Ryan's Boy

I've been meaning to update folks sooner than this but couldn't really find the motivation to get online. Shocking! Carlin has been doing really well. Nanny and Grandy left on Monday morning so Ryan and I have been on our own with the little guy. He is a really good boy. Not fussy at all unless he is hungry or needs a diaper change (which is VERY often). I entitled this entry as Ryan's boy because on the 3rd day of Carlin's life he rolled onto his side when I had him on the changing table. He has done it quite a few times since then. He is a really strong and coordinated boy! Last night he was in his crib just hanging out wide awake by himself and smacked his pacifier out of his mouth. I was in his nursery but wasn't watching. I heard the sound and told Ryan (who was in our room) and he said, "That's what that sound was?" Then he fished the pacifier out from under the crib. I've added some pictures to the Picasa album.

Welcome Home Carlin

We were finally discharged from the hospital yesterday around 2:00. Carlin got to see his new home around 3:00. Nanny and Grandy Highfill were a great help last night and let Ryan and me sleep this morning (and afternoon for Ryan). We definitely needed it! We've been having some issues with feeding but things seem to be getting better. There have been a lot of adjustments for all of us to deal with and Carlin has been a real trooper. He is very patient with Ryan and me. Some of his favorite activities are: falling asleep to Nanny's singing, burping, hanging out in the man cave with Papa, and staring intensely at Mama.

As you can see in some of the pictures it looks like Carlin may be a little jaundiced. We have a pediatrician appointment tomorrow morning at 8:40 and will keep you posted. Apparently the bad bruising Carlin got on his head when he came out "sunny side up" is like a double whammy on the chances of him getting jaundice. He was checked out yesterday before we were discharged and was fine so we aren't too concerned.

I added links of pictures on the right side of the blog. If any of you have photo's uploaded that you would like me to link, please email me the website and I will add it.

Carlin Thomas Sheehan

Ryan and I are excited to present to you our beautiful baby boy. Carlin (Gaelic for the little champion) was born at 4:11 pm weighing in at 10 lbs and with a length of 23.5 inches.

Ryan and I would like to thank our families for all of their love and support today. Each of you made the most special day of our lives better by being there. We especially want to thank Grandma Sheehan for spending almost her entire birthday in the hospital waiting to meet her birthday twin and first grandchild.

Today is the Day!

I started having contractions at 5:50 am today! They have been sporadic so we haven't headed to the hospital yet. We actually just got finished having brunch with Ryan's parents, sister, brother in law and grandma. The contractions are intense when they happen but are so spaced out there's no alarm or need to get checked out yet.

If the baby comes after midnight he/she will share their birthday with Grandma Sheehan :)

Will post more later...

Patience is a Virtue

I had my weekly check up yesterday afternoon. My doctor was impressed with how ready my body is and wanted to schedule me to come in next Monday or Tuesday so she could break my water and we could head over to the hospital to deliver. The temptation was there but after talking it over with Ryan we decided we would wait it out and let the baby come when he/she is ready. I must admit I'm getting kind of annoyed with my doctors insistence on scheduling the arrival. I don't know if it's for her convenience or if it is just habit because she is so used to doing for all the other expectants. Either way, it's frustrating knowing that we can go at any time and have this baby when we want to as opposed to letting nature take its course.

I am listening to everyones advice and have been taking advantage of this time before we are "in for it after baby arrives". I took a 3 hour long nap this afternoon and earlier in the week got a pedicure and hair cut. I watch 3-4 Family Fueds, 2 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and Bringing Home Baby each day. Today I got an alert about a 3 br/2.5 ba ,12 year old, brick front, end unit townhome in Bristow for $179k so I've been entertaining myself with thoughts of buying our first home hopefully by February/March.

That's all I have for now!

Baby Maybe?

I have a coworker that predicted today as the due date because it's a full moon. I did a little bit of noodling aound on the world wide web this is what I found:

"The theory is that the moon's gravitational pull effects the amniotic fluid in much the same way as it effects the water in the sea, rivers and even the water that's otherwise found in our bodies.
As a woman's body prepares for natural childbirth, the amniotic sac becomes distended so the point where it will easily burst if put under pressure. Under normal circumstances, the pressure of labor contractions bursts the sac. During a full moon, the pressure caused by the moon's effect on the water inside the sac can cause the same things to happen, but without the accompanying contractions." The Moon's Effect on Natural Childbirth by David Rose

"One study looked at 5,927,978 French births occurring between the months of January 1968 and the 31st December 1974. Using spectral analysis, it was shown that there are two different rhythms in birth frequencies: --a weekly rhythm characterized by the lowest number of births on a Sunday and the largest number on a Tuesday and an annual rhythm with the maximum number of births in May and the minimum in September-October. A statistical analysis of the distribution of births in the lunar month shows that more are born between the last quarter and the new moon, and fewer are born in the first quarter of the moon. The differences between the distribution observed during the lunar month and the theoretical distribution are statistically significant." Guillon P, Guillon D, Lansac J, Soutoul JH, Bertrand P, Hornecker JP. Births, fertility, rhythms and lunar cycle. A statistical study of 5,927,978 births Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. (Paris). 1986;15(3):265-71

So, is there really a correlation between the moon and childbirth?

Being that it's a Tuesday and a full moon, today could be the day! Keep your fingers crossed and say your prayers. I will be :)

Big Brother

Dexter has already started to adjust to the idea of having a human baby brother or sister. Around 3 or 4 months pregnant he stopped sleeping on my stomach because I assume he could feel or hear the baby. That only lasted a couple weeks until he realized that his bigger mama, with the baby inside, gave off more heat so he went back to laying on us. Ryan and I are both real interested to see how things change with the boy once baby comes. We're assuming Sassy will still be the same. She definitely doesn't "need" as much attention as Dex.

No Change from Last Week!

I just got back from my weekly doctors appointment and there is no change from last week. I was certain the doctor would tell me that it should be any second now. My doctor predicted that the baby is a boy and actually wrote it in my chart! The whole pregnancy I've thought this baby is a girl so if it is a boy, I will be blown away. Ryan thought up until about month 7 that it was a boy and then had a vivid dream that the baby was delivered a girl so we'll see!

My induction is scheduled for October 28, which is 10 days after my due date, but I'm sure that our child wouldn't be THAT late! If baby hasn't come by Monday, October 27th we will check into the hospital that night and then the induction begins at 7:00 am Tuesday, October 28th. When I got home to tell Ryan about the appointment I said that if this is a boy and takes after his papa, his birthday may in fact be October 28!

The Beginning

One of my brand new mom friends created a family blog to keep loved ones updated on her new families goings ons and I thought it was an awesome idea so I created Sheehans Saga. I plan to update this with details and pictures of our new family.

As most of you know, yesterday was my last day of work so I'm sure there will be plenty of entries until the little (figuratively speaking) one arrives. I will do my best to be consistent with updates after Mary Gwenith or Carlin Thomas makes his/her grand appearance as that is what you are all really interested in reading about! But until then, enjoy updates on Ryan and me :)