Babydoll Bloggin

2009-11-22T07:48:00.003-05:00

Shame on me for not keeping up with my postings.... I started my three month teaching position at Pennsauken and it is lots of work. I do enjoy it and most of the students. We had a great Halloween at Aunt Cheryl's place in Hershey. Her dog took over the job of Gio's guardian. Steve and I have been reading his signs and plopping him on the toilet when he has to do some nasty business. He likes it, I guess that means we won't have trouble when it comes down to the wire. Gio is not crawling yet but rolling everywhere and talking up a storm, Daddda and YeahYeahYeah. This afternoon Aunt Suzanne will watch him for a few hours so Steve and I can go see New Moon. Go Team Edward!

2009-09-28T09:02:00.002-04:00

I've had the pleasure to watch Connor the last few saturday mornings while Suz and Sean are out. This day I took him down to the swings and let him fly! Steve and I took Gio to Duffields for his first hayride and cornmaze. He's still a bit young for Creamy Acres but that will come up all too fast!!

2009-09-12T16:01:00.002-04:00

I have yet ANOTHER interview scheduled for next wednesday. I don't want to get my hopes up because I have been on so many the past few months but my mother in law had a premonition that this is the one for me. I hope she's right because I'm ready to rock and roll already!!! Here's a great shot of Gio with his Uncle John. Can you tell he's saying "Get me away from this crazy dude!!"

2009-08-26T21:55:00.002-04:00

We have been enjoying the pool in between the rainy days. Gio had his first pony ride courtesy of Clementine and Nana. Gram & Bubba came down to see the Salem County fair and Gio and I tagged along. Sure enough, my Dad grabbed him and didn't give him back until Gio was hungary. I'm glad he's enjoying him as much as I am!

2009-07-29T08:53:00.002-04:00

We had a wonderful weekend up in Manasquan with Suzanne, Connor, Sean, myself and Gio. Steve couldn't make it because of work but we took lots of great pictures to send him. The first night we visited Grandpa Bill and Dee-Dee then went back to Candice's (they call her CeeCe) house. We ate mango pork chops and grilled corn on the cob we brought from Duffield's. The next day Suz and I walked the boys down to the beach. When Gio and I returned home, Dada was waiting with Gio's first dinner, Gerber carrots. That little piglet ate the entire container then washed it down with 5 ounces of Mamma's milk. No wonder he's 13lbs! On the job tip, I have had three interviews since June and one more next week. Hopefully one of these is meant for me, keep happy thoughts!!

2009-07-12T00:58:00.002-04:00

I must say... As much as I dislike having to leave my boy to go to work, I love that the one's I leave him with take wonderful care of him and show him the best times I can't wait for him to remember. Thank you Nana and Dooda!

2009-07-10T22:55:00.002-04:00

We had a wonderful afternoon by the pool, Suz, Nana, and myself. I wish there could be more days such as this, but I'll treasure each one (though they may be few between) as if they are the best of days.

2009-07-01T20:22:00.003-04:00

There are so many cute pictures, I don't know which ones to post...But I will pick the best ones I know, Gio in the bath with Daddy, Gio sunbathing with Connor, Gio and his PopPop, Gio and my neighbor Carla, and both my men sleeping on the couch. I wish I could explain the feelings I feel when I see my husband and my son, but the best I can do is say I'm in love every day I have with them.

2009-06-19T13:29:00.002-04:00

I started back to work this past Monday and I must say I felt a bit guilty leaving Gio, even though he was with his Momom. I was good and I didn't call even once. When I got home at midnight, Daddy had him in bed with a full tummy and a clean set of PJs. That made me feel good. The next day, I went to visit Nana at Connor's place while Suzanne was at work. The boys enjoyed the play mat together. I took Gio to the playground later and he sat in the swing all on his own! I know all mom's say this, but my kid is so damn cute!!

2009-06-12T10:00:00.002-04:00

Today marks the end of an era...My maternity leave is over and I start back to work on Monday. I am looking forward to a routine again and of course MONEY! I'm not looking forward to the bullshit that goes on at the workplace but hopefully I will find a teaching position soon so I can get out of the lab. For better or worse, Steve's mom is out of work for a couple of weeks so she will sit with Gio when I head to work. Thanks Mom!

2009-05-31T21:43:00.002-04:00

We had a very good day today... Steve and Gio hung out on the deck for a while. I invited The Family over for dinner and we all hung out enjoying the beautiful weather. Gio wore his first formal outfit complete with collared shirt and corduroy pants and sun hat.

2009-05-30T13:32:00.002-04:00

Gio and I hung out all evening on our deck. We ate dinner out there and enjoyed the sunset. I couldn't tell what was more beautiful, the sunset or the way the sunset glowed on Gio's face.

2009-05-27T17:16:00.002-04:00

Today I gave Steve his annual hair buzz. Gio tagged along in a backpack style carrier. He finally crossed the 8lb mark and fit into it.

2009-05-25T21:34:00.002-04:00

We have had some great days and some not quite so great days, but as you can see, we have been enjoying our boy as much as we can. Thank you to the grand parents for the afternoon breaks that keep us sane. Especially to my sister and Conner who allow Gio and I to crash every afternoon.

2009-05-16T10:28:00.002-04:00

The three of us are starting to get back into a routine now that Gio's tummy issues are staring to work themselves out. He is beginning to sleep better and is holding his head up longer each time. Steve started back to work today, I know it was so hard for him, especially now that Gio is starting to show more of his true colors. At his last doctors appointment, Gio weighed in at 6lb14oz, I'm sure he's over 7lb now. Today we will go to Nana and Dodad's to hang out and watch the Preakness.

2009-05-14T20:43:00.002-04:00

Same old same old the last week, although Gio passed his gastroenterologist visit this week. He has been feeling better the last few days , I am hopefully optimistic. I did graduate this week, a bachelors degree in the bag. Now to land a job...

2009-05-03T14:00:00.000-04:00

We have had a very long week Steve, Gio and myself...I have been preparing for my finals week coming up the week of May 4th and we are still working on Gio's fussy fits... After two nights of absolutely no sleep, Steve and took him back to the pediatrician and refused to leave until they reevaluated him. The Dr. thinks that since my bland diet change produced no results and there is no pattern to his fits like most "colicky cases," maybe he has GER (gastro esophageal reflux). She gave us a prescription for Axid and within the second dose we saw a difference in him...he slept five hours, woke to eat and went right back to sleep for another four hours. Hopefully this will give the poor little dude some much needed relief (and mom and dad)! On a lighter and happier note, my Bubba turned 88 yesterday and Suzanne and I decided the best birthday present for him would be to meet his great grandsons. Gram and Bubba drove down to Mom's place and we came over for a few hours. I can't express how much those two people mean in my life... Gram and Bubba have always lived over an hour away from us, but that never stopped them from making the trip to spend even the smallest amount of time with Suzanne and I. They have always gone out of their way to do for their family and now we will go out of our way for them.

2009-04-25T08:07:00.000-04:00

The past few days have been very long and exhausting. Not only are my professors cramming to get the last of the work in for the semester, but Gio has developed a nasty case of colic. I don't know if its worse for him or Steve and I. Last night I finally put him in his car-seat and drove him around town for a while. When he did finally quiet down and I parked the car at home, he started up again. On a more positive note, our peds visit was very good. The little piglet is up to 5lb6oz, almost a pound from his birthweight a month ago! All that breast-feeding every two hours is paying off. The good news the pediatrician gave us is that there is nothing wrong with him to cause the gastric upset. The bad news is...there's nothing to fix!! We just have to ride it out. Those moments that he is comfortable and alert, I look at him and fall a little more in love.

2009-04-17T12:47:00.000-04:00

Gio has been adjusting well since the first night. We have gotten him on an every three hours or so feeding schedule and he seems to be sleeping more comfortably in his crib since we bought the Snuggle Nest. He absolutely loves being on Daddy's shoulder and if he had it his way would stay there permanently. His Godmother stopped by to meet him and I think it's safe to say she's hooked too. Steve and I took him to his first pediatrician visit and all the girls in the office had a fit over him. If this is a preview of what's to come, we will have to guard the front yard from the girls of the neighborhood. Afterwards we went on our first trip to Grammom and DoDad's house. Dad was acting like he didn't want to hold him but I stuck Gio on his lap and Gio worked his charm. Today is my 28th birthday and I must say having him here and healthy is the all I could have asked for.

2009-04-12T16:47:00.000-04:00

Welcome home Gio!!! We brought our son home Saturday, I didn't know if it would happen or not because the carseat harness barely fit around him. The nurses had to lift it up, with him in it, to try to tighten it. He passed the test though and we brought him home. He spent the first few hours napping on Daddy's lap while Steve watched the PGA tournament. I thought to myself, I wonder if he'll sleep all night like this? Fat chance!! We put him down around 12 oclock and he was up at 12:45 screamimg like a banchee. It took me awhile to figure out what he wanted, finally I put him into his swing and he slept from 2:30 to 6:30. Not bad for the first night. Steve and I are trying to get him used to his crib. I don't know if its the feeling of a different mattress or what but as soon as we put him down in it he wakes up and it's difficult to get him to drift off while he's in it. All said, I am happy to have my little man home and Steve and I are definitely smitten.

2009-04-10T20:46:00.000-04:00

I spoke to the neonatologist this morning and he said Gio can come come saturday or sunday as long as he continues to behave himslf. I told him no swinging from the chandeliers and no partying with the twins in the next crib over. Steve and I need to bring in his carseat tomorrow for his fit test, I hope he fits into it!! Mom and I went to BJs and picked up a jumbo pack of diapers and wipes, my first of many.

2009-04-05T18:05:00.000-04:00

In an attempt to distract ourselves or maybe get a little enjoyment out of our extended freedom, Steve and I went to the movies last night and saw Fast and Furious (not bad, better then the second and third enstallments) and went golfing today. Well, Steve golfed and I drove the cart. We joined up with two other men named Mike and Charlie. Both were a few months away from retirement and enjoying being grandparents. Its funny how two sets of people can have such perpendicular lives and like each others' company.

Cheryl and Monica were nice enough to buy of a few pairs of premie onsies to bring Gio home in. Everything Steve and I had were for 8lb or larger!! We've gotten one week down, 3 more to go (?!)

2009-04-02T22:08:00.000-04:00

Gio is out from under the tanning bulbs and eating better every day. The little patches on his face are velcro to attach his sunshades, those should come off tomorrow. His meds are reduced every few days so as long as he continues to behave himself, he should be home before we know it. I brought in a few clothes that should have fit him, but as you can see, he's swimming in his onsie. At least he has a head full of hair, Steve and I love to swirl it into a mowhawk.

2009-03-30T17:45:00.000-04:00

Gio's breakfast, lunch and dinner come to him in the form of a syringe attached to his feeding tube, he got a whole whopping 30cc at his 3pm feeding and kept it all down the hatch, no wasted calories that time. His jaundice was kicked up a notch so he spends his hours dozing under the UV lights, he definatly got his love for light from his olive Daddy, pastey Mommy can't handle that!! I still would love to stick him under my shirt and walk out of there with him, but I know that too will come with time.

2009-03-29T21:09:00.000-04:00

Some people say better late than never...how about better early than never? Gio decided he couldn't wait another 4 weeks so he came out to meet the world at 6:45am March 27th. He weighed 4lb8oz, 17 inches long. He spent he first few hours in the NICU while I recouped. The first two days he was doing very well but then slid a bit downhill,so I was sent home emptyhanded. The nurse practitioner for the NICU told me it could be up to a month for him to come home. Until then, I will just have to get my fill of him at my daily visits to Virtua.

2009-03-22T21:15:00.000-04:00

Last night Steve and I went to see Duplicity with Clive Owen (LOVE him) and Julia Roberts (LOVE her). I must say I slept through 2/3 of the movie. Not because I was tired, but because the movie drug on and was so slow. I was so disapointed in Clive and Julia for picking an unstimulating movie...Today was a wonderful day... I got to sleep in and woke up to a beautiful day...Steve and I ran some errands and picked up makings for meatballs and gravy. We spent the afternoon cooking and hanging out. My parents and Suzanne and Sean came over in the evening for tacos. Suzanne and I took a prego picture together, you just don't know when these boys will decide to come join us!!!

2009-03-20T21:29:00.000-04:00

Well I made it thru my last day at work. It wasn't easy since my drs. appointment yesterday left me achy and crampy. At least I know I'm dialated and effaced. That's good to know in case Gio does need to come out before April 18th. All thats left is school and baby baking for the next few weeks!!

2009-03-15T11:41:00.000-04:00

Well I didn’t do so well at my ultrasound last wednesday. My OB had sent me back to the perineatologist for another US because I had lost some weight from my last checkup. The US tech was really quiet during the whole scan and I felt like I had to poke her with a stick to get her to say anything about what she was looking at. So then she left and a few minutes later another US tech came in to repeat everything that the previous person had done. When the Dr. finally came in I was already on high alert because I could just tell something wasn’t right. She started talking about the baby being less than the 10th percentile of growth and IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction). She said that sometimes babies just stop growing at a certain point in the uterus and do much better once they are on the outside. She did say that the blood flow to the baby was fine (the cord, placenta, liver, brain) and that during my nonstress test (NST), the baby had reassuring movement and reactivity. She set me up for biweekly NSTs, weekly Dopplers (to check the blood flow) and another growth scan in three weeks (to see if he has gotten any bigger). After these three weeks, if he doesn’t show much progress, she wants to talk about taking him early instead of letting him stay until natural labor comes. I don’t know if I can deal with that... I’ve seen premature babies at my work and what they have to do to them to keep them safe. Also, if he's super small to begin with and they take him early, I can’t even imagine what he’ll go through. I tried to find out all the information on IUGR I could last night to see if there’s something I did wrong or if there’s something I can do differently in the next six weeks, but the literature doesn’t really give that much concrete information. Its almost as if the experts don’t really know that much about it. Its frustrating when someone tells you you’re not quite right but can’t tell you why or how to change it.
I'm hoping that he's just a small baby because I'm a small person. I had a talk with him the other night... I told him that its okay if he wants to be small, he just needs to get a little bit bigger to above the 10th percentile of growth so that way they won't be so eager to take him early. I just want to keep him close to me and safe.

2009-03-07T16:04:00.000-05:00

Well, I officially gave my time for maternity leave at work. I start the week of March 23rd and come back the week of June 15th. I'm looking forward to having time to focus on finishing school and staying well toward the end of this pregnancy. I'm starting to feel the stress of doing it all and my body is responding. This will give me a light at the end of the tunnel to focus on instead of my legs aching, my lower back in knots and these damn Braxton Hicks contractions that make my belly look all deformed and lumpy. I just smile when people say, "Pregnancy is so beautiful!!"

2009-03-02T12:49:00.000-05:00

We just had a lovely March storm and I'm hoping to not have to go into work, I'm waiting to hear back from by boss about staying home. Baby Gio really gave me an uncomfortable night last night... no matter which side I lay on he's kicking the tar out of me. As soon as I hit that 28week mark, he has just been commin' from all sides of me. Some people say they didn't even know I was pregnant until I turned to the side and WHOA!! I guess I should take that as a compliment that I don't look pregnant from the back (however that would look). Our baby shower (Suzanne and myself) was wonderful! We got to see family and friends and eat great food and we both received wonderful presents. Steve and I have the nursery all finished so all he has to do is show up! Not that I'm rushing, I still have finals week the first week of May and I'm waiting to see if I make it through. If not, I'll just have to study with a little man laying on my chest... It's all good!