This Blog is soooo Last Week ...

Hey all,

come check out the new blog that is dedicated to Hannah...on the outside of the womb.

See you there.

http://littlehannahsworld.blogspot.com/

Welcome to the World...Hannah

On Friday, Rebecca and I welcomed Hannah Renee Sutton into the world and further into our hearts. She was born shouting her enthusiasm at 12:56 pm. She weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 inches long. She is beautiful. She is wonderful. She is amazing. I cannot believe that I am lucky enough to look at her and call her mine.

Rebecca did great during the prep and the surgery. She was a pillar of strength. I'll never be able to properly describe the emotions that I experienced on Friday, but I can say that I think I hit them all. I will also say this---there is nothing, absolutely nothing as amazing as when you hear your child's first cry---a new part of my heart came alive that I never knew was there and I felt a completeness to a part that I never knew was missing.

Rebecca and Hannah are doing great. Hannah loves laying with mommy and loves to hold daddy's hand. Today, I will teach her about football. Maybe next week I will teach her to stay away from icky boys. Anyway, I am going to attach a picture of her now. I am giving you warning so that you can be prepared to see the most beautiful girl in the world (I am probably biased)

The Wait is Over...

Hi all,

I'm sure if you read the last post then you know of our small situation. Last week we found out that our little girl had flipped into the breech position after 37 weeks (at least we assumed she flipped, I guess we will never know). Anyway, Rebecca had her 39 week appointment today and our little girl is as happy as a clam---with her head up. Yep, she hasn't flipped back. There is still time, but following our physician's advice, we are moving forward with the C-section tomorrow (providing of course that she doesn't flip in the middle of the night). Anyway, all good things must come to an end---and by that I mean this pregnancy. It has been good, very good. It has taught me so many things about myself and about the wonderful woman that I married. Rebecca is strong, both physically and emotionally. Rebecca has a wonderful sense of humor--she would have to to deal with my constant bombardment of jokes. Rebecca is patient--heck, she has to be--she waits 9 months to meet this person who is literally draining her. Rebecca is a great Michigan fan--no matter who Big Blue loses to (even if it is App. State), she still is faithful to the end.

Finally, I learned that Rebecca is going to be an outstanding mom. When told of her C-section, Rebecca quickly looked on the bright side and mentioned that if it was the best way to get our daughter out safely, then she is fine with it. I must admit, she is handling it very well.

So, that is where we all are. We will meet our daughter tomorrow (barring any late night flips). We got to see her today via ultrasound. She looks good. She is healthy. Her heart is beating strong--it looks big, just like her mom's. I must admit, I can't wait to meet her, although I wouldn't mind her doing some last minute gymnastics.

So, this could very well be my last prenatal post. It sure has been a long time since my first post. I believe in the first post, I promised to take you on one "wild ride". Well, I don't know if it has been for you, but it definitely has been for me. I can still remember the day that we found out and how new, fresh, exciting and terrifying it was. To know that there was something smaller than the size of a poppy seed growing inside of Rebecca was trippy. All of the "it" pronouns and the guessing of the gender. That initial excitement and fear gave way to a new type of fear when I found out I was having a daughter. I was terrified (I still am) of having to deal with a little girl. I had assumed that a little boy would be easier--heck I could at least throw a football at him (I mean to him). But shortly after finding out she was a she, I must admit that I was overwhelmed with joy about having a daughter. I constantly see the special relationships that daughters have with their fathers and I hope that ours is no different. I know one day she will break my heart when she meets the right man---but that is ok, as long as he is the right man. As the pregnancy went on, I watched my active go-go-go wife slow down and I can't help to wonder how humbling it must be to apologize for not walking fast enough, or having to catch your breath at the top of the stairs, or asking for help when picking things up or tying your shoes. However, Rebecca took it all in stride. Finally, we hit the home stretch and Rebecca was full term--the baby could come at any time--we were really excited. And then we found out that she was backwards--oh well, it will probably not be the last time she doesn't do exactly what I want her to do, but it is ok, we still love her.

This has truly been a wonderful experience and hope you, my readers, have gained a little bit of insight into our lives these past months through this blog. I have had a lot of fun writing it. It has definitely been different than what I envisioned when I wrote the first post, but alas, it was a part of me and a part of my thoughts as I watched my family slowly evolve. Don't worry, I will still be posting and it will still be "blog-esque", but the main difference is that is will feature a new star, little ---. Now you didn't think I would make it this whole time and then tell you the name right now. You'll find out tomorrow (or maybe later)

Anyway, let's close with some statistics! Rebecca's weight gain: normal. Jeff's weight gain: -11 lbs. Yep, I managed to lose about 11 pounds throughout the pregnancy. Nope, it wasn't really worrying--I just exercised more. Ok, the midwife today guessed that the baby was going to be about 7.5 lbs--let's see how accurate she is. So, that is it. I will talk to you soon. Maybe the next time that I write, I will be introducing you to my new daughter. Take care and thanks for the comments over the months. My final request--send a lot of prayers toward Rebecca and our little girl's direction. They can use them. The more the better!

Its all about position: Part II

Well as I mentioned in an earlier post--its all about position. Let me give you two examples. First, Michigan's defense. Obviously, the spread offense of mighty Appalachian State put Michigan's defense in some awful positions. Better yet, the Michigan defense often found itself out of position in trying to defend the spread offense. Result: Michigan loses to a sub-division I team. That was embarassing. I don't really want to discuss that anymore, because this loss should have never happened. No disrespect to App. State, but the 3rd or 4th string on Michigan should be able to beat App. State. Everyone on the Michigan team is a former "blue chip" player in high school and turned down schools much better than I-AA App. State in order to compete for a chance to actually play at Michigan. This is not Michigan arrogance, this would be the same for any good BCS football team such as Florida, Texas, Miami, etc. The talent on Michigan alone should be worth 14-21 points. But instead, they didn't prepare at all, took App. State for granted and got embarrassed on their own field. I hope the rest of the season turns around.

Second example: Rebecca and I went to her doctor's appointment on Friday and were met with some surprising news. Our baby had done an improbable post-37 week flip and was currently sitting (probably very happily) in a breech presentation. Most of you will know that this is not a good thing, especially at 38+ weeks. Our doctor (in agreement with us) recommended against any manual correction (ECV) and scheduled a C-section for Friday (39 weeks). So there you have it---our daughter has one bad sense of direction. Therefore, starting Friday, we had one week to turn her around (naturally, of course). We have been working with an accupuncturist to try and turn the baby. We have noticed a lot of movement and the baby appears to be in a different position, although she appears to still be breech. However, there is always hope. This is where you all come in. Please pray for both Rebecca and the baby. We know that a C-section is not the end of the world and we are very much at peace with it, if that is the way it all plays out. However, assuming the breech presentation is not the only way the baby will be healthy, then it is our desire that she turns head down and we jump back onto our orignial set of plans. However, some things are out of our hands and in God's (and that is perfectly fine with us). Anyway, I mainly encourage you to pray for Rebecca and the baby's health. We will go in on Thursday for our weekly appointment (w/ ultrasound) and see where (or what on) the baby ended up. If that is a bottom, then we will leave and go about our normal preparation. If that is a head, then we will go in the next day and meet our daughter. Either way, we will be ok.

The Week in Review...

Let's see what's been going on? We have finally gotten the nursery in order (well, almost--everyone will still have to wait a little bit for some pictures) and we have started getting all the stuff together that we will need for the "hospital bag". The only problem with that is that most of the stuff that goes into this famous bag is used on a daily basis. So what we have is the less famous "hospital list". This is a list that describes what should go into the bag. But we do have a bag!!!!

We have only 18 days until the due date---that is a very small number. We are currently experiencing a whole bunch of emotions--excitement, anxiousness, nervousness---the list could go on and on. Although, I think both of us are ready for her arrival. As a side note, Hardy does not seem to be phased at all?!?! In fact he seems to only concentrate on his new love--Tug-O'-War (he's getting pretty tough to beat)



Well, not a whole lot went on this past week except that our neighbors had their little girl--welcome to the world little Cory!!!! Oh yeah--and I got a very good picture of my wife. Check it out--she is barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen. This is like the tri-fecta, the perfect storm, a grand slam, or any other over-used catch phrase that describes this event. Without further adeau--"my Everest"

Thank you Rebecca...

As the pregnancy draws near to an end, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the experience thus far. We currently sit at 37 weeks and 3 days---and it has been a fairly easy 37 weeks and 3 days for me, mainly because of my wife. I know it hasn't been very easy for her at times, especially here at the end, but she has not complained very much and she has not made me run out at 2:00 am for ice cream or twizzlers or anything like that. I'm willing, but she hasn't asked me---yet! For the most part, Rebecca has been the same upbeat, caring, unselfish person that I married and for that I am truly grateful. I can only hope that our daughter inherits her personality from her mom.

Don't worry Truffle, you're in good hands...

We graduated!!!

On Thursday Rebecca and I finished up our labor/newborn care class. We are now experts! What?!?! What do you mean we have no idea what we are talking about. Yeah, you're probably right. Actually, they do send us out a certificate which states that we finished our class. Does this mean that we are any more qualified to raise a child than we were before?--no, but it does give us a cool certificate to hang on the wall. I think I will hang it next to this one:



Let's see...what have we been up to. On Saturday, the Fishers came by to visit. They were nice enough to bring us some goodies. Here is little Nathan demonstrating how to use the Bumbo seat. Nathan reminds us that Bumbo is happiest on the floor.



I tell you--that Nathan is one cute kid--I'll have to watch him carefully around my daughter.

Later on Saturday Rebecca and I did some final shopping. Ok, women shop--men buy--so since I have been involved in the purchasing--we've been buying for our little girl. We got a whole bunch of goodies. We got our car seat and base (the Snugride), which I promptly installed (which means there is a good chance that is will be re-installed by the Fairfax county police department). We also bought the accompanying Snug-stroller and Snug-swing.



We went with the Graco Snugride because it has gotten good reviews and were weary of certain other car seats such as this one from Apple--I think it is the iSeat:



Sure, I can listen to 10000 GB's of music and watch videos, but I don't see how the baby is safe?
Anyway, we also managed to get two other cool things. One is our pack n' play that doubles as a bassinet. We mainly got it for its durability, comfort and cute little puppies. Never underestimate the importance of cute little puppies.



Secondly, we bought a limited edition chest for the nursery:



NO, not this chest---this one:



Ok, so that is enough fooling around for one post. Its late and I have been getting over a cold (can't quite shake it), so that is why this post makes no sense whatsoever. Anyway, as an update, Rebecca is doing well. The physicians gave her the "green light" on Thursday, meaning that if she goes into labor from this point forward, they will not try to stop it. The baby is still head down and is doing well. Here is a 36 wk pic of Rebecca:

Yep, she only has one outfit. Maybe after the pregnancy we'll go grab her another one or two. Talk to you soon.

My Little Bag of Sugar...

That's about the size she is according to the book Great Expectations. Each week they describe her weight by some physical object. In the past, she was about the size of an apple, or a small pot roast. This week (> 34 weeks) she should be over 5 lbs, about the size of a bag of sugar. Next week is awesome--she is the size of a small roasting chicken :)

Let's catch up on these past couple of weeks. Rebecca and I went on the hospital tour. Its a pretty nice place. There is plenty of space (hallways and such) to walk around and spend the time while early and active labor occurs. Also, we have been progressing along in our childbirth and newborn care class. So far we have discussed pain, labor, delivery, and drugs and as always we end each week with a breathing exercise. However, the best part is where we get ready for the breathing exercises. We all come together and find spots to sit down...you know, the classic guy, two pillows, girl sandwich. However, in order to form this sandwich, the women must get down to floor level. This is hilarious. Last week, I took the opportunity to listen to the process. Aside from my wife and a few others, a lot of the other women have...how should I put this delicately....some trouble making it to floor level. In fact, it sounds like the scene from the Family Guy, where Peter starts the NAAFP (the National Association for the Advancement of Fat People) and all of the "members" sit down. Well, if you know the scene, then this visual is hilarious. However, if you do not know the scene then you are probably thinking I am being very mean. But here, I encourage you to watch this scene...



...and now image 12-15 pregnant women trying to get to the floor. Enough said.

anyway, all is fine....the doctor appointments are going really well---Rebecca is measuring right on schedule and at 33 weeks, the baby was head down--this is a really good thing. Let's hope that she stays this way!!!!

Rebecca is doing pretty well, although the fatigue is setting in. She is at her best from the hour(s) of 9:45-10:15 am. After that---downhill. She is also getting real tired at night, so noone call us past like 7:25 or so...just kidding...not really...no, I'm just joking...or am I?

Well, for a while now people have asked me what our daughter's name was going to be. We have been keeping it a secret (plus the fact that we are only 99% certain and reserve the right to change it at anytime). However, I will give everyone a chance. Her name is hidden in the following puzzle. Good luck.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

anyway, here are week 34 pictures of my beautiful wife



talk to you soon.

Its all about position...

Well, that's at least what the teacher of our birthing class says. This past week we had class #2 and it was all about labor--signs or labor, early labor, good-active labor, transitioning, pushing, and the position of the baby. We learned a lot, but at the end we were a both a little uneasy with high levels of pain that seem to be attached with this whole labor and delivery process. Me--I was uneasy b/c I have to watch Rebecca in pain--Rebecca was uneasy because, well let's face it---she has to push this baby out and no matter what ER or the baby stories tell you, it seems to take a long time. One thing that dawned on me---these contractions---well they seem to be a real big kick in the pants. They last for 60-90 seconds and the time between them are about 2-3 minutes. Yep, its time to use that old Ph.D---let's do a little math :) If the contractions are about 2-3 minutes apart and they last 1-1.5 minutes....Rebecca gets what!?!?---she gets a lousy 30-120 second break between them? And the kicker is that this whole process can be up to 24 hrs and the contractions get closer together as you progress. How can they get closer together---what am I going to start having one while she is on the other one??????

Anyway, there is no turning back---we should have made that decision about 30 or so weeks ago---yep we are going forward--ready to take on these painful contractions---yep, we are going to meet these painful buggers head one with some serious weapons (at least that is what the teacher says)--yep, we have....breathing???? Excuse me nurse/teacher---you gotta be kidding me---these things sound furocious and we are going to try to breathe them away? You know what else works---blowing on a house fire to put it out or placing a blanket over some dynamite so the explosion won't be so bad.

Ok, so I am kidding---we are learning some methods to deal with Rebecca's pain----and breathing is pretty good--I know when my insides are being pulled out, I like to take a deep breath or better yet...I like to pant. Hey, maybe we could have Hardy in the delivery room teaching us how. All I have to do is walk him outside for about 3-5 minutes and we will have a panting instructor for about an hour.

Ok, let's see what has been going on:

Rebecca got beat up! Yep, from the inside---the girl is really taking out her frustrations about Michael Vick on Rebecca's inside. Actually I'm more conviced she is just curious about what all those body parts are:

*inside the uterus*
Truffle-"oooh...I wonder what this is...I should poke it....I should kick it....I should poke it....I should punch it......ooohhh squeashy"

*outside in the real world*
Rebecca- "whoa, I gotta pee"

We brushed Hardy. Doesn't sound exciting--well, then I guess you don't have a Husky:



Ok, here are some pics of Rebecca. The first one gives you the first sneak peek of the long-awaited Pascal...the second one is a good indicator of how great Rebecca looks at 32 weeks

White Plains, NY...A little piece of heaven

Some of you have shown concern for our inability to secure Pascal the Pachyderm--and it has been appreciated. The support has been overwhelming. I feel a new closeness to you all as I struggled to get past this loss. I took it pretty hard since it was my fault that we could not order the chair. When it first went on sale, my very smart wife suggested that we get the chair in case it was discontinued. I said," no way...if it goes out of stock, it will come back in...let's just leave it on the registry." Well, we all saw how that turned out. Anyway, a lot of you have given many suggestions. Heck, we even had one really nice visitor write in the comments section letting us know where we could get this chair--thanks, Geri.

So, on to the good news---we just received Pascal the Pachyderm in the mail a couple of days ago. About 2 weeks ago, I just started calling all of the stores to see if any were in stock. Finally, I found one in a wonderful little city called White Plains, NY. Now I don't know what "White Plains" translates into in english, but it must mean something like "beautiful garden" or "enchanted oasis"???

Anyway, I ordered one of the chairs and had it sent to us. One thing that I learned--Babystyle.com has a good sense of humor. After all of this hassle and finally finding the chair and ordering it--Babystyle sent it in an "Ollie the Octopus" box. I bet you can guess my confusion (insert other words) when we received the box and in giant letters it said
"Ollie the Octopus". Long story short--we opened the box and there sat a wonderful sight--a plush Pascal the Pachyderm chair--Yippie. I will soon post pictures of it in our nursery.

Ok, so what else has been going on---well, we went on vacation to west Michigan to visit Rebecca's family and for Rebecca to have a couple of baby showers. She wants me to pass on the fact that she had an awesome time and that she really loves all of the loot. Ok, so that wasn't exactly her words, but I think I captured the beautiful sentiment. I must say that both Rebecca and Hardy enjoyed the cool temperatures there. Here it is so hot and humid--it is just plain nasty. When we go on family walks, Hardy and Rebecca are just sad to look at sometimes. The hardest part to deal with is that when we get done with our walks Rebecca and I have to listen to our hyper-asthmatic dog for the next couple of hours. You should see (or hear) this dog.... PANT, PANT, PANT, PANT,PANT,PANT... on and on. When I ask him to tone it down a bit, he just looks at me with this look that can only be described as.."you try wearing a fur coat outside, jerk." We are thinking of moving to Antartica for Hardy's sake.

Let's see what else---oh tonight we started our childbirth/newborn care class. I enjoyed it. We learned a lot and the instructor is pretty good. We ended doing some Lamaze exercises at the end. I don't know about Rebecca, but I felt relaxed---I really think that is going to help me when labor comes :) Ten bucks says that all females reading that last statement instantly took a punch at me via cyberspace.

Ok, here was the bad part of the class. I did not use the bathroom before we went---bad idea. By the time we got there at the start of class, I really had to go--bad idea. I bet a lot of you already know why. We went in at 7:00. The instructor said there would be a break at 8:00. My initial though was.."ok, that is not too bad...I can wait one hour" Then I started to look around---what class was I going to again???? The class had about 20 participants---10 were pregnant women---that is a whole lot of compressed bladders!!!! So, when the break came, I decided there was no way that I could jump up and go to the bathroom in front of one of these expectant mothers--no way, that would not be cool. So, I watched...one went in that bathroom, another in that one....then a line formed...I watched for every expecting mother to get up and use the facilities--heck, I even waited for some of them to use it twice (afterall, it was a 15 minute break). Finally, when I saw other guys going for the bathroom, I new it was safe--at least for a few minutes.

Ok, picture updates.
Remember last time when I told you about Hardy eating Grumpy's face. Here is the proof:


Oh yeah...we picked out a little girl's take home outfit. Enjoy!




And here is a 31 week picture of Rebecca:



Well until next time.....

"Have a good freakin' week"