Something Else to Cry About

I HATE ST. CHARLES COUNTY!!!!  (The county we live in...)  I am definitely sick.  I called the pediatrician today to find out what I could take for my cold that was safe for breastfeeding.  She tells me I can take Claritin if I have allergies (which is what I originally thought I had) or Pseudoephedrine if I'm sick.  That was it, the only two options she gave me.  So I get in the car, and head up to Wal-Greens to pick up both, and a thermometer, baby Tylenol, and saline drops for Jack, because I also think he's getting sick.

I get there and go to the pharmacy and ask for the  Pseudoephedrine, the pharmacist apologetically explains that in the county we live in, I can't buy it without a prescription.  That I can drive over the bridge (20 minutes away) and buy it in the next county over, but not there.  I couldn't help it, I started crying right there.

Since I think each post needs at least one picture of Jack, here are some new ones.

This is Jack's "I farted" face... he gives me this look right after he passes gas.  Who knew baby farts were so cute??

Jack taking a little snooze after his afternoon meal

2 Weeks

I can't believe Jack's already 2 weeks old, at risk of sounding cliche, it seems like just yesterday we brought him home.  It makes me kind of sad, and I can't believe how fast the past 2 weeks have gone.  I blame it on the hormones, they are more out of whack then when I was pregnant.  I thought I cried at the worst times when I was pregnant (like in the middle of reading a passage at a wedding, one of my better pregnant moments) but SERIOUSLY I CRY ABOUT EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW.  I've been assured this will pass.

Grandma Gesie has gone back home, Grandpa Gesie has been staying with us this week.  He's been taking good care of Craig, Jack, and I.  Although, I think I'm coming down with a cold... for those of you who have given birth, imagine coughing 2 weeks later... I cry about this too.

Here are some pictures from the past week...

For Jack's Grandma's

Grandpa Gesie and Jack

Grandpa combed Jack's hair when he got up this morning

Daddy's Sidekick

Seriously the greatest feeling ever, having Jack snuggled up on my chest

Grandpa's Little Helper

Chicks Dig A Guy With A Bike

My friend Traci made a pretty freaking cool diaper cake for my baby shower in Iowa... it was no ordinary diaper cake, it was a motor cycle!!!  I'm seriously impressed with this thing.  So impressed I refuse to take it apart.  So we put Jack's "Chicks Adore Me" outfit on and let him cruise on his first motorcycle.

Jack's First Walk

Seeing as March has been unseasonably warm, Jack has already gone on his first walk.  Nothing exciting, he just looks so cute bundled up, I thought I was a nice excuse to post a new picture.

Great Grandpa & Grandma Holly

Jack got to meet his Great Grandpa and Grandma Holly today!  Grandma Gesie has to get back to work, so Grandpa Gesie drove Great G'pa and G'ma down to meet Jack and Grandma took them back with her since Grandpa Gesie is staying for a week because I think we still need some extra help around.

1st Bath

Jack had his first bath tonight, he didn't care for it.  I think he will enjoy a bath when he can get in the water where it's warm, as opposed to a sponge bath.  But until everything is healed, sponge bathes it is...

1 Week Old

I can't believe it's been one week already!  I love this little guy more every day!

Healthy and Happy

The Bili-bed is gone!!!  THANK GOD!  Seriously, that thing was terrible.  I'm so glad it's over.  Jack's happy about it too, and this is my current favorite picture of him...

Grandma Gesie has been staying with us this week.  It has been so nice to have her here.  She does the laundry and feeds me breakfast and lunch and then makes dinner for all 3 of us.  I can't put into words how nice it's been having her here.  I really don't have to do anything but take care of Jack and rest.  It's nice having your "mommy" take care of you again :)

Grandma, Jack and Bubba taking a morning nap

The first day we put make-up on to leave the house, so Grandma and mom needed to take pictures with Jack

Daddy, Mommy, & Jack hanging out on the couch

Big Calvin getting some lovin' while Jack napped

Jack looking adorable as always

A Bili Bed for Jack

When we left the hospital on Saturday we were told Jack's Biliruben levels were high and the pediatrician wanted to see us Monday for a follow up.  High Biliruben levels are the cause of jaundice and happens when the liver isn't breaking down red blood cells fast enough because it isn't mature yet.

Jack had to get a heal stick for the blood test.  The heal stick didn't phase Jack a bit.  I bawled enough for the both of us.

Unfortunately, his bili levels were higher on Monday then they were Saturday and Jack has to sleep in a bili bed.  It looks like a baby tanning bed and has a horrible square paper gown with arms that Velcros Jack to the bed.

 Dad, Grandma Gesie, and Mom have been taking turns camping out on the floor next to Jack.

He tolerates the bed pretty well.  Better than I do.  It's horrible.  I hate the bed, I hate the hospice nurse that comes every day to do a heal stick to check Jack's bili level, I hate the guy who delivered the bed, and most of all; I hate the Dr. for telling me he needs to spend "as much time as possible" in it.  I understand the more time he spends in it, the quicker we'll be done with this thing, but COME ON!!!  How do you expect a new mother to not hold her newborn son, but instead to strap him to a bed, only taking him out to nurse him?

We came up with a small compromise.  I can give him a couple 15 minute sun bathes a day.

I despise the bed, and can't wait to get rid of it.

Welcome Home

We had a lot of people to help welcome us home on Saturday.

 Aunt Katy and cousin MCat came to see us in the hospital.  I think MCat loves her some Baby Jack... or maybe it's just babies in general.  Either way, she really wanted to poke him.

Grandpa Calhoun came to town after he rested up from his surgery.  He has impeccable timing for his hospital visits :)

Jack's Bilirubin levels were high when we left on Saturday.  So Grandpa Gesie was giving him a sun bath to try to help out.

I have pictures of Grandma Nan with Jack on a CD that Katy gave me, but I can't find the CD anywhere.  I'm sure I put it somewhere I would remember it...

Kiss Me I'm Irish

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

We get to go home today, and it's Jack's first St. Patrick's Day!  I bought him a onesie for this holiday.  I bought a size 3mo, since the Dr. told me at my 34 week ultrasound that I "Had a really big baby in there."  She was estimating a 10 lb baby, so we figured he would skip newborn clothes and diapers.  While 8 lbs was a pleasant surprise, his onesie is a bit big...

Photo Shoot

Here are some of the pictures from Jack's one day old photo shoot in the hospital.

Pure Love

I just LOVE him!  It's all I think when I look at Jack.  I just sit and stare at him and can't get enough of him.  He's sweet and perfect.  Here are a few pictures from his first day.

 After his first feeding, we just hung out while Dad snored on the smallest couch ever next to us.

 Jack and his Aunt Niki

 Probably the greatest feeling in the world.  Having Jack snuggled up on my chest is pure bliss.  I don't look very happy, but I promise I was in 7th heaven.

It's a BOY!

Jack Lee Calhoun

March 15, 2012

12:08am

8lbs 1oz

20 3/4 inches

Proud Daddy

Proud/Exhausted Mommy

I look hot :)  Well I was hot at the time(literally), it was REALLY warm in there for the delivery.  I'm blaming the puffiness of my face on the 3 bags of fluids I took over the past 36 hours.

Yes, 36 hours later.  Jack made his appearance.  It was a LONG 1.5 days to get here, but totally worth it.  It ended up being a natural birth (as in no epidural) and the Dr. missed the delivery.  But everyone is healthy and resting.

Proud Grandpa & Grandma Gesie