Baby J's Birth Announcement from Sweet Pea Designs via The Paper Cafe

I wanted to share our baby announcement for Baby J. It turned out really cute and I got them all out last month! The shot above is marked off to conceal names at my husband's request, sorry it looks kinda ugly with all of the black. The announcement is pretty small (the left hand side was on top of the right hand side and it folds at the top) and it had every requirement I wanted: a monogram, simple yet elegant and a ribbon. I love invitations with ribbons and bows! Mollie from The Paper Cafe was fabulous to work with (as always) and the people at Sweet Pea got my proof back to me VERY quickly! I had the envelopes sent ahead of time so I could have them all addressed and ready to go out. Baby J arrived two days after they arrived, of course, he was 3 weeks early so that didn't happen as planned! Click here if you want to check out the great invitations and announcements that Sweet Pea Designs has to offer.

Here are a few others I considered for those of you that are looking:

http://www.laurengdesigns.com/shop.asp?parentCatID=5296&action=details&inventoryID=63311&catId=10633

http://thepapercafe.myspstore.com/SHOPEXD.ASP?id=11258&cat=305

http://thepapercafe.myspstore.com/shopexd.asp?id=5341

http://thepapercafe.myspstore.com/SHOPEXD.ASP?id=1803&cat=305

http://thepapercafe.myspstore.com/SHOPEXD.ASP?id=9716&cat=305

http://thepapercafe.myspstore.com/SHOPEXD.ASP?id=1805&cat=305
http://www.finestationery.com/product.cfm?

http://www.finestationery.com/product.cfm?

***Have you entered my giveaway yet? You have until April 1st! Click here to do so and win a 8 X 8 of this beautiful photograph!***

**Spotlight Store**Julianne Originals**

I am so excited to share one of my new favorite go to baby stores with y'all--Julianne Originals! I just ordered a few baby gifts for friends and I know they will love them!

Here are a few things that you can find at Julianne Originals:

Julie was so sweet and sent baby J, a monogrammed gown, burp cloths, and a couple bibs with his name on them. Thank you Julie!! These are seriously some of my favorite items that we have received. The quality is top notch and they are so unique and cute!

I swear y'all this baby gown was one of the only things that fit baby J when we brought him home from the hospital. It still fits and remains a favorite outfit at our house. Here is a pic of him wearing it and of the full length shot.

Below are some of things Julie sent to baby J. The plaid bibs are actually the backs of a couple of the personalized bibs. The backs are just as pretty as the front! The burp cloth matches a personalized bib she sent as well as the baby gown--what a perfect baby gift! The Alabama football bib was a favorite of my husband's! This child is one decked out Bama fan! Julianne Originals also carries a few other SEC schools.

JULIANNE ORIGINALS is offering MMM readers a 15% discount on all orders through March 31st with code MMM15. I highly advise you take advantage of this great offer! Thanks Julie!!

My First Month as a Mommy

My Little Yellow Duckie

His Valentine's Outfit

Well y'all! I survived my first month as a Mommy! Baby J is doing great. I thought I would give you a quick update on how things are going. As you may have noticed my posts have become less frequent. It is amazing that a little tiny person can control every minute of your day. We had his one month check up last Tuesday and Baby J now weighs in at 8 1/2 lbs. We just moved him up to Size 1 diapers even thought they are a little big--he's growing up so fast!

I have been enjoying all of our bonding time together. I'm breastfeeding so there is A LOT of bonding time! Speaking of breastfeeding, thank you so much for all of your tips and encouragement. You really do have to be committed to doing this and it is nice to have a cheering section! I did end up giving J a pacifier...not sure why I was worried. I also bought a pump and have started pumping so that A can give J a bottle when I need a break during one of the late night feedings.

We had an all nighter last night, so I'm nice and exhausted today. I've only had a max of five hours straight of sleep (just once) since he was born! Yikes! I'm not sure if last night it was a growth spurt or tummy issues. J does have reflux so we have medicine now for him to help a little with that. He is so precious though and I spend so much time just staring at his sweet little face. I can't give him enough kisses. I truly am enjoying each and every moment.

J LOVES his swing, his bouncy seat, his mobile and warm baths. He loves to be held and he always falls asleep while he's eating. His favorite spot to nap is his car seat. He HATES having his diaper changed and his hair washed.

I know there are a lot of moms-to-be out there so please feel free to leave a comment here with questions about labor and delivery, bringing home the baby, gear you need, gear you can't live without etc. I'm no expert--but I have just been there so maybe I can help!

I'm Back!

Thank you so much for all of your well wishes and sweet comments. Blogworld is so amazing! I appreciate each of you and I am so excited that Baby J is here! I look forward to sharing all of our stories with you. Please start from the birth story and work your way up to catch up on life with Baby J. Hope you enjoy!

XOXO,

MMM

Good Report Cards!

Our little family has survived EIGHT doctors appointments in ONE week!

J had an appointment yesterday afternoon and his pediatrician said his jaundice is resolving itself and he will not have to go to the hospital for light therapy! YEAH! He gained 3 ounces and is up to a whopping 6lbs 12oz, just 3 more ounces before he is back to his birth weight. The pediatrician said he looks great and we don't have to come back until he is 1 month old! He is nursing really well about every 2-3 hours. He is a slow eater though and it does take about an hour to feed him. That means not a lot of sleep for Mom, but I am loving our quiet feeding moments. He really is a sweetheart and A and I fall more in love with him each day.

I had a doctor's appointment this morning with my internist (who specializes in cardiology) and an appointment yesterday with my OB. Things are looking up! They took me off my blood pressure medicine after a fainting spell on Sunday and it seems my pressure is starting to regulate on its own. It's been a scary couple of days, but both doctors were very pleased with my progress in the swelling department. My OB said she was proud of my Mom and A for making me rest and they were the reason that I did not have to get checked back in the hospital. Thanks guys!! Apparently, the swelling will resolve itself from feet to face. I can't wait to recognize myself in the mirror again, but for now I'll just enjoy seeing my ankle bones again! I've been on bed rest since Friday and my internist told me this afternoon I was "free to move about the cabin" now. Yeah! I'm not supposed to overdo it, but it will be nice to get off the sofa and help my Mom organize a little. She has done an amazing job cooking, cleaning, organizing and changing diapers. J just adores her and we ALL are going to miss her when she leaves on Thursday. If only she lived a little closer...maybe someday.

Pictures of My Little Prince

Brand New!

Hanging out with Daisy in my Budda position

No words needed

Mama got me in a monogrammed outfit again!

One Week Old-Sunday, January 25th

After a week off Dad had to go back to work. He muttered something about a financial crisis. I missed him. Mom and Grandma just aren't as good as Dad is at swaddling me tight.

Here's what I did:

Sat in my bouncy seat and thought about life

Took a couple naps

Feeling great after a big meal compliments of my Mom

Checked things out

Notes from Bed-Friday, January 23rd

A Bath from Daisy

Puppy Love

Kisses from Mom

Eating my fingers

Pleased

Big Yawn

Funny Faces

My doctor called me this morning to let me know that my blood work was still not looking quite right. It looks as though I have post partum preeclampsia. She called a high risk specialist and he agreed with her treatment plan of blood pressure medication and bed rest with my feet up to treat the swelling. I have to take my blood pressure several times a day on my snazzy machine and report the numbers back to my doctors. They want to see me again on Monday and I have another appointment with my regular doctor on Tuesday so he can be in the loop on my treatment in the upcoming weeks. Mom and A seriously will not let me move, except to go the bathroom and feed baby J. I'm a prisoner in my own apartment, but I know it is for my own good. =) I DO NOT want to get checked back into the hospital and I need to get better so I can run around with my sweet baby boy.


J has been a doll. We are all loving each and every moment with him. Since we still have to wake him up to eat, the pediatrician gave us permission to let him sleep for 4 hours at night between feedings. I was pretty excited at the prospect of such a long period of sleep, but J had other ideas on how the night was to go! He has discovered his fingers and hands and loves to escape out of his Daddy's tight swaddles and suck his fingers. A is a diaper changing machine. He is FAR ahead of me in this department and doing an absolute amazing job. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. My Mom is on her 8th load of laundry and is an organizing queen. I'm so grateful to have them both helping me. Daisy has done a great job with J and we allowed her to give him a few kisses this afternoon. She is currently sleeping under his car seat (his favorite place to sleep) and keeping a watchful eye.

More Doctor's Visits-Thursday, January 22nd

I had an appointment this afternoon with my doctor to check on my blood pressure and get some more blood work done. Apparently some of the levels were not looking good in the hospital. Unfortunately, my blood pressure has shot back up. The swelling in my legs and feet has worsened. I've been put on bed rest and all I'm allowed to do is feed J. If I don't improve they'll check me back into the hospital, but that is the last resort so I'm trying to be a good mom and patient. Easier said then done. I've been put on blood pressure medicine and they are sending me to my regular doctor on Tuesday so he can work with me the next few weeks to regulate my pressure. My Mom and A are changing lots of diapers and bringing me good food so life isn't too bad. =)

J had an appointment this afternoon with his pediatrician. His bilirubin level is 16.1 again so they do not have to check him back into the hospital! Great news!! The doctor said everything else looks great. They want to see him again on Monday for another test. J gained 1 ounce and is now up to 6lbs and 9oz! Grow J, Grow!

J's stroller just arrived so we are very excited about that! Grandma rode the subway to get some essentials we were still missing. We're so proud of her for figuring it out! She is quite the NYC super granny.

1st Doctor's Visits-January 21st

We took J for his first visit to the pediatrician today to check on his jaundice. Packing a diaper bag, hailing a cab and getting a newborn ready all proved to be interesting experiences for these new parents, but we did pretty well. =) They pricked J's heel to test his bilirubin. It about broke my heart, I had no idea I could fall in love this fast. His bilirubin levels were up again (16.1), but the doctor said to continue with frequent feedings. He gained a few ounces with my on demand hourly feedings last night to hit a whopping 6lbs 8oz. (He was 6lbs 5oz when we left the hospital yesterday, but it is normal for newborns to lose a little weight in the hospital.) We have to go back tomorrow to have them checked.

The doctor mentioned in the hospital that J was a little tongue tied. She suggested we meet with a pediatric ENT to get his tongue clipped. Ouch! We made an appointment this afternoon and the doctor was wonderful. A had to hold J during the quick procedure because I could not handle to watch my sweet baby in pain. It literally took 10 seconds and one cry (no blood) and J was done and back asleep. He's such a good boy! The doc said midwives used to grow their finger nail and cut the little piece of skin under the tongue that way. I'm glad our doc on Park Ave took care of it instead and now J should have better luck with his latching during feedings.

Overall, J is an amazing baby. We actually have to wake him up to eat and he falls asleep during feedings. The docs say this is normal for an early baby that has jaundice. As long as he continues to gain weight we'll be okay.

Here are a few of my many faces!

Content (and so freaking precious!)

Thinking

NOT pleased (this one is very rare)

Coming Home-January 20th

We're backtracking...so this post is from January 20th the day we brought baby J home from the hospital.

Everything had been going quite well, but we had a few hiccups on Tuesday. First, we met with my doctor and learned that my blood pressure had gone back up. I was given a lot of fluids due to my stomach bug and they caused a lot of swelling in my face, my feet, my ankles and really up to my thighs. My doctor was concerned and decided that they needed to see me for more blood work on Thursday and a follow up.

J's pediatrician let us know this morning that he has jaundice. We waited around for the bilirubin test results to see if they would let us take him home. They said if it was under 14 we could bring him with us, otherwise he would have to stay in the hospital. His bilirubin level was 14.3 but they decided he could go with us. We were told we should see the pediatrician on Wednesday for another jaundice test. We were elated that we would get to bring him home with us. We dressed J up in his cute going home outfit only to find that our little one was WAY to little for his outfit. He was not pleased with the whole process, but I have to share the pictures because they are too funny.

My outfit is a little bit big!! The collar is the size of my head!! The doctor's told Mom I was going to be a big boy. I decided to come early to show them!

Mom, I do not like lace. I do not like pink. I am a boy. Get over it.

Snug as a bug. Baby J went home in a NYC taxi cab. The pics are so funny, but that have A and I in them so I'll have to crop first. President Obama was giving his inaugural address on the ride home. Baby J and Mr. President both had a big day!