Zander is here!

Zander decided to greet us 4 weeks early! On Saturday, I started having contractions. I thought they were braxton hicks and would eventually stop. After 4 hours and the contractions now 3-4 minutes apart, I knew I should call my doctor. At 3:30 AM, Devin and I threw some things in a bag and headed to Mercy Gilbert Hospital. It's strange to think that on Saturday, Devin and I were going about our day doing normal things. We went shopping for things for the baby's room. We took the kids to the pool and to McDonalds. We even had friends over for pizza and movies. Little did we know we'd be having our baby the next day!  

When I got to the hospital, I was 2 cm dialated and 80% efaced. Crazy - I was in labor! When they started monitoring the baby, Zander's heart rate dipped down low. The doctor also noticed I had protein in my urine and my blood pressure was extremely high. I was admitted into the hospital as they wanted to monitor me for 24 hours to see if I had beginning stages of pre-eclampsia. It was a long day of no sleep and waiting. I kept thinking that this baby better be born because I am not going through all of this again in a few weeks.

During the day, Zander's heart rate would be strong and all of a sudden dip. They thought he was laying on his cord too. After an ultrasound, they found out the fluid around him was very low. I was definitely going to have this baby since they felt he was in too much distress. I got an epidural (not bad at all!) and they gave me pitocin to speed up labor. I was hoping to have him naturally and the doctors agreed they would do everything possible to avoid a c-section. A short time later, the nurses came rushing into my room to tell me the bad news - the baby was done and he had to be born immediately. They put oxygen on me and wheeled me out of the room. Everything happened so fast. I was an emotional mess inside the operating rom. I was crying hysterically from fear of the unknown. I just wanted my baby to be ok. It took Devin awhile to put on scrubs and they kept him in the other room until I was prepped. The nicest nursery nurse - Kim - sat beside me trying to calm me down until Devin could come in. She definitely filled in and I felt as if I had a "mom" of sorts there with me. Once Devin came into the operating room, it happened so fast.  

At 6:03pm on Sunday May 30, 2010 - Zander Reed Merrill was born. He weighed in at 3 lbs 11 oz and 16 1/2 inches long. He was perfectly healthy, just a little guy! When they pulled him out, they discovered that his umbilical cord was small and he wasn't getting the nutrients he needed to grow big. Although he was 35 1/2 weeks, he has the gestastional age of a 37 week old baby. Heavenly Father was definitely watching over us through out this ordeal! While I was being stitched up, Devin went with Zander to the nursery. He got to finger feed him, hold him, and introduce him to the family waiting at the hospital.

It took me a few hours to recover since I asked the anesthesiologist to put me under while they stitched me up. The pressure and discomfort was just too much to handle. Devin said I acted really funny on drugs as I started to come to. I was taken to a postpartum room and got to hold Zander for the first time. I couldn't believe how little he was!  

We are so thankful that Zander is so healthy. Even though he is 4 weeks early, he is fully developed and strong. The doctors did tell us that he would probably have to stay in the hospital for awhile because of his size. For the first day and a half, they kept him in the nursery to monitor him. Here he is chilling out in his warm bed. I can tell this child will love sun bathing!

We were then allowed to have him in our room. Being a mom has been so wonderful so far! Can't wait until we get to go home.

Diaper Bag

I am so excited for Zander's diaper bag. My friend Jamie has a sister-in-law that makes these custom diaper bags. I got to pick out all the fabrics and 2 weeks later, it was done. I absolutely love it! Plus it's not too girlie for Devin to carry around too.

Zebra print on the inside.

And it comes with a changing pad.

We'll be stylin!

Zander's Surfin Safari Baby Shower

Devin's mom and sisters planned Zander's baby shower. They chose a Surfin' Safari theme. Everything turned out so cute! - the invitations, food, decorations, and games.

Here's the invitation they made.

Loved all the decorations!

We had "Reed" diffusers as the party favors. Clever pun on his middle name.

We ate Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner.

We played baby Jeopardy.  

And all got flower hair clips when we got to the shower. We weren't allowed to say Zander, Lisette, or Devin. As you can see, Tristen won.

I got lots of great gifts for Zander!

Including these crab onesies. Great minds must think a like since 3 people got me these onesies! The good thing is that they are all different sizes. 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-12 months. Zander will be sporting the crab all year long!

Mimi and Papa Merrill got Zander this cool growth chart for his room with his name on it. It looks like Zander will be spelled with a Z, not an X after all. Sorry Devin! : ) I know he was holding out hope that I'd change my mind.

Megan made Zander some onesies including this one. That face is priceless!

Thanks to my family who put so much hard work into planning and hosting the shower. It was perfect! I had a great time with everyone.

Belly kisses! Only a couple more weeks until Zander and Bristol get here.

32 Weeks!

I am 32 weeks today! Here is an updated belly shot. What a difference 5 weeks make!

Stats:

* The baby should be around 4 lbs and 17 inches long this week. Zander is probably a bit smaller since the doctor said I was measuring small.

* My doctors appointments are every two weeks now.

* The doctors frown when you gain 7 lbs in 3 weeks. : ( But this last time I didn't gain any weight over two weeks.  

* Zander is laying sideways. He better start heading south in the next 4 weeks!

* I may fart in front of you. I don't mean it though. It just comes out.

* My belly button is still an innie!

* Devin thinks I have "prenatal depression" since I cry over silly things.

8 more weeks until his due date!

New Dresser

Lately I've been feeling like time is flying by and we will not be ready when the baby comes. After this weekend, we are one step closer. We finally bought a dresser for Zander's room. It may not be a huge deal, but I had his clothes scattered all over the floor and had no where to put them. Devin suggested hanging them up. Really - who hangs up onesies? I was the happiest person after we bought the dresser and the big box fit in the Tiburon.

Here is my sweet hubby actually reading the directions.

We only had a few problems assembling it. The wood cracked in the bottom left corner, which is ok since the drawer covers it. Also - Devin couldn't get the screws into the top left of the dresser so you could probably rip the top off if you tried really hard. Please don't do this if you come to my house.

Here it is. I think it's perfect! Plus I'm motivated to finish the room. Just need to recover the chair cushion, get curtains, finish sewing the quilt and sheets, buy hooks to hang up his towels & little robe, buy some unnecessary (but cute) accessories that go with his beach/surf room, and then have the baby! Alot to do and only 8 more weeks to get it done.