One Week

It's hard to believe that Owen is already one week old! The past week has been filled with joy, pride, and exhaustion all at the same time. We got to come home from the hospital Monday afternoon and then spent the rest of the week getting acclimated to our new little family, enjoying sharing our little man with visitors, going to a check-up at the doctor, and trying to catch up on sleep whenever possible.

He's definitely the star around here now!

A few of the many visitors we've had this week:

Aunt Laura

Grandpa Shively

Grandma Shively

Nana

Uncle Ben and Aunt Ash

We finally got out of the house on Friday and took the little guy to my parent's house. Looks like he's already got Poppy wrapped around his little finger!

Owen's First Day

Our New Family

Happy Birthday Owen Jacob!

Just thought I'd post a quick announcement about our new bundle of joy! Owen Jacob Shively arrived this morning at 4:04 a.m. He was 7 pounds 2.3 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long and his head was 13 inches in circumference. He has a little fluid on his lungs (he had a bit of meconium in his amniotic fluid), so they are monitoring him in the nursery, but other than that he is perfect!

The stripping of my membranes sent my labor into full motion and I started to have contractions Thursday night at 10:30. After working through that pain all night and morning, finally at 3:00 Friday the contractions were close enough together that we could come into the hospital without being sent home. I got an epidural (thank goodness) and the doctor broke my water around 10, and we were finally able to relax a bit and get some sleep. At 2:30 I started pushing and after what seemed like an eternity, Owen made his entrance into the world!

I have to apologize that I can't post any pictures yet. We forgot to bring the camera cord, so I'll have to add some when we go home in a few days. He has dark hair, and a chubby face. Jacob promises he looks like me. We'll have to see what you think when you see him!

We're Havin' a Baby...by Monday!

Today, and the rest of this week has been a emotional roller coaster in Babyland. Here's a recap (warning-it's a little long):

Saturday: We did some last minute baby shopping. We bought a little bookshelf, lamp, and hamper for his room. As well as a few odds and ends. That night Laura's boyfriend had a party to celebrate the end of his time in the Army. We had a good time. I sat under the tent most of the evening to stay out of the heat.

Sunday: We had our last baby shower (#5) at my parents church. It was very generous of the ladies there to plan the whole thing since we don't go there all that often. It was nice to see some old familiar faces. Baby Shively got some more nice things. I tell you tell boy is way too spoiled!

Monday: I was feeling a little draggy and under the weather. My back hurt a little, which it hasn't for while. I chalked the whole thing up the the busy weekend, my horrible sleep, and the extra 30 pounds I'm carrying around.

Tuesday: By the afternoon I had noticed Baby Shively wasn't moving and squirming like he usually does. I keep trying to feel for little movements all day, ate a snack after lunch, and laid down, but he was just not normal. I went into worry mode and called the doctor's office. They had me come in for a non-stress test. I sat at the doctor's in the recliner hooked up to all of the monitors for a little less than an hour while the nurses faxed my print-out sheet to the doctor on-call at the hospital. He didn't like what he saw, so he sent us to the hospital to continue. Baby Shively had a steady heart rate around 145-150, but it wasn't fluctuating as much as they wanted it to. We stayed at the hospital doing the same routine for about 2 1/2 hours while they were trying to fill me full of sugar to stimulate his movement. I drank at least three sprites, a glass of water, had crackers, a sandwich, and suckers, before the whole process was over. The doctor checked me for dilation (2 1/2 centimeters) and decided by 7:45 his movement had improved enough that I could go home, but he scheduled an ultrasound for the next morning. He pretty much contributed the whole thing to dehydration and said we had done the right thing coming in. So I have been chugging the liquids the past few days!

Wednesday: We went in bright and early for the ultrasound with a "biophysical profile". I hadn't heard of this, but I guess they have all of these areas the baby can "pass" like a test. By this time I was starting to feel some of the movements I was used to feeling. It was very comforting to see his little body (Yes, it is still a boy, Missy) and see his little heart and lungs fully developed. The technician was to send the results to the doctor for our regular appointment today.

Today: We had our weekly appointment with my regular doctor. She went through everything on the ultrasound, and said that since his amniotic fluid was a little low, and his episode on Tuesday she would recommend inducing me on Monday! We were a little surprised, but were glad to know that he will be here hopefully by Monday night! Our minds immediately started spinning about all the things we want to get done before he arrives, but luckily the list is pretty short, and my wonderful husband has been helping tackle the list while I sit on the coach, rest, and hydrate (He's cleaning the bathrooms as I type). She checked me again, and I was still dilated the same as Tuesday, but she also stripped my membranes in hopes that labor might start itself over the weekend. So, if we don't have a baby over the weekend, we go in at 7 AM on Monday to start the process. How exciting and scary at the same time!

Swinging, Gliding, and Washing

Those three words pretty much sum up what we've been up to over the past week.

Jacob and my Dad put up our porch swing on Monday. We initially thought it was going to be an easy process, but of course were mistaken. They had to get a special tool to remove the vinyl covering the ceiling, and had to reinforce the joices (we wouldn't want any of us fat pregnant girls to bring the whole thing down on the first swing!) before they could actually hang the swing. I think it looks really good. Jacob has enjoyed sitting outside and reading or playing guitar on it the past few days. (Ignore the dead hemlock tree in the background, I have my landscaper working on getting a replacement!)


The glider for Baby Shively came in. Hooray! We were pretty worried that the baby would get here before the chair, but were pleasantly surprised when it came in last weekend. My mom ordered it for us, which was extremely kind of her. My great grandpa bought her a rocking chair before I was born, because he said you need to be able to rock a baby, so she decided to carry on the tradition with me. I already like to sit in his room and enjoy the quietness while it lasts!


Lastly, I've been trying to keep myself busy washing, drying, folding all things baby. This boy has way too much stuff, and he's not even here yet! Here is a snapshot of some of the clothes in his closet. Of course, he has a dresser and changing table full of goodies too!