Time is passing by...

Wow! I completely can't keep up with blogging once a week like I originally wanted to, so I'll just do the best I can.

Everything here is fantastic! We are so blessed & love Gracie more & more every day. She's 18 weeks now, but we're switching to months - so she's 4 months! People always try to calculate how old she is if I tell them in weeks, so this is just easier. When I weighed her last week, she was exactly 14lbs. She's growing like a weed & so alert. She giggles, loves to play, picks things up, rolls over & has even started reaching out to "pet" the dogs. They are doing great with her as well.

We have lots of nicknames for her...We're most likely to call her Gracers or Cookie. The whole Cookie name somewhat annoys me because Jared calls her pacifier "cookie" then started calling her Cookie-Girl! Cracks me up because someday, she'll be happy to learn what a real cookie is.

People told me that things would change after she arrived, but it never occurred to me that EVERYTHING changes, not just some things. Priorities are so different now & it really took me having a baby to understand that it's ok if everything on the list doesn't get done. It's ok to say no to friends. And, it's ok to ignore phone calls. I'm not superwoman & not going to try to be! As long as I can spend time with family, I'm happy! Learning this new balance has been a challenge, but it's very rewarding.

This week was my first full time week AT the office & it was ok. Not as emotional as I expected but I think it was good that I was very busy at work so I never had time to twiddle my thumbs & wonder how she was doing for too long. And, our nanny, Courtney, is doing so great with her. She sends me videos & text messages throughout the day with updates. On top of taking care of Gracie & the dogs, she's super helpful with housework. Surprisingly helpful with housework actually, far beyond my expectations but I'm not complaining. Less I have to do then! I am so happy it's the weekend though & love spending time with her. I'd like to wake her up from her nap just so I can talk to her & we can play, but I figure I better let her rest!

It's shocking to me that it's already November, and Gracie is already 4 months old. We'll be looking for her first Christmas dress soon & I can't wait to start shopping for her (don't tell Jared!) The weather has turned cold and it smells like fall and time is passing by so fast.

Hope this update finds you all doing well!
xoxo
Sara

Gracie - 15 weeks

Well, writing every week hasn't been going so well. Time just goes by so fast! Gracie is 15 weeks old today & it's so amazing to see her grow, develop and change every day. She is very vocal and loves to giggle. Sometimes I swear she's even yelling at the dogs! She's weighing in at 13lbs and wearing 3-6month clothing.

On Sunday 10.10.10 was Gracie's baby dedication at Grace Orlando. It was a beautiful service! Me, Jared, Gracie, Evan (the godfather) and Dana (the godmother) all got on stage while Pastor Mike prayed for Gracie and asked us and the congregation to help raise Gracie in a Christian home & guide us in life. Of course, I was all teary eyed. There were about 14 friends of ours that attended the church service and 25 people came over to our house in the afternoon for the celebration. We all had a great time!

We also hired a full-time nanny, Courtney. She is great with Gracie and the dogs plus she even does light housework. She's working part time until Nov 1 when I'm back in the office full time. She sends me texts throughout the day to keep me posted on what they're doing. It's been a great experience & makes us very happy that Gracie isn't sitting in daycare.

I am shocked that it's already mid-October & can't wait for the holidays. This year will be very different for us as a family in a very good way!

Have a great week!
Sara

11 weeks old today!

Gracie is already 11 weeks old. I can't believe it. It's bitter sweet because that means I'm headed back to work full-time VERY soon, Oct 4 to be exact. So, today we start our transition to a diet of both formula & breast milk. We're using Enfamil Premium per the doctor's recommendation and think there's such an advantage to nursing so I'll continue that as long as I can. Formula though will add a great convenience while we're on the run.

October is already looking like a very busy month. On Oct 10, Gracie will attend our church's baby dedication service where she is dedicated to God. It's similar to a baptism, without the holy water & Christian's believe that a child doesn't have to be baptized to be "saved" if something horrific happens to him or her. Gracie will then grow up & make the choice to be baptized on her own. Many children at our church make this choice between the ages of 8-10 years old. We've done a lot of research about it & are very happy with our Pastor, church & very educated friends on this topic. After the baby dedication during the 1015 service, we're having a luncheon at our home to celebrate our decision to raise Gracie in a Christian home. Evan, Gracie's godfather, is also making the trip from PA & we're excited for him to meet her.

This week the plan is to catch up on housework, laundry & also put a TON of photos of Gracie I just got in the mail (408 to be exact) into albums. I fear if I don't keep up with this, I'll never do it. Hey, it only took me 4 years to get our wedding photos in an album LOL!

Have a nice weekend everyone!
Sara

It's been a while!

Well, Gracie is almost 10 weeks old now & I can't believe it. She's so amazing & I love watching her grow everyday.

We have successfully learned to venture out quite a bit on our own to go to Publix, Target & lunch with friends. Gracie is amazing & usually sleeps. We've only had one break down in Target. I was a bit embarrassed at first to be honest, but what can you do!

Last week we took our first family vacation to Daytona Beach! Jared's client hooked us up with a suite with a huge terrace, kitchen & living room. Way beyond what we needed or could afford. We realized though we needed the space - bottles, blankets, towels, the stroller, her travel bed & so much more. For once, I wasn't the one that took the most stuff!

Here is a link to some of the beach pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=81898&id=1452882215&l=bdc62cf1d2

Since I'm a busy body, I did start working from home part time about 3 weeks ago. I go in to the office about once a week & work 15-20 hours. I'm loving the adult communications & realized I missed thinking! But, it's bitter sweet. I'm back to work full time on Oct 4, which I realize is just a few weeks away. I'll miss seeing Gracie every hour of every day, but know she'll be alright. There's an advantage to daycare & interacting with other kids, but I'm not ready for her to go there yet...which I thought I would be. Maybe this whole motherhood thing has changed me. Now, I'm just a big, emotional softy! How long can I blame the hormones?

Overall, we're adjusting very well. And, we're very lucky. Since Gracie was 6 weeks old, she's slept through the night (1030pm or 11pm until 530am or 6am) every night but one. I probably just jinxed it for tonight, but that'd be ok. In the morning, I typically wake her up & she just smiles at me. It's the best sight!

Hope you are all doing well & we thank you for reading our blog. I'm going to do a better job updating, I promise!

Love,
Sara, Jared, Gracie & the hounds

Our Birth Story

Well, our nearly 39 week appt didn't go exactly as planned on June 29. We were expecting to go in, have the sonogram, be shocked at how big they thought she was and get our induction date for the following week. The sonogram was good. The tech estimated Gracie at 7lbs 11oz and noticed the amniotic fluid was low. When we got into see Dr. Thatcher, she entered and said "Surprise! You're going to the hospital today!"

After our jaws lifted off the ground, we headed home, got our things together, made phone calls and made final arrangements for the dogs. We arrived at Winnie Palmer Hospital around noon & we were admitted. The rest is an amazing adventure we'll never forget...

Tuesday, June 29
815am Sonogram
9am Dr Thatcher appt - found out we're going to the hospital!
10am - home to pack
Noon - arrived at Winnie Palmer Hospital
2pm - I was induced with cervidel, a drug that is time released for 12 hours.
6pm - I started having contractions
Overnight - contractions 2-4 minutes apart, but only 2cm dilated

Wednesday, June 30
7am - given medication to slow down contractions so dilation could catch up
730am - second round of cervidel given
230pm - moved to Labor & Delivery - at this point I was sure she'd arrive overnight! Stronger contractions, dilation progressing. On the right path.
7pm - thank God for epidurals!
Overnight - contractions continued & dilated to 9cm

Thursday, July 1
745am - Dr Thatcher came in to check me & I had gone backwards. Cervix was swollen & we were back to 7cm. I was not happy. She informed us that it was time to consider alternative means to the delivery - that's doctor speak for "you'll need a c-section". ARGH!!!!

After the tears, I realized that the only thing that mattered was that Gracie arrived safely. If a c-section was necessary then so be it. I thought of my motto "life's tough, but I'm tougher". Somehow it wasn't very consoling at the time. They quickly switched over the epidural medication to something that made me numb from the chest down & prepped me for surgery. I thought, surgery?!?! Wasn't planning on that this week! Here I had planned to finish cleaning the house in preparation for Gracie's arrival!

Having a c-section was not in the birth plan. In fact, I skipped that chapter in the "What to Expect when you're Expecting" book. Though I logically know that the birth plan has to be versatile, I was ok with lots of things changing, but ultimately not interested in a c-section.

About 10 years ago I had an intestinal resection due to Crohn's Disease. I had about a foot of my intestines removed and recovery was very difficult. The thought of a c-section reminded me of this hard time and something I definitely didn't want to repeat. Moreover, the thought of not holding our baby right away always tore me apart. I think this is why I never considered it for us.

Around 815am we were prepped and off to the OR! Once everyone and everything was set up, they let Jared come in. I remember being VERY cold, to the point my teeth were chattering & feeling some tugging on my stomach. I kept repeating to Jared to go with Gracie as soon as she arrived & to take lots of pictures. I didn't want to miss a moment of her first few moments of life!

Dr Thatcher asked Dr Scott, a partner at her practice, to join in on the c-section because of the intestinal resection. No one was certain as to what they'd find in there after all these years. The surgery started & after only a few short minutes, we heard Gracie cry for the first time. We both teared up and off Jared went to see her. What seemed like an eternity later, Gracie was all wrapped up like a burrito & brought over to see me! A nurse snapped a few photos of the 3 of us as a family & just moments later Jared & Gracie were off to the recovery room.

At this point, I was very out of it. The surgery was really taking a toll on me & I could barely stay awake. The anesthesiologist was asking me questions like "What color is the nursery?" just so I would say something. Still very cold and feeling like I was having some crazy out of body experience, I just laid there thinking of Jared, Gracie & the dogs - excited for our new life!

After about an hour, Dr Thatcher came around the curtain & said that she used the same incision doctors 10 years earlier created. That is a vertical incision and she explained that even so, my uterus is cut horizontally. They took out the old scar tissue & some other scar tissue inside my body.

While I was getting put back together Jared called our parents & let them know what had happened & that Gracie had arrived! A healthy baby girl!

Gracyn Paige Lamason
July 1, 2010
8:46am
20.50 inches long
7lbs 5oz

I got wheeled into recovery & finally got to really hold Gracie. I just took apart all of her blankets, counted her fingers & toes. Though I didn't know it at the time, it was the most defining moment of my life to date. There I was - with a great man and a beautiful and healthy baby girl! Seriously, what more could one ask for?

The next few days in the hospital were spent with a few visitors and mostly just Jared & I being in awe that we created a new life. And, that she was finally here! We were cleared to leave the hospital on Saturday morning & were released Saturday afternoon.

The nursing staff at Winnie Palmer Hospital is incredible. In antepartum (the first 1.5 days) the nurses were very supportive & always explained what was happening. In labor & delivery, the anesthesiologist was very nice, professional, caring and I was shocked how little getting the epidural actually hurt. Amanda, our labor & delivery nurse for the overnight shift 6.30 into 7.1 was fabulous. There was a shift change as we were going into the OR and she stayed til we got to the OR and really made us feel like she truly cared about our situation. At no point were we a number. We were always people that were being cared for by professionals that love their jobs.

Camp Lammy...
C-section = no steps. no driving. no lifting anything heavier than the baby.

For the first week we slept downstairs at Camp Lammy. Jared moved the bassinet, glider & all of our supplies so that I wouldn't have to do the steps - other than to shower of course. It was convenient that's for sure!

Recovery...
Recovery from the c-section has been a challenge. I struggle with the fact there was no "here's your baby!" big moment after delivery & that my insides hurt no matter what I do. Thinking back I'm not confident I would've had enough energy to push after more than 36 hours of laboring anyway. I just try to remember that everything happens for a reason and as long as Gracie is healthy, I'd go through as many surgeries as needed.

I went to the doctor Wednesday & got my staples removed. Since, I have been feeling better each day. Still taking it easy overall and not pushing myself. We moved back upstairs yesterday & sleeping in my own bed is incredible - even if Jared has to push me to sit me up.

Gracie went to her first pediatrician appt on Tuesday & is doing great. I was worried that she wasn't eating enough, but she is! She's very strong & nearly rolled herself over on the table during her exam. We go back on Wednesday for her second check up.

Jared has been, and is, the most amazing husband. He is handling the housework, helping with Gracie and just loves spending time with her. Being home is very different from the life I was leading at work, but different in a good way. I'm still adjusting to it, but happy I get to wake up and look at a beautiful, healthy girl each day.

All & all, things didn't go as planned - but I guess that's our life now!

Thank you so much for following along during our pregnancy & helping us welcome Gracyn into the world. I'll keep updating the blog and share lots of stories about Gracie as she grows!

Photos from Gracie's first moments:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62698&id=1452882215&l=2208c3c899

Love,
Jared, Sara, Gracyn Paige & the hound dawgs

newborn photos courtesy of Kelly Jeck
www.kellyjeck.com

Wishing and Waiting

Today is 38 weeks! YEE HAW!

Tuesday was our appt with Dr. Thatcher. She said everything is great, Gracie has a strong heart beat & just needs to move down a little further. She explained that this could happen very quickly or in a few days or weeks. Our next appt is Tuesday 6/29 where they'll make a decision about inducing me, based on how big she is on the ultrasound. We're still hoping that she'll arrive on her own though.

Tomorrow is my last day of work. I'm both excited & sad. I realized that I've had a job since I was 12 years old, even if it was just a summer job for a few years until I was 16. I'm going to miss the everyday challenges of business and the overall addiction to chaos, but I'm VERY excited to learn how to be a mom and spend time with Gracie for a few months.

This weekend, it's time to rest & relax by the pool. I'm sure I'll be wondering what I'm supposed to do with myself on Monday...

37 weeks 3 days

Well, time is really flying by now. So many people have said that the last 4 weeks go very slow, but I don't think that's the case. Maybe it's because I'm still working full time or we were a bit behind schedule due to the move getting things ready...It's a little alarming though seeing the floating baby widget say 18 days!

Overall, I'm still feeling really good. Not sleeping as much and have to pee every 30 seconds. Swollen feet. But all & all, I couldn't have asked for a better pregnancy. At the end of the day, all we need is a healthy baby girl!

Yesterday, a good friend Kelly Jeck, came over & took some amazing photos. She's breaking into maternity photography, but I think she's already a pro. There are a few photos below, but you can see them all at www.kellyjeck.com/lamason

We are so thankful that Jim with MacBeth Photography and Kelly were willing to document this amazing process for us!

We've spent the last week working, cleaning and the normal stuff. Today, I make turkey chili so we'd have something to eat once we're home from the hospital - it's a new recipe so we'll see how that goes. I also baked Hilary's Cinnamon Banana Apple Muffins, I renamed them Hil :) and can't wait for them to cool down. You can get the recipe at www.hilarywyatt.wordpress.com.

Hilary is so amazing & set up a Take Them A Meal so our friends can sign up to help us with dinners once we get home from the hospital. So thankful for this! I think cooking will be the last thing I want to worry about once we're getting settled.

The best news of the week is that Grammy has decided to fly!!! We are so excited about her making the trip with my mom. I'm very happy that she'll get to meet Gracie right away.

Well, have a good week! I'm off to try out these muffins! Next appt is Tuesday and I'll let you know how things are going then.

Thanks for reading!
Sara