Got Milk?

Dillon is hungry no longer. Even if I have completely destroyed my milk supply by supplementing for the last few days, it has been worth it. I can't stand watching my baby cry, knowing he is hungry, and therefore sleep deprived, and not do anything about it. He is finally sleeping during the day again (he hasn't done much of that at all this week), and he doesn't cry during every waking moment that he isn't being held/bounced or fed. For the first time in days, my baby is milk drunk. And I LOVE it!!!

p.s. He hasn't needed any formula yet today. Yay!

Thank you Aunties Jess and Em

Dillon (or Freddie, as she refers to him) got a swing from his "Auntie" Jessica. We are borrowing it since "cousin" Oscar is too big for it. So far, it has been amazing. Dillon had a lovely nap in it this afternoon.


We also need to thank Dillon's real Aunt and cousin, Em and Hyrum, for all the 0-3 month clothes they lent us. Unfortunately, Dillon has been having quite the growth spurt this week. He is too big for all things 0-3. So, we have been trying to wear everything at least once. Dillon wore an adorable outfit to "Mommy and Me" today. And we matched, as you can see from the picture below. Unfortunately, at the end of "Mommy and Me" he peed on his adorable outfit...three times...in one diaper change. Oh well. Now we can try on something else that he will only wear once.

Thriving

Dillon was born 8lb 12 oz. When we left the hospital two days later he weighed 8lb 1oz. Two days later at the doctor, he weighed 8lb 3oz. One week after that, yesterday, we went to the doctor again. Dillon now weighs 9lb 5oz. That is over a pound in a week! His daddy is very proud.

Mommy finally takes pictures.

Home sweet living room. I am not allowed to climb stairs until next week (though I've been increasingly disobedient the last day or so). This is where Dillon and I are temporarily camped out.

My baby burrito. I made a couple of these swaddle blankets and Dillon seems to like them. I will probably tweak my pattern a little before I make more, but I was surprised how well they worked out. I am now a die hard believer in swaddling.

This is the oh-so-cute alligator outfit that Nonna brought to the hospital. Dillon came home in this outfit. Unfortunately, he was born with massive feet, so the 0-3 mo. socks don't fit his feet. But, they make good mittens for protecting his face from that mean baby that likes to scratch him.

Here is my sweet boy having a nap on the Boppy I made for him. (Well, I made the cover, bought the pillow). Also pictured here is the soft-and-silky blanket I made.

Here we have a more social Dillon; eyes open and hand waving to all his adoring fans. Can you believe those DARK blue eyes? Oh, my. My son is beautiful.

Dillon was playing with Daddy and got worn out. All of a sudden, arms and legs went limp and he just lay there for a few minutes, working up a little strength to continue the games. You can see little scabs on the top of his head. This is what remains of the massive bruise he got from the vacuum that eventually pulled him out of me.

And, finally, this is my boy after an exhausting church experience. There were just so many people to meet and look cute for. I was proud of him for being such a good boy, and proud of myself for actually staying for all three hours. I only intended to stay for one.

Dillon, in MOVING pictures

Maternity photos

I realize this is a little backwards, since at this point no one is interested in anything but pictures of Dillon. But, we didn't have these taken until a week before he was born, so I just now have them to share. We weren't going to have any done, but an opportunity presented itself at the last minute and we jumped. I think I look pretty good for as swollen and pregnant as I was.

Special thanks go to Keisha Carrawell for her time and talents.

Don't worry. Dillon is still cute. I'm just not up to much picture taking yet. But we'll get there.















...and because I'm a sucker, and kind of on a roll, here is what Dillon is doing right this minute:

Dillon Friedrich Valentine

After 27 hours of labor, Dillon was born on 6 Aug 2010, at 11:01am. He weighed 8lbs 12oz. Mom and baby both had a rough labor (and Mom is facing a pretty rough recovery), but both are healthy and happy. We are so grateful for the safe arrival of our precious baby boy. He is already making us smile and wonder what we ever did without him.

Still no baby...

...but Dr. Simckes promises his birthday will be Aug 6. Still, don't hold your breath.

Induction...

We have an appointment for 8am Thursday to be induced. I spent the afternoon at the hospital today. I wasn't there because I was in labor, but they hooked me up to the monitors anyway. By the time we left, I had been having minute long contractions, all the way at the top of the graph (100), every five minutes. This might seem encouraging except that it is only uncomfortable, not helpful. I am still only dilated to 2cm, the same as I was Thursday. I'm hardly effaced at all. Since Bun is healthy and happy, I think it's only fair that he come out so that I have a chance to feel the same. Plus, we need to have a few days with him before Mark has to start med school orientation. So, that's the plan.

39 weeks

Here I am last night...


...and here is Bun this morning. Handsome, isn't he? His estimated weight is only 8 lbs 14 oz, which means he probably doesn't weigh much more than 8. My body is showing signs of being ready to deliver. So, we are going to do everything we can to schedule an induction for as soon as possible. We want to have a few days with baby before Mark starts orientation (one week from today). Wish us luck!