Happy Halloween!

Hope each of you reading this enjoyed a fun Halloween. We found this little monkey in our house, and so we decided to carry him around the neighborhood and show him off since he was really cute. ;)
We then enjoyed a bonfire in a friend's neighborhood, but came home to put the little monkey to bed (already past his bedtime). Unfortunately, he woke up today with a temp. Not fun! We've spent the day nursing the bug, and he is sleeping peacefully with only a 99.7 dg temp. (I promise he'll be in the doc's office tomorrow if it is not below 99!) BTW, DST is not fun with a baby... even though it's an added hour, it THROWS your day off. Can't imagine how people take babies overseas. Wow! We were up at 5 am. blaaah. Jacob and I are in for the night!

Worst Blogger Ever.

That's my new title!
Life is good here at the Rowe house. Shepard is still rocking on all four's, thinking about taking off, but not quite there yet. He enjoys putting anything that does not move in his mouth. The whole house is getting over The Crud (nice medical terminology) and on the mend just in time for Halloween! (Pictures to be posted Sunday.)
We enjoyed a fun weekend visit from Mimi & Bapaw last weekend, complete with a visit to Peachtree Farms pumpkin patch and petting zoo. Shepard loved it, as did all of us! The grown-ups even got a Friday night out to take in a wine tasting and have a yummy dinner.
He is in a home day care on the days I work and loves it. What a social little bug I have. He loves the 4 other kiddies there and they love him. The best part of daycare, though, is his sheer excitement when I walk in to take him home. Yesterday he grabbed my face and planted a nice, open-mouth "kiss" (aka slobber) right on Mommy's lips. Too sweet for words!!!
The Rowe Home is finally decorated for Thanksgiving... something about Halloween through Easter... I must decorate for each holiday. My big accomplishment is that each room of the house (minus the bonus room, which is still just a little bit of a hodge podge) is decorated exactly how I like it! Yay! Window treatments arrive in a few weeks and I am HAPPY. And it only took me 2 years.
Jacob recruited his company to bring the big cadaver lab to Columbia (a pretty big deal... even got some local news coverage!) so he has been working until 9ish every night this week, with surgeons performing demos on Jacob's implants for all the ortho MDs every evening. (Is this the part where anyone reading this has fallen asleep?) Anyway, he continues to win new business. This is NOT good news to those recruiting us to move back to The Hoosier State, but hey- it pays for diapers. We are looking forward to spending time as a family this weekend! We love and miss our faraway family and friends.

Summertime Adventures

Thanks for checking in! We are all doing well. Shepard is growing like a weed, weighing in last week at 16 lbs, 10 oz. He is beginning to eat solid foods and LOVES it. So far he's added squash, green beans, peas, peaches, sweet potatoes. and applesauce to his menu. Big boy! Now that he's discovered food, evvverything goes straight to his mouth! He is beginning to sit up unsupported for about 5 seconds, then slowly topples over. (I think he'll get the hang soon.)
Taylor is another recent discovery of Shepard's... he'll occasionally fuss until we take him in the same room as Taylor. Boy- did it take us a while to figure out that one! He is fascinated by her and it's such fun to see his face light up when he sees his buddy.

We enjoyed Aunties Carrie & Katie coming out for a quick visit.. and will post pix soon. Jacob and I are looking forward to heading to wine country next week for a friend's wedding! This momma is a bit anxious about leaving her sweet bb for 4 full days, but knows he's in great hands with his Grams. All in all, the Rowe Family is well and treasuring every day with our little guy. :)

We are alive and well.... just not blogging

WOW! This may jeopardize my title as Official Worst Blogger, but I thought I'd update our family blog. (In case anyone out there still actually checks it.) Jacob is busy at work, I've (Lindsey) gone back to work part-time and am working roughly 27 or 28 hrs a week, which is a great balance for me, and Shepard is enjoying his summer at home with his nanny, Megan. Our "little" boy is growing fast. Last week he was closing in on 16 lbs and is 26" long. This puts him at 90th% for height! Dad is excited about that.
This momma has been working and working on rolling over with Shep. He did it once a few weeks ago. I ran out of the room (leaving him on his tum) for a quick second and he was on his back when I came back. He's a humble guy, not wanting to show off for mom. WELL-- last weekend at Mimi & Papa's, I was upstairs getting ready when I heard cheers coming from downstairs. He did it again-twice- and I missed it! So, anyway, I "hear" my son is rolling over.
We enjoyed a rainy fourth of July inside with our friends--- old & new! All our friends from Indy have had babies since the last time we saw each other, so it was a fun weekend and the kiddos got to play. Nevermind that it was rainy and we moms were inside all day with 7 kids. We managed to maintain our sanity and had a lot of fun.
Thanks for checking in! I really will try to be better....

2 months already!?

Shepard went in for his 2 month check-up yesterday and got all his vaccinations. He was certainly a tired guy afterward, but has recuped and back to being my little monkey today. We just came back in from gardening (well, mom gardened and Shep sat in his bouncy seat looking cute).
Mr. Shepard is exactly in the 50th percentile for height, weight, and head size. He now weighs 12 pounds and is outgrowing much of his 0-3 month clothes already! He continues to be a very good baby--he even slept 9 consecutive hours one night this week. (Dr. Holly said that is unheard of for an 8 wk breastfed baby... count us as lucky?! Maybe we have an exhausted baby.)
He is starting to interact with mom and dad. We get LOTS of smiles and coo's. It's so fun. I'm really enjoying these last weeks before I re-enter the workforce!

Shepard's Room (finished!)

Time Flies

Shepard will be 1 month old tomorrow. I can hardly believe it! Time has really flown. We are slowly getting into a routine, and even ventured out a couple times this week on "mother-son ecomony stimulation outings"... very fun! :)
He is doing really well. We went back to the doctor 1 wk ago for his weight check and this little one had gained 1/2 a pound in 4 days, surpassing his birth weight! We had our eye on the ball. haha.
Jacob and I had planned on putting him in his crib last night, but were so wiped out at bedtime, we didn't have the energy to move his diapers, wipe-warmer, etc. so he had one last night in our room, and slept like a champ! I woke up at 4 am and asked Jacob if we'd been up with him yet! We hadn't, so I woke him to eat. He went right back to sleep and woke me up at 6. What a guy! Now, if only every night were that easy. I hear him starting to stir... better run.
I'm going to try to post a video of him and his room. (We'll see!) Also, we got family photos taken. I think J & I look tired, but Shep can't help but look beautiful and sweet. :)

Two Week Check-Up

Shepard had his 2 week check up with Dr. Holly today. The good news is, the awful eye junk is only because of clogged tear ducts, as we suspected. It is getting much better already. We were disappointed that Shepard is not gaining weight as we had hoped... despite seemingly constant feedings, he is only 7 lbs, 12 oz. We are upping our feedings to 40 min. every 2 hrs and we'll go back Saturday a.m. to be certain he is gaining more. (This does = no life for mom for 4 days. haha) He is sleeping very well--we made it one night only having to get up once in almost eight hours! He looks healthy, but just needs to gain a little more weight.
He is starting to smile now which, of course, melts our hearts! I'm hoping to catch a picture of that smile soon. He is hating bathtime a little less now that we've graduated from sponge baths, and is just generally a very good baby. He loved a visit from his Mimi and Aunt Jen over the weekend! He and his Aunt are pretty tight! :)
I am doing so much better. The swelling underneath my incision has almost completely resolved and I was even able to go the gym today (!) for a whopping 20 minutes, but hey- I'm a big believer in doing things very gradually.

New Mom Thoughts

Well, one week ago at this time, we were prepping for surgery and excited to meet our baby boy. Seven much sleep-deprived and overjoyed days later, we are becoming accustomed to middle of the night feedings, changings (diapers & onsies), and LOTS of swaddling. We see new changes every day. Shepard loves to look at lights, is starting to focus on faces, sucks his thumb (not a good habit), and even rolls from right side to left side (we think he is very strong!). He HATES being naked, so bathtime and changing are met with lots of tears. He loves eating his fingers, being sung to, read to, and held.
Big sis Taylor is not too interested, but lies between baby and the door when Shep is resting. We have truly appreciated all the visits and well wishes from family & friends! We especially appreciate the encouragement that sleeping and nursing will get better! :O

Shepard Robert Rowe Has Arrived!

On Sunday morning, we woke up talkng about all the things we would do to occupy our last day before Baby... until I rolled out of bed and water gushed everywhere!! Jacob was SO excited we got to experience "really" having a baby (instead of our scheduled Casarean). We got ready and left in a hurry. I started having contractions as we pulled into the hospital parking lot, and consider myself pretty lucky I only experienced a total of maybe 12 contractions.
The ultrasound confirmed our little stinker remained breech and I was prepped for surgery. It was nerve-wracking, but all went well. We arrived at the hospital just after 9 and at 10:53 am, Shepard Robert Rowe entered the world weighing 8 lbs, 3 oz and was 20.25 in long. He arrived with such strong cries, but was quiet when his daddy held him for the first time.
We are home from the hospital now and all the grandparents-and great grandfather-have gone home. We feel so fortunate that mom and baby are doing well, and are in awe of this precious little guy. We see a mix of Mom & Dad in him... definitely Dad's cheeks, his mom and grandpa's eyes, and dad's feet for sure! When he was born I said he looked like a mix of my dad and J's dad. :)
About the only complication has been a large blood clot (hematoma) under my incision that is a still painful, and pretty unsightly, but it should go away in time. The doctor is watching it and I'll remain on lifting restrictions for 3 more weeks, so Grandma Rowe and Mimi (my mom) will be back to help out.... in addition to Aunt Jen. Enjoy the pictures! This mom is off for a nap!!

OK. It's time!

Well, initially (4 days ago) when the doctor said "How's Monday?", I thought Monday sounded too soon. Now- I'm definitely ready. He is actually beginning to move less- probably out of room. Plus, I'm honestly to the point where I don't think my belly could possibly stretch any more. Add in the lack of sleep and, well, Monday sounds PERFECT! (I think Baby Rowe would agree.) We'll keep you all posted! Keep all 3 of us in your thoughts & prayers please.

His Arrival Is Set

BBR is scheduled to arrive this Monday, February 16, 2009 right around lunchtime! It was a little surprise, since we were planning on Tuesday or Thursday, but that is how it worked and momma is reeaddy!
Although I didn't get my #1 pick for my delivery room RN, I did get the anesthesiologist I want (very key!). Plus, I asked my OB to perform his circumcision and am sooo glad I did because he is one of few MD's in the hospital that actually does a nerve block to numb the little guy. The less pain, the better! So, we are lined up and ready to roll... now if I can just get through these next few days! I'm so antsy! :)

A Waiting Game.

We were supposed to have a scheduled delivery date by now, but our appt was postponed to this coming Wednesday. (If he doesn't come first!) I am currently 75% effaced and 1 cm dilated, which my friends tell me means he could come at any time! We've finally decided on a first name and are debating between 2 middle names. BBR remains as active as ever. I'm doing well, but am starting to get a little bit of a backache- not unexpected! Our poor parents are on stand-by and I think 1/2 way think it's "time" whenever we call.

Awaiting The Arrival

Three weeks to go until Baby Boy Rowe makes his long-awaited arrival! Jacob keeps joking about me gathering twigs and sticks, ruffling my feathers, hunting for worms, etc. ---nesting. He's hilarious.... then, I have to remind him that some people just like a clean house! :)

Grandma & Grandpa Rowe made the drive to Columbia last weekend to help us with the nursery set up and it is almost finished! It's amazing how fast 4 people can get a task completed, especially one this fun. We've still got a few odds & ends to hang on the walls, but most importantly, nothing else heavy to be moved!

We continue to go for weekly doctor appointments, ultrasounds, and non-stress tests (baby monitoring) and I continue to have occasional contractions- just to keep everyone on their toes. Most importantly, Baby and I are both healthy and active! He is especially active, which is a wonderful thing! Unfortunately, he remains in breech position (head right under my ribs), which will entail a Cesaerean for delivery. My doctor said he "has seen" a baby turn this late in gestation a few times in his 30+ years in practice, but I'm not banking on those odds. We'll return next week to decide on a birthday for this little one.

He is measured in ultrasd every 3 wks., and last week he was an estimated 6 lb 5 oz, which suggests a birth weight between 7-8 lbs. And, best of all, his head was measuring at full term! Which got me thinking- maybe this C-section isn't such a bad thing?!