September 25th, 2011- Parker's first day!

I got settled into my room on the mother/baby unit around 3:30 in the morning on the 25th. The nurse got me set up with a breast pump, since Parker wasn't allowed to eat yet. I didn't sleep... Bryan tried, but there were interruptions nearly continuously until 7am, when we were told I needed to move to a room on the other side of the unit. I had to wear a heart monitor, and the signal wasn't being received from the room I was in. We got into the new room, and Bryan got a little bit of sleep. I had some breakfast, and we went to see Parker around 11 in the morning. He still had his CPAP on, but they were weaning the settings, and were hopeful to have him on nasal cannula by early afternoon. We weren't able to hold him yet, but touched him and talked to him in his isolette.

We had a little bit of lunch, and when we went back to see Parker at 2pm, we were delighted to see that he was not on nasal cannula... he was on room air!! The nurse said she had placed him on nasal cannula, which he promptly removed. She decided to see how he would do without it, and he maintained his sats beautifully! She asked us if we'd like to hold him... she didn't have to ask, we'd been dying to!

He doesn't look to thrilled to be face to face with his mommy, but I was sure happy to see him! I can't describe the feeling of finally getting to hold him, after waiting over 14 hours. It was completion, in the truest sense.He was very happy to see his Daddy... he'd been waiting to see who read him Dr. Seuss for all of those months! I had been reluctant to introduce a pacifier, but the NICU nurses suggested we let him have one to deal with the stress of being on the CPAP and having the IV.

15 and a half hours after delivery, Parker finally got to eat for the first time. All of my fears of him being unable to nurse were laid to rest, as he was a pro! It was so nice to be able to bond with our son. Bryan decided to go home that night to get a good night's sleep in hopes that Parker could join us on the mother/baby unit the next night. I slept very little... I was so excited to be able to go feed Parker every three hours, I couldn't get to sleep! I'm convinced that the frequent trips walking the halls to visit him made my recovery from the c-section much quicker than if I had been laying in bed. Nothing was going to keep me from our baby! That first night, sitting in the rocker in the NICU feeding him, were some of my first sweet memories with Parker... reunited at last.

38 weeks... Parker arrives on September 25, 2011

There's no 38 week picture... because Parker decided late on the last day of the 37th week that it was time to make his grand entrance into the world!

Bryan's parents were visiting, and we were talking about going out to eat dinner. I started having contractions at 6:40pm on Saturday, September 24, 2011. Bryan came upstairs to see if I was about ready to go out to dinner, to which I replied, "Well, I'm not sure if I should go or not..."

After about an hour and a half of contractions from 3-6 minutes apart, I called my doctor, who had me come into the hospital. My scheduled c-section was still 9 days away!

We got to the hospital around 9pm, and after seeing three contractions on the monitor, three minutes apart, the nurse called my doctor, and plans were made to deliver by cesarean that night. We were in the operating room by 11pm, but after getting prepped and getting an arterial line for blood pressure monitoring, it was 12:04am on September 25th before Parker Kent Holcomb arrived! He weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz, and was 20.2 inches long.

He wasn't thrilled to have been removed from his warm uterine home, and displayed signs of distress almost immediately.

The doctors attempted to stimulate Parker to breathe more effectively, but the decision was made pretty quickly to move him to the NICU.

I got a brief glance at our beautiful son before he was whisked away. Bryan followed him, to make sure he was OK, and came back to give me updates while Dr. Gallagher was finishing my surgery.Once in the NICU, Parker was placed on CPAP to help with his respiratory distress. Blood cultures were drawn to check for infection, and an IV was started for fluids and antibiotics. He had an oral gastric tube to prevent aspiration. I went to recovery for an hour after surgery. By this time, our parents had arrived, and Bryan went to get a little something to eat. I was taken into the NICU on a stretcher to get another peek at Parker before being taken to my room on the mother/baby unit. It was bittersweet, seeing the beautiful little person I had been carrying for nine months, and not get to hold him in my arms.

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Baby Human, week 37 (September 18, 2011-September 24, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 37 weeks pregnant! Full term!

Size of Baby: Baby is as long as a stalk of swiss chard!

Cravings: Cheerios.

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams, some swelling and contractions.

Best Moment this week: My fluid was 8.2 on Monday, and 11.2 on Thursday! That bedrest works after all! We couldn't be happier. While we were prepared mentally for an early arrival, we are thrilled that our son is thriving and continuing to grow strong and healthy in his uterine home. Speaking of strong and healthy... I had another growth ultrasound on Thursday, and our son is officially at the 100th percentile for weight at 8 1/2 pounds at 37 weeks and 4 days! What a big boy!

Baby Human, week 36 (September 11, 2011-September 17, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 36 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a crenshaw melon!

Cravings: Grapenuts cereal.

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams, contractions.

Best Moment this week: That I am still pregnant! I saw Dr. G on Monday, and my fluid was 6.8 (10-20 is normal, less than 5 necessitates delivery). Baby Boy was happy and active on his monitoring. On Thursday, my fluid was 6.2, but everything else remained satisfactory, and he scored 8/10 on his biophysical profile... he was practicing his breathing the whole time!

Baby Human, week 35 (September 4, 2011-September 10, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 35 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby weighs as much as a honeydew melon!

Cravings: Toast with butter.

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams, some contractions.

Best Moment this week: Well, it didn't start as the best moment... I had an appointment and growth ultrasound on Thursday, and learned that I had oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), and Baby was not very active. I had been sick with a bad cold, so Dr. G was hopeful that with hospitalization and fluids, both would improve. I was in the hospital overnight, and received two doses of steroids to prepare the baby's lungs for a preterm birth. We learned that our son was a good size for 35 weeks and 4 days at 6 1/2 pounds! We were released on bedrest, drinking 3L of water a day, and will see Dr. G twice weekly for ultrasounds, NST monitoring, and visits until delivery. We are so grateful for such a proactive, skilled, compassionate doctor.

Baby Human, week 34 (August 28, 2011-September 3, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 34 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is 18 inches long and weighs as much as a large cantaloupe!

Cravings: Toast with butter.

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams, some contractions, a little swelling.

Best Moment this week: Reading and talking to this big boy, and learning that he loves the Price is Right on television!

Baby Human, week 33 (August 21, 2011-August 27, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 33 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a pineapple!

Cravings: Anything sweet and unhealthy!

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams, some contractions.

Best Moment this week: Celebrating our son at a baby shower at Bryan's Mom and Dad's house! We had a great time!

Baby Human, week 32 (August 14, 2011-August 20, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 32 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a jicama!

Cravings: Oatmeal cream pies!

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams, some contractions.

Best Moment this week: Bryan got to come with me to my appointment, which included a growth ultrasound. Our son weighed 4 1/2 pounds!

Baby Human, week 31 (August 7, 2011-August 13, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 31 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby weighs as much as four navel oranges! Cravings: Oatmeal cream pies Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams. Best Moment this week: My baby shower at Aunt Linda's! It was a great time of fellowship with friends and family, celebrating the upcoming arrival of this little boy!

Baby Human, week 30 (July 31, 2011-August 6, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 30 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a large cabbage!

Cravings: Grilled hot dogs and milkshakes!

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams.

Best Moment this week: Feeling lots of movement... it's even a joy to be awake at 3:30am from this little guy moving so much!

Baby Human, week 29 (July 24, 2011-July 30, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 29 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a butternut squash!

Cravings: Steak and Shake peach milkshakes... half price from 2-4!

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams. I completely missed out on that burst of energy that was promised... ha ha!

Best Moment this week: Feeling how the baby moves differently when he hears his Dad's voice. He recognizes his parents! He also likes the high pitched voice of my hairstylist, Hannah.

Baby Human, week 28 (July 17, 2011-July 23, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 28 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a chinese cabbage!

Cravings: Steak and Shake peach milkshakes... yum!

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams.

Best Moment this week: Glucola! No, really... I thought it was delicious! And Baby Boy did too...

Baby Human, week 27 (July 10, 2011-July 16, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 27 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a head of cauliflower!

Cravings: Grilled hot dogs

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams.

Best Moment this week: Looking more and more "pregnant", and just enjoying feeling our son move inside of me!

Baby Human, week 26 (July 3, 2011-July 9, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 26 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is as long as an English hothouse cucumber!

Cravings: Grilled hot dogs

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams.

Best Moment this week: Going to the surgery residents' graduation ceremony.

Baby Human, week 25 (June 26, 2011-July2, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: I am 25 weeks pregnant!

Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a rutabaga!

Cravings: Grilled hot dogs. Lots and lots of grilled hot dogs.

Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams.

Best Moment this week: Hearing Bryan read Dr. Seuss books to our son.

Baby Human, week 24 (June 19, 2011-June 25, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 24 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of an ear of corn! Cravings: Dairy Queen Blizzards! Symptoms: Fatigue, strange dreams. Best Moment this week: Our Baby Boy, if born now, is considered viable!

Baby Human, week 23 (June 12, 2011-June 18, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 23 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size and shape of a small doll! Cravings: Dairy Queen Blizzards! Symptoms: Fatigue and leg cramps Best Moment this week: Bryan could feel the little guy move this week! We are also enjoying some time in the pool... quite a treat for a pregnant girl in this heat!

Baby Human, week 22 (June 5, 2011-June 11, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 22 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a spaghetti squash! Cravings: Dairy Queen Blizzards!

Symptoms: Fatigue, increasingly strange dreams! Best Moment this week: We've been reading to our Baby Boy, and I'm not sure who enjoys it more... us or him! I'm hoping Bryan will get to feel him move soon, too!

Baby Human, week 21 (May 29, 2011-June 4, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 21 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a banana! Cravings: Dairy Queen Blizzards! Symptoms: Fatigue (Where's that 2nd trimester energy everyone told me about?!) Best Moment this week: Feeling the little guy moving more and more is truly a joy. Knowing that we're nearing viability is also a blessing!

Baby Human, week 20 (May 21, 2011-May 28, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 20 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a canteloupe! Cravings: Dairy Queen Blizzards!! Symptoms: Fatigue, a little lingering nausea, strange dreams! Best Moment this week: We were so busy, we forgot to take a picture! Things are blooming every day in the yard... we've had so much fun walking around and watching the new flowers and plants pop up! We're also trying to get the pool in shape. No luck yet, but hopefully soon we will get to enjoy it!

Baby Human, week 19 (May 15, 2011-May 21, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 19 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of large mango! Cravings: Swiss cake rolls Symptoms: Nausea and fatigue, some leg cramps. Best Moment this week: Seeing that little boy again! He had a full stomach as soon as they checked, but the great folks at the maternal fetal medicine center got some great video for us, and even turned on the 3D imaging for a bit. Baby Boy was tired, yawned a few times, and settled in for some thumb sucking. What a cute boy! I'm also starting to feel him more, which is very exciting.

Baby Human, week 18 (May 8, 2011-May 14, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 18 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a sweet potato! Cravings: Swiss cake rolls (he likes healthy food... ha ha!) Symptoms: Nausea and fatigue, strange dreams. Best Moment this week: It's a BOY!! We had our anatomy scan this week. Our little guy was tipping the scales at 9 oz., a full 4 oz. ahead of schedule! He was measuring about a week and a half ahead, size-wize. At this point though, babies develop at different speeds, so his due date remains the same. He sure is a handsome little fellow! He wouldn't drink fluid to fill his stomach during the ultrasound, so we will get another peek at him next week!

Baby Human, week 17 (May 1, 2011-May 7, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 17 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a red onion! Cravings: Fruity pebbles cereal Symptoms: Nausea and fatigue, and continued strange dreams! Best Moment this week: I felt that first little "tap, tap, tap" this week while we were watching television! There's someone in there!

Baby Human, week 16 (April 24, 2011-April 30, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 16 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of an avocado! Cravings: Fruity Pebbles cereal! Symptoms: Nausea and fatigue... and some strange dreams! Best Moment this week: Getting bigger! I'm thrilled to "see" how our little guy is growing!!

Baby Human, week 15 (April 17, 2011-April 23, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 15 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of an orange! Cravings: Grilled hot dogs! Symptoms: Nausea and fatigue Best Moment this week: We forgot to take my picture! We have been busy finishing things at the condo to prepare it for sale, and continuing to settle in our new home!

Baby Human, week 14 (April 10, 2011-April 16, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 14 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a lemon! Cravings: Canned spinach with white vinegar Symptoms: Nausea and fatigue (can you tell by the picture? Ha!) Best Moment this week: Noticing my clothes getting tighter due to the little person growing inside of me! We are also really enjoying getting settled into our new place, and making it "home".

Baby Human, week 13 (April 3, 2011-April 9, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 13 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a peach! Cravings: Canned spinach with white vinegar Symptoms: Nausea and fatigue Best Moment this week: Did you notice the picture change? We have moved into our new house! Lots of thanks to our wonderful families for their tireless assistance!

Baby Human, week 12 (March 27, 2011-April 2, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 12 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a plum! Cravings: Fried fish Symptoms: Nausea and fatigue Best Moment this week: We had a nuchal translucency ultrasound (since I'm nearly "advanced maternal age") this week. We got to see our baby in high resolution, complete with a 75% certain prediction that we are having a BOY!!

Baby Human, week 11 (March 20, 2011-March 26, 2011)

Pregnancy Highlights: How far along: I am 11 weeks pregnant! Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a lime! Cravings: Cheetos Symptoms: Nausea and fatigue. And Bryan says, "You're starting to look pregnant!" Best Moment this week: I had some bleeding after a long day at work, so we had an ultrasound to check on Baby. Everything looked great, and was measuring perfectly! I have a 30 lb. lifting restriction until delivery, to be safe. We have also found a house, and will be moving to Zionsville!