Not so little Lucas

Well, its been a while since I've left a post, but Lucas is sleeping and Sam is at work and I've already taken my shower so I have a few minutes!! We weighed Lucas at the doctor's on Monday.....he was 12 lb 9 ounces and 24 inches long! Wow....that's some growth in his six weeks of life! He really hasn't started to fill out, but I could tell he was getting longer because many of his little outfits are getting too small for him in length.

We went out to lunch for the first time without Sam. Lucas and I met Rachel and little Aiden at The Lunchbox in Fort Worth. Both boys did really great....they pretty much slept through the entire event.

It's amazing how quickly they change. I know people always say that but unless they are your own, you really can't comprehend it. I've been trying to get him to mimic my facial expression and finally, today when I stuck out my tongue, he did it too. We've noticed he's starting to make more cooing sounds and less grunts (too bad, the grunting was hilarious) and when he's really happy he makes a sweet oooooo sound. He can hold his head up really well and he's enjoying his bathtime much more than he did on the video! And last,but not least, his smiles melt my heart.

Play time!

My first friend came to visit the other day. His name is Aiden Carter Case. He's got the coolest hair ever. When mine grows in, he's going to show me how to style it. We had a great time hanging out together. We were chillin' like villains.

He's a big boy!

Lucas had his 2 week check up on Monday. The doctor was amazed at how much weight Lucas had gained in his 14 days of life. (I was not surprised considering I have felt like a walking udder the past 2 weeks!) Anyway, he now weighs 9 lbs 5 ounces, which means he gained about 1.5 ounces per day. Because Lucas has been such a hearty eater, the doctor suggested we introduce 1 bottle feeding per day, in order to give me a much needed break. He assured us Lucas would not get nipple confusion. Well, Sam got to take a crack at it the past 2 nights. The first night, Lucas gorged himself since the milk came out of the bottle so easily and it all came back up. Last night, Lucas was much more successful and I got a full night's sleep. SO NICE!!!

This picture shows why I call Lucas my little bean. He curls on my shoulder just like this--like a little kidney bean.

It's amazing how much he has changed in just these few days. He looks different, he cried real tears on 6/16, he makes eye contact with us and evens tracks our faces. The best change is he actually smiles now.

We have a date

We saw the doctor on Wednesday and he felt it was best to go ahead with the scheduled induction. He had a couple of reasons of why we needed to induce:
baby's weight (8.5 lbs)
my age
the placenta begins to deteriorate the farther from the due date and baby doesn't get the nutrients he needs (at this point, though baby is still healthy and doing well)

We didn't know the doctor that was on call for the June 2 date so we asked if we could be switched to a new date. We are scheduled to be at the hospital at 7:30 am on June 1.

Unless something miraculous happens between now and then then Lucas should arrive on Monday!

Not YET!

For those of you who are wondering, Lucas has not arrived yet. It is close to 10:30 pm and I am confident to say he will not arrive on his due date. The house is clean, his stuff is washed, our bags are packed so we are ready. It just looks like he is not. I've even had a couple of bouts with false labor, but at this point, time will only tell. We go back to the doctor on Wednesday so we should know more then.

Baby's Room is Finished!

We hung the last canvas last night and I got his toys organized in baskets so the room is finally finished (except for the glider that hasn't arrived)! It looks so good. Jennifer did an amazing job on the canvases and circles on the wall. We are so excited about it! Check it out... (click on the picture to see an enlarged image.)

Doctor update

We went to the doc yesterday. Once again, baby and myself are looking good. Doctor said my cervix is effaced completely, but I still have not begun to dilate. He gave me a 40% chance of going into labor by my due date. In fact, he already scheduled me for an induction for June 2. To be honest we were both so surprised! So now I guess we start trying all those ideas people say will make me go into labor:

Mexican food
sex
nipple stimulation
walking/exercising
a trip to the town dump (no kidding!)
pedicures (I've already had 2)
castor oil (no thanks!)
acupuncture

Do you really think any of these work? I don't know. Doctor says the babies come when they are ready and there's nothing we can really do about it--naturally. We'll keep you posted.

Update and Anniversary

Well, we started our weekly doctor's appointments on May 4. We got to meet a new doctor since my regular doctor went on maternity leave. It was a great appointment--very informational. We both felt this Dr. spent more time with us and explained more the us than my regular doctor. He said everything is looking good--my measurements are right on target and so are Lucas', but I've had no changes, so the doctor can't say when he will arrive. I have gotten to the point where I tire quickly and my belly is quite sore from Lucas' bum staying in the same place. In fact, I'm even bruised in one spot! And of course, my feet and ankles are swelling!!! It's UGLY! We go back to the doctor tomorrow morning so we will post updates.

Jennifer started on the room this past Wednesday. It is coming along so nicely and I can't wait for it to be finished. She has done amazing work. We'll post pics as soon as its finished.

We celebrated our 7th anniversary today. We took a trip to a spa for a couple's massage and spent the day together just taking care of things. It was an amazing day--very peaceful and relaxing--just perfect before the craziness starts. We even got in a nap!!

Happy Mother's Day.

Strawberries and Ice

Well my cravings have changed once again...this time for the better (unless you ask my dentist) I crave fruit, especially strawberries and ice. Every night I have to have a glass of ice and I spend the evening crunching on it. I don't know why but at least it won't make my butt bigger like the chocolate did!!

We had our last sonogram a week ago and Lucas has turned head down. He measured 5 1/2 pounds so the doctor is now estimating him to be around 8 pounds. Holy cow!! His butt is up near my belly button and he presses against my belly all the time. He's still moving around alot and kicking me. I've enjoyed being pregnant, but sometimes he really hurts!! Sam says he enrolled Lucas in kung fu class and he'll get his brown belt soon.

We are exactly a month away from the due date. We are still working on the room and getting things ready. The room is coming along nicely and we can't wait for it to be finished. We'll post pics of that when it happens. I do get out of breath much easier and tired alot faster, but I'm still making it. It's just one of those things. I am trying to stay as active as possible so I'll have my endurance up at delivery time. The doc says that's a huge help. The hardest part for us is not knowing an exact date as we are both such schedule people. I'm sure we'll get over that REAL soon!! We'll keep you up to date as things develop over the next weeks.

Baby Update

We had a doctor's appointment a week ago and everything is looking good. The doctor felt my belly and said she believes he is "head down", but of course she also stated he had plenty of time to move around. We will have a sonogram on April 20 to check. She also predicted his weight to be around 7 pounds....that's alot better than the 14 pounder born in California! Check out the article:

(http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_14_Pound_Baby_Sets_Weight_Record_In_California_32305.html)

We are almost finished with the childbirth class and have now started the parenting class. We will learn baby CPR, which I am excited about, plus Sam will get to try his hand at diapers and feeding! We have ordered furniture and the room is coming along so hopefully it will all be done soon enough.

Little Lucas is VERY active: poking, squirming, and flipping around. Sam gets to see and feel him. He's also gotten to feel the hiccups as Lucas has had 3 more episodes. Until next time...

Hiccups!

On Tuesday night (3/31) the little one had his first bout of hiccups! It was so funny....I couldn't figure out what was going on until I realized there was a rhythmic pattern to the little bumps inside of me. It lasted about 5 minutes and then went away as quickly as it came. I'm just a little sad I'm in Houston at the librarian's convention and Sam missed out. Hopefully, it'll happen again when Sam's around.

BTW--My belly has really grown this past week. My workout pants fit completely different than they did just a few days ago. Crazy!!

School Baby Shower

We were blessed to be honored by Lori's faculty and staff with a baby shower. Not only were we surprised with wonderful and thoughtful gifts but also a really cute and delicious baby shower cake.

Baby Classes

So, Sam and I had our first childbirth class on Monday night. What an experience! We shared stories with the other parents-to-be, watched a video, and then did partner yoga and practiced breathing techniques and positions. It was pretty cool and the time went by fast. I felt pretty prepared for the video since I had been in the delivery room when my friend had her baby, but I must have missed the delivery of the placenta. Yikes....wasn't expecting that to be on the video in the first class! When I asked Sam if the video freaked him out, he had a good perspective...."to late to be freaked out about it now!" Whew, I feel better and I have to say Sam impressed me with his answer!

Baby Shower

My family in Port Neches hosted a shower for us. We had a great time and felt very special. It was wonderful spending time with all the relatives and friends, but we missed those of you who couldn't make it. Thank you to all who made the day so special. And by the way....the cake was delicious--I think Sam had 3 pieces!!!

Doctor's Update

We saw the doctor today and had our third sonogram. Everything is looking good. The baby weighs approximately 2.7 pounds and all is well. My due date is right on track, according to measurements--May 25, 2009! Here are the latest pics of the little one...

Achoo...Achoo....

Finally....relief. After suffering with SEVERE allergies since week 18, I feel better. It's been a crazy January and Benadryl was not working well enough, besides I was working in a fog while I was taking it. We saw the doctor a week ago today and she put my on a category B nasal spray and Zyrtec. She told me I had to take each drug for a week and if I was not better I had to go on my regular stuff (which was category C). Luckily, it's been working and I have been able to sleep through the night for an entire week! It feels so good!

Also, all my books stated the 2nd trimester would be the "feels good to be pregnant" trimester. Well, its about time and I even have 1 1/2 weeks left before the 3rd trimester begins! YEAH!! Sam said today...."your belly is getting so round!" And he's right! It sure is amazing.

Flutters in the belly

We have another special video for you guys. Make sure to turn up your volume. We know how hard it was to hear us last time. :)