Wordless Wednesdays

Some of my favorite photos by the amazing Laura Dye. 

Pics from the patch

Mark Anakin is here... and a month old!

On September 5th at 1 p.m., I checked into the hospital for my labor to be induced. Twenty-nine hours later, on September 6th at 4:41 p.m., Mark Anakin was born. 7 lbs, 5 oz and 20 inches long.

My life has been a bit busy since this little guy arrived.

MAL <1 hour old - first picture that went out via text/email/Facebook 

There was also an incident involving waffles that caused me to lose it the day I checked into the hospital. It was pretty much the only time I got overly emotional over something stupid while I was pregnant, but in my defense, I was over a week overdue at that point. One day soon I'll write about my waffle and labor experience. In some ways it was better than I expected and in others it was worse.

It was all worth it when they put that wriggling messy human on my chest - it was instant love like I've never known. I was also overwhelmed with the new love I felt for my husband. He was amazing during (and afterwards, of course) the labor process and seeing him as a dad is so awesome. I am so grateful for this journey that we are taking together.

The nurse (Bernadette) during delivery told Dr. Liu that Jay was the best husband/labor partner she's ever seen while working there. Bernadette said that Jay was just perfect - that he was supportive of me and generally helpful for everyone. She said that some partners don't do a good job of being supportive or are too protective and get in the staff's way. Dr. Liu said that Bernadette has never mentioned anyone else positively for as many times as she's worked with her.

This is the last picture ever taken of me pregnant. Although my pregnancy was free of complications apart from my back spasms, it's not something that I am eager to do ever again. Plus little Markface is so damn perfect, I don't know why we would need another kid. That and I feel like one kid is totally doable when it comes to traveling.

After his bath - cleaned up photo in the hospital

First day at home

He's so sweet when he's sleeping

Instagram photo taken during photoshoot we took with the good camera (still haven't uploaded those photos)

I know that all parents want to think that their kid is the smartest, most advanced, and early with milestones. We think ours is pretty amazing. 

Here are a few details just in case I forget them later on:  

He weighed 7 lbs when we left the hospital. He was back to his birth weight at his two day check-up, and had already started holding his head up a bit.

At one week, he was up to 8 lbs. At his two week appointment, he weighed 8 lbs 11 oz. He also passed all of his one month milestone checks then and was doing so well gaining weight (the pediatrician said I must have milkshake boobs) that we could skip his one month appointment and bring him at 6 weeks.

The kid is insanely strong. He can support his weight on his legs briefly and has great head control. He makes eye contact and can track objects somewhat. So far he has blue eyes.

Mark at one month

Other stuff that's gone on this month: 

Mark's plastibell device from his circumcision didn't function properly. It was supposed to fall off after it healed. Instead it got stuck on. So a week after being discharged from the hospital, we watched our baby scream for an hour while two pediatricians tried to remove it. We almost ended up having to take him to the ER to have it taken off. Fortunately the docs were finally able to remove it. It was incredibly traumatizing for all of us.

Jay started working construction part time for an Amish guy. He shot himself in the leg when his nail gun misfired. Which he of course pulled out himself, slapped a band-aid on and wrapped electrical tape around his leg. He then finished his day at work. I would have cried and gone to the ER.

Loki decided he wasn't getting enough attention and broke his leg. He knocked me out of the way while I was taking out the trash, ran out the front door and after a speeding car coming around the corner. He is good with the baby, but has been a serious pain in the ass since he broke his leg. The vet said that we can't play with him as usual and can only take him on walks to wear him out. Of course that doesn't work so well.

Oh and I just came down with a case of mastitis. It sucks.

So it's been an eventful month! Sure hope the next month is less eventful.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

The Countdown is on

Right around this time last year, Jay and I were in the process of getting our PADI Open Water certifications. I was also about to meet with my now boss for the first time.

It's incredible how much can change in a year.

I now have my PADI Advanced Open Water Certification as well as my FINRA Series 7 registration. For the record, the Series 7 was a lot harder. But my dive certification will keep me safer when it comes to breathing underwater.

We went to the Dominican Republic to celebrate our three year anniversary last December, and we brought home a parasite.

After we found out we were expecting, we of course rushed out to get a puppy, since the breeder in Maryland still hadn't come through for us. Speaking of which, I still haven't heard from him and it's been over a year now.

Loki is settling down, kind of. Okay, not really. Maybe a little. Part of the problem is that he's a high energy breed and pregnancy kind of takes all of that extra energy out of you. He is awesome as long as you keep him busy playing fetch or frisbee. We had hoped to take him for a second round of obedience training, but this summer got away from us.

So on to the countdown... if due dates are to be believed, I will become a mom in five days. It's all rather surreal and terrifying.

The nursery is ready, we have childcare for when I go back to work, my awesome friends have set up a food delivery schedule to get us through the first six weeks, and we have everything that we need.

I'm trying to get some rest this weekend, but it's not easy when you're 9 months pregnant and have to pee constantly. That and having a dog who constantly wants to play.

I suppose that I should get back to writing my thank you cards... and hopefully that elusive nap!

Wordless Wednesdays - alpaca style