Week 1 - Mr. Andrew Austin Rardin - The Drewster!!

So we have made it through wk1 - it was a little touch and go with my sanity and drew's feeding. Because he was so large, it took us about 3 days and some pediatric attention to realize he wasn't getting enough fluids waiting for my milk to come in - so he wasn't sleeping, pooing, urinating like he should have been after the first 24 hrs (might have helped had we had some nurses that were a bit more knowledgeable in the hospital). Day 2, I was breastfeeding for 4 hrs straight, not so good, for my physical recovery or my sanity. Day 3, finally the pediatrician and nurse (on dayshift I add) share that we should probably take syringes of formula and supplement right after feeding - it wasn't until Day 4, when we headed to the pediatrician's office to find out he had lost more weight than they wanted so he needed 'WAY MORE FORMULA' - well, with that correction and my milk coming in around Day 5 - we all made a trip to sanity lane - sleeping more, pooing, peeing - Mr. Never Cries even though he was starving for food is now Mr. Even Happier.

I go to bed at 9pm, Mom stays up with him till 12 or 1am and then I take from then until breakfast. This is working and both of us are managing....J has been working this week, mostly from home but leaving occasionally for appts. We had the pediatricians visit on Friday, Day 7 and Drew had managed to gain almost all of his weight back in the last 3 days - go milk, it's your birthday, we're gonna party like it's your birthday!! I told you he was like his father when it comes to appetite. In addition to his food needs being met, he sleeps at night other than his feedings - his fussy time of night is resolving itself.....keep your fingers crossed.

Drew had his first bath this week and his first walk to the end of the block. Now we are working on 'Baby Wise' - transitioning to the Feedtime, Waketime, Naptime process - up this am, fed, play time on the floor with Baby Einstein's Aquarium set-up, then falling asleep in Daddy's arms.

In addition to all of this going on this week, John had his second interview for the mgmt position. They had wanted him to go to Pittsburgh for the interview but with Drew's arrival, he opted for a phone interview - a bit of a risk but he feels it went as well as could be expected. We should know more next week - everyone is on pins and needles right now waiting to find out. Look for updates next week when we know more.

Drew's Arrival!! June 12, 2009

So leading up to today, we had seen the doctor to confirm in wk 38 we were still strong at 2 cm dilation....I scheduled a maternity massage, went to prenatal water aerobics and the chiropractor. Anything to help Drew come see the world. On the 11th, mom and I headed to the doctor to find out I was at 4 cm without any real contractions (that I knew of). So we all sat down to eat that night early (in hindsight, big mistake - should have eaten late :)). The neighbors dropped off a heath bar blizzard for me around 7:30pm and then I didn't head to bed till about midnight.

At 2:12 am, I got up for a usual bathroom break, laid back down and "POW!" my water broke. So after crawling up the stairs to tell mom and John, I got in the shower (because lord knows when I would have that chance again) and John called the doctor to report we were having a baby. We got to the hospital around 3ish and had an epidural by 4:30 am - GOOD TIMES - not sure why women wouldn't want this wonderful pain blocker, it is enough work, pressure, and grief without all the pain on top. So now we wait, well, mom and I wait, John makes himself a bed and sleeps :). Around 9:30ish we are still a bit away from pushing so J heads home to take care of the dogs, get mom a Starbucks, and pick me up some beautiful roses.

At around 12:30pm we were ready to push at a full 10 cm - however, the negative here, I am only at -2 stage and need to be at +4 to have the head crown...lots of distance to make up. Doctor comes in, realizes Drew is headed up instead of down in the canal so with a few pushes on my part, and some head turning on his part, we got Drew ready for the delivery face down. So we start to push (of course at this point the doctor leaves to go have lunch), Mom on one leg, John on the other (of course he is staring at the wall, he won't look at all......for at least the first few hours......(if you go long enough, he can't bear not to finally look :)). And we push, and we push, and we push...well, you see where this is going......I am SOOOOO hungry at this point and thirsty (I couldn't even have ice chips because I was so nauseated - yuck). And then there were the nurses, leaning against the counter saying 'good job, your making progress, keep going' - shut it - that is all I could think, couldn't say it, frankly because it was all I could do to breathe - they say this to everyone, just shut it.

So around 3:30pm - I have had enough - I am tired, hungry, out of energy, wasted, felt like I had run 4 half marathons (I know that is 2 marathons but I can only relate energy levels to a half since that is all I have run)...I start crying - John is tired of seeing me in pain....they call the doctor thinking it is almost time but I might need help with tools........he walks in, does two things, and the Drew's head is crowned - where the hell was he an hour ago :).......so a couple more pushes, with John, mom, and myself looking on, Drew graces us with his perfect little (well very large) body, 9lbs. 1oz, and 22.5 in long. With only a 2 sec peep of a cry, he enters the world very content, happy and calm - taking it all in stride (whose child is this?).

He jumped on the breast an hour into life and was a hungry little booger - like his father - that is the food, not just the breast :) - he slept quite a bit in the first 24 hours but definitely continued to feed when he wanted - feeding for a long time....this should have been our first clue.....more to come in upcoming posts. So I look a bit rough here but this is at 1 minute from delivery - a bit emotional :). Ya'll get it!

Wk 39 - 8 days to go

Hiddy ho there neighbors! We are in the home stretch, we have been at 2cm dilation for about 2 wks now, quite possibly walking the streets of downtown for the Taste of Cincinnati drove that progress - waiting and waiting and waiting.....I am done with work - woohoo! I didn't really get why they are so gracious at giving us these 2 wks at P&G but I am getting it now - I am exhausted quickly - this baby is sucking the life out of me - every fluid I drink, every food I eat......I get winded walking at Target :). Good news, my feet have stopped swelling (funny if you stay away from Mexican food and stop standing on them all the time).

Here are some updated photos - I tried to move my upper body (read: boobs) so you can see exactly how big this belly is.....quite large - yes, you can see my lovely stretch marks as well, good times......

I got a maternity massage the other day - it was wonderful. Why didn't I do this sooner, I have slept better the last 3 nights then the last 2 months. He worked on my hips so I don't have as much pain when I sleep although it is starting to come back a bit - but hey, I will take it. Drew is as large as a house now and his rumpus continues to push into my ribs and lungs - little Turkey!

I am running errands here and there. From picking up a pair of slippers to wear at the hospital to packing my bag when it is time. John has the cameras ready and charged, he is packing a bit of a bag this week. Mom gets in on Wed, doctor on Thursday and then more waiting. Maybe I will hit the Chiro this week to see if he can adjust this baby out :).

The room is ready, sheets and blankets washed, carpets get cleaned tomorrow and dogs for baths (like that will do any good). I think the dogs know what is going on, they sleep downstairs with me every night (protecting) while J sleeps upstairs.

A little on the forefront of John's job, he has applied for a management job over new Sales folks. While this is a totally new structure for his office and would include bringing in folks from off the street and up to full commitment within 3-4 months - he is one of the few folks in the running. He has a second interview next week and we think he is in the front-running if they decide to lean forward and pick someone who hasn't managed experience with Verizon prior - either way, John is ready for this baby and Mom has offered to help with some 'extra trips' if he gets the job.

I guess that's about it - John says Drew will be here by Father's Day because John wants a gift but only Drew knows. In fact, John said I should go and buy him a gift...I reminded him he couldn't even find the card aisle for Mother's Day :). Good times. Take care and look for more updates.

A little less than 4 wks to go!!!

Well - here we are - only 4 weeks to go - we have gone to every baby class (CPR/baby safety, baby basics, childbirth, and breastfeeding - J's favorite :)). The baby basics was about dressing, changing, bathing, and such with the munchkin - of course, John dressed his little doll like a gangster with one leg rolled up and the birth cap pulled to just above the eyes. I think he might have missed the point on that one.

With the childbirth class we got to tour the hospital and see how the bed and room convert for everything to stay in the same room. John got to practice massaging my lower back - I couldn't believe how well he did, he said 'beginner's luck, won't be repeatable'........he has to cover his tracks.

You can see in our pictures how I am progressing along - more importantly notice the ankle pictures....they are quite a site - that is just after getting home from work. Taking after mom with these fluid filled feet.

We headed to the doctor this am and got our first of the next four weeks of check-ups - Drew's head is down and now we just wait - I have 6 more days of work - my last day is June 2nd since P&G gives us 2 wks off before the due date (use or lose - I say USE). I plan to wash the sheets and baby clothes - read books, lay by the pool, update our will, and run various errands. Mom gets here on the 10th in case good ole Drew comes a bit early or I am losing my mind.

We are just laying low for Memorial Day weekend - with my swollen feet we are a bit limited on options for entertainment. Look for more updates soon!!

Wk 34!! 42 Days Left till Margaritas!!

Hiddy ho there neighbors - J and I just got back from a long weekend in Naples, Fl visiting my aunt Sarah and Gail. Mom, Greg and Mom's BF, Cheryl, came over as well for the weekend. It was a full house but while there was lots of golfing going on - I laid like brocoli next to the pool and read books - it was absolutely wonderful. We can't have Drew coming out and seeing his mom all pastey white :). The highlight of the trip was my trying to get my large backend into a middle seat of an aircraft that had solid sides on the armrests....yes, I feel for those folks that can't make this happen...AND I was already trying to 'pretend' I wasn't prego so I could stay seated in the emergency row for extra leg room......good times - really good times. On the way back when I knew we wouldn't get emergency row - I gave up and asked for a seatbelt extender - yes, I was one of those folks as well.

Here are some uploaded pics of my largeness - don't find too much humor - Drew is about 5 lbs and almost 20 inches this week according to the books. We start going to the doctor once a week now for updates on everything under the sun. Still measuring about on average - the doc says they look forward to folks with my type of frame - we are tall with 'legs and hips that allow them to just push back the legs and the baby comes right on out' - from her lips to my ears LORD!!

The girls at the office threw me an 'office shower' - Tracy and Sally outdid themselves with the food and cake - everyone chipped in for Target gift cards so I can finish up with the big items off of my registry (monitors for example). The cake they got was a cupcake cake shaped like a stroller - absolutely adorable.

Drew is busy kicking me every chance he gets - trips to the Chiro are still in full swing - J could feel Drew's head and butt on two different parts of my stomach the other day......20 more workdays and about the workload of 40 but I am excited to get some of the major items I have been working on in place and taken care of before I leave. My last work day should be around the 2nd of June as P&G gives us 2 wks of use or lose time off before baby.

I still need to lock in on a pediatrician, wash sheets, wash bottles, blah, blah, blah - so that should take a day :).....not sure if I will go stir crazy with 2 wks of nothingness......we'll see. Stay tuned for updates on due dates and size of belly photos. Drew kicks right now whispering goodbye and take care.

Drew's Room - Curious George!!

So - the furniture is here - we are still missing the glider and ottoman but the crib and dresser are set up and ready to go!!!! The pics are all hung up and the baskets are organized. See the pic on the right - this is his gift from his uncle Jeff and aunt Angela - the monkey pic - note it is hung next to the closet (organized in Amy fashion - no shocker here, I, of course, bought the closet organization system, while John, bought the high chair for food time......I know, extremely funny and appropriate!!)

I spent most of last Sunday putting together the crib (pregnant brain, only had to read and redo the first step 3 times :) )......John was out burying the electric dog fence finally so we don't end up with dogs running the neighborhood because it gets cut by the lawnmower. The crib is one of those 3 in 1 types that transitions to a toddler bed and then to a double bed later when he is older. I am not making the bed yet, will use Mom's help when she comes right before baby to wash and get the stuff ready - I just can't see spending time on that now...the sheets and bedding are red as well.....should look great when it is all done.

The glider will go in the corner where you see that box - it is on backorder so it won't be in until end of May (hopefully before baby). There is a stuffed monkey and the cutest Curious George in the box his mom found for his room.

I painted a few canvas' to spell his name (don't look closely because they could use lots of touch-ups). The corner shelves worked out perfect with the colored baskets full of shower goodies. Notice he already has lots of books folks have given us - we LOVE books!!! The dresser is a good size so he can use it as he grows (like till College :)). John's mom also gave us the Curious George on the top of the shelves in the little Curious George pail - super cute!

We still have plenty of room and the dogs come in every chance they get to sniff around and check things out.

We are headed up to 32 weeks this week - so look for pics coming soon to a blog near you.

Wk 30 - 69 days and counting!!

So here we are - WK 30!!! We are so excited - we had a shower thrown for us 2 wknds ago in Cinci and had a really great time. So many people showed up to support us! John's mom and sister came in from Iowa (10 hour drive) and Heidi came down from Michigan (5 hr drive). This is John's mom trying to play the string game to measure my belly.

Here are some pics of my huge belly. We are measuring 'normal' right now - doctor is saying other than an extra long child we are measuring to the average 8 pounds.....John says we should just feed me more, to which I responded, "honey, not sure that will make Andrew bigger but it definitely will make my butt bigger :)."

We are here for the Easter holiday - we couldn't seem to find a way to get to some place warm without breaking the bank - good ole Uncle Sam and P&G's inability to get our taxes done right this year are keeping us at home for the time being. Feel free to send donations :).

I am past wearing the belly sling - I think Drew finally got so big that he can't fit down far enough to push pressure on me. Still seeing Dr. Eric (the chiro) about every 6-7 days for adjustments but other than that - rocking and rolling - feeling the best I have felt - I think the 'fat' depression is gone and the 'yes, see, I am pregnant' feeling is here....more to come - we pick up the baby furniture this week.