Bryson meets Santa!

Bryson met Santa for the first time!! He slept the entire time and helped Mom finish her Christmas shopping! I had so many people stop me and ask how old Bryson was and he definitely brought a lot of smiles to people shopping at the Northtown Mall! :)

Bryson also had his first "real" bath also! He wasn't sure what to think at first, but he didn't seem to mind it after a little while....

Bryson 9 days old!

Bryson had his first wellness visit today with his pediatrician, Dr. Dessa Burt. This was the first time that Bryson left the house since we have been home! I was pretty nervous, but Bryson was very patient and made the trip super easy!

The appointment went well and Bryson is doing great! His weight has decreased a little, which is normal, and now he weighs 7 pounds. He should gain 5-6 ounces a week going forward. He is in the 13th percentile for weight, 35th percentile for length, and 27th percentile for head circumference.

During the appointment, his belly button fell off thanks to Dr. Dessa :) we have been waiting for it to fall off for the last couple days!

Afterwards, Bryson and I went on our first grocery shopping trip which was also successful! I didn't even hear a sound from him the entire shopping trip!

Bryson 6 days old!

On Monday, Bryson had his newborn pictures taken! Below is a preview of the pictures so far, but there are more to come!!

During the pictures when Dad was holding Bryson, he was tinkled on :) first of many times I am sure!!

Welcome Bryson!!!!

What a difference a week makes!!! Tony and I couldn't be happier to welcome our son, Bryson Raymond!! Tony and I have begun a new chapter in our lives and we our looking forward to this amazing adventure!

Bryson's entry into this world was nothing short of a miracle and we are blessed to have such a happy, healthy little boy!

On November 28th, while at work I didn't feel like the baby was moving 10 times an hour. After calling the nurse, I went to the quiet room at work to count the baby's movements and the baby moved only 5 or 6 times. The nurse instructed us to go immediately to Abbott Northwestern so the baby could be monitored.

Tony arrived at my office at 3pm and we headed to the hospital. After 30 minutes the nurse said that everything seemed fine and they would monitor the baby for an additional 15 minutes and we could go home. After 10 minutes, the nurse came back and said that they would have to monitor the baby longer because they detected a decrease in the baby's heart rate, which turned into an overnight stay at the hospital for observation.

During the middle of the night, two nurses rushed in and turned me on my side trying to increase the baby's heart rate which decreased to 60 beats per minute for 6 minutes. The nurses told us that because of the drop in the baby's heart beat, we would not be leaving the hospital without a baby! It was scary and exciting at the same time! 

At 8:40am on November 29th, the nurse gave me Cervadil to induce labor. Since the medicine could take up to 12 hours to work, all Tony and I could do was wait. During the day the contractions grew much stronger and the baby's heart rate was still dropping with the contractions. At 5pm the nurse came in and took out the Cervadil and told us that the baby would be delivered via c-section after the operating table opened!

Dr. Pettit  performed the c-section and Bryson Raymond was born at 7:34pm and weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 20 inches long. Tony and I chose Raymond for a middle name in honor of Tony's Great Grandfather, Ray Schwier and my Grandfather, Ray Rocksvold, two people who will live forever in our hearts.

The doctor announced that it was a baby boy and and everyone in the operating room was so surprised at what a big boy he was!! While the doctors were finishing the operation, Tony brought Bryson over so I could see him and there were lots of tears!! I couldn't believe how beautiful and perfect he was!!! It was the most incredible moment of my life and one I will never forget! It's amazing how you can love someone so immediate, it definitely took my breath away!

Tony took Bryson to the baby ward, while I went to the recovery room and eventually to a private room where we stayed for the next three nights while recovering.

20 minutes after Bryson was born he was sucking his thumb!! :)

Since we hadn't expected such a lengthy stay in the hospital, Tony had to run home for more clothes and even got a speeding ticket!! :) Even so, nothing could put a damper on the happy occasion and we were able to take Bryson home on Friday. Tony said that he hadn't been that nervous driving since he was 16 years old!! :)

Week 36!!!

Week 35

Week 36

It has been an eventful couple of weeks!!! On October 30th, I started having contractions every 2-4 minutes. On Halloween my doctor had us go to Abbott hospital to make sure it wasn't time for Baby Z to come! It turned out that the contractions weren't progressing and I wasn't in labor so they sent us home.  The contractions have pretty much continued ever since! The doctor had me stay home from work for a couple days to relax, and now I am moving a little slower, mostly due to the baby sitting much lower than before!

On November 3rd, my colleagues put on a baby shower for us! It was so much fun, and they were so generous! As of today, we are completely ready for Baby Z to come, and according to the doctor, she is fine if Baby Z comes anytime after week 37! Last week the doctor took an ultrasound of the baby to make sure that there was enough fluid around the baby and everything was fine! During the ultrasound it looked like the little one had chubby cheeks :) 

Tony spent this past week hunting in Wykoff. Since we were worried that Baby Z might come early, Tony put a contingency plan in place and he would text me two times each day to check in! Luckily, Baby Z didn't feel like it was his/her time to come!

We are definitely getting anxious for the big day and can't wait for the little one to bless our lives! Tony has been really sweet and has been insisting when we go shopping that he drops me off at the door :) We purchased two newborn Christmas outfits that are absolutely adorable! One boy and one girl outfit! 

Week 33 Pictures!

Week 33!!!

We are officially under 7 weeks until Baby Z comes!!! Last weekend we had our first baby shower and I had an incredible time!! It was fantastic seeing family and friends for such a joyous occasion!!

Jess and Jen did an amazing job planning the shower, we played fun games, had some great food, and opened presents. Tony and I received such a generous assortment of baby items! The first thing I did when I got home was wash and put everything away! It definitely made Tony and I even more excited for Baby Z to come!

This week, for the first time, Tony and I were actually able to see Baby Z's foot move across my stomach, it was the neatest thing that I have ever seen!!! Baby Z is getting so big (over 4lbs and 17inches!!!) and when he/she moves, my entire stomach moves! It's almost like Baby Z is telling us to pay attention to him too!! :)

Today, Tony and I took maternity pictures to capture this special time in our lives! The pictures above are a preview, but there are more to come!! A special thanks to our photographer, Melissa, who took time out of her super busy schedule! :)

Week 30!

It's week 30 already!! I'm always amazed how fast time is going! This weekend Tony and I made a practice run to the hospital to prepare ourselves for the big day! We are definitely glad that we made the practice run since the GPS took us all over downtown Minneapolis! The hospital bag is also packed and ready to go!

We also finished Baby Z's room by hanging the final room decals and I washed all of the baby's clothes and bedding. Now all we need is Baby Z!

Tony and I are really enjoying this special time in our lives preparing for the little one, and I know I will always cherish this amazing time! Baby Z is almost 3 1/2 pounds and 15 inches long already!! I can tell that the baby is sleeping longer periods of time, but then he or she is awake and active much, much longer! The kicks are getting so much stronger and Baby Z often kicks back when I tap on my stomach :)

Week 27

It's week 27 already and it's the last week of the second trimester!!! Next Tuesday we have our last monthly doctor's appointment to check my glucose levels and then the doctor's appointments will occur on a bi-weekly basis. The baby has grown so much in the last two weeks it's hard to believe!! This week Baby Z kicked so hard that it moved the blanket that I was using! I have noticed that I have started to slow down a little and I am starting to become uncomfortable sitting, but other than that, things are going well! Random people have been commenting on the baby when I am out shopping or at the gym and it was a little strange at first, but people are very sweet!

We have our first baby shower on October 15th! Jess Kotrba and Jen Barta are hosting in Grand Forks. I am really looking forward to spending time with family and friends! My colleagues at work are also putting on a baby shower for Tony and I on November 18th! We couldn't be more blessed!

Week 25

I can't believe how fast time is going!!!! I haven't had too many new cravings, but I have been trying to stay away from the Cocoa Puffs since it seemed that was all I was eating! I am pretty sure that I have eaten more peanut butter in the last six months than I have my entire life!! :)

We had our last ultrasound on August 26th and Baby Z is doing great!! He or she weighs a little more than two pounds and is definitely growing ahead of schedule! The doctor hasn't officially moved the due date to December 5th, but I will leave it to Baby Z to decide when the time is right for him or her to meet Mom and Dad :)

Every day Baby Z's kicks get a little stronger! Tony and I have been enjoying feeling the baby move and we are constantly amazed at how strong he or she is!!!

Baby Z's room is finally complete! Tony worked hard putting together the crib and dresser and painting the room a beautiful warm yellow color. Often times, I walk into Baby Z's room because the warmth of the color makes me smile :)