Hunter Thomas Swick

Hunter Thomas Swick arrived at 1:20 p.m. on Monday, September 19th! He weighed in at 8lbs., 14 oz. and 21 inches. He is doing awesome and is super sweet! He sleeps a lot, is a great eater, and has such a peaceful disposition! After trying just about ever "natural induction" method and none working, I was induced on Monday morning. We got to the hospital around 8:15, my IV started around 9:30 and at 1 p.m. when the doctor came to check me, he was crowning. A few pushes later and he was out! It was was way less painful than my labor with Haley as I had an epidural for a majority of the contractions. Definitely the way to go!
Hunter had his first check-up today with his pediatrician. Dr. John said he was doing well and his weight is good at 8lbs, 10oz. Dr. John recommended that we clip his tongue as he was slightly tongue tied. It was a simple procedure and Hunter cried for maybe 30 seconds and shows no sign of pain since.

Haley is handling the new edition pretty well. Today she played toys with Hunter in the play gym and she likes to rock him in his chair. She has had her jealous moments, but overall she is handling the big change better than I expected. Hopefully this trend continues.

For now, we are enjoying our new family of 4 and feel so blessed!

40 weeks, 5 days

Playground

This morning it was cooler out (~70F) so we went for a nice walk and then stopped at the neighborhood playground for some fun! Haley loves the playground and it is even more fun with Steve there because he plays too! I just sat on the bench and happily watched!

On a side note, I'm still pregnant. I tried just about every "natural" induction method out there (other than ingesting some strange stuff. Nothing worked. I was scheduled for an elective induction on Friday but the Labor & Delivery ward was too busy and short nurses so it was a no go for me! After a check-up at my doctor that morning, the baby & I are still doing well! I am still 4cm dilated and 50% effaced, but that baby doesn't want to come out yet. I'm scheduled Monday for an elective induction but am #3 of 4 on the list. I'm hoping it happens but know that it may not. If it doesn't, on Tuesday I become a medical induction as I will be 41 weeks and that is all the farther my doctor wants me to go. (As a medical induction, I'm not turned away if they are busy, etc.) The bad news about giving birth this week is that my doctor is out of town for the week so her partner will be the lucky one. She is very nice and very good so I'm not too worried. I've had to see her a few times when my doctor was unavailable. Keep checking back for updates....

Waiting

So tomorrow I will be 40 weeks. So far nothing, nada, zip. I'm off to the doctor this morning for a check-up. (I borrowed this cartoon from my sister-in-law's blog. It is how I feel most days now!)

Cooler Weather!

A cool chick

Helping Daddy collect sticks

Putting them in a bag

Slide fun

So, we have had cooler weather the past few days and have LOVED it! And by cooler, I mean in the 80's in the morning with a high in the low 90's. Sure does feel "cool" compared to the 100's we have had since arriving in June! We have taken full advantage and spent lots of time outside.

Comparison

So, I had a request for a comparison photo so that friends could make an educated guess for the gender poll. The best I can do is a picture at 35 weeks (click here) from my first blog post. I am officially the most pregnant I have ever been. I had Haley at 38 weeks and 4 days. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I will be 39 weeks. Feeling large...

38 weeks and 5 days

First Day of School!

Just before we left...not too happy!
Trying to get her to smile.

Smiling at all the other kids!

Ready to go!

Haley had her first day of school yesterday. She is attending Mother's Day out at WoodsEdge Community Church on Mondays & Wednesdays. It is from 9-2 both days! They have busy schedules there that includes centers, circle time, playground time, Bible story/chapel, storytime and rest time. I think she is really going to love the activity and playing with her new friends.

We have been talking about school a lot lately to try to get her prepared. We bought a lunch box and nap mat. She kept telling me she didn't want to go or wanted to know if I was going to stay with her. This made me nervous. Monday was Meet the Teacher and she held onto my leg behind me the whole time. I thought for sure she was going to cry and carry on when I dropped her off yesterday. The teachers enourage "drop and run" so that is what I did. At home she fussed a bit and didn't want to get dressed, but was all smiles once we were at school and she saw all the kids. Her teacher said she didn't cry, didn't ask for me, and was in a good mood all day! What a relief! She didn't nap during naptime, but she has only slept during naptime a few times in the last couple months.

What did I do for 5 hours? Ran many errands.....dry cleaners, bank, Target, Babies R Us for a new diaper bag, Michaels to frame some pictures, and then to Jason's Deli for lunch (with 2 helpings of their softserve) and a trashy magazine! It was so nice to have some alone time! If I don't have this baby by next Wednesday (the next class), I may try to go see The Help movie.

Playing in the new baby rocking chair! She says this is a fun toy too!