Things about James

Just a few things I've learned about James in the past two weeks.

• He's a very serious baby.
• He HATES having a wet diaper.
• He likes having his arms free and sleeps with them up near his face.
• He gets hangry (like his mommy) and activates what we've deemed "Mini Beast Mode."
• He likes James Taylor, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, and The Beatles, but not Adele.
• He likes riding in the car.
• He is not a fan of socks.

Dear milk,

Please come in.

Love,
Jillann and James (and probably Seth too)

He's Here!

James Brennen Madren arrived at 10:38 pm on Thursday, February 7th. He weighed 9 pounds 9 ounces and is 22.5 inches long. He came out pink, fat, and happy, scoring 9 on both Apgar tests. We have a big, beautiful baby love.

Ultrasound

No pictures today. But the ultrasound confirms that Baby Madren is really comfortable in there. Looking good, but comfy. And apparently Dr. Labban may drown when the baby comes out. Oh, and my placenta is better than average.

So now I'm signed up for another non-stress test on Friday just to make sure he's still baking fine.

Non-Stress Test

We went for our non-stress test today. Apparently the fetal monitor was a very popular machine; I had to wait at least an hour and a half past my schedule time to be seen. Laying on the exam table was uncomfortable (but really just about everything is uncomfortable at this point...). The baby's heartbeat was monitored for a while (ten fifteen minutes? not really sure). He passed with flying colors. Dr. Labban's words were "A triple plus." Which really just means that our little one is really comfy in there. He did check my cervix again, which wasn't nearly as bad as last time. Possibly because I knew what to expect. He said I was still dilated about the same, but that I'm 80-90% effaced now. So slight progress, I guess. We'll go for our ultrasound tomorrow (#5!) and keep waiting. But now I'm pretty sure he's hanging out in there until Valentine's Day. Perhaps I shouldn't have been calling him "Baby Love" all this time...

Bump Watch 40 weeks

How far along: 40 weeks
Baby is the size of a: mini watermelon or small pumpkin (about ~20 inches and approximately 7.5 pounds)
Gender:  Boy
Total weight gain/loss: ~50 pounds
Maternity clothes: barely cover the baby anymore!
Sleep: About an hour at a time
Best moment this week: The bath Seth made me this morning.  
Food cravings: cereal   
Food aversions: Not lately
Movement: Slowed down. I think he's running out of room. Some spots, like where he keeps his feet are so tight, it's tender to touch.  
Symptoms: Please. 
Labor Signs: I think I've been losing my mucous plug. TMI? 
Stretch Marks: More than I care to think about
Swelling: Mostly in my feet
Belly Button in or out: Still hanging on to the innie
What I miss: my body
What I am looking forward to: Getting this baby out of me  
Milestones: Hello, due date! Still no baby...

Due Date

This is my Facebook status today:

What do you do when you wake up pregnant on your due date and start crying? If you're lucky you have a husband that runs a hot bath, makes you a cup of tea, and rubs your feet with delicious smelling sugar scrub while you listen to James Taylor radio on Pandora. Sorry, other ladies who think you have the best husband in the world. Today, you're wrong.

That's the second time this week I've woken up and started crying. The end of pregnancy is SO. HARD. I really expected to not make it to my due date, and here I am. But luckily I really do have an amazing husband who loves me and takes care of me and helps me calm down when the rest of the world is really stinking annoying. 

He's a great husband. And he's going to be an amazing dad. 

If our baby ever decides to come out... :)