Cold Cuts and Cookie Dough

Cold cut sandwiches and a spoonful (or two or three or five) of cookie dough: two things that pregnant gals should not eat. Two things that I used to eat as often as I could. Two things that I have abstained from for the past several months. But today, I ate both, and it was fantastic. Boy have I missed you, packaged meat and raw dough!

Nap Time

When we are not eating, changing, or feeding this is what we do:

I'll be Home for Christmas

Caleb and I busted Jacob out of the NICU this morning. That's right, he has graduated from the hospital and is ready for the real test: putting up with his parents. And, just as Jacob's shirt says, good things really do come in small packages. This has quickly become the best Christmas ever!

Look, Mom, No Tubes!

Our little guy is growing up. Today, the nurses removed Jacob's feeding tube because he is taking all of his meals through his bottle. He is now considered an "Ad Lib" baby which means that he is free to eat whenever he shows signs of hunger--rather than being forced to eat every three hours--and he is allowed to eat just as much as he wants to eat--rather than being forced to take in 1.5 ounces each feeding. Tomorrow he has another challenge ahead of him: the car seat test. He is required to sit in his car seat for one hour while he is being monitored to make sure that his heart rate doesn't drop and his oxygen levels stay where they need to. That is one of the final hurdles all NICU babies need to get past before they are ready to graduate. We hope that Jacob can keep up the good work!

Splish Splash

Jacob's umbilical cord fell off over night, so he was able to take his first big boy bath today, and the little guy loved it. He was a little fussy before we stuck him in the tub, but once he was in the water he sat there in a complete trance. I hope he keeps this trend up!

My Apologies

Since last Wednesday, Caleb and I have been living a completely different life than we have ever known. And we have been raising our baby in a way that we would have never imagined. I appreciate everyone's well wishes and their concerns for us. And I apologize if I haven't been the best at returning phone calls, but, at this time, I am mostly interested in spending all of my energy and efforts in getting our little guy home with us as soon as we can. It is exhausting to spend the entire day at the hospital (but I wouldn't want to spend my day any other way at this point), and when I get home it takes what little energy I have left to get ready for bed. Please don't feel that I am avoiding you, and please don't feel like your phone calls are not important to Caleb and me; however, it is just very emotionally exhausting to have the same conversation with several different people each day. So, here is what you need to know:

Jacob is doing fantastically. He is drinking, from a bottle or nursing, most of his 45 cc requirements for each of his feedings. Because he is a tiny little thing, eating is very exhausting to him so the nurses only try to bottle feed him when he wants to otherwise it wears him out and he becomes very disorganized. Before they can remove his feeding tube, Jacob will have to drink all of his food from a bottle for 24-48 hours. He is getting there, but still needs some work. Every day I spend with him I see huge improvements in his feeding, and I can see him getting closer to turning that corner with each feeding.

Because he is a preemie, Jacob's brain is still immature, and every once in a while he forgets to breathe. It's nothing to be worried about, but it is a skill he will have to master before he can come home (and, trust me, I want him to have that figured out before I will feel comfortable having him at home). The doctors require that he go seven days without having one of these "episodes" and each day he seems to be doing a better job at remembering to breathe.

Jacob is doing a great job gaining weight, which is something else he needs to prove to the doctors before he can leave. He is back up over the 5 pound mark, so I am completely confident that he has mastered the weight challenge. Another hurdle that Jacob had to get past was the jaundice. He had to go under the lights once (not at all unusual), but his levels are going down, and the doctors are sure he is past the point where his jaundice may creep back up. So that is another benchmark he has passed.

Please understand that Jacob is progressing each day, and each day is one day closer to him moving home with us. But please understand that the "How is Jacob doing" question really wears Caleb and me down, because this is a slow, steady process and we don't see, nor do we expect to see, a complete transformation over night. Again, Caleb and I do appreciate everyone's phone calls and concerns, but we really do need to focus our attention on the little guy rather than fielding questions. I promise I will post all updates on our blog, and I promise that once Jacob comes home I will be more in the mood to chat.

So here is the update of the day: Jacob took from a bottle for two consecutive feedings today. The first feeding he was able to drink 37 of 45 cc within 15 minutes; the second feeding he took 20 cc within 5 minutes before zonking out while I was burping him. I am sure tomorrow will be even more productive.

A Little off the Top

Jacob had a very traumatic day. First it was the bath, then it was the Hepatitis vaccine, but the kicker was his circumcision. Poor guy. He rebounded quickly, though, and Caleb and I learned the secret to soothing an unhappy baby: sugar water on the pacifier. That, coupled with a small dose of children's Tylenol, keeps a baby happy. Compared with today, tomorrow is going to seem a bit dull to the little guy, but Momma is looking forward to getting back to the normal routine!

Gettin' Better All the Time

Since our last post, Jacob has made huge leaps. He is becoming a pro at bottle feeding (we hope they will take his supplementary feeding tube out within the next couple of days), and he has become quite a "boob guy." Yep, Jacob has learned how to breastfeed and is doing a phenomenal job--our nurse said that he is the most advanced boob-drinking preemie she has ever seen, so hats off to Jacob! I spent the entire day with him today, and, though I was sad to leave, I can't wait to see him in the morning to get an update on all of his overnight progress. I didn't take any pictures of the little guy today, but this blog just wouldn't be worth reading without a picture, so enjoy! I took this picture of Jacob resting in the palm of Caleb's hand last night. He is literally a little guy!

Future Supermodel?

Jacob is well on his way to becoming the next top model, he's bulimic and he's already tanning! Jacob is slowly learning to drink from a bottle... that whole suck, swallow, breathe concept is a tricky one for the little guy, but he is figuring it out. (And sometimes he even keeps down what we feed him!) He eats every three hours, but only practices his bottle-drinking techniques every other feeding, so that is why he still has a tiny little feeding tube that runs from his nose to his belly. (makes him full without having to go through the effort of eating. Wish I could be that lazy!) And today, the nurses had to put him under the lights to control his tiny bit of jaundice. So our little guy is looking like he is cribbin' in his personal tanning bed... I am jealous! Since the last blog, I have been discharged from the hospital (though I tried to stay another night to be closer to Jacob), and the little guy has been moved to the intermediate care nursery which is the last nursery that all itty bitty babies go to before they are ready to go home, so we are very excited with all of his progress.

Jacob's First Home Video

We were able to give Jacob a bottle feeding tonight, although he didn't eat as much as we hoped, he had enough to share with everybody (see video). He's doing a lot better, no tubes left except one IV for nutrition until he can eat a full meal. The plan is to keep trying to bottle feed him every 3 hours, and no tubes will be put in his tummy if he eats enough each time. So far he's handling the feedings well, no problems with his oxygen as he's eating, and that's another step closer to home if he can keep it up.

Overheated Camera

Moving on up

Daddy was able to hold the little squirt (literally...I think he was having his first poopie) today and mommy snapped some pictures. He's doing better every time we go in the NICU to see him. He's on the lowest level of room air supplemental and had his first feeding through a tube. The staff told us that after his next feeding he may be able to go in a normal, open air crib if he's still doing well. He's a perfect little angel, doesn't cry at all when being held, so eat your heart out Aunt Emily.

Momma's Boy

Morgan was able to hold Jacob for the first time last night, she wanted to sneak him back to our room but he had to stay in the NICU. He's pretty darn cute, and the nurse told us this morning that he is no longer getting supplemental oxygen or CPAP, so that's one step closer to coming home. He looked very content in Morgan's arms, did't fuss at all, and is starting to open his eyes a little more but never for the camera.

Early Christmas Present

Morgan is still recovering so my less than average writing skills will have to do for now, I know you don't care about the words as much as the pictures anyway. We went to the Hospital yesterday around 10:00 am and had little Jacob Hudson Syfert at 4:03 this morning(~ 6 weeks early). Mom is doing fine, "Little Jake" (Morgan would object) is in the NICU getting help breathing because his lungs aren't strong enough yet, but he is doing well. He weighed 5lbs 5oz and was 17 inches long. The picture of Morgan and Jacob were right after recovery, she had general anesthesia with her c-section and hasn't been able to hold him yet. Keep posted for updated pics.

Statistically Speaking

According to the ultra expensive, somewhat conclusive test I took exactly two weeks ago, I had a 50/50 chance of having our little guy by today. Just goes to show you that not all tests are accurate. I am still here, on the couch, without a baby. But Caleb and I did have a doctor appointment this morning, and here is what we found out:


1: The number of centimeters I am dilated

2: The number of days before I go in for yet another ultrasound. Just need to make sure everything on the inside is looking A-OK.

4: The number of days left before I can ditch the uterus calming pills

8: The number of days before my next appointment. We have to go once a week until the big day.

11: The number of days left before I am completely released from couch duty. At 36 weeks, I can do whatever I want!

50: The percentage effaced that I am. And the doctor said she can feel the baby's head. Yeah!


I need to make a paper chain to start the countdown to mommyhood!

Jackpot

Caleb picked up some holiday Lotto scratch-off tickets for me on his way back into town today, and I won big... well, maybe not big, but I did win $20 on one ticket. Lady Luck must be on my side. Look out Vegas, here I come!

Daddy-to-Be?

Caleb visited our niece, Evy, while out of town. His sister sent me this picture of the two. This guy has a lot to learn before our little one gets here. First lesson: how to hold a baby without a freaked out look on your face.

Snow Angel

If it weren't for Sadie, I would have no reason to look forward to the frigid air and the snowy ground that comes with winter. But how can I not help but look forward to watching her enjoy the winter wonderland?! It goes like this: Sadie races out the back door and immediately plunges face first onto the ground. After rubbing her face in the snow for a few minutes, she rolls over onto her back and flops around like a fish out of water until her ADD kicks in and she forgets what she was just doing. When all is said and done, she has pushed herself halfway across the yard where she quickly peels herself up off the ground and bolts back inside to thaw out. This cycle is repeated several times a day until the snow is gone.

Note: If you zoom in on her picture, you can see just how capable she is of camouflaging her black coat with snow. Notice the miniature snowballs in her necklace. Crazy dog!

On My Own

Caleb is heading out of town tonight for a continuing education seminar, and he won't be home until Sunday, which means I have the house to myself... well, almost. My mom is coming to stay with me since I am not supposed to be doing anything that requires me to move off of the couch. And we have a busy few days planned: lots of movies to watch, lots of junk food to eat, and lots of other unproductive tasks to complete. This leaves no time to watch football, basketball, or any other sports game that would normally take over our TV on the weekend. Shucks! (Perhaps all of the "man TV" I have been subjected to these past few months is what has my uterus irritated.... hmm...)

Getting Better

I had a follow-up ultrasound this morning to track my "funneling," and it turns out that I am a medical mystery. Apparently I am unfunneling as we speak (something the ultrasound tech said was extremely unusual). Fantastic! Who knew bed rest could be such a good thing?! I hope that when I go back to the doctor on Monday she will take me off of bed rest and let me return to light duty around the house. Although I have enjoyed being waited on, I sort of miss doing laundry and cleaning house (and I think Caleb misses me doing laundry and cleaning house, too!)

Back On

Hooray! My wedding rings fit again. For a few weeks, my hands had swollen and my sparkley bands became a semi-permanent fixture on our nightstand. But I coaxed them back on the other day and am not taking them off. And just in time. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow that Caleb cannot attend so my mom is my escort. Last time Mom took me to the doctor, I had to leave my rings at home and I told her that attending an OB appointment with my mother and without wedding rings made me feel like a single, pregnant, teenage mom-to-be. Sure won't be feeling that way tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas

It's December and what better way to ring in the last month of the year than with several inches of snow? Between the snow on the ground and the holiday decorations, I can officially say that it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And my personal elf, Caleb, has been busy buying gifts... I shop online and then send him with a list to the store. But the large amount of presents wrapped up and sitting under the tree leads me to believe that he has strayed a bit from the list. I'm not complaining, though, because I have spotted a few gifts with my name on them. Lucky for Caleb our tree is away from my view, otherwise I would have my nosy paws all over those presents trying to unwrap the mystery!

Note: Caleb took this picture of the tree before "Santa" visited. Due to my inability to leave the couch, I was unable to provide a more accurate, updated photo of the loot under the tree!

Experts in Exterior Illumination

Clark and Russ Griswold (aka Caleb and his dad) spent the holiday up on our roof stringing lights, lights, and more lights. Luckily, neither of them fell off any ladders, no neighbors were harmed during the production, and no unexpected guests rolled into town in their rusty old RVs during the ceremonial lighting. The two holiday overachievers even put the lights on timers, so every evening at precisely 5 o'clock I notice a bit of a glow shining through our windows. But there is one kink that needs to be addressed: Every evening at precisely 5 o'clock, I also notice that several of our TV channels stop working. Seems as though the frequency of the lights is interfering with our satellite. It's a minor inconvenience right now, but if we can't work something out by the time Jon and Kate Plus Eight airs, then I may just have to put bed rest on hold and fix the problem myself!

Giving Thanks

Though not necessarily planned this way, Caleb and I hosted our first Thanksgiving. We had a house full of family, plates full of food, and rooms full of laughter. And for the first time ever, I was thankful for being on bed rest: no cooking or cleaning for this chick, my only job was to enjoy the company and keep a low profile. Mission accomplished!

Ladies Man

Historically speaking, men use puppies and babies as bait to snag single women. But after Caleb made a trip to Babies R Us last night to add some items to our registry, it is obvious that those registry guns are also powerful tools to swoon the ladies. Or maybe the sad, sad story of the poor husband who heads out to the store to take charge of the baby registry while his frail wife lies at home on the couch too vulnerable to move (tear streaming down the cheek is optional) is what sealed the deal. Either way, the ladies of Babies R Us noticed my husband. I'm proud. The guy still has his touch!

Positively Maybe

My doctor administered a test on me yesterday to determine whether I was at risk for delivering early. If it came back negative then I was in the clear, nothing to worry about. If it came back positive then there would be a 50/50 chance of me delivering our little guy within the next two weeks. I am not a statistics gal, but doesn't a pregnant lady always have a 50/50 chance of delivering her baby within a certain time frame...either she does or she doesn't?!

Well, my test came back positive. But my nurse assured me that there is nothing to be worried about, and she went on to tell me that there are several variables that make this test a bit inaccurate for us "positive" gals. Instead, I am supposed to listen to my body and if I feel that I am in active labor, I should contact my doctor (obviously!). So I am going to take these results with a grain of salt (minus the lime and tequila), and not bother worrying about delivering our little guy early unless I find myself dilated 10 cm!

Fantastic: Mothers-in-Law

Caleb's mom is in town for the week to hang out and help out. As if that isn't enough, she brought gifts! Movies, magazines, and munchies from her and my sister-in-law to help me occupy my time (and trust me, I have a lot of time these days!) But the gifts that stole the show are the insanely cute, itsy-bitsy little outfits she got for our little guy. I didn't know that they made man pants in smaller-than-small sizes. But they do. And I cannot wait until the little guy gets to wear them! (Well, actually, I can wait... at least 18-25 days...)

Thanks

Caleb and I were off to the doctor's office this morning to get a progress report on the little guy (and me, too). The doctor doesn't seem overly concerned with anything that has happened the past few weeks, which I am taking to be a good thing. The appointment was pretty quick, and as the doctor was leaving the room, she left me with one final thought: Have fun spending Thanksgiving on the couch having to watch a bunch of parades and football games. Thanks, Doc. I can't wait...

Terrible: Celebrity Baby Names

Not being a celebrity does have its perks: Paparazzi don't follow me around. I can go out in public without makeup on. Oh, and most importantly, I am under no pressure to give our little guy a completely outrageous, ridiculous name that people will forever be making fun of (i.e., Bronx Mowgli). Yep. That is Ashley Simpson's baby's name. I try not to judge because I am sure that whatever perfect name we come up with for our little guy, there will be someone out there who isn't convinced that it is the best name ever... but Bronx Mowgli. Seriously?

Shake It

I am currently taking a medicine to help calm down my uterus so the little guy can cook a bit longer. Aside from the fact that I have to take it every six hours (no exceptions, which means waking up twice during the night to pop a pill), this medicine has turned me into a jitterbug. My heart races--I can feel it beating out of my chest--and my hands shake, sometimes uncontrollably. I feel like a pregnant 80-year-old woman with Parkinson's who just finished running a marathon. Is that even possible?!

Visitors Welcome

The one (and only) great thing about being on bed rest is that I have an endless flow of visitors coming to help me pass my time. My brother came over Monday to challenge me to a game of cards, drink Caleb's beer, and eat our snacks. My dad brought me lunch on Tuesday, and I taught him how to use his new cell phone (i.e., how to make phone calls--he is very simplistic when it comes to technology), my mom has come over every day to make Caleb and me food, take me to doctor's appointments, and fill my time with pointless conversation, (She is a pro at that, and I don't mind listening!) and today, my great friend Tasha stopped by to heat up some leftovers for lunch and curl up on the couch with me. Now if I could just convince my visitors to rub my feet when they stop by then I will have it made!

Beautify Me

These past couple of weeks have left me with quite some time to think about things. One thing I have been thinking about is just how bad I could use a pedicure and a manicure. I wonder if the Asian beauticians down the street make house calls?!

Let's get Medical

Because my life has become incredibly monotonous these days, I look forward to the opportunity to go to my doctor. It gives me an excuse to shower (something I am not supposed to be doing more than I have to) and I get to breathe in some fresh, cold November air. Today was one of those days. I had an ultrasound this morning to check my cervix. The pictures revealed some news: both good and bad. I'll list the good news first. My cervix is still over 3 cm long, which means I have a ways to go before reaching the end (phew!). The bad news is that I am "funneling," which means my cervix is beginning to dilate from the top to the bottom. Funneling itself is not a bad thing, but what makes it a little worrisome is that I am still just shy of 32 weeks of pregnancy so we need to keep this under close watch. But the really bad news about this whole funneling thing is that now my bed rest also includes "strict pelvic rest" a.k.a I am not allowed to sit or stand unless I absolutely have to. Gravity is the enemy. So if you need me you can find my lying (not sitting) on my couch. Any good movie suggestions to pass the time?

A Day in the Life

Since being put on bed rest, I have had quite a bit of time to hang out with my furry friend, Sadie. She has played the role of my shadow for the past several days, and I have learned a bit about her daily routine. I present to you, A Day in the Life of Sadie:

8:30: Sadie and I get out of bed. (Yes, the same bed. She sleeps by my feet.)

8:30-8:45: Sadie heads outside to sniff around and bark at passersby (she thinks she is tough, but she is far from it)

9:00: Sadie finishes eating and heads upstairs. Back to bed for her. All of this activity must have tuckered her out!
11:00: I hear Sadie trotting down the stairs. It's time for her to check up on me. She knows right where to find me these days.

11:15-present: Sadie is sleeping by my feet on the hide-a-bed in the family room. I know she is sleeping because she is snoring. Are there Breathe-Rite strips for dogs?!

Sadie's excitement for the day (and mine too) will happen around 4 when Caleb gets home from work. She will greet him at the door with her chew toy, lick his pant leg (weird habit she has), then head back to bed. I used to be jealous of her lifestyle (minus the sniffing around and licking pant legs) before I had to live it!

Hot, Hot, Hot

For the past few weeks I have been dealing with serious heartburn, just another side effect of pregnancy. The old wives' tale goes that if you have heartburn in your pregnancy then your baby will be born with a good amount of hair on his head. I don't know if there is any truth to that superstition, but if there is, I can assure you that the ridiculous amount of heartburn I have been having will ensure that the little guy will come out with a head of hair and a full beard to match!