catch up. Phippin = 4 weeks 2 days (1 month tomorrow)

Phippin is here!!! I had him at 39 weeks and 2 days. Brett and I went in on Thursday Jan. 20th for our weekly doctor's appointment. We discovered he was still in breech position. Dr. Blackett said, because of this, we have some options. First, we could have a C-section the following day (friday morning). Mine and Brett's jaws dropped. "Um...we could have this kid tomorrow?????"

2nd option: we could try an ECV -- External Cephalic Version -- which is where the doctor basically massages my belly, trying to get the baby to flip. Our chances of him flipping if we tried that, were 50/50. If it worked, we'd wait and hope he stayed that way until my body decided to go into labor. If it didn't, the doctor suggested that we go ahead and get a C-section because it wasn't likely that he would flip on his own if he didn't flip during the ECV AND if I went into labor with him breech, we would for sure get a C-section but the recovery afterwards would be a lot harder, due to having gone into labor beforehand. We decided we'd try the ECV the following morning and if he didn't flip, we would get a C-section.

The night before, Brett and I went out on our last date as a childless couple (but we didn't know that for sure, at the time). We were both kind of convinced the ECV would work and that we would NOT be having the baby the next day. These thoughts were probably simply denial. We went out to firehouse to eat, went home and watched an episode of "Pushing Daisies" (again) and went to bed.

By 5:30 we were at the hospital. The nurses began prepping me for the ECV and hooking up ultrasound to monitor his heartbeat. All was well until he moved so the nurse moved the device that was monitoring his heart and when she found it, it had significantly dropped. It was so slow, I was sure it was my own heartbeat. So a couple other nurses rushed in and stuck IV needles in my arm, missed, stuck them in again and shoved an oxygen mask on my face. Brett and I sat there a little freaked out. His heartbeat went back to normal pretty quick but the nurses were convinced that when Dr. Blackett arrived she would just do a C-section because of the temporary heart rate drop.

Dr. Blackett arrived and tried ECV for a little bit. When his heart rate dropped again signaling stress, she suggested we stop. Brett and I were both really nervous about doing a C-section for some reason--perhaps because my whole pregnancy, I had just been preparing myself fornormal vaginal birth. We discussed the possibility of waiting it out to see if he'd flip on his own (even though we'd been told he wouldn't if he didn't for the ECV) but our doctor (who is a DO and very trustworthy. Not the type to suggest something because it would make her more money or be more convenient/easy for her) recommended that we just do the C-section. Everyone else (my parents and Brett's mom) agreed.

I was brought to a different room down the hall where they had me sit on a table, stuck a needle in my back (which hurt less than the IV pokes) and my legs immediately started feeling warm. within 5 or 10 minutes they were numb. Dr. Blackett confirmed that I was numb and began! Both her and another doctor were conducting the surgery while the anesthesiologist and Brett sat at my head. We all talked and joked. It was strangely laid back and casual, and within about 10 or 15 minutes they pulled him out and I heard him crying. So weird. They showed him to me and then rushed him and Brett away to bathe him and test him. I was stitched back up and was able to nurse him within about 10 or 15 minutes. Incredible.

He was 5 lbs 8 oz and 18 in long. And beautiful. Throughout our stay at the hospital the nurses kept commenting on how cute he is. I'd like to think they don't say that to everyone. :)

At 4 weeks (this last friday--two days ago), we went in for a weight check and he was 7 lbs 8 oz! Hurray for gaining 2 pounds in 4 weeks!! (really more like 2 lbs 8 oz because he had dropped to 5 lbs .5 oz by his 5 day weight check). Having him home the first two weeks we're actually pretty easy. He would have his last meal at 11 or 11:30 and then would wake up at about 3 or 4 am and then not again until between 6 and 8 am. Never cried unless his diaper was being changed or was hungry in the middle of the night. Different story these days.

We're trying to figure out solutions to his fussiness/crying (that mainly occur at night).

Possible causes and fixes include:

- He has gas pains. Perhaps I need to do better at burping him during meals.

- He is being over-stimulated these days--running errands, seeing movies, going on visits/having visitors. Perhaps provide less stimulation.

- He is reacting to something in MY diet that is showing up in the breastmilk (dairy?).

- He misses the feel of the womb. We actually have found that he usually calms down if he is bounced. This is where the Maya sling/wrap comes in handy.

- He needs love and attention. We have found that letting him sleep on mine or Brett's chest calms him. Should we continue to give into this or encourage independence by letting him cry in his crib? Still trying to decide on this one. Any suggestions are welcome.

- He just likes to cry/be fussy to see how much we can tolerate. Perhaps we should just take him to grandparents' houses at night and let them deal with him. :) (this one is a joke...but tempting at 3 o'clock in the morning).

It can be frustrating but the boy still brings such happiness (...and fatigue... :) ) into our lives. Cuddling with him and gawking at him never get old. We feel truly blessed.