The World According to Micah

Since that first little word "Dada" (fyi...it still bothers me that he didn't say mama first) Micah has simply amazed me at what he says.  Now that we can get more than a word or two out at the same time life has become funny!  For a short time all you would hear at our house was "Mommy, Daddy" "a apple" "a book" and I found the humor in that (mainly because he would try to feed his father the apple, and for anyone that knows Chuck you know this did not end well!). 

We have been working on the 3-4 word sentences and also working on MANNERS!  The funniest thing with this, is that he repeats you, so if you want him to say Please, you say PLEASE, if you give something and you would like him to say thank you, you need to say THANK YOU!  Well last night I got the best gift.  I put Micah's dinner down in front of him, and sat down to eat.  Before I could even begin he looked at me and said "Thank you mommy".  Melt my heart <3

Some of my other favorite phrases right now are "that bunny" (that's funny), "no, daddy bed" (yes, this is where he believes daddy is everytime he wakes up from bed or a nap), "no way" and "a manny" (fruit snacks).  However, the phrase that we hear the most is "OWEN".....

While I've been gone....

So it's been awhile...sorry! Life is crazy and when the summer hit and Micah and I had our husband/daddy back we took it and enjoyed each other. Since the last time I wrote Micah has grown and changes so much. He's now 18 months old, talking up a storm and what I like to call Mr. Independent.

Micah has had his 1st and 2nd sleep over....mommy doesn't like them but Micah does!! He helps to get himself dressed, walks up and down the stairs, helps get his bath ready and picks out what he wants to buy/ wear!!!

We just had Micah's teacher conference and he's right on track if not ahead of others his age. His teacher believes we will be holding conversations (that make sense) by January. Each day we get more and more 2-3 word sentences! It's so exciting to finally start to understand what he's thinking.

Life is getting more exciting by the day and now that the school year has started again (which means lots of night time meetings for my other half) I will have plenty of time to keep up on the life of Micah!!!

Get ready to laugh, cry and just be amazed!!

Work & Daycare.....

Never did I imagine that it would be time to go back to work.  After being home for over a month before having Micah and then being home with him for the next 3 months, I couldn't believe it was July and time to go back to work. As a parent, one of the hardest things is finding someone you feel comfortable leaving your child with. I have been blessed to find just that place.

I have to say that my situation is the best one any new mom could ask for!  Since my husband and I work and live on a college campus (yes I said LIVE! My husband is a full time professional for the Office of Housing and Residence Life) we were very, VERY fortunate to be able to get Micah into the on campus day care.  What does this mean? It means, no driving, no waiting in traffic and I get to see him anytime I want!

I have to say, that although I would LOVE to stay home everyday with Micah, he has learned and done so much that I know he wouldn't if he was home just with me.  He LOVES people, plays so well with other kids, and has learned and been socialized.  He is ok if I have to leave him with other people (granted to this day, and he's a year old) he has NEVER had a babysitter other than family, and I can honestly say that has only been 2-3 times!  I leave him to go to work, so I enjoy and want to spend all my other time with him.

The people at the Child Development Center are wonderful and I can tell that they really love Micah.  . Each monring Chuck and I would go and drop him off, everyday got a bit easier, and every afternoon we'd pick him up. It was great!  I knew that I could walk over and see him all the time, I also knew that if he needed me I was seconds away from him.  Micah gets excited when he sees his school (yes I call it school) and his friends.  He loves everyone (expecially Mary-Liz...she's a student here at ODU that works in his classroom, and Micah LOVES her!) 

Now that Micah is one, it's time to start thinking about him moving up to the next classroom. I do not like to think about this, nor do I want to talk about it.  I want him to stay in the Infant Room forever!  I love the Mrs. Joann and the girls.  They have helped and loved my baby since he was 3 months old....I can't image him not being in that room. However, I know that he needs to grow and learn new things....but if they ever want to steal him back I'm OK with that!!

So to my CDC ladies....thank you for loving, caring for and all you have done for Micah! We love you!!!!

It's time to turn ONE

So I've been trying to catch up and write my posts in order, but as I sit here an hour and a half away from my babies first birthday I'm overcome with so many emotions. Tonight I was wrapping presents and putting toys together and just started remembering how a year ago I was in the hospital wondering when I was going to have my baby (and really still thinking labor wasn't that bad. Lets be serious LABOR hadn't really started!) I still can not believe, or don't want to believe, that Micah is turning one. Where did the year go? How did time pass so quickly? Where did my little baby go?
The year- it passed way to quickly. Days started, and days ended. Days turned to weeks, weeks to months. Before I knew it Micah was crawling, talking, walking, getting teeth and finding his personality.

Time passed quickly- because we were living life, but enjoying every minute. Bath time, the zoo, aquarium, trips to New Hampshire, California, and so much more. Time passes quickly when you're having fun and let me tell you this year has been full of fun and excitement.
My little baby- he's grown into a little man. He's funny, sweet, caring, crazy, wild and absolutely PERFECT!!

 While I'm not ready for Micah to turn one (or really grow at all) I've loved watching him accomplish some many things. He's so proud of himself and we encourage everything he does (even what some others might find small or trivial). I'm excited to see what he learns next, and to see what kind of person he becomes. He will always be my baby, but already he has times where he wants to be independent, and I'm NOT ok with that!!! (really I am....I just want him to always want me).

Thank you Micah for coming into the world. You truly are the BEST thing that I have ever done. A year ago (almost) my life became complete, because you entered it. While somethings have been trying this year, I wouldn't trade a sleepless night, a moment of worry or frustration, or any second of the last year for ANYTHING!!!!

Happy Birthday Micah Jace!

"I'll love you forever
         I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
         My baby you'll be!"

What would I have done without Erin?!

For anyone who knows my sister and I, you have known us to always have a love/hate relationship (as most siblings do).  So it may come as a shock when I say "Thank you Erin, and I love you for being there for me, Chuck and Micah whenever you are needed.  You are a great Aunt!!"

Erin and my dad arrived hours after we got home from the hospital.  The plan was that they were going to stay with my Aunt and Uncle in Virginia Beach that night, but then Erin was going to come stay with us, she said that she wanted to do nighttime with Micah and let Chuck and I sleep, but I couldn't understand how she thought that was going to happen, I wasn't going to let ANYONE take care of my baby.

Our first night went well. Micah slept great (I was waking up every 4 hrs to feed him...and he was still asleep), and while I slept, I didn't at the same time.  I watch him breath, stared at his face, and just sat their in awe of it all.  He was the perfect baby.  He only cried when he was really hungry or really tired...he was PERFECT!

The next day, Erin and my dad came back over.  I enjoyed visiting with them and having them spend time with Micah.  We ended up going to visit with some of my family and it was great to show off Micah.  As we were leaving my aunts, I was told to let Erin help me, and if she wanted to get up at night let her.  I was reminded that she was only here for a few days, and I should take the help while I had it available.

That night, I said OK!   I was going to let Erin do the nighttime feedings.  She of course was wonderful. She listen to all my neurosis...I mean she wasn't me so I had to tell her exactly how to do it all, right?  I went to bed that night not sure if I could really do it.  He wasn't a week old yet and already someone else was taking care of him.  Like clock work, I woke up every 4 hours, I would peek in and she'd tell me how much he had eaten, diaper changes and everything.  She let me be crazy and over protective.

For the next couple nights, I let Erin do all she wanted with Micah.  Chuck and I were able to get some sleep, and by the time Erin and my dad had to leave, I felt great.  BUT, I didn't want them to go.  I had enjoyed them being with me, and now I was on my own.

I am truly blessed and thankful for all Erin has done for and with Micah.  They already have such a wonderful relationship and such a strong bond.  His face lights up whenever he sees her or hears her voice. He loves her and you can tell just by the way he looks at her.  While I don't always enjoy the high pitch squeals she teaches him, I couldn't ask for a better Aunt for my son.  To this day when she visits, she sleeps in his room and WANTS nighttime duty, and even though she is on vacation (you know the thing you go on to relax), she wants to spend her time with him.

I've joked many times, but I think it's true....he is the #1 man in her life, and he's happy to have to role (and I don't think he'll give it up to ANYONE!) Auntie, Micah J loves you  (Erin thank you for all you do for him!)

Bringing Home Baby

After spending days in the hospital it was finally time to head home. Yes, I said HOME. It was admitted on Monday morning and by Friday afternoon I was finally FREE!!!! To this day I don't know how I did it, but I climbed in the back of our 2 door Civic and sat next to Micah the whole way home (now just a recap...I had a c-section and thought this was a good idea), well needless to say getting out to a bit of work but I made it.

That trip home was the scariest, most exhilarating trip of my life. Every car that passed made me cringe and as we got closer to home, I kept thinking finally. It didn't help that I knew my dad and Erin would be getting to my house just hours after we got home.  I was so excited to show off my baby to my family, and I knew they were excited to meet him.  At the same time I knew how hard this was going to be without my mom there....but that is sometimes how life goes (and a whole other post all on its own!)

Upon arriving home I was overcome as we walked in the door, just us three for the first time.  It really is a feeling that you can't explain unless you've experienced it yourself. There are so many emotions that run through you.  Happy, scared, excited, nervous, relieved, anxious, energetic & tired...all at the same time!!!   We had just a few guests once we got home, and I of course changed Micah into some cute pjs (ok, let me be serious. I was told I was having jumbo baby so I bought a 0-3 month outfit to wear home.  Well, I had peanut baby so he was SWIMMING in it.  Needless to say he was wearing newborn clothes, so yes I had to change him into something that fit.) 

While waiting for my dad and Erin, Chuck and I enjoyed our first moments home together.  We feed him, burped and changed diapers.  I was on cloud nine (I think Chuck could have done without the diapers!!)  Then I got the phone call "we're here!"  I jumped up (as fast as someone who just had a c-section could) and waited...here they came.  Now, for you who don't know me, my dad NEVER had boys....he was the lucky father to 3 girls and a beautiful granddaughter, Micah was the first boy!!  My dad finally had his fishing buddy, and they were friends from the start.  

My first couple hours at home were going great....and they were only getting better!

Pictures of the most handsome boy in the world....

Our first days together...

The hospital was full of busy days and crazy nights.  Micah was a good baby, he slept through the night and loved to snuggle.  My world was finally the way it should be.

True love at first snuggle

After 9 months and 24+ hours of labor I was ready for my sweet, handsome little boy to be put in my arms. HOWEVER do you think it was that easy....no! After a c-section you go to recovery for about an hour. Well after my c-section my blood pressure was high and I spiked a fever. When I got to my room I was ready for Micah to be brought to me, and to finally get to hold my baby. Well, because of my fever that was a big, fat NO! Chuck unfortunately had to give me the news, I was so upset all I could do was cry. I had waited so long to hold him, and now he was here and I couldn't even see him.

I know everyone thinks that they have the best husband, but my husband takes that award hands down. We asked the nurse how often she would take my temp and she said every hour, we asked if she could do it every 20-30 minutes and we were told "well the doctor didn't put that in the notes, so we'll see". At this point it was time for Micah to eat so I sent Chuck upstairs to feed him. The mommy and baby nurse assigned to us asked how I was doing and Chuck told her about my temp and what the nurse said. This wonderful women called straight down and said they needed to take my temp, well it was NORMAL!!! All of a sudden in comes the nurse, Chuck and MICAH!! As soon as Chuck heard my temp had gone down he asked the nurses to get Micah ready to go see his mommy!

I had Micah at 8:14 pm and at 2 am Micah and mommy got to snuggle for the very first time! Life was finally complete...Mommy, Daddy & Micah were all together

 

Our first picture together

My handsome boy

 

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Gotta love the cat!

****This post is at the request of my husband****

When Chuck and I got married, I became the proud co-owner of his Siamese cat, Ocean. Now anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a big animal person. While I don't mind them at other peoples houses, I prefer to have NO animals in my house. So let me just share this has always been a sore subject between the two of us.

From the moment the test said "pregnant" I was concerned about the cat and a baby. Ocean is a cat that has to warm up to you, wants attention only when he asks for it, and talks ALL the time. He had always been good around Chucks nieces, and my friends baby...but how would he be with a baby all the time?

At night I was Oceans perch, he would stand on my back when I would try to go to bed and would sleep between my legs. It was amazing how intuitive an animal can be, right from the beginning Ocean was protective of me. Before I even went to the doctors he had stopped standing on me, he REFUSED to jump over my lap (he would jump off the couch and walk to the other side and jump back up, I SWEAR!). He knew that something was going on!

The funniest thing was that at night. I was of course tired, and trying to get enough sleep that I had fallen into a nightly routine. I would brush my teeth, put on my pajamas, and then crawl into bed to read or watch a little tv and fall asleep. This could usually all be done by 9 (10 at the latest). Well Ocean also got used to my routine, and if by 9:30 I hadn't made my way into the bedroom he would stand in the doorway and yowl at me. Now I don't mean one little yowl, he would yowl until I got into bed and then he would lay down next to me.

As it got closer to my due date, Ocean became protective. If I was gone to long he would have to come check me out as soon as I got home, and he HATED if anyone but Chuck touched my belly or came to close. He also began sleeping in the nursery. He continued to be this way after we first brought Micah home (he was our little watch cat). Chuck was very good about doing research to help Ocean transition into having a baby in the house. We also set things up early so he could check them out and learn not to go into them (although he NEVER got in the crib and trust me if he wanted to he could have) and we also got baby wash and lotion so he could get accustomed to the smell.

Slowly Ocean lost interest in Micah, he was no longer new and didn't do anything....he couldn't roll, walk, and rarely did he make a lot of noise (he was never a big crier). Then Micah got older and Micah found interest in Ocean. It is so funny now to watch them because Ocean wants Micah's toys and Micah wants Ocean's toys. They fight over the windows, whose going to get attention and if you could only see Micah chase after Ocean!

While I am not an animal person, our family & life would not be the same without this little fur ball. He helps relieve my husbands stress, keeps Micah entertained, and how many people can say that they have a cat who would tell them it was time for bed. So I just gotta love the cat.....

It's Time to Deliver!

WARNING: Below there is a picture of a baby right after they were born...no bath yet!

Those three words that a mom-to-be waits 9 months to hear "time to push" were never uttered to me.  I am ok with that.  I was not (nor am I) one of those people that felt that I had failed if I couldn't have a baby naturally.  No matter how you have a baby...you have had a baby!  It's hard work either way.  I was in labor for over 24 hours, and by the time my doctor tossed out the words "cesarean section" (or c-section) I was all for it.  I hadn't dilated past 5-6cm but was having contractions for someone who was about 9 to pushing!  I also had to have internal monitors (yes, its just like it sounds...but really at this point you have no modesty left in you), and was on oxygen.

I was ready to have my baby in my arms.  The doctor got her team together, I got MORE drugs, Chuck and I made all the phone calls that HAD to be made, and then we waited.  That 45 minutes, was the LONGEST 45 minutes of my life. 
As the nurses were wheeling me to the operating room, I just kept thinking "soon my family will be complete, and all my dreams will have come true."  I was ready to hear that first cry, to see that face,and to hold him and whisper "I Love You Micah Jace".  They get me all set and Chuck comes in....it's time.  All of a sudden the anesthesiologist says "your baby is about the be born", Chuck jumps up and starts taking pictures, and then I hear that sound I was waiting for...wahhhhhh! It was music to my ears. In the next second this face comes over the curtain, it is the most perfect, handsome face I've ever seen...it was my son (my son...I like how that sounds!)

The doctors and nurses finish what they need to.  Micah heads off to the nursery and I head to recovery.  I am so anxious to hold my baby and be my family of three.  A sense of peace, love and a happiness I've never felt before that moment washed over me...it's official I'm a MOM! 

Thank God for the Epidural

At 39 weeks I was induced.  My baby was coming (or that's what I was told). The night before my induction, I couldn't sleep.  I know, I know...I should have been sleeping after all the next day my whole life was going to change. The baby I'd been carrying for 9 months, but had been dreaming about my whole life was FINALLY going to be here.  Really, do you think YOU
would have been sleeping?!  At about  5:30-6 in the morning I got up, showered, did my hair and makeup, packed my last minute things, got my husband up, made sure everything in the nursery was ready, quadruple checked to make sure we had everything, and called the hospital to check us in.  It was finally time to head to the hospital.  All I could think was the next time I walk through my front door my little baby boy would be in my arms.

Upon arrival I was checked (and shocker I was 0 dilated & 0 effaced).  The nurse started the pitocin, and I felt great.  I was visiting, checking facebook, and making phone calls.  Having a baby was going to be easy....yeah right!  Well by 8-9 that night I was dilated 2 cm...YIPPEEE!  NOT... at 10-11pm they decided to stop the pitocin to let me sleep. Whole lot that did, by 3am they were back in there starting it up again.  (Really do they think I slept AT ALL during the whole 4-5 hours they gave me).

When the pitocin started again, boy did it start.  Contractions came on strong...baby time?!  Not quite yet, at 9am my doctor (and when I say my, I mean MY doctor!) came in and decided to break my water....then the real fun began.   I was having severe contractions within a couple  hours.  I had told myself I wanted to get to 5-6cm before an epidural, but an epidural was not out of the question.  Well, we decided to try nubain and NEVER again.  That made me so loopy I felt like my body was floating.  Finally after about 2 hours of not speaking to my husband, I asked for the epidural.  I was sure I was giving up to soon, but the nurse said "No dear.  You are at least 6 cm if not more.  You've done great!"  (I would like to say now, that a nice, cheer you on, loves her job nurse is the best...I'm so thankful for the nurses I had).

It was time for the epidural and I was wondering how I was going to do it.  I was having contractions one right after another, how was I going to sit still?  My husband couldn't bear to watch, so he stepped out, and my nurse (thank god for her) helped me. I kept breathing and by some miracle, the contractions stopped long enough for me to receive that big, long, gift from god needle!  [WARNING:  this part still bothers me to this day!]  After my epidural had been placed, the anesthesiologist informed me that he had dropped the second half of my numbing medication on the floor, and since I was sitting so still he just finished instead of getting more. ( YES, you read that right....only half the numbing medication was given.)  To be fair, within a few minutes I didn't care because well, I felt NO PAIN :)

I have to tell you, that labor is called labor for a reason. It is not easy, its hard...but it is SO worth it in the end. You just have a hard time remembering that or focusing on it at the time.  So anyway, I feel no pain and keep waiting to hear those three little words "time to push" but they never are said....

When will this baby get here?

9 months never went by so slow yet so fast in all my life! There was so much to do and I always felt there wasn't enough time to get ready for my new bundle. YET the anticipation of wanting to hold my baby and know what he looked liked was killing me and I wondered how come this is taking so long?! Like many other moms-to-be I wanted my cake and to eat it too. The 9 months you are pregnant (and let's be serious its more like 10) are the most frantic, exciting, emotional an longest month of your life (thus far).

I was fortunate I didn't get that big in the beginning and then all of a sudden "BAM" baby belly galore! I swore up and down if one more person asked me when i was due and then looked at me like I was crazy when I said end of April (in February) I was going to flip! I just kept thinking this baby needs to hurry up and be born so people leave me alone.

At about 30 weeks my pregnancy started to get complicated. I was in and out of the hospital with possibility of delivery at any time, twice weekly NSTs and was put on bed rest/home rest. If I wasn't already anxious boy oh boy I was now! I was concerned not only for myself but for my baby. Finally at 39 weeks the doctor induced (that alone was an experience all of it's own) the wait was over...baby was on the way!

Baby, baby, who wants a baby?!

Before becoming a MOM all I ever wanted was to be one. I loved my life...my family, friends and husband were my world, but I always felt something was missing. I would see others with their kids, and wonder when it was going to happen for me.

When Chuck and I got married I knew that eventually we would start a family. I was ready, but well he needed some time. I had figured after a couple years he would be ready, so let me tell you my surprise when only after 8-9 months of marriage he said "I think we should try to have a baby!"

I was so excited but feared that because I wanted it SO bad it would take us awhile....but nope after one week (yes you read that right ONE week) I was pregnant! Just like that my world changed forever and would never be the same...all from one little word on a stick "PREGNANT"....