Poe Byron Jones was born October 13, 2009 at 9:19 pm after 22 hours of active labor and one week of inactive labor. He was 6 lbs 8.7 oz and 20.75 inches long. He now weighs in at 7 lbs 7 oz as of one week ago today and is already 4 weeks old. We spent the first week of his life at the hospital with him on antibiotics since he was born with a fever and higher than normal white blood cell count. I think this was due mostly to the cold I had caught a week earlier but wasn't quite over yet. The docs even informed me while I was in labor that I had a fever although I didn't notice it or feel sick from it. All his blood work and cultures came back negative so the docs are feeling bewildered as to why this happened in the first place. We got to bring him though once he was 7 days old and had received what the docs felt was enough antibiotics to be safe to bring him home and not have him become sick. He has been growing like a weed and gaining weight fast, and eating us already out of house and home. So much so, we've had to resolve to supplementing with formula just to keep up with him. He eats twice as much as what the docs say a kid his age should be eating on average. So much for waiting for him to be a teenager first, huh?

We have found he sleeps through anything, and I mean ANYTHING, from TV and the vacuum cleaner, to a video game war zone. Not even the sirens of an ambulance have woken this kid up. But if I set him down for a second lately, instant crying. Hence, I have been up all night with my little one attempting fruitlessly to try and put him to bed. But to no avail. If I'm not holding him, he isn't sleeping tonight. And yes, the pic above is how my son sleeps on a regular basis: head back, mouth open, hands behind head even. He sleeps like his daddy, eats like his daddy, and sleeps through most anything like his daddy. However, he is acting like me so I'm told, by getting upset every time someone sets him down. This kid is good so long as he is being held. My DBF and I are finding ourselves having to take shifts so that each of us can acquire that mystical thing commonly referred to others as 'sleep'.

My nephew is finding himself facing competition for attention at my mom's house for the first time as well. Life is tough as a 6 year old. He got upset for being told not to do something that could result in broken elephants and became more upset that my son was not yelled at alongside him. Well, my son being only 4 weeks old, can't very well start getting into stuff yet so naturally he wasn't in trouble. But then we got the sob story of a lifetime on how we loved the new baby more than him as a result. So we spent the next hour trying to explain to a 6 year old boy about newborn babies and why he got yelled at. This worked out well... sort of. He continued to cry at the dinner table even after we figured this was over. Apparently, we forgot the melodramatic side of the family is also genetic. We had to send him to his room until he was ready to eat dinner with us. And then the wails started. We thought we had a banshee in the house. So we couldn't help but quietly laugh at the attempts for pity all the while trying to make sure he couldn't hear us. He would only have wailed louder I'm sure. After a while of seeing this wasn't working for him, he decided he was ready to eat dinner. Never a dull moment with kids around...

And as for the pets in our house, we have yet to have a single problem with any of them. My cat thinks she can curl up in my son's lap despite the fact that she is bigger than him, and the dog thinks she is still the baby too. Remy checks on our son regularly, gives him lots of kisses, comes to get us if he's crying, and has even cuddled at his feet on the couch to nap with him. So much for Pitbulls being vicious, huh? So far she is only more protective of the house now that we have a baby around. I think she is going to be just fine.

Apparently, I'm one of those people other women are disgusted with. I've been in labor I found out since Wednesday afternoon or evening. And I misread things just a little bit as to when the baby is coming yesterday. I had my doctor's appointment like clockwork and was told I had started to dilate and efface and was at 1 cm.

Ironically, I had called my mom when we left the doc's office to give her the update since she had asked me to do so and told me they were expecting 3-8 inches of snow tonight and when she saw the weather report, she thought, yep, she's going to go into labor tonight. And such would be my luck afterall. Leave it to me to go into labor on the first big snow of the season.

Then, not more than 90 minutes after my doctor's appointment, I stood up off the couch and felt something wet on my leg. So I went to the bathroom to check it out and see what was going on. A tiny piece of mucous and an almost clear fluid with a pale brown tint was to blame. Because it seemed to be a slow and steady trickle, I thought, 'Yes! Finally! My water broke!"

So, thinking that it was finally time to go to the hospital and have my son, we rushed to target to pick up a few last minute items we knew we would need since my DBF had just gotten paid. We picked up an infant carrier while we were there since the two car seats we were given are more upright and would require the baby to be able to at least be able to support his head, along with some extra diapers, wipes, nursing pads, and a nursing bra for me.

We then proceeded straight to the hospital from there, while I'm making phone calls telling everyone it's 'time' since our family list can be a bit lengthy and they have all been waiting for this to happen. When we arrived, we parked in the long term patient parking area and got checked in. They gave me a room, hooked me up to a fetal monitor which again Poe repeatedly tried to dodge the whole time we were there and a monitor to check my contractions. My cervix was checked multiple times and they even took samples of the fluids leaking from me to verify if it was in fact amniotic fluid. I began losing my mucous plug we found out, along with 'bloody show' starting to appear.

In an effort to see if things would progress, they had me walking around the maternity floor for about thirty or so minutes and then checked everything again. I had barely gained half a centimeter at this point. I was then left on the monitors for quite a while longer and they even did an ultrasound to check the fluid levels around the baby, which turned out to be at a healthy level, and any fluid leaking my doctor said was from my cervix, not the amniotic sac like I had hoped. Naturally, I was a bit disappointed to find out the baby was not coming just yet.

I was having contractions, but none of them were strong enough to get things going and proceed into active labor. My mother had arrived shortly after we got checked in and kept looking at the graph printing out and kept asking me, "Can you feel anything right now?" And, for whatever reason, I told her I couldn't, it wasn't strong enough to be felt or cause any pain that would register on my radar. Naturally, she was disgusted with me since she felt every one of her contractions when she had my sisters and I. Knowing this, I commented how she was going to be jumping for joy when I finally did feel something. However, the whole time, the most I felt was a slight (and I mean very slight) achiness to my lower back and maybe occasionally an indication of soreness or a muscle tightening somewhere. But otherwise, absolutely no pain.

After being there for a good 4 hours or so, they decided to release me since both baby and myself were doing fine, but full on labor was not in the cards just yet. I was sent home much to my delight and disappointment. Delighted, because I was hungry and if it was labor, they were not allowing me to eat anything just in case. Disappointed because I would love to have this baby already. I was told if my water breaks or I start experiencing painful contractions, to come back to the hospital then. So now I'm at home, waiting for these contractions to actually progress, but unable to go walking around the neighborhood to try to speed things up due to the cold weather and unable to drive out to the mall to walk around either. I'm still hopefully actual active labor will set in before the weekend is out.

We spent last weekend working on getting things setup and put away in Poe's room. We have it done save for a few minor details that will be addressed in time. Anyway, here's a few pics of his room in progress, decor is on the way to brighten things up further, so no worries he'll be getting wall decor along with other items to make his room more fun.

Also, due to the amount of soreness I've been experiencing in the tissues around the hips (perineal, thighs, etc...), the doc said on Friday that I could go into labor within 1-2 weeks. I can't wait either, I'm very much ready to squeeze this kid outta me and be able to reach and see my feet again. I've had BH contractions that come and go since Wednesday night this week and seem to be subsiding for now, we'll see if they start up again tomorrow or middle of the night.. It seems as though my body is somehow teasing me about whether I'm starting real labor or just more practice. A co-worker was shocked I haven't gone to the hospital to get checked out over this, but what is the point if they aren't consistent and aren't intensifying? I don't see why I should sit in a hospital bed for up to 3 or 4 days assuming they would bother to wait that long, if it is the real deal, when I can be more comfy at home until I'm certain we've got actual labor going? I've had so many instances that could be mistaken for the real deal that I could be in and out of the hospital needlessly for weeks or days. They would prolly get sick of me if I went every time I started to wonder if this time was it. Besides, I see the doc again tomorrow afternoon and I'll find out at this appointment if I have effaced or dilated at all. I doubt at the rate things are going right now, that I'm in actual labor just yet. We'll see what the doc says about it...

Just a quick update on the carpet this time. Our order for whatever reason is taking longer than expected, but we were told it should come in by October 1st and we already have an appointment to have it installed on October 2nd. Not as soon as I had hoped, but at least it's getting done so we can start putting Poe's room together by next weekend and I can update everyone with more pics :D

Here's a few pics of the nursery under construction and in progress. I am hopeful to have the carpet installed by the end of the week. However, we are waiting for them to call and schedule the installation with us. I'll be updating these pics once we start getting more of it together. My DBF had to rip out all of the old carpet since it was coming up at the seams and the padding with it. We found old tile and the original wood floors underneath. Unfortunately, the wood floors cannot be saved and returned to their original glory days.

Okay, next time I decide I want a baby shower just smack me. We went through all the trouble of putting one together and my only guests were my mother, my lil sis, my nephew, and my DBF. I know some of you are out of state so you couldn't be here, but some in town who said they wanted to be there all either had prior commitments, or had to work. Talk about convenience. But we did have fun anyways and I got some really cute stuff for Poe including some adorable outfits, a froggy that plays music and lights up, a bath tub, some cute hats, shoes, socks, blankets, hooded towels, mittens, a crocheted teddy that squeaks (Remy thought it was hers so I guess we are going to have to get her a squeaky toy),baby booties, bottles, bottle drying rack, brush cleaners, bath and lotion items, a box of diapers, a package of wipes with a refill, pacifiers, onesies, sleep and play pjs, seat belt strap pads, teether, and a few other small items.


The balloon bouque stayed in the truck for couple days since we were both space cadets and finally remembered to bring them in before my DBF had to go to work one morning. I set them by the door not thinking twice about them, and went to reading my emails. Our 'vicious' dog, Remy, starts growling and barking as if there is an intruder in my door way. She even backs into the kitchen because the 'intruder' was not backing off. This went on to my bewilderment for about an hour. It wasn't until later when I tried to take her out to go potty that I noticed she wouldn't go any where near the front door because of the balloons. I just started rolling after that. Our dog is afraid of balloons. So I moved them away from the door so I could get her to go out and she had to check me over and make sure I wasn't hurt from my ordeal with the bad balloons.


Shawn spent 2 weekends painting Poe's room to perfection and even ripped out the old beatup carpet that was in there. He even scraped the old paint out of the window and parts of the room where it was peeling and bubbling and fixed a patch in the ceiling so it would be perfect. We ordered new carpet last Friday and I am hoping they call today to schedule the install so we can start putting things together in his room. Our property manager even agreed to reimburse us on the carpet since it's an upgrade to the apartment too (we have awesome management for our property too). I am hoping we can have it all setup by this weekend so I can post pics of his room nearly finished. We will have to wait for a box from his Auntie Heidi who is making his curtains and even picked up a few finishing touches to his room which I will update once she is able to mail it all out to us. She thinks she will be able to send it all out on the first so I will repost pics with the new stuff once it arrives.


We received a box with an adorable blanket hand made by my great aunt on Saturday which is absolutely adorable.

A few of my co-workers mentioned on Thursday about getting something for Poe, they were just waiting for payday so I will put updates as to what and when they are able to get a few things. One of them mentioned maybe throwing a shower after Poe is born too so maybe we can still have a successful 'shower' later. A few of them have already brought me a few things we needed too. So far, a jogging stroller, a swing, clothes, shoes, blankets, burp clothes, bottles, and a few maternity clothes for me. So I can consider myself lucky that I have a few co-workers whom are thoughtful enough to have given us those things. They are definitely going to be a big help.

Now if only I can motivate myself to get that bag packed for the hospital and put into my DBF's truck so I don't forget it by the time I go into labor. But I've been a lil preoccupied with getting this apartment ready that it seems to be taking a backseat.

Fall or Winter, however you would like to look at it, has arrived. The leaves started turning a few weeks ago which is early for our area. A cold front moved in last night and brought plenty of moisture along with it. We had snow and rain simultaneously this morning when my DBF left for work this morning and it's been cold, wet, windy and rainy all day since then. The forecast calls for this to last until about Thursday. So I guess I won't be needing anymore cold showers to stay cool for the remainder of the year. But with the weather being like this, I'll have even more reason to cozy up to my DBF with a blanket and stay there.

My belly has been dropping a lot in recent weeks also. There have been a few occasions when I get out of bed it feels like the baby is smacking my cervix almost or pretty close to it. Everyone is expecting me to go into labor any day now despite my due date is October 29th. We shall see if he is an early bird or if I carry to term. The Braxton Hicks aren't exactly letting up much either.

Okay, so it's looking like Poe might be arriving a little earlier than his due date. My mom commented last night that he could be a couple weeks early and a friend I work with says I'm probably going to be early too. I'm waiting to see if they are right. I keep getting over the last few weeks symptoms across the board that could indicate anything from preterm labor to braxton hicks or maybe even the real deal. But not enough to add up to anything yet to date. Anyways, this doesn't seem to be 'textbook' on signs of any of the categories I could put my symptoms into.

False Labor/Braxton Hicks:

Contractions are irregular do not increase in frequency or severity

Contractions subside if I walk around or change postions (although a nap sometimes provides temporary relief I am finding out)

The baby punches me in the stomach when I get contractions

Prelabor or Preterm labor symptoms:

Dropping (this occurred aproximately 2-3 weeks ago)

Sensations of increasing pressure in the pelvis and rectum (also could be considered a normal third trimester symptom due to baby sitting on one's bladder again)

A change in energy levels (I've had days that I feel up to getting things done and others I just drag my feet)

Intensification of Braxton Hicks contractions (as was the case last night, they got stronger for about an hour, then just quit like someone hitting a switch)

Diarrhea (so appealing to hear about I'm sure, but nonetheless, a symptom. I go through spurts where I'm in the bathroom more frequently than usual, but that's about it on this one.)

Real Labor symptoms:

The contractions intensify, and do not ease up with a change in position or walking

Contractions increase in frequency and become steadily more painful

Although the local hospital also lists period-like cramps that come and go, low, dull backache, pressure in the vagina or lower abdomen that may feel like the baby is pushing down, change in the type or amount of vaginal discharge, abdominal cramps that may be accompanied by diarrhea, 4-5 uterine contractions in one hour as preterm labor. I've experienced all of the above but mostly in spurts and not always at the same time.

A lot of this stuff comes and goes at random and has yet to last long enough to add up to anything. My instructions say I should call the doc right away for a number of these symptoms, but I don't see the point in going down the hospital constantly just so they can send me home. I am waiting to see if my mucous plug falls out (although some never actually see this occur), some form of bloody show, or the obvious breaking of my water before I worry about calling the doc and telling them I think it's time and making my poor DBF drive me down to the hospital and have another late night due to a false alarm. If we went to the hospital every time I experienced something that could be described as preterm labor or the real deal, I think the poor guy would almost be guaranteed many a late night or no sleep at all. Besides, I hate the idea of crying wolf over every little thing. Maybe I'm just stubborn about spending more time in a hospital than I feel I should have to. But my body doesn't seem to know that it's only supposed to do certain things to get ready for D day, so it's going to be interesting to see how this all pans out.

Also, a last side note, I had a checkup with the doc on Friday and she confirmed Poe has already turned head down as well.