Warmer weather & walks

Despite the storm yesterday, the weather has gradually warmed which we love. I am so thankful that summer is approaching and [already] we get to spend the first few months of Denson's life enjoying the outdoors. I can't imagine it turning cold and not being able to venture outside after being cooped up in the house with a newborn. We love taking walks in the neighborhood, downtown Homewood, anywhere. The last two weekends, Jonathan and I went out for lunch and strolled around for a couple of hours. We've enjoyed spending time with Aunt Lacy and Uncle Eric as well as Allison and Adam. Since Jonathan hasn't really had time to play any golf, he goes in the backyard to swing his golf clubs while Denson and I hangout on the deck. Denson and I met Jonathan for lunch last week and we also went by my dad's office to say hello. Precious moments that I treasure so much.

Denson is currently going through a growth spurt and boy, it seems we just got our routine established. Ha! He has been eating every 1.5-2 hours, fussier throughout the day, and not falling asleep as easily. Thankful to have 1 or 2 Abita Strawberry beers on these days :) It can be overwhelming but we are thankful he is growing and we know it will only last a few days. He is such a joy and Jonathan and I talk about how we can't imagine life without him. (Right now he is sleeping in his swing beside me and just smiled and giggled in his sleep; that is my favorite!)

As I try to spend a few moments each day doing something for myself, I divide up my time between napping (while he naps), reading, cleaning, blogging, writing thank you notes and other miscellaneous tasks. I need to add updating his baby book to my list. I have a scrapbook and baby book that I received as gifts. They are great keepsake to have but the pressure to update as we go weighs on my mind. There are days I don't have time to shower so this becomes last on my to-do list. I'm also adding working out to my list. I know I will get such a confidence/energy boost from adding a 40 minute workout to my day. We stroll but I need more cardio to start shedding that baby weight.

We are loving life and will take more pictures of our family of 3 as we venture outside in this gorgeous weather. Thank you Lord for our health and happiness. We are eternally grateful for your blessings!

Happy One Month Denson

Denson,
You turned one month old yesterday, March 7. Your dad and I are amazed at how much you have changed in 4 weeks and the difference you have made in our lives already. We are more in love with you each day and cherish each coo, cry and expression. You are starting to stay awake longer during the day, although you still sleep a good 12 hours. At 2 weeks we started letting you nap in your crib which you enjoyed and at 3 weeks we let you sleep in your crib at night. We think we were keeping you up at night when you were sleeping in the cradle by our bed. Your dad swaddles you each night even though you sometimes fight it, you need your little arms tucked away because they wake you up at night when you flail them around.

You don't love your paci but you will take it if you need soothing. You are one gassy baby. I've wondered if it's foods i'm eating but after research, I realized all babies are sensitive to their digestive tracks functioning and I can't cut out every food that could potentially cause gas or I would be only able to eat a few things. We use mylicon drops which seem to help some, but we give baby massages to help you pass the gas which you do...and we hate to see you in pain but we laugh because of how loud they are.

You are a good eater and nursing has become more pleasant and calm now that we have a routine going. You spit up (what I think is a lot) but at times, I think you've been overfed. We know you are getting enough to eat because you weighed 8 lbs 10 oz at your 2 week appointment. Since we brought you home, you have been sleeping 3-4 hours at night for at least one stretch. We wake up to give you a pacifier, change a diaper and eat but that is it so we are thankful! Early morning is your favorite time to cuddle with us in our bed. You love to lay on dad's TempurPedic pillow and have us right beside you. You will sleep another hour or two there and stare at the ceiling fan. The other go-to place to calm you or when you're wide-eyed is outside. Boy, do you love to look out the window and up at the trees. I can't wait until we can enjoy playing outside!

Dirty diapers don't seem to bother you but overall, you don't enjoy diaper changes or being cold - at all! Bath time is mostly calming as long as you stay warm and we move quickly. You love when dad rocks you in your room and has the heater right beside you to keep you toasty. You stayed nakey for a good 30 minutes last night and right before we put a diaper on, you peed all over the rug. We've learned that will happen often, haha.

We started tummy time when you were 1 week old and you usually enjoy it for a few minutes before getting frustrated and wanting to roll over. You have been lifting your head up and you almost rolled over on your own the other night. You are so strong! You've been smiling and "chuckling" in your light sleep phase since you came home and that's one of our favorite things to watch. You've started to do a slight smile when you're awake and started sucking on your fingers yesterday.

You definitely know when mom and dad are in the room and when we leave. You follow us with your eyes and you will turn your head as we move about. We have been out in the stroller, to dinner, lunch and to run a few errands. You had your first play date on Saturday with Charlie Chambless who is almost 5 months old. After a few minutes, you were screaming and it took a while for us to soothe you. Evening time is your fussiest time but it's because you're just so worn out from a day of snoozing and eating.

Your first trip to church was last Sunday, March 3. You were great and slept through the service, even with the loud music. Baby dedication is this Sunday and it will be special time for family and friends to pray for you and us as a family. We have some sweet words to read and will treasure this time for many years to come. We like to say our prayers together at night and look forward to the time when you will pray with us.
We enjoyed a beautiful day outside today and are thankful that Jonathan has every other Friday off to spend time with us. Looking forward to a great weekend!

We tried to get you to look at us

Take two before you got fussy

You look so small in your big crib

You love watching basketball with dad

Your favorite pillow

Uncle Zach gave you your first Nike set...look at those feet!

This is your favorite way to stretch and relax

Napping is one of your favorite hobbies

And tummy time

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Godmay be competent, equipped for every good work.

Birth Story: Introducing Denson Bernard Nevins

Well, we have been quite busy these past 4 weeks! My February 5 due date came and went and my appointment was scheduled for February 6 at 3:15pm and early that morning (at 5:00am) I woke up to what I thought was my water breaking. We headed to the hospital and checked in and the nurse said the test was inconclusive...I didn't realize your water breaking can be inconclusive but nonetheless, they said we can head back home and come back to my regular appointment. I had been craving pancakes so we headed to Original Pancake House and shared a delicious breakfast together (what we thought would be our last breakfast together as two) and it was!

We went to my appointment that afternoon and the doc said I was completely effaced but only dilated 1cm. She expected me to go into labor that evening and if I didn't, to come in at 6:00am Thursday morning to be induced. Well at 2:00am early Thursday, my contractions grew much more intense and I timed them to be about a minute long and 5 minutes apart for an hour; the 5-1-1 rule. They told us to come in and we knew this was it. Mom spent the night with us and I told her we were heading to the hospital and would call everyone with news as soon as we heard the game plan.  We checked in and they hooked me up to everything and the pain was bad  but bearable at this point.

The nurse told me I could have pain medicine to help until I get an epidural but I didn't want to chance feeling woozy or yucky for the arrival of my precious son. Jonathan helped as much as he could and as the pain intensified, so did my mood, haha. I remember I kept telling Jonathan to "talk me through the contraction; say the things our instructor told you to say!" He did a fabulous job considering the lack of sleep. I had not slept pretty much in two days because of the pain and how uncomfortable I was so I was exhausted. At 6:00am my doctor came in, broke my water and started Pitocin. THAT is when the real pain began. The contractions were much closer together and the labor pains were unbearable. I tried to wait as long as possible but around 9:00am I got the epidural. People say the epi is so scary or painful but the only thing on my mind was the pain of the contractions. The epidural was such a blessing for me and Jonathan. He came back to the room (because they made him leave for the doc to administer the epi) and I was extremely relaxed and ready to sleep to prepare for delivery.

My family was at the hospital and stopped in to say hello and check on us and I told them we were going to sleep; that I finally could relax and try to rest. That is just what we did...we slept for 3-4 ish hours and low and behold, I woke up to the sensation to push. My nurse had stepped out and Jonathan was in REM sleep and I sat there for a minute like, I feel fine but I'm pretty sure Denson is ready to come out. I was about to press the nurse call button and she walked in. I told her I'm ready to push and she (not expecting me to be ready) was like "Wow, you're a -2 and it IS time to push!" She quickly called my doc who was rushing to get there on time and the nurses started setting everything up because it was go time. My doctor hadn't arrived yet when the nurse asked me to try and not push and to bear down if I could. Haha...who would have thought! Finally, my doctor arrived and in about 10 quick minutes Denson was here!

It was a moment we will never forget. I loved having Jonathan right beside me as they placed Denson on my chest and as soon as he laid there he was calm and looked right into my eyes. I thought I would cry but it was so surreal and I didn't...my mind was processing this little miracle I was holding. We are in love with our little boy.

Denson Bernard Nevins

February 7, 2013

12:16pm

7lbs 12 oz / 21 in