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!!!).

30th Week

Wow, I'm at 30 weeks this week, which means....technically, I could have anywhere between 7 to 12 weeks left! Who knows if he will come early or late, but I am ready either way! So, what is the latest.....

We (my amazingly helpful and motivational friend Gin and I) finished painting his room, organized all the clothes we have gotten, put together the changing table, and unwrapped about a thousand diapers from my awesome diaper cake Anne made from my previous shower! The changing table looks awesome and Sam even said, "If I had know it was gonna be that nice, I would have put it together a long time ago!". I laughed and asked what he thought it would look like and, of course, his answer was inaudible! Boys!! Anyway, his room is coming along and now I just need to get a dresser, armour, and crib and we'll be set!! My wonderful Mom, however, did have the bassinet I slept in as a baby sent to Atlanta this week and Sam and I went to pick it up yesterday! It has been in our family since my brother was born, which means (sorry Doug), it is over 42 years old. I think that is extremely cool, not to mention, I think my cousin used it and Paige used it for her kids! I love family tradition! It makes my heart smile!! Thanks Mom!!

So, how are we??? Maddux is as active as ever. He is growing, but since I have been on the diabetes diet, I have not gained any weight (even though my mom swears I have 3 babies in my belly because it is so big). I guess the food I am eating is just going straight to him. I am so okay with that! Everyone I have seen this past week has been so complimentary! My friends have been so sweet about my clothes and say I look cute prego. It is amazing how at the is point in my pregnancy, I am as big as a house, yet my friends are making me feel amazingly pretty! Thanks ya'll, it is really appreciated!! You really don't know how nice it is to feel good when you are so out of whack!!

Back to Maddux....So, I went to the doctor and she was fine with all the numbers I had been getting with my blood sugars....except my morning readings. She said she as worried, but could put me on a pill that could help. Turns out the pill is made with Sulfa in it and I am allergic to Sulfa. So, I played phone tag with the doctors office all Thursday and Friday. I am not sure how the lines got crossed, but the next thing I know, my doctor tells a nurse to call me and tell me that I would then go on insulin. Shocked as I was, I decided to make an appointment and see the nutritionist asap. So, I have an appointment at 10:30 tomorrow to see what I can do. I honestly don't think I can give myself shots! My solution thus far, since seeing my doctor last week, was to eat only (or mostly) protein, and I have to say, personally, I think it has worked great! I will see in the morning when I see the nutritionist, but keep your fingers crossed! I do not want to go on insulin!

Sam and I leave for Dallas on Wednesday to go see my family! I am so excited because both my grandmothers, aunts, cousins, sister (and fam.), mom and dad will be there! I haven't seen my grandmothers, cousin and aunt since Sam and I got married! Some I haven't seen in 3 years!! I am so psyched! I am looking forward to a great family thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and we'll see you in a couple of weeks!

28th Week

Hello all....sorry it has been a couple of weeks. I am now heading into my 28th week. To start it off, I get to go meet with the dietitian tomorrow at 2:00. Yes, it is true, I have been told I have gestational diabetes and that I am anemic!! No wonder I have been so tired over the past month. I was beginning to worry!

So, a week and a half ago, I went for my diabetes test. I went after school and was told not to eat or drink anything different than usual! So, I didn't. Sam went with me and the test was bearable. It really wasn't as bad as people were warning me! The orange stuff was gross and sugary, but not near as bad as I had envisioned!! Low and behold, I had to go back last Friday to take the 3 hour glucose test because I miserably failed the 1 hour! The good news was that I got to take the day off school, the bad news was that I had to fast from the night before and then get 4 tubes of blood taken over a 3 hour period!! ( I have horror stories about the blood that was taken, but I will spare you all!!!) The worst part about it all is that they found I am diabetic. In dealing with this news, I have a little story to tell.....

So, there is this mom at my school who I have seen over the past couple of months walking around with a bandanna on her newly shaven head. I, of course, assumed she had recently been diagnosed with cancer. Well, she stopped me the day I found out about the diabetes. She asked me how I was feeling and was really sweet.....and as I was walking away, I asked her about herself and apologized for being rude and not asking about what she was going through. She was so matter of fact and was so positive, I was sort of taken aback. She ended by telling me that she had 12 days left of chemo and that she had decided long ago that as long as whatever was going on her life, that was not so positive, was happening to her and not her kids, she was happy and could handle it. I thought, wow, what a great way to view life!! So, I turned to her and said, you know, I shouldn't be whining, as long as the diabetes only effects me, I should be happy I can do something about it, Maddux will be just fine in the end! So, with my new lease on life, I go into the next couple of months knowing, I can do what I have to do for Maddux!!! I'll meet with the dietitian tomorrow and will have to change my diet, but I know I can do it!! I simply can't believe that in about 2 and a half months, I will have a little man to hold and smile at! (Tear:))

Maddux is still super active. My belly is growing rapidly and my friends are incredibly sweet and continue to tell me I look great! I want to give a shout out to Sarah and Whit as I know they are faithful readers!! (I really appreciate you ladies!!) I hope this blog post finds everyone happy and ready for Turkey soon!! I love ya'll and will continue to keep you posted on our progress!! Happy November!! Wow, November already, crazzzy!!