Finn 11 and 1/2 weeks old

As Im writing this blog I have bitter sweet feelings about Finn being 11.5 weeks old. Hes getting cuter and bigger every day but with every day Im a bit closer to having to return to work and send him to day care =( We just spent Thanksgiving with my side of the family in NC--an 11 hour drive each way!!! Finn was such a champ. He ate, played, coo'ed and soiled his diaper-just like any normal baby-and we still made the drive in record time! When we arrived in NC, my parents had the house pimped out with a pack-n-play and a bouncy chair (courtesy of great grandmother barbara)!! Finn went nuts for the chair and slept in his pack-n-play maybe two nights.....mostly he slept with us. He met TONS of family and friends--my mom's friend Dulce and her family, aunt sally and uncle william, both sets of great-grandparents, uncle eddie, aunt ashley, God-parents Katie and Will, Lillian and her mother, Carolyn and Mike, Beth, Stephanie, the people of Stanhope Church.....I was so proud of him for being so friendly and sociable. He let everyone hold him and charmed them all with his million dollar smile ;) Now we are back in Mississippi and cherishing our last few days together before I go to work and send him to day care with bottled breast milk =( Tonight we get to put up the Christmas tree!!! So many memories to make and hes growing up way to fast!

San Diego! 8 weeks old

Finn and I got to spend 5 days with Jake out in San Diego while he was there for work! We arrived Saturday night around 6pm after a pretty uneventful flight considering I was traveling with an 8 week old baby! (AMAZING the amount of luggage a 12 pound infant needs to go on vacation for 5 days!) We had an amazing time! We went to the San Diego zoo, the Balboa park and museums, Sea World and the beach! On the way home the flight attendant gave Finn Delta wings! Finn is learning to become a very content little traveler; especially since I've become comfortable using my hooter hider in public and nursing him while walking.

Houston we have our first smile!!!

This week was a tough week for little Finn. He had been extra fussy over the past few days so at his 6 week check up I told the pediatrician and she was concerned so she ran some tests. I thought i was going to lose it in there--the nurse put a plastic catheter down his penis to draw out urine then another nurse drew blood from his tiny arm. His eyes got so big and he was screaming so loud he couldn't catch his breath. I was so upset. But the good news is that they found out he was just hungry and dehydrated--my milk supply had gone down since I had been pumping more than directly feeding him. So I took him home with specific orders to feed him feed him feed him then bring him back tomorrow. The next day he had gained 3 oz! Then he was able to get his shots which made him really mad--but I was able to comfort him quickly.
The past 3 nights i've been able to put him to bed around 9pm and he sleeps til about 2 or 3am then he will go back to bed around 4 after I feed him and sleep til about 7. Its been great for Jake and me because we can finally get some rest. He slept last night from about 10pm til 430am which is really a record--and when he was finished eating, he flashed me his first big baby smile!!!! It was the cutest smile I've ever seen. Hopefully he will start doing it more often so I can snap a picture of it!
News on the mommy front--my weight is down to 163 from my top preggo weight 193--still have about 20 pounds to go but making progress!!! I will post pictures the next time I update.

Almost 6 weeks old!!!

The past two weeks have been a blur and a blast with Jake's parents and sister Jacque in town. With all the extra help I've been able to run or walk everyday, attend the navy ball with jake, and do a few things for myself. Finn is developing such a cute personality. He has definitely gotten used to being held and rocked all the time. He likes LOTS of attention. Last night Jacque and I took him out to the LSO shack to watch the planes land. We arrived a bit early so we got to watch jake brief his guys at the squadron. Jacque and I had Finn dressed in his "Daddy's little wingman" shirt and bomber jacket (presents from our friends Damon & Diana and Nana and Papa) which Finn soiled about ten minutes after we arrived. I had snuck out to the ladies room to nurse him so he would stop squawking and mid-feeding I felt the bubbly squirts flow out--then I flipped him over and saw that he had soiled his new outfit. Standard ;) Of course I didn't think to bring an extra outfit because he was looking so cute! So Jacque and i wiped him up as good as we could and headed out to the LSO shack. Finn LOVED the noisy planes--he went right to sleep. It wasn't until we returned home and tried to put him to bed in his crib that he started screaming his head off. We are SO very grateful for our rocking chairs--almost the only way to calm him enough to get him to sleep!

Meet Nana and Papa

Finn was so excited to return home from our Chattanooga trip and meet his Nana and Papa! They've been here for 4 days now and Finn cannot get enough of them! Its been blessing for us too because we can actually sleep, shower and leave the house for more than a 1 hour stretch of time.

Chattanooga or Bust!!

After ALOT of discussion and debate Jake and I decided to take our 4 week old baby on a road trip (4 hours) to Chattanooga, TN. He was such a trooper! We only had to stop once on the way there and on the way back to feed him--otherwise he slept the entire way there and back. We stayed at a cozy bed and breakfast overlooking the mountains and a pond. The establishment didn't keep cribs on hand so we put Finn in dresser drawer which worked out nicely. During the weekend we took the little guy hiking, strolling around down town and out to dinner. Its a whole different ball game with a baby--we had to time everything around his feeding schedule which wasn't a big deal since we came prepared with a breastpump and a travel changer.

Finn's Update

Hi My name is Finn Jacob Mattheisen and my Mom told me I could update the blog today! Last night I didn't want to go to bed early with Mom & Dad so I put up a fight until they let me drink my milk in their bed. Mommy snuggled with me until I fell asleep and the next thing I knew, it was 2:30am and I was lying in my bouncy seat and STARVING!!! I screamed to Mommy to give me more milk so she rocked me back in my room while I ate. Then in the morning, Dad gave me a bottle of milk before he left for work. I didn't want him to leave--I like for him to hold me. But it was ok because I got to go see him after he played golf at work. It was so much fun because I got to meet all of his friends while they all held me and passed me around. After golf, mom, dad and I went to the commissary for groceries. Dad carried me in the papoose while mom pushed the cart. I didn't really want to go because I was sooooooo hungry. But we left pretty quickly and came back home so I could have dinner and a nap. I really like milk--its my favorite. Anyway, hopefully mom and dad will take me to chattanooga tomorrow so I can see the fall leaves and go for a hike in the papoose. Goodnight everyone!

8 and a 1/2 pounds of fury

I only have a few moments to update the blog before the little munchkin wakes up! This week--week 4 of Finns life--has been a busy and frustrating one. He is a darling during the day but when 7 pm rolls around we are just not sure how to pin point his cries. Is he hungry? is he tired? does he need a diaper change? is he too hot? too cold? is he gassy? The hungry cry we are pretty sure we can identify because he roots around with his mouth open, shakes his head violently and sucks on his hands--not just thumbs but the whole hands. So needless to say this week Jake and I have been operating on around 3 hours a night of sleep. This is not a good situation when the main bread winner has to fly a plane for a living. Last night we finally broke down and let him nurse in our bed so I could lie down and get some rest then let him sleep in his bouncy chair next to our bed. We hope this won't become a habit ;) Tonight Jake is flying on the night page so its just me and the little guy. I've already pumped a bottle for Jake to feed him in the morning so now I'm just waiting for him to eat once more before I try to place him in the crib. Wish me luck!

All hail King Finn!

Its amazing how a tiny 8lb 2 oz human being can take control of every aspect of your life. We call him "King Finn" as he dictates when and where we go, how long we can stay, when we can eat, when we can sleep etc. For example, today I have not showered, brushed my teeth or left the house. King Finn decided he was not going to be put to bed last night no matter how many times mom fed him (with sore achy nipples) so we stayed awake from about 7am on the 28th til 2:30am on the 29th only to wake up again at 4:45am on the 29th. Then once he was up for good today (the 29th) he decided to eat and scream and soil his diaper every 15 to 30 minutes until saint Jacob was finally able to calm him and get him to sleep in his bouncy seat around 3:30pm (graciously, mom had been relieved around 2pm to go take a much needed nap). Now all I can hear is the peace and quiet and I'm not sure what to do............shower? eat? clean? rest more? put away laundry? or update my blog--guess you can figure out which one I decided to do. Next in line will be shower if King Finn will stay sleeping just a few minutes longer--fingers crossed. How do single moms do this? I have the most supportive husband in the world and I'm still struggling. Hopefully he will be calm and cooperative tonight--saint Jacob has gone to work for a few hours so I get to go it alone with his majesty.

I said "MORE MILK MAMA!!!!!"

Only 10 days we have known each other and Finn and I have already created our own little routine. We wake up between 6am and 9am depending on when Finn last ate, and eat breakfast. Finn eats first then I burp him, and put him in his vibrating music chair for some R & R. After that I eat breakfast--quickly--so I can get to pumping out his leftovers to add to the freezer full of breastmilk so Daddy can feed him in a few weeks. Then about every 1 to 3 hours Finn will scream out "MORE MILK MAMA!" so back to the breastfeeding chair we go for another 45 min to 1hr long chow session ;) In between these feedings we are averaging about 13 dirty diapers in a 24 hour period--how do I know this you wonder? Because we keep a log of his doo-doo diapers in the "Doo-Doo Diary." Whoever changes his diaper records the time he goes and if there is anything peculiar about the doo-doo the doctor might want to know. When hes not pooping, eating, sleeping or screaming he likes to play under his baby Einstein. His new favorite thing to do is look at the musical lights on one side of the Einstein then roll to the other side and stare at himself in the mirror. He is becoming more alert everyday. I make sure to take lots of video so we can show Daddy when he gets home from work.

8 days old

Today we had Finn's second doctor's appointment/weigh-in. Our little chunk is up to 7 pounds and 6 oz!!! What a champ!!! This time we prepared the diaper bag with 6 diapers in case he decided to chunk his diaper and start screaming again--but this time he surprised us by being so content and polite. The only time he cried was when the doctor made him lie on the cold table in his diaper so she could examine him =( If he could eat real food we would have rewarded him with a lollipop today--but a milkshake from mama's moo-moo factory is all he got ;)

An Atypical Saturday Night

What is usually a night of wine, games, or a movie turned to diapers, nursing, and searching for the right mobile and soothing sound machine. It started to dawn on me that most of our close friends live far away and may very seldom have the chance to see the new addition to our family. I am encouraging everyone to open a skype account if they dont already have one. What a great way to keep in touch and for us to show off our pride and joy. Hope to see y'all soon. -proudpapa.

Finn Zoolander ..... So hot right now.......

We let Finn play under his baby einstein toy today!! He loved it but was mostly fascinated with his reflection in the mirror!

Finn's First Dr. Appointment

Today we took Finn for his 5 day old doctor appointment. What an adventure for Mom & Dad. Jake and I headed out to take Finn to the doctor around 9am after about 3 hours total of sleep the night before. Once we were there Finn started freaking out so I had to haul-A to the nursing room and feed him since he seems to be an emotional eater and nursing him is the ONLY way we've found so far to keep him quiet. While I was nursing him he chunked his diaper--and just as the nurse was calling us back to see the doctor. Jake politely told them that we would be a few minutes. So we headed to the changing room, travel changer in tow, and attempted to change him. Naively we only brought 3 diapers which Finn showed us soon enough that 3 just wouldn't do. While we were cleaning him up he peed himself and so back to the diaper bag we go for a new diaper and a change of clothes. To frustrate matters worse, once we got to the smaller doctor waiting area, the nurse asked us to strip him down to just a diaper so he could be weighed--so Finn got mad and chunked his diaper again...............sigh.......
Once the doctor came in, Finn was on his best behavior. He was looking around and being so peaceful. The doctor was so impressed that Finn had already gained back to his birth weight! Jake and I were so proud of him and relieved that the constant nursing was working like a charm.

Everyone loves a good birth story................

It began like any other saturday night in Meridian. Jake and I had gone to walgreens to rent a 5th redbox movie for the week; I got accused by a walgreens cashier for stealing a diet sunkist; the usual. Jake and I were back at the house watching "Hot tub time machine" starring Chevy Chase when I started feeling what some girls would call painful menstrual cramps ( I have never experienced bad menstrual cramps so I just assumed these were it). I told Jake "I think these are contractions--we should time them b/c I know im having this baby tonight." I was pretty certain what I was feeling were contractions but I called a friend anyway to confirm. So around 11 Jake and I started seriously timing them--5 minutes apart. At this point I was in agony and desperately wanted to forget the natural birth plan and haul-A to the hospital for the epidural. However that wasn't happening. Jake wanted us to wait until the contractions were 3 minutes apart (ensuring that we wouldn't be sent home etc). So every 3 minutes I (with jakes coaching) breathed through contractions until I demanded that we head to the hospital. We arrived around 12:30 am. (We might have been there earlier but I could only walk between contractions so it took us a while to get to the OB floor). Once we arrived everything progressed as smoothly as it could go I guess. The nurses started an IV in me and asked if I wanted pain meds---it took all my determination to refuse it. The contractions were coming quicker and stronger and I could hardly stand it. Jake helped me breathe through each one while we paced around the room. Then I started screaming to the nurses that "I am having this baby NOW!" But no one was believing me! I yelled at them again to call Dr. Purdy. When they called him I was 4 cm dilated and when he arrived 30 minutes later I was 9 cm dilated and ready to push. All I can remember from this part is pressure and feeling like my butt was splitting in half. With every contraction I let out a horrifying loud scream until Jake pulled my attention back to him and helped me to breathe. Then 4 pushes later I felt this amazing release and I heard the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard--our healthy screaming son! Dr. Purdy placed him on my belly, while Jake cut the cord. As far as childbirths go, I couldn't have been more pleased. Now we are home with our precious miracle and we couldn't be happier!

2 Days Old

Just wanted y'all to see what our little Finn was like at 2 days old. This is him after a full meal complements of mom. Eyes wide open during the day so he can be up all night!!

39 Weeks--oh baby get the lead out

Ok baby--Time to get a move on! I had an appointment with Dr. Purdy yesterday and he said I'm still dilated 1cm, 80% effaced and in the +1 position. He is on call this weekend so it would be fabulous if Finn decided to make his appearance this weekend; otherwise, my next appointment is on Monday at 4pm where Dr. P said he would try "stripping my membranes" (manually removing the other 20% of effacement left to go) and see if that would stimulate labor. Apparently its very uncomfortable to have this done but it will really speed up the labor process--that and nipple stimulation--so he said I could try out my breast pump. Jake helped me hook it up last night and we just laughed at how awkward it is--I feel like a cow on a milk farm. But alas, the breast pump hasn't started any contractions yet. As Dr. Purdy (who is also a pilot) says, "I'm in a holding pattern." He and Jake snickered at the cleverly delivered pilot joke while I rolled my eyes, got dressed and prepared to continue to wait for our son to arrive.

38 weeks and 1 day

Time is moving along slower than I ever could have imagined. Less than two weeks til go time and we finally have Finn's room squared away. Jake spent alot of time organizing, moving furniture and making the room presentable while I was at work. Even our friend Derrick came over to do some heavy lifting. Now more waiting begins................ The RN's at work have told me to try drinking castor oil, jumping on a trampoline, walking, spicy food and from other people I've heard bran muffins, milk of magnesia, and then from my 70 year old doctor..sex. hmmmmmmmm ......i think Finn will come when hes ready and as of right now he seems cozy and content ;)

38 weeks preggers

No picture to post yet. At doctor appointment yesterday I found out that I am 1 centimeter dilated, 70-80% effaced (means=your cervix, if you were sucking on a life saver, and it was thinning out etc), and -1 station (means baby has dropped down farther into pelvis). However, Dr. P (or as the nurses call him, "papa" b/c he has been delivering babies for over 30 years) wants Finn to bake at least another week. He also said that I will make it to my due date, Sept. 15th or even Sept. 17th.

In other amusing news from yesterday, Jake came home from Pensacola so we went out to dinner for the two-for-one special at the Mexican restaurant up on North Hills st. As I was about to take my seat on the patio I unconsciously reached in by butt to dig out a wedgie and I heard two drunk girls sitting behind us bust into fits of laughter, "HAHAHAHAHA girl you is just like me, i just dig and get my wedgie too!" Ten years ago I might have been embarrassed to be called out like that in front of my date at a restaurant, but now, as big as I am, nothing much phases me. I just laughed with them and let Jake be embarrassed ;)

Time for work...........Next week I only work 3 days. Then the power walking can resume! Time to get this lazy baby making his way out!!! I want my normal shape back!!

37 weeks preggers!!!

So little Finn has made it to full-term baby status!!! Any day now he can make his escape into the world! However we are hoping that he waits until at least August 31st (38 weeks) because then I can begin to receive my paid maternity leave. From the looks of it, he will probably be baking in the oven a few more weeks--hes what the ultrasound technician calls a "lazy baby"--his heart beat is right on target but hes fine to just relax in his cushy home ;)

Some other non-baby related news--our new furniture arrived today!!! Jake stayed at home while it was delivered so I came home to a brand new sectional couch and a new pillow-top mattress!!! We are so excited! The crib bedding arrived yesterday so as soon as I wash it in "dreft" I'll get the crib all pimped out and post pictures of that!

Stay tuned!!!

9 months!!! (36 weeks and 2 days)

Today Im 9 months preggers (actually 36 weeks and 2 days)! No contraction action yet =( But Im perfectly fine with that as I have to make it to August 31st to get my maternity leave paid. (that will be one year with my company--fingers crossed!!!) The weeks are beginning to go by slower and slower. I have 12 days left to work before I begin staying home but it seems like an eternity!!

almost 36 weeks........

Why does everyone assume women are pregnant only "9 months?" NO one tells you that you're actually pregnant for TEN long months---40 weeks......anyway, so wednesday (2 more days) I'll officially be 36 weeks! Only one month to go before our little bundle of joy arrives! I couldn't be any more anxious for him to be here. #1--I can't wait to meet him, hold him, cuddle him etc. #2--contrary to popular belief, I am not an attention nazi and will be glad to have random people stop staring at me, pointing at me and asking me questions. Today for example, a patient's family member asked me if I was carrying twins. Then one of the orderlies at the other hospital pointed at my belly and goes, "too many 40's eh?! I have that problem too." as he rubbed his own pronounced pot belly. If its not rude questions like that, its overly friendly randoms in the grocery store like the man jake and I encounter Sunday, "well is this your first? well bless your heart! I ain't never had one myself but my heart goes out to ya--how much longer you got?" Come on people! We just want to buy our produce in peace and be out of there. Hopefully Finn will make his appearance soon and people will go back to politely ignoring me ;) Next doctor appointment on Thursday! Hopefully more news to post by then..........

Waiting.........

Im 34 and a 1/2 weeks along now--(35 weeks along on wednesday). For those of you who like months, thats just one week shy of 9 months! Essentially I have 5 weeks to go before we meet Baby M! (Yes, women are actually pregnant 10 months, not 9). Or as many of you know now....Finn Jacob Mattheisen!!! Hes been punching and kicking trying to find his way down to the exit---"Hold your horses, you just gotta bake a few weeks longer my man" I keep telling him. Jake is out in New Mexico at his cousin's wedding (Im too pregnant to fly) so Im enjoying the few days alone to get some reading done. On my list are "The girl with the Dragon Tatoo," "Happy Baby-a 24 month guide to feeding your baby," and my new favorite, "Run like a mother." The last one hasn't arrived yet but Im anxious to get back out to the running trails and enter a half-marathon. Hopefully everything goes smoothly delivering the little guy so I can be out there sooner than later.

Call signs and Gar and Humming bird cake oh my!!!

This past weekend (33 weeks pregnant), Jake and I headed up to FairPlay, SC to spend the weekend at the lake with my college friends their spouses/fiances etc. It was a 6.5 hour drive but so worth it! Friday night we cooked steaks on the grill and had a cut throat game of Taboo to follow--girls vs. boys--of course you know who won (girls had the advantage with two sober ones on their team). Saturday we had a surprise lingerie shower for Beth followed by wakeboarding and drinking on the dock. A few of us swam across the lake only to find out afterward that there are fish called "gar" in the lake which are similar to mini-alligators, yikes!!!! Saturday night we piled into two vehicles (two pregger sober drivers came in handy) and headed to a restaurant in Clemson, SC called Calhouns. We were a fiesty, hungry and loud group so although the waitress appreciated our tip--i know she was relieved to see us file out around 11pm. After dinner we headed out to a bar for some dancing and laughs. The boys thought it would be fun to give everyone a "call-sign" like jake's--this shortly turned into a slapping game--if you didn't call the person by their call sign, you got slapped. Josh "lunch meat" Copeland got the worst of this--I got off pretty easy as no one really wants to smack a pregnant lady. When we returned home we all dove into the hummingbird cake (aka a slice of heaven) that Josh's mom made then drifted quickly to bed (translation= passed out). I can't wait to do it all again next year! I know a few people who owe me a favor! Diaper duty anyone?!!!

Baby Shower in the WAW

I always give a sigh of relief when I hear the flight attendant announce that we are beginning our decent into Raleigh-Durham airport. I just know that minutes after hearing those sweet words I can begin to relax, kick my shoes off and frolic in my natural habitat ;) Spending the weekend with Mom & Dad means home-cooked meals 3 times a day, airconditioner as low as I want, and pretty much playing queen of the castle! Last Friday my Mom was there at RDU to welcome me home for my weekend in Wilson to visit family/friends and attend my baby shower! It was so great to see everyone! Baby M has so many gadgets, toys and clothes now! I can't wait to meet him, dress him up in his new outfits and show him his new toys! Since returning to Meridian, Jake and I have been to the Dr. again and Dr. gives two very enthusiastic thumbs up! Baby M is head down and as Jake likes to put it, "planning his escape" ;) Stay tuned! Next appointment in two weeks! Ill be 35 weeks then--its not long now!!!

Mission Accomplished!

We did it! We actually ordered a crib today! I wasn't sure if it would ever happen but it did!--Crib & Dresser are being mailed to JC Penny and we can pick them up next week! Now Baby M finally has a place to sleep and a flat surface for us to change him on. He kicked me with excitement when I told him ;) Now I can change my sign I wear to work to--"32 weeks, boy, no name".......Slowly but surely we will whittle that checklist down ;) Stay tuned.........

Just the girls

Mom arrived last thursday to keep me company while Jake was away in Jacksonville for work. It was so nice to have her here. We did all my favorite things like making homemade pizza, walking/running at bonita lakes, shopping, and going out to lunch. We also started some new projects--I knitted a hat (for jake--the next one will be for baby), and started scrapbooking pictures of baby M (well, baby M's current home-my belly-and what hes been up to since conception).

I've been trying to keep running as much as possible as I promised myself I'd do once I found out I was preggers--but yesterday I think I finally overdid it. Mom and I did a 4.5 mile loop (running and walking) in 95 degree heat and I sure am paying for it today. Pounding those trails for an hour requires way more recovery for a 182 pound pregger lady than a 150 non-pregger 28 year old.

Anyway, as of now, Im 32 weeks along which makes me 8 months pregnant--we still have no baby boy name or nursery set up. Its crunch time now I know--and everyone at work lets me know too. I decided I would start wearing a sign to work that says "32 weeks, boy, no name yet, no nursery yet." A name will come to us I am sure--and the nursery will be finished in time. For now, its rest time for me!

ANOTHER Mattheisen Wedding!

The last weekend of our trip was action packed with wedding festivities! Jake's younger sister Jessica married an awesome guy named Ryan and they were so thoughtful to include Jake and me in the wedding!

Duluth....little piece of paradise in MN

Jake and I took a trip up the north shore of lake superior. We hiked at Gooseberry falls, ate traditional Scandinavian dinner, and had to wear long sleeves the entire time!!! Who knew it could be so chilly in July!