I love being a mom!

I can't put into words how wonderful it is to be a mom. Over this past week, I've noticed a change in myself. I feel better than ever. Happier. More in LOVE with my husband. More energetic. More thankful and appreciative for family and friends. 

I have always been happy, but it feels like life is more complete now that Zander is here.

This is the reason we are here - FAMILY.  

It's raining babies!

We have a great group of friends in our ward! We meet every other Monday for FHE to have dinner, a lesson, and games. We probably see everyone 2-3 times per week. There is the Merinos - Kassidy & Mario, the Kietas - Jamie & Geoff with Lucy, and the Clawsons - Charlotte & Jason.

Right now it seems as if it's been raining babies! Last year Kassidy got pregnant and gave birth to Gabe in November. Jamie was next and gave birth to Alice in April. In October, Charlotte and I both found out we were pregnant. Her due date is June 18 and mine was June 30. At one time, we were all pregnant together. Our poor husbands! : ) It's been great going through pregnancy with friends. It'll be interesting when we all go out to dinner. There will be a high chair with a baby between each couple.

Since I had Zander early, Charlotte is the last pregnant lady standing. Sorry Char but I did predict I'd go before you at your baby shower! She only has a little while longer and little Bristol will be here too. Since Jason and Char are our BFFs, we joke that Zander and Bristol are destined to be married. Zander had to be born early so Bristol wouldn't be a cougar and go for a younger man.

Last night we lined up Gabe, Alice, and Zander and took some pictures. What a big difference! I'm excited for them all to get bigger and play together.

We had to get a shot with Bristol in it too.

He's little but strong

People are just amazed that Zander was born 3 lbs 11 oz and didn't have any complications. Mum said a lot of people asked if he had to be hooked up to machines when he was born. I even have a friend whose sister-in-law gave birth when she was 35 weeks pregnant too. Her baby's lungs weren't developed all the way and she had to stay in the hospital for 2 weeks.

I'm just so thankful to my Heavenly Father for Zander! I know he was was watching over us, especially when I went into labor. I'm sure Zander would have died if I had not gone into labor and was at home on Sunday. We are so blessed to a healthy and strong baby. Zander has been doing so good since we've been home. He went to the pediatrician today and got a clean bill of health. He has been eating more and more every day. He can suck down 40 ML in 10 minutes. When he was born, he could barely eat 15 ML in 30 minutes. Devin and I are enjoying every minute snuggling with him while he is this little. We know he will be a big boy in no time!

First bath

On our first night home, we gave Zander a sponge bath. Until his umbilical cord stump falls off, it's just sponge baths for this boy. He hates being naked. Devin said he gets that from me : )

Going home

Originally we were told that Zander would have to stay in the hospital for awhile until he could gain more weight. I think he exceeded doctors expections on how well he actually was. His goal was to eat atleast 15 ML of formula every 3 hours. Each day, it was easier and easier to feed him. He actually started to eat 20 - 25 ML on the last day. The day before I was to be discharged, we were given some good news - there was a chance he could come home with us. We were estatic! A chance was better than nothing. Plus we knew that if there was a chance, even if he had to stay in the hospital that it would only be for a short time.

On discharge day, the pediatrician cleared him to come home. Hallelujah! Then came some bad news - my blood pressure was too high and they were thinking about keeping me another day : ( At this point, I was ready to go home with my baby. The hospital was great, don't get me wrong - I had food (good food too) brought to me, nurses would come in and ask if I needed anything all the time and they would bring in snacks and drinks, I got to take naps, watch tv, and chill with my baby and my husband all day. But I missed home and was ready to start our life with Zander. To try and bring down my blood pressure, I sat in the bed and tried to think relaxing/happy thoughts while soothing music played around me. Something worked, because eventally it did go down and my tests came back normal.

It was a long day of waiting, but we were so glad to finally leave with Zander!

At the hospital...

Since I had a c-section, I had to stay in the hospital for 4 days. The first day was tough. I was still hooked up to an IV and had a catheter so it was hard to get around. Plus, Zander had to stay in the nursery so they could monitor his feedings and his temperature. We would walk down to the nursery every 3 hours to feed him. Zander started out with finger feedings. There was a tube taped to our finger and we would pump formula through a syringe to feed him. He than switched to the bottle and has been doing great with feedings.

Day 2 was a lot better. I didn't have any machines hooked up to me so I could actually sleep and walk around freely. They let Zander come into our room full time too. It was wonderful to finally hold him, feed him, and take naps with him. The last few days in the hospital were great! All the nurses were so nice. We got to know a lot of them and were excited to have them assigned to our room multiple times during our stay.

Here are some pictures I took while in the hospital.

Devin and Zander napping

This picture makes him look like he is balding in the front.

4AM feedings. Welcome to parenthood!

This is the bed Devin slept in while at I was in the hospital for 5 days.

Zander loved his nurses at Mercy Gilbert. Here are 2 of his favorite. Karen and Kim. They said he was the smallest size baby in weight that they have taken care of. Any smaller would have been sent to a different hospital. They also said he was the best baby they've ever watched over.

Getting his footprints in his baby book.

Wheeling in between our room and the nursery.

Visitors

We've had lots of visitors at the hospital.

Zander with Aunt Julie. The nurses found this premie outfit for him to wear. Look how huge it is! 

Zander with Nan.

With Aunty Ashlee

 

With cousin Clayton. Clayton is so excited to finally have a boy cousin live close by.

 

With cousins Clayton and Tristen

With cousin Ashlen (AKA future baby sitter)

Zander with Mimi. Devin's mom was out of town when we had the baby. She thought Devin was joking when he texted her that I was being admitted into the hospital.

Zander with Papa Merrill right after he was born.

Zander with Jamie and Charlotte (AKA future mother in law)