Back to School ... finally

I say "finally" but actually, I'm glad it started when it did.  When all of Carter and Cole's friends went back to school either the week of the 22nd or at latest the 29th, I was really wishing our school followed suit.  But since little Conley held out and made a late appearance, it worked out.  I'm not sure I could have survived being at home with all three of them for 2 full weeks without any school days.  SO, with him arriving in mid-week last week and Brian being home for the long Labor Day weekend, it worked out in the end.

The morning was a busy one to say the least. Not only was it the first day of school for both of them, it was also Conley's (almost) one week check up at the pediatricians.  I groaned at the 6:15 wake up call that Cole gave me.  But again, in the end, I needed the extra time.  I made two lunches, packed two back packs, gave both boys a shower (didn't get one the night before), fed them both, messed with the sprinklers in the back yard (gotta water something every day in this drought), took my own shower, dried my hair and got dressed - WITH make up (well a little) since I wanted to try and get a picture of me with the boys on their first day, took said family pictures, then had to put together the Snap N Go stroller I bought to partner with the Conley's new car seat, got Conley dressed and fed (which for those that don't know or remember, it takes about 40 minutes to nurse a one week old baby), then got everyone in the car and to school on time at 9. 

They were both very excited to go to school.  Cole was touch and go at the Summer Fun Days at school in June; he cried at drop off and again at pick up.  But today he put his lunch box in his cubby and ran right in without so much as looking back at me.  Carter, of course, did the same thing. 

Then Conley and I went up to the pediatrician's office - they were SO backed up.  It's a good thing I really like Dr. Hayes or I would consider switching doctors.  But she's worth the drive AND the wait.  She said he looked good.  His bilirubin levels were high at discharge so thats why she wanted to see him within the week instead of at the standard two weeks.  But he never got jaundice and looked great today, so we avoided the nasty heal stick/blood draw.  He's gained two extra ounces over his birth weight - he is now 8 pounds 7 ounces.  So he's eating well - I should know!  We go back next Wednesday for his two week check up where they also do the PKU testing (rule out several diseases).  I don't look forward to that.

Conley at the dr office waiting in his seat - yes I know he's unbuckled ...

We were at the doctors office so long I didn't have time to eat lunch just me and Conley.  Well, not like I had planned.  I grabbed a salad in the to-go line at Chili's and ate in the parking lot of school while he slept.  I have a feeling I might be doing that more that I think ...

Carter and Cole had a great day at school.  Carter drew this picture of his family - notice what's missing? No, it's not the baby.  It's Cole!  He didn't realize it until he was telling me who every one is.  He was also upset to see that he had forgotten to draw himself some arms.  He plans on finishing the drawing eventually. I'm also a little discouraged to see that I have hair on top of my head AND all around it. Hmmm.

For a special first day of school treat I took them to Baskin Robbins for some ice cream. They pick the craziest concoctions ... Cole's is blue/green/purple sherbet.  Yuck.

The weekend before school started our church had a Back to School Blast with games, rides, etc.  It was 107 degrees outside and it was in a parking lot.  But we all had fun. 

The spinning tea cups.  The boys wanted me to ride with them.  I was still pregnant, so there was no way my  belly was fitting in the seat.  Plus, I probably would have given the poor child brain damage for how fast they were going...

 Hot dogs and face painting. 

Leading up to eventually giving birth, Brian took some time off and spent it with the boys.  They went to Chuck E Cheese, Bunch of Fun, the park, the pool - you name it.  And I walked.  And walked.  And walked some more.  Really hoping I'd go into labor on my own.  One day I could take the 105+ temperatures no more so we went to the mall and walked.  Here are the boys and Brian riding the train while I - you guessed it - walked...



I like this picture, not because it's cute but because of what Cole was doing.  He's sitting on Mom and Dad's couch watching Dora - using binoculars.  They have a 47" flat screen not 15 feet away.  He's such a guy ...



Shelton - Party of 5

He's here!  Conley Joseph Shelton arrived on August 31, 2011 at 2:14 in the afternoon.  He was officially 19" long (but he wouldn't stretch his legs out, so we're thinking he's a little taller) and weighed 8 pounds 5.2 ounces.  He was almost 2 pounds heavier than both of the boys, but still seems as tiny as can be.  He is absolutely perfect and simply adorable.  He really resembles a beautiful mix of the boys.  He's definitely a Shelton Sibling. 

We were waiting on him for several weeks, assuming he was going to arrive a little early - seeing he's my third baby in 4.5 years.  But after being 10 days over due, we decided it was time for him to meet the world.  Carter and Cole spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa on Tuesday the 30th so Brian and I could have a nice quiet evening just the two of us.  We went out to Carrabba's for dinner and had a great time.  The midwife had "instructed" me to relax that evening and even have a glass of wine.  Didn't have to hear that twice, so me and the 6 ounces of Malbec had a long love affair through dinner.  We had a good nights sleep, or should I say half a nights sleep.  We got up at 4:15 so we could leave at 5:15 to get to the hospital at 6 for the induction.

I guess I should put a WARNING on here.  If you are queezy or don't like reading details about giving birth - stop reading and just scroll down to the pictures.  I promise I won't post any "compromising pictures" - I would have killed Mom if she even took them.

After signing our lives away - both legally and financially - they hooked me up to the monitor for an hour to see how he was doing and if I was having any contractions.  Well I was, every 6-8 minutes.  Oh! So that's what that pressure and tightness I was feeling was!  I honestly didn't think much of it, they weren't painful - just uncomfortable.  I really thought it was just him pushing up on random organs and my bladder.  I was induced with Carter and Cole as well, and had never experienced a "natural contraction." SO because I was having my own contractions and already dilated 3 cm, I didn't have to have any of the cervical gel or anything to get me ready; I could go straight to Pitocin.   

So around 8:30 they started me on the Pitocin.  Mom and Dad still had the boys, but were dropping them off at our house so my WONDERFUL friends could watch them while Mom and Dad could be up at the hospital.  Julie and Joanna came over around 9:30 to watch the boys for a few hours.  Here they are with Claire eating a cake pop from Starbucks (thank you Julie) to celebrate Baby Shelton #3's potential birthday.

Around 11:45, the midwife broke my water since I was in a good pattern of contractions, but was still only 3 cm.  Conley had a few decels in his heart rate during the contractions, they'd come back up - but since the contractions were close together they were concerned that might be an issue.  So they did an amnio infusion where they put fluid back up into the uterus to give him some cushion.  They presumed he was putting pressure on his cord.  It did help with his heart rate.  Though I also had to be on my side, which was not comfortable.  It was the only way he'd "cooperate."  So a momma does what a momma has to do for her baby. 

At 1:30 she checked me and I was finally fully effaced, but only 4 cm.  The contractions were very strong and very close together.  I was tempted with doing the epidural, but held out.  She told me she thought I'd be pushing soon.  Well, she was right - barely 30 minutes later I started pushing and he was born at 2:14.  As it turns out, his umblical cord was short.  They presume thats probably why he wouldn't come down and I was past my due date, his cord just wasn't long enough.  Fortunately I labor quickly and as soon as he came down, he was out and we didn't have any cord compression issues they thought we might.

Like I said, he was almost 2 pounds heavier than the boys.  But honestly, the recovery has been MUCH easier with him.  My midwife was wonderful in making sure I didn't tear anything.  And that's all I'll say about that :)

Proud Papa

 Alert and ready to meet everyone

 Grandpa was in the waiting room as pale as a ghost waiting to hear how we were doing.  He was glad when we were all cleaned up and ready to show Conley off.

Grandma, the photographer, finally found someone to take HER picture with her grandson.

My other WONDERFUL friend Jen, had met Julie and Joanna at my house at 1:30 to pick up the boys.  She then picked up her son at school (which by the way, was all Carter could talk about the day before), and then she brought them up to the hospital to see us.  She had plans to take them back to her house and play, but Conley made an early appearance. 

I was VERY excited to get to see my boys walk through the door. 

 Carter checking out Conley

 

 Cole isn't sure what's going on

 But he got up and gave Conley a kiss.

 Getting weighed

Once we got upstairs to post partum, the nurse came in and gave him is official first bath.  He didn't much like it.  He really reminds me of Carter when he cries like that. Check out the picture below this one of Carter's first bath at home ...

 And Daddy getting the first diaper change.  You'll notice the deck of cards on the table.  Brian and I didn't know what else to do with all our time since we didn't have the boys with us. We played a lot of Gin Rummy. 

 Carter showing his new brother his new toy that Ms. Jen gave him.

 Carter LOVES to hold Conley. 

 One of the things St. Luke's likes to do is keep the baby in the room with the parents at all times.  So the bath, the shots, medicine, exam, etc is all done in room.  The audiologist came in to do his hearing test and even let Carter help hold the machine.  Right after this picture, it got quite tense in the room.  He didn't pass his initial exam.  This is the one where they put the probes in his ears and measure something.  Well, they normally like to do the exam closer to 48 hours, to give time to get any fluid/junk out of his ears.  They did this one at 24 hours so that we could go home that night (Thursday, not the same day I delivered).  SO, apparently he still had stuff in his ears blocking the transmission because they did a second, more technical, test and he passed.  At that point, I was wishing they DIDN'T do exams in the room, because it was very unnerving sitting there for 15 minutes thinking my child couldn't hear.  Had they done all that in the nursery, I would never have known nor worried. 

 Lights out for an afternoon nap.

 Sure is cozy on Mommy's chest.

 I have LOTS of pictures of Carter holding Conley.  He wants to do it all the time. 

 On Friday, Grandmama came over for dinner. She had to share holding time with Carter.  He was not happy about sharing.  She'd hold him for a few minutes and Carter would start complaining that her turn was longer than his.  We'd try and explain that she doesn't live here and she doesn't get to hold him all the time, and it's her birthday, and yada yada yada - none of it was working on him.  He didn't care what the reason was, he wanted to hold his baby!

 First bath at home.  Still doesn't like it. 

 Snuggled up in the bouncy seat .

 It took Cole a couple days to finally ask to hold Conley.  He has done really well with the new addition.  They both are very sweet to him and are transitioning well.  It's been a long holiday weekend, and we've tried to stay busy.  If we don't, we create a huge mess at home and we are all too tired to clean it up.  The boys are wanting some individual attention, which is normal and expected, but over all are doing much better than I anticipated. 

 I hesitated getting the swing out, it could only bring disaster.  I imagine the boys swinging Conley to the ceiling.  But again, they're are doing well.  So Conley is getting in some zzz's.

 Again, the proud big brother.

 All dressed up and hooked into the car seat before church on Sunday.  First service at 4 days old - go Conley!  He did great.  He slept through the loud praise and worship music for the first 20 minutes of service and woke up when the sermon started :)  But they have a Mother's Room, were I can take and nurse him and still hear/see the service. 

That concludes the picture deluge.  There will be more to come.  I'm trying to keep the camera out on the counter, so I can take lots of pictures.  But we've definitely had our hands full this weekend.  I'm looking forward to school starting tomorrow so the big boys can get on a routine and I can get a little more rest while they're gone.  And most of all get some bonding/snuggling time with Conley.  He's just precious. 

I know I have lots of phone calls and emails to return - I'll get to them. I appreciate all the check-ins, but my down time is few and far between so if I don't return your call promptly it isn't because I don't care.  It's because I'm trying to take a nap when I can :)  I've never had to do that before!