Two Months

Happy two months, Benjamin!

You've had a busy and exciting month! You met your GrammaDonna and GrandpapaGary for the first time! I think it was love at first sight. ;) You had so much fun reading books, being held 24/7 and playing with your new black and white skunk! 

It was also my first extended amount of time away from you (a whopping five hours! haha) --- although I missed you terribly, I knew you were in good hands with your grandparents!  

At your six week appointment, you weighed 12 lbs 6 oz and were 23 inches long. You fall in the 83rd percentile for height, 81st for weight and 94th for head circumference. You are getting so big so quickly! You had your first round of vaccinations at this appointment ---- 3 shots. You were a champ! You only cried until I picked you up and rocked you. You ended up with a slight fever from your shots and we spent most of the day cuddling. I think Daddy gets to take you to your 4 month appointment for your next shots... ;) 

We took you to your first Halloween party. We went as Clark Kent and Lois Lane, and you were our Superbaby. Unfortunately, we had a diaper incident prior to leaving for the party and you ended up just going as our adorable baby. ;) We also went to a tailgate baby shower thrown for you. The Bears lost to the Patriots, but it's good to set your expectations low for your football team while you're young. ;) You seem to really enjoy social gatherings! 

Your Grandpa Randy drove in from Colorado to meet you! You were showered with Huskers gear and I think you like all the red and black outfits! ;) We had a lot of fun going on walks at the park before the weather got cold. You had a lot of fun with your Grandpa! 

We went on our first trip with you at 7 weeks old. We drove to Chicago and you met your Uncle Randy for the first time! Then we flew to Arizona for your Aunt Brittany's wedding. You were awesome on the flight --- slept the entire time both on the trip there and back to Chicago. I wore you in a Moby wrap and you seemed pretty content flying. You met your Aunt Brittany, Uncle Chris, Uncle Nick and even your dad's best friend, Uncle Patrick! You slept during the wedding and most of the reception. Everyone kept saying you were such a good baby, and we couldn't agree more. :) You really are spoiling us! 

Yo.

You are becoming more alert every day. You are sleeping 6-7 hour stretches pretty consistently at night. A few nights ago, you slept for 8 hours! I'm not ready to say you're sleeping through the night quite yet, but I think we're getting there! You are wearing 0-3 month clothing, but some of those clothes are getting too small. This month we've really noticed how alert you've become. You love reading books and playing with your playmat. You're lifting your head so high and turning it from side to side. You love tummy time, and you love to be held upright so you can look at the world around you. You are so curious! You love looking in the mirror, and you LOVE your daddy. He makes you laugh so much! Our favorite development this month is your smile. We do everything possible to make you smile, including singing silly songs. ;) 

red light!

Likes: tummy time, being held, walks in the stroller, music, dancing with mommy and daddy (and ginny), black and white skunk toy, black and white books, fun on the farm book, eating, baths

dislikes: being hungry, your bouncy chair, jurgen klinnsman*

We can't wait to see what month 3 brings!

just chillin'

mommy's so funny ;)

*I'm just assuming ;) 

October 16th: 1 month

Happy 1 month, Ben! 

Benjamin, you are such a joy in our lives and you are certainly keeping us on our toes! I can't believe how quickly this first month flew by. You are already so awake and alert. You grow everyday! 

During your last day at the hospital, you tested at a high risk for jaundice. We had to bring you in for labwork the next day and the pediatrician ordered you a billibed to use at home. I was happy that you didn't need to be admitted to the hospital, but I maaay have cried a little knowing your first full day at home with us would be spent in a billibed. 

You were such a champ --- you never cried during any heel pricks for the labwork. And although you hated the billibed, you were really good as long as either Mom or Dad was next to you. We read you a lot of books that day! I also slept on the floor next to you all night and let you hold on to my finger with your hand so you would get some sleep. Your labwork the next day was improving, so we only had to have you in the billibed for half a day more. By your two week appointment, everything was looking good and you had gained back all the weight lost at the hospital plus an extra 6 ounces. 

When you were nine days old, we had the most adorable photos taken of you*. Although it was nice and cozy warm during the photoshoot, you were not a fan of being moved around and squished together! Every time the photographer would move you into position, you'd move back to where you were most comfortable. You gave the photographer some sass, and we kind of love you for it. ;) 

I mean, c'mon now. 

We love to catch your smiles when you're dreaming!

Too cute to handle.

Everyone was so excited to meet you. Your Nana stayed with us for a few weeks and you were able to get in a lot of good snuggles and bonding time. You really love to be held! From day one, you've had really good neck control. You don't love tummy time on your mat right now, but you love being held upright so you can look around. Your pediatrician was pretty impressed by your neck control and strength, and your Mom and Dad are already boasting about your strengths to anyone who will listen ;) Right now your one newborn-sized sleep'n'play fits perfectly, while your 0-3 month clothes are a little big. You are growing so fast, I don't think you'll be able to fit in that newborn size for long! You are sleeping for 3-4 hour stretches at night and 2-3 hour stretches during the day. 

You also had your first-ever playdate with your friend Reese (just five days younger!)**. She napped the entire time. I bounced and rocked you while drinking a large Coffeesmiths latte. ;) We're pretty sure you're going to be one active boy! 

Likes: Being held, rocked and/or swaddled; eating; "reading" books (especially books with baby faces and your farm animals book); car rides; walks in your stroller  

Dislikes: the billibed; your swing and bouncy chair; lying flat; baths; diaper changes 

Life is definitely different around here now, and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

*These photos WILL be showcased at your high school graduation, college graduation and wedding. 
**It took this new Momma two hours to get out the door for this playdate. 

Ben has arrived!

Benjamin Andersen Garbe 

09/16/2014, 8 lbs, 21 inches 

I've been meaning to write out Ben's birth story before I forget the details*. We are so happy Ben is here ---- it still seems so unbelievable that we have this tiny, adorable human in our life now! 

I went in for my 39 1/2 week appointment on Monday the 15th to re-check my blood pressure. The week before it had been in the high 150s, but I didn't have any signs and symptoms of preeclampsia or other complications. Just in case, Dave and I got as much ready as possible over the weekend and "assumed" a Monday baby arrival. Truthfully, I think we both figured my blood pressure would be back to normal and I'd see my physician at my 40 week appointment on the 18th. I was really hoping Ben would arrive naturally sometime during the week prior to my 40 week appointment. 

Sunday night I started having a lot of pressure in my abdomen, but I assumed they were Braxton Hicks contractions. It did cross my mind that I may be in early labor because the pressure was so intense, but I decided that it would be best to get a full night's sleep. If the contractions started to get worse, I figured they would wake me up. They really didn't feel anything like what I've read contractions should feel like, so I wasn't too concerned/excited. 

On Monday, I was still feeling a lot of pressure. At work, it started to get more and more uncomfortable, but I knew I would see an OB in a few hours so I decided to wait to ask her if I should be paying a little closer attention to how I was feeling. ;) At the appointment, my blood pressure was in the 140s --- still high, but not as alarming. Again, all other tests for preeclampsia were negative. My OB was out of town that day --- so I saw another OB who was really wonderful --- and she suggested I do a fetal stress test and an ultrasound just to rule out any other reasons why my blood pressure would be elevated. Ben passed the fetal stress test with flying colors (he moved a ton --- as he did throughout my entire pregnancy!), but the ultrasound showed really low fluid levels and the OB said I needed to be induced ASAP. It was noon and she asked if I could go to the birthcare center right then and there ---- I think the look of terror concern on my face led her to then ask if I could make it by 1PM. I said I could and called Dave right away --- he packed up the rest of our things, I got things settled at work and ate a peanut butter sandwich and two bananas knowing I wouldn't be able to eat for quite a while (a true runner's breakfast, am I right??). 

Before leaving the clinic, the OB also cautioned me that I would likely have to have a c-section. Actually, she said that she was very confident a "trial of labor" would fail. The doctor on-call at the birthcare center, though, wanted to try to avoid a c-section if possible. I'm glad the OB mentioned this to me beforehand --- I was able to prepare myself mentally for this possibility during labor when things were not progressing.  

When we got to the hospital, things were going really well. As it turns out, I WAS having contractions every 2 -3 minutes apart, they just didn't feel like radiating pain, just pressure. The nurse drew more bloodwork to continue to rule out preeclampsia and I was hooked up to fetal monitors and an IV of pitocin. I have to say, I really enjoyed this time spent with Dave in early labor --- we were so excited (and nervous) and the room was so peaceful. After some time, I took a whirlpool bath ---- I would HIGHLY recommend this --- that took all of my pain away. I was only able to stand the heat for a short period of time, though. When I got out of the tub, Ben's heart rate was dropping and I had to get back in bed to lie down to more closely monitor how things were going. I was slightly concerned about this, but also the contractions were starting to get more intense and it was hard to think about anything else. 

I labored for several hours before our active Ben kicked me really hard during a contraction and broke my water (thanks, buddy!). Prior to my water breaking I really felt like wonder woman --- I could handle the pain! Woo! But after? Forget it. I got to a point where I thought to myself "okay, 4 more contractions and ask for the epidural". I got through 4 more, told Dave and the nurse I wanted the epidural and waited for the anesthesiologist to arrive (from home. bless that man.). All I can say is epidurals are a magical. I tried to get as much sleep as possible at this point. Every time I would get checked, it would be disappointing --- I was hardly progressing at all. Ben's heart rate continued to be great in general, but he had a few drops here and there. I remember the nurse saying she'd call the doctor if it happened one more time. I think at that point, I knew I'd have a c-section and that I had to be okay with it. After 16 hours of labor, the on-call doctor asked me if I wanted to move forward with the c-section and I said "yes!". I was ready, and I think Ben was ready. 

The c-section went really well. Thank God for Dave --- I don't remember what he said or if he said anything at all, but just being able to hold his hand during the surgery made everything easier. He was really my rock throughout the entire labor and surgery. When Ben was born and I could hear him crying, I was so happy and relieved. I could have cared less what happened after that. Dave was able to go over and see Ben while they cleaned him up and then they were able to bring him over to me. Ben was born September 16th at 5:56 AM weighing 8 lbs and measuring 21 inches long. 

Rocking the hipster glasses during surgery

Dave and Ben went to the recovery room while I was stitched up. When I got to the recovery room, the nurses said that Ben was having a really hard time "transitioning". Usually, when a baby is born, the fluid in his chest is squeezed out ---- harder to do during a c-section, and Ben was really struggling. It was a flurry of activity --- there was a high-risk birth that one of the flight nurses kept having to answer her cell phone to coordinate while in that room, and there were so many people running around that I couldn't quite figure out what was going on. They told us he'd have to go up to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and I really wanted Dave to go with him. I had been pretty adamant about that when we talked about potential complications during a birth class we took together --- if for whatever reason I couldn't be with Ben, I really wanted Dave to be there. 

I don't know if it was maternal instinct, the fact that I work at St. Luke's and had full faith in their NICU, or the morphine --- but I really felt 100% like Ben was going to be okay, even though he was up in the NICU. I think Dave had a better understanding of how serious things were (they should dole out some morphine for the dads, amiright?) --- but, fortunately, his breathing got better after a couple of hours and they were able to discharge Ben. I remember they wheeled him into our birthcare room and I was so, so happy to see him. 

We didn't create a "birth plan" and I'm glad we didn't. This was certainly not the experience we were expecting, but I am so thankful that Ben is a healthy baby. It feels like he was always meant to be here --- like this particular person was always going to be part of our lives. It's a great feeling! 

*written the week after his birth for us to look back on someday! If you made it through the whole story, I probably owe you a pistachio chocolate chip cookie. ;)

Bump Date: Week 39

Week 39 (go huskers!)

How Far Along?  39 weeks. 5 days from our due date today! 

Size of the Baby? Baby G is the size of a watermelon. He is anywhere from 19-22 inches long and my app says around 7 lbs. He's obviously not 7 lbs from that picture above. We think he's 8. ;) 

Maternity Clothes? Nothing truly "fits" anymore. I broke down and purchased a pair of flats and some boots. My feet are very thankful. 

Stretch Marks? I plead the fifth. 

Gender? Boy! 

Name? Ben Garbe! 

Sleep? Oh, sleep. I need to make myself rest more often. I'm at a really good place at work, so I'm going to take it easy this week and leave early to get a nap in! Happy my workplace is so flexible with my hours. That is definitely a benefit of working with a lot of female nurses!

Cravings? This baby needs to arrive so we can take our first family trip to the apple orchard. This momma needs some apple cider donuts, stat! 

What I Miss? Being comfortable. Walking comfortably. My shoes fitting. Being able to get out of bed/up from my chair/put on pants without a struggle. ;) I'm basically a turtle. This is still true this week. 

Movement? Yes! And there is no room left in there. 

Symptoms? Braxton Hicks. My heartburn has been better this week since he has dropped so much. I'm so tired and sore, though! I'm also fairly irritable, but I don't know that there's any way around that at 39 weeks pregnant. ;)

Belly Button? Still in! HOW I DON'T KNOW. 

Best Moments of the last couple of weeks? Getting to 39 weeks feels like a huge accomplishment. There are so many significant milestones throughout pregnancy that mean your baby is likely to be healthy, and getting to 39 weeks is one of them. 

Looking forward to: Meeting Ben! At my last appointment, my blood pressure was very high so I'll have to go in again tomorrow to get it checked out. If it's still high, then the doctor is going to talk about scheduling an induction. If it's not high, then we'll re-check again at my 40 week appointment on Thursday. I'm hopeful it will be normal tomorrow and Ben will arrive on his own this week, but we'll see. I did a lot of reading since induction is such a hot topic (isn't everything related to women's health these days??), and I'm comfortable with this option since we're so far along. I don't want high blood pressure to cause any problems for Ben or my own health! This was something we were watching closely throughout my entire pregnancy --- so, again, super happy it hasn't been a problem until this late in the game. :) 

Some nursery pictures! You'll have to visit and see the nursery in person! ;) 

Light was not my friend today. ;) The walls are light gray, curtains; etc. are navy. 

Awesome recliner from Dave's parents! Elephant bunting made by my mom! 

The ottoman has a side pocket where I plan to stash magazines/my ipad for nursing and has storage space inside for nursing gear/burp cloths/snacks; etc. It was an awesome and super cheap Target find. The lamp also has a shade on the bottom and the light is adjustable so it won't be shining in Ben's face. :) 

Changing area

Crib!

Close-up of bunting

This is as crafty as I get, people. 

Cute peek-a-boo elephant print from Art.com

My mom is a lot craftier than I am. ;) She painted this shelf! Adorable keepsakes from MommaDonna! We're going to add a few elephants from Dave's childhood, too. 

You can never have too many books! 

Wall decals from Etsy

Going home outfit #1 (whaaaat is this cuteness) 

Going home outfit #Ben-is-huge-and-doesn't-fit-in-newborn-outfit

Adorable dog who has no idea what she's in for!