4.26.2013

Henry Thomas Barker 4.25.13

Henry Thomas Barker was born at 3:35am on April 25, 2013 (his due date)!
Birth Story:
I was woken up with my first contraction at 1:18am. I had been getting Braxton Hicks so I wanted to feel one more intense one before I started timing. Once I felt the next contraction, I grabbed my phone with my contraction counting app, and started timing. They were an avg of 6-7 minutes apart. I waited though, to wake up Julian, just because I wanted to be sure. So at 2am, I wake him up and tell him I'm having contractions. I call my mom at 2:18 am (I know I am being really specific but I like details) and tell her I think it's time so leave to come here. I even mentioned to Julian that if its false labor it would be no biggie. I call my doctor and she tells me to come to the hospital when I am ready. By 2:30 the contractions were BAD. Julian packed the car and since I was being so loud moaning through contractions, I went to wait in the car for my parents to get there. I didn't want to wake Eloise! At 2:55 the contractions were so bad I texted my mom to see how much longer they would be. She said 10 minutes. Julian insisted we leave because he could tell the contractions were really close. We left for the hospital at 3:02 and ran every red light. I walked into the emergency room while Julian parked. I started having a contraction and told the security guard I needed to push. He didn't believe me but I told him it wasn't my first. Nurses came running down, they put me in a wheel chair and got me in a room. They checked me and I was fully dilated and ready to push. But, my doctor wasn't there yet, so they wanted me to wait. It was very intense, the need to push was overwhelming. Finally my doctor arrived, she checked me, my water broke, and three pushes later Henry was born! Julian didn't even have time to get the camera, so all we have are iPhone pics of his first minutes. Thank goodness for iPhones!




















He was 8 lbs 7 oz! I'm still surprised by how big he is. So far he loves to eat and poop, so we will see how his first couple days continue!
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4.22.2013

Patiently Waiting....

3 days until Henry's due date! I would NEVER have thought I would have made it this far.  For some reason, I thought because I had Eloise 10 days early, that Henry would also make an early arrival.  I do believe that the longer a baby 'cooks' on the inside, the happier they are on the outside, so I am OK with still being pregnant.  I am getting anxious to meet our little guy, though.  I can't wait to see who he looks like, what his personality is like, how big he is, how he does breastfeeding, sleeping, etc.
People are constantly asking how I am feeling, and truly, I feel fine.  I have the normal pregnancy complaints, but nothing terrible.  Julian says I snore like a water buffalo (I didn't know water buffalo's snore?) and he can't get much sleep, but I am fine :)  I still wake up about 39890489302 times a night to pee, but that was normal all throughout this pregnancy.
Thinking about adding our baby boy to our family has obviously put some worries into my brain:
* Worried about how Eloise will handle having a new baby in the family*
I am thankful for the extra time with Eloise as an only child, and every night I think, this could be the last night I put her to bed as an only child (tear).  But, I like to think of it as we are giving her a great gift.  A gift of a sibling! Someone you can always talk to and go to with secrets and play with! Even though I know the transition will be just that---a transition, I know that giving her a little brother is the best thing we could do for her.  She is going to be a great big sister and even though there will most likely be a period of time where she isn't so sure about this new member of our family, I know she is going to love him big time.  I worry about her not getting all the attention anymore, but lots of people have more than 1 child, and most of them turn out fine, right?
*Worried about getting an induction*
 At my practice, they don't like woman going over 41 weeks, and will induce me if Henry hasn't made his appearance by then.  I have been doing a lot of research because when I hear induction, I automatically think it will most likely end in a c-section.  But, I have a very favorable cervix for an induction, so the statistics aren't as bad.  Since I am already effaced (90% at my last visit) and dilated (3cm), they might not even have to give me pitocin.  They could just break my water and see if labor starts on its own.  I am hoping this will be a non-issue because he will come tonight (!!) but I say that every night and he is still comfy cozy in my belly.  Plus, I like the fact that I don't know when he is coming, it's a surprise. An induction ruins that surprise.  But, as long as he is healthy, I'll get over the non-surprise labor :)
*Worried about breastfeeding*
 It went so extremely smoothly for Eloise and I for 14 months, that I feel like I should be fine.  But, this will be Henry's first time, so it's like learning it all over again for me.  I have to be patient and realize that we will figure it out together.  Another part of breastfeeding that worries me is how much time I have to spend doing it, with a toddler to take care of as well.  If I remember correctly it is every 2 hours for the first 2 weeks and then we can cut down to every 3 hours.  So, I might need some extra daddy/Nan help the first couple of weeks because I don't know how cool Eloise will be with mommy sitting on the couch feeding Henry ALL. THE. TIME. and not dancing and singing like usual.
*Worried about circumcision* 
We are definitely circumcising Henry, but it worries me that he will have to be in pain.  I hate thinking about me voluntarily choosing for him to go through that.  Poor little guy. I worry about this probably more than some of the other things on the list. But, it's good to know that lots of people do it, and these little boys turn out fine.

Now, if I had it my way, and i was totally in control (which I know I have absolutely NO control) this is the birth I would plan:

--I would go into labor during the night like 4-5am, my water would break and contractions would start.
--We would call my mom and dad and they would arrive in about an hour so they would be here when Eloise woke up.
--We would head to the hospital before Eloise woke up, I wouldn't want her to see me in pain,
--I would labor for however long it takes (hopefully not toooo long)
--I would be able to push Henry out in under an hour (keep dreaming lady)
--Henry Thomas Barker would be born healthy and breastfeed easily and I AM GETTING SO EXCITED THINKING ABOUT IT I COULD SCREAM BUT I WON'T BECAUSE ELOISE IS NAPPING.


Dear Little baby Henry,
Mommy and Daddy and big sister Eloise can't wait to meet you!!! Come on out and join the fam jam.  You are going to love it here. Duke barks all the time at nothing and poops/throws up on things he shouldn't. He makes us all laugh everyday.  Your sister loves princesses and sings and dances like nobody's business.  Her voice is special and she will not grow up to be a singer, but you'll enjoy the show, I promise. Daddy is silly and can't wait to play with you! He wants to teach you about sports and handyman stuff. We all can't wait to cuddle and kiss you!! I want you to come when you are ready, but we are so excited that sooner is better than later :)



4.08.2013

Eloise facts

As her time as an only child is almost over, here's a little look into what she's up to.
*She is very much into princesses. Like REALLY into them. Her favorite by far is Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and she makes us re-enact her favorite part all the time. She refers to Julian as prince Philip and makes him ride his horse (duke) to the forest to see her (princess aurora). She faces away from him but puts her hand out behind her so Julian can grab it and she can act surprised and they sing and dance. It's my favorite thing to watch her and she says "oh my prince". She can name every princess and sing each of their songs (except Tiana, we don't know her song).  She knows what colors they wear and their prince's names.
* She's also really into goofy lately and likes to pretend she's max (goofy's son) and I'm goofy. The only reason she knows that Max is Goofy's son is because the Easter Bunny (un) fortunately brought her The Extremely Goofy Movie for Easter. She loves it and everyone else tolerates it.




* She has been giving me a hard time about napping and bed time lately. I'm thinking her naps are probably numbered because once Henry comes, I'm not going to have the energy to fight about napping. She can just have quiet time with a movie or something instead.
* She is miss independent lately and never wants help to do anything. It is great to hear her announce that she isn't a baby anymore and she is a big girl, but sometimes I just want to do whatever it is for her, because it is easier. I have learned to be patient and let her figure it out.



*She sings Jesus Loves me randomly throughout the day.
* She really does not like wearing pants and gives me a hard time about it.  Thankfully spring is almost here and I can put her in dresses because then getting dressed isn't a fight.  GYMBUCKS start on April 11th so i'll be going to get more dresses for her! Yay!
* She continues to be a picky eater, but it has gotten better. Her favorite things are:

--French Toast
--Kashi Berry Blossom Cereal
--Puffins cereal
--Yogurt
--Kefir
--Almond Butter and Jelly sandwiches shaped like Mickey Mouse
--Grilled Cheese is still a favorite
--Nutella and Banana sandwiches (thanks Nan)
-- Taco's
-- Chili (sometimes)
--Chicken Nuggets
--Mac and Cheese
--Spaghetti
--Ravioli
--Baked Ziti
--Pizza
--bananas
--apples
--cheese sticks
--toast with butter
--pears
--grapes
--peas
--anything chocolate or dessert related. Ice cream, donuts, cookies, cake, cupcakes, etc. She def has a sweet tooth

*Her vocabulary is still really good.
*She continues Swim class on Wednesdays, Gym class on Fridays and Paint class on Mondays.
*Nini (my sister) is her favorite person in the world. She is obsessed with her.
*She loves to play outside. She loves sidwalk chalk, the playground and her little house that is in the backyard.
*She wears 2T and a size 5/6 shoe.
*She doesn't wear pants to bed. So she either has on a nightgown or a pj shirt without the pj bottoms.
*She knows we are going back to Disney World and likes to talk about who she wants to see when she is there (Aurora, Jasmine, Goofy, etc)
* She has had two sleepovers at Nan's house without me or Julian. She did pretty well, but I miss her too much and it isn't my favorite thing.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone