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

Spanish Olive

Jonathan is a handy husband who loves to learn and tackle home projects (one of the great qualities I love about him). Last June or July, we decided to tear out the master shower and tile it. It was a cultured marble surround shower and those tend to have issues with draining and in the long run, don't hold up well. When we would use the shower, it had an awful smell because the water was sitting beneath the floor and not draining...let me just tell you, it was a rancid smell and we understood why after he ripped it out! See the nasty picture below...

Yuck!

Long story short, we have two baths so we used the guest bath in the meantime with no pressure to complete the project by a certain time. We took a while to pick out tile and finally made a decision after 200 trips to Home Depot, visiting online sites, returning samples etc. Jonathan did all of the front end work and was eager to tile it himself but with the baby coming soon, no experience cutting/tiling, we decided to hire someone to complete the job. So thankful we did and we still saved a nice chunk of change by doing the demolition and rebuild ourselves.

The new shower

We love it

We have our master shower back and it looks great and smells even better! The shower was completed two weeks ago and we were thinking about paint colors and I found the perfect color I had been looking for on houzz.com...Benjamin Moore's Spanish olive. Perfection. We purchased the paint yesterday and painted most of the afternoon and will finish it today. Our bathroom is small so we are using the color in the bedroom and bath which is easy peasy.

This brings me to share that I am in full nesting mode, deep cleaning window seals, blinds, baseboards and more...with a TOOTHBRUSH. It needed it anyway but it just feels so fresh to have a new coat of paint on the walls and know that everything is clean. I'll be honest, I had high hopes to complete my nesting to-do's but I haven't felt like doing much these past few weeks. I don't feel bad but it's exhausting to bend over or stand on my feet for more than 30 minutes at a time so I'm happy to have a burst of energy and we can wrap it up before Denson is here. I know we are going to sleep like angels with that soothing Spanish olive color on the walls...including Denson...I know, I have high hopes :)

Picturescourtesy of Houzz.com (not our room or bath)

Contemporary Bedroom design by San Francisco Architect Sutro Architects

Traditional Bathroom design by Philadelphia General Contractor Hanson General Contracting, Inc.

In other news, I will be 39 weeks on Monday and we go for our appointment Tuesday to see what is happening and talk about possible plans for delivery. I feel great and Denson seems quite comfy in his little spot. His feet frequently kick the right side of my belly and he was very active last night when we were at Allison and Adam's house; although I think his movement had something to do with the 3 HUGE cookies I consumed from Icing on the Cookie. They have the best cookies around! These last weeks have been surreal because we know our lives are about to change forever and it's exciting. I feel time is slowing down and it's God's way of blessing us with focus and conversation, blessing our marriage and treasured time together as two. My cup is overflowing and Jonathan and I are truly humbled by the daily blessings in our lives. Denson will be our biggest blessing but we don't hesitate to remember the blessings that seem so small in everyday life and I pray we always remember to thank Him for those too.

36 weeks and counting

The holidays came and went very quickly and here I am at 36 weeks! Time seemed to pick up as soon as we had Thanksgiving and it hasn't slowed down yet. We also celebrated both of our birthdays in December...last birthdays before we're mom and dad! Jonathan and I enjoyed visiting with both families and overindulging in some delicious food :) We were so thankful to make one last quick trip to Florida to see Grammy and Popa Tom. Grammy fell right before Thanksgiving which really scared me and I knew she probably wouldn't be able to make it to Birmingham until after Denson is born. The trip was relaxing and we had a good time with mom & Don too. My pregnancy has been pretty moderate but I need to give more credit to Jonathan for being so supportive and truly making everything more comfortable. He has been rubbing my back and feet even before they were really uncomfortable (and even before I was pregnant :)). He's been so calm and excited and I have such joy to anticipate the incredible father he is going to be. Love him so much and can't wait to meet our little man!

Symptoms:
-Sleeping has been more challenging just because it's difficult to get comfortable and I am up using the bathroom at least five times throughout the night

-Slight contractions have started which don't really hurt but are just uncomfortable

-Pressure in the pelvic area and sometimes painful walking or getting up

-Swelling a little bit in legs and hands; I can no longer wear my wedding rings which makes me sad

-Cravings have been cereal, milk, ice cream...I craved pears over the holidays which was great; we made pears with goat cheese and pecans- delish!

I am so ready to meet Denson, to hold him and have him here! My big appointment went well and he looks and sounds great. He is head down and seems to be dropping. I have not started progressing yet which is normal for first babies but that doesn't mean things can't happen at any moment so we are ready. Car seats are installed, hospital bag is halfway packed and everything else is pretty close to ready. My baby shower is this weekend which I'm really anxious to have because I am getting so close to the due date. I am so thankful for my sister and friends who have worked hard to put it together...I know it will be beautiful and Denson is already blessed with so much love from all these sweet people.

My to-do list for the next weeks:
-deep clean the house (windows, baseboards)
-organize his dresser, wash his clothes
-get baskets for his changing table
-hang the rest of the pictures in nursery
-put bedding on the crib and cradle
-finish packing our hospital bag
-update his baby book
-read my books
-prepare frozen casseroles with mom

It's a new year, a new phase of life for us and we are so thankful for each day. I am humbled that God has chosen Jonathan and I to be parents and bring a sweet baby boy into this world. At small group last night, we discussed New Years resolutions and the paths we are headed on. This is a verse we shared that is the theme for our growing family this year.

Romans 12:2
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know to learn God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

Thanksgiving and praise

There have been moments where I sit down to blog but something comes up...a prioritized nesting to-do, sleep, or some random distraction. I will say among all of those things, Jonathan and I have been spending such sweet, quality time together. Whether we are cooking or working on a house project, we have shared lots of laughs and precious time together. It's hard to believe in a few short months, our baby boy will be here and we will be a family of three. It's important to us that we put God first, each other second and our baby boy third...so many wonderful people have shared their wisdom and experience with us and we both know how much our first child will mean to us once he's here. We know we will have to work to spend time together as a couple, not just mom and dad and conversations of "how dirty the diaper was". During the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas we are more aware of just how many blessings we have and are continuously prayerful. We pray that God will prepare us to raise a son who follows The Lord and comes to learn what faith grace, love and forgiveness mean. We pray for patience (especially me). And most importantly, we thank God for his gift of marriage and choosing us to be parents to Denson. My heart is full of appreciation for the wonderful family and friends who support us and have already shown so much love for Denson. It means more to us than you know.

Healthy 20 week appt!

We went for our 20 week ultra sound on Tuesday and baby Nevins is healthy as can be! I am thankful to know he is doing well and just pray that he continues to grow strong and develop through the next 19 weeks. He will be here before we know it!

I can't believe September is almost over and the Holidays are fast approaching. It's going to a busy fall/winter with my best friend's wedding, friends' baby showers, our birthdays and baby Nevins' arrival.

I am so excited that this weekend we are going to visit the Jones in Atlanta!! Jonathan gets back from Houston today and we will be getting ready to hit the road. Can't wait to go to the Falcons-Panthers game on Sunday...go Cam!