2 Months old!! Wow!

I can't believe it...Maddux is 2 months old today!! Time is flying by and that means I have to go back to school in 5 weeks! Yuck! Although, I did go back to school a week and a half ago and it was actually a lot of fun! Everyone was so excited to see Maddux and they were really excited to see me too! It was a total ego boost as they doted on Maddux and gave me massive amounts of compliments on how non-prego I looked! I see myself everyday and forget that I have lost 27 lbs. and am 14 lbs lighter than when I got prego! I can't remember the last time I was in this weight range! It feels good and everyone made me feel amazing!

Anyway, back to Maddux....so we went to the doctor at the beginning of the month and he weighed 8 lbs 6 oz....but since then, I have weighed myself and then weighed with him in my arms....I'm pretty sure he is over 10 lbs now!! I hope so because his height and weight were both only in the 20th percentile when we saw the doctor. Sam is so scared he got my genes and and will be vertically challenged! I hope he doesn't take after me! Someone just last weekend didn't believe me when I told them I was 5'3"....so there's that!

Maddux is smiling a great deal now! He loves for me to tap his paci on his tongue and then tap it on his nose. He laughs and I think I am about to get a giggle! He also is responding to voices on the phone. Gigi talks to him often and he smiles at it or squawks at the phone when she speaks! It is really cute!

Not much else to report....but Mom and Dad (Gigi and Dandy) are coming in for Easter weekend! I am super excited about that! So, Sam and I have some major cleaning to do before next weekend. Then, the following Monday, we are headed to the Braves opening game! That will be tons of fun, Maddux's first game and we have an official shirt he is going to wear that Gin bought him last year (the first present we ever got:)). I'll post after that because I am sure he will look adorable!

Well, here are some pics to show you my chunky monkey!

4 weeks old

Maddux is already 4 weeks old....can you believe it?? I can't! Time is flying by! As I am sure most of you know, there is not much to say so far. He is eating sleeping and doing the other thing! He is sleeping a good 5 hours a night, which is great! He is starting to respond to tickling and getting sugar (nuzzling his neck with kisses), so that is fun! I think he is going to smile any day now!

We have his 1 month doctor appointment on Wednesday and I think he is already over 8 lbs. But, we will see! My postpartum appointment is next week as well, so things are just moving along! So, not much else to say, but I want to put some new pics of him....so enjoy!!

Maddux is finally here!

Hello family and friends! What a week! Maddux is finally here and it was a crazy ride! My last week as a pregnant lady was a little hectic. First of all, I had parent teacher conferences to attend before I went out on leave! Luckily, Maddux held out for all of my conferences except for my last one. I had scheduled it for 3:00 pm, but the parents thought it was at 3:20, and I had a follow up doctors appointment at 3:40. Needless to say, by 3:15 when I thought they were late, I hopped in my car and went to the doctor! This is when it all happened!

My appointment was normal, I peed in a cup, I went on the stress test, texted Sam while I was bored, and then asked my doctor about my one concern. I was a little...well, I will spare you the details...but things were different and I needed to ease my mind. My doctor checked me out and decided I had a leak in my amniotic sac and that she wanted to induce me that day! I freaked out!! My parents had just landed at the airport (thankfully:)!), Sam was picking them up, and I was a bit scared! I called them, met them at home, and we all drove to the hospital together!

Now, this hospital was like a five star hotel! I had my own suite. And, when I say suite, I mean suite!! I had my bed, a pull out couch, an armoir with a flat screen tv in it, a rocking chair, and a hot tub in the bathroom. The bathroom itself was bigger than my full guest bathroom here at home!! Also, Maddux was in the room with me every night with his little own movable bed. Plus, a heating lamp just in case he had needed it! His very own tanning bed :)!

In any case, we made it up to the hospital about 6 and were promptly put in my suite! Sam and Dad went to get us all food, we ate, and then they started the induction. They gave me a cervix softener in hopes of convincing everything in there to prepare for labor as if I were doing it naturally! By 9 am, they checked me out and decided at 10 am to break my water. Very weird experience! Very weird! From then on, I had doctors and nurses checking my dilation and all that stuff every hour or so. My doctor had to see patients in her office that day, but said she would by in around 1 or so to deliver me. Being the precious doctor that she is (love you Dr. Gandhi), she didn't get to the hospital until about 3:00 pm. Still, she is wonderful and my parents loved her! She is super funny and was great to me! I'm so glad I stuck with her even though this hospital really wasn't convenient for anyone!

Anyway, at 4 or so, she said okay Lindsay, you are only about 4 cm dilated, and I am gonna give you an hour....if you haven't changed any, we are going to have to do a C-section. At 5:30, she came back, checked me and quickly things started rolling! It was a madhouse! People suddenly had hair nets on and masks....it was complete chaos, but everyone was so calm!

So, at around 6:00pm, they wheeled me down the hall (literally about 50 yards from my room) into the surgical room (which was an ice box, by the way:(). The next thing I know, I can't see anything in front of me as a blue sheet was there to block everything and there was this man standing at my head kind of giving me the blow by blow. Very strange! Finally, they let Sam come in and sit at my head!

After about, oh, 22 minutes of feeling the pressure of the pulling and cutting, they told Sam to stand up and take the first picture of Maddux. He was "born" at 6:22 pm, January 29, 2010. It was a very surreal moment and I was still shivering form the ice box of a room. But, a soon I heard his first cry, I totally started crying! They took him over to the cleaning station and called Sam over there! He got several pics of them roughing him up, and Maddux was totally holding out his arms for Sam to pick him up!! Adorable, right!

He weighed 6 lbs. and 1.5 oz. He was 19.5 inches long with a full head of blond hair! He has gorgeous deep blue eyes for the time being, and really long fingers and toes! I am pretty sure he is the most precious little munchkin I have ever seen! Not that I am biased or anything! In fact, my sister just said from the other room, "He is so freakin cute"! So, maybe I am not too biased?? Te he!

Since then, things have been pretty easy! My tummy hurts daily, but I can tell it is already stronger and better! He is breast feeding very well, especially now after we went to his first pediatricians visit! The doctor there made sure I was doing everything right because he was a little jaundice and dehydrated. So much so, that I had to make a follow appointment the next day and she wanted to make sure after having him eat on a schedule of every 2 hours, that he had gained at least a half oz. Turns out, we did so well, he gained 3 oz.! He is such a genius!!

In any case, Mom and Dad were here...but Dad left on Tuesday, Paige came in on Wednesday, and Mom left yesterday. Paige is staying til Sunday! It has been so nice to have them all here! They have been so wonderful. generous and helpful!! We are so lucky to have had them here! Thanks ya'll!!

So, here we are on Maddux's 1 week birthday!! He is just the best, and we are so lucky!! Enjoy the pics and I think Sam is setting up a web site for all you family members who want to see him every day like I get to! We love you all and really appreciate you following us! Welcome to the world, Maddux Walker Rhodes! Here are a few pics to get you all introduced!

39 Weeks

Hello all!! Sorry it has taken me so long to update, but I have been pretty busy since the New Year! Well, I have little to tell, but what I can say is BIG!!

The past few weeks have been hard...Sam was in the hospital for a stomach bug on a Wednesday and I got the same bug the following Monday. We both were violently ill, but Sam had it a bit worse than me! After both going to the hospital and being given 2 bags each of IV fluids and some nausea medication, we were both released the same day. I tell you what though, it was no fun and took about a week to recover! However, all are healthy and happy now!

The nursery is basically finished. We have his bedding in and the walls are decorated in monkeys and dots. I think it adorable, but of course, Sam isn't a big fan. My feeling is, the more monkeys, the merrier!! I love it all! I also finished staining the bassinet a dark cherry color. That, too, is really pretty (if I do say so myself, and I do!!). So, as far as being ready for Maddux to come home, I think it is time!

So, Maddux is supposed to begin making his arrival into this world this Friday, January 29th. As it stand right now, I know I have to call the hospital at 6 pm. and plan on going in around 8 pm. Yes, I am being induced and am super excited, but anxious about it! I am not sure why she wants to induce, but I am completely okay with it! I think it has to do with the diabetes and until today, it also had to do with the fact that I had excess fluid in my belly. I was in the danger zone of 20-25 units of fluid when they want you to be under 20. However, today that all changed. Today, the report was that he weighs 6 lbs. 13 oz. and my fluid was down to 13 units. So, all seems well and my doctor is ready to induce any day. In fact, she wanted to change the induction date to either tomorrow or Thursday, but since my mom and dad aren't coming in until Thursday, I asked if we could still wait until Friday! So, Friday it is and I am ready! So, this will be my last pre-pregnancy post! You'll see Maddux in pics coming soon! Until then, I hope you all are great and I can't wait to show him off to everyone!

Thanks again for following me and I look forward to sharing him growing up with you all! Until next time! Happy almost February!

36 Weeks

Hello to all! Happy 2010!!! I hope this year finds everyone happy, relaxed, and ready for anything!! I know I am! Speaking of...I will get on with it!

So, I had my 36 week appointment today. Maddux weighs 5 lbs. 14 oz. He is measuring about 37 centimeters across my belly. His measurements and all that seems to be just fine and well on their way. I am feeling great too....but, Maddux is moving a lot and he is making life a bit more uncomfortable! But, as of today, my doctor said she would probably induce labor if he kept growing the way he is (so giving me a due date of around Jan 24th). The other thing I want people to say little prayers for is the fact that I have a little too much amniotic fluid surrounding Maddux. My doctor isn't too concerned, but enough to have an unltra sound every week from now on. Evidently, it is common in justational diabetics like me, but it can cause complications and pre term labor. So, just say a little prayer for us that the fluid goes down before I have my next ultra on Monday!

Now on to the fun stuff!! We had a great Christmas dinner here at our house. It was super sad being away from my family in Texas....but it was really fun to host dinner and to finally get to use my crystal and china for the first time! Dinner was a success and Sam did a great job smoking his turkey and ham! Everything was delicious!

As far as Maddux's room goes....we got his crib and our glider from our fabulous friends and family! My parents are getting us our stroller and car seat as well! So, now all we have left to get is a new car for the baby to travel home safe in! If you know of anyone selling a used SUV, let us know!

We also had a NYE party, which stressed out Sam. Not me, of course, because I am no help at all around here lately! It was a fun party and I cannot believe it is already 2010. Not only that, but I cannot believe that Maddux could be here in less than 4 weeks!! Yikes, I so hope I am ready!! Well, until next time! Again, Happy New Year!

Oh and btw....I am adding one of the unfinished pictures of Maddux's room. Just keep in mind, we will have decor on the walls, bedding in the crib, and

maybe even a carpet on the carpet! I'm so excited.....it is really coming together and looks so cute!!

Week 34

Hello everyone, I hope this holiday season finds you all happy and healthy (if possible)!!! So much has happened in the past 2 weeks, I actually thought I had missed a blog, but I hadn't. In any case, let me get off and running....

Maddux and I went to the doctor both today and Dec. 10th. At the last appointment, we found out that Maddux was 4 lbs. 9 oz. and that he scored an 8 out of an 8. He is making perfect scores already, he is so smart!!!! I also got a gold star for my eating and blood sugar record keeping. She was happy with my numbers both today and the previous appointment, so she is keeping me on the same regimen for now! She was happy with the measuring of the belly today and said he did perfect on my first stress test! I got to actually hear his heart beat for an extended period of time (almost 20 minutes). I almost fell asleep just listening to him.....and then he would move and I would have to press the button, but it was so nice! She said he looked great, which is always good to hear. All in all, a great 2 weeks have gone by.

School is out until January 4th for me, so that is nice. That will give me time to get his room more in order. We found a great dresser from a second hand store that looks perfect in his room. I'm going to start washing all his clothes so that I can fill up the dresser and get the clothes off the floor finally. We also found drapes for his room and Sam took a day off of work last week to hang those and a few others in the house. It is truly starting to feel like a cozy home!!

I did have another shower this past weekend, and boy did we get a haul!! We got more decor for the room, a rocking horse, baby cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, a baseball and mitt, great clothes, our diaper bag and so much more. Several of the gifts made me cry, but the kicker came from Melanie who had taken Maddux's sonogram picture from this blog, superimposed a Santa hat on him and framed him in an ornament. I cried uncontrollably!! Thanks Mel!! I loved it!!! I loved everything actually, and being with Sam's family was awesome, I only wish my family could have been there too!!! In any case, we really appreciate all the fabulous gifts!!

So, we have another appointment in a week and then the next appointment we get to see him again. I have a ton of sonogram pics from the last appointment, but our scanner isn't hooked up to get the pics on the blog. Hopefully, by the next one, it will be. In any case, we got some great shots of his profile and he even showed us how he practices breathing in there. There are a few pics where it looks as though he has a massive forehead to which Sam asked, whose baby is that? There is one pic that looks like Bart Simpson from the side, kinda funny!

Well, that is about all for now! We are having our first Christmas here in Atlanta, my first away from Texas and my family.....but I'm sure we will survive it! I miss everyone already, but it will kind of be nice to start (or share) my family traditions here in Georgia! I have convinced Sam to agree to having Christmas dinner at our house, so we are in for adventure at the end of this week. Wish us luck! Merry Christmas to all of you and enjoy your time with loved ones!! Until next time.....

32nd Week

Okay, so 32 weeks and on our way!!! What has been going on....not a whole lot! We did make it to Dallas for Thanksgiving and that was fabulous! We had so much fun seeing family (We missed you Vicky, but congrats!!)! The trip was pretty uneventful as far as Maddux goes. The flying was no big deal and I felt good most of the time! The only thing that was of any significance was that I was on the insulin. Being only the 2nd week I was on it, I was still so emotionally overwhelmed. Things seem to have calmed down since then, so it is coming along!

I did go to the doctor the week I got back and she did raise my insulin dose. She was still worried about my blood sugar being so high in the mornings. So, she raised the dose and it seems to be going very well ever since. Sam gives me a shot twice a day. HE does it in the morning before I eat breakfast and right before I eat dinner at night! He is so sweet and hates when it hurts! But, he is a pro now! If I weren't such a baby, it wouldn't be so bad....and truly it is not, but it doesn't always feel great!

We have and appointment on Thursday to see how big Maddux is! I CAN'T wait!!!! My doctor has already told me we weren't going to have a small baby! Whatever, she doesn't know, right?? Ha, anyway, we'll see on Thursday! So, until then.....Happy December (I love this time of year!!!).