Henry :: the first six weeks

Henry is almost seven weeks old - time is flying by! It has been a non-stop, exhausting and rewarding past six weeks with our little man. Clearly I've been tied up because this is my first blog post - literally the first time I've actually had time to sit down and blog. I could probably dedicate ten blog posts to the past six weeks, but instead I'll condense it down to little points and blurbs - so you know what's been going on and so I can remember it later!

1. When we got home from the hospital we were just so refreshed and happy to have our baby home with us. And then he cried straight for six hours the first night. And then five hours the next night. We went a good four or five days of taking turns pacing through the house between the hours of 8pm-2pm and it was exhausting... and so sad! When we went to see our pediatrician, we learned Henry hadn't gained any weight and he probably had colic. Cue the freak out. Fortunately, we got these Gerber soothe drops (probiotic colic drops) that cut down the crying time to just 2 hours at night. Still bad, but not as bad!

2. Weight gain was a big probably with Henry. By three weeks we he hadn't gained weight still. So I had to start supplementing... yep, nursing, pumping and formula feeding. So, my feeding time with Henry went from about 20 minutes to 45 minutes to an hour. When I did this with the girls it was no big deal because all I had to worry about were the girls. This was very difficult to swallow because I felt overwhelmed with having to be away from the girls for an hour at a time and because I felt like I had been starving my baby! It's amazing that even with the third child how you can feel like a new mom or totally at a loss on parenting! Ha! I can laugh at it now, but in the moment it was very sad and scary... but thankful we came up with a plan to feed him more because he seemed to gain weight pretty quickly and his mood perked up significantly.

3. Reflux baby. Y'all. This is no joke. After five weeks of still crying, not being able to set him down at all (like I literally held him all day because he just cried) we went to the doctor for the fourth time. Henry was diagnosed with reflux - he really wasn't gaining that much weight still, can't lay flat, fussy in the evening, and makes a grunting noise all day... so we got medicine (Zantac, 3x per day and Maalox at night). Can we sing the hallelujah chorus?!? The first day we noticed a HUGE difference. He seems much more relaxed throughout the day and actually napped/could be set down... and at 8pm when he gets really upset, I gave him his Maalox and he took a deep breath and fell immediately asleep! And then he slept for nearly three hours! It was the first night in six weeks that Daniel and I had had a break and it felt amazing. To have all three kiddos asleep by 8pm was such a gift. And honestly, this past week he's been doing it every night.... and I feel close to my normal self again! I think I hadn't really blogged because 1) I didn't have time but 2) I just felt helpless and didn't want to blog about everything negative (when you have no sleep it's easy to just be negative constantly!). I have just prayed over Henry constantly about this weight gain/reflux issue and every day gets better and easier. And once I finally mentioned it on Facebook, it was so encouraging to know that Henry is not the only baby to ever have reflux - it's easy to think you are all alone in having a fussy baby. It was so nice to hear from friends that there is a light at the end of the tunnel! 

4. He is the most beautiful baby boy. Ever. Okay, I'm biased because I'm his mama, but really - blue eyes, blonde hair (maybe a tint of red?!), dimples... I can just stare at him all day. Even when he cries he's beautiful to me. I can't believe I am a boy mom now... and he is all boy! He looks like a boy to me, he toots all day (and they stink! ha!), he grunts, he is SO strong - can already hold his head up and can bare weight on his legs. He actually rolled over once on the couch, but I think that's because he was inclined on the couch. He also will scoot himself all the way up the crib. He is smiling (especially in the mornings) and is already cooing too. It is the sweetest thing ever! He locks his gaze with me and it's like he's holding onto every word I have to say. It's these moments that make those first few weeks of chaos fade away. He looks like a blend of the girls - his eyes and nose are ALL Emma. The dimples come from my side of the family... but there are moments I look at him and all I see is Daniel! I can't wait for him to chub up a little bit so we can really see who he looks like! 

5. Emma and Claire are OBSESSED. Seriously. I think I hear the phrase "hold Henry" like 23984723987 times a day. They kiss him, put his paci in, pat him and sing to him. They think he's like the best thing ever. I think Emma would carry him around all day if I allowed her to. We've had to talk about boundaries with Henry because sometimes they get a little too excited or think they can do more than they are allowed. Overall, the girls have adjusted to baby brother quite well and for that I am so extremely thankful! 

It's hard to believe he is almost two months old. We go to the doctor on the 19th and I will be anxious to see how he's grown. We are finally settling into a schedule (type A mama is very excited about that!) and Daniel and I don't feel quite like zombies anymore. I'm slowly starting to wean Henry from nursing and am getting out more and more each week with either just Henry or all three kids. I love this little guy so much and our family feels so much more complete with him here... it's amazing that I can't imagine our world without him. 

Thomas Henry Irving

It is with great joy and thanksgiving that we welcomed a healthy baby boy into the world on Monday, June 16th!! Thomas Henry Irving was born at 8:32am weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 19.25 inches long. We are so blessed to have Henry here - it already is hard to imagine our family without him.

 

Daniel and I got to the hospital at 6am on Monday morning. It was surreal driving to the hospital. I was definitely more anxious this time than I was with the girls. I think I was more anxious just because 1) I was about to have my third child and away from my first two and 2) I knew exactly what to expect with the c-section and hospital visit. Because of that awareness I worried more and definitely kept praying for God's peace to wash over me. I have to brag on Methodist Hospital at the Medical Center. Both this time and last, we were given exceptional care and attention. I'm obsessed with my OB and because I was the first delivery of the day, I got lots of chit-chat time in with her before surgery. All of the nurses were fabulous and I even had the same nursery nurse and OR nurse as I did with the girls - I think that was a total blessing because they remembered me and the girls and it provided a sense of calm as we talked about how big the girls were and what a blessing twins are. 

The actual surgery went really fast... well, it felt like it went more quickly than last time. Daniel was there beside me the whole time. I was scared at first because I could still wiggle my toes for awhile but eventually couldn't feel anything. I think the anesthesiologist probably got sick of me saying "I can still wiggle my toes!" - ha! They let Daniel know when they were about to take him out and so Daniel stood up and got the whole thing video taped on his phone. With big screams, Henry came into the world. What a miracle! Something that was a nice surprise this time is that I actually got to watch Henry get cleaned up in the OR and attended to the first five minutes of his life. Last time, they rushed the girls out of the OR, got them cleaned and then Daniel brought the girls to me fully clothed and swaddled. This time, I could see the nurse clean him, take care of him, see him get weighed and measured... it was so wonderful! All I could think was "he's so chunky!" and "look at his blonde hair" and "he looks like Claire, no he looks like Emma" - and of course, the constant trickle of tears that God has blessed us with another healthy baby. I got to hold Henry pretty quickly and kiss all over him. Daniel left with Henry and the nurse and as they walked down the hall he said the girls, his parents and my mom were there waiting outside of the nursery. The video of the girls seeing Henry for the first time is so, so sweet. 

The rest of the day was filled with lots of love. We had a slow flow of visitors come by throughout the day. It took me a little longer to recover this time - I got a little sick and I was trying to put on a brave face for the girls when I felt like total crap. The pain was also pretty unbearable at times - I'm very thankful for good pain killers! Fortunately, as soon as I was given the okay to get up, I did and walked to the chair and that's when I started to feel much better. If you ever need a c-section, get up as soon as they let you! It really helps the healing process. 

I think the best moment of the day was watching Emma and Claire hold Henry for the first time. They were both so attentive, gentle and sweet. They sang songs, Claire kept saying "He's so cute!" and Emma didn't want to let him go. All the prayers I had been praying for them welcoming their brother came to fruition in such a sweet, sweet way. 

Okay this blog is long enough - I'll write more later but I wanted to flush out those first few hours why they are still "fresh" in my mind... it's been quite the week with Henry - some sleepless nights but wow, God is so good and Henry is just absolutely perfect. He is the sweetest!!

coming home outfit - same as Daddy wore nearly 32 years ago!

nursery + baby bump

Henry will be here in just a few days! Hard to believe it and I am so thankful I made it! Also hard to believe I've decorated two nurseries now... and will have to do a third once we move again. I never took pics of the nursery at the old house, which is sad because it was really cute! We set this house up as best as we could and it will be perfect for the summer. I still haven't taken pictures of the room, but still took this snap shot of his changing table and hospital bag. 

The changing table was a hand-me-down from a friend that I painted with chalk paint (mixed french linen and duck egg blue, used clear and dark wax). The prints (which I adore!) are from the Animal Print Shop and were a baby gift from my dad and stepmom. The bag was a gift from a friend and is perfect because it matches bags the girls already have. I'll be sure to snap some pics of the rest of the room. The other picture is me at 38 weeks, 4 days. Daniel and I were going out to celebrate our 8th Anniversary and I think that was the first time in a long time I've been "dressed up" - ha! I'm definitely ALL belly and thinking Henry is going to weigh somewhere between 7-8 pounds!

watch me grow // bump pics

So the picture above is actually me at 35 weeks, 4 days with the girls - crazy to think I am past this point now and there are two babies in that tummy... and I'm laughing because I'm glowing and loving being pregnant in this picture. I had gained over 30 pounds by this point and it was the end of June - I cannot believe how easy that pregnancy was compared to this one. Everyone makes comments like, 'your so tiny this time' and 'this has probably been a breeze' - ha! Just goes to show that each pregnancy can be totally different! 

Now to Henry's bump pics - I didn't take as many as I did with the girls, but here we go. It's always fun to look back and see how you progressed! I can tell in the pics where I felt sick because my stomach looks smaller or hadn't really grown any. We are big now though and Henry is definitely over six pounds and I've gained 10 pounds. We are still in a waiting game as to when he will arrive. My fluid is still low, but I'm maintaining. Prayers we make it to the 16th of June appreciated!!

8 weeks (left) and 13 weeks (right)

15 weeks

21 weeks

25 weeks

33 weeks

35 weeks

final countdown!

Just some quick updates on Henry and me:

1. I am 35 weeks pregnant. I've gained 9 pounds as of my dr.'s appointment last week - so this week I'm probably at 10-11 pounds because my belly has gotten big.

2. Henry is head down. He weighs approximately 5 pounds, 4 ounces (as of last week) - which means he is already bigger than both Emma and Claire at birth! And it means I am all baby, which I'm thankful for - I wear maternity clothes, but can still wear a lot of my normal stuff, too.

3. Gestational Diabetes is still not my friend. I'm at the point where I could kill for an entire Memorial Bakery iced cookie, but I'm holding strong on my diet. My numbers were still too elevated for my OB (they are in the 130-140 range sometimes after lunch and dinner and need to be under 120). So, she will look at my chart on Monday when I go back and decide if I need to go on this pill that will help level everything out. Today I've been under 100 all day - me, the carb girl eating no carbs. Except for that delicious Chick-fil-A meal yesterday. Wink!

4. They might take Henry early. Yep. I was shocked, too. At my last appointment my OB told me my amniotic fluid was too low. Like really low... she didn't want to wave the red flag yet, but it was low enough for her to tell me I had ten days to rest and drink as much water as possible. When I go back on Monday, they will do another ultrasound and measure the amniotic fluid levels. If they are still too low, then I get to go on bed rest and they will take Henry at 37 weeks... which is May 29th. Cue the pregnant lady hormonal meltdown. This pregnancy has been hard and I've had a lot of issues but I wasn't expecting that. So, I've been resting as much as possible - going to bed at 8:30, not walking, limiting errands, etc... - and I've been drinking probably over 90 ounces of water a day. My prayer is I go on Monday and everything is normal - that I can maintain the type of rest I'm doing and continue to drink lots of water. I'm so fortunate that we received lots of gift cards and baby items over the weekend at my baby shower - Daniel and I have a list of things we still need (like, ahem, diapers) - Babies R Us here we come! If you could pray for us I would so appreciate it - pray that my fluid is back up and Henry can stay put until June 16th when I have my c-section scheduled.

5. The nursery is basically complete. I need baskets and bookshelves from Ikea. I was going to have custom pillows made but now I feel like scrapping that entirely. All of Henry's clothes are washed and put away or hung up. We need to install the carseat base and I guess if I'm having a baby in 15 days I should probably pack hospital bags. I need to buy a few more sleepers for H and nursing stuff (like clothing) for me.

Pictures of my belly and the nursery to come!

baby boy update

Hello blog world. No fun pictures today - just an update on Henry and me. I haven't posted this information on Facebook as everyone would be commenting and I feel like the blog I can just control readership (maybe, ha!) and have it documented for my sake. 

Not the end of the world, but I failed my three hour glucose test and have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I actually got the call the Thursday we arrived in Dallas and to say I was devastated is an understatement. In true Daniel Irving fashion, he played me a goofy diabetes YouTube video to "cheer" me up... it just made me more mad at the time. (I can have a good laugh about it now though!) After crying my eyes out and enjoying my time in Dallas, I picked up my blood sugar kit when we got back to Houston. Honestly, the first prick was the worst. I've gotten pretty used to pricking my finger four-five times a day! I have to keep a record of my blood sugar levels and bring them to my doctor for monitoring. 

I met with my dietician at the Weight Management Center at Methodist Hospital on Monday. I got the giggles as I went up the elevator and quickly said a prayer that I would stop laughing because I knew I'd be offensive to someone for laughing. I was laughing because never in my life would I think I'd have to go to that floor and I have only gained eight pounds so far this pregnancy... goes to show getting this diagnosis just happens for whatever reason - even to people who are very healthy! My doctor and my dietician said I'm an anomaly and the easiest gestational diabetes patient they've had. I do need to continue to eat like I do - 5-6 small meals a day - and count my carbs, specifically at lunch. If my blood sugar continues to rise and can't be controlled with diet, next step is this diabetes pill. If it still can't get under control then I move onto insulin injections. I'm praying diet and exercise will be enough! 

I get to see my doctor more often now and Henry will be monitored more closely, too. I have an ultrasound scheduled to see exactly how big he is measuring. My c-section is planned for June 16th but he might come earlier if he's getting too big or my blood sugar/health is of any concern. I have already been having contractions and have been prescribed medicine to keep that under control - that medicine makes me feel totally crappy (racing heart, shaky feeling) - but it does stop the contractions which I'm thankful for. I tell you what, this pregnancy has been one thing after another! However, Henry is good and healthy and that is such a blessing. I'll take feel terrible for a solid 7+ months. Please pray that my diet controls the diabetes, Henry continues to be healthy and my contractions don't progress into early labor. Thank you!

On a lighter note, Henry's room is coming together and I will post some pics of the progress soon. I love his room so much and really feel like we will spend lots of time in there together!

bumpin' it :: hello third trimester

25 weeks. Messy playroom in the back.

I hit my third trimester on Thursday this week. Pretty amazing to think that I only have three months to go - my c section is scheduled for June 16th. Cue the "ahhhh!" - I'm starting to get things done but really have so much more to do. 

Everything about this pregnancy has been different. Really. With the girls I loved being pregnant. My hair was amazing. My nails were strong. My skin glowed - like beautiful! I really had that pregnancy glow... This time, I wake up feeling and looking like death. Okay, that's a little dramatic, but this go around has been rough on my body. The first 15 weeks I was battling all day "morning" sickness and lost seven pounds. The second trimester I was able to eat again but I have never gotten over the "exhausted" feeling... something I'm thinking might not go away until Henry is 18 years old. Ha! I think last time I would come home from work and then take a two hour nap and be refreshed. This time I am chasing after busy three year olds and never get down-time. Plus, I'm four years older, so who knows how that has affected my body. My hair is fried. My nails are meh. My skin is gross. Just being honest people... It's easy to read blogs and feel like everything is perfect but really this time has been hard! I'll be ready to have my body back - the bloating, indigestion and all of that lovely stuff is totally overrated. 

All the bad stuff aside, I am feeling so blessed to be pregnant again. It's something Daniel and I didn't know if we'd be able to do again. So while I feel below par most days, I am grateful that I am as healthy as I am and Henry is just perfect... I've gained five pounds so far (well, I had to gain back those seven pounds I lost, so really I've gained twelve, but from my pre-pregnancy weight it's just five) and I'm measuring right on track. I'll have my glucose test done in the next week or so (had to miss the last appointment I made because of a horrible night of food poisoning... yay!) but my doctor doesn't seemed concerned about that at all. Surprisingly, I've starting to have some contractions here and there. I had them about this point with the girls and got medicine that helped. I've been prescribed medicine again but am trying to treat them with lots of water and rest. I really started to pop this month - I'm very much belly (and hips, back, butt...)! I really think I'll look just as big as I did with the twins once June rolls around.

All in all, things are good. I'm not on bed rest. I can still work. I'm progressing exactly how I should. I feel Henry constantly - that's either a sign that I am carrying a singleton or he is just going to be busy! Emma and Claire seem to get more and more excited the bigger my stomach grows and the more the nursery comes together. Thanks to everyone who have sent gifts, cards and prayed for our family. Thank you notes don't cover how much love and gratitude we feel each and every day!

And so it begins...

Baby mode is in full swing. I'm 20 1/2 weeks, have my anatomy scan on Wednesday (prayers appreciated) and we've slowly been working on the nursery. It's surreal to think I am halfway through this pregnancy. I feel Henry kick more and more frequently which makes the whole "oh-ya-I'm-pregnant" thought happen more often! Getting into planning mode makes me realize how much we have to do. We need to have a garage sale. Soon. We need to find a storage place for the queen bed. Like yesterday. But it also makes me realize how blessed we are and how loved Henry already is. We have gotten a few gifts in the mail, including this adorable Jon Jon from my friend Chelsey (I totally squealed when I opened the package). I've had two friends offer to co-host a shower. We've been handed down some precious little boy clothes and my cousin Erin gave us her old car seat and bases. God is good. Now if I can only find myself back in the gym, with glowing skin, thick hair and having a super-woman amount of energy. Oh ya, and a bridesmaid dress that fits. Those things would make me attempt a back flip out of joy. Not really. Well maybe. 

Claire's crib is set up and I love it so much... even with no crib sheet and stuffed with stuff as a holding chamber.

Henry's Nursery Inspiration

I am nowhere near ready to start decorating the nursery (the guest room is currently our garage sale and baby items collection center). However, I have been pinning away on Pinterest, gathering ideas for what I envision his room to be like. Our house is very neutral with just hints of color and I want to keep his nursery that way as well. I don't like kitschy-cheesy-cartoon stuff - I go for the a sweet baby look. 

I've been graciously gifted an iron daybed from my friend Callie, complete with beautiful bedding. The skirt is in a buff stripe fabric (pictured below) and the bedding is just white and cream. She ordered the fabric from Baby Bedding online, which is where I had Claire's crib skirt made. So, my plan is to just use Claire's crib and ivory crib skirt and get some fun print sheets (like the ones from Restoration Hardware). The daybed is a great jumping off point for the room and fortunately I have a lot of stuff already... but I will still need a few items: dresser, prints for the wall, rug, baskets, drapes, pillows made for the day bed and glider and a storage system for the closet (there isn't any space to hang stuff up). I love these nurseries below and love the items and details as well. 

This is the exact crib I have from Claire, except mine is a distressed white. I am totally ordering those baby animal prints! They are $25 each and my hope is to get a set of four. They are darling!!

Things I like about this room: No bumper (what I'm doing), baskets, neutral rug, window covering (I already have a jute shade hung, just need drapes).

This is the buff stripe fabric... it's showing up greenish on the computer screen,
but in person it really is a khaki and cream stripe. Very pretty!!

I'd love to find a dresser for cheap and paint it dark like this.
It would really add a pop of color - this is painted a dark chalk paint green color.

Here's another shot of the nursery from the first picture. I am drooling over that armoire. I actually have a changing table that was given to me so if I found an armoire like that I might use both the armoire and changing table in the room... I Just might not have the space to fit everything in the guest room!

Ikea trunk for storage

RH Baby and Child crib sheets in neutral... I have a few plain ivory ones left from the girls as well,
but I love the prints on these! All images from my Pinterest page!

Baby #3 is a BOY!

image via pinterest

We are shocked, thrilled and blessed to be welcoming a boy into our family. I was so convinced it was a girl, it's hard to believe I get to raise a son. Amazing! God is soooo good. Daniel and I laughed, cried and hugged when we saw his picture on the ultrasound screen. Daniel is very close to his dad and I know he's really looking forward to having a close relationship to our baby boy. 

Emma and Claire were pretty keen on a girl, but they are very excited about a brother. I think knowing what it is has made it more real for them (and us!). Claire just realized we now can all be the royal family from Sophia the First - ha! She said she can be Sophie, Daniel - King Rowland, Me - Queen Miranda, Emma - Amber and brother - James. Ha! Whatever gets her excited about having a boy. Emma has been hugging and kissing my belly nonstop. I think she wants him to be here today but I told her we have to wait until June (which seems like forever away). 

As for the name, we've decided on Thomas Henry Irving. We will call him Henry. Henry will be the fourth Thomas on Daniel's side of the family and Henry is a family name on my Dad's side. My grandfather, who I never met, was William Henry and Daniel's grandfather (Tom's dad), who Daniel never met, was Thomas. It's special knowing our son will carry on their names. Plus, Thomas is Biblical and Henry means "ruler of the home" which we think will be quite fitting! I'm thankful for such a healthy baby and can't wait to hold Henry in my arms in about 22 weeks!

Boy or Girl?

Daniel and I head to the doctor on Wednesday at 12pm for my 17 week check up... amazing to think I'm almost halfway through this pregnancy. This is just a routine check up but we hopefully will get to find out the sex of the baby! I cannot wait. I have lots of friends who wait to find out if it's a boy or girl, but I think knowing makes it more real for me. I like to start praying for my baby by name and plus, I need to know if I need to keep or sell/give away all of the girls stuff! My sisters, cousin and mom are convinced it's a boy... and lots of friends keep saying boy. I think it's another girl, but I think I say that because it's all I know. Honestly, Daniel and I feel totally fine either way - it will be so fun and easy to have a third girl (easy meaning we have everything) and if it's a boy we will feel so blessed we get a son and get to experience that! We have our boy name picked out... girl name goes back and forth... we haven't really talked about it because what's the point of going back and forth when you don't even know what it is? 

I have been doing a lot of shopping for girls recently since my sister is having a little girl and the clothes are so cute - especially from Mini Boden (pictured above and below)! But, I searched a little in the boy department and boy clothes can be really cute, too. If it's a boy, then he will probably be wearing a lot of one pieces... they're just too adorable! And because I'm on the subject of clothes... the stuff for Emma and Claire is soooo cute (insert Daniel eye-rolling). I love this picture below because it actually looks like the girls and I may have to get those two dresses... we have a beach trip planned and those would be so cute!! Can I get that polka dot dress in my size??