My growing, hungry boy!

Yesterday, Cannon had another weight check at the pedi's office. First off, he made a huge dirty mess on the table. The nurse wanted to take his temp and she wanted to be very accurate so she did it the old fashioned way. The first time she stuck it in, he squeezed it out with his butt cheeks and the second time ended in a huge poopy mess! Serves her right though, having to do such a violating act on my little guy. As I was cleaning him with the wipes, he peed so high and so far that it went all over the wall! I was a little embarrased and I felt bad that the nurse had a big mess to clean, but mostly it was pretty funny! The good news is that Cannon was back up to his birth weight (6lbs 4oz) and his jaundice seems to be resolving. Yeah! Now he wakes up to eat instead of me waking him every three hours. Last night he did a cluster feeding and this morning all he wanted to do was eat again! I am so happy all of his feeding issues are gone!

On a side note, my feeding issues are back. The IBS and the lactose intolerance has come back in full force. So I must say so long to raw carrots, celery, and apples with the peel. And Ben and Jerry will have to be occasional visitors.

The whole story

So here is the whole story of how Cannon was born. It all started Monday night (4/20). I went to bed at 11:00 and my water broke at midnight. Ryan and I were freaked out knowing that this was it. Luckily, I had already packed my bag, but Ryan still needed to get some things together. We also had to pack up the dog's stuff and drop her off at my dad's house. We got to the hospital around 2am. My contractions were irregular and quite tolerable at this point. When they checked me I had just started to dialate. I was started on pitocin and that made the contractions become regular and stronger. Ryan's job was to time the contractions. When the contractions were lasting for one minute and two minutes apart, I couldn't take it anymore. I had an epidural around 11:30am. Keep in mind that I hadn't slept at all the previous night, so I was completely exhausted. The epidural was nice because that allowed me to get a few cat naps here and there. Cannon's heart rate would get really low during each contraction. The nurses suspected that his umbilical cord was either around his neck or foot. They put an oxygen mask on me that I wore until he was born. Finally at 4:50 pm it was time to push. I pushed for almost two hours and Cannon was born at 6:40 pm. It was so exciting! I thought he would never come! The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, but they were able to slip it off over his head. He cried for minute and they put him on my belly. I patted him and he stopped crying. The thing that I couldn't believe was how much hair he had, not only on his head but all over! The nurses took him to the warmer and Ryan went with him. He had some trouble breathing, which was why his first APGAR was a 6. There was also an issue with his umbilical cord. They said that on part of it, the skin around a major blood vessel was very thin and they were nervous that it could bleed. They had the neonatologist look at him and then they took him to the nursery to monitor him. I only got to hold him for a few minutes. Ryan went with him to the nursery and he recorded his bath so I could see it. After they got me all cleaned up they allowed my family to come in to see me. Throughout everything, Ryan was awesome! He was so supportive of me and encouraging when it was hard. He really got into it too. He would ask the nurses what he could do and where he should stand. I was so proud of him! He even cut the cord, which he swore he wouldn't do! The whole experience to me was amazing.

The hospital stay was nice and we loved all of our nurses. Throughout the stay, they closely monitored mine and Cannon's blood sugars. I am happy to say that our blood sugars were perfect every time! Now that I am home, I will continue to check my morning blood sugar for the next few weeks. So far it's been normal. I was excited to go back to my regular diet and to reunite with my old friends Ben and Jerry. I owe that to my sister Shae and my dad. We got to come home Thursday afternoon. You know you are in the Rees family when the first thing you do after you leave the hospital with a newborn is stop at Baskin Robbins.

Our first night home was horrible! Cannon really regressed when it came to nursing. At the hospital, he was a champion eater, but it quickly went downhill. He barely ate that first night. He was hungry and exhausted and I was exhausted. We saw the pediatrician the next day and he had lost too much weight. When we left the hospital he was 5lbs 13oz, but at the doctors he was down to 5lbs 9oz. He was also jaundiced. His bilirubin counts were at 13. The doctor recommended a miracle device called a supplemental nursing system. It worked like a charm! I was able to pump some milk and put it in this thing. It looks like a mini IV. I clipped the plastic container, with the milk, to my shirt and taped the small tube to myself and when Cannon would latch on he would immediately get the milk from the tube. When I felt like he was really on, I could then slip the tube out of his mouth. This was great because we didn't have to use a bottle. Now Cannon doesn't need the SNS and he's back to being a great eater. We saw the pediatrician again on Saturday and his weight was back up to 5lbs 13oz and his bilirubin counts were lower. We will go back again Monday morning for another weight check.

Cannon has such a calm, chill temperment. He only cries when he is cold, like during diaper changes, but is quickly able to be comforted. He loves to sleep! I have to wake him for his feedings and then he will go right back to sleep. He has short awake periods about three times a day and will look at you and look around the room. He is also a cuddler, which we all love! Here are some pictures of life around the Rees home.


Father son bonding over XBox.




Cannon and his cousin, Cole, who is six months old.









When Ryan was at church today I decided to take a shower. This was Cannon's first time in the swing and he loved it. I put it in the doorway of the bathroom so I could peek on him. I thought Blue was asleep in the front room, so I had closed my bedroom door so she wouldn't come bug him. Blue was actually asleep in our room and when I stepped out of the shower, this is what I found. I think she was protecting him. Despite her robust urge to lick his face, she is otherwise calm around him.






A lazy Sunday afternoon.

He's here!

Here is a quick post of Cannon Taylor Rees.
Born: 4/21/09 6:40 pm
Weight: 6lbs 4oz
Length: 19.5 ''
APGAR: 6, 7, 8 (he had three because the first one was lower than a 7)



I will post more photos and the story when I get a chance.

My latest diagnosis

Last night I had intense inching on my lower abdomen and I just thought it was from my cool new stretch marks. When I rubbed on my cocoa butter it really stung and I thought I had scratched myself when I was itching my belly. But it wasn't until I looked in the mirror this morning that I noticed I had a rash. I called doctor later this afternoon and they wanted me to come in. The diagnosis: pruritic urticarial papules, a.k.a pregnancy rash. The cure: not to be pregnant. However, I can treat the symptoms with hydrocortizone cream and/or benedryl. Now I am even more excited to not be pregnant anymore. I've been hearing a lot of this lately, "It will go away after you have the baby." There are many things I am looking forward to going away after Cannon is born. But there are a few things I will miss. Since I have been pregnant, my lactose intolerance has been tolerable and my IBS has been less irritable. I eat an apple, with the peel, everyday without getting a stomach ache and last night I ate a whole uncooked carrot without getting a stomach ache. It was so delicious! I will miss his little kicks and moves and I must say that the anticipation of his arrival has been exciting. It is fun to wonder what he will look like and what his personality will be like. It's like when you are a kid waiting for Christmas day!

36 weeks and counting!

Well, I finally gained back the two pounds I lost and then some. Total weight gain is now up to 32 pounds thanks to whole milk, butter, and insulin. They checked my cervix too and it's thinning out and starting to open. They are thinking he is close to around 6 pounds now. When the nurse looked at my belly she said, "Wow! You are all baby!" It's true. You can always tell where Cannon is camped out because my belly is lopsided. He is definitely head down (very far down) and he loves to stretch his legs and rest his feet on top of my ribs, which is not very comfortable at all! He still is very active, but he is usually just turning to either side or stretching his long legs. He gets the hiccups often, which I heard is a sign of a healthy baby. His nursery is almost ready. As soon as it's finished I will post pictures. We ordered the mattress online and it hasn't arrived yet, but pretty much everything else is in place. I am definitely getting excited!

Baby Shower

I had my baby shower last Saturday and it was so much fun! Thanks to everyone who helped out and for everyone who was able to come. I couldn't believe how much stuff Cannon got and I really appreciate everyone's generosity.


Blue was worn out from all the festivities!








Here's all four grandkids on the Rees side.

32 week check-up

Yesterday I had my 32 week appointment. I have lost 2 pounds, so my total weight gain is down to 26 pounds. But my belly is measuring normal. They weren't too concerned and it is probably because of the new diet I am on. My nutritionist wants me to add extra calories in the form of bacon, sour cream, whole milk yogurt, butter, salad dressing etc. Because this is a short-term diet, they aren't worried about my cholesterol. I just can't wait to eat normal again! I'm starting to miss ice cream.