Bathtime Fun

Here is me and Joe's first attempt at giving Owen a bath. It was really fun and he was sooooo good for us! Check it out...

So many fun things!

Owen is doing so great! He is eating well and eating more and more-on the 4 hour stretch sleep times he can almost eat 4 ounces! I think that's exactly where he should be...the doctor said he can eat up to 4 ounces in a 4 hour period, so YAY Owen! Through out the day he averages about 3 ounces. His circumsion ring fell off on Wednesday, right before Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie left. In fact they were the ones who witnessed it and took pictures because I was laid up and sleeping =( But TODAY....while I was changing a poopie diaper his belly button nastiness fell off! I ran and got the camera and will share those pics (the others i will not because that's just mean) So, here's my boy...making bog boy steps! Oh yeah he totally smiled twice at my mom and NO it was not gas!!! Wasn't able to get that with the camera either, but clearly smiled at her.




As for me I am feeling some what better. I got onto a new medicine that has helped so much more. I still feel a bit sluggish, but still am going to take it easy and rest. more updates and pics soon to come!

OOOOUUUUCCCCCHHHHH!!!

These last 2 weeks have been really hard on me. Not only the issues of trying to breast feed Owen and not succeeding, but now I have mastitis! It is basically the flu in you breast, and I think it feels much worse then the flu. I am in so much stinkin' pain. I have been running really high fevers, and having to be on pain meds and antibiotics again. The doctor has put me on strict bed rest orders and has told me to let all my family and Joe take care of Owen. I can have him in bed with me, but I cannot do and diaper changes, laundry, or anything really. So there you have it, I am just a mess! I had such a wonderful simple pregnancy, but the recovery has been so hard! I will say it again...I am so very thankful for my family being here. They have all pitched in and are simply wonderful. I have been on antibiotics for almost 24 hours now, and am starting to feel a little better. The doctor warned me that this will happen and it can trick you into feeling better, and then you will want start doing normal stuff and then the mastitis can rear it's ugly head again. So, I am now in bed and trying to rest as best as I can.

Having fun with the fam!

Just wanted to let you all know how much fun we are having with my family being in town. Everyone has been such wonderful help. My sister, Kim, has become known as the "master burper". My brother, Mike, is great at helping running the stairs and getting things from the nursery that I forget to bring downstairs (I have no brain anymore!) he has also been great at helping with Charlie (poor puppy has been a bit neglected) Mom, is just plain super woman-cleaning, cooking, laundry, and diapers. My dad has been helping Joe with projects around the house, running errands, and doing the dishes! All have been wonderful at changing diapers and helping out with feedings. They also are great coziers with Owen, and he LOVES them all! It has been great having so much help! We haven't done much of anything...HELLO I just had a kid! So we have just been hanging out at the house eating, sleeping, eating, watching movies, eating, changing diapers, eating, feeding Owen and did I mention eating? We have made a few trips to Target with Owen as well as Ikea and Costco, but other then that we have been hanging out at the house. As most know my mom is a WONDERFUL cook and she has made some tasty meals. Our church has been excellent at bringing yummy meals to us and giving my mom a break from cooking and we have appreciated it so much!

Here are some fun pictures showing Owen bonding with his Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle and Auntie!

Owen and Grandpa having some good cozy time.

Uncle Mike feeding OTB one of his first bottles.

Grandma loves Theo.

Mommy, Auntie and Baby O.

Breastfeeding, pumping, penis'...Oh my!

Let me tell ya, this week has been CRAZY! Let me walk you through my shoes for the past 5 days or so.

Monday we took Owen to his 3 day routine check up at his pediatrician's office and found out our little boy had lost quite a bit of weight since we had brought him home. When he was born he weighed 7 lbs 4 oz,when he was discharged from the hospital he weighed 6 lbs 15 oz. On Monday at the doctor's he weighed 6 lbs 6oz. The doctor was concerned and referred us to a lactation consultant. They sent us home with instructions to feed Owen every 2-3 hours (which I was doing but only on the breast-which apparently wasn't getting the job done) So, the next morning we went and got a pump so I could help him along since every time I tried to breast feed it was a huge struggle. He would scream most of his feedings and I would be crying as well. If that wasn't enough we changed two diapers that had blood in both from his circumcision sight. So we called the doctor and they wanted to see him again. When they weighed him at that appointment he had lost 2 more ounces of weight. My poor baby was getting so small and now his little "pee-pee" was bleeding. I was a very sad and emotionally drained mommy. The doctor was awesome and counseled me and gave me permission to use a bottle and pump, and to use formula too if needed. She also checked his boy parts and said it looked fine and there was nothing to worry about there. So, with heavy hearts Joe and I left the office and geared up for pumping and prepared for our appointment with the lactation specialist the next day. That appointment went great and we learned Owen gained two more ounces in just a day eating from me pumping. Things were looking up for my boy and I was starting to feel more at peace. I am now happy to report Owen had his weight check appointment with the pediatrician this morning and after pumping and supplementing with formula he weighed in at 7 lbs 4 oz!!! Joe and I wanted to just dance in the office because we were so full of joy.

So as you can tell this week has been insane ( and this is the short version!). We feel positive that God is taking care of Owen and that he will be just fine. Please say a little prayer for our boy that his weight will just keep going up and that he will continue to stay healthy.

Just some fun pictures

The most wonderful day of my life...

I am back tracking a little bit, but want to have record of some of my memories of when Owen was born. Plus, I wanted to share with some who have not heard how it all went down.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13th Joe and I picked up my mom from the airport around 6pm. We all went to eat at a yummy place called Atlanta Bread Company. I ate the most yummiest panani, knowing it would be my "last supper" for awhile and I enjoyed every bite! After dinner we stopped by the house and dropped some of mom's luggage off, and let Charlie out to do his business. Then we were off! We arrived at the hospital at 9pm and I did all the check in procedures and paper work. They showed us to my "suite"(which by the way was truly beautiful!) and the nurses got me started on the cervidil medicine-a medicine that is inserted into me to soften my cervix. Sorry, if that's TMI...I was then told to sleep and let the medicine do it's job for the next 6 hours. Yeah right!!! How was I supposed to sleep knowing all that was going to be happening in the next 24 hours? I tried, but I ended needing some meds to help me get some rest. Mom went home, as there was only one chair/bed available, and Joe and I slept at the hospital and prepared for our little boy to be born.

Thursday morning at 7AM the nurses started me on the lovely pitocin. My contractions came on about and hour and a half, maybe two hours after the pitocin was given to me. At around 11AM the nurses checked me and I was now dilated to almost 4 centimeters! I was so happy to hear that, I was so afraid they were going to tell me that I was only at 2, or something less then that. By then my contractions were getting stronger and as soon as I heard the progress I made I asked for my epidural. Plus the nurses said the baby's head was so very low and it lead me to believe I was going to progress faster then slower and I was afraid I was going to miss the window to get an epidural. Shortly after I was checked and was told I was at 4 cm my water broke on it's own. I then got my epidural...oh, heaven that's all I can say about epidurals! At 4:30 the nurses checked me again and I was now dialated to 8 centimeters. Then by 5:00 I was at 9 1/2 centimeters. The doctors and nurses had me start a practice push session and they told me I was an excellent pusher. At 5:30 I was at 10 and the real pushing started. I did great!! The hardest part was I still congested and the breaths in between pushes were hard. I had a great doctor and nurse coaching me along on how to properly push and great coaches (Joe and my mom) giving me wonderful support. At 6:10 pm the most beautiful, sweetest boy was layed on my chest and it was love at first sight.

Owen Theophilus Braun is here!!!

OK, world....I'm back! I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on Thursday, February 14th at 6:10pm. He weighed in at 7 pounds and 4 ounces, and was 20 1/2 inches long. He is perfection!

Joe and I named him Owen Theophilus. (Here is a little about the background of his middle name) Theophilus \the(o)-phi-lus\ is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "loved by God". Joe and I were in church one Sunday morning and we had just started a sermon series from the book of Luke and we learned that Luke is writing to his friend Theophilus about his account of Jesus. After learning the meaning of Theophilus' name Joe and I looked at each other and we just knew that was our little boy's middle name. As far as Owen goes...we just liked it, and it suits him perfectly!

We are all doing great and are so in love with our baby boy. He is a good baby-never cries and is soooooo very alert. Daddy is so good with him and just adores him. Grandma, is so helpful and honestly I don't know how I would be doing this with out her. And me, well I just can't take my eyes off him! OK, I must go now Owen is waking up =) More about Owen, birth, and what not soon.

It's time!

Today is the big day! Well, kind of...we do go in to the hospital at 9pm to start the induction process so we can welcome our little sweet boy! Tomorrow morning is when the doctor will start me on the lovely pitocin. My hopes are that this little guy will be here in our arms sometime tomorrow evening-by the latest! But who knows...I never have done this before and have no idea what the boy and my body will do. We shall see.

There are so many emotions going through my head right now. I'm excited, anxious, a little bit nervous (not to bad though) and most of all overwhelmed with a sweet feeling of love. I feel so fortunate that God has blessed Joe and I with the ability to have a child. A child who thus far has been healthy and FULL of personality. I have been really thinking about how lucky I have been to have Joe all to myself for almost 4 years. I am glad we took the time to really get to know one another as a married couple before rushing into having kids. In fact the other day I found myself being all emotional over how things are going to change so much for us. I swear I'm not the worst person in the world...I am so excited to be having this baby, but there was a part of me who had to "grieve" (if that's the right word?) what will change for us. So like I said lots of emotions going on in this head of mine! All good ones though.

Oh, by the way...I feel so much better! I am still coughing up a lung, but I feel a whole lot better then what I have been. So by tomorrow I am thinking I will feel even better. God is so good!!!

That's right I'm sick =(

So, Joe came down with most nastiest cold EVER about a week and half ago. We did everything we could to get him better and for me not to catch it. Well, I'm not sure if it's the same thing as he had but I am not well. I started off with this little annoying cough Friday night, and by Saturday morning it was full blown in my chest and disgusting. Oh, and not to mention (you ladies will appreciate this) the peeing in the pants! Yeah, that's a fun treat! Later that day I was soooooo achy all over and as if I had been hit by a truck and then the fever and chills started. Good news is that I woke up this morning and the achy feeling is gone and the cough congestion is mostly gone, but I am still feeling yucky! My prayer is that this baby stays in the tummy long enough for me to get somewhat better, if not all the way better, so I have the energy and strength for the delivery. Plus who needs a newborn to catch this grossness?

My heart is a happy one!

I found out the most wonderful news last night! With me being scheduled to be induced next Wednesday my mom was able to change flight arrangements and is coming to be with us one week earlier then planned and stay a total of 2 weeks!!! This was a huge concern and sad spot in my heart through the whole pregnancy. In the beginning I stressed and stressed about how I was going to get her and the rest of the family here for the baby's birth. We all just came to the conclusion that with us being here on the East coast and them on West, it was just near to impossible. That is unless a C-section was discussed, and that has never been the case. We knew my doctor wouldn't let me go 2 weeks past my due date so my dad, mom, brother and sister scheduled flights for about 1 1/2 weeks from the due date. That just seemed like the most logical thing to do, that way no vacation would be lost in hopes of the baby coming if they all came earlier. It was really important to me that they all had good quality time with this sweet boy. So Joe and just bucked up and prepared ourselves that it was just going to be him and I in the delivery room and probably here with a new baby for a week with no the help and support from my mama. Well, like I said when I told her about the induction all I had to do is ask if there was anyway she could adjust her flight arrangements, and by that evening it was done!!! YAY! There was no stopping that Grandma.

I must say this though...I'm not so happy because I didn't think Joe and I couldn't handle this. We have learned through our many "adventures" of our almost 4 year marriage that we can do ANYTHING together. I feel very confident in that. I got a good man! A man who surprises me as each day goes by about how excited he is about his little boy. A man who tells me 100 times a day how much he loves me and this baby and is so ready to meet his son. A man who has done a very good job, knowing how sad my heart was that my family (especially my mom) was probably not going to make it here for the arrival of our son, has made me feel he would be my rock and take very good care of me. It's just icing on the cake that my mom is actually going to be here...unless this little guy decides he IS going to come before the induction date. Now that would be just great huh! =)

Baby Update

Tomorrow is my due date. I have prepared my brain that, that day will most likley come and go and no baby to show for it (knowing that a lot of first time mommy's are late delivering). I've kinda told myself if he does come on or around my due date it would just be a pleasant surprise. On another note I had my weekly appointment today. All is well, the baby is doing good and has such a strong heartbeat and I love hearing it on the doppler. I'm 1 centimeter dilated and half way effaced. Most importantly we found out that if the baby doesn't come naturally on his own the doctor has scheduled an induction for February 13th at 9pm. Which means he will be born on Valentines Day. Don't know how I feel about him having a Valentines Day birthday...all I know is I just want him out. I want to hold him, kiss him, and just discover who this little boy is on the outside of my body! My prayer is that we can just do this naturally, but at least I know that there is a date to look forward to. Hopefully next time I write I will be writing about meeting my boy!

Soooooo Sleepy

I think I have done pretty well through this adventure of being pregnant. I have really had not many things to complain about. I have felt sooooo awesome, and I have told Joe that if this what pregnancy is like for me then lets have a million kiddos. Well, I would like to report that the last month has really not been as fun. I miss being able to tie my shoes, I miss going upstairs and not being out of breath because of the extra weight I am carrying, most of all I miss MY sleep!!!! My goodness I am so sleepy. I'm having a hard time falling asleep, and then an even harder time staying asleep. Between having to pee almost every hour and the heartburn that has magically come in the last week. Sleep has been a memory. It's been a real treat! If you really know me, you know that I cherish my sleep. I have been a fan of sleepy time since I was a baby. I remember my mom telling me stories of when I was first born and her calling the doctor worried because her new baby girl slept all the time, and the the doctor having to reassure her and advising her to just let me sleep. I know that when this little boy is born the sleep will still not be happening...I am not that naive. But I can at least see how it will be for good reason. He will be hungry, or need his pants changed, he's a little guy that will need his mommy sometimes. But really what's the deal with this right now??? Everyone is telling me this is God's way of preparing me for what's to come. I must say that's just mean. Pray for good night zzzzz's for me tonight. OK, I feel better sorry for my vent fest!

A funky time....

Last week our church did a fun thing. We had a 70's Skate Night at Sparkles! OK, most reading this post are probably like what the heck is Sparkles?? I just had to include that part because that's the name of the skating rink and I just think it's really funny...Sparkles. we used to live a by one (it's a franchise type thing) when we first moved to Atlanta and Joe and our friend Jeremy would swear it was a strip club. So every time I thought our church was going to have this event at Sparkles i just laughed. I know I'm silly! Moving on...my small group and I were truly excited about this night. We had many emails going back and forth to each other deciding what we were all going to dress up as, because you know whoever had the best costume won a prize!!! So, we decided we were going to be "rough and tough" Roller Derby Girls! Oh how we had fun coming up with our team name and then our nick names. We decided we were going to be called The Holy Rollers and my 70's inspired nick name was Foxy Mama! We wore baseball shirts, long striped tube socks and my favorite...SWEAT BANDS!! We didn't win =( sad huh? Joe and his friends won...lame! They dressed as the Scooby Doo Gang, and they all actually looked great and I must say Joe was the cutest Fred I have ever seen. He cracked me up, he had this crazy blond wig on and you could see his own dark hair under it! All and all it was a REALLY fun night and I am so proud at 9 months pregnant I decided to participate...don't worry ya'll I didn't skate (i sported my low top black converse with my outfit)