My first visit with Uncle Vince & aunt Larissa

I love my aunt and uncle:-)  Soooo much that they even bought me two of the same teddy bear!!

Me & Emme

Amy, Carrie and I had a Mommy playdate today!!  Lily and the babes enjoyed each other's company while the Mommies got to catch up.  I should say that Lily entertained us while the babes slept, ate and messed themselves:-)  Emme and Hugh are only five weeks apart -- how cute:-) !!!

Rub a Dub Dub, look who just got out of the tub

I love my baths!!  The sound of running water is very soothing and makes me very happy.  Plus, Mommy & Daddy love to cuddle with me afterwards.

Where are all of my mittens?

So each night, we put mittens on lil' Hugh's hands so that he doesn't scratch his face.  Every morning, I would take off the mittens and either place them on the nightstand or in his basket next to the bed.  I thought I was losing my mind because every few days, I was looking for a new pair.  I thought maybe I threw them in the wash or put them in an alternate location. Suddenly, the supply was magically low.  

Daddy Hugh was out cleaning the land mines in the backyard and came in the house claiming he knew where the mittens were going.  He found a few 'mitten piles' in the backyard.  Kobuk traded in his food for mittens.  Lovely:-) 

Why does Daddy put this wood above my carseat?

A typical trip to Home Depot.....training the little man to be a handyman.  Can you tell how excited he is??

Great Aunt Donna

Saturday, Lil' Hugh had a lot of fun when Aunt Donna stopped by for a visit.  He enjoyed her rocking him, talking to him in her sweet baby voice and even dancing through the house!!!  We also appreciated the new books with CD's she gave to him.  

A Visit with Great Grandpa Collins

Thursday, Lil' Hugh made his first trip to visit Great Grandpa Collins and Great Grandma Dorothy.  It was a great visit and he was a good little boy.  At first, Grandpa was timid to hold him, but we propped lil' Hugh up in his arms and promised Grandpa that he was comfy cozy.  Within the first 20 seconds, he tooted.....it was one of those healthy baby toots, but nothing out of the norm.  Jokingly, I told Grandpa that I had hoped Lil' Hugh didn't leave him a present.  Well, let's just be thankful that Grandpa is a forgiving man!!!  We owe them a new blanket:-)  As you can tell from the pics, we all had fun and we are looking forward to the next visit.  

More pics of lil' Hugh

Is it the Griswalds or the Wrights?

The Wrights first family Christmas and we’ve officially become the Griswalds.   Thanks to Snake (Dave Ruschman), we have the largest possible Christmas tree ever.  Seriously, this tree did not look this big at the shop, but as you can tell from the pics, it extends about a foot from our 2-story ceiling.  If only you guys could have seen the smiling faces of Hugh and I driving this tree home strapped to the top of the Explorer and watching Hugh set it in the stand.  Now......we have to decorate it:-)  We’re thinking Hugh can hang from the banister to string the lights:-)  Lil' Hugh's first Christmas tree has officially set a Wright family record:-)

First photoshoot

At the hospital.....

Hugh was born late Monday evening and we were finally discharged from the hospital Wednesday early afternoon.  Day 2 was a whirlwind of doctor's visits for the little one.  The morning started with a visit from the Pediatrician, circumcision, hearing test, blood work, vital checks, yadda, yadda.  Yeah -- it was crazy!!  The good news is that our baby boy was very healthy!!  Unfortunately, he did fail his hearing test 2x's, so we had to return to the hospital the following week for his audiology appointment.  He passed with flying colors (or sounds)!!  They say that his ears could have been clogged from deliver, the equipment may have malfunctioned or the nurses technique may not have been the best.  Yeah -- he can hear!!  Also, the following week, baby Hugh had his first doctor's appointment.  He was back up to his birth weight - yahoo!!  Also, the doctor thinks that he may not have been fully stretched when measured at the hospital because he was measuring 21.5inches in length only a week later.  He is 50% in weight and head measurement and 95% in height.  The best part of the visit was when daddy Hugh and I went to change his diaper before leaving and he sprinkled all over the doctor's table -- whoops!!  Another great laugh!!!

It's a beautiful, healthy, amazing baby BOY!!

8:02pm Mom exclaims 'It's a boy!!'

25 hours of labor couldn't have been more rewarding.  It was a long Sunday night and Monday, but we were blessed with the most amazing gift, the miracle of our son.  The doctor decided to start Pitocin Monday AM and then slowly increase it every 30-60 minutes.  At about 10:30a, I was only 2cm dialated, so Dr. Bhatia decided to break my water.  Once this happened and the Pitocin was approximately 60%, the contractions were coming stronger than ever.  I made it until 12:30p and threw in the towel.  Whew -- those contractions were VERY tough!!  The epidural was the best decision ever.  Once I had the epi, the anesthesiologist said, 'you're 5 minutes from not feeling any contractions and 20 minutes from a nap'.  From that point forward, the only way I knew I was having contractions was to watch the monitor -- perfect:-)  Around 5:30p, I was ready to push, but the doctor was in surgery, so I had to wait almost an hour and a half.  Finally, I was able to begin pushing around 7pm and one hour later, our bundle of joy arrived.  I can't express how awesome it was to deliver him and see Hugh's eyes light up as he was born.  The next thing I knew, a sweet baby boy was on my chest and I couldn't have been happier.  We named him after his father, grandfather and great-grandfather -- Hugh Cale Wright IV.  He weighed a healthy 8lb 6.4oz and measured 20.25inches.

Getting prepped to meet LO

Life is good today...I got my toes on the hospital bed, my feet in some slippers......Life is good today.  We are so excited to meet Baby Lo.

Sunday, we packed and prepared, as much as an excited Mom & Dad possibly could.  If the Bengals performance is any foreshadowing of what's to come -- it will be awesome.  WHO DEY!!  The Bengals swept the Steelers and are first in the AFC North with a record of 7-2.

We had to arrive at the hospital at 7pm on Sunday, 11/15.  If you could have seen Hugh and I, we looked like we were staying for months -- 1 suitcase, a media bag, toiletry bag, entertainment bag, food bag, 4 pillows, blanket, baby carrier and baby bag.  Seriously, we are slightly over-prepared:-)  Once checked in, the nurse checked me and I was 1cm dialated - yeah!!!  They started the Cervadil around 8:45p and I had to lay flat for 2 hours.  The contractions started about 11pm and lasted ALL night long.  I got about 2 hours of sleep in 15 minute increments --getting ready for Mom duty!!!  Hugh also enjoyed sleeping on his paper thin concrete block.

This morning, I was still 1 cm dialated, but I was 90% effaced.  Forward progress:-) My contractions were very regular (2 mins. apart) on their own, but for some reason they decided to slow down a bit.  Hugh and I walked for 30-40 minutes to re-ignite the contractions.  They also wanted to start Pitocin.  We started a very slow dose and they just amped it up a bit more.  The contractions are back to regular (2-4 mins. apart) and beginning to be quite strong.   Just hanging tight and looking forward to what's next:-)

Between now and Monday, 11/16.....

Sooooo.......baby Wright is definitely like his/her mother and father.........stubborn as a mule.......awesome.  We were hoping for a bit more progress at today's Dr's appointment, but no luck.  Unfortunately, my cervix is still closed/not dialated.  The maximum that they will let me go is 42 weeks -- which would be this Tuesday.

The induction is scheduled for Monday, 11/16.  This is also Amy G's birthday and since we do everything else the same, baby Wright may decide to share the same birthday.  We have to go in Sunday night at 7pm where they will give me a pill to help things progress and hopefully kickstart labor.  If no luck through the night, they will start the Pitocin drip between 7a-9a Monday morning.  The doctor mentioned today that I'm higher risk (60%) for a c-section given the state of my cervix this late in pregnancy.  We're hoping for a miracle sometime between now and Sunday that labor will take off.  Keep us in your prayers that we go into labor and/or that all will go well with a little medicinal help on Monday :-)

We can't wait to meet our little one.  Cheers and Love,

Hugh & Stef

PS.  Thanks for everyone's advice to jumpstart labor.  Trust me when I say we are trying everything and no luck so far.  Wink, wink!!

Umbilical or Um'biblical'

Yes, Granny D seems to think that baby Lo not only receives his/her nutrients, but also the word of God through the um'biblical' cord.  He, he, he.  It's a good thing she can take a joke!!!  Next time you see her, be sure to ask her a question that requires to respond with umbilical cord or in her terms um'biblical' cord.  She'll be sure to pause to ensure she says it the right way.

11.5 Doctors Update

Same....same....same.  Baby Lo is happily camped out in the belly.  The NST looked great, still 'reactive'.  I did have one strong contraction on the monitor - yeah one:)  

Also, the doctor's office had just received a surplus (50ish) of H1N1 vaccines.  Since I was able to get one of the vaccines (given that pregnant women are the highest risk), the doctor didn't do a full internal exam, as he said he didn't want to disturb any of the chemistry.  The H1N1 vaccine takes 7-8 days to take the full effect, so he said it would be good if I did wait another week to deliver.  

This coming week, I have the same series of appointments -- Monday and Thursday.  If I haven't delivered by then, the doctor will most likely schedule my induction for the end of this week or beginning of the next.  C'mon labor:-)

Welcome Ethan Ryan Ives

Yesterday evening, Josh, Kelly and Aidan welcomed their beautiful son/brother, Ethan Ryan Ives.  He's super cute and a perfect size.  7lbs 10oz, 19.5 inches long.  Everyone is healthy and doing great.  Baby Lo will have a cousin very close in age - yeah:-)