Welcome to our world!

I can't be witty about it, so just let me be a stereotypical new mom, okay? CALEB ZAKAI FASHBAUGH has arrived, and he is the most exquisite little man in the world! I don't need to tell you how beautiful he is, because if you've read this, you've more than likely seen the pictures yourself, but let me tell you something you can't get from the pictures. He is so soft!

Here's the brief rundown of his arrival through today ~ trust me, you don't want the lengthier one. This is heavily edited:

If you read my earlier posts, you know that my doc said as of Thursday that I needed to be done with work. This makes a workaholic like me nervous. What if Caleb took another *ugh* month to make an appearance? Plus it seemed like a shame to not go to work on Monday, because I felt so fantastic! But blood pressure concerns took precedence, and who am I to argue with the esteemed members of the medical profession?

So at my appointment on Monday, I figured the blood pressure would be down without the additional stresses of work. Apparently, not working was even more stressful, because this doc said she would check out how ready I was to have a baby, and if my blood pressure didn't come down within a set amount of time, they were going to induce. Well! I was more ready than we knew, and the blood pressure went even higher, so they arranged for me to go to the hospital to get the party started.

The best thing was calling Jonathan from the doctor's office. (I called on my cell phone, a big no-no. Shh, don't tell.) It was so funny because he had offered to take off work to go with me, and I had said that I didn't anticipate any major decisions or anything. So I got ahold of him, and asked if he could come home because it was time to go to the hospital. His reaction was so classic. He was so excited and nervous that I was actually a little nervous about having him drive home.

Unfortunately, we hadn't been overly prepared for the arrival of our son - we kept telling ourselves we had plenty of time. So we didn't have any bags packed or any kind of plan for how to get things done quickly. It took us an hour to get out of the house. Plus, Jonathan is such a hypoglycemic guy that we had to stop for dinner for him on the way. Oy! So by the time we got to the hospital, it was five o'clock, and we thought we were having a baby in the next few hours.

Guess again! They didn't put me on the pitocin until after ten! Megan and my parents had come to spend the early labor time with us, and Alisa had come by at 8:30, under the impression that she might have a nephew any minute. By the time I actually started to have contractions, it seemed to have been a VERY long day.

Oh, the contractions! Granted, I hadn't expected to be on the pitocin, which makes them stronger and closer together and unpredictable, but I had to laugh at my naivete at thinking that I could have lasted very long without an epidural. Because baby, as soon as those bad boys kicked in, I begged for the anesthesiologist to pay me a little visit. But she was there pretty quickly, and I only had to do about thirty or forty minutes of actual labor without pain relief. That's enough for me.

Anyway, about 5:30 the next morning, I felt like it might be time to push, and we got going. The nurse I started pushing with was off at seven, and they switched out with the impression that I'd be ready to deliver in the next twenty minutes. They were even worried because my doctor couldn't be there until 7:15. Alas, 7:30 came and went, and as 8:00 approached, they started threatening a c-section. But then they realized that the pitocin had been turned off VERY early in the morning - 1:00-ish. And none of these nurses or doctors had realized it, so they thought I was just being lazy or something. But Caleb and I were working HARD; it was my uterus being uncooperative.

Finally, at 8:25 on Tuesday morning, the little man was able to breathe the free air of the outside world. He started crying right away on his own, and they immediately threw him on my tummy and started to towel him off. Yeah, that's the grossest part of the process that I saw. But Jonathan saw the whole sordid thing - and came through like a CHAMP! He even cut the cord! He and I just put our heads together and cried as we looked at this tiny little gross thing that had completely captivated us already.

His head was not huge, but it was pretty cone-shaped for a while since he'd spent so much time in the birth canal. However, I'm pleased to report that it's now a normal shape, and the bruising is almost gone as well. He's a hairy little thing, though!

Anyway, the hospital stay was pretty amazing. However, I'd heard that you lose all modesty and sense of personal dignity in hospitals, and it's NO LIE! I don't even want to get into it.

Thursday was our discharge day, and we were supposed to leave by eleven, but then Caleb ended up with some fairly serious jaundice, and my blood pressure popped up at the same time. So the little man had to stick around for another test in the afternoon, and they wanted to see if my bp would drop. Both the jaundice and the blood pressure got worse as the day continued, so I ended up with meds, and he ended up with a bilirubin belt being installed at home.

We went back to the hospital this morning for another blood test for him, and his numbers were even higher, so we had to keep him on the belt all day, and we'll go back in the morning for another test. The only thing we can be doing to help him is just feed him CONSTANTLY to flush all the crud out of his tiny little system.

My parents have been here since yesterday - they cleaned up our house to prepare for the arrival home of the boy, and have been preparing meals and taking care of us in general. I would say that they're doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, but they have ulterior motives: they get to spend time with that precious little Caleb and soak up his adorable-ness. (He's got an AWFUL lot to spare!)

Anyway, that's what's going on with us. It's been such an incredible and humbling experience to become parents. I know that God has big plans for this little bubba, and his first four days have given us a good taste of what we have in front of us - overwhelming and awe-inspiring, and completely conquerable with His grace...

Sunday Happinesses

My Jonathan just spent the better part of four hours - and countless hours in past days - making a way for me to have a journal on our home website! Now you don't have to remember a funky password or anything to get into the site, and he'll be able to help me do a lot more pictures.

He's flat out amazing, guys. I don't say that enough. And for my Mom and anyone else who doesn't understand what a blog is, this is it! It's just short for "web-log," and includes nothing more than random thoughts by anyone who chooses to post them on the internet. Crazy boogers that we are in this society, many of us are more than willing to post our inner-most thoughts and opinions in a forum which can be read by anyone around the world that happens to stumble upon them! On the other hand, it does a great job of keeping people in touch that want to do so!

Speaking of touched, my Garmane clan all came over on Saturday to help me get the nursery ready. My Dad finished yet another piece of exquisite heirloom furniture - the dresser/changing table that now houses the overabundance of clothes and sundry baby items that we "need." Megan and Mom helped not only with all the baby laundry and whatnot, but with mine and Jon's as well. (I have never folded a sheet properly in my life, and unfortunately, my modus operandi has been to let clean sheets sit in a basket until I need them, then throw the crinkly clean pieces on the bed.) They didn't let me do much - as a matter of fact, when I tried to help with the laundry, Momma pretty much vetoed my assistance (such as it was) and forced me to lay down with my feet up. This is harder than it seems when people around you are working so hard to help!

The girls went shopping at Target and Babies 'r' Us to find the final things that we needed - a valance and rod for the nursery, a diaper genie and refills, and killer (ahem) breastpump. And Megan bought an absolutely perfect alligator nightlight and Mom bought a monkey/palm tree light switch cover that completed the whole theme! After Dad unloaded the dresser, he spent some time with Jonathan learning about the cradle, then he put up the valance rod, and the pictures on either side of the window.

SO! Did you check out the pictures of the almost finished product? SOOOOO cute! And Jonathan even figured out how to load video on the site! Goodness gracious! Did I say yet how clever and incredible he is?

John and Sharon came over last night, and we got sucked into Bend it Like Beckham, which kept us up later than I had wanted. Then church this morning was very emotional and draining, so we came home, did some stuff around the house, and then while Jonathan worked VERY hard to give me the capability to ramble on and on like this, I took an incredible nap. Now, as I go on and on with my gregarious self, he's unloading the dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen. A teeny bit of role reversal is going on in the Fashbaugh household, my friends! Gotta tell you, it's not as terrible as you might think!

Hugs to all!

TGIF

Friday, Friday, Friday! What do you do when you're actually depressed about not going to work? I woke up this morning and I think that I might have understood why people who retire get a little blue. Yesterday, when my doctor said it was time to be done working, even though it was kind of a traumatic day, I was JAZZED! Then this morning, I was really upset. (Until I fell back asleep and woke up feeling better than I have in a long time!)

SO! My week! I wrote that I had really high blood pressure on Monday, and they were running some tests. No one ever called me back. I called the doc on Tuesday afternoon to let them know that my head was still killing me, and by golly, they never called me back! The headache ebbed on Wednesday, then hauled back in full force on Thursday. Well, luckily, I had a doctor's appointment, and after they ascertained that my blood pressure was still high, the doctor said she had a few things to talk with me about. I interrupted, and said I needed to talk with her, too.

I just laid out my frustration, explained that I knew it wasn't her fault, but that I was disappointed about the lack of communication with her office. (This wasn't the same doc I saw on Monday.) So she said this: First of all, it was time for me to be DONE with work. She suspected that the blood pressure might get lowered if I focused on getting rest and relaxing. Second of all, she wanted me to go to the hospital for some monitoring of myself and Caleb. My blood pressure came down in only an hour and a half or so, which ruled out the possibility of inducing labor, and strengthened the conclusion that I needed to not be out and about all day anymore.

The awesome thing, even though I was in the hospital with a horrible headache, was that I just sat there listening to Caleb's heartbeat. When he kicked, he always kicked right where the microphone was strapped to me. It was so fun. And whenever he would move around, his heartrate would jump by more than thirty beats per minute. A lot of fun was had by all!

After the blood tests, they gave me some Percocet to knock out the headache. It was GLORIOUS! But I did get wretchedly groggy and dopey - which was actually also very fun! And Jonathan is so much fun at hospitals that it made me really look forward to going through labor! (He did take a nap at the end, but so did I.)

Anyway, so I'm at home today, taking it easy, and trying to keep my feet elevated in hopes of having the swelling go down. I haven't had luck with that in about two weeks, but hope does indeed spring eternal.

Take care of yourselves, and I'll keep you updated!

Hullo world! It’s Monday, and I’ve not only had a mixed up week, but a mixed up doctor’s visit as well!

We’ll start with the week – mainly I mean the weekend. Thursday night, I couldn’t sleep a BIT. (Mainly due to SOMEONE’S snoring, but I won’t name any names.) So Friday morning started out well, but by noon, I was exhausted to the point of near coma. The hilarious thing was that I’m catching up at work, so I used the end of the day to clean up and clean out my desk at work. So now it’s all so gosh darn clean that it’s a treasure to go to work.

Or not.

Friday night, I literally crashed on the couch. I told Jonathan that I was making NO plans, and since he wanted to be with me, we just watched television. I saw a killer show on PBS about the Ghan train line in Australia, and would very much like to take a trip there someday. But it was too interesting for me to sleep through ~ so I really didn’t get to bed that early, and when I woke up shortly before five on Saturday morning, it was pointless to try to get back to sleep.

But it was okay! Because Saturday was the day that I got to go to Loveland to see Wendolence Van Ryn and the most gorgeous little Isaac you ever did see! He’s the closest thing I have to a nephew until those sisters o’ mine find hoos-bands, and so I have to be honest and tell you that he really takes after me a lot. In addition to his devastating good looks ~ his mother and I could PRACTICALLY be twins (this is a joke) ~ I am referring to the questioning look he gave me when we first met, and also to the time he spent crying that afternoon. I also find myself in confusion and tears pretty often these days.

Anyway, all us gals got together, and with the exception of Miss Terra – who had to work – and the inclusion of Miss Angela, it was the old gang that did the Western photo right after we graduated from high school. Too much fun for words. We actually did get a photo of the five of us, but looking like normal people, not necessarily ladies of leisure in an episode of Young Riders. (HA!)

I also got to spend some quality time with my fam that day. I find myself in the unusual position of wanting to SOAK my parents up, and not having enough time to do it. My momma even sat and rubbed my fat little feet while we talked in the back yard. Now THAT, my friends, is a mother’s love. Even Jonny finds my feet fairly repulsive. (But he’ll rub them anyway, too!) My Dad is also almost done with the exquisite changing table/dresser he’s made for his grandson. He does such amazing work. Sorry I don’t have any pictures yet – soon!

Sunday after church, Jonathan and I used our free ticket to go see A History of Violence. As a movie lover, and as a human being, I must tell everyone not to waste their time on this film. And y’all know how INFREQUENTLY I will say that. Truly. Piece o’ crapola that needs not be supported.

I don’t want to blame the movie, but I did spend a lot of time with my head over the toilet after that. The rest of the day, I was sick as a dog, and had a headache that didn’t quit after a decent night’s rest. This morning was really a soul-searcher about whether or not I should go to work. Alas, responsible Amanda made the trip, and actually had a decent morning, despite the headache.

It’s a good thing, too! I had a doc’s appointment that I wouldn’t have wanted to reschedule. The good part is that I ended up LOSING weight - I knew that sweater weighed more than a pound! Today I was back in summer clothes, and the difference was fantastic...

The other good part is that the swollen hands and feet, nausea and headache can all be traced to my outrageously high blood pressure! Hooray for cause! So the doc ordered some blood tests that they’re going to rush through to get the results tomorrow. Depending on what the results are, we may have to make some decisions. If it’s nothing more than just the high BP that comes at the end of a pregnancy, I might get some meds, with or without bed rest. Or bed rest with or without meds. But if it’s something like toxemia or whatever, they may go more drastic. Eesh.

Anyway, I’ll know more tomorrow. And you wouldn’t think that with this killer headache that I would have wanted to type this WHOLE HUGE THING, but like my Daddy always says about me, “I’m talking…and I can’t shut up!”

Until tomorrow!

Another Tuesday! An awful, awful lot has happened this week, and I shoulda coulda woulda written earlier - but I've been busy! I started this on Monday, but got busy again, so I’m finishing it on Tuesday!

Went to the doc yesterday morning, but didn't really get a lot out of it. I'm officially 36 plus weeks, measuring 39, and all is still well. My blood pressure is jumping like a billy goat, my feet are swollen like you wouldn't believe, and I gained almost half as much in the past two weeks as I have the whole pregnancy. Deeeelish! Of course, I've been wearing the same outfit to every appointment until this time, so I figure my winter clothes added at LEAST five pounds!

Denial much? (Even Jonny, who loves me and makes wonderful excuses for me figures that my sweater only weighed one pound. Punk.)

I had my family/friend shower Sunday, and it was soooo gorgeous! First of all, I was incredibly blessed by the sheer volume of people that showed up. Even though it was at Auntie Beep’s house in EATON ~ don’t even bother trying to look it up on the map, but suffice to say that with gas prices where they are, I was doubly impressed ~ there were around twenty or so people.

Megan made a cheesecake with her new food processor, which inspired me to use mine, of course. And there were brownies, lemon chiffon pie, hands and feet cookies and homemade MINTS! Such an occasion! There were fun, fun, fun games that made everybody giggle – a few new moms/grandmas in the crowd kept things hilarious.

Then presents were opened. I actually thanked everyone BEFORE I opened presents, because I do tend to get a little weepy and whatnot when faced with such incredible generosity. I made a speech that I thought was just lovely, but in hindsight, there were a thousand other things I wish I’d said.

I bet they all knew what I meant!

Anyway, I finally got my first piece of Grandpa Gene built furniture that I’ve been drooling over for the past month – the cradle! And Grammy B outfitted it with sheets, mattress pad and all kinds of bedding stuff. They brought it to the shower and loaded everyone’s presents into it. I honestly don’t even know if anyone got a picture of it or not, because I didn’t have a camera.

(And let’s talk about crazy grandparents – on top of the cradle, the bedding, and all the other stuff they’ve ALREADY given Caleb, they EACH had an additional present to the shower. This kid is going to be well-loved, I tell you!)

Goodness, I’m going to have to cut this off because I’m just a blabber-head! I’ll write more about the shower later. Suffice it to say that this bubba boy won’t be wearing the same outfit twice until he’s at LEAST six months old!

Happy Monday! (Which looks like it will be my new doctor day, by the way - after this week.) If you saw the pictures on the opening page before you opened the journal, you see that the nursery is just about done! The painting and detailing was all done in the space of this weekend. Jonathan taped and got it prepped while I was at my class at the hospital Saturday morning. Then my Mommacita came to help ALL AFTERNOON! Between the three of us, we got an AWFUL lot done!

Then Johnna came down to spend Saturday night, and we got the rest of it done on Sunday. It made for a very long weekend, but it's awfully incredible to be this far done!

The icky thing is this: when we pulled back the carpet to do some of the edging, we discovered that it's far worse than we thought: we assumed it was just gross and dusty and stuff and could wait a while to change it if we hyper-good cleaned it. But there's black mold on the underside of the padding. So at an absolute minimum, we have to redo the carpet in the nursery, if not the whole house. And I don't even know how that WORKS! Ugh.

Anyway, let me know what you think of the nursery - I'm pretty impressed, but I might have a nasty bias...