Going to the Dr. and such...

I love Miles's pediatrician!

He came highly recommended through online reviews and also my friend Lauren (who also happened to recommend my wonderful OB), and I'm glad I listened. He is so kind and easy going, and he is just exactly what I wanted in my baby's doctor.

We went in one week after Miles was born for a weight check and a general once over. I took my mom with me since she was here, and Cameron had to go back to work. As the nurse (who is also the Dr's mom...its a family practice-his dad is the other Dr) took him to weigh him, she let me know that it is normal for babies to lose weight in the first week. Well, not this baby! he weighed 8lbs 14oz! And that's AFTER losing 7oz in the hospital. So in the matter of a week, he had not only gained back those lost ounces, but gained and extra 7oz! He's a good eater, and I was proud of him!

Then, last Thursday we went in for another checkup and his circumcision. Cameron was supposed to come since I did NOT want to be there alone for that visit, but he got a work call just before the appt. and had to go. I wish he hadn't.

The nurse weighed him, and He was 9lbs 10 oz!!!!! After his check-up, the Dr took him for the snip, and I went out to the waiting room. Too bad my baby has healthy lungs! That was hard, but it was fast and went well...AND they took off the umbilical cord since it was hanging on by a string and I told the Dr that Cameron and I were having to hold back from picking at it.

So he went through a rough day and night, but he's doing great now, and I am proud to say that he's been pretty much sleeping through the night! Two nights ago, he slept from 11 to 5, last night it was 10 to 4:45! We are so lucky to have such a good sleeper, and that he has his Dad's laid back easy going personality!!

Grandma & Grandpa Fincke, Aunt Katie, Uncle Andrew & Uncle Danny's Visit!

Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I had been looking forward to my family coming to visit.

My sister Liz (Auntie Fa) came to visit over the summer and brought her boyfriend, Luke and we loved having them here to enjoy my pregnancy with me! Can't wait to see them again for Christmas!

Four days after Miles was born, Aunt Katie flew in despite her husband, Uncle Matt having had surgery the day before to repair a skull fracture! He was fine, and had plenty of family/friends to help out so Katie stuck to the plan and I am so glad she did! I was so happy to have her here, and for her to get to meet Miles so soon after he was born. We spent time visiting and she got plenty of holding time in before my parents and brother arrived Saturday night.

Miles is the first grandchild on my side, so I was beside myself when my parents finally got to meet this little guy we'd all been waiting so long for! Watching my Mom and Dad hold him and Uncle Andrew being so sweet with his little nephew was wonderful. Timing couldn't have been more perfect, either! Cameron had taken the week after Miles's birth off from work so my family arrived to be at home with me when he went back. Couldn't have PLANNED it any better.

We were able to go to Vacaville for church on Sunday to our old church and their pastor was away, so my Dad preached. What a treat. It was great to see and visit with old friends, and then take the family around to show them how Vacaville had changed in the 5 years since they've been gone.

The next Saturday night, Uncle Danny (Cameron's brother) came by to visit while he was in town on business. He was only able to stay until Sunday afternoon, but it was great to have him here to meet Miles. Next time he needs to bring the fam!! :)

It was too fun having everyone here, and it was hard to have them go. My house is so boring during the day without 6 people in it!!

The day I'd waited 9 months for...

Last pregnant picture!!!

So...

My due date (Friday Oct 2) came and went with no excitement.

The next day, Cameron and I decided to walk. A lot. We went to Fry's (his favorite store) and while he scoped out some ideas for a new computer, I walked around the store for two hours trying to bring on the contractions. I have to say, I was willing to do whatever it took to get this guy to come!

Come Sunday, I had come to the realization that this baby was going to come on his own terms, and he may not be coming before my family (who were flying in the next weekend). This had me almost in tears. Cameron's mom called me that day, and I told her in defeat that STILL nothing was happening. I called my parents like I always do on the weekends to give them the same report...nothing!

Then, in an answer to the prayer I had been saying every night...My water broke.

Around 2PM, I felt it happen, but wasn't positive that is what happened. So Cameron and I both showered and made sure we had everything in our bags and headed to the hospital fully expecting them to send me home, telling me I had just peed my pants. :)

Not the case!!! They admitted me at 5:30 Pm and we had the joy of calling back our families that we had JUST talked to hours before to tell them that He was finally coming!

I was only 2cm (which I had been for the previous two weeks) and the contractions didn't come regularly or very strong, so they decided to let me go overnight and then they would give me a boost with Pitocin if it didn't happen naturally. After a very long sleepless night, They started the Pitocin at 8am, and by 9 I was in active labor! They checked me again and I was still only 3 cm! I was in such pain by then, so they decided to give me the IV pain medication called Stadol to hold me over until I could get an epidural. Let me just say this: I HATE STADOL. As the nusre was injecting me, she stated "now, this will make you feel like you are very drunk...you'll still feel the pain, but you won't care." Whatever! I thought...Well, within a minute, I regretted my choice. I felt so out of control and I was seeing things, the room was blurry and would spin around...not any better than the pain! And I could still feel the pain! And I DID CARE!

They finally came in to give me my epidural which was I'm sure a riot to watch...a very pregnant stoned woman trying to take direction from the nurse...oh my. That epidural made my day!!! It felt glorious, and I was finally able to get a little sleep.

When I woke up, a few of my friends came to see me, and I began the throwing up stage of labor...I have wonderful timing. I sat myself up to make sure I didn't make a mess, and I felt great and was ready to visit. For a bit. No one told me I had to stay laying down with an epidural!!! Aparently, it is a very heavy drug, and it drained out of my spine in no time. I was back to horrible pain again! I called the nurse to get another dose, and she checked me while we waited. Well, I was 9cm! I guess my eyeballs fell out of my head when she told me, because Cameron got a good laugh.

They called my doctor, gave me another dose of the epidural, and set up for delivery. My best friend Mindy was still there, and I asked her to stay and help because I was too tired, and needed the extra encouragement she could bring.

By the time Dr Scates came in, the epidural hadn't worked. I cried and thought about asking him to come back later....I wasn't ready!!! But it was time.

An hour and a half later at 4:11pm, Miles David Stone entered the world, and Cameron looked at me and said "Oh my gosh!!! He's cute!". I couldn't have been happier or more tired, but after all of that I think it was all worth it!

Miles David Stone

Born Oct 5th

4:11pm

8lbs, 7oz

20.5in

Nusery

It is finished!

We figured out how to fit all of the furniture in there so that we can still have a guest bed, and we also finished the decorating (and by we I mean Cameron).

Being in too much pain to do any of it myself, Cameron spent a Saturday putting the finishing touches on Miles's room! I smile at it each time I pass, and I cannot WAIT for him to put it to good use!

Sure hope he likes elephants...

So Sorry!

I have been lacking in my bloging lately.

The last 2 months of my pregnancy were very hard on me. It became almost impossible to walk, get up and down, or do anything for myself, so when I did get onto the computer, it was for short little updates on email and facebook.

Now, I will update and try to bring you to the present!

Auntie Fa & Uncle Luke

Hooray!

Finally, the start of my summer has come! Liz & Luke arrived Friday at noon, and we've been non-stop since.

We went to San Francisco yesterday for Miles's first trip to the Zoo, the pier, the beach and to the Golden Gate Bridge. I am definitely not doing that much walking again until after I have Miles, but it was too fun getting to be there for Luke's first time in SF.

AND...Liz and Luke BOTH got to feel Miles kicking and moving around in there! He was pretty active last night after getting home from our busy day and they both had the opportunity to feel him. I love it. It is so exciting for me to be able to share this experience with my sister since we don't get to see each other too often.

Last night after we all went to bed, Miles pumped up the action, and I just watched in awe as he rolled and kicked around in my belly. I am going to be filming it the next time he's that active, because it is just the most amazing thing for me!

In some other news, Mindy had her baby on Wednesday 07/08/09 via c-section after 40 hours of labor. She's a trooper, but I think that the ADORABLE Aiden Vance Johnston was worth all the hard work Mommy and Daddy both put in.

What's in a Name?

Ok, so we have stayed pretty mum about our name desicion process, and only for our own sanity. We started to talk to people about some names we liked, but each time people would say "Oh...that's...nice" or "I knew someone with that name in high school" and the two of us just didn't want to let other people's opinions change our minds while we were trying to choose. So we decided that until we had one name set in stone (pun intended!!) we would not reveal ANY of the names we were thinking about. We figured once it was decided, no one's opinion would change our minds.

That said, we have decided to name our little Pebble

Miles David Stone

Yes, technically it did start out as a joke to get people off of our backs because EVERYBODY asks what names you have in mind. We wanted something that would be believeable and funny (get it?? Milestone???) But we absolutely fell in love with the name Miles, and really, how can you make fun of someone's name when it sounds like Milestone? It can only mean good things for our little one. He is such a Milestone in our lives, and the lives of friends and family, so it is only fitting, anyway! So it is official. Miles Stone.

27 wks 2 days

Next Dr appt : July 20th

Ultrasounds and Organization

We had a very enjoyable weekend in Reno to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and I felt amazing after my pre-nantal massage. It was so nice to have one last little weekend just the two of us before the madness of visitors and getting ready for baby comes. Didn't help that I fell three days later and re-tweaked my back. Oh well...I guess I need another massage?

Monday the 29th came and we did another ultrasound to check up on Pebble's growth. This time it was too fun, because he has gotten enough fat that now you can really see his features! I got to watch him yawn and take a drink of the fluid, and I realized how big he has gotten since the last ultrasound! We went back in the afternoon to see my doctor and discuss the results of the ultrasound, and Dr. Scates says that Pebble is now measuring perfectly! All of the numbers are "grouped well" and that there is no longer a concern. As of the 29th, he weighed 2lbs, 2oz, and he is right on track for his October 2nd due date.

I myself am growing so much everyday! I am slowly gaining new stretch marks (although they are clear, so I am not too concerned!) and my once never-ending belly button is getting closer and closer to popping out into a snooze button. You can now see both sides of my belly ring hole, and the scar from my gall bladder surgery is now almost all visible (it used to be almost completely hidden inside my belly button). I also have the beginnings of the dark line that goes down the center of your belly. Some women get it all the way from to to bottom of the belly, but mine seems to just be belly button down. I can't believe how much I am changing each day.

We got Pebble's room all cleaned out and the closet organized so all of the clothes-presents and hand me downs-that we have recieved are now hanging up, and the only things in the room are the guest bed (we will need that in there until Christmas, at least...we have so many visitors coming!!!) and his bassinet and stroller. Now if only we can finish organizing the rest of the house...because Liz (my sister) and Luke (her Boyfriend) are coming for a 10 day visit starting this Friday!!! We are so excited! It will be nice to see some of my family while I'm pregnant. My mom will be coming 4 days after Liz & Luke leave, and Cameron's parents will be here then too! We love to have guests here at Stone Inn.

My Baby shower is coming quickly. It will be held on July 25th at my boss' house, and I can't wait for my friends abd family to all get together to help me celebrate my first child. It should be so much fun!!!

One month later...

I know I have been slacking, and I will do my best to catch up.

Wow, last post I was 19 weeks. I will be 25 weeks tomorrow!! It is hard to believe, because that is when Michelle (my boss, for those of you who don't know) had James. It made her a little emotional when we talked about the fact that I was that far along already. She had such a hard time with those kids, and I am truly blessed that I have made it to 25 weeks with little wrong.

That said, I do have some tests/an ultrasound coming up. Last Tuesday, I recieved a call from my Doctor's assistant asking me if I was able to come in that day to discuss my 19 week ultrasound. Backing up a bit...my Dr appt that I had the week before was supposed to be for that reason, but my Dr ended up getting called in for a delivery, and I saw the nurse instead-never really hearing about my ultrasound. Back to last week. I went in Tues afternoon, and my doctor told me that Pebble's belly is measuring farther along than the rest of his body, and that anytime a belly or head measure large, they need to test further to keep an eye on things. At this point, we are not concerned, but looking forward to seeing what they find. The Ultrasound and an appointment with my Dr will be on the 29th.

In other news

Last time I posted, Cameron was just starting to feel Pebble's harder kicks. Now, it is a NORMAL occurrence. I can see most of the kicks through my belly, and there was one night that he kicked the remote right off my belly. I love this part of the pregnancy. I truly did not like any part up until this. The first few months were just so not fun, but now I am reminded daily of this little guy in there, and that he's moving around like a healthy little baby.

The back pain is one part I could do without. It started a long time ago, but the pain at night now is so bad, I can't even walk some nights. I am hoping that a pre-natal massage this weekend will help to relieve some of the pain.

Shelly (Cameron's sister) got married on June 6th and we drove

up to Boise to be there and be in the wedding. It was such a great time and we loved being with the whole family and just enjoyed the whole week. The day before the wedding, Shelly's wedding photographer did a family photo shoot for us, and they turned out BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy that we got the chance to get us all together for a picture. The photographer even did separate pictures for all the siblings individual families! Cameron and I got some maternity shots!!! Thanks to Carrie Butler, who is a friend to the Stone Family for all that she did for Shelly and Josh that week.

Now, tomorrow we leave for our 1st anniversary celebration (it was last weekend) to Reno. It will most likely be our last bit of relaxing alone time we get for a LONG time, so we will be enjoying ourselves and just doing nothing. Ahhhhh...sounds nice. We had planned on going to Carmel, but instead decided we should go somewhere we can get a nice room for cheap and just order room service and sleep in, and do nothing. I cannot wait.

I made the comment to my mother that it's funny to me that this is our last "vacation" just the two of us, even though it is really only the second vacation we have taken just the two of us!!! We just love to be with friends when we get away! :) My mom laughed at me, because she and my Dad really only got one! (Katie was born BEFORE their first anniversary.) So they have us beat on that record...lol!

Can you feel it?!

"I sure did!!" (that was for you, DAD)

I didn't think it would happen this early on!!!

So last night, I was 19 weeks 3 days. I have been feeling Pebble moving around for a few weeks now, and feeling definite kicks for a few days. I had a Dr. Pepper at about 9pm because my stomach felt a little upset and that always works. We were at Cameron's 9:15 basketball game, so I figured the caffine wouldn't really keep me up in a bad way...it could only help this exhausted preggo!! Well, the caffine affected Pebble for sure!!! all through the game I kept having to change positions because I would get uncomfortable from all the kicking!!! We ended up getting home at 11:00 ( I know! so late!) and I got ready for bed and laid down next to Cameron. Well, Pebble wasn't over the caffine high just yet!! He was going CRAZY in there! I said to Cameron "Ok, these kicks are super hard! I know you probably can't feel them, but try!!"

He sat holding my belly for a good amount of time being so still and patient, and sure enough as I felt a really good one, he said "Oh, I felt THAT!". HE got to feel a couple of good kicks before things calmed down, and We were finally able to rest for the night. I went to sleep with the biggest smile on my face (as did he) because Cameron can finally be a part of this pregnancy and feel how real this all is! His part so far (although so VERY important) has been taking care of me and taking care of the chores I have just been too tired to do. Now, he can feel his son squirming around in there!

By the way, my due date has been moved to October 4th...not too much difference, but a change.

Next Dr Appt : June 1st