3 months old

It is amazing how much Anderson changes week to week. We see him developing and learning new skills every day (of course we think he is so advanced). He smiles a lot, which I cannot get enough of. He has been batting at and grabbing toys, sort of walking in his walker, and rolling on to both sides. He has gotten better at tummy time, lifting his head up for a long time and actually staying on his tummy for a while. At first he would get upset and cry when he was on his stomach. But as I am typing this, he just fell asleep during tummy time. I have started baby signing with him. He won't be able to sign back anytime soon, but hopefully knows what is going on and he can soon tell us what he wants before he speaks. I am really excited about it. Every morning I do the ABC's and he just stares at my hand while I am signing, so hopefully that is a good sign.

He is growing so big. Some mornings when I pick him up I swear he is bigger than the night before, like I can feel he is heavier and longer. He has grown out of a lot of clothes, and some of the clothes we got he never even got to wear. I am so glad we received used clothing from friends so we don't feel bad about him growing out of them.

Last night he slept in his crib and own room for the first time. I of course did not get much sleep worrying about hearing him and just worrying in general. The monitor we have works great, but I still got up everytime I heard him, which I know now I just need to let him sleep. A couple times in the night when I went to check he was wide awake, I gave him his pacifier and he went right back to sleep. I am going to work on just letting him figure it out on his own, because I know he can. Also, Craig built a UT longhorn mobile to hang in the crib which Anderson loves looking at.

We are having so much fun with him and each day only gets better. We have been trying to go on walks everyday to get me back in some sort of shape and keep the dogs in shape. Anderson seems to love our walks. He just looks around everywhere at the trees and sky. He has fallen asleep a few times, but mostly he is so content with taking in what is all around him.

We are going in on Thursday to apply for his US passport. The US requires so much information it is ridiculous. I am surprised they don't make me sign it in blood and hand over my first born son to get it. I have to give locations and dates of everywhere I have ever lived, all our marriage info, when Craig and I first met, and Craig's divorce info. I am really not sure why a divorce decree is needed since that has nothing to do with our child. Like I said they need a lot of information. We are going to look into getting the Grenada passport as well, which surprisingly is really easy to get, I just need to get the paperwork.

2 months old

I am sorry it has been so long since I have updated this, haven't really had much time to sit down and write. I cannot believe we already have a 2 month old (he is actually 9 weeks old today). Time really flies and he has already changed so much since he was born. When looking back at his first pictures he looks like a completely different baby, it is so strange. He got his first set of vaccinations the other day and that was sad. The doctor had me try to breastfeed to kind of trick him to think we weren't doing anything bad, well that didn't work. He still cried and was not fooled when I switched him to the other side to get the other leg. But he made it through just fine and both Craig and I were able to comfort him and settle him down.



He has started to smile a lot, knows when we walk by him and enter the room, focuses his eyes on our face and everything around him. It is so neat to see a little bit of personality forming, cannot wait to see who he takes after more, for our sake I hope its Craig! My parents have told me many stories of how stubborn I was (still am) and I hope he doesn't get it from me, but it runs in the Tiller line so I am not sure how much of a chance he has of not getting it.



It is crazy how much you can love some little thing that only eats, pees, poops, cries, and sleeps. We cannot get over how beautiful he is and how much we love everything he does. Even when he cries, he has the cutest cry ever, you can't help but to say aww and even laugh. At first it only seemed like he wanted me. I guess since I was supplying all the food he could not be bothered with anyone else. But now he has turned more into wanting to be with daddy, which I love, but secretly wish he was still a momma's boy. It is great seeing him love Craig so much though, I am so glad they have a great bond going. I know he still loves me though, since I still am getting up at night to feed him. We also dance together which always calms him down.



For the most part he is a great baby. He really doesn't cry all that much and we are getting better at knowing what he wants. He has started sleeping 6-7 hours at night and the night feeding is usually only 2 oz. So I am hoping he is starting to get where he won't need to wake up to eat, I can dream I guess! I can't wait to move him into his own room and crib. Right now he is still in the bassinet/pack n play in our bedroom and I still hear him every time he moves around and makes noises even when he is asleep.

Every day seems to get better and better, this is such a fun time!

The Arrival of Anderson West

Beware, this is going to be a long one. I am a little late posting this blog, but that can be expected, dealing with a newborn is tough work. I was induced on Dec 30, 2009 first with a pill that dissolved on my cervix at 9 am and then pitocin at 3 pm. Anderson finally arrived at 6:27pm weighing 7lbs 12oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. The doctor broke my water at around 3 pm, came back at 6 to check on me, and within 30 minutes Anderson was out. It took a total of 3 pushes to clear his head and then one more got him completely out. The delivery part really wasn't all that bad since it went by really quick. The contractions part is what really sucked. They do not have epidurals here, so I did it naturally with no drugs. Not sure if drugs would have helped the contractions, but I wish I would have had something to help me out. The pitocin made my contractions right on top of the other, I rarely had a break. Also, his shoulders were pushing against my abdomen constantly and it was really hard to tell if a contraction was over since the pressure was painful.

Of course it was all worth it when he came out and we saw his beautiful face and heard him cry. I received plenty of stitches since I went so fast, the midwife never had time to help stretch me out. I told Craig on one of the head pushes that I knew I ripped!

I had packed a bag to take to the hospital based on several lists I read about what to bring. I guess I need to make a new list on what to bring to a Grenadian hospital, we were so unprepared. I didn't bring any diapers since the US list said the hospital would have plenty, well they didn't, only one. Craig had to run to a little store to get some for the overnight stay. Also, I did not bring a blanket to wrap him up in, luckily someone had left one and we borrowed it. I did not bring a bath towel either, so the midwife had to find me a towel to use after my shower. And one last thing, I was not able to find maternity pads for the heavy flow after wards and the only heavy flow ones did not really do the job. I kept bleeding through and onto my clothes and onto the bed with white sheets. I also did not bring enough change of clothes. So now I know for next time to come way over prepared.

In the overnight hospital room they have an air conditioner, which stayed off most of the time since the nurse thought it was too cold in there for Anderson. Meanwhile, I am drenched in sweat trying to sleep dying of heat stroke. Anderson had on a onesie, footie pj's, a blanket, and a hat, yet they thought he was too cold. He was probably getting heat stroke too!



Since we have been home with him for over 2 weeks now, it has both been tough and wonderful at the same time. Luckily my mom got here to help when he was 2 days old, and just left yesterday. I am so glad she was able to visit us and really appreciated not having to do any dishes and laundry.

He wants to eat constantly and has now started not wanting to sleep during the day, he always is fighting off sleep. Since I am nursing, it has been tough keeping up with his constant demand of wanting to eat. I would really like to pump more so that Craig could help with feeding, but Anderson rarely gives me a break and he really doesn't leave any milk for me to pump in between feedings. Hopefully he will soon get tired enough to sleep long enough so I can get some more sleep. Craig is getting plenty of sleep, lucky daddy. He never wakes up at night when he cries or makes any noise. I wish I could sleep through all those noises that are not cries!

Hopefully we will both figure all this out soon enough. We both love him so much, even when he cries, he is the most precious and beautiful boy ever!

One week overdue

Now I have gone one week past my due date. If I do not have this kid by tomorrow, I will go in on Wednesday morning (Dec 30) to be induced. I really do not want to be induced by drugs so I am hoping our child stops being stubborn and comes out on his own. The problem is the Tiller side of the family is known for being quite stubborn and I am afraid he is taking after me!

I cannot believe we are really about to have a child within a couple days at the most. We are totally ready though, I cannot wait to meet him. I had another ultrasound the other day to make sure he was still doing well and we were able to see his beautiful face pretty clear. It looked kind of scrunched though since his head has moved down into my pelvis. Also we found out that the estimated weight is 8lb 7oz!!! I really hope that is an over estimate because having an 8lb baby naturally is going to hurt. He seems to be doing great inside of me, good movements, heart rate normal, breathing normal, I guess that is why he doesn't want to come out.

Well my next post should be pictures of us and our new addition, stay tuned!

Less than 3 weeks left!

I can't believe the big day is almost here. I am officially full term now and this boy could come any day! Everyone has been saying oh this is so exciting, aren't you excited, and my answer has been a hesitant yes. I am really excited about having a child, but the process I am about to go through with no drugs has gotten me a little scared. I know many women before me have survived, lived to tell about it, and even had more than one child this way, so I should be okay. I just hope it goes smoothly.

Last Sunday while taking my blood pressure I started talking with my midwife about the delivery part and my blood pressure read high. She made me change the subject and redo the test and then it was fine.

I am definitely getting to that uncomfortable stage. I am waddling when walking and all that pressure from sitting to standing takes me a minute to get used to. Laying in bed is not easy and rolling over from one side to the other takes at least a minute or two and it is slightly painful. I am not sure if I am still sore from getting up and down off of a low beach chair or just all my muscles and ligaments are getting so relaxed that my lower abdomen and hips area just hurt when used.

I registered at the hospital the other day and paid almost all the cost up front for delivery. The package includes a day at the hospital, the basic drugs and vitamins they give, and delivery, which costs $1500EC (about $560US). As long as nothing goes wrong or they do not need to do anything else besides the basics, it is really cheap. But even if I have to have more things done it will still cost way under the amount it would at home.

Latest Ultrasound - definitely a BOY!

Craig and I went to get an ultrasound this past weekend at the hospital. Our doctor wanted to see if he had flipped from breech to head down. He is head down as of right now, hopefully he stays that way. We also know for sure now that he is in fact a boy since we saw his little testicles! I will now know not to believe the crazy wives tales on gender.

With the measurements of the head, abdomen, and femur, I was calculated a due date of December 18, which is not far off from the original December 21. Also he is an estimated weight of 5.7lbs right now. The doctor told me today that he thinks he will end up to be around 7 1/2 to 7 3/4lbs, which sounds like a good size to me. I definitely don't want him to get much bigger since I am doing this naturally!

We saw a really good picture of his face, with his little hands by his head. Craig thought it looked like he had chubby cheeks, but I was not able to tell.

I cannot believe I only have five more weeks to go! I am starting to get a lot more excited, but also very nervous for the labor part itself, I hope I make it! Craig thinks I am tough, but I am not so sure about that.

The baby movements are more rolling and just pushing out on my belly and less of hard kicks or punches. From the looks of the ultrasound he has some room in there, but it is getting to be tight quarters. One of my friends here mentioned that I went from being a little pregnant to looking really pregnant (thanks). I am going to have Craig take another picture today for all to see.

I am still not sleeping that well, rolling from one side to the next is getting tougher. I cannot sleep on my right side too long or my leg goes to sleep and my left side is not as comfortable. I cannot wait until I can sleep on my stomach again.

From here on out I am just meeting with my midwife and will only include the OB if problems arise.

Baby Shower

I had my first and only baby shower yesterday. Thanks to everyone who threw it for me, I had a great time. I got to be in an air conditioned apartment, which was awesome, surrounded by great friends and ate great food. We played games, which I did not win, and after one of the games I am really anxious for my next ultrasound for gender confirmation. One of the games was figuring out old wives tales on gender. According to most of them, I should be having a girl. Hopefully they are indeed incorrect, and I will find out for sure this coming Saturday when I go in for another ultrasound. I really hope the ultrasound at 20 weeks was in fact correct since I am really happy with the boy name we have picked and all the blue clothing that was given to us.

Since Craig and I have already purchased almost everything we needed for the baby's arrival, at the shower I received two of the most important baby items we did not have, diapers and baby wipes. This was a great gift, I do not think you can have too many of these items. I also received some cute books, small toys, some onesies, and a really really cute fireman themed outfit with bib. I almost cried when I saw this because it is just too precious and our little guy can take after his father. One more big item we got was a baby swing. This was really unexpected, I was going to buy the swing from my friend, but graciously she gave it to us for a present. I definitely need to go by the store and get some thank you notes!

I think I have begun to nest. Today I decided to wash everything in Dreft, started packing my bag for the hospital, and stowed all the diapers and wipes in their place. Now if only Craig would finish building the crib, we would be set.