Wednesday, Oui? Toby Toby Toby!

I am so in love.
Painfully, desperately, pathetically in love.

I love being a Mother. I love my husband 10 million times more than I did one week ago. I love my son so much that I won't even try to put meaningless little words to this well of feeling inside my heart.
I have the best, cutest and sweetest baby ever.

Toby's original due date was today. I was induced one week early. I am so glad I got him a week early. I will post his birth story at some point in the near future but, for today, I just want to share some pictures of our son.

Some facts/stats:

• Tobias "Toby" Herbert Molloy came into this world after 8 hours and 24 minutes of labor.
• He was born at 3:54 PM 5/23/12.
• He was 6.4lbs and 19.5 inches long.
• He cried immediately.
• Since we arrived home from the hospital he has had 31 diaper changes.
• He lost a few ounces, his current weight is around 5 lbs 13 oz. (He is tiny!)
• He's beginning to focus on objects a bit better.
• We feed him every three hours so, we sleep in 2 hour intervals.
• He barely cries (fingers crossed).
• Everyone who has met him thinks he's gorgeous. We, of course, agree.
• I NEVER thought I was capable of such love.
• My husband is the BEST father. Aaron is beyond attentive to me and Toby.
• Toby is doing a great job nursing but, unfortunately, I'm not producing enough milk yet, so we're supplementing with formula.
• Aaron read him his first book, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.
• Mama has lost 16 pounds and I am diabetes free! The first sweet thing I ate was a chocolate chip whoopie pie (thank you McPepe!!) It was delicious.

That's all for now... Mama duties call. But, I'll leave you with pictures of this intoxicating newborn.

 

  More to come but, is he not delicious? I am so in love. Oui?

Wednesday Oui? Planet Alien: The final sneak peek!

So, here is where our precious little son will be sleeping. Toby's crib is actually where a large closet used to be; Aaron gutted that out and rebuilt the area perfect for a crib.

It would be negligent if I didn't publicly thank all the people who put in their time and effort to make my dream nursery a success: McPepe, Uncles Matt & Nelson, Uncle Jason and Papa Dan: thank you for all your help. I love this room and it is EXACTLY what I've been dreaming of.

Lastly, Aaron: You are the best husband in the world. You are so incredibly good to me. Your final little project, totally sums up how you feel about me and your son; our family. I could not ask for a better partner or father for our child. I love you!

Finally, Aaron's gift to Toby. A custom closet with a handmade floor.

And baby makes...8?

I've been snooping and skulking around message boards on a few of the baby sites I frequent (www.thebump.com, www.babycenter.com, www.whattoexpect.com) and something that I've read on a few different sites has caused a mild depression of sorts.

"When you have a child your pets become second class citizens."
"Dogs that were once your children become dogs once baby arrive."

Oh HELL no. That's not happening.

I've been doing a little bit of reading on the subject and I've come to believe that if you do it properly, a baby won't disrupt the life of your dog, thus, your dog won't disrupt the life of your baby. I *really* want everyone to co-exist. I suspect everyone will get along swimmingly simply because both of my dogs currently love children and babies (which, with Manny, took a bit of training.)

Yes, my dogs/animals are accustomed to living a charmed life. Still, I see no reason that has to change, really. I know there will be some changes that are inevitable with the biggest being that Manny will begrudgingly have to relinquish the majority of the time he spends on my lap. Other than that, I still fully intend on walking them often (perhaps more often if I fail to quickly lose my pregnancy weight). They will still be spoiled and loved.

And you know what? I'm SO TIRED of hearing the "just waits" that I seem to get from everyone. If you don't believe this is going to be possible then please let me live in a fantasy world until reality slaps me in the face. Otherwise, don't knock a girl for wanting to try!

I have no concept of "Leisure"

So...

• I've done all the gardening I can do; my annuals have been planted for the summer.
• We cleaned and detailed my car.
• The cats have been groomed.
• The dogs have been bathed/nails clipped.
• I've washed all the floors, windows, sheets, clothes, any/all surfaces in my house.
• I've dusted every nook & cranny.
• I've finished all my paperwork for all of my jobs.
• I've had my hair done.
• My (and Toby's) hospital bags are packed.
• I've done all the "research" regarding elective procedures at the hospital (vaccinations, circumcision, etc.) and we've made OUR decisions.
• I've selected a Pediatrician.
• I've organized our finances and paid our bills until the middle of June(ish).
• I've written all our thank you cards.
• I've filled out what I can (thus far) in Toby's baby book.

What I have left to do:

• Install the car seat and have it inspected.
• We need to get some plants for our veggie garden.
• Finish burning my "Labor Music" to a CD.
• Spend some more time scrap-booking and putting photos into his album.
• Read/Review a bit more in the parenting/newborn books I've been devouring.

This is only Day 3 of my maternity leave...
Toby, HURRY UP!!!  Your efficient (and very pregnant) Mama is bored!

Bathroom Road Test and grenades

I've always wanted to box a person's ears or throw a grenade after ripping out the pin with my teeth. Alas, I don't know that I will ever have the opportunity to do either of the above. These details have nothing to do with the point of this story but, it's just a little fact about me... just for you... free of charge.

So, let me set the scene. It's 4 o'clock in the morning and Aaron gets up to feed the cats (which buys us another hour of undisturbed slumber). As he gets out of bed it stirs me to where I realize I have to pee... and pee with a vengeance. Now, when you're pregnant, you aren't spry in the least. I couldn't win a foot race even if there was a box of munchkins at the end of it for this pathetic diabetic. So, by the time I slither (moaning and groaning and body creaking) out of bed, Aaron is already back upstairs and using the bathroom. Me, having a completely full bladder and a small human sitting on top of it, I'm a bit impatient. So, I'm lurking by the door... waiting for him to be done.

Did I mention I have my eyes closed? Yeah, if I get up in the middle of the night to pee I almost always keep my eyes closed because, naturally, if I open them it's game over and I am up for the rest of the night. It's this weird defect I have.

So, as Aaron is trying to come out of the bathroom, I'm trying to go in... with my eyes closed... in the darkness. Let us also not forget I've swallowed a watermelon so the doorway doesn't accommodate me, my belly and Aaron who was completely unaware I was lurking in the hall like a pervert. So, we smack heads really hard because he spun around (I didn't see it coming, of course, because I had my eyes closed.)

It wasn't a little bump in the night either. It was the kind of smack where it makes that disgusting hammer-like sound and you taste metal.

The only thing I could think to say, fairly loudly, was: "I'M PREGNANT! I HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY!"

Amazingly, I was able to get a small bruise in my hairline, pee, and go back to bed without opening my eyes. How's that for talent?

Planet Alien: Apology & Nursery Sneak Peek #3

Most of you know that reading is something I love to do. It's so important to me that Toby has a deep respect for reading and education. (Although, if he doesn't, I'll deal with it and still love him just as much as I would if he was a little bookworm, like Mama.) Because of my love for reading, Toby, logically, has over 250 books. Therefore, we need plenty of places to keep these books.

Above is a picture of the beautiful built-in bookshelf that Aaron built for me... as a surprise.

If you know ANYTHING about me, you will know I HATE surprises. I am not a good person to surprise. I get incredibly angry when someone tries to surprise me with anything. Even if it's something I want, I have to know about it ahead of time (this posed a *slight* problem when Aaron proposed to me but, once he opened the box and I saw the ring he was very quickly forgiven.) So, in short, if I know about it, we're good. If I don't, I get all weird and angry. I think it's my need for control... angry probably isn't even the right word.

Needless to say, when Aaron changed the entire structure of Toby's room without my knowledge, I was not pleased.

I left for work one morning and this is what the wall looked like. Aaron had intended to put up the chair rail and, when I got home, I expected to find the chair rail on this wall (and nothing else). Instead I found a bookshelf built into the wall.

This was my reaction. It wasn't pretty. Aaron worked really *really* hard on this shelf-- all day long. I'm sure he expected me to be happy. I was not. I just looked at it and then turned around and walked out of the room to gather myself.

See the thing about me is that I don't have emotional outbursts. I deal with almost everything by processing it alone for a few minutes/hours (sometimes, in extreme cases, even days/weeks) in complete and utter silence. I am not someone to yell or even raise my voice. It's just not my style.

The sad thing was that I really loved the shelf. I loved it immediately. It is perfect for the room; Aaron is amazing with woodworking so it is beautifully done. I was just so incredibly angry that it was a surprise that I'm sure I ruined Aaron's moment.

So, publicly, I am thanking my wonderful husband, who tries so hard to make me happy and surprise me with the sweetest things. The work he has put into making my dream nursery come true is beyond what even I could imagine. So, Babe, I'm wicked sorry I wasn't excited. I LOVE the shelf, it's so perfect, it is exactly what I would have wanted if I had known about it ;) You're the best and Alien's room is perfect! Thank you!

(And don't worry: I was only mute/angry for about 2 hours... then I let him know how much I loved, Loved, LOVED what he did!) ;)

Postcards from the Bump: 37 Weeks

How far along? 37 Weeks + 2 Days !! Our little Alien is fully cooked. He could arrive any day!! Although, I'm content cooking him a bit longer. 

Total weight gain/loss: Well, that's open to argument. According to my calculations about 25 pounds. According to my doctor, 19 pounds. While I like his measurement better, I still want to try to be honest with myself. *Disclaimer:* I reserve the right change my mind when it's time to get back to pre-baby weight. ;)

Baby's size? As of last Friday he was 5.8lbs and his trunk was about 12 inches long. The ultrasound tech predicted that he's going to be a long baby.

Maternity clothes? Nope, I'm still sporting the tube tops and skinny jeans. I kid, I kid, but, in all reality, yes and no. I am wearing Aaron's sweatshirts and my pre-pregnancy yoga pants most of the time.

Stretch Marks? NO! Still No! Crossing my fingers. Hurry up, Toby! (If I avoid them I swear I owe it all to Burt's Bees!)

Sleep: Ugh! Just... ugh.

Best moment this week: Wednesday. We finally announced his name publicly. It felt really good to be able to talk about our son using the name that we picked for him. Although, he will ALWAYS be our Alien.

Movement: Yes. Although, poor little man is crunched up in there he doesn't have a whole lot of space to move around anymore. He lets me know often by punching me as hard as he can... sometimes in the bladder.

Food cravings: 24/7. But, unfortunately, I can't eat any of it. 

Gender: Still a boy!

Labor Signs: I have a doctor's appointment later this morning, so this information might change but, as of last Friday, I was 1+ cm dilated and my cervix was ripening. I continue to have pretty regular contractions and Toby is head down ready to come out!

Belly Button in or out? See for yourself below. I think it's like one of those things in a turkey that indicates when it's fully cooked. My belly button can't really turn out any more so, I think he's cooked ;)

What I miss: The use of my hips and legs in a comfortable manner.  

What I am looking forward to: Holding my baby boy and having control of my body. 

Milestones: I am having a baby in the next couple of weeks (weeks!!)

Other Baby Updates? I have two more days of work; next Monday and Wednesday, then I'm off until August. That's nuts!!

I have to say, I don't like naked belly pictures. I don't care how good someone looks. I think they are entirely too personal and invasive. Aaron begged and begged for me to do the "Demi Moore" picture. I will not confirm or deny if I gave into his relentless begging but, I can assure you that if I did, the picture will NEVER see the light of day. It's far too personal in my opinion.

The above picture, however, I'm so-so okay with. Aaron had a brilliant idea the other night and I was his piece of art work. It took about an hour and it felt like a massage... but with washable markers. See the little heart? Aaron said, "I'm going to put a heart where Toby was conceived." So cute. The rest of the night I couldn't get the song, "I've got the whole world, in my hands" out of my head!

Wednesday, Oui

I'm 37 weeks pregnant today. Our little man is fully cooked. He can get here, and be completely developed, at any point from today on.

Aaron and I have been planning this surprise for a couple of months... just for those we love. So, because we love you, (and because it's a Wednesday)...

I spy with my little eye... Do you see it?

We can't wait to meet him. Oui?

Planet Alien: Nursery Sneak Peek #2

The room is finally done. It feels so good to be able to go in there and relax. I only have three days left to work before my maternity leave starts; one more day this week and two next week. I foresee several days in the weeks leading up to my son's birth being spent in that room filling out what I can in his baby book and reading.

Above is the second sneak peek of Planet Alien. Here you get a partial view of the built-in-bookshelf Aaron created for me, (as a complete surprise [more on that later]) but, what I really want to talk about today is the little rocking chair in the corner.

Aaron just recently refinished this rocking chair for our son. The chair was made for Aaron in 1978 by his Grandad. Aaron absolutely adored his grandfather, who passed in 2007. When we learned we were having a baby, I knew I wanted something important to be done with the chair so, Aaron spent several hours sanding it down and repainting it white to match our nursery.

*However* we were very careful not to sand the underside of the seat where his grandfather, 34 years ago, carved "Created for Aaron, Christmas 1978. Love Grandad & Grandma"

I love the fact that my son's little bum will be sitting on the same seat that his Dad's did so many years ago. I love that this chair was made for my husband by the grandfather he adored. I love that my husband worked so hard to restore the chair for our baby. It's all just too precious for words.

Planet Alien: Nursery Sneak Peek

Planet Alien is almost complete!

Until the "big reveal" I'll be posting a few sneak peeks of the nursery I've been envisioning for the past 9 months and boy (oh boy) is it amazing! There are only a few finishing touches to make (hanging the nursery art work) before we can finally say we are done!

This is a sneak peek of the reading/nursing nook. Aaron made the shelving unit and our chair just arrived from the furniture store last night! You may remember the story of my Pinocchio marionette seen on the shelf above. If not, click here.

Also, when my sister asked what color theme I was going with, I went online and found a fabric swatch I really liked that captured not only the theme (giraffes) but also the colors. Quinn, one of my oldest friends, (one of the people who helped my sister with my shower-- more on that soon) actually found and purchased the fabric online and gave it to me for my shower. So, I made matching Mama & Baby nursery pillows. Just wait until you hear the story of where Baby's pillow sits. 

It is amazing to think that in just a few weeks I'll be sitting in that chair holding my son!

Wednesday, Oui? Tick Tock

My brain is all over the place. I don't know that this will even make sense.

It's crazy to think that I'll be having a baby in <4 weeks.

28 days.

At my last appointment, because I continue to have contractions almost constantly (yes, 24/7) and given my diabetes, the doctor said he isn't going to let me go PAST my due date and will most likely try to start "ripening" my cervix at 38.5-39 weeks. That is right around the corner.  I will, for sure, have a May baby.

4 weeks, if that.

In 4 weeks my life, as I know it, is going to change. Aaron said last night, "I can't believe by the end of this month there is going to be another human being living in this house besides you and me." I also overheard him leaving a message for a friend who lives in another state and is coming home for a visit around the end of the month, "I'd love to see you and, by then, you might be able to meet my kid."

In so many ways I've watched my husband, who has always been the best husband I could ask for, grow up even a little bit more.

4 weeks.

I was more than 4 weeks pregnant when a pregnancy test finally confirmed that Alien was on his way.

I'm really glad I'm having a May baby. I'm a June baby and I do love the month of June but, I want a May baby.

Here are some facts about Alien's birth month:

His birthstone will be an emerald (I love emeralds)
His flower is lily of the valley
If he's born May 21 or after, he will be a Gemini (just like his Mama)
If he's born before May 21 he will be a Taurus

4 weeks: 28 days. Less, probably.

I paid some bills yesterday that won't be due again until AFTER his birth. The clock is ticking down now. It is so weird I don't think I could even put it into words.

I am so ready to meet this little guy. I can't wait to see my husband hold him. I can't wait to see my family and friends with him.

4 weeks. At the most. I am all over the place.

I am so glad I'm having a little boy. When I first got pregnant I was convinced it was a girl so I started to want a girl. The minute the ultrasound confirmed that he was a boy, I didn't want anything but him and was immediately appalled that I had wanted a girl because I was having a little boy. He's mine. Mine, mine, mine! I'll have a son. A little boy. I hope he's a lot like Aaron.

Dude, 4 flipping weeks. Less than a month. 28 days.

In less than a month I get to meet the little guy who has been sharing my body with me. I've been solely responsible for keeping him healthy and alive. I'm so ready to shift/share that responsibility and watch my husband be a father but, on the other hand, I'm not ready to give Baby up yet. Does that make sense?

Holy shit, we're doing this!

Oui?