Sleepless in Seattle

But not in Omaha...

I don't want to jinx ourselves or count our chickens before they hatch, but we survived the first night home with great success. Don't get me wrong, it's not easy getting up out of my nice warm bed through the night to feed and change our new addition, but the demands of our little one are like clockwork and that made it much easier on his mommy and daddy. Right now he's on the "every three and a half hours" schedule and I am thrilled about that. Between his routine and help from his amazing daddy, mommy woke up this morning a lot more rested than she anticipated she would.

I know he's still in the "sleeping" stage and that eventually he'll get a little more energized, but I am going to enjoy this while it lasts...

On tap for Camden today:
1. eating
2. sleeping
3. diaper changes

On tap for mommy and daddy
1. naps

Hello World

I was going to post our big news, but someone else made me let him do it...

Hi - this is Camden Matthew Foster and I just wanted to introduce myself to all of you. I know you have been waiting, some more patiently than others, for my arrival and now the waiting is over. I came into this world on Thursday night at 6:25 p.m. (central time) weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces and I was 21 inches long. All of the nurses seem to think I have my momma's eyes, but the rest of me I owe to my daddy's dashing good looks.

We came home from the hospital today and I got to meet my big (four legged) sister Millie who was quite excited about my arrival. She seems to be mellowing out a little now...but if I want to see her get out of sorts, all I have to do is crank up my lungs and cry a little and she'll come running and whining to see what's wrong. I think I will have her wrapped around my finger (just like I do my momma and daddy) before too long.

I am having lots of fun and doing a great job getting adjusted to this new world and my mom and dad are having fun learning to do a very difficult job with very minimal sleep. I will keep them on their toes and keep you informed about how life is going for me. Take care - I can't wait to meet you soon!!!

So there you go...that's our big news...we'll keep you updated on how life with baby is going. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers...your phone calls and emails...and your words of encouragement over the last few days and weeks. We love you all!!!

I'm Coming Out

I have this picture in my head that my child is dancing around in utero to Diana Ross and the Supremes..."I'm coming out...I want the world to know..." and I am just sitting here waiting for him to do just that.

Okay, so maybe "sitting here waiting" isn't the right terminology...it's more like, I am moving around the house cleaning while waiting for him to make his debut.

Another appointment yesterday revealed that I am 4-5 cm. dilated and the effacement is pretty much done so it's just a matter of him deciding that he wants to leave his warm home of nine months and come to the cold lingering winter of the mid-west.

Several friends have recommended what one friend called "the three s's of inducing labor" - speed walking, spicy food and sex. I have continued going to Jazzercise (albeit not 6-8 times a week like I do in the summer...more like once or twice a week), I am on the verge of eating hot sauce packets from Taco Bell straight up (no sense watering down their effectiveness with a taco, right?) and while I can't really discuss the sex part (my parents read this blog) let's just say Ryan is more than willing to "take one for the team" - but alas, "junior" is still holding out.

My contractions have gotten a lot stronger and more frequent...although it's difficult to time them when you are hard at work trying to educate the young, impressionable minds of middle schoolers...but perhaps I should start doing that sooner rather than later...

We'll keep you posted...

Moving Right Along

I don't know if hearing the words "80% effaced" and "3 cm dilated" strikes fear into any of the rest of you, but it just about knocked me off the exam room table.

We are still 19 days away from our EDD, so I am not going to place any bets on going early, on time or late, but I was assuming when I walked into the exam room today, that things would be just as they have been for the last 8 months and that I would be no closer to delivering than I was a month ago.

I think the funniest thing was having to be told that those "gas pains" I thought I was having are actually contractions. My doctor (who is absolutely wonderful) must be thinking that I am the dumbest woman on the planet. I am just chalking it up to "first time experience" - I mean, how am I supposed to know?

Now I know that this could mean one of two things...I could either be closer to delivering than 19 days...or I could just be at 80% effaced and 3 cm dilated for the next month. I plan to just keep going on with my usual day to day routine...a watched pot (or pot belly in this case) never boils, right?

I have another weekly appointment next Wednesday, the 26th, so (if I make it to then...ha ha ha) I will be sure to update you on the progress. Maybe we'll have a little one before the end of March and our kid and his cousin Jay can share a birthday month! =)

24 Days and Counting

Having been inspired by Derek and Jen, we've decided to start our own blog so that our friends and family can stay updated as the date for "junior's" arrival draws near. We are down to only 24 days until the due date...where has the time gone?

We have the nursery all ready to go, the car seat is tightly buckled into the back seat, and we only have two more child birthing classes to endure and I think we'll be ready...or at least as ready as possible...is one ever really ready for parenthood?

We'll be using this site to keep you all updated on labor and delivery and of course we'll send pics of our bundle of joy once he's here...Check back soon for more updates!!!