Mason's First Week :o) (warning it's a long one!)

On last Thursday, April 26th 2012, John & I became the very proud parents of Mason Robert Tenbus.  To make a potentially long birth story short---He was born 6 days late after an induction and hours of labor/contractions that produced not even half the dilation needed to push him out.  He was just so happy where he was that he didn't want to move!  The little man finally made his big arrival via c-section at 4:47pm.  He weighed in at 9lbs 2.6 oz and measured 22 inches long.  His head circumference was 36 1/2 cm.  This is one big baby boy.  That evening, surrounded by our families, we spent time getting to know our little miracle.

On Friday, Mason got to spend more time with both sets of his grandparents, aunts & uncle, and meet his cousins Emma & Frank!  The Eick's made the trip after working all day to meet him.  We so enjoyed their company both Friday & Saturday.  We received many beautiful gifts from our visitors as well as some gorgeous flowers from both the Knoxes & the Coach Lane Rafferty's--thank you very much!! 

Saturday was a tough day for Mason & I.  He got circumcised early in the morning & then had to have bloodwork done to check his bilirubin levels.  It was all over quickly & he was able to sleep it off for most of the day.  It was also a tough day for momma as she stupidly forgot to request pain medication thinking that the nurse would automatically bring it.  After my 6am dose wore off they took out my IV and told me it was my last dose of that kind of medicine; so I assumed that meant I shouldn't need pain medication anymore.  (Yeah I know, 2 days after major abdominal surgery, kind of nuts).  Well by 2 o'clock I was shivering and couldn't figure out why & then the pain kicked in, totally immobilizing me.  It was scary.  Despite the woes of the day we enjoyed visits with our family, including Aunt Judy who brought her Ipad to take photos, like always!!   Eileen & Kevin, as well as Chris Russo & his oldest son Dominic also came to visit.  

Sunday was our last day in the hospital and we were SO excited to get home.  John brought Mason into every room of the house and told him what the room was for and what he could expect to do there in the future- it was sooo cute.  It felt so good to actually have our son in his nursery for the first time.  Unfortunately at 10:30pm, Roxy threw up a HUGE pool of blood.  She had not been eating all day & we were worried sick so John took her to the emergency vet and my parents came over to help out with Mason.  John didn't get home until like 2 in the morning & then they kept the dog "overnight" so he came home- but he had to go pick her up at 7AM and bring her to our regular vet.  What a nightmare.  It was an inflammation in her pancreas (great timing Rox!).  Although I think the stress of us being gone for several days & then showing up with a new baby probably exacerbated the problem.  She is on the mend now, thank goodness.  

Monday, John's mom came over & spent the day with us.  She snuggled and rocked and talked to Mason alllll day long.  It gave me a chance to pump a little and wrap my head around everything that had just happened over the past few days.  Margy set dinner all up for us & it was amazing to sit down to a home cooked meal!!  My sister Amanda spent the night & helped us out since Roxy was so sick and under the weather.  Our families have been so much help over the course of this week.

On Tuesday, we spent more time with family after John got home from yet another vet visit with Roxy.  I endured my first separation from Mason as my sister drove me to the doctor to get my staples out.  John stayed home with the boy.  I wanted to turn around the moment I walked out the door & was teary-eyed as we drove to Rock Hill.  Luckily, it was a quick appointment and I was home quickly.  We settled in for a rainy few days ahead and began the work of unpacking from the hospital, starting laundry, & sorting through newly arrived gifts.  

Tuesday night (really, early Wednesday morning), I was up from 3:30 to 7AM nursing with the baby.  I would nurse him, he'd fall asleep, I'd put him in his bassinet & then within minutes he'd wake up screaming like he hadn't eaten at all.  Repeat this about four or five times over the course of those wee early hours and I felt like a crazed momma by the end.  Luckily we've have better luck since that night & I've let myself accept supplementing my nursing with some formula so that Mason is fully nourished.  His appetite is a lot to keep up with!

Wednesday, Another day of visits with both grandma's!  Mason is so very loved!!  John spent the day completely cleaning out our kitchen and re-organizing everything while I napped and rested after the marathon feeding night with Mason.  John has been so incredible.  He waits on me hand & foot and does everything possible to support me with anything from nursing to housework to making sure I take my medication.  He is also a wonderful father.  He sings to Mason and tells him stories.  We are so lucky to have him.

Thursday.  ONE WEEK OLD!!  In the wee hours of Thursday morning, Mason was treated to his first thunderstorm.  We were up nursing and he was on burp break.  The thunder crashed and it was pouring.  It was amazing to see his facial expressions as he perceived the sounds around him.  It was also Mason's first visit to his pediatrician.  I was beyond nervous and concerned about his coloring, weight, and every other thing a first time mom worries over.  The doctor did order a blood test to make sure his bilirubin was okay since Mason seems to be sporting a bit of a tan, but his levels came back in the "safe zone" so we just have to keep up with feeding him plenty & get him some sunlight.  He has gained 4 oz since leaving the hospital and has 6 oz left to go until he's back to his birth weight.  We then had a low-key afternoon relaxing.

So the adventures of us becoming first-time parents have begun.  

We survived week one.  Let's goooo!! :)