the first three weeks

Liam turned three weeks old already on Monday. All I can think to myself is where has the time gone? I imagine I'll be saying that a lot as a parent. I've spent the last few days thinking about these first three weeks, replaying them over and over again in my head, and trying to figure out how I can put them into words. They have been equally the hardest and best of my life and I think Nic would say the same. So so special to me.

As I mentioned here, our little guy surprised us and came two weeks early and while I was considered full term at the time and many women safely deliver babies at 38 weeks, his birth came with complications for the both of us. By the fourth day, my complications were under control and I was discharged from the hospital but Liam spent the first 10 days of his life in the NICU with what felt like hurdle after hurdle to jump. Those are 10 days that even now, I have a really hard time going back and thinking about. They are filled with very raw and personal feelings which is why I won't be sharing more about them here. Just know that my heart goes out to any mom who has to leave the hospital without their baby for any length of time.

The days that followed since have been filled with pure sleepless bliss. Our first night that we brought him home from the hospital, I don't think either of us got a wink of sleep. Every coo, sigh, toot, noise startled us awake to check on him. It was my constant worry that somehow the blanket I had tightly swaddled him in would creep up close to his face making it so that he wouldn't be able to breathe. The next two nights I tried a velcro swaddle me sleeper and while it eased my nerves about him suffocating in the middle of the night... he hated them! We have since learned that he has to have his hands out of his blanket and up against his face to soothe himself. Isn't that the funny thing about being a new mom and dad? Trying everything until you find something that works for your baby. We've done the same with just about every bottle type there is... Avent, Tommy Tipee,  Medella... until finally settling on the Munchkin Latch bottle. As I predicted, night time feedings are the hardest and have been the biggest adjustment but those sighs with each gulp, just him and I surrounded in the quiet that night brings, and that milk drunk smile at the end make it totally worth every second of missed sleep. And when he falls asleep on our chests... pure heaven.

I guess what I am trying to say is that it has only been three weeks but we already can't imagine our lives without him!

Happy Halloween {2014}

"A puppy says BOO!" ... yeah, we're still working on that one. ;)

Happy Halloween from our sleepy baby bear!

Nic and I originally planned on dressing up as Juno Macguff and Paulie Bleeker for Halloween this year but things changed. ;) For the better I might add! Instead, we kept it simple with my Hurley Halloween shirt from like the 6th grade HA, a black t-shirt for Nic, and the sweetest baby bear outfit you ever did see. We had the perfect evening together tucked away inside from the cold. Nic made tomato basil tortellini soup {look at him go!} with a Geraldine's roll and chocolate chip pumpkin bread thanks to the sweetest cousins in the world who left it as a gift on our front porch. We watched Vampire Diaries because let's face it, that's about as scary as it gets for me. But most of all, we snuggled our little baby bear all night long and felt incredibly grateful we were spending the holiday as a family at home instead of in the NICU. We are loving sharing all of these firsts with him. First Halloween and doctor's visit on October 31st.

Hope you had a beary spooktacular Halloween! :)  

due date + a video looking back

Today would have been my due date but instead, our little guy decided to surprise us and come a little early so we get to spend the day holding him in our arms! These last 12 days have made me miss carrying him with me wherever I go but there is something even more special about having a huge piece of your heart outside of your body. I have so many fond moments of being pregnant with Liam and these are just some of those moments watching him grow. This Brad Paisley song came on the radio as we were driving to the hospital. It was the first time we both had ever heard it and now it will forever remind me of my little family of three that I love so much!

he's here!

L I A M     R E X   W I L L I A M S O N

Monday, October 20, 2014 {3;30 A.M.}

6 pounds, 6 ounces

19 inches

Our little Liam Rex was born in the quiet hours of the early morning on October 20th. He surprised us both and came 2 weeks early after my water broke Saturday evening. He is the sweetest and strongest little boy and we already can't imagine our lives without him. We absolutely adore him and are so happy to finally have him home with us. We love you Liam!

35 weeks

How Far Along :: 35 weeks
Gender :: Boy!
Belly Growth ::  44 in.
Maternity Clothes :: While I miss fitting in quite a bit of my wardrobe these days, I really have loved dressing a bump! I have always thought pregnant women were adorable and while I don't always feel adorable, I still think clothes look cute!
Belly Button In or Out :: In and narrow as can be! Looks like my chance of an outie are out the window. ;)
Sleep ::  Last night I slept like a dream! I had one of those mornings where my bed felt amazing and I didn't want to get up because it was just so comfy.    
Best Moment this Week :: O
Miss Anything :: Working out! I discovered on Saturday after some serious cramping that my running days have finally come to an end. Don't want to put myself in early labor or anything.
Movement :: He moves so much and I love every minute of it. Still the best thing of all about pregnancy and definitely the thing I will miss the most.
Cravings :: Seafood chowder, a craving that I have not indulged in for obvious reasons but the ingredients will be in my fridge ready to be made when this baby comes out. (wink wink mom!) 
Feeling & Emotions :: Anxious!! Tomorrow is October 1st!! Baby's due date is November 1st! That is just so exciting to me! Also, thrilled that my wedding ring has fit throughout my entire pregnancy without any body swelling. I feel pretty lucky!
Looking Forward to :: SO many things! What is there not to look forward to?! The first is that the rocking chair Nic has been refinishing for me is almost done! It was mine from when I was a baby and has a lot of sentimental value. I can't wait to rock my little boy in it. The second being our maternity photo shoot coming up. Nic is not thrilled of course but being a trooper about it anyway. I just don't want to forget this time in our lives. Another being my doctor's appointments are down to every week now starting next week to check and see the baby's progress. So close!

32, 33, and 34 weeks

Here we are at 34 weeks and while the last 3 weeks haven't zoomed by as it would seem with my lack of updates, my lack of energy has returned and it is all I can do some days to plug my way through the work day. I can definitely say that I couldn't be more excited that tomorrow marks the beginning of Fall... my favorite season and the month we will be welcoming our son into this world!

How Far Along :: 32, 33, and 34 weeks
Gender :: Boy!
Belly Growth ::  43 in.
Maternity Clothes :: Still hoping one of these days it will be appropriate to wear maternity leggings to work. ;)
Belly Button In or Out :: In and narrow as can be!
Sleep ::  Sleep? What's that?! zzzzzzzzzzzzz    
Best Moment this Week :: Over the last few weeks we have been attending a labor and delivery class at the hospital. We have both learned so much and feel a lot more prepared... well, as prepared as you can be that is. We've gotten questions answered that we didn't even think to ask! I could have maybe skipped over the actual delivery video though. ;) 
Miss Anything :: Sleeping on my tummy and just feeling comfortable when sleeping in general!
Movement :: He makes it known that things are getting rather squished in there these days!
Cravings :: Pizza and chocolate chip pumpkin cookies!  mmmm
Feeling & Emotions :: I am feeling ready for this baby to be here. 9 months is a looooong time. People weren't kidding when they said these last 6 weeks seem 100 times slower than the last 8 months. I know I will miss this stage when it is over though so I am trying to soak up these last moments while I still can, especially my alone time with Nic.
Looking Forward to :: The upcoming holidays and celebrating them with a baby in our home. :)

31 weeks

How Far Along :: 31 weeks
Gender :: Boy!
Belly Growth ::  43 in.
Maternity Clothes :: Somehow, not a single piece of the outfit in the picture above is maternity but I also had to pull that shirt down about 500 times today because my skirt wanted to sit below the bump and the shirt above it. haha So I better just stick to my maternity clothes. ;) Can you tell I'm already sick of them?! 
Belly Button In or Out :: In
Sleep ::  My usual waking up 3 times a night turned into more like 8 this week due to a sore body.   
Best Moment this Week ::  Passing my glucose tolerance test!!!
Miss Anything :: 95% of my closet most days!
Movement :: The kicks that follow a yummy meal or rather the party in my belly!
Cravings :: kettle corn and a tiger's ear ... can you tell I went to the fair this week. ;) And spinach salads ever since. Pretty glad the fair only happens once a year!  
Feeling & Emotions :: Completely giddy whenever I think about the fact that we only have 9 weeks left!
Looking Forward to :: Our first labor and delivery class we will be attending later this week at the hospital. The post card said bring 2 pillows and wear comfy clothes to class (yessss maternity leggings) and I can hardly wait!