to wear on game days, so he can support me and my team.

Blake is getting stronger with holding his head up. It's not quite as floppy anymore. It's kinda sad because I love his floppy head and his light little body....but I guess I have to let him grow up a little...but definitely not too fast!

Like I said, today was my first day alone with him. It was harder than I thought it would be to get a shower and to get something done. When he was sleeping or right after eating, I accomplished a little; when he woke up, he'd want to be held or rocked or just wanted to stare at me as I talked with him and played. I love those little eyes and his pouty lips, but I can already tell I'm going to have to balance my time between everything. How in the world are you supposed to get everything done in a day?! And where do all the hours go? I'm hoping I'm having normal new mommy feelings and am not completely going crazy! And I do hope my memory returns...I hate forgetting EVERYTHING!