No More Mr. Fussypants (we hope!!!)

If you’ve been following our blog, you know that we have been battling “Mr. Fussypants” for a couple weeks now. It has been a tough couple weeks, but we really feel like God has delivered us from this little monster. We don’t know exactly what the one true solution was; however, we have seen a remarkable turnaround over the past week. He is so much happier now! On a side note, he is now on his 5^th night of sleeping through the entire night!! Thank you Jesus!!!

As if that wasn’t big enough news, Easton has changed so much over the past two weeks. He can now see and is beginning to recognize our faces. Ryan and I love “talking” to him through our facial gestures and silly voices. It warms our hearts to hear him laugh and to see his cute little smile. I think we have fallen in love with him all over again!

Tonight Ryan thought Easton was sound asleep, so he placed him in his cradle. Twenty minutes later we snuck in to check on him and were greeted with smiles and laughter.  This cracked us up. He is turning out to be a real ham!

Mr. Fussypants

Three weeks ago Easton was diagnosed with colic. I, like many people, cringed at the idea of our sweet little boy having anything remotely associated with Colic. We discovered that a child with colic has a very immature and easily irritated digestive system. 

When an episode hits, it is heartbreaking for Ryan and I.  Easton’s entire body tightens up and he curls up into a ball. He clenches his fists, screams loudly for an extended period of time, and turns bright red, almost purple. Nothing we do seems to console him. You have to wait for it to pass. Placing him on his side, holding him close to us, and rubbing his little tummy and back seem to provide some comfort. These fits started out happening in the evenings and lasted from 5pm to near midnight on some occasions. After experiencing this for a couple days we made an appointment with his pediatrician, where we discovered that we would have to contend with “Mr. Fussypants” for about three months. (By the way, three months seems like an eternity right now!) 

After much research and talking with the doctor, we have made many adjustments. I am on a completely dairy free diet, we’ve done away with foods that naturally make adults gassy, and have found that propping him up while he sleeps helps as well. After two weeks, we have noticed some improvement. Mr. Fussypants makes his appearances usually in the early mornings now and on rare occasions in the late evening. The episodes don’t last nearly as long as they did in the beginning. The doctor prescribed a stronger anti-gas drop, which works well.

The Day Our Lives Changed Forever

As we approach our one week anniversary of Easton's birth I feel it necessary to share how one day changed our lives forever.

For those that know me well, I work best off of a regimented schedule. Wednesday, August 22 started off like any other Wednesday. Ryan and I hit the gym at 5:00am, I took a short nap and then it was time to clean. Wednesdays are my cleaning days. I don't know if it was a bit of nesting or what, but I went to town cleaning. I was a mess at the end of the day! It's not usually that intense, but I was feeling great and went with it. Ryan had told me numerous times during my pregnancy to "take it easy" and "let me take care of some of this." My hormones were speaking louder than Ryan's words.

We went to bed early that night, only to be woken up at midnight with intense back pain. This pain was unlike any back pain I had ever felt before. Ryan rubbed my back, I laid on the heating pad, I took a couple Tylenol, but didn't get any relief. I honestly thought it was because I did too much the day before. Two hours later, at 2:00am I passed my mucous plug and around 5:00 my water broke. It wasn't a gush like you see on television or in movies. I really didn't know at the time that I was leaking amniotic fluid.

I ended up dozing off on the couch for a bit. Ryan and I had breakfast and he headed out to work.

Thursdays are my grocery shopping/errand running days. Wanting to knock it out before the grocery store got crowded, I showered and headed out. There were a couple times when I thought maybe this was a bad idea, but I was hardheaded and determined to knock out the day's errands. I ran to Kroger, Publix, Target, the dry cleaners, and the shoe shop. The back pain hadn't let up, in fact it got worse with each stop. I called my friend Teresa around 9:00 and described what was going on. Thank goodness I have her in my life because she fussed at me (with good reason) and sent me home. "Lauren, you are in labor. That fluid is your amniotic fluid. Go home! Tell Ryan to come home! Go to the hospital!" was her response.

I got home around 10:00 and called the doctor. Of course I had to leave a message, so while waiting for a return call I attempted a nap. At this point I was able to recognize that the pain I was feeling also included contractions that were 6 minutes apart. Finally, the doctor called and sent me to Labor and Delivery at Trinity Hospital. Ryan rushed home and we were admitted by 11:30.

With only being dilated one centimeter, we were sent home. We were given all kinds of advice on how to speed the process up - walking, shopping, hot shower, and one bit of advice that Ryan particularly loved hearing. The nurse said that we should have a baby sometime after midnight that night.

We were so excited!! We went to Five Guys and pigged out on cheeseburgers to celebrate. We made a few other stops before heading home. As the afternoon progressed, so did my contractions. We got home around 4:00 and my contractions were 4 minutes apart. We showered, made sure we had everything packed, and tried to mentally prepare for our big night. Ryan was the official time keeper, helping me keep track of how long and often the contractions were coming. By 6:30, I had had enough. Contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and I was officially ready for my epidural! 

We got admitted to the hospital again and everything went into fast forward! When the nurses checked me, I had dilated to 5 centimeters and my contractions were 2 minutes apart, becoming more extreme. at 7:30, I had dilated to 8 centimeters. Things were moving. The nurses were shocked! The anesthesiologist had gone home for the day and had to be paged. I was certain he wouldn't make it in time. Ryan and the nurses helped me with my breathing and rubbed my back. At one point I was on all fours on the floor (talk about embarrassing). It was after 8:00 when the anesthesiologist FINALLY came and by that time I was a full 10 centimeters dilated, ready to start pushing! The doctor still wanted me to have some medication, but not the full dose, just to help with pushing. I had to sit on the edge of the bed, through intense contractions as he injected the medicine in my back. I was told not to move, which wasn't easy to do. Before the medicine could take effect, I was told to start pushing.

Ryan held one leg and the nurse held the other. The doctor arrived (not mine, the one on call) and it was all business for the next 30 minutes.

At 9:15pm, Easton James Kilbreth made his BIG entrance into the world, weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs 15 ounces! The diameter of his head was 13 1/2 centimeters! He was a product of all that Greek yogurt I pigged out on during pregnancy!

Ryan and I were both instant cry babies and couldn't hold in our emotions. Before they washed Easton off we were given a few minutes of cuddle time. This was amazing!

Trinity Hospital is known for their family-focused childbirth unit, so Easton was washed up right there in the room.  Ryan went crazy snapping pictures. We were FINALLY parents!! As soon as Easton was cleaned up, he was swaddled and the snuggling began. We couldn't take our hands off of him!!

I instantly fell more in love with Ryan during all of this as well. Ryan and I have always had an intense connection, and having Easton made us that much closer. I am truly blessed to be married to such an amazing and supportive husband. He is gift from God. 

Overall, this pregnancy was super easy and the delivery was extremely short. There is no doubt that this was the Lord's plan. He wanted us to be parents, and not just any child's parents, Easton's parents. All the glory goes to Him!

Easton's Nursery

Here are some pictures of Easton's nursery. It is finally finished!! All it needs now is a little boy to take up residence!!
  


Easton's Crib and Dresser










Easton's Glider

 The Changing Table

Easton's TV, chalkboard, and bookshelf. I love the Dr. Seuss quote (I guess that is the teacher in my coming out!)

The Waiting Game

As we near Easton’s due date Ryan and I are both anxious and very eager to meet our little boy. In many ways it feels like this pregnancy has flown by, however this last month has not! I feel like the month of August is twice as long! Like my mother would say, “All good things come to those that are patient.” Ugh! Why did God not give me the gift of a patient heart?!

On the positive side, being pregnant has been such a blessing. To be honest, I have had no true complaints. I was only nauseous for the first trimester, and never got sick. The second trimester was perfect (I’m thinking that it is for most women.). I looked pregnant and could still wear the majority of my regular clothes, with a belly band. The third trimester got a little hot and uncomfortable, but I was lucky enough to go through this during the summer and not have to go to work. I wonder if our next pregnancy will be just as easy. I sure hope so!

The nursery is all set up. Our bags are all packed. Arrangements for the doggies have been made. Now we just wait and wait some more. I actually don’t blame Easton for wanting to stay in my tummy. He’s in a climate controlled environment, gets fed yummy food several times a day, and has my undivided attention most of the time. He’s got it made!

Our due date is Sunday, August 26^th. We meet with the doctor on Monday, August 27^th for an ultrasound. This should tell us how big he really is and what our options are. Please pray that the Lord guides the doctors and nurses as we prepare for this huge event. Hopefully, this will be my last post as a pregnant girl!! :)

Preparing for Our Little Man

Ryan and I have spent the entire summer preparing for our little Easton’s arrival. We have made repairs to the house, gotten maintenance checks on both cars, cleaned like crazy, and have frozen 23 meals. I’d say we are ahead of schedule, if there is such a thing.

It’s hard to believe that in less than a month we will take on a new role in this life; the role of mommy and daddy.  I think the reality of it set in when we placed the car seats in both vehicles. It was an extremely hot Saturday afternoon, we had sweat dripping everywhere, when Ryan and I both looked at each other with silly smiles and realized that this was for real. Before long we will become the three musketeers.

Let the final countdown begin!!!

Sleepy Mommy-to-Be

I feel so incredibly blessed that I have had such an easy pregnancy. Other than the typical exhaustion and being uncomfortable, I have absolutely no complaints. The exhaustion has really set in here at the last little bit of the third trimester. This has been a little difficult for me to accept. Typically, I am an on the go girl, rarely stopping for a break. Boy, pregnancy can really put you in your place. I suppose this is my body's way of preparing me for all the sleep I won't be getting when he comes. Too bad I can't bank these napping hours. I have a feeling I will really be needing them soon.


Easton's nursery is 95% complete and is anxiously awaiting a little boy to take up residence. I will post pics when we are completely finished.