mama confesses:: name changes

Early on in our pregnancy we had several names in mind for our little guy.  Dale and I went back and forth between a few and never seemed to agree.  Finally, while watching Lois & Clark, Dale jokingly suggested Clark. 

Yeah, right. 

We are not naming our kid after superman. Or Xmen, Spiderman, or any other superhero.

But then, it grew on me.  Clark.  It just sounded nice.  It flows well with Kannon.  And before I could tell Dale, I was already rubbing my swollen belly calling our unborn son, Clark. 

Clark (according to babycenter) is French for "scholar".  It is not a super common name but its not outlandish.  It is classic and perfect for our little man. 

So yes, when people ask us where we came up with the name, we thank Superman. 

Clark is here!

Clark Allen Pittman

10.08.10

11:24pm

6 lbs 15 oz

19 3/4 inches 

Our new little man finally arrived with a bang Friday night.  After barely 24 hours in the hospital we are home, recovering and enjoying getting to know each other.  It feels so good to be back in our own beds!

Our birth story:
On Tuesday, I was 0 cm dilated but was having consistent contractions every 7-10 minutes.  My doctor and I decided that if Clark wasn't here by Friday (41 weeks) that we would start the induction process.  I was induced with Kannon and while I had a great birth experience I was still hoping things would happen more naturally this time around.

Friday arrived and the hospital kept pushing back our induction time.  By the time we arrived, I was already having contractions 5-7 minutes apart (I couldn't feel them!) and was 2 cm dilated.  My blood pressure was elevated so they started me on the lowest dose of pitocin at 3pm to help contractions pick up.

At 7pm I was 3 cm, my doctor stripped my membranes and things picked up instantly.  They stopped pitocin and let things go naturally.  My doctor was convinced that this baby wasn't going to be born until Sunday....but I guess Clark had other plans.

By 7:30pm I was 4 cm dilated and laboring in the bathroom.  It was hard work, breathing through each contraction.  I was trying not to bang my head on the wall and curse at Dale.  For the first time, I found myself hating Dale, wishing I could stop labor, and hoping for it to all be over.  By 9:30pm I was 6cm, I caved and begged for the epidural!

I got the epidural at 10:15pm and immediately relaxed.  Dale's mom (who just flew in from Alaska) arrived at the hospital and Dale was planning on taking her home and coming back.  Again, Clark had different plans.

I called my nana at 10:40 to let her know what the progress was, we were all convinced that Clark would stay put until the 9th, my nana's birthday.  At 10:45pm I was 7cm, Dale left the room to tell his mom, and soon after our little guy's heart rate started dropping.  Dale came racing back as nurses rushed in around me.  They moved me to my side, my water broke, and at 11:20 I started pushing.  4 minutes and 3 pushes later Clark Allen was born screaming with a cord wrapped around his neck and both arms! 

Everyone was expecting an 8 pound baby but surprisingly Clark was only 6lbs and 15 oz.  He has a full head of black hair, dark (almost brown) eyes, and hairy shoulders!!!

Unlike Kannon who slept for the first 3 days refusing to nurse, Clark is hungry!  He latched on 10 minutes after birth and hasn't stopped since!  Last night he woke us up on the hour, every hour to feed! I am recovering easily...I just need some sleep!

All in all, it was a quick and almost painless birth.  Everything went well and our little man arrived healthy and perfect!  It is so easy to forget how small newborns are.  Even though we are still pretty fresh at the parenting thing, we are both amazed at how tiny Clark his.  He has tiny fingers, hands, and I am still adjusting to holding such a tiny infant again!  I am in awe, looking at Kannon, and realizing he was this tiny just a year ago.  They change and grow so fast and having two boys in my life is a reminder to enjoy every precious moment.

Kannon has no clue what is going on. He is loving the extra attention and smiles at the new baby but it is going to be a few months before he fully realizes he shares our love with Clark.  Until then, it will be chaos learning how to hold and care for 2 boys but equally rewarding with double the love.  I look forward to getting know Clark and his personality and again opening my heart to another.

photo therapy:: family time

Clearly our little man is listening well because I am now 5 days overdue and he doesn't appear to be going anywhere.  So we have been making sure to spend quality time together before our family of 3 becomes 4.  We have taken many trips to the zoo, the dog park (Emma needs love too!), walking around Ballard, and giggling on our bedroom floor.  Life is beautiful, the fall air crisp, the leaves changing, and I am ready to pop!  So here is what our days look like:

Yeppers...another pregnancy photo.  Here is what 40 weeks 5 days pregnant looks like! I am still happy as a clam!

mommy moments:: just one second

These days we have had our share of bumps and bruises.  It seems our little man is becoming more and more of trouble seeking toddler.  Everytime we turn around he his knocking over a water dish, getting into garbage, or climbing up the stairs.  We can't keep up with him! 

We do our best.  We childproofed.  We set up gates, plugged outlets, and got rid of the big hazards.  What they don't tell you?  Kids need constant supervision---even in an empty padded room.  I swear Kannon finds trouble anywhere! 

So lately, our days are never complete without a cry, bang, or bump.  I am not as quick as I used to be and with Dale working all the time I seem to be catching Kannon when he falls.  All it takes is one second.  One quick second, when I should have been behind him or holding his hand or moving something out of the way.  But I wasn't.  I looked away.  I was preoccupied.  I simply wasn't there. 

And it only takes one second. 

Kannon fell down the stairs on Saturday. 

Kannon pulled a 450 degree oven door open trying to hang on the handle on Sunday.

He fell of the bed this morning, stuck his fingers in the VCR at noon, and was climbing our stepladder by 1.  This kid never stops.  We sound like horrible parents!!! 

But the truth is, we do our best, we are teaching our son, telling him no, and he is learning from his own mistakes.  Since falling down the stairs, he has now learned to back down them instead of going face first.  He avoids the oven now and cries when we say no.  It is all a learning process (for all of us!) and no matter what we do, how perfect we are, there will always be bumps and bruises. 

And when my little man falls, I am always their to catch him with comfort, love, and lots of kisses.

photo therapy:: zoooooo

We headed to the zoo today in attempts to walk this baby out.  He is still hanging on but Kannon had fun watching him more than the animals! 

He stuck his fingers in a goat's nose.

He pet a rabbit.

He loved the orangatangs!

mama confesses:: still waiting

 Today, 40 weeks 1 day...still a no show (much like my feet)

Yep! My due date has come and gone with no appearance of our little guy.  I know I said that he can stay in as long as he wants and while that is still mostly true, I am getting a little anxious!  I took a belly picture for the first time today, realizing that I might not have a chance and it had me reminiscing.  Now, I just cant wait to fill my house with those sweet newborn smells, soft skins, oodles of cuddles, and nursing again (something that was cut a little short with Kannon!).  So while I am in the spirit here I am finally posting a few belly pics.....I have all rights to take it down if I start feeling like a blimp!

Here I was with Kannon at 40 weeks 1 day....

And now....with bean#2 40 weeks 1 day.....

****You wouldn't believe how many pictures it took to get this.  Dale is horrible with a camera, doesn't take directions well, and I have super high expectations.....But unless I want to go out with a tripod to do my own maternity photo session this is what we are settling with!

mommy moment:: holy roseola!

Kannon has had his share of runny noses and sneezes but never anything that ever alarmed me.  All those mothers that have dealt with major illnesses, complications, and the "unknown" my heart goes out to you.  The last week has left my whole body sore with pain and worry for my little guy. 

Saturday he was happy, perky, and joyful.  We woke up to his smile and laughs and were ready for a wonderful day.  However, by noon our plan changed as Kannon's temperature started climbing. 

100. 101. 102. 103. 

I know babies can tolerate high fevers but Kannon showed no other signs of illness.  I couldn't just write it off as a cold.  It was Saturday, he was uncomfortable.  I did what I could.  So out came the tepid baths, tylenol, extra fluids, and lots of snuggles. 

By Sunday his fever still hovered over 102.  It would drop briefly in the afternoon and then climb right back to its favorite spot.  I decided to wait until Monday to call the doctor because there is no sense in waiting in urgent care for 2 hours with all sorts of other germs. 

Monday, the fever broke.  Hooray!  But Tuesday, the fever was back.  Again, 102 and this time Kannon was inconsolable.  He screamed for 2 hours and didn't want to be held but he didn't want to be alone.  He just wanted to cuddle completely naked, skin to skin, under a blanket with Baby Einstein on.  We did what we could, it was 3 am. Finally, he went to sleep and woke up smiling, happy, and without a fever.  Yay!!!

I thought we were out of the woods.  I suspected he may have had the flu or a cold.  And just when I thought it was safe, he got a horrible rash all over his body. 

Finally, 3 days of waiting and wondering whether or not I should take him to the doctor, we got an appointment.  Kannon lost 3 pounds over the week from his loss of appetite and was running on the cool side.  The pediatrician (whom we love!) diagnosed him with Roseola----a common childhood illness also known as "Sixth disease" that consists of 3 days of fever and finally a rash declaring the end of illness. 

Treatment?  Lots of love as it will be over in 6 days.

So after almost a week of worry, heartache, and sleepless nights my boy is finally sleeping soundly and healthy.  Yes, I could have taken him to doctor sooner but everyone I called said to wait it out.  We did and it was heart-wrenching.  In the end, I begged and pleaded for someone to see him and while it was less than thrilling (no measles, mumps, or rubella) I am comforted knowing that he is fine.

Now, maybe I can finally relax and encourage our soon-to-be second son to finally join the party!