Welcome Home!

We finally made it home! The road trip home was successful, but definitely challenging with an infant. The days on the road were long as we had to stop every 2-3 hours for feedings, burping, changing of diapers and/or to console a fussy baby stuck in an infant car seat for too long. It also felt longer as we got a late start, around 11 a.m., and reached our final destination late at night, around 10 p.m. Flying is definitely easier and faster!

From San Diego, we headed to Monterey to visit the very popular Monterey Bay Aquarium. It is an awesome aquarium with amazing exhibits of sea life. The only downside was overcrowding. We picked the day where daycare decided to bring children and so it took awhile to get up close and personal to the exhibits. Since we were crunched for time, we went through and saw them briefly. Of course, Cooper only woke up for a feeding, burping and diaper change! We'll definitely have to return again as it is a pretty cool town to sight see. We ended our time at Monterey with lunch at Cannery Row Brewing Co. as our road trips aren't complete without a stop at a brewery!

From Monterey, we drove to Redding. Just a stop over, we just spent the night and headed to Portland, Oregon the next day..one step closer to home! We decided to spend 2 nights in Portland as we were exhausted from driving and wanted a day to relax. And that's what we did...walked around downtown Portland a bit, but mostly, we caught up on much needed sleep!

On Sunday, it was back on the road again. It was the short drive, comparatively, as we stopped by the grandparents' house in Olympia so they could goo-goo ga-ga over Cooper...and that's what they did! My parents were very excited to reunite with their grandson. He has grown so much from the last time they saw him which was only 3 weeks ago. It was at my parents' house that Cooper rolled over for the very first time!

After a nice visit with the grandparents, we took to the rode one last time and finally were home! And boy, does it feel great!!!

Cooper and I at Cannery Row on our way to Monterey Bay Aquarium.

One of many incredible exhibits at the aquarium.

Cooper sleeping his way through the aquarium. We'll have to wait until he's a bit older to return to Monterey.

Tummy time, which he doesn't like at all. Below is a video of him rolling over from tummy to back. He is crying because he hates tummy time. Poor guy!! We're torturing him to get a video as well as develop his neck/back muscles!

One Month Check-Up

In four days, Cooper will be one month old! It's amazing how time flies by and see how much he's grown. Today, we went to the pediatrician's office for Cooper's one month check-up. I guess, we're doing a good job as he's a growing boy. Cooper weighs in at 9 lbs. 11 oz, gaining 2 lbs. from his lowest weight. He's also grown 2" in length, being 22" in length.

All other organs are doing well. Cooper is also able to extend his head when placed on his tummy to 45 degrees and maintain it for at least 5 seconds, impressing us all. We'll be doing more tummy time on the floor. So far, we've been doing mostly tummy time on our tummies while we're laying down; but we've done it on the floor only a couple of times. He's been more alert and awake during the day. He can track our faces and loves looking at his black and white book, especially the butterfly...his eyes get really wide!

Poor Cooper is going through a bout of baby acne, though it's getting better. I guess, it's from hormonal changes during the pregnancy. They say it's more common in boys than girls. There's no treatment, just patience as it will eventually clear up. I have been gently washing his face with water using a cotton ball 2-3 times a day and no lotions or oils because that can make the acne worse. The ped recommended that we use Dreft on our clothing as the adult detergent can irritate his skin. It has been clearing up from last week and only looks worse when he gets fussy and irritated.

The ped recommended that we try gas drops if he continues to have issues with gassiness. It may help him pass gas better and be less painful. He's getting better at burping and I think that helps with the fussiness.

So all in all, he's doing well!

There's No Place Like Home

Cooper sleeping at the San Diego Zoo.

It's hard to believe that Cooper is 3 weeks old today. In 9 days, he'll be a month old! Time, as always, has gone by so fast.

Cooper has been spending more time awake during the day, but poor boy has been plagued by digestive issues. Thus, he is mostly fussy while he's awake. It's hard to watch him strain, moan, get red in the face and sometimes cries while trying to pass gas. I don't know if it's something in my diet causing his gassiness or if it's just his immature digestive system. We are still supplementing a little with formula (a bottle a day) and have switched to a tummy sensitive one. I haven't altered my diet yet, but will try cutting out those foods that cause gassiness. I still feel like I'm pregnant because I can't drink alcohol and caffeine as it can affect my breast milk. Now, I'll have to cut the chocolate, tomatoes, spicy foods, dairy, broccoli, etc. because it can cause gas! It seems like my diet will be more limited than when I was pregnant. Before I totally alter my diet, I'll see what the pediatrician says on Friday. But if that what it takes for Cooper to feel less painful and fussy, well then, I'll have to do it. It breaks my heart seeing him so uncomfortable.

Cooper also doesn't like not be held. He gets fussy and cries if he isn't held. It's okay if he's already asleep and you put him in the swing or bassinet, but if he's awake and you try to put him in the swing, bouncer or bassinet; he'll cry. Nothing comforts him more than being held by mom or dad, preferable mom.

If you haven't heard, Chuck got a new job...in Seattle! He's back with Boeing and we'll be moving back to Seattle. The movers come tomorrow to pack us up. Since we won't have any furniture and Boeing will foot the bill (well, for 5 days at least), we'll be living in a hotel until we drive up to Seattle next Tuesday. Then we'll hit the road and drive 4 days, since we have Cooper and will be making more pit stops, up to Seattle. The pediatrician recommended we'd drive versus fly as Cooper hasn't had his vaccinations and don't want to expose him to germs on the airplane. Anyways, we should be in Seattle by the 24-25th of this month. We're so excited!!!!

No more moving for us....we're staying put in Seattle!!! This is the last adventure for this urban nomad and the first of many adventures as a family of 3.

We'll see you soon Seattle!

New Addition to the Family

Meet Cooper. He was a gift for Father's Day, making his entrance into the world 4 minutes before the end of Father's Day. Cooper was born at 11:56 p.m. at a hefty 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 20" long. As with all newborns, he lost some weight by the time we were ready to be discharged at home and is maintaining a weight at 7 lbs. 11 oz. Hopefully, he'll be gaining all that weight back in no time.

I started having contractions Sunday morning. I knew on Saturday that he'd make his arrival sometime soon as he was hanging low on my belly. My contractions started at ten minutes apart, so we decided to go out for breakfast. My contractions started getting closer together in a consistent pattern at 5 minutes apart around 7 p.m. so we called the doctor and they told us to come to the hospital. I was only 3.5 cm dilated at the time of admission.

My water hadn't broken by then, so the doctor broke my water and that's when the contractions were getting much closer together and were really starting to hurt. I couldn't find a very comfortable position when the contractions started and felt like I was going to pass out and became nauseous.

The contractions were getting more painful and more difficult to manage with changing positions and breathing, so at 7-8 cm dilated, I decided on an epidural. By the time they got the epidural in and its effect started, I was already fully dilated and ready to start pushing. Because of my latex allergy, they needed to bring up a special pump to self-manage my epidural dosage; but I didn't need it since the first dose was enough to manage the pain. And Cooper was really ready to come out and wasn't going to wait for that pump to arrive for more pain relief. He'd come whether or not I'd have pain and I'd would just have to deal with it.

I'm glad not to have more than the first dosage anyways because it was harder to feel the contractions for pushing. Towards the last few pushes, the epidural was wearing off and could feel how hard I should push. In less than 10 pushes and he was out! The doctor let me reach down and help guide him out. I was really scared I was going to drop him, but the doctor was very reassuring that he wasn't going to let go!!! So after 15 hours of labor, Cooper finally arrived!

The doctor said he'd welcome me any time for another labor! He was pretty surprised that it was such a quick one. I was more surprised that I delivered an 8 lb. baby as the doctor predicted I'd have a 6-7 lb. baby due to my size.

Cooper is doing well. Initially, he got his days and nights all mixed up. But now, he's sleeping better throughout the night, only getting fussy if he's not properly swaddled. I have to wake him up for his feedings at night and sometimes during the day as he gets sleepy. Being sleepy could be a product of his bilirubin levels, not to mention he is a newborn. His bilirubin levels were up at the first doctor's visit. I noticed that his white of his eyes were a tint of yellow. At the hospital, his bilirubin was up by 1 at the time of discharge; but it did not warrant any treatment. We've been pushing breast milk as well as supplementing with formula just in case he isn't getting enough from the breast. We just got his bilirubin levels checked today and the doctor called with good news. It is going down and no treatment is necessary. Just keep doing what we are doing.

Anyways, we're doing well. Just trying to get adjusted to life with a newborn. Fortunately, we have a lot of help from both sets of parents and for that, we are blessed and really thankful. It's nice having someone take care of you while your taking care of a new human being. I just hope to survive once they all leave and when HB goes back to work! But it has definitely gotten easier as each day passes. I just wish I could nap during the day so I can be more rested!!!

I want to thank everyone for all their well wishes and blessings! I will try to keep everyone updated about Cooper, but I have a feeling I won't have as much time as I did pre-baby!!

Baby Names

It's been hard to decide a name for baby boy. Not one particular name stands out to me. I'm hoping we can look at him and one will come to us. I know for sure that I'm not into having a junior, so there won't be another Chuck. Charles is just too formal for my taste. My Chuck is one-of-a-kind.

Though not a complete list, here's a few names we were considering: Mason, Maximus (Max, for short), Truman, Myles, Cooper, Oliver. What a difficult decision!!

39 Weeks and 1 day MD Appointment

I am officially 40 weeks tomorrow and no baby yet. I went to the ob doctor today and they plan to induce me next Friday if baby boy decides to stay inside until then. For sure, by next weekend, baby boy will in our arms. I guess, he's too comfortable in my belly and wants to stay in there as long as possible.

So far, he's doing well. Baby's heart rate is 148 bpm and he's still moving around. He has slowed down a bit, moving about 10 times in 20 or so minutes last night. The doctor really wants me to watch his movements more closely as he is past due. If he doesn't move 10 times in 40 minutes, then I need to call the doctor. I guess it has to do with the placenta being older.

My parents are arriving tomorrow. I really want my mom to cook me some filipino food because I'm craving some home cooking.

39 Weeks

It could be any time now. I thought I was having contractions this afternoon, but I think it was intestinal issues. I changed iron pills and this one doesn't still as well with my gi tract, so that could of been it. Or it could of really been contractions. Either way, it stopped. I called HB at work, thinking it was the "real thing", and I've never seen him answer his phone so quickly. I think he's getting anxious and nervous, ready to go at any time because lately when I call him he's been so quick to answer it.

Anyways, I'm just plain ready to give birth. I guess I can wait at least 3 more days until my parents arrive on Thursday night. My in-laws have been in town for over a week now. I feel bad because I haven't been a good host. I've just been plain lazy and just staying at home, being a big couch potato. And poor HB is working right up until I start having contractions. I'm pretty sure he wants the show to get on the road so he can take a vacation from working! Oh and of course, spend time with the little one.

I have my last scheduled ob appointment on Thursday. Who knows, I might have to schedule another one if this baby decides not to come out. Maybe the ultrasound was right and my due date is the 23rd instead of the 19th. Which means that I could be pregnant until the beginning of July!!???!!! Eeek!!! I hope not because poor Jennifer is only here for 4 days starting the 23rd or 24th of June. Oh please baby boy, please come by then so your first-time auntie can see you....that's the whole reason why she is flying down here!

How Far Along: 39 weeks and only less than 1 week left to go....I hope!!!
Total Weight Gain: 33 lbs.
Maternity Clothes: Yes.
Sleep: I got around 8 hours last night. I think I woke up a few times, but didn't have a problem going back to sleep.
Best Moment of the Week: Can't say until it's more confirmed. 2nd best moment has to be making it to the 39th week.

Movement: Slowing down since he's getting bigger, but still moving. Tightens in a ball distorting my belly and making me really uncomfortable.
Food Craving: None at the moment.
Food Aversions: Not really.
Morning Sickness: Nope.
Gender: It's a boy!
Labor Signs: Just Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Belly Button: More outie than innie. Not all the way outie though.
What I Miss: Deli meat. Triple shot tall Americano. Sushi. Hasn't changed since I found out I was pregnant. Weirdly enough, I have not been craving alcohol at all.
What I'm Looking Forward To: Giving birth!!!!
Weekly Wisdom: You can never really be prepared for what life throws at you. Just taking it day by day.
Milestones: A week to go!!!! Hopefully less, I hope!