one week old

Tuesday, June 25

Reed is one week old in this picture!! This past week has been incredible. Lots of emotions, lots of first and tons of fun! We had Grandma Pearson here for 5 days, Grandma Reed has been here and will be here for a few more weeks, Brian took a week off work and James and John have been here too. Reed is one lucky guy to have had all this family around to welcome him home! He had his first bath this past week- well not a full bath since his umbilical cord is still attached but close enough. He has been sleeping more and more, although he could sleep even more :) Patron is loving his brother and tries to sneak kisses here and there. Overall week 1 was awesome!

reed: week one

 Reed's First Week

 

Our first 2 days were spent in the hospital, which was nice to have some help from the nurses, lactation specialists and heal my body a little. Our hospital was very nice but we were so excited to hear that they were going to discharge us on Thursday, which for a C-Section is pretty early. Our first night at home was a little rough on everyone but it has only gotten better since. We are all still in the learning process but so far, Reed is just amazing! Reed's first pediatrician visit went well- he gained all his weight back and passed all the tests with flying colors. I am healing slowly and have my good days and bad days but overall just enjoying our little man :)

 

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Reed's first week...

 

The Hunk

The two Grandma's and Reed

Father and Son

Reed's first night at home

Brian and Reed ready to leave the hospital!

Mom and Son





june 18: reed's is born!

Our first family photo!

June 18, 2013 at 2:15am our son, Reed Stephen Pearson was born!!! 8 pounds 13 ounces and 20 inches long :) It was quite the process but in the end- seeing him- it was more than worth those 40 weeks and 30 hours of labor....he is absolutely perfect!

I was being induced on Sunday night, so after dinner with my Mom and Brian's brothers, James and John, Brian and I said our "see you laters" and headed off to the ER where we checked in on Sunday, June 16 (Father's Day) at 9:00pm. Right away they put us in our labor suite and got me hooked up to all the bells and whistles. They put the cytotec in, which would thin out my cervix overnight. Our doctor came in on Monday morning to check our status and broke my water at 7:00am. The contractions began but they put me on pitocin to help out and by noon I was having regular, strong contractions. I wanted to hold off on the epidural as long as possible but by 5:00pm, only dilated to a 4, I had to request it. The pain was outrageous. Right away the epidural kicked in and I was back to myself and enjoying this process again! By 9:00pm I was dilated to an 8 and pretty much all thinned out except for one small corner of the cervix but we thought we were well on our way to having Reed that night. At 10:00pm I was a 9 and again, pretty much all thinned out so we began pushing to try and see if Reed could come through that one portion that was not fully thinned out. After several tries, they increased the pitocin, let that settle in and then pushed again. We repeated this several times before we got the news that his head would not fit- he was a big boy- and his head was down but facing the opposite direction. At 1:30am on Tuesday, June 18, after a minor meltdown (I was scared) we were on our way to have a cesarean section. Our doctor noticed that we love our tunes (played them all day in our suite) and also knew I was from California so on our way being wheeled into the room we noticed they had the Beach Boys playing California Girls! I obviously didn't feel much during the procedure and when I heard Reed finally cry it made the past 30 hours completely worth it. Words cannot describe it- it was just magical. He is such a blessing and Brian and I (and Patron) are so excited to have him in our lives!

Brian and Reed a few hours after birth

belly: almost 40 weeks

last weekend pregnant with reed

These pictures are from the last weekend pregnant with Reed. Since we knew we were getting induced Sunday night, we made the most of our weekend with all of our family, Patron and the good weather! We took Patron to East Harbor State Beach with Mom and John (who is now in town working on the same project),  BBQ'ed hot dogs and hamburgers (minus the condiments, Brian!) and enjoyed some sun while Patron got his last (temporary) beach and swim day! We went to some great dinners- a rowdy one a Sorintinos with James, John, Judy, Brian and I...I was on my best behavior, can't say the same for the others but we sure had a good time! And then Sunday came, which felt like the time went so slow and then just flew by. Then we headed down that 1/2 mile drive to the hospital where we checked ourselves in to start the process....

belly: 39 weeks

June 14, 2013

Hello, hello!!!! Reed is 39 weeks and 1 day in this picture! We had some great news last week that we were making headway and were excited to hear the same this week but only thing that has really changed is Reed's size! The little man grew 2 centimeters in one week and my belly is measuring at 42 weeks. Our doctor suggested that instead of waiting until his estimated due date of Thursday, June 20 we get induced this Sunday evening to start the labor process and have him on Monday, June 17 instead. Our doctor delivers on Monday and I know she really would like to deliver our baby and we feel the same about her being the one to deliver Reed but I think his fast growing size is another factor here in our hopes to have a natural delivery. So, Brian and I will go into the hospital on Sunday evening and they will give me something to try and spark natural labor- thin out the uterus and get the dilating process moving. Then our doctor will come in Monday morning and check our status, break my water if needed and then monitor us some more. If I do not naturally progress, they will then hook me up to the IV and give me pitocin- which will guarantee the start of Reed's grand entrance. It is a little different than I imagine this all going down but we are so excited (and nervous) that it is really here!!! Reed Stephen Pearson will be joining us MONDAY!

belly: 38 weeks

June 8, 2013

I am 38 weeks and 2 days here...and it is Ohio Bike Week- which takes place in our backyard here in historical downtown Sandusky :) One of my favorite weekends here but quite different being this pregnant! Good thing Brian has some awesome coworkers here to play with him because I can't rally like I used to.

We had our weekly doctor visit Friday morning and she said that I was dilated to 2 centimeters and 60% thinned out...so that is great news. We've seen a few signs of pre labor but still no contractions so it could be any day or another week or so. I feel good besides the pressure/pain in the pelvic region which is unbelievable. Our doctor said Reed still has some room to drop so that pressure can only get worse :) Other than that, I have been feeling good enough to keep walking Patron, hitting the treadmill and swimming laps in preparation!

Our hospital bag is packed and we are hoping Reed will make his appearance as soon ad JuJuBee arrives- tomorrow!!! We are ready. I am done being pregnant and can't wait to meet our little dude!

reed's nursery

Reed's nursery is ready for his arrival! We finished it a few weeks ago and just washed everything in Dreft so we are ready for this little man to make his appearance and join our home. We are in love with his room and hope he likes it too. It is super mellow and relaxing (for now at least) but we are ready for the chaos to begin!

 

We have another appointment with our doctor on Friday and can't wait to hear if there are any changes with my body and if he is ready to make his grand appearance :)