A new blog

All future posts about Caleb and other family topics will be at:
http://bradandstephjohnson.blogspot.com/?m=1

This blog is going back to being my running/exercise journal!

Newborn photos and our Christmas card

Once Caleb was out of the NICU, I called the photographer and got his newborn photo session scheduled. We had his photos taken when he was 16 days old. Here are a few of my favorites, as well as our 2012 Christmas card.

Couch to 5k

I know that it's typical to wait until six weeks postpartum to return to exercising, but I was a little antsy at about three weeks. I knew that if I started back that early, I would have to take it really easy. I decided that the Couch to 5k program would be a good place to start. I love having a plan to follow and a goal to work toward. I did the program a few years ago, and I loved it. I recommend it to people all the time, because I think it's a great place for anyone to begin. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I started the plan on November 19th (3 weeks, 3 days postpartum). The first three weeks went really well, and I started week 4 yesterday. My postpartum check-up is tomorrow, so my fingers are crossed that my doctor clears me to workout! And my fingers are crossed that I haven't messed something up by working out too soon! I feel great, so I'm sure everything's fine.

One month

Weight: 7 lbs 14 oz

Length: 20.5"

Clothing size: Newborn

Diaper size: Newborn

Eating: Caleb takes 2.5 oz of breast milk with half scoop of formula seven times per day.

Sleeping: Caleb sleeps 4-5 hours at a time during the night and usually has to be woken up to eat. We haven't really been able to establish a consistent daytime nap schedule because of all the doctors' appointments. He usually falls asleep in the car when we're going to/from appointments, though.

Highlight of the month: Caleb left the NICU and went home on November 5th. He was there for ten days.

I'm back!

So much has happened since my last post. I will try to get this blog up to speed over the course of the next few days. For now, though, I leave you with some photos of the little guy who has been consuming my time lately.

38 weeks

My induction was scheduled for Monday, October 29th, but we found out a week before that there was a scheduling error at the hospital. I got rescheduled for Friday, October 26th, so that put my delivery date at exactly 38 weeks. I didn't take time to write down all of the "weekly milestone" answers that day, but here are a few...

Total weight gain: 18.8 lbs

Belly button - in or out: It stayed in!

Stretch marks: No stretch marks!

The photo was taken in Caleb's nursery before we went to the hospital. My labor/delivery story is coming next...

36 weeks

Gender: Boy

How big is baby: At my ultrasound on Tuesday, Caleb’s estimated weight was 5lbs, 9oz.

Total weight gain: 16.6 lbs

Maternity clothes: The weather is cooling down some, but I refuse to buy any more maternity clothes. I’ve been wearing maternity skinny jeans, maternity tank tops, and non-maternity cardigan. I’ve been going through my non-maternity fall clothes and have found a few things that are large enough to fit.

Belly button - in or out: It’s still in!

Stretch marks: I still don’t have any stretch marks!

Movement: Caleb is still very active, even though he’s running out of room. My doctor got quite a laugh about how much he was moving, while she was trying to listen to his heart beat during my appointment on Wednesday.

Food cravings: My favorite snack this week has been honeycrisp apples and peanut butter.

Food aversions: I’m still avoiding milk.

Baby items purchased: I ordered a diaper bag and a few other things that we didn’t receive at any of the baby showers.

Gifts received: We had our final shower on Friday and received several wonderful gifts from the ladies in our Sunday School class.

Labor Signs: The contractions seem to be further apart than they were over the last couple weeks. They now tend to be about 30 minutes apart. At this point, my doctor is fine with me having them and doesn’t want me to take any Brethine to make them stop.

Milestones: When I was at the hospital having so many contractions three weeks ago, we decided that our goal was to make it to 36 weeks. I’m so glad we’ve made it this far.

What I am looking forward to: I’m scheduled to be induced on October 29th, if Caleb doesn’t decide to arrive sooner.  I will be 38 weeks, 3 days at that point.