One Month!

Tatum Blair I cannot believe you are one month old!  This makes me sad and happy all at the same time.  Sad-because I already see you growing up right before my very eyes.  How am I ever going to send you off to Kindergarten one day?  Happy-because I see you growing and learning new things each and every day.  I just can't imagine that it has already been one month since we met you.  It feels like we have known you forever.  

A few days old with your cousin, Macee.

You have truly been such a good baby.  Daddy and I have learned your different cries so we usually know exactly what you need when you start to whimper or grunt as we call it.  Other than that, you normally never cry unless you are getting your diaper changed or taking a bath.  You think diaper changes and baths are the worst thing in the entire world!  I bathe you every other night so your sensitive skin doesn't get too dried out.  We have little cleaning wipes that I use on you in between baths if you need them.  There's nothing like a freshly bathed baby though!

You absolutely love to be snuggled.  If I could sit on the couch all day and snuggle you, you would be completely happy.  During the day, I feed you every two to three hours, we have about 30 minutes or more of "play-time" and then I swaddle you back up and you fall right asleep.  This is when I try and put you down in your Mamaroo or your swing that is in our bedroom so you don't get too use to being held all the time.  We have noticed the more you get held during the day, the less you sleep at night.  

Your first Easter!

At exactly one month old

Speaking of sleep, this probably isn't the best day for me to right about this subject since you kept us up for about 3 hours last night, but normally you are a pretty good sleeper.  About week 3, I started letting you wake me up during the night to feed instead of me waking you up every 3-4 hours.  You normally will sleep 3-5 hours at a time at night and then go back to sleep.  We can tell when you are going through growth spurts though because you will wake me up every 2-3 hours.  Sometimes you like to stay awake for a minute and smile and talk but you usually will go right back to sleep after.  It really does vary night to night so I try not to get too use to any one night.  If you ever get fussy or won't go back to sleep, daddy always comes to the rescue and rocks you.  Most of the time I try to let daddy sleep since he has to get up for work, but he never minds rocking you for a little bit and getting in some snuggles in the night so I can get a little sleep.  Once you start sleeping 5 hours pretty continuously I will move you into your bedroom.  For now, you sleep in a cozy bassinet next to our bed.

Breastfeeding is still going great.  At night, you are a great eater!  During the day, it usually takes a little bit more effort from the both of us to get in a good 15-20 minutes of solid eating.  There were a few times I was "worried" that you weren't getting enough milk but we weighed you this week and you went from 6 lb.'s 8 oz's at birth to 8 lb.'s 4 oz's!  This made me very happy and confirmed that you are indeed getting enough to eat and growing like a little weed.  Another reason I was a little worried you weren't getting enough milk is because I feel like you spit it all up after you eat.  I brought this to your pedi's attention and she said you were a "happy spitter" which means it doesn't bother you and you are gaining enough weight.  This just means lots of bibs, burp cloths, clothing changes, blanket changes and loads of laundry!  Your daddy also surprised me with a very nice breast pump, so now I can pump a bottle when we are about to go somewhere and I know you will get hungry.  This way I don't have to force feed you before we leave.  It is definitely a good thing to have, but you still prefer to breastfeed over taking a bottle which I more than happy with.  

You love to snuggle with daddy.

"Get me outta this thing"

In the past week I have started to do tummy time and lay you on your back to "play" in your activity gym.  You have a very strong neck and lift it up quite often.  You like to lift your neck and turn right to left when we are holding you up by our shoulder.  I think month 2 will bring a little more awake time and we can practice more tummy time and playing a little bit longer.  You love to "talk" to the animals hanging from the activity gym and sometimes will even smile at them. 

One of your first friends-Crew!

You are still in all of your newborn clothes and diapers.  We buy newborn diapers by the week because we just keep thinking you will move to size 1 soon.  You are getting a little too long for your NB sleepers so I think pretty soon I will start putting you in your 0-3 month sleepers.  You wore your first 0-3 month onsie the other day and it actually fit pretty well!  Most of your NB clothes are for cooler weather so we are going to have to start incorporating 0-3 month so you won't get too hot in this Texas heat.  I am also ready for you to start wearing all your cute 0-3 month summer outfits!

You love to be swaddled, but when you wake up you want those arms out and moving around!  You love your paci during the day but most of the time during the night you won't take it, which is actually a good thing.  You love your swing that is in our bedroom and it will usually put you right to sleep.  You like your Mamaroo too but you normally already have to be asleep for you to stay content in it.  You normally like to ride in the car and most of the time you will go right to sleep.  Last but not least, you love it when mommy and daddy talk to you and smile at you.  You have started to "talk" right back and give us the biggest smiles!  It melts our hearts every time. 

Your sweet cousins loving on you. 

Like I said before, you don't like getting your diaper changed, waiting to eat or baths.  You also don't like getting in your carseat but once we get in the car you are usually pretty content.  Other than that, you a pretty easy-going baby!

I am pretty attached to you, which I don't think is a bad thing.  The first time you rode with someone other than daddy and me, is when I had to go to the ER and your Grandmama(?) had to take you for a little bit.  Really, it is easiest to just have you with me in case you get hungry.  I have also left you a few times when I have had doctor's appointments or have gone to work out.  I always miss you SO much and am always ready to have you back in my arms.  

About three weeks old with cousin Laney.

As far as being a mommy goes, I feel like I am starting to get the hang of day to day tasks however, each day has it challenges.  I told Addison that I feel like either the house is put together or I am put together.  He is very sweet and always denies my comments like that.  I now know why momma's of babies never have their nails painted.  As soon as you fall asleep I am usually rushing to pick up things around the house, start laundry, do dishes or shower.  I do realize things I use to take for granted are now luxuries.  I have a few pairs of pants that I bought a size up while I was pregnant that have really helped in me feeling better about my body after baby.  They trick me into thinking I am back in my old size.  I really did not want to be in maternity pants any longer than I absolutely had to, considering I was ready to be out of them almost as soon as I started wearing them.  I really don't mind my new body, just wanted to be able to wear my old clothes.  I have been told I need to take more naps during the day and I have been trying to do that lately.  I still have not got on a good cleaning/laundry schedule.  Both of these usually happen very sporadically.  

You have been such a joy and the sweetest baby.  I am trying not to wish any one moment away as I have already figured out you grow way too fast.  I cannot wait to (slowly) see what the next month has to bring!

*Update*
Tatum, at 5 1/2 weeks you are wearing only 0-3 month sleepers and mostly 0-3 month clothes.  We have about 6 more NB diapers left and then we will get you going on size 1.  I started you out in your crib for first time last night, but I think it was a little too soon as you are still waking me up every 2-3 hours right now.  (I think you are going through a growth spurt.)  In the past week and a half, you have started to like your baths more which I am so happy about.  You have gotten even more smiley and we will do anything to see them!  You are just the sweetest and we love you so so much.

Tatum's Birth Story

On March 17th, (two days past Tatum's due date) Addison and I went to my 40 week doctor's appointment just knowing that Dr. Mascorro would induce by the end of the week if Tatum did not come on her own.  Little did we know, we would still have to wait another week to meet our little girl.  We had been praying for peace and patience but by this point we had just exhausted ourselves wondering when she was ever going to get here!  After monitoring Tatum's heart rate in labor and delivery for about an hour after the appointment (it was really high), Dr. Mascorro released us with instructions to come the following Sunday at 4:00pm to start cervadil.  Cervadil is a drug that they insert behind the cervix to help soften and dilate the cervix.  

Keri and Kinley on Sunday night-before all the madness started.  

How the majority of my night went. 

We arrived at the hospital at 4:00 and by 5:00 they had started my IV and inserted the cervadil with instructions that it needed to stay in for 12 hours.  At this point I was still only dilated to 1/2 cm.  I had a strange feeling though, that they would need to take the cervadil out sooner.  My cousin, Keri, came up to visit with her youngest to keep us company for a little bit.  Addison's brother, Abe and his wife, Courtney also came up and brought us dinner!  (We hope to be able to do this for them in four short months!)  By 10:00pm on Sunday I was having some pretty painful contractions and knew that the cervadil was working a little faster than they thought it would!  I finally called the nurse in to check me and I was at 3 cm dilated and definitely having contractions so she immediately took out the cervadil in hopes that Tatum would wait until Dr. Mascorro could deliver her the next day.  

When they started the IV the night before, I swelled up like a balloon!

The contractions were the worst pain I have ever had and probably will ever have, but I couldn't get the epidural until I was 4 cm dilated.  Since the nurse took out the cervadil I wasn't progressing as fast, therefore it would take a little bit longer to dilate.  I was given a dose of pain medication and went straight to sleep for about two hours around 10:00pm.  When I woke up I was in even more pain but still was not at 4cm and could not have more pain medicine until Tatum's heart rate went up a little bit.  From 12:00-4:00, when I finally got my epidural, I was in extreme pain.  I have no idea how momma's handle those contractions without an epidural!  I have so much respect for them.  The epidural wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  Since I was already in so much pain, the epidural didn't really even bother me.  There was a shock that went up the right side of my body and that scared me a little bit but other than that I was just happy to finally be pain free.  

My dad.  (We don't know what he's going to be called yet.)

GayGay and Add

From 4:00 on, I was feeling good!  I woke up about 7:00 and it was time to get things ready to start the induction.  Dr. Mascorro came in around 8:30 to break my water and start the pitocin.  Family and friends started came to hang out with us as we all anxiously waited.  For some reason, I started to  lightly feel the contractions on my left side so I could tell when they were getting closer together.  After a few hours, my nurse checked me and I was already at a 8.5!  Our family and friends gave us hugs and off they went!  Next time they would see us, we would be parents of the most precious baby girl.  

My mom

Aunt Courtney-mine and Add's SIL

Aunt Ashlee-Addison's sister

My cousin, Keri

About 20 minutes later I started to push.  I did some "test runs" with the nurse so she could see how long it would take for Tatum to get here.  Dr. Mascorro was delivering another baby at that moment so the nurse had to stop for me a little bit while we waited on her.  When she came in, I pushed for what seemed like about 20 minutes and then our world changed forever. Tatum Blair came out crying the sweetest little cry.  I couldn't control my emotions and cried the happiest cry of my life!  What a feeling it is when you meet your child for the first time.  There really is nothing like it.  

My Aunt Connie and cousin Laurel (Keri's daughter)

Templeton girls plus Add

Addison cut the umbilical cord and then Dr. Mascorro immediately placed her on my chest while she stitched me up.  After they got her cleaned up a little bit, they let me do skin to skin and she breastfed soon after.  This all felt so natural.  I can't imagine it going any differently.  Addison and I got to have some time alone with her for just a little bit and then we finally let family and friends come in to meet her!

Uncle Travis-my oldest brother

Pa-Add's dad

My cousin Angie

Ashlee and Dallas

I don't think her birth could have gone any better.  I was happy to have experienced some contractions, even though they hurt like nobody's business.  My nurses were absolutely amazing throughout the whole process.  I have never felt more cared for in my entire life.  They were there for every need of mine, whether it was to speak quietly over me while I was having a contraction or to do the not so fun stuff!  I will forever be grateful for them and Dr. Mascorro for being so so sweet.  Addison was such an awesome support system for me during those long hours of contractions.  He stayed by my side the entire time and held my hand and told me how amazing I was doing.  I was so thankful for him and all he did for me.

My "Bachelor Night" girls

About to go home!

As far as after delivery, you go through some things that are just not fun.  I was very sore for about 2 weeks.  After that, the soreness got a lot better but wasn't completely gone until about 4 weeks.  Again, I was so thankful for my nurse and Addison.  My nurses went above and beyond any expectations that I might have had.  I learned that sometimes their job is not so glamorous, but boy was I glad to have them there.  Addison was still my biggest support system and helped me in every possible way during my hospital stay and after.  I cannot even begin to tell y0u how thankful I was for my husband!  I've got a good one, ladies! 

Almost five weeks out and I am finally starting to feel like my old self again and it feels amazing.  Even though I miss those sweet little kicks in my belly, I am definitely glad to be able to breathe again and do normal things without getting tired or swelling up like a balloon.  Dr. Mascorro released me last week to start walking, light jogging or to do the elliptical.  I was very excited about this and exercised three days this week so far and I am exhausted!  I still have quite a ways to go until I am back in my pre-pregnancy size so I am trying to find the balance between exercising, eating and breastfeeding.    

The Lord has been so good to us the past four weeks.  We have a healthy baby girl that we cannot get enough of.  I look at her and just melt.  We simply cannot imagine life without her!  We love you to the moon and back, sweet Tater bug!

The past few weeks

How do I even put into words the past almost three weeks of our lives?  It has been the most fulfilling, the most exhausting, the happiest, sometimes the hardest but most of all the most joyful time of our entire lives!  

Our Tatum Blair is almost three weeks old and is doing so well.  It is amazing how much she has already changed in such a short amount of time.  When we came home from the hospital we had tons of visitors and lots of help.  We decided from the beginning that we would not have help at night and just "bare through" those long hours together, but during the day we had plenty of arms to rock our sweet girl while momma and daddy got some naps in!  (This was also because we only have two bedrooms and didn't want our momma's to have to sleep on the couch!) 

Tatum started out not sleeping so well.  She had lots of fluid that still needed to come up and choked a lot during the night.  The first two nights of her being home we held her the entire time as we never knew when she she would start choking...and it terrified us...and we liked the snuggles.  Night three, my mom propped her head up a little bit in her bassinet and after sucking out a lot of the fluid she slept peacefully and soundly (between feedings).  She still would rather be held all day than be put down, but the Mamaroo definitely helps me out when I need to get some things done around the house.

She started out eating every 2-3 hours during the day and also during the night.  She still eats every 2-3 hours during the day and has moved about every 4 hours during the night.  As soon as she was born, we did skin-to-skin and she breastfed soon after.  Ever since then she has done great breastfeeding and has even taken a few pumped bottles.  Breastfeeding has been amazing.  I love the 15-20 minutes that I just get to sit and stare in her big blue eyes.  She has had little problems latching on and no problems gaining weight.  There were a few days that were quite painful but overall it has been a great experience.  

We have been giving her cloth baths every other day until just the other night when she got her first real bath.  She didn't quite know what to think about it but decided by the end it was not a good thing.  I hope she starts to like them soon!  I think we will probably start making this a nightly routine in the next few weeks as I think it will make her go to sleep faster and sleep sounder.  Even though she has been a pretty good sleeper she makes all sorts of noises and talks during her sleep so the littlest sound will wake me up. 

We have gotten out a few times for doctor's appointments and to run a few errands, but mostly I have not been feeling well.  The first two weeks after delivery I was still really sore and it just wasn't fun going anywhere.  Going into the third week, I woke up in the middle of night with some sharp pains in my lower middle back and abdomen.  After calling my OB, giving a urine sample, giving blood and doing a sonogram of my kidney's, almost a week later they told me I had a few kidney stones.  So, for the past week I have been on pain meds and have had fever come and and go everyday.  One minute I'll feel fine and the next I'll be doubled over in pain.  My mom was a saint this past week in helping us.  She stayed two nights on the couch to help me get some rest and help with things around the house.  I have NO idea what I would have done without her, since Add obviously has to be well rested for work!  On top of that, yesterday morning I had a little scare and was in the ER for over 5 hours.  After not seeing a doctor, Add and I finally left.  It has been a crazy week to say the least.  I am definitely ready to just feel normal again and be able to fully enjoy my husband and baby.   

At Tatum's two week appointment she had gained 6 ounces, making her weigh 6 lb.'s and 15 ounces and was 20 1/4 inches tall!  I was very happy that breastfeeding was working well for her too.  Made this momma very proud!  I feel like this next week will be a new start, now that I have my pain manageable and things are getting back to normal.  

There have been so many times that I have just sat in the middle of the night, while feeding, and thanked God for my husband and for our sweet baby girl.  With everything that has happened, I still wouldn't change a thing.  I still can't believe that she is ours forever.  What a precious, precious blessing she is to us.  

3/24/2014

March 24, 2014.  The day our lives changed forever.  Our sweet girl is finally here and is the biggest light in our lives, behind our Heavenly Father.  Tatum was 9 days overdue, but for a good reason.  She was a tiny little thing at 6 pounds, 8 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long.  

The newborn clothes we brought to the hospital swallowed her and most of them still do.  

The past week and a half has been a little bit challenging, a bit tiring but most of all it has been the biggest blessing we could ever ask for.  

One of these days I will post her birth story, but for now I am soaking up all the time I can with this little girl as I know it will go by so fast!