A Strong Support System

Our life since Brendan has been born has been joyful and amazing. We are loving being parents. I think one of the main reasons why we have been able to adjust so well is because of the large show of support we have been shown by family, friends, and neighbors. Everyone is more than willing to lend a helping hand. My friend Sue has set us up with a website called FoodTidings.com. It allows our friends to sign up to bring us dinner and visit for a short while. We have had a few meals so far and are very appreciative for people feeding us!

Thank you to everyone for your support- you know who you are! You have helped to make this experience so much more enjoyable and stress-free for Lou and I. Plus it is a nice to feel so loved and looked after! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Code yellow!

Mom and Dad are still getting used to Brendan going to the bathroom during a diaper change. He has sprayed his bedroom floors, walls, and changing table. The poor changing pad has taken a lot of abuse too. He even pooped right in the middle of his bath yesterday! Thank god I had back-up for that one!

On his second doctor visit, Brendan is starting to put some weight back on and checked out real good. His Dr. grew up very near Mel's hometown (Munster, IN) and Dr.'s mom taught at Coolidge elementary school in Lansing, where Mel went. Small world.

Brendan's life- week one

Baby Language

Never say never. A few days ago I said I wouldn't use the bathroom while nursing. Well, I've got good using one hand to nurse and one hand to do other tasks and I did it- more than once now! I surprised myself, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

While pregnant my friend Megan gave me a DVD to watch called Dunston's baby language. Lou and I watched it again and have been successful in listening to Brendan's cries to figure out what he needs. The idea is that babies use words to communicate. Neh means feed me, Eh means burp me, and Owh means help me to fall asleep. It is pretty empowering to be able to understand his needs.

Yesterday was his first doctor's appointment. He got a clean bill of health, however he was still losing weight and was 8 pounds, 2 ounces. We have to return tomorrow to follow up and see if he starts to regain his weight. Dr. Lichtsinn was so kind and helpful. My girlfriend Tina and my OB recommended her and I just really like her. She answered my whole list of questions and

gave us sound advise. She told me to slow myself down and rest more and reminded Lou to help me. She also told me to start to get him on a feeding schedule nursing every 2 to 3 hours. No more demand/cluster feeding for Brendan. She told me after a while there is no more milk and even though he is sucking nothing would be coming out. This was good info because I was letting him stay on for a half hour or more.

Although it is a lot of work- definitely a full time job- I absolutely love being a Mommy and Lou loves being a Daddy. Brendan seems to be a very mild mannered and calm baby. He cries pretty infrequently and eats and sleeps well. He likes to pee on his walls and carpeting while being changed and also likes to be held. He has christened his room once while Mommy changed him and twice while his Daddy has changed him. We are truly blessed to have him in our lives!

Fabulous First Father's Day

Today is Father's Day and we were able tocelebrate all of the Father's in our family- including our newest Dad- Louie. Fathers play a special and important role in the lives of their children, shaping, guiding, and supporting them in many different ways. Both Lou and I have been blessed to have outstanding male figures throughout our lives and I know Brendan is going to be one lucky boy to have such a wonderful father, grandfathers, and great grandfather.

This afternoon the most important people in Brendan's life gathered at our home to celebrate Dads and new life. Gram, Pop, Grand Aunt Patrice, Great Grandpa, Great Grandma, Grandpa, Grandma, Great Aunt Paula, Great Uncle Joe and of course his Mom and Dad all got together for a few hours. We passed him around and everyone got a turn to hold him. Brendan slept through all of the noise- approximately 6 hours without a peep- and woke up soon after everyone left.

We think he either likes the noise or has days and nights backwards. I think is most likely the ladder because he has feeding frenzy during the night.

Since we have been home my parents have been over each day to feed us and help out around the house. It is a comfort to know help

is not far. Lou and I have made an awesome team and we love being parents. Reese has adjusted too- he is no longer allowed to sleep with us on the bed and slept in the Arizona room with kitty last night. He is curious and smells Brendan and is awake next to me as I nurse Brendan at midnight right now.

If you are a Mom you probably already know this but you have to become an expert at doing things one handed. I have learned to eat, drink, type, text, do laundry, pick things up, and clean up cat puke one handed. The only thing I won't even try is to use the bathroom with him.

Sounds too dangerous- plus it takes me like 5 minutes to pee and clean up properly with the stitches down there.

Brendan is an awesome eater and nursing is going very well for us. We started just after the birth and I swear the skin to skin contact plus putting him to the breast immediately helped him to pick it up fast. He is thriving. When we left the hospital Saturday he had lost 5% of his body weight or about 5 ounces. This is normal for newborns and

you only have to worry if they lose 10% or more before starting to gain again. He will be weighed again Tuesday at his first doctor's appointment. My milk came in Sunday so he should be eating substantially more. We started cloth diapering and so far so good. The next adventure ahead is figuring out how to use the breast pump.

One last thing- thank you so kindly for all of the warm wishes we have received. Lou and I have a strong support system in place and it means a lot to both of us. Thanks for being so good to us! We are truly grateful for everyone's acts of kindness.

Brendan's birthday story

Brendan decided he was ready to come into the world around 4 am on Thursday, June 18th, 2009. He started his mom's contractions and within a few hours his mom and dad arrived at the hospital. His mom's contractions were painful and 2-3 minutes apart for over 2 hours when they learned that she was dialated to 5-6 cm at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn. Unfortunately for her, the hospital was extremely busy delivering babies and she could not get an epidural until she was 8-9 cm dialated later that morning. But when she did get one- wow was it ever amazing! The pain and discomfort of the strong contractions subsided and she was able to rest for a while.

Brendan's parents opted to wait for him to come into the birth canal on his own and for his mom to get to a full 10 cm before starting to push around 3 pm. Brendan's dad coached his mom while she pushed and pushed. They both burst into uncontrolled tears of joy as Dr. Hun

t caught him. Brendan Robert Camp was born at 4:35 pm on June 18th, 2009. He weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and was 21 inches long. The lighting in the room was dim and the mood was light and quiet for his birthday. Both mom and baby are happy and healthy. Brendan is a very healthy eater and was circumcised this morning.

He's on the way!

I'm a the hospital and finally got my epidural at 8-9 cm dialated. What a relief! He will be born soon. Went into labor at 4 am this morning. Check back for photos.

The waiting game

Still no baby yet today. He must be comfy and enjoying the womb. I would think he is ready to stretch out already, but he seems to be content right where he is for the time being!

I'm starting to get anxious. I've been walking and swimming a lot and over the last few days trying to see if I can give him a little encouragement. I've experienced false labor contractions that are random and come and go. For example, they were 5, 13, 10, 3, 3, 3, 11 min apart on the 14th. They are not happening at regular intervals yet. My mucus plug has come out over the last few days and I have had back and abdominal cramping. The leg cramps are the best. They shoot down your leg quick as lightening and are painful as hell but gone in a split second. I read that it is the baby moving down into the birth canal and pressing on nerves.

To keep busy I went shopping for a Father's Day gift for his daddy, cleaned the house, watched a movie, sunned by the pool, read, got my teeth cleaned, and am going to start his scrapbook this afternoon. I'm ready to lay eyes on him and hold him for the first time and hope his birthday is soon.

Pool time

I have had symptoms of early labor last night and today but haven't moved into active labor just yet. My low back is sore, I have increased pressure, and more contraction action. I am still in no rush but I am no longer abstaining from activities that 'could' induce labor. I'm doing what I want, when I want, because I want to! :) Reese and I took a long walk this morning and I'm about to go swimming and get a little sun. Then, it is nap time!

I am still amazed with how much my body has changed. I am huge! When I look at photos of myself it surprises me just how big I am. It doesn't look that big looking down at my belly. It's the side shots that capture it! I took a photo just before pool time at one day shy of 40 weeks. 

Two days till he's due!

We are still not in labor yet. I did indulge in a massage today but then came home and mopped all of the wood floors. It sort of cancelled out itself out, but I'm feeling relaxed still- especially with my clean floors. I love a clean house!! Does that mean I'm nesting or just business as usual? I also went crazy vacuuming the bedroom at 11 pm last night. I was under the bed and dressers getting all those dust bunnies and animal hair. I do have a plan for the animal hair though. I ordered this brush called the furminator that supposedly brushes the undercoat and works like a charm. Reese and Kitty are going to be brushed as soon as it comes in.

I felt quite a bit a pressure in my low abdomen last night. I don't know if Brendan was shaking his head or spinning or what the hell was going on but I was convinced he was going to try to make a break for it last night. That child was active! I slept with a towel under me just in case he did try to escape.  :)  

Count down to labor...

We are 3 cm dialated and 70% effaced. Dr. Hunt said she wouldn't be surprised if my water broke soon that his head is putting quite a bit of pressure on it. Lou is thrilled. I'm scared. Ready or not he's coming soon!

Belly Love

Belly love is in the air. Seems like the bigger I get the more people want to touch the belly. I don't mind one bit. I'm one of those people that want to touch pregnant lady's bellies too. Now that I'm getting huge there is plenty to go around!

Speaking of huge- here I am at 39 weeks ripe. :) We went to Costco today for some groceries and Lou couldn't believe how much my pace has slowed. I was also unable to get in and out of the truck until he backed out of the garage and parking spots. It sure is hard being so fat.

I think we are all set for Brendan. The nursery is ready, the house is clean, and errands are ran. I've been continuing to work with clients in real estate transactions and haven't slowed down too much. Although, I don't think Reese is going to keep taking me on his mile long walks anymore. I took him for a long walk on Friday and had contractions every 5 min for 45 min even after I came home and laid down. Also on Friday, Lou and I went on a date to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Via Delosantos. We ate spicy food and I had some painful contractions afterward. They didn't continue long.

So, as I was just typing the paragraph above I sneezed for the second time tonight and the same thing happened. I peed. Just a drop or two but seriously what am I doing Kegal exercises for!? Gotta laugh at what happens to your body. Speaking of peeing I still go all of the time and drink water like it is nobody's business. A couple hours ago I challenged Lou to a water drinking competition and he was too intimidated to take me on. Chicken! I also challenged him to walk around with a basketball under his shirt and try to maneuver as normal. No dice there either.

Finally, if you have a minute check out the baby pool for fun. Go to the web page below to play and guess baby's birthday, weight, and length.  http://www.expectnet.com/games/BrendanCamp

Even Reese wanted to get some belly love tonight. Brendan was moving around while Reese put his paws up on his mom's big belly. I sure will miss the belly love and baby movement once he's here!

Happy & Healthy at 38 weeks

I am feeling fabulous. Both baby and I are healthy according to our doctor's visit today. I gained one pound this week, last week they said 4 pounds! Total is 29 pounds now. Brendan's heartbeat was in the 140's and my belly measured 37 1/2 cm. Dr. Hunt is now out of the office until June 8. 

It seems like everyone is asking if I am miserable and ready  to be done being pregnant now. I'm really not. My feet, back, and pelvic region is sore, but that's about it. It's not as bad as people make it out to be or I'm just really lucky. I'm enjoying this pregnancy until the end! He will come when he is ready and I am in no rush. I am also not doing anything to purposely induce labor. I am just going about my normal business and enjoying life before baby. Sleeping in the last few mornings until 10:15 has been great and I've been able to make some time for me!

Lou and I had dinner at the table last night and he made a comment about how quiet our house was. We both took a minute to enjoy the silence; as we both know it will not be long before that changes. We also are both in agreement about our parenting style. We want to introduce Brendan into our lives and not automatically make him the center of it. We are the foundation of our family and our relationship needs to come first. It will help baby to be secure and independent in the long run. There is no such thing as spoiling our newborn, but we both realize once he gets older we will have to be sure not to spoil him (too much).