Snow 2010

We had a nice, little snow storm last night, 4 inches in Bryan is unheard of. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, Matt or Garrett! They made a snowman and did snow angels. It was so fun last night. Payton slept through it all :)

1 week old

Payton is 1 week old today, she hasn't changed too much, but there's a few things that shows she's a bit older.

She is nursing SO much better. Her color is a lot better. She is awake a bit more, still mainly just eats and sleeps, although she seems to enjoy rocking at about 2am. She hates her sponge baths and her diaper changes, but loves to cuddle up with you. She likes her bouncer & seems to like the pacifier, after crying for 2 hours the other night, she took it and seems to enjoy it. She also burps, farts, and snorts like nothing I've ever heard! Oh, and she's been trying to hold her head up since Thursday! She looks like a little turtle when she stretches her neck out.

Garrett still loves her, he gives her tons of kisses and is very gentle with her. He is still trying to understand the nursing, he thinks she is eating my boob, lol.

As for me, I'm feeling great, amazing what an easier delivery will do for you. I know i'm not 100% healed, but I feel so much better at this point then I did with Garrett. I ended up gaining 31.5 pounds, as of this morning I had lost 17 of those! I have had some pain in my tailbone and back, but after a trip to the Chiro today, even those are barely hurting.

Happy 1 week birthday to my little China Doll.

Big Brother

I am trying to capture some of Garrett's "big brother" moments as well as Payton's "baby moments". So, here are some things Garrett has said or done that we've all had to laugh at:

He stayed with Melissa while I was in labor and she took him to buy Payton a present, he picked out a stuffed, pink doll. Every time she cries he runs and gets the doll and tries to give it to her.

He is very curious, so of course he wanted to know all about me nursing. I explained that babies get their milk from their momma's, and he said from their boobs and I said yes. Well, she was crying hard one day and wouldn't latch on, he asked what was wrong and I said she just doesn't seem to want momma's milk and he lifted his shirt and said, try my boob!

He was a bit confused about her being his sister. I was reading books one night and he told me to tell Grandpa to put "his brother down and come pat pat", I said Payton is your sister and he said she is like my brother, I said well, i guess she is like a brother but no, she is your sister. He just sighed at me!!

He does love her and I am so thrilled. We'll see if this lasts for the weeks to come, but for now he is very concerned when she cries. If she squeaks or makes noise, he asks what it is. He loves to give her kisses and rub on her, he is VERY gentle with her.

I was concerned he'd be upset this morning when she was laying in bed with me, so I asked if he wanted me to put her in the bassinet and he said no and laid down next to her and we all laid there together, it was so sweet!!

Hospital stay

The first night in the hospital was horrible. Apparently the CEO & Board of Directors was coming for a tour on Wednesday, so Tuesday night, they stripped, washed and waxed the floors on the maternity floor, it took hours! At 2am, when the nurse came to check on me, she was concerned I hadn't slept, so she gave me 2 Lortabs and all it did was make me feel drugged. I honestly, didn't sleep at all that night. So, Wednesday the Dr made them put a note on my door and I was not to be interupted, I did manage to sleep for a couple hours in the afternoon.

The second night, I would nurse Payton & send her right back to the nursery, the Dr had me take Benadryl to help me sleep and I guess it worked well enough, I managed to fall back to sleep quite quickly after each feeding, so when we left on Thursday, I felt ok.

Payton Marie O'Banion

Payton Marie O'Banion was born on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.

Matt & I went to the Dr for my 37 week checkup, we had packed our bags in case she sent us to labor & delivery. When she examined me I was at almost 4cm and 70% effaced. She wasn't sure what to do, so she stripped my membranes and told me to get dressed and we'd talk more. By the time I got dressed and we walked down the hall to her office, I was having contractions. She decided she was afraid to send me home, so we went to L&D. I sent Matt to eat, it was about 12 and he hadn't eaten, while I got registered. I was admitted by 12:30, the Dr came in & broke my water and they started me on Pitocin. At 2pm I was still at 4cm, at 4pm, I was at 7cm, at 4:15 I was at 9. They had to hold her in while the Dr ran over from the office! She arrived at exactly 4:45pm, 7lbs 1oz, 20 inches long.

5 year nniversary

Happy Anniversary Matt!!

We celebrated our 5 year anniversary and I was thinking about everything that has happened in 5 years.

We've lived in 4 houses, owned 2. Bought 2 vehicles. We've dealt with my unemployment. I think it's safe to say we've had 2 kids. Matt's had 2 major surgeries. I dealt with kidney stones. I can't even tell you how many gallons of paint we've gone through, at least 6 new granite counter tops and all new flooring in our current home. Other then building a home, I think we've dealt with any major thing life can throw at us!! And, I believe we are happier today then we've ever been. Money is tight, but we are in a good place about it all, we are on the same page. Sure, it was easier when we didn't have Garrett, but he is such a joy, it more then makes up for it.

I look forward to what life can throw at us in the next 5, 10, 25, 5o years!!

I love you Matt!

36 weeks

I had my 36 week checkup today. Everything looks great, I gained 2 pounds, but I normally go in the morning and this was a late afternoon appt, and at this point, I just don't care anymore, lol!! My BP was great, and the best news ever.....I am 3cm and 50% effaced!! The baby is coming, soon!!

I got back next Tuesday, she said she's about 90% sure she'll be inducing me then, unless I really , really want to wait longer, I said I'd think long and hard about it, lol!!

I have to say, what a difference from Garrett, I was at 1cm forever, here I am 36 weeks and at 3cm, crazy!!

I will try and post an update next week, if I don't, well, you know I'm busy :)