7 weeks already

It's unbelievable that Neil will already be 7 weeks old on Thursday. He's growing like a weed! We don't go back to the doctor till the 30th, but I'm dying to know how much he weighs and how many inches he's grown. I didn't realize he'd grown so much till I was looking at the pictures from the day he was born - unbelievable.

Neil and I have been getting out of the house more often the last few weeks. Rodney's mom has even watched Neil twice so that we could go out for drinks with friends. Just yesterday we were in the grocery store when my mom called begging for a new picture of her grandson. He's asleep, thank goodness.

Sleep deprived

I cannot believe that Neil will be 3 weeks old on Thursday. Everyone said that time would fly once he was born, but I didn't expect it to go this quickly. Honestly, all I've done is feed Neil, change Neil, burp Neil, feed myself and sleep - pretty much in that order. I'm so glad that I slept so much during pregnancy because I certainly am not getting much sleep now. It's interesting - my sleep obviously comes in 2 hour intervals when I'm not feeding Neil. I feel like a breastfeeding factory.

Neil came home on Sunday, December 2nd and our first appointment with the pediatrician was Monday, December 3rd. They were a little concerned because he had lost a little over a pound - went from 7 lbs. 11 oz. to 6 lbs. 10 oz. and was a little jaudince. Dr. Geils asked me to breatfeed him like crazy and come back on Wednesday. I did as told and Neil gained half a pound in 2 days! The doctor was excited about his weight gain - I was just excited that breastfeeding was actually going well. So many friends have had trouble, so I felt blessed to not have many issues. I've been a little sore, but nothing unexpected.

We went back to the doctor for Neil's 2 weeks check-up on Wednesday, December 12th and he is back to birth weight which is terrific news. Everything checked out well and we don't go back until January 30th (2 months). I have great personal news too - I snuck on the scale while we were at the pediatrician and I've lost all my pregnancy weight - I am pumped! However, I would like to act as though I haven't lost a pound and set a goal of losing another 20 pounds to meet my goal weight.

Here is a quick picture from a few minutes ago - I was updating this site and looked over to catch this photo. Can you believe my pups? They LOVE their new brother.

And here is another picture from yesterday - Neil and I were sitting in the chair when Beau decided to come on up and join us! Isn't this sweet? What's amazing is he did this all on his own.

And here are two more pictures for tonight with Neil's eyes open - just for you Caroline!

Finally home

Neil is finally home! What a journey today. It was definitely a good decision to stay in the hospital for one more night last night - I have a feeling that is going to be one of my last good nights of sleep for a LONG time. Neil really has been a great baby - sleeps a lot! However, we were warned by many new parents that things change significantly when you leave the hospital. We haven't seen a big change yet, but I have a feeling our first night "alone" without nurses and doctors is going to be different. No more sending Neil to the nursery for 3-4 good hours of sleep at night.

It doesn't seem that we were in the hospital for 3 nights - that time really flew by quickly. Thank goodness for nursery nurses with children of their own. On our second night, Connie was Neil's nurse. She has 4 boys - one set of twins and breastfead ALL of them. Fed the twins at the same time - one on each breast. Unbelievable! She taught us many nursing tricks. He's getting better everyday, but nursing definitely is something that children and mothers have to learn. It's not easy!

More pics of Neil

What an angel. We did take the advice of friends and let Neil sleep in the nursery with the nurses while we were in the hospital. It allowed me to sleep and still have the opportunity to breastfeed. The nurses were wonderful and we got many many tips from nurses on how to make breastfeeding work. We'll see how that goes.

Birthday

After waiting around the house on a hospital room to become available, Rodney and I decided to go ahead and make our way to West Ashley. Of course we MUST have some alcoholic beverages available to our guests who come by the hospital, so we made a stop at Total Wine. It was too funny - the lady checking us out asked when I was due. It was awesome to see the look on her face when I said in 2 hours - she looked at me like I was crazy. Scheduled C-sections are great for planners!




Getting ready for surgery:

We arrived at the hospital around 11:00 and things happened really quickly after that - surgery was scheduled for noon but we ended up going back for surgery at 12:30 or so. Surgery wasn't too bad and I'm feeling well. Rodney has been wonderful and I couldn't ask for a more beautiful son!

Rodney Neil Hancock II is born at 1:05 PM weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz., 21 1/2 inches long.

Waiting on a room

Looks like things are going to be delayed a few hours. Nothing that we can control - just lots of babies being delivered today. So, we are waiting on a call from the hospital telling us they are ready for us to "come on down."

Rodney and I both were tossing and turning a lot last night, but we definitely got some sleep - I was pleasantly surprised. I'm hoping for a wireless connection in the hospital so we can update the website with pictures. This is such a quicker way to get the word out than texting or sending phone pictures. I guess we'll wait and see - the nurses say it's touch and go with the wireless connection availability.

Hopefully next time I update this website - I'll be a MOMMY!

Pets and babies

Getting ready for baby - even on Clemson Carolina day. Not much more to do, but we keep cleaning and have found more things to clean than I ever imagined. Our dogs have been so funny - they know something is going on, but they just aren't sure what yet. I really wonder how they are going to react. We took a pets and new babies class and have many tips from them. Rodney is going to bring either a blanket or a hat home on Friday to get the dogs used to Neil's smell - we'll see how that goes.

Many people have asked when to stop by the hospital. Rodney and I talked last night and we are both thinking that we'll be up to seeing people late Thursday afternoon or Friday anytime. That way, we can hopefully get settled into our room and get to know Neil a little bit - I'm hoping he'll eat right after birth too. We'll see how that goes.

I am going to try and update the website pretty quickly with pictures, so stay tuned!