Tripp: One Month Old

Our Baby Boy celebrated his one month birthday yesterday (ok, so I started this post a while back). I think time goes by doubly fast with the second one because I'm pretty sure I was just pregnant like yesterday...

It has been great getting to know our little guy. Here's a little on what we have learned, and a brief recap of the first month. 

Tripp's stats: 8lb12oz and 21in (at two weeks old)

Eating: a nursing fool! Exclusively breastfed, and loving it. He is a natural, I'm so thankful. I decided to nurse "on demand" as opposed to a schedule, and it is working so well. Nursing this go round is a complete success for both parties, I am so grateful!! 

Sleeping: he is doing his typical newborn thing- sleeping and sleeping and sleeping. He loves to be held during naptime, but also does well snuggled on the couch or mom and dads bed. And, oh my goodness, he is SUCH a snuggler!! His favorite way to be held for naps is upright, head nuzzled on the shoulder in the crook of your neck or upright, with his head buried face down in your chest. It's completely adorable and I'm trying to savor all of it! 

Tid Bits: Tripp's belly button has finally healed up! The poor little guy would cry and cry during diaper changes, and I was sure it was because of the poor diaper rubbing that scab :( 

Tripp's circumcision has also healed up perfectly, and much quicker than his belly button. Needless to say, diaper changes are now tear free and much quieter. 

We love simethicone drops (gas drops)! This is really the only thing that causes this little guy much trouble, stupid gas! But after a few drops, he melts into butter and is sawing logs.

Tripp is not a huge fan of the swaddle. He likes to sleep with free arms, and doesn't seem to wake himself up, so we are rolling with it for now.  

Poor little guy is in the thick of the baby acne, but if it's like his sister's, it'll be done soon.  

All in all, I am amazed we have another child. I am dually amazed at how easy it can be to have a newborn. I am so thankful for this little guy. I am truly enjoying him and trying to soak up every moment!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Tripp's First Two Weeks

Tripp David Sickler

November 23, 2013

10:29pm

8lb 9oz, 20.5in

I just can't get over this little guy.  From the moment he was born, he was Mr. Mellow.  Barely a cry, and more like a whimper in his first few moments.  He snuggles and snuggles and cuddles and cuddles.  He eats, and sleeps, and sleeps some more.  All done so effortlessly, so beautifully.  He is a peaceful, content baby.  And I love it.  I am so thankful!

In his first 24 hours, Tripp had a hard time maintaining his body temperature, so the nurses suggested we try a skin to skin technique.  It worked.  And those ten hours of uninterrupted snuggles, watching the snow fall outside, will forever be etched in my memory.  

Because he was born 16 days early, and was a big baby, the nurses wanted to make sure he could maintain his blood sugar levels, so every few hours, before nursing, poor little Tripp would get a needle prick in the heel.  Our pediatrician also wanted a blood sample because he was an early, big baby; another needle. And then of course, there was the big snipping, which was quite traumatic as well.  Call it crazy justification.. but I could not let that baby boy lie in his plastic bed after such an invasive first twenty four hours.  So he stayed in my arms and I snuggled and snuggled my sweet baby boy.

I can honestly say I was so relaxed and so at ease those first two days.  Jarod and I both agreed we were enjoying this baby and the whole experience so much more.  There is such a difference between first and second babies! 

Big sister comes to visit at the hospital.

  

My little sleeping bundle.

Dressed and ready to go home!

I think my kids look a little alike... CA left, Tripp right.

Home! And so disgruntled with your Sister... probably won't be the first time, Little Buddy.

How Tripp spent Thanksgiving.

So he sleeps really good sprawled out in Mom and Dad's bed.

Asleep.

Awake.

This was Big Sister's onesie :) Sharing already, how sweet.

Back asleep- a pretty common pose for this one.

Almost back asleep.

The lap swaddle.

We love our Little Man and I am just so thankful at his ability and willingness to sleep and rest.  I am also so so thankful that he's nursing and eating well and is a healthy boy.  What a gift!

Tripp's Story of Arrival

Jarod returned from Baltimore Friday night on November 22nd.  It had been a long week for both of us.  He had been at a Philosophy Conference the past four days.  I was running solo with a moody toddler and caring for two extra babies.  Needless to say, we were more than ready for a restful weekend.  With a quick hug and a "welcome back," Jarod and I dropped into bed exhausted.

At 7:30am, the next morning, I rolled over in bed and felt a gush of warm water.  I leapt off the mattress (as leaping as one can be at 37 weeks pregnant), convinced I had just peed the bed.  But then there was more gushing.  My water had broke.  My brain immediately went to blender mode.. Who would take care of Charlie Ann while we were at the hospital? My house is not clean! The baby's room is not finished!  My mom isn't here!  But Jarod's birthday is today!  I'm only 37 weeks?!! I am not mentally ready to birth a baby today!  My hospital bag isn't even packed!

The next two hours were a blur.  Neighbors and friends from church were called to care for Charlie Ann, the kitchen and downstairs were frantically cleaned, the dog was fed, pajamas and a toothbrush were thrown into an overnight bag, and a newborn set of baby boy clothes were picked out.  Our sweet neighbor showed up at 9:30am; we kissed Charlie Ann good bye and headed to the hospital.

We called our families on the way there.  My mom started crying at the news.  Clearly her brain was in blender mode as well.

At the hospital, I was feeling great.  As in, no-contractions-great.  Also, as in barely-effaced-and-barely-dilated-great.  So we waited for my body to kick into gear.  Jarod and I ate breakfast, had coffee and visited about our week.  But nothing else was happening.

By lunch, they offered to let me go home until evening or I could take a few doses of misoprostol to try to induce labor.  I chose to take the miso and stay at the hospital.  However, Jarod went home and relieved our babysitters for the afternoon.  Meanwhile, I immediately accepted my aunt's offer to drive up from Pennsylvania and stay with Charlie Ann all weekend.  I definitely rested easier.

At 12:45pm, I took the miso, moved out of triage and into a labor and delivery room.  While I waited for contractions to start, I switched between watching the snow fall outside and the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  It was rather strange and quiet to sit at the hospital alone.

By 3pm, the contractions were fairly steady.  I wasn't going to need any further doses of miso.  By 4pm, I mentioned the word "epidural", and my observant nurse started the fluids.  At 4:30pm, I called Jarod and said he should get back to the hospital.  By 5pm, I was more than ready for the epidural.  I was having "camelback contractions"(basically no rest between contractions -they come right on top of each other).  Time dragged on while I waited for the epidural.  A little before 6pm, the injection was made and the cold sensation ran down my spine.  The anesthesiologist worked a long time to make sure I was fully numb..  I was not wanting to have a repeat of Charlie Ann's half failed epidural.  By 6:30pm, I was melted into heavenly jelly.  I napped until 9:30pm, when my nurse woke me up to inform me I was fully effaced, fully dilated and ready to push.  What?!  Who wakes up to push out a baby?! I pushed through two contractions, and his head crowned.  They paged the doctor, and kept paging the doctor.  I tried to hold in his head and wait, but he was slowly sliding out (passive descent, they said-- code for "awesome").  They paged the doctor again.  He was coming, ready or not. Some lady came in, and they gave me the green light to finish.  At 10:29pm, on Jarod's birthday, we met our son, Tripp David.

They laid him on my belly and toweled him off.  He didn't cry much.  He just looked around, so peaceful and calm.

Happy Birthday, Jarod.   Happy Birthday, Tripp.