4 months old!

Ethan turned 4 months old when we were on vacation over the 4th of July!  More to come on the vacation...but I wanted to post his 4 month photo today since Daddy just sent it over :)

Here are some of his favorite things:

• MOMMY & DADDY, and Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunties, Uncles, and Cousins
• BEING HELD  for naps
• His paci (Dr. Brown's 0-6 month)
• Being covered by a blankie while napping in someone's arms
• His play gym and in particular the blue elephant that dangles down so he can hit it
• Singing songs with Mommy, especially Jesus Loves Me,  The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus, All God's Critters, and Daisy, Daisy
• Laughing back when you open your mouth really big and laugh first
• Catching glimpses of the TV while Mommy & Daddy try to turn him away (we are trying for a no screen time until 2yo rule)
• Being outside and looking at the trees
• Sitting upright (with assistance / pillows) and looking at the world
• Giggling when he gets his tummy raspberried
• Scrunching up his shoulders when pulling a shirt on or off over his head
• Kick, kick, kicking the water at bathtime

Things he hates (there is not much!)

• The Nosefrida and getting his boogers sucked out
• Taking naps and falling asleep alone
• Riding in the car without someone in the backseat

I'm so nervous to fly.

We are traveling with the baby.  Not camping.  Not a road trip. TRAVELING.  IN A PLANE.

So for all of you non-chubby bunnies out there, let me tell you - nothing is more nerve inducing than being a large-bodied, standby (unconfirmed) flyer.

First, let me be clear.  Flying standby is an amazing PRIVILEGE of being an airline employee.  I realize most people would cut off their arm to be able to have access to the opportunities we have had.  I am so thankful to work for such a great company with perks like this.

That being said, I am SOOOOO super nervous about being my post-baby size and flying with the baby in my lap.

Number 1 - you don't know if you will get a seat on the plane.  So you show up hoping the flight isn't full.

Number 2 - you almost always will get a middle seat (if you get a seat at all) because those are the last seats assigned to revenue passengers.

Number 3 - there are no requests to the gate agent for an "open" seat next to you (because the plane is usually full and because again, it's a privilege).

Number 4 - a lot of times a non-revver will get an exit row seat assigned if there are not enough upgrades. BUT if you have to use a seatbelt extender you can't sit in the exit row.  And because our seats are assigned 0.5 seconds before the door is closed there is a big flurry of activity to move people and re-seat...no inconspicuousness there.

Number 5 - our flight is on a regional jet which has super small seats and aisles to begin with.  I'm afraid my post-baby tush alone will encroach on my neighbor.  Who is most definitely not going to be my husband because as previously mentioned, we take what we get and seats are not usually together.

Number 6 - While my post-baby tush "might" encroach, FOR SURE my squirmy 4-month old (!) and giant chest will certainly have elbows in my neighbors air space and armrest.

Number 7 - I am a nursing mommy.  But I will not even think about trying it in flight, even if it might be better for baby's ears, hunger, disposition, etc...we are bringing a billion BM bottles.  Which will be cold.  And E doesn't drink cold milk.  So I will have to figure out how to jam it between between my legs, or under my arm, or in a scalding hot paper cup of water from the FA (yeah, not doing that one).  And then feeding it to him while again, not encroaching as much as possible.

Number 8 - this particular flight has been late leaving ATL super consistently for whatever reason (probably all the storms at our destination).  So a 3-hour flight could easily turn into a 6-hour flight with a diversion (as my parents experienced 2 weekends ago on the same route).

Number 9 - Where the heck do you change a baby on a plane?

Number 10 - As a standby passenger, our bags are not guaranteed to get to our destination...so we have ALWAYS only traveled with carry-ons.  Yeah.  This time we have 2 giant checked bags packed.  I hope they show up.

GAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But I'm sure all will work out fine.  It will be worth it to get to see our families and friends when we arrive.

Ethan's First Camping Trip!

We took 2 camping trips while I was out on maternity leave.  The first trip was to FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, GA - about 40 minutes from home.  

We have day tripped and overnight camped there many times and new it would be an ideal location to try and get our feet wet with baby.

We went April 30-May 3, when Ethan was 7-1/2 weeks old!  And he did so great.  He LOVES to be wrapped up with Mommy, and camping was the perfect time to never set him down.  

There is not a good way to put a baby that age down - we tried the Rock N Play but he wasn't super interested.  It was also a bit chilly, so getting wrapped in the Moby kept him warm too.  He never cried the whole time we were there - because what baby doesn't like getting held and carried around by Mommy all the time?!

We debuted our family camp sign addition - thanks Aunt Lois for the "& Ethan" to add to our post!!!!!!!

We mostly hung out at the campsite, but every morning around naptime, we could take a walk or do something else.  One morning, we put Ethan in the Baby Bjorn and went hiking on a super easy trail with our poles - to find the state Geocache!  Daddy did the off-roading once we got close though.  Mommy didn't feel totally comfortable climbing over rocks and roots.

We nursed exclusively while camping - it was super easy to pop into the camper, sit down at the dinette with the Boppy, and nurse for 20 minutes.  Sleeping went well too.  We set up our bassinet pad on the dining bench.  With Ethan swaddled up, he slept really well and did his customary once a night feeding.  It was really not that different than being home!

Daddy was super happy with how everything went.  Ethan wore his favorite camping outfit from Aunt Jen "Daddy's Happy Camper" with a monkey!

We had a great time!!!!!!!!!!!  And can't wait to continue this tradition.  Although - we may need a bigger camper LOL!...

Happy Easter

I can't believe I'm so LATE posting these photos.  But, for the sake of archiving I'm doing it anyway.

We had a great Easter. Ethan woke up Easter morning like any other, and we got him ready to go to church.  He handled the service like a champ!  He LOVES having Mommy wear him in the carrier and was content to look around and eventually fall asleep being worn.

Little guy also really likes music and you could tell he was listening when the horns would play along with the hymns. At the end of the service, the band did a rousing and wonderful rendition of John Philip Sousa's march. Buuuut Ethan had fallen asleep and the timpani and cymbals were a bit too much for him - he woke up and immediately was hungry. So we fed him a bottle in the narthex.

 By that time, I decided it was too late to start Easter dinner (we had planned ham & scalloped potatoes with peas and deviled eggs), so we did what all good Christians do when they don't want to cook on a religious holiday - we went out for Chinese food.

Ethan also got his first Easter basket - it had a Peter Rabbit book, a chick sippy cup, a rubber duckie, a bag of jelly beans (ok those were for mommy) and a Reese's PBC bunny (ok that was for daddy). All in all a great holiday!

We made it

Well, we are on Day 3!

Mommy went back to work on Monday - to a new job and boss and team (all of that changed while out on maternity leave!).

Daddy went back to work too, to a completely new career - stay at home dad.

After 12 weeks of togetherness family time, we were just starting to find our groove...so...

HOLY SCHMOLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The Hartmans are tired, cranky, and happy all at the same time.

But mostly happy (we think)...when this face is looking at you, watching his hands :)

Mommy's back to work schedule for the first week only looks like this:

3:00AM NURSE
5:45AM NURSE
6:15AM SHOWER AND GET READY
7:00AM PUMP
7:30AM MAKE BREAKFAST, GRAB STUFF AND LEAVE

8:00AM ARRIVE TO WORK
9:30AM PUMP BREAK / SNACK
12:00P PUMP BREAK / LUNCH
3:15PM PUMP BREAK / SNACK
4:15PM LEAVE WORK

5:00PM ARRIVE HOME NURSE/PUMP
6:00PM DINNER / NURSE IF NEEDED
7:00PM PLAY OR GO FOR A WALK
8:00PM GO UPSTAIRS, NURSE, AND BEDTIME
9:00PM PUMP AND PREP NEXT DAY BAGS
9:30PM SLEEP

Now, this schedule does not take into account actually "WORKING" at least 8 hours, or any time to workout daily...we decided to give ourselves a break this first week and get back into it. Plus, I was just not sure how often or how long I would have to pump at work. Ideally I would only have to do it twice, and maybe over 15-20 minutes. 

So far...I am pumping 3x per day - and going to/from the mother's room, plus getting everything ready, plus actual pumping time, plus storing all the milk, plus a potty break is taking 20-30 minutes per session this week. Hopefully I get faster at it!!! I'm sure I will. Practice makes perfect (and I will be getting a lot of practice). 

I am bringing home 12-13 ounces from the 3 work pumping sessions. And, it looks like I am doing about 4 extra ounces per day by adding the 2 pumping sessions at home (morning and night). 

And I know, the best laid plans etc etc but wr had to start somewhere.  Over the next couple weeks we are going to have to refine this schedule though because of course

Ethan didn't know I had set up a schedule. As luck would have it he is staying up at night until 10 or 10:30PM!!!!!!!!! Which pushes my whole shebang back a lot...yikes-o. Daddy is going to take over putting Ethan putting to bed duty if it goes past 9:00PM. Or something. 

Well, we will figure it out, right??

Mommy Must-Haves

So now that we are almost 2 months in, I can reflect on what has been the most helpful (and the most useless) since bringing Ethan home.

Help - husband or mom or anyone!  Seriously.  How do people do it that do not have 2 or more capable adults per baby???  Not me.  Pass.  For the first 2 weeks I basically fed the baby, showered once a day, took care of my body, and shoved food in my mouth (which someone else made) while everyone else held, diapered, and changed the baby.

1 week old - Daddy taking time out for a selfie!

1 week old - Grandma Karen has the touch

2 weeks old - Grandma Gail loves to use the blankie

Nipple Shield - not sure if ya'll were aware but breastfeeding is HARD!  We had a terrible time latching, and our first night home Ethan cried and cried and cried because 1) my milk had not come in and 2) I have nothing for him to latch to.  The only way he latched in the hospital was with a lot of help from the LC's and nurses.  Luckily, Daddy saved the day and ran to Target at 8AM the next morning to get a nipple shield (recommended by an LC at the hospital as a last resort).  We eventually figured it out - and at 6 weeks old successfully weaned from the shield!  But for the first 6 weeks, I can guarantee you that even with as committed to breastfeeding as I was, without the shield I simply wouldn't have been able to do it.  No way.

Boppy - in similar vein as the shield...Peanut was so tiny I could barely hold him (or felt that way).  I have 3 Boppys now: one in the nursery, one downstairs and one in the car and/or camper.

Medela Symphony pump - A shield has been known to slowly affect supply since there is not the same amount of stimulation, so they recommend pumping after each feeding to keep your supply up.  We bought a Medela Freestyle originally, which worked great.  BUT - the LC's said the Medela Symphony is a hospital-grade pump and would be up to the task of keeping my supply going even if E wasn't able to nurse.  So we have rented the Symphony pump from the hospital and it is AMAZING compared to the Freestyle (and I thought the Freestyle was great).  I am able to completely empty my morning oversupply - anywhere from 6-10oz total - in about 15 minutes.  And, it's relatively comfortable ie, feels like a baby much more than the Freestyle.

SwaddleMe velcro swaddle wraps - Not all babies like to be swaddled but ours does!  Jeff is an expert swaddler with the blanket, and I am pretty good, but nothing keeps little arms in place like the SwaddleMe wraps.  They velcro down like a straight jacket.  Plus - it got HOT here lately and no way could baby be swaddled in blanket.  He would cook!  We have tons of cute baby blankets, including 3 homemade ones by yours truly, that just sit in his dresser drawer, waiting for next winter.

1 week old

Newborn clothes - everyone says not to buy newborn stuff but Ethan didn't wear 0-3 until just last week (6-7 weeks).  He was positively swimming in all of the clothes we had.  So Jeff had fun going to different stores and buying up anything newborn-y and cute!  He cleared out Ross and our local consignment store a few different times :)

2 weeks old in a newborn onesie

And...here is the stuff we haven't used hardly at all...

Super fancy Pack n Play - we were going to use it as a downstairs napping / changing station.  We got a changing table instead that works great because of all of the storage (we only have one small closet on the main level), and he naps wherever - usually in the swing or while being worn

Super fancy Stroller - turns out Ethan loves to be worn, and I am a big fan of the benefits of babywearing so we either do the Moby wrap or the Ergo carrier (we have 2, one for me and a 'masculine' one for daddy) when we are out and about

Urban bundle mitten thing that goes in the car seat - it's been way too warm for that business

Newborn baby

What have we been up to the last month?  Well we went from this...

1 week old

To this...

4 weeks old

We had lots of visitors...Grandma Karen & Grandpa Lewie, Grandma Gail & Poppa, Auntie Amy, Great Auntie Lois...

...and lots of friends and neighbors.

A little bit of playtime and bathtime

And lots of eating, sleeping, and pooping (ok the BABY has done a lot of this, not so much Mommy & Daddy).

What a BLUR!  A blessed, sleep-deprived, surreal, special, life changing BLUR!

Welcome Ethan!

Ethan Jeffrey Hartman came into our world at 4:27AM on March 8th, 2014!!!  He was indeed a tiny Peanut, weighing 6lbs 11oz and 19 inches long.  He has strawberry blond hair, dark blue eyes, and long arms and legs.

He is so perfect and healthy.   Jeff and I are so happy, and I have never felt so touched by God's grace as I have this week.

Now, on to the birth story...(scroll to the bottom for more pics)...

I began having contractions on Thursday, March 6th, about one an hour apart and not super strong. We were hopeful it would lead to something more overnight as we had an appointment to check on Baby on Friday morning.

Well, Friday morning rolled around and they only picked up a little in frequency and intensity.  Luckily baby passed his BPP again, so we scheduled an induction for Monday morning in case we did not go into labor over the weekend.

After the appointment, we went to lunch at Partners Pizza buffet (I love it cuz I just eat the toppings, guilt free), and contractions continued about 45 minutes apart lasting 30 seconds.

OK - at this point I should let you know that I wanted to have a natural childbirth experience: no drugs, labor at home as long as possible, etc.  So the following story supports that idea...

After lunch, we went home and relaxed for a bit.  I laid down for a nap for almost 3 hours, until about 5:30PM.  I woke up occasionally to the discomfort, but fell back asleep once they passed.

Around 6PM, we heated up some leftovers (spaghetti for me), and I started timing the contractions in earnest.  By about 7PM, they were consistently 6-8 minutes apart for 45 seconds or so.  This lasted until about 9PM, when they began coming about 6 minutes apart, lasting a bit longer. 

Around 11:30PM we called the doctor's line and said we thought I was in labor, and told her the information.  I am CALM under pressure - and maybe sounded too calm because she recommended trying to rest and get some sleep if possible (it wasn't).  

I hopped in the tub after that and ran the jacuzzi on my legs and belly.  I couldn't lay back at all, and just sat upright as this whole time I was having what they call "BACK LABOR".  This is NOTHING like menstrual cramps.  Don't listen to those who tell you it is like a bad period.  They are liars.

BTW - dealing with back labor is best done standing or squatting, while leaning over a chair, countertop, husband, whatever, and then swaying the hips back and forth with occasional deep knee bends for support.  There.  That is my advice for getting through early labor back pain.  If you count early labor as contractions up to 5 minutes apart.

Now, after the tub, I wanted to rinse off so I got into the shower.  BOY that felt good.  First let the hot water hit the back side, then turned and let it hit the front.  The contractions were coming a bit faster (around 12:30PM) at about 4-5 minutes apart but occasionally longer, so I decided I still wasn't ready to go the hospital.  At this point Jeff had been ready to go the the hospital for hours.

I tried to lay down for about 10 minutes - bad idea, didn't work.  I was HUNGRY so I decided to go downstairs and made some oatmeal.  Instant oatmeal takes 2 minutes in the microwave.  So, at that point my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart.  I ate the oatmeal quickly and made my way back upstairs, where Jeff was looking at me wild eyed like, DUDE LET'S GO ALREADY!  He was right...I couldn't talk anymore and definitely couldn't get dressed on my own.

IT WAS ON (about 2AM).  Jeff helped me through like 3 contractions while helping me dress, and we made it downstairs, barely.  At the bottom of the stairs I had a DOOZY and couldn't go on.  It passed, then we made a few more steps forward.  I was convinced I had to go to the bathroom (which I'm told I should not have done because that is like pushing), so I made him stop 5 steps down the hallway and wait for a potty break and contraction.  We made it maybe 10 more steps into the kitchen and had to pause for another...then made it to the car in 20 more steps and had to pause for another...Half way into the car I had another contraction.  If Jeff had not yelled at me to get in the d@*m care, we may have had the baby in the garage.  I had 2 more contractions in the 10 minute drive to the hospital.

We pulled up just as I was having another one and the poor lady with the wheelchair looked at me wide eyed and hustled over to help.  Jeff parked, and was going to meet me inside in Labor & Delivery.  The ER receptionist then wheeled me to the WRONG AREA, so Jeff actually beat me to L&D and was like, "Where's my wife?"...we came in just a few minutes later but good thing we had taken the hospital tour because I had to redirect my wheelchair driver in between contractions.

We got into the triage area and they made me lay down in bed.  That is the worst thing for back labor.  I started breathing and groaning and probably scared the shit out of the other ladies in triage who were quiet with their calm "beep-beep-beep" and "whoosh-whoosh-whoosh"...the nurse came in quickly then and checked me, and hollered out "She's at 9 centimeters!".  Jeff and I looked at each other with mirrored 'oh shit' faces, and we immediately had like 4 nurses asking, can you walk to this room, what's your name, who's your doctor, sign this, what are you allergic to, etc etc etc.

Meanwhile, I had to lay down again while Jeff signed a ton of paperwork on my behalf.  At this point I think contractions were about 2 minutes apart.  Between contractions they inserted an IV and asked their standard questions.  Dr. Moore showed up not long after (THANK GOODNESS) and we worked through contractions in the L&D room for maybe 25 minutes while waiting for the cervix to finish dilating.  She had to break my water in 2 spots (Ethan has a couple scratches on his head) to try and help him move down as well.  There wasn't time for even discussing an epidural.  At one point a nurse asked Jeff to write my name and date of birth down on a black piece of paper so they could start admitting me.

I started pushing around 4:05AM and the contractions seemed like they were coming fast and furious.  (I had my eyes closed the whole time and didn't hear anyone except for Jeff and one of the nurses...everything else was totally blocked out / focused).  At 4:27 he finally emerged, with his arm and elbow by his face - so he FELT like a 10 lb baby I swear.  

They immediately put him skin-to-skin on my belly and I just kept saying, "He's here!  It's our baby!" over and over.  I also started shaking like crazy.  (Jeff thinks I was maybe in shock!)  

They waited until the cord was white and stopped pulsing, then Jeff cut the baby's cord.  After 5-10 minutes they took him to weigh and measure, and asked his name.  Jeff said, "Jessie, can we finally settle on the name Ethan?" and I thought it suited our baby perfectly.

Meanwhile, I delivered the placenta and got stitched up - that arm caused 2nd degree tears.

From hospital arrival to meeting our son, we were in L&D about an hour.  They took us down to our recovery room, and we began this crazy journey into parenthood.

40 weeks + 6 days - "One"

What a difference "One" makes...

One more selfie - On Friday, March 7th - morning...started contractions (is this little guy ready yet)?

ONE more appointment - On Friday we went in to the OB for another BPP check to make sure little guy was doing ok (he was), but if he didn't arrive by Monday, March 10th we were inducing.  Luckily contractions had started, but not in earnest.  About 20-30 minutes apart and not very strong.

ONE more lunch outing - we went to Partner's Pizza buffet for a variety of salads and pizza after our OB appointment.

ONE more nap - a guilt free nap in between the 20-minute contractions for about 2 hours made the time pass quickly (and I was grateful for the rest later).

ONE more meal - we had spaghetti leftovers for dinner on Thursday night

ONE day later - Saturday, March 8th - morning...Ethan Jeffrey Hartman was born!

ONE second after he came into the world - my heart grew, my life felt complete, and I was so, so incredibly happy.

Jeff and I can't wait to share our birth story - but it's a doozy, so we will save it for another post!

39 weeks...getting anxious

Ups - I feel 'pretty good' as in, no sciatic pain and I can actually sleep in bed all night instead of roaming the house like a nomad because my hips hurt.  Yea for more than an hour of sleep!

Downs - Passing nausea, and trouble focusing at work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I cannot seem to get anything finished and have about 2.5 good hours of solid work in me before I am totally mentally and physically exhausted.

Ups - The weather has been beautiful - spring time is totally coming.

Downs - I hurt my arch :(.  I think all of the funny walking due to ginormousness, combined with the super ass swollen feet, plus the relaxin hormones have really done a number on my right foot.  Everyone keeps saying 'walk the baby out' but my damn arch hurts!  

Ups and Downs - TMI grossness...lost the plug on Wednesday LAST WEEK and therefore thought labor was imminent.  Here we sit a week and a half later - on Peanut's due date - and NOTHING IS HAPPENING.  

I know he will come eventually.  I have to keep reminding myself not to 'wish the time away' and 'be present and mindful in the moment'.  Also to relax and just enjoy the baby wiggles and turns in my belly because in (hopefully) a few short hours / days he will not be inside me, but will be in my arms.  And that is pretty cool.