My Birthday

I'm going to be very honest. My birthday wasn't great.

Myles was awake from 9:30am until 11:30pm. Well, he had a 20 minute nap in the morning and a hour nap in the afternoon which is not enough for a newborn! It was also Barney's first day back to work and had to work both jobs. He was out of the house from 9am to 830pm so I was all alone.

Myles has some serious tummy issues. He wakes himself up from farting and pooping. Lovely isn't it? I've been trying to pin point what I've been eating and cutting out foods I think is making is tummy hurt. I also bought some drops today that will hopefully help settle things.

I should look at the positives. Barney's parents came over and cooked me dinner, brought birthday cake and did the dishes too. It was nice to have them over, although I did have to leave them for a while due to Myles screaming.

Another positive, he slept from 11:00pm - 3:30am! He also went back down easily after his feed and slept until 6:30. Yay!

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On Sunday, Barney and I had lunch at the beach, did some shopping and ordered in Chinese for dinner as an early birthday celebration. I got some flowers, a card from Myles and a card from Barney (both made me cry!) and a massage voucher. I'm a lucky girl. We did have a lovely day together and my boys made me feel very special.

I can't believe how fast Myles is growing. He has already outgrown a few outfits. Before I know it, he will be off to school!

Can't Get Enough

"Master Myles" Haha... pretty much sums it up!

He loves his daddy...

"Mom... please stop the pictures!"

Our little monkey is doing so well! Barney and I are so thankful he is an easy baby and that the transition into parenthood has thus far been smooth. We had his one week check and he has put on 400grams since birth. Needless to say, I don't think I have a supply issue.

Today we decided to go shopping for a stroller as we still haven't bought one. Myles slept the whole way there (an hour), through the shopping and half of the way back home. We stopped for a feed in the car, so more shopping and he slept the rest of the way home! We got home, he fed again then we both had a nap for 3 hours. A blissful 3 hours :)

I'm sure I've said it before, but we are so proud of our little man. He is growing well, eats like a piglet and is getting stronger every day. We love Myles so much and couldn't imagine our lives without him.

1 Week

Time is flying by and I am trying to cherish these newborn moments, despite the fatigue.

(Jessie was sitting nicely than got up. Now she just looks like she is taking a crap. I thought it was funny!)

We are doing well and Myles is a great baby. Breastfeeding took a few days to get the hang of it but every day we are getting better and better. At his 5 day check up he was back at his birth weight which the midwives were more than happy with. That day, the midwives "discharged" us from their care.

Tomorrow we got to our regular doctor for his 1 week check. I'm sure he will pass with flying colours. Barney and I are so proud of how well he is doing. He only cries when he needs to burp. He wakes up and just grunts when he is hungry. Hopefully things will remain this way.

Today we went for a drive to the beach. Myles slept the whole time. Well, he screamed when he went in his car seat but settled after a few minutes.

Finally, Barney is amazing. He takes such good care of us all and I'm so thankful. I couldn't do it without him!

Needless to say, it has been a big week with the birth of our son. Well, something else wonderful happened this week but I can't quite make the news public yet. Soon, I promise!

Myles William Peter

Here is the birth story for our little son:

On Saturday afternoon I started to feel that my Braxton hicks were getting stronger. Barney was at work and I was no in pain but beginning to feel quite uncomfortable. He came home around 9:30pm and at this point I was already in the bath tub as the contractions were beginning to feel like the real thing.

(This sums it up! Exhausted!!)

My contractions were around 6-7 minutes apart but not too regular. We both agreed to head to bed right away and try to get some rest. No chance of that! The contractions were building and were still anywhere between 5-8 minutes.

I called the hospital around 11:30pm and they said I had to wait until my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and regular. We do have an hour drive to the hospital so we had to plan things out carefully. I jumped back in the bath tub and took some Tylenol but things were not easing.

I called the hospital around 1am and told them we were on our way as I couldn't handle the pain anymore. We arrived at the hospital around 2:30am. Upon arrival, I was 4cm dilated which I was pretty happy about. The midwife said it was still early and because my contractions were irregular and still about 4-5 minutes apart. She said we could go home (ha!) or stay. I wasn't going anywhere.

I jumped in the shower and didn't want to get out! I actually fell asleep between contractions sitting on the chair in the shower. I was already so exhausted I didn't know how I would go further. I got out of the shower and that was a big mistake so I jumped back in. At this point I told Barney to get me the midwife so I could have an epidural. She told me to try the gas instead.

I was in the birth centre part of the hospital where things are done all naturally (besides gas). If I wanted an epidural, I would have to go to the other part of the ward and would sacrifice the water birth I wanted.

The gas was wonderful! I could still feel the contractions but I was as high as a kite. I had tested positive to GBS (Strep B) so I had to have a to have antibiotics and an IV drip. They did this while I was in the shower and I don't remember it at all. I was doing so well I never needed the IV hooked up.

I hopped out of the shower and I was 7cm dilated by around 8:30am. (I'm roughly guessing times because I don't remember). I then hopped into the bath tub. Shortly after I was told that the midwife certified to do water births was with another patient and I might not be able to birth in the water. I do recall saying it was bullshit. Thankfully, the other lady birthed and I could stay in the bath!

Shortly after my body began to push on its own. I was told to stop but I couldn't help it. At one point the midwifes told me to start pushing so away I went. My contractions were never regular and even with his head half out, they were still 3-4 minutes apart. The midwifes told me to stop the gas so I was conscious during his arrival. Soon enough it was all over and he was out! The kept him underwater for a few seconds then brought him up to me.

I couldn't believe it was all over. We hopped out of the bath and had skin to skin in bed. I had to get stitched up (Sorry if that's too much info) so Barney learned how to change his first diaper and Myles got his first round of vaccinations.

We were all feeling well and we both passed all our tests so we were allowed to go home if we wanted. Barney's parents came for a visit then we all went home 7 hours after Myles was born. I didn't think I would be allowed to since I was GBS positive but was happy we went home. We get daily midwife visits until they think we are well settled at home.

The first few days have been days of learning. Barney and I are learning how to parent and take care of Myles' needs and Myles is learning how to feed and to trust his mum and dad.

We are exhausted but feeling good for the most part. I am still healing and my milk has just come in so things are a bit sore. Myles is doing fantastic and we couldn't be more proud! We have only had a couple of visitors which was been a blessing really. We love that people are excited for us but its nice to not have to stress about people being around while we are still learning.

Myles William Peter Webb, born Sunday March 9th at 10:22am. He weighed 7lbs 10oz and was 50cm long. William is after my grandfather and Peter is after Barney's dad who passed away when Barney was a teenager.

We are happy and so in love with each other and our precious son.

Thanks for all of the love, support and well wishes.

40+3

Yup.. still pregnant!

At 11:45 I got up last night to go to the bathroom and thought my water broke while I was there but it turns out baby was moving and just moved off my bladder letting it all come out. Lovely isn't it?

(Yesterday at 40+2)

I called the midwife at 12:30 but she said to stay at home and just keep an eye on things. I called her back at 1:30 as requested and nothing had changed so I went back to sleep. Well, I tried to go back to sleep.

I think I finally got to sleep around 3am but was soon waken my a mosquito. How can something so little be so annoying! Anyways, I then slept until about 6:30 when my neighbour start construction on his house.

Needless to say I am tired today. I was really hoping things may have started last night.

I will soon go for a walk and spent the rest of my day bouncing on my exercise ball while watching a movie or something. Let's hope I make some progress! I've had contractions 8 minutes
apart for three days now. If I don't have the baby by Tuesday, I will go in for a few hours of monitoring and to check my fluid levels. I'm really hoping I have the baby before then! One of my colleagues predicted that I would have the baby on March 7th when she found out I was pregnant.. maybe/hopefully her prediction is correct!

Come on baby Webb!

PS: How good is it that there are phone apps for timing contractions? Wonderful invention :)

Hospital Check Up

So I had my hospital check up yesterday and things are mostly looking good. Baby is 3/5ths engaged which is great. He is head down, anterior and ready to go! I thought things might happen last night because my contractions were getting stronger and around 8 minutes apart on average but low and behold, nothing.

I slept really well last night. Probably from 11pm-330am then from 330-7am which is when Jessie woke me up wanting breakfast. Thanks puppy. With such a good sleep, I actually feel more tired today. Very strange how our bodies work.

The one disappointing thing from my check up is that I found out I tested positive for the Strep B bacteria. This means that as soon as I think I am in labour or my water breaks, I have to go to hospital right away (especially since it's an hour drive) to be hooked up to an IV and get the antibiotics flowing so baby and I are safe. Not the news I wanted as I was hoping to labour at home as long as possible. I was also hoping to have a water birth but I'm not sure if I will be allowed to as I have to be hooked up. I'm hoping I still can but I have my doubts. I forgot to ask the midwife about this.

I'm just taking things as they come because I can't do anything else. As much as I would love a natural birthing experience, mine and the babies safety is much more important to Barney and myself.

And so the waiting game continues....

Due Date

Here we are.... March 3rd.... my due date!

I am very thankful to have a full term pregnancy but I am ready for this baby to come out.

(39+5 weeks... last dinner date out!)

I have an appointment at the hospital this afternoon and hopefully they tell me that I am making some progress. My Braxton hicks have become a lot stronger over the last few days so hopefully baby is at least engaged. I'm packing my bags and taking them with me just in case, although trying not to get my hopes up.

In other things, for the first time in 15 years, since these banana trees were planted, we have fruit! Barney and I were both surprised. I guess with all the hot, muggy weather we have been having, it has created good growing conditions. Hopefully the fruit grows well and we will be able to eat them.

Well, I'm off to the hospital for my check up. Maybe baby will come on March 3rd Canadian time instead. He might just be a little confused in there ;)