Brody's 5 week checkup

I wasn't nervous about this doctor's appointment, because I had no knowledge that I would have to endure the pain of seeing my son get a shot. I had prepared myself that I would need to go through it at 2 months, but not at the one month appointment. Brody weighed 11lbs 8 oz and measured 22 and 3/4 inches in length. He was in the 95th percentile for height and weight and in the 50th percentile for head size. I just love his cute, perfect, little head! He screamed every time I had to set him down to be weighed, measured, and checked out. He was NOT a happy boy for the doctor!

After discussion of his discomfort on his back, the doctor prescribed me Zantac with the thought that he may have "silent" reflux. I wasn't sure since he didn't spit up much, but he gets the hiccups constantly and freaks out about 20 minutes after he eats if I lay him down. SO, I thought...it can't hurt!

I thought I was ready to leave when he said, "ok...well the last thing will just be his Hep B shot and you can take him home."...I gave him a look that indicated I was NOT aware of this! He told me not to worry that it would be quick. The nurse came in and gave the already unhappy Brody this shot...I was NOT prepared. He looked at me with this pitiful "how could you let her do this to me" face!!! It was terrible. Like most moms, I shed a few tears once the nurse left the room while I held and rocked him. The good part is that all the commotion put him right to sleep for the next few hours. Poor guy.

I am HAPPY to report that after the Zantac...I have one seriously happy little boy. He no longer has the painful tantrums and seems to be doing wonderfully! I'm loving this sweet face!!

Splish splash I'm takin a bath...

And NOT enjoying it!!!! Brody had his first bath during his second week and hated every minute of it. He criiiieeeeedddd but had that sweet baby smell after his first little bath! Mom helped me out since I was a bit squeamish about doing it alone...and Taylor was the photog:)...here's the cutie getting all clean...

Brody...week 2-3

Not a lot of change from the first week. I've become much more comfortable, but still not a lot of sleep! Some nights are better than others, but his longest stretch is usually from about 8 to 12...rarely he will last until 1am. After that it's 2 hours stretches. With breastfeeding, he eats for about 30 minutes and then takes a while to go back to sleep. He likes to stay awake a while! Luckily, I don't have a screaming child. He may wake up a lot, but he does not cry much at all! The first week he had lots of fussy times, but that went away pretty quickly! He's starting to crack little smiles...so precious! He is still trying to nap off and on most of the day! Here are a few more pictures of my cute little man!

My Little Pumpkin

Brody was born only a few days before Halloween so of course we had to get some pictures of him in his cute little "My first Halloween outfit". Brody is a wonderful baby. Sleep is challenging, but we are getting the hang of it. I was extremely nervous the first few nights home from the hospital. My mom was soooo amazing to stay with me for the first few nights and help me get up with him. He spoiled me by sleeping a few 4 hours stretches, but after the first few nights, that stopped. For the first 2 or 3 weeks, Brody woke up every 2 to 3 hours to eat. He kept the same pattern through the day. It was so difficult to help him learn his days from nights, but he's precious when he sleeps!

We kept a pack and play in our room for him to sleep in. After about 1am, I would bring him downstairs and let him sleep in his swing or make him a bed on the loveseat while I slept on the couch...not a lot of sleep for me!!! So worth it though. I loved just staring at his little face. Here are a few pictures from the first week!

Sweet, precious, perfect...Brody Campbell Lutz

Let me start by saying...I'M SORRY!!! I am that mom that has her baby and lets everything else go for six months! I thought for sure I would keep up with this, but I promise I will from here on out! I have about a zillion blogs to post on here, but I'll start with the most important...

On October 25, 2009 at 11:10 AM, my perfect miracle entered the world! Brody Campbell Lutz graced us with his presence...all 8 lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long of him! My labor was actually really great compared to some of the horror stories I've heard. I went to the hospital on Saturday morning, the 24th after what I thought were pregnancy symptoms, including light contractions (I'll spare you the details of the symptoms). We got there around 7am and were discharged around 5pm...never dilating past 2 cm. I thought for sure it was labor, but we went to my parents' house since they live much closer to the hospital. I had contractions through the night that progressed, but didn't seem to be consistent. At 4am, I had a massive contraction, and from there on out...they were 2 minutes apart. Taylor rushed me to the hospital where I had Brody 7 hours later after only 20 minutes of pushing! He was really ready to meet us! And let me just say, praise Jesus for epidurals...what a life saver! I only had to endure a little over 2 hours of those horrific contractions!

I just have to thank God that he was born in perfect health...and just really perfect in my opinion! Most of our family were able to make it for his birth! Taylor's parents were worried they wouldn't make it once we called and I was in hard labor, but they made it just in time! Above are a few pictures from his birthday...much more to come from the last 7 weeks!

Could be soon???

Tomorrow I'll be 38 weeks pregnant! I had an appointment today and am 1 cm dilated. To me, this didn't mean very much seeing as how I know my sister was dilated forever before she actually had Ella, but the doctor said that the head was EXTREMELY low and in position. THIS scared me a bit! I wasn't expecting to hear that! She said she would be shocked if I made it to my due date. Now, I'm all about having him early to avoid any possibility of a Halloween baby, but I guess I wasn't processing that this could happen at any time. She said to be conscious of contractions, even if they are not painful, and to look for other signs. I have another appointment next Wednesday where we will see if further progress has been made!

I really have to kick things into gear now! We have the crib and changing table/dresser all ready in the nursery. Bedding is in the crib, and lots of clothes have been washed. We were hoping to have time to finish the little things in the nursery, but I doubt baby will care:). We will be focusing the next few days on getting all of our stuff as unpacked and cleaned up as possible!

Sooo...stay tuned...could be an eventful week!!!!

37 Weeks

I am 9 months pregnant, just signed to close on our house, and moved in all in one week. Anxiety doesn't begin to describe what's been going on with me lately! WHAT A WEEK! So this past Monday, Taylor drove to Hickory late after work. Tuesday (thanks to Lowes paying for packers/loaders...what a Godsend) he, with help, packed up the house in Hickory, loaded it all up Wednesday, and drove back to Atlanta in a 24-foot truck Wednesday night. I hear that wasn't the most relaxing experience! Thursday morning we closed on both houses back to back, and had unloaders come unload all our stuff int othe new house around noon. I honestly have no idea how we pulled this off! We couldn't have done it without our ridiculously amazing family and friends. Taylor's parents helped with the Hickory stuff and his dad is here now helping us move in. My mom has been at the house helping unpack and clean...not an easy task with over a hundred boxes!

All I could think for the week was, oh God please please please don't let me go into labor yet! We only have a couple of weeks left, and God's timing is just incredible. To think that we got our house right at the perfect time and got in right before the baby comes...I'm just amazed. We've had our ups and downs...and certainly very stressful times, but God is good...and I'm so thankful for where we've been and where we are going!

Taylor is painting the nursery tomorrow!!! I'm so excited to finally get everything up and ready for the baby. I'll post pictures just as soon as we have it done, though, judging by the belly, might not be done until AFTER the baby is here:). Thank you for all your prayers...we can't wait to get baby Lutz here!!!