So Far So Good

So far Grady is a great baby. I am cautious to say that, because I keep thinking he is going to pay us back big time. But he really is mellow and laid back and just the sweetest thing. Don't get me wrong, he does his fair share of crying when he needs something. But for the most part, so far so good! He is really good at sleeping at night. Next week, we are going to 5 hours bt one feeding at night :-) I cannot wait!

He had a little trouble gaining back his birth weight, but after meeting with the lactation nurse and getting his poor little tongue clipped he quickly gained back and passed his birth weight! He now weigh 7 lbs 14 oz and is finally filling out. The lactation nurses are unbelievably helpful. I would highly recommend any mom to take advantage of them! I have done 2 outpatient "feed and weighs". It is exactly as it sounds. We weigh him, I feed him on one side then we weigh him again. It is the closest way to determine how much he is getting from me. Then we do the other side. After the first meeting I was supplimenting 1.5 oz after breast feeding. After our second meeting this week, we backed off the suppliment down to 1 oz because he is getting more from me. Breast feeding is tough and I admire every mom out there that gives it any effort and especially those that do it for the first year. My first goal is to continue while I am home. After that we shall see.

No pictures this time. One of my friends came over on Monday and took pictures of Grady! I cannot wait to get them back. Then I will post more pictures!

It's almost been 2 weeks

So we finally got internet at our new house. Sorry I have not posted any new pictures since Grady was born. So here is the last 2 weeks! And yes, it is very obvious my son is a spitting image of my husband. I'm ok with that...my two handsome men!

Grady is a very mellow baby. He is just amazing. We are so lucky to have such a good lil boy. I told Kevin the other day, he will probably pay us back when he starts teething or something. But so far we will enjoy his laid back personality!!

Kevin took the first week off work. When he had to go back this past Monday it was really hard for both of us. I can only imagine how difficult it will be the day I have to go back to work. :-(

It is so amazing to see how Kevin is with Grady. He is such an incredible father, very helpful and so loving. I knew he was always good with kids, but to see him with Grady just melts my heart.

So when Grady was born the lactation nurse pointed out that he had a tight frenulum (the thing under your tongue) also known as tongue tied. His was really bad which made it difficult for him to nurse properly. So we went to the pediatrian and he referred us to an ENT. Yesterday my brave lil boy got his frenulum clipped. Mommy was not so brave. My mom had to stay in there with him while I stepped out during the procedure. There was no way I could see my lil boy go through that. It took all of about 4 minutes and Grady barely even cried. Mom said he was more upset with the doctore prying his mouth open than the actual clipping. He did great! Now he is nursing better!!

We are still working on getting back up to birth weight. The tongue tie contributed a little to him not getting as much from nursing. And we are supplementing 1 oz of formula. He is on his way up and the peditrition thinks he will be back to birth weight by first of next week! Hopefully everything will work its way out as he gets used to life :-)

So now, what most of you really want to see....pictures! My sister Lauren and I did a mini photoshoot. Here are some of the photos as well as others. Enjoy!!

Chilling in my swing!

My first bath! But I hate being cold!

Thats more like it!

I'm so tiny :-)

I look good in orange :-)

Me and Jackson cheering on Chad for his 3rd Ironman!

Me and my cousin Jackson, 6 months apart!

Our Sweet Grady is Finally Here!

Monday August 23rd at 5:00am we checked into St. Francis Eastside Hospital in Greenville SC for my scheduled induction. We got into the room and settled in and they began my pitosin. At 7:45 my doctor came in and broke my water. I immediately began contractions. I finally confirmed that I had been having a few contractions the last few weeks and I could finally tell the difference between contractions and kidney stone pain. Not too different.

My contractions got stronger and stronger so I asked for my epidural. My epidural was in about 9:45. I was progressing pretty fast. I came to the hospital at 4cm, when my epidural was in I was already at 6cm, then at 11:45 I was at 9cm. We were waiting on my doctor to finish a c-section and about 1:45 I began pushing with my nurse! I could not believe how fast this process was going! At about 2:30 my doctor came in and I continued to push.

At 3:03pm Grady James Clark came into this world bright eyed and not crying. 7lbs 13oz 21inches long. I was a little worried at first but he was just fine and he was looking around making little peeps. Kevin cut the cord and then they put him on my chest and Kevin and I just cried together. I could not believe my son was finally here! He was beautiful and so perfect. They took him over to get cleaned up and weighed and Kevin went over there. They were taking so long it seemed. I could not wait to get my  hands back on him. After he got cleaned up Kevin brought him over to me and layed him in my arms. The best feeling in the world as the three of us just sort of laid together.

We were in recovery for a little bit then got all our stuff together and they rolled me to our room. The whole time Grady just was wide eyed and looking around taking everything in. We are so blessed to finally have him here. He is very mellow and just the sweetest thing. My life has forever changed and I am so blessed! I can't believe I am a mommy! Best feeling in the world!

Getting my first bath!

38 1/2 weeks

I am 38 1/2 weeks pregnant with Grady. I went to the doctor on Monday. I am already 4 cm dialated 80% efaced. My doctor has scheduled me to be induced Monday morning. However, she believes he may come sooner! When she first told me all this, every emotion hit me all at once. I was happy, scared, excited, anxious....just everything. But the thought of meeting my son in less than a week is such an unbelievable feeling!

A little recap- most of you know we have been building a house and living with Kevin's brother this summer. We are scheduled to close on our new house this Friday. I am praying that Grady will hold off for us to get into our house first. However, we all know he will come when he is ready. I am so thankful we have such amazing family and friends coming up this weekend to help us move. They may all get to meet Grady too!

I have been having a few inconsistent contractions. Nothing to be alarmed about, but I do know I am getting close! Bags are packed, car seat is in the car and we are as ready as we'll ever be.

Hopefully my next entry will be pictures of our sweet lil boy!! :-)