Ringing in the New Year

This year has been a whirlwind like no other!  After our ectopic pregnancy in November of 2009, we were thankful to get pregnant in the Spring of 2010, which helped us to cope with the loss of 2009.  We both spent time with friends and were able to go camping with our families over the Summer.  The most eventful portion of our year has been the past 3 weeks, after our little man was born on 12/8/10.  We are planning on ringing in the new year by staying home and quite possibly a midnight feeding.  While this celebration may not seem very exciting, I know that it's all just a part how our lives have dramatically changed over the past 3 weeks.  Initially, staying home with Aaron, feeding and rocking and changing him made me feel so confined and stuck.  Over the past few weeks, I can't believe how much of a routine we are in and feel much more able to get back to our new "normal."  I was able to make supper the other day and I have only missed taking a shower twice since he arrived!  We've been thankful for lots of help from family and visits from family and friends as well.  As we adjust to our new life and toting Aaron around with us, we are looking forward to the next 12 months!  We plan to keep you updated on Aaron's development, our insights on parenting, and life as we have experienced it.  We look forward to seeing you all in the near future!  Best wishes in 2011!

Growing Boy

Aaron has his two week well-baby check today!  Boy is he growing already!  He now weighs 9 pounds, 1 ounce, 21 1/2 inches long and his head circumference is 14 1/2.  That means he's grown 1/2 an inch, his head has gotten 1/2 an inch bigger and he's gained almost a full pound from his birth weight.  He's gained a pound and 3 ounces if you look at his weight when he left the hospital!  I'm just shocked at how fast he has grown...and can't believe how fast time passes!  We haven't taken very many pictures this past week.  We've been attempting to keep caught up on bottles and laundry and feeding and napping ourselves.  We've been going to be around 7:30 or 8:30 every night...whenever Aaron goes down to get a few more hours before the next feeding.  He's been doing a great job and sleeping up to 3 hours or so after a feeding. We are getting into more of a routine and mommy is feeling more confident and capable.  Very important now that daddy has gone back to work.  We liked having him around for a week and half and miss him lots during the day.  Mommy gave Aaron his bath today all by herself.  Which was not easy, but we got it done.  We are planning on traveling up to LeMars over the Christmas weekend, Thursday through Sunday, but are keeping an eye on the weather.  Don't want to take any unnecessary risks and our first big travel trip will likely be stressful enough without weather to deal with also.  More updates to come as our family continues to adjust to the new life within it.

No one ever told me...

Things no one ever told me about having a child...
-I would get so teary-eyed over the silliest things.  My professor was so understanding and supportive letting me turn in my final paper late and asking to see pictures.  I am so grateful for such a great teacher!
-I would get distracted by 50 different things only to drop them all when my baby squirmed in his sleep.
-I would wake up every 15 minutes, worried he wasn't breathing or might choke.
-I would be excited about poop.
-I would wash bottles 4 times per day.
-I would turn the heat up and down constantly to make sure my baby was warm enough, cool enough, comfortable enough.
-I wouldn't care about spit up on my clothes, but I would rush to change my baby at the slightest drop on his clothing.
-I would stay home for days in a row and be perfectly happy about it.
-I wouldn't have time to eat, empty the dishwasher, brush my teeth, take a shower, read my email.

I'm sure there are many more things that we didn't know, but are continuing to learn along the way.  Like, it's okay if that load of laundry lays on the floor for a day...or two.  It's okay to snuggle and go back to bed until 10am.  A baby spits up... A LOT, but they will not starve to death.  Projectile spit up doesn't concern a baby.  They will go right back to sleep.
Our blog is likely to be very different now that Aaron has arrived.  I have not cooked a meal in over a week, which is strange and not like me.  I feel like I've lost a little bit of myself, at least temporarily, until we can establish a routine and figure out how to change our lives to fit everything else back into it.  Slowly but surely, we are getting there.  We've been able to take a shower every day so far.  HUGE accomplishment.  Today, I got to make coffee for myself, and I got to drink it before it got cold!  In short, we welcome you to our baby chronicles.  Hope you enjoy!

Aaron Tyler Haylett

After 13 hours of labor, Aaron Tyler Haylett arrived on 12/8/2010 at 9:33pm.  He was 8lbs 5oz and 21 inches long!  It was strange to see our new little man and recognize him from our sonogram!  So handsome and healthy!  His Apgar scores were 8 and 9 and he is soooo handsome!  We are absolutely smitten with him and can't wait to show him off to everyone.  Once we get settled we plan to put out the invite for the meet and greets to begin.  Should be soon!  Until then, here are a few pictures to tide you over!  http://gallery.me.com/bhaylett/

Best Laid Plans

So...we had our last doctor appointment today.  I say last because they plan on inducing me on Wednesday, December 8th, assuming that I do not go into labor between now and then.  They decided that if we go until due date or after, baby will be getting "too big."  At our appointment today, it was determined that baby is approximately 8lbs10oz, plus or minus a pound based on the ultrasound.  Heartrate was around 140 and everything seems to be growing well, with 3cm of dilation and good thinning of the cervix.  Yes, TMI, but you know you wanted to ask.  Since there is a possibility that this kiddo could be near 10 pounds next week already, they are giving me a choice:  Schedule a c-section or schedule an induction.  As our preference was neither, we went for the most natural, inducing.  We go in on Wednesday, December 8th at 6:30am for our Pitocin drip to start labor.  Assuming all goes well with that, we will meet our little one within the day or shortly into the next day!  I wasn't nervous until they gave us an exact date.  While I'm more nervous and excited, I also feel like I have a day to work up to, instead of leaving the office each day saying, "Well, maybe I'll see you tomorrow!"  I feel like I can plan coverage and concerns for my caseload and be "prepared."  As prepared as one can be...right?  I have a few things to finish up for class, but now I know my deadline and have talked with my teachers who are understanding and flexible in working with me for due dates and deadlines.  Okay...now back to finishing up my work!  Just wanted to update the blogosphere for those who have been anxiously awaiting the news!