Cash's 1 & 2 Month Favorites

Here are some things that Cash has been enjoying (a.k.a. I couldn't live without!).

Fisher Price Rock 'N' Play: He has been sleeping in this every night (well, at least until he ends up in bed with me. #Bad habit.) And it's not offensive looking at all as far as baby gear goes.

Aden + Anais Muslin Sleeping Bag: This lightweight sleep sack has really come in handy for those hot summer nights. He's like a little oven so this is perfect.

Burt's Bees Baby Wash: We love the smell of the Burt's Bees products and Cash loves his bath time.

Ingenuity Automatic Bouncer: Our family friend was visiting from Colorado and picked this up for Cash. It has been a lifesaver. This bouncer has allowed me to shower, prepare a meal or two, and pump in the middle of the night.

Summer Infant SwaddleMe: I'm convinced that no one would be getting any sleep at all without the SwaddleMe. I recently purchased a couple more in the size up since he's busting out of his zebra one, but I've learned that tighter is better so he's sucking it in for now:)

Avent Bottles: After our breastfeeding debacle we were on the hunt for the perfect bottle. After trying 4 others we settled on Avent. He seems to take to this bottle the best and spit up the least. At 10 weeks he is exclusively bottle fed.

University of Michigan Pacifiers: Much to my husband's delight, Cash will ONLY take these random U of M pacifiers. We have tried soothies, NUKs, and Avents, and they were all no go's. If the maize and blue is what makes him happy then I'll buy them all day long. They have gotten so much use that the M logos are completely rubbed off at this point.

Pampers Swaddlers: Pampers is where it's at. These are by far our favorite diapers and prevent blow outs the best. He is currently in a size 2. Chunky butt.

Here's some cuteness for your viewing pleasure:)

Daddy got back surgery:

So, Jake has had back problems off and on for about 6 years now. When Cash was about 3 weeks old he woke up one morning in a crazy amount of pain and 4 weeks later caved and got an MRI. Insert: Herniated disk and back surgery on the calendar:( He is currently 6 days post surgery and has about 9 days left of basically living on the couch until his follow up appt with the Doctor. The downside? When all is said and done he will have gone almost 8 weeks not being able to walk and carry Cash. The upside is they are getting some quality father-son time in the sitting position. 

(Jake's friends brought him a walker as a joke and it's certainly come in handy!)

(Is it just me or does Cash look like his mama?)

Boating with baby

I thought May was such a great month to give birth, not considering what it would be like to fight the sweltering heat and stuffy humidity with a little baby. It's hot. He sticks to me. My son is just like his father- an oven. But that has not stopped us from boating-- three times.

On our family friend's boat, Mackinaw City

Hanging out with Shannon on my Mom and Dad's boat

Nursing on a boat in 85 degree heat. Hot, hot, hot

Napping by himself in the cabin for about...5 minutes. He prefers to be held during nap time:)

Cruisin' on our boat...that we owned for approximately 3 weeks. More on that later...

1st & 2nd Month

He's growing so fast!

Playing catch up

Our sweet Cash is 8 weeks old today and we are finally getting our bearings. He had a really fussy couple of weeks and has turned the corner! Yay! He is a sweet boy. Here are some stats:

Stats: Cash is in the 90th percentile at 13 lbs, 3 oz and 23.5 inches long. He's a big boy and LOVES his milk.

What's new: He smiles and laughs quite often, especially at his daddy. Maybe he thinks he's funny looking:) He also has an actual bedtime now--9-9:30. He is becoming predictable and we cannot get enough of him or enough pictures of him!

 

There's just a few photos of that beautiful face. Whoever thought I would have a blue eyed child? I hope they stick. Off to kiss him now...

Baby Cash's Birth Story

Short version: Cash Lawrence was born May 22nd at 5:18 pm, weighing 9 lbs 5.7 oz and measuring 20.5 in long. He is perfectly healthy and has the most delicious cheeks!

Longer version: I chose to be induced at 40w2d. I called my OB's office on Monday, my due date and asked for an induction, which I never thought I would do. The happily scheduled one for Wednesday.  I was extremely nervous and anxious about it, thinking no matter how miserable I was maybe I should give him a few more days, but my instincts said to go ahead with it. I knew I couldn't go on another week or so with how I was feeling.

 We were at the hospital by 6:30 am Wed May 22nd, I was given Cytotec by 7:30 (3 cm, 90% effaced at the time). Jake and I walked the halls for a while and I was having contractions I couldn't feel. My Dr decided to break my water at 10 and that's when contractions came on with a vengeance. After a few of hours they were about 30 seconds apart and I could hardly catch my breath before another one came on. Jake was a great support and breathed with me through every one. I finally asked for an epidural, hoping not to miss my window and I was 7 cm by then. I can't believe I held still long enough for them to administer it but the epi gave me immediate relief and I was so grateful. 30 minutes later I was 10 cm dilated and asked to start pushing!

I couldn't figure out how to push at first because I was so numb and was feeling no pain (hallelujah!) but I needed to feel something in order to be proactive so my Doctor lowered the epidural (which she said was extremely strong for some reason. I think the Anesthesiologist felt bad for me.) And they also added a little pitocin to my IV, hoping it would strengthen my contractions which got weaker with the epi.  With the help of my nurse, Jake and my OB, I pushed for 2 hours! This baby, who they estimated to be about 7.5 lbs, was not coming out. His head was RIGHT there but wouldn't budge. My Dr tried the vacuum 3 times with no luck. I thought I was going to be pushing for the rest of my life and I was completely exhausted. The worst pain I felt was in my left hip and my entire body shook while Jake put the oxygen mask on and off my face in between contractions. I made a joke about how I had been wanting an oxygen mask for weeks.

 Finally, she was able to snip me just enough for me to push that big head out! (14 3/4 cm). Cash was born at 5:18 pm, weighing a whopping 9 lbs, 5.7 oz. He was 20.5 in long. He was WAY bigger than we anticipated and my Dr and I were both so glad I chose the induction when I did, rather than letting him grow even more. It could have easily ended in a c-section. I still can't believe I birthed a baby that big. He's so precious, has the biggest cheeks and came out looking exactly like Jake did at birth!

No one in the room could believe how BIG he was. I didn't cry like I thought I would. I was just in complete shock.

After the roughest day of our lives:)

Our little angel baby

Proud Daddy

Chunky Monkey, loving his swaddle in the hospital

He is so worth all the pain and discomfort.

40 Weeks

So, with all the talk of me delivering early, I very impatiently made it to my due date. And beyond....

These photos were taken the day before I was due (May 19th). I was very big and very uncomfortable but somehow managed a walk by the lake and putt putt golfing. Anything to try and get that baby to come.

He made his arrival 3 days later.