almost 2 weeks as a mom...

I've been a mom now for almost 2 weeks but it feels like I've had Luke forever. It's such an amazing feeling to be a parent. Being a mom is something I've always wanted, I just didn't know when I was ready. Even throughout my pregnancy I had a hard time understanding what was about to happen. Then it just does.

I just stare at him and tell him how much I love him all day long. Dave has been an amazing dad as well. For not having any experience with kids, he really has jumped right in and figured things out. I'm so proud of him. My mom has been here (and will be until he is almost a month) and the extra set of hands have been extremely helpful, especially on nights where Dave has work in the morning.

We've been really busy and out everyday. We don't take him anywhere too crowded or anywhere that people will touch him (or really even look at him) but it's nice to get out of the house. I usually just drape a light muslin receiving blanket over the carseat. He's great in the car and doesn't mind noises. I think he's going to adapt well to our busy lifestyle.

Breastfeeding is exhausting but going well. Because of my (two) reductions, I was very nervous about breastfeeding and my supply. It seems like I have enough supply for now so we are breastfeeding away. I've been meeting regularly with my lactation consultant, Doris (I love her), and that has been very helpful. I feel like all I do is feed him though. That's kind of an annoying feeling to feel like I can't hold my baby without feeding him. He eats about every 2 hours for half an hour so it gives me about an hour break (once I hold him and make sure he is asleep). Caitlin and I also went to the local La Leche League meeting on Thursday and those ladies were nice but they were pretty gung-ho breastfeeders (breastfeed until toddlers, etc). They were open to other ways though which was a relief. I'll probably go again in a few weeks, they have meetings the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.

I am very happy with cloth diapering so far, we were able to start on Day 3 which was sooner than I had expected. Luke was finished with his meconium, tar-like poops pretty early on which was appreciated. I plan to write another post on cloth diapering soon.

Sleep- Luke sleeps a lot and has been sleeping for about a 4 hour stretch at night. I'm extremely pleased with that since with breastfeeding I can't go much beyond 4 hours anyways. He also sleeps most of the day, but now I'm trying to feed him every 2.5 hours during the day.

Basically, I am loving being a mom and if I don't get a job next school year and have to stay home with Luke- I won't be devastated. I love this kid so damn much!

365 Day Photo Project

I created a photobucket site to keep everyone updated on Luke!
Keep up with Luke by following the link in the tab on the top of the page!

Luke's Birth Story

I had so much pain from the SPD during pregnancy that I was expecting childbirth to be the worst.  It really wasn't bad at all.
My last midwife appointment was Monday and I was about 2cm, 70% effaced, -1 station. I had a lot of contractions on Monday and by the time I checked in on Tuesday I was 3cm. I was either 41 weeks 3 days (by LMP) or 41 weeks exactly (by first ultrasound).
I checked in at 930am for my induction, but they didn't even get my IV going until 11:30. The first half of my labor story is really just that my back pain was acting up and not letting me move through contractions- basically the contractions were sending the worst pains in my life through my body and I couldn't move. By 2:30, my contractions started getting really strong. My water broke on it's own around 3pm and then the contractions continued to get worse. I used all the birthing tools my hospital provides- the rocking chair, birthing ball, bed, walking, jacuzzi tub, etc. I was in the tub from 3ish-4ish then I got the epidural around 4:30 (I was at 5cm, 90% then). From 4:30-9:30 we just hung out because I couldn't get out of bed after the epidural. I was watching American Idol, playing on the internet, and hanging out. Dave and my mom were also just hanging out with me, it was actually kind of a boring stretch. Eventually, I had my mom put my makeup on and I felt ready to go :)
At 9:30 they decided to check me again and I was 9cm and 100% effaced! I was very surprised because the epidural was amazing and I couldn't really feel all that progress that I made. I honestly don't know why or how people do not get epidurals.
It was time to start pushing. I pushed for 2 hours and at about 11:45 the midwife said, "Do you really want this baby to be born on the 17th?" I said, yes, is that possible? She replied with "if you really start pushing then yes it is." I was determined. At 11:55 of I looked up and saw the time and was like oh crap, he's going to be born tomorrow and started to cry (I do not know why i let this drive me but hey any motivation works) and I could tell we were really close. (I had a mirror during the entire birth and it was the most incredible thing)
At 11:59 on April 17, 2012, Lucas Suter Goldstein was born and Dave announced "it's a boy!, he's a boy, we have a son!". His cord was wrapped around his neck twice but He cried immediately. They had to suction his lungs because he might have swallowed some meconium (they knew this at 3pm when my water broke). At birth he was 7 lbs 9 ounces, 21 1/4 inches. He is perfect. I love him so much and am so happy.

We did it! We have a son!

Babelet's a .......

One of the best things about my pregnancy was not finding out the sex of Babelet. It was hilarious how much it drove other people crazy when they found out we didn't want to know.
There were only a few times when I was annoyed because gender neutral clothes suck and it would've been so much easier to know whether we were having a girl or boy.

At 11:59pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 I finally gave birth to my baby. Dave announced "It's a boy, he's a boy, we have a son!" What an amazing way to learn about my new son Luke.

 Luke's first picture with his mommy and daddy!

Seconds old...

Luke getting cleaned up! Minutes old...

Induction Day!

The big day we've been waiting for is here! 

I made it to my induction date!

We scheduled the induction for 9:30am. Dave and I got up early and went out for breakfast to celebrate our last meal as DINKs. Then we headed over to the hospital to have our baby! I was surprisingly calm and not nervous, just so excited. Babelet's on the way...

To be continued...

what overdue looks like...

Due Date:40 weeks!

40 weeks 1 day!


40 weeks 2 days!


40 weeks 3 days!

40 weeks 4 days!


40 weeks 5 days!


40 weeks 6 days!


41 weeks!


41 weeks 1 day!

41 weeks 2 days!

Induction Day: 41 weeks 3 days!

41 weeks! WHOA

Whoa, I didn't expect to be writing a 41 week post, that's for sure. At 37 weeks when I had my first episode with contractions I could time... I was thinking that was going to be it.
Now, here I sit and wait as patiently as a type A person can wait.

It's been a strange week around here. Part of me is perfectly content waiting until Tuesday. The planner in me likes that I have a scheduled spot, know which midwife is on call (Jodi- one of my favorites), can plan the rest of the days to be as great as possible, and likes that it's my favorite number (17). The uncomfortable part of me doesn't know how I'm going to make it 3 more days when I am not sleeping well, it hurts to walk, hurts to sit, my belly pulls on muscles when I lay on my side(s), etc. I'm not really sure what to do with my time when I can't really do anything.

I'd actually be ok with tomorrow or Monday as well. Going into labor on my own is preferable because I would like to limit medical interventions (except for the epidural- I'm all about that), Dave would get more days home with me and the baby and everyone is here and ready. My mom and dad actually left for the night to celebrate my mom's birthday (at the hot springs- lucky them) but can be back within an hour if I go into labor. Dave and I would also get to spend today together- it's our date day (I guess technically we could have one Monday as well if I hold out until Tuesday). We're on our way to the farmer's market soon, then I'll rest, then we're going to go for my favorite dessert and possibly to a minor league hockey game tonight (free tickets from his work).

So Babelet, come on out tomorrow! We're ready for you kid!

PS I can not wait to see Dave as a dad, he's getting so excited and I know he will be a great dad! It's so cute listening to him tell me how he can't wait to hold our babelet. I love him so much!

Induction Date!

Yesterday we scheduled our induction date for Tuesday, April 17th. I'm really excited to have an end date. Something has happened the last week of my pregnancy- I no longer feel like I'm going into labor any second and I am actually ok with still being pregnant. A few weeks ago, this was not the case.
I have been suffering from such pain since 30 weeks that it really made my pregnancy miserable. At 39 weeks they talked me into pain killers because the pain and lack of sleep could stress the baby and make my delivery harder. I do not like taking medications while pregnant but knowing it would only be 2 weeks max I said ok. These pills have changed my pregnancy. I can now sleep, sit, stand, walk... go figure!
So now that I can actually live my life while I'm waiting for labor to start I'm enjoying my time with Dave and my mom. It is really odd to be so "ok" with this decision and not to be impatient anymore. It also has been sunny the last few days which doesn't hurt!

due date thoughts and personalities!

I've had numerous moms tell me that their overdue babies are still not in a rush and that it really shows in personality...
HMMMM interesting. Since so many people were born with a scheduled induction or scheduled c-section, it's hard to collect good data on this but so far it is connecting.

Dave was overdue and he's still mellow. Always busy but never in a rush.
My dad- the most impatient person I know- was 2 weeks early.
I was 1 week early and still am always rushing and in a hurry and impatient.
My mom was late and she's still wandering around

I hope Babelet is serious but easygoing like dave... I'm not sure I'm willing to share with a pushy kid!

Interesting- if you were a spontaneous labor- does it match your personality?

40 weeks and beyond!

So I made it to my due date and beyond!

I'm a few days behind in my blogging so I'm actually 40 weeks + 2 days today so I know that I've made it past my due date a few days. It's been rough mentally but physically I actually feel better than I did a few weeks ago- it's kind of weird. I'm hoping to schedule an induction at my appointment today so I have an "end date" even if it's far away.

Saturday was my due date and it was actually mom's birthday as well. I was really hoping to give her a baby for her birthday :) no such luck. Instead, we went out to breakfast, then to the Portland State Farmer's Market (one of my favorite things to do in the Spring), saw a performance of Wicked (so good), then had dinner at Ringside Fish House (delicious). It was a great day, a birthday I'd be proud to have.

We've been walking everyday trying to get the baby into position, it hurts but at this point I know I need to keep it up. I also ended up in L&D Friday night because I had contractions all afternoon with lots of baby movement and then around 2pm the contractions and the baby just stopped moving. So, I called about decreased movement and they said I had to go in for the NST (Non Stress Test). We sat in L&D for a few hours and got monitored but everything looked good so they sent me home. The hospital was super full so they pointed out that if I didn't have to deliver it was not a good time (full moon=no beds).

Easter was nice and relaxing. Mom and I went to the coffee shop (Ken's Artisan Bakery) while Dave went to church and then I came home and took a long nap. We were able to sit out on the back deck for awhile (it was a gorgeous day) for the first time this spring. We ate an early Easter dinner then Dave and I did a loop around the neighborhood and watched a movie. It was a nice day overall.

The in-laws supposedly arrived in Seattle last night but I haven't heard from them yet. The plan is for them to stay up there sight-seeing until Babelet arrives then they will only be 3 hours away. Hopefully they can stay entertained for awhile since I don't feel like the baby is coming anytime soon.

It's Dave's "weekend" on Sun-Mon-Tues so I'm looking forward to spending the time with him the next few days. Hopefully this amazing weather keeps up so we can be outside.

Stats from 40w2d:
total weight gain: 9.6
bellybutton measurement: 42.5 inches
fundal height:
crankiness factor (1 being not at all, 10 being most possible): 6.5
impatience (1 being not at all, 10 being most possible): 8.75

39+ weeks

So today I'm 39.5 weeks... I know I'm not technically due yet but my body feels like it is overdone. I've never been a patient person but this waiting game is killing me.

I've been walking a lot more and my midwife said the contractions I've been having are helping because I am making some progress. That's good news at least the baby wants to get out eventually. I'd really love to have the baby before Sunday so we can have some time before our family all gets here but who knows at this point.

My body hurts all over and I'm really tired. I'm finally eating more (not a ton but a little more) and I'm just resting a lot. Hormonal tears are annoying and I get lonely very easily (like even when dave is just at work).

I'm so glad my mom is here, she is doing so much and it's nice to have someone to hang out with. She's also good at keeping herself busy so I don't have to worry about her.