Graham is Two Months Old

Graham Ryan, you are two months old! You weigh 12 pounds 3.5 ounces and are 23 1/2 inches long. You smiled for the first time on May 31 and laughed on Father's Day! Your dad and I about melted when you laughed for us. You still don't like naps and are happiest in the mornings. You wear size 3-6 month clothing and wake usually between 2:00 am to 3:30 am to nurse. 

You do great in the carseat 

Still love walks 

you give the biggest smiles after nursing..guess you like having your belly full! :)

those hands are so tasty!

Happy two months, baby boy!

Graham is One Month Old!

Graham, you are one month old! You weigh 10 lbs and are 21 1/2 inches long. You love to eat your hands (and eating in general), hate the pacifier, wake about every three hours at night and love to be outside! Here are some other things you've been up to this month:

occasionally napping

taking selfies with Momma

getting your instaGraham on :)

we tried to go to church, but mom and dad got the time wrong

being cute!

Dear Graham

Dear Graham, 

Where do I even begin? I've dreamed of being a momma for as long as I can remember and you, my sweet boy, have made me just that. 

When your dad and I found out you were on the way I just knew you were going to be a boy. We wondered what you would look like (I secretly hoped it was me :) ), if you would be strong willed like your mom or an easy going guy like your dad. And before we knew it, here you were. 

In the past few weeks that you've been here, I have stared at every one of your features hoping to memorize each eyelash, elbow wrinkle and that sweet baby smell.  Call me a crazy mom, but I know that in the blink of an eye we will be sending your to kindergarten and then college. Time has seemed to fly by already and unfortunately, I know these precious days will not be around for long. 

 It has brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined to watch your daddy with you. One of his favorite things is the way you stretch when you wake up. I love watching him talk to you and he even started a prayer journal that will one day be yours. 

As for me, you have changed my life in so many ways. Before you were born I thought I had some idea of what being a mom would be like. I was so wrong. 

My heart was not prepared for the love that I would have for you. I want to be the best that I can be all for you. And I find myself constantly in prayer for you. 

I pray that you would have godly friends and adult examples. I pray for your dad and I to have wisdom to raise you to be a respectful, kind, Jesus loving boy. I pray for the woman that will one day become your wife. But most of all, I pray that you would love and seek Him with all of your heart. 

How lucky we are to have you as our son, Graham. We love you more than you could ever imagine.

Always, 

Momma 

Graham's Birth Story Cont...

The moments after finding out I was going to have a c-section were a blur. I was taken back to the operating room where they prepped me for surgery and from the minute I got to the OR to the time G was born was around 30 minutes. The anesthesiologist was new to Arlington Memorial and commented that its as the fastest c-section he had ever seen. My doctor commented back that she had done quite a few of them. :)

Graham Ryan Dudley was born at 9:13 p.m. weighing 7 lbs 15 1/2 oz and was 20 3/4 in long

I'm not sure if it was due to all of the medicine, physical exhaustion or just a combination of both, but I was pretty emotionless when Graham was born. I remember the doctor holding G over the sheet,  Ryan saying how much he looked like my dad and being relieved after hearing his first cry, but other than that I don't recall much else. At one point I even remember thinking that it would probably be appropriate for me to smile. Of course, I was so excited that our boy was here, but my emotions just seemed to have left me. 

After getting stitched up they wheeled me back to the recovery room where I finally was able to get a good look at our sweet boy. 

Our families were able to come back shortly after I got back in the room and seeing Ryan proudly show Graham to them was so special.

Our hospital stay was great (except for one night when G cried ALL NIGHT. I'm pretty sure Ryan wanted to give him back haha) and we had lots of loved ones come visit.

We finally headed home Thursday afternoon and were so glad to be back!

Welcome to the world, Graham! We are so glad you're here! 

Graham's Birth Story

The day had finally arrived...we would finally get to meet our sweet baby boy! After only having two sonograms (at 9 and 18 weeks) and opting to not have the 4D, we were so anxious to see what G would look like. 

My parents came in town Sunday evening and we were scheduled to check into the hospital at 6:00 a.m. 

Do I look tired/swollen or what? Ha!

Ready to meet G-man! 

We arrived at L&D right on time only to be greeted by a nurse letting us know that she "didn't have us down to arrive until 7 and that right now they were swamped." Apparently they had several women come in with some emergencies/gone into birth naturally and let's be honest, when you are being induced you get pushed to the very end.

Ryan and I got settled into our room and around 9:00 a nurse finally came in to get my pitocin started.

(I would also like to make note that we were conveniently placed in a room across from a lady who was in full blown labor without an epidural. We heard every scream, moan and word she said. Hearing someone scream, "get this baby outta me!" is not exactly reassuring. Ryan tried to convince me we should just head back home and come back another day. haha)

Once they got me hooked up to the machines and let me know I was having a contraction I realized that I had actually been having them for several days. Because G had been so active my entire pregnancy I had mistaken those moments of discomfort as him just kicking.

At around 11:00 I was beginning to have contractions a little closer together, but still feeling pretty good.

Around noon my doctor came in and broke my water. After this point the contractions really picked up and were much more intense. Once I dilated to a 4 I was able to get my epidural.
That thing really is as good as they say. Unfortunately, my contractions still weren't at our goal of 2 minutes apart, so the nurse decided to back off of the epidural a bit. We continued backing off of the meds until my legs no longer felt like slabs of meat and I was able to once again start feeling the contractions.

It was around this point that I started getting sick. Man did I regret those popsicles.

At 6:30 I was dilated to a 10 and it was time to push.
I pushed. and pushed. and threw up. and did crazy positions. and pushed some more and still no baby.

(the vomiting while trying to push a baby out was definitely one of my finer moments in life)

After an hour, Graham still had not progressed any farther down and while the nurse could feel his head, she told Ryan that she just didn't think I was going to be able to have the baby. He was face up and I was too small. My doctor said to keep pushing. So we did.

Ryan was amazing throughout the whole process. I'll admit that going into the delivery I was more worried about him than me, but he was my rock. Macey was also in the room with us and her eyes will never be the same. :) She was also such a big help and it was great to have her in there to keep my family updated via text.

After another hour with no progress the decision was finally made that I was going to have a c-section. At this point it was around 8:30. I had the most wonderful nurse and although her shift ended at 7:00 she stuck around and even went into the operating room with me. Without a doubt, I believe that God had his hand on the entire situation. Although I went into the hospital that day never once considering that I would have anything other than a normal delivery, He knew that things would turn out differently. Tara, our nurse, was wonderful and I am so thankful He placed her in our lives.

When Dr. B came in and said that it looks like I was going to have to have a c-section, I was devastated. I know many, many women have them every day, but that was not my plan. (you'd think I would have learned my lesson about this planning stuff by now) I felt as if I had let myself and Ryan down for not being able to have Graham (crazy, I know) and I just was not prepared for surgery. But regardless of whether I was ready or not, it was time for G to make his entrance.

To be continued...

Weeks 34-39

I'll be honest, after week 33 I just didn't have it in me to keep up with my weekly bump date. I probably wouldn't even have these pictures if it weren't for Ryan making me. (thanks, babe!) 

So since I didn't keep track weekly, I'm going to try and recall exactly what was going on as I finished growing this baby! Week 34 I began going to my appointments every two weeks. Appointments were quick and easy; my blood pressure was taken, I weighed in, doctor measured my belly and listened to G's heartbeat. I was still feeling pretty good weeks 34-36, just tired and getting ready to see our little guy. I was having a lot of pain on my right side under the ribcage, but the doctor attributed that to Graham having his foot pushed against my liver. 

At my 36 week appointment Dr. B estimated Graham to be at around 6 lbs and thought that when he was born he would weigh about 7 1/2 lbs. Her exact words were, "he's not going to be a big boy, but he won't be a string bean either!" She was also able to feel my stomach and tell that he was head down. We also discussed options for induction if my due date was reached. After week 36, I began going in weekly for check ups. 

Week 37 appointment was a dud. Since I hadn't had any contractions, she decided not to check me. (I also sat in the room naked from the waist down for an hour and a half because she had to go deliver a baby. fun stuff)

At week 38 I was 80% effaced and dilated to a 1. Still no contractions.

Week 39 was a big week! I was still dilated to a 1 but almost 100% effaced. Dr. Bergstrom surprised me by asking how I felt about being induced the next week. She felt like I was ready and this way we would know that she would be there for the birth. Umm..yes, please! I was ready to have this baby. My doctor's appointment was on a Tuesday and my induction was scheduled for the following Monday at 6:00 a.m. 

Week 33

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Feeling: feeling pretty good still

Maternity Clothes:  still mixing maternity and regular clothes

Gender:  Boy!

Name: Graham, G-Man, G 

Movement: we've still got a busy boy in there

Sleep: is usually a hit or miss

What I miss: not much

Cravings: back to cereal 

Best Moment This Week:  we had Spring Break this week and it was nice to relax and get some things done around the house. I was also able to work on getting my maternity leave lessons set up. 

week 32

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Feeling: doing pretty good...still not sleeping and I could do without the heartburn. I really try not to complain because I've been so incredibly lucky, but goodness growing a baby is a lot of work! 

Maternity Clothes: none of my regular pants zip or button in any form or fashion, but I can still pull them up so I'll call that a win! 

Gender:  Boy!

Name: Graham, G-Man, G 

Movement: I have begun feeling him in two areas of my stomach at the same times which tells me he is growing! 

Sleep: what's that?

What I miss: I just cannot go like I used to. When I get home from work all bets are off when it comes to dinner or cleaning, especially towards the end of the week.

Cravings: Mexican food...I had a student bring a taco for snack the other day and it was all I could do to not ask him for a bite haha 

Best Moment This Week:  after 8 long weeks we finally have our bedding! Still need a mattress, but other than that Graham's room is complete. 

How To's of Hanging a Gallery Wall

I'll admit it. 

I'm gallery wall obsessed. My addiction probably began where all do...while surfing Pinterest. When Ryan and I moved into our house we had a large wall over the couch that was just calling out to be filled. I found my inspiration and set out to create the perfect wall that would be so shabby chic perfect that it looked straight off the pages of a Pottery Barn magazine. 

And it was a HUGE pain in my rear. (insert other word for rear)

I swear I probably put 35 holes in the wall making trying to make it centered and even and blah blah blah. 

BUT it turned out so cute that I forgot my misery and decided to do one on Graham's room. 

However, this time I did more planning and measuring which made for a much easier project!

Step 1: gather up things that are sentimental, fit your decor or that you just like. It can be pictures, objects, shelves, whatever! While I love a gallery wall with just pictures, I also love one that tells a story with other things as well.

Step 2: lay out all of your pieces and find an arrangement that works. You will notice that certain objects just look better next to others and it's also easy to tell if you need to add/buy something to fill a space.

Step 3: with all of your pieces laid out, measure the length and width. Then, measure the area where your gallery wall will be going.

Step 4: do some math to figure out the center of the area your gallery wall will be on. I wish I could give you more detailed instructions, but I'm assuming you are all much better at math than I am and don't need the girl whose Physics teacher once told her that she "needed to stop just trying to memorize formulas and actually learn how to work the problems" to offer mathematical advice. ANYWAY.

Step 5: using your fancy calculations, tape off the area of the wall designated for your gallery

Step 6: Beginning at the corners, start nailing and hanging!

Ta-Da!

Week 31

The pictures are beginning to get much less glamorous, eh?

How Far Along: 31 weeks

Feeling: tired with lots of back pain, but getting so excited. 9 weeks left! .....unless he decides to hang out past his due date, which is a definite possibility.

Maternity Clothes: wish I could live in my maternity leggings!

Gender: Boy!

Name: Graham, G-Man, G 

Movement: kicking, punching and rolling around all going on! Graham has also decided he doesn't like it when I lean over in any way. Even when I'm trying to lean to the table to eat he starts moving around as if he's trying to tell me I'm cramping him.

Sleep: Still not great, but I have had a few ok nights here and there that are holding me over.

What I miss: I just cannot go like I used to. When I get home from work all bets are off when it comes to dinner or cleaning, especially towards the end of the week.

Cravings: sandwiches!

Best Moment This Week:  I had a doctor's appointment this week where they were able to assure me that all weird things going on with my body are totally normal. I did have to get a shot because I have a negative blood type, but overall the appointment was quick and easy! 

Weeks 29 & 30

I failed and didn't get Ryan to take a week 30 pic...so a bathroom selfie it is.
I also apparently have a thing for striped shirts that are navy and aqua.

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Feeling: Feeling ok. Getting uncomfortable!

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing a combo of maternity and my regular clothes  

Gender: Boy!

Name: Graham

Movement: lots of movement going on from our boy!

Sleep: Has taken a turn for the worse. I'm trying to sleep on my side which has been very uncomfortable for this back sleeper. I definitely think God's preparing me for what is coming soon! :)

What I miss: nothing much

Cravings: still really into cereal

Best Moment This Week: 3/4 of the way through this pregnancy! 

Week 28

How Far Along: 28 weeks

Feeling: I'm feeling like I have a baby that is kicking his feet in my diaphragm right this moment, but other than that it's been great! I've reached the point where it's no longer simple to get up/down or bend down which proves to be a bit difficult when you spend all day with 20 four year olds. I really realized my limitations the other day when I decided that I would do some chair dips to strengthen my arms (because bat wings are not becoming, my friends). I'll just leave it at...YIKES.

Maternity Clothes: I am so lucky to have such generous friends to share their clothes with me. My friend Laura sent me home with several of her things to borrow this weekend and I am loving that I haven't had to spend a fortune on clothes! *can I please borrow them all again with baby #2? :) 

Gender: Boy!

Name: Graham

Movement: LOTS! G is still a busy boy and has now moved from just kicking to pushing his limbs against my belly. I wish I could see in there to figure out exactly what I'm feeling.

Sleep: Still ok. Hating sleeping on my side. I'm for sure thinking I should have sprung for the maternity pillow.

What I miss: I miss not feeling a cool breeze and looking down to see my shirt has risen up and half of my belly is exposed. At what point in the pregnancy does it become socially acceptable to just walk around like that??

Cravings: everything I shouldn't have. ie...sandwiches, chocolate donuts, cheeseburgers, etc, etc. I do really want fruit though, so it all evens out. :) 

Best Moment This Week: We've officially hit the 3rd trimester mark!