For those whose addresses we don't have...

Oh what a week...


After visiting the lactation consultant or the pediatrician every day for the last 3 weeks I am glad to have a day off today. However, I don't have the energy today to do a long blog. Gavin and I both caught a cold. The poor guy just hasn't been himself and quite frankly neither have I. Both stuffy and sneezy and with his eye goopy we have plodded along through the weekend with the help of Grandma and Grandpa Bruce. It was wonderful to have a little help and Mike and I snuck off to have lunch together.

Gavin is changing so much. It is really scary how quick that happens.

The case of the escaping peepee...

One would think with the amount of diapers I have changed and the seemingly simplistic method to putting a diaper on I would have no problems but that would be wrong. As of yesterday the pee will not stay in the diaper. Gavin has managed to pee out of nearly every outfit I have put him in. Sadly, I have been peed on many times by other little boys and even a few little girls and have learned to keep that diaper on for as long as possible when changing and to quickly replace it with a new one. Even with my quick speed and experience I have been peed on and pooped on this week. I know that I am not alone in all this but how the pee makes it out of a seemingly well applied diaper I have yet to figure out.

Below are some pictures from the week. I hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed each little moment.

Daddy enjoys every moment he can never holding out on hugs and kisses.

Mommy isn't making enough milk to keep up with the little man so here is Gavin's first bottle.

When Mommy loves something that doesn't quite fit yet.

A Mommy's love is very overwhelming, so are Mommy's hormones making her cry over everything.

Our little man is changing so much everyday.

Gavin's friend Koda who is 3 1/2 weeks older.

Thank you to everyone for all their love and support. It has made a difficult and exciting two weeks that much easier.

Mr. Houdini Hands the magic sleeper

Having worked in an infant daycare I would like to consider myself an experienced swaddler but I have met my swaddling match, Houdini Hands, otherwise known as Gavin. No matter how tight the swaddle no matter the method or secret trick you pull out most always those kissable cute hands will find their way out and up under his chin or draped across his face earning him the new title of Houdini Hands. Now you might be wondering does Houdini Hands have other tricks. Of course, what would a good magician be if he only had one trick. Houdini Hands has the ability to sleep through EVERYTHING! Three screaming little boys running past him with a singing musical toy, slamming doors, telephones, dogs barking next to his head. His specialty though is attempting to sleep through feedings causing his weight to mysteriously disappear. Trying everything we know how and a few tricks from books and the internet our little man takes about a half hour to awake to the point where he will even make an attempt at feeding. Leaving his Mommy and Daddy stumped and his pediatrician to suggest formula supplementing, crushing some of my optimism for breastfeeding success. While it is still possible breastfeeding is hard and I give high regards to anyone who has accomplished this long term, well actually to anyone who makes through a week. I must say it would be easy to quit right now but for the sake of Houdini Hands the magic sleeper I will persevere. I will leave you with Mike and his mini-me Gavin who both not only sleep like rocks and through anything but I often wake to find them sleeping in the same position, talk about cute.

This blog has been brought to you by two feeding intermissions. This is the way we plan our day, plan our day, plan our day, this is the way we plan our day from early in the morning.

Gavin Michael James


He is here! Born Monday, November 26, 2007 at 3:38pm, 8lbs 3oz and 20 inches long. He came on the first snow of the year. He is beautiful and happy. I will give the short story, which we all know I will add to as soon as I don't feel like I have been hit by a truck or at least maybe when it reduces to feeling like I was hit by a car.

My water broke at 10:20 on my way across the parking lot into the doctors office for a visit. They checked me and sent me to the hospital. I was at 4cm dilated. When we arrived at the hospital it was 11:30. We got checked in settled and then they checked me about 21/2 to 3 hours later I hadn't made much progress but within the hour I was fully dilated and ready to push him out. It went so quickly no one even caught the poor guy, because of hospital politics though there were about 6 people qualified to catch him all standing there gloved and ready but unable to do anything. I didn't need any drugs and later was told by the hospital staff and my midwife (who wasn't authorized to deliver at that hospital but happened to be there and was excited to join us and we were glad to have her) they had never seen a more controlled, focused and peaceful delivery. The resident doctor said she wasn't sure what to do with me she was gloved and didn't want to touch me because she said I was so focused. I was very proud of myself for being able to use the skills I had been practicing for the last few months to ensure that I wouldn't need any drugs and glad to know it was a noticeable difference.

Pictures are available at our web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/emaillaurajames/GavinMichaelJames

Pictures will also be available soon at the hospital website: http://www.our365.com/webnursery/WebNursery/BabyFinder/BabyFinderFamilyResults.aspx
Those haven't posted yet but should soon keep checking back.

Baby Gavin

So if you can't hold him in your arms I guess the next best thing is
to see a picture of him. We had a ultrasound today to determine how he
was holding up in there and everything looks good. So we are still
waiting. Attached are the 4D ultrasound pictures the ultrasound tech
was so kind to give us. She kept commenting on his pudgy little cheeks
and nice full lips. One look at Mike and I and it is obvious he got
his lips from his Mama. She estimates him at 8lbs 1oz, which could be
as much as a lb off plus or minus so it is all still a guess but she
said I am all baby and he will be a good sized kid.

Hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Oh baby baby!

So for all of your curious folks. We don't have a baby yet. We went into the doctor today and even they were surprised he hadn't made his debut yet. We got hooked up to a fetal monitor today and baby is as happy and healthy as can be in there so no need to worry. My midwife tells me I have progressed more than some women in active labor at the hospital. We are now at a solid 4cm dilated, 80% or more effaced and he is at +1 station(meaning he is about 2 inches or so from crowning, my water bag is bulging below the cervix she was shocked it hadn't broken yet. When I do go into labor she assumes it will go fast. I guess there are worse things and as the midwife reminded me every centimeter I gain now is one I don't have to earn later in labor. So here is hoping that we won't have to wait another week and he comes soon. I am in good spirits overall just can't wait until he is here.

How big will Laura get before this baby comes?