A Month in Reflection

I cannot believe that is has been over a month (6 weeks on Thursday) that Crew was born! I feel like we've had him forever! I won't lie, it has been really tough getting used to a newborn when you've been quite independent and extremely busy the last couple of months. With school, work, and newborn care there is hardly even a moment to squeeze in a nap (especially Jess...he is so sleep deprived). It has, however, been really rewarding and oh so special to see him grow! I really cannot believe how much he has changed in just a month. When I go to school on Mondays I am kind of relieved to get a break, but I miss him so much when I'm at school. Being a mom is the bomb!

I think this is the 2nd day after we brought him home.

This is Jess enjoying his son...before he got fussy.

In his chair for some social time with mommy

Ok, this is the FUNNIEST picture EVER. This little bear suit was way too big on him and way too small for the car seat!

Jess was SO excited to have Celtics time with Crew! Thanks again Erica for the blanket!

His first sponge bath

He was NOT happy

His first tub bath. He liked this one much better--especially getting his hair washed.

He HATES being strapped into his car seat, but falls right asleep once we start driving.

He is not a fan of his swing, but will at least tolerate his bouncy chair (thanks brent and leesa).

He's getting so big!

And this is where we are now...poor baby is super fussy! If I didn't have the comfort of knowing that babies cry a lot and that it should end (I cross my fingers everyday), I would go crazy! I feel so bad for him--he swallows a ton of air when he eats and even when he doesn't, it can't feel good for his tummy. So, I just try my best, and hopefully he will be a happy boy soon :-) He is a champion eater though! He drinks probably about 3 oz average, but sometimes tops off at 4 every 3 hours. In the beginning, of course, I was up a lot with him in the night, but now I am only up once around 1am and then again around 6, so I am pretty lucky! I have been trying to follow the "Baby Wise" sleeping plan, but I am not sure if it's working. He has such a strong neck and loves to look around with his huge eyes (I think they are going to be brown). He loves being held--in fact, I can't ever put him down! He loves the sound of running water and Pandora Radio. He has his 2 month appt in 2 weeks, so I will give an update then!

His Photo Debut!

These are some pictures that were taken of Crew when he was 6 days old. Mary Clark
a WONDERFUL photographer out in Murray, UT took them. Look her up if you're interested in getting any pictures done, she is great!

Little boy did so well with his photo shoot. He pretty much slept the whole time and only peed once! I love my precious little squishy boy. Enjoy :-)

Since he was born on New Year's Eve, this picture seems to be fitting.

Of course we had to get a picture of the double cousins. So cute!

My New Year's Present

Jess Crew Baldwin
Born December 31, 2009 10:01 am
8 lbs 0 oz, 19.5 inches
American Fork, UT

Our sweet baby was born December 31, 2009 at 10:01 am! We were so lucky to have him before the new year! I was really wanting to have him New Year's Eve because seriously what a cool birthday plus it's an extra child tax credit we weren't counting on...lol. Thanks to all those who put in their input on how to get him here...some worked, some didn't ;-) At 2am that morning I started feeling some light contractions [about 5 minutes apart] then they got stronger and moved to 3 minutes apart. I really couldn't believe how fast it was all going! I woke Jess and my mom up ASAP to leave for the hospital. On the way out my water broke...ok then I knew it was REALLY happening that day--I was going to have my baby!

When we got to Labor and Delivery I was in pain, but pain I could tolerate. No joke, in like 3 minutes the pain got 10x worse and I was dying! The nurse anesthetist was not in the hospital to give me my epidural so we had to wait for him to drive here! Talk about the LONGEST 20 minutes of my life. Boy did I completely underestimate the pain associated with a baby trying to get out! When we got to the hospital I was 4cm and 90% effaced. From a 4 I went to a 6 in one hour, and then to a 9 in 17 min. I didn't get the epidural until I was 9cm....holy crap...OUCH. BUT the silver lining is...the nurse finally got there, I got the epidural, and I was all good :-)

When it cam time to push I pushed for about 1.5 hours and 8 lbs later he was here! I really could not believe I had an 8 lb baby, especially since my sister and Jess's brother had a 6 lb baby--I guess genes are were not equally distributed in this situation. He was so big for me I big time tore [4th degree] and boy am I feeling it today.

For all those who haven't had babies and are going to be having babies soon: I hope this post didn't freak you out...it is wonderful to be a mother and to have such a sweet gift be apart of your life...definitely worth the pain and stress :-)

Jess did so well--I was so proud of him! Although he didn't cut the umbilical cord, he still was there right by me cheering me on! He is such a sweet dad. My mom was also there and is here with me for the rest of the week--thank goodness she knows what she's doing!

Now the task at hand is to 1. get used to the idea of having a baby 2. actually be able to sit down after the episiotomy 3. get these rocks for breasts off of my body!! (I am bottle feeding...OUCH).

Trying to get his first suckle...I was so paranoid the whole time that he wasn't eating enough but now he sucks down his formula!

Daddy and Crew. Jess is such a sweet Dad...got to change his first diaper in the hospital which I will put in writing that he SWORE he would never do. I was in the shower and I heard the baby screaming, so I yelled through the door and asked what was going on. Low and behold, he voluntarily changed his son's poopy diaper! What a sweet daddy!

Crew and Grammy Sparks.

He's Hungry!

When he came out he had to have a little bit of extra help to breathe and to get the amniotic fluid out of his belly.

Crew and his double Aunt Whitney.

One of my very favorite pictures. I love this little boy :-) I am so lucky!

Merry Christmas!

The crew (except Dad...aren't we so beautiful in the morning?

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year!! I was so afraid that I would receive an unexpected gift (aka baby) on Christmas so I tried to take it easy all day. I REALLY did not want him to be born on Christmas (what an awful b-day...sorry to those of you who are born on Christmas). Jess and I got to host Christmas this year because my family came down from Idaho! It was a lot of fun, but I quickly realized that my apartment, which I thought was pretty spacious, in fact is not! I felt bad :-( Oh well, I guess it's a fun memory. My dad, brother, and sister left to go home yesterday, but my mom stayed behind to wait for the baby to get here. We had a lot of fun being together, watching movies, and of course watching my sweet niece Payton open up her first Christmas gifts...I love that lil munchkin.

Baby Room So Far

Although not complete, we have done some things to the baby room! Don't worry, I had the room very ventilated while I painted :-)

Pregnancy Update.

This is me at 38 weeks (last week). I am 39 weeks today and still. no. baby :-( I have been dilated to a 2cm and 80% effaced for 3 weeks now! Now that finals and Christmas is over this baby is totally free to make his grand entrance :-) I go to the doctor again tomorrow, so we will see if I any more progressed! My mom is here to help for when the baby is born, so we are just waiting....any ideas (besides castor oil) that will get him here this week???

One day I had a baby shower...

...and it was so much fun!!! This post is about two weeks behind, but on Dec. 5th my sister Whitney threw me a baby shower. It was a lot of fun, and because of my most excellent family and friends, we were able to get a lot of things for the baby. Thank you ALL who came and celebrated with me! There are a TON of pictures mostly for those to see who could not attend :-) *The culprit behind all the photos is Kirsten Rehak...I didn't get any pictures of the sneak, but she was such a big help in making my shower so successful :-)

*Thanks to Haley for making my (Crew's) cute sign*

My mil LaReesa Baldwin made this cute quilt for Crew's bed.

Some cute gifts....

Apparently there were a lot of funny moments at the shower...

Me and my good friend Sami. We are due a week apart :-) Check out my belly at 36 weeks! It's huge!

So happy that my Aunt Karine and Cousin Becky could come :-)

Friends. Friends.

Baby-bottle game...Dani is the master...she gets her skillz from her daughter.

Tray game

Friends. Friends.