Nana's Photo Spree

I pulled some pics from my mom's camera. My boy is quite the ham. Here is Cibbers with Uncle Russell, Cibbers first smile and play time with mom and dad.

Tummy Time With Mommy

Each day is a new adventure and joy with Cibbers and Bits! Yesterday he lost his belly button stump, his circumcision ring and slept a four hours span. He is growing up fast already. I treasure each day, especially these awake 'play' times.

Hi Granny Nanny!

Update on Cibbers and Bits

We had a great check up with the lactation consultant this morning! Cib is back at birth weight and is taking in almost four ounces a feed. Besides some minor latch probs the consultant said she can not believe how alert, healthy and happy Cib is. After confirming with the pediatrician, Cib is allowed to go until he wakes for middle of the night feedings and four hours between day feedings. The pediatrician said, "You dont want him walking at 6 months do you?!" :) My little over achiever. GO CIB GO!

Cib's Big Day

Now that I have weened myself from the precious pain meds and am a little more clear headed I can share the story of Cib's birthday.

We checked into Labor and Delivery (L&D) around 8 p.m. on Monday, July 14th for an over night cervix ripening treatment called Cervidil. We were expecting to be induced the following morning at 9 a.m.

The Cervidil was put in place at 10:10 p.m. and by 10:18, although it would another hour and half before this was confirmed, I was in full labor. As I laid there in pain I suddenly thought if a cervix ripening hurts this much, I can't handle labor! Then I felt a little warm trickle in my under carriage (as my grandmother calls it) and thought I had tinkled on myself, something most common for a woman at full term with a big boy sitting on her bladder. Then the pain really picked up. So I called in the nurse and through a clenched jaw told her I wasnt sure I could handle this without serious pain meds. She began to giggle. She said, "Oh sweetie, you cant have an epidural for a cervix ripening." I started to cry a little as the pain really picked up another notch and Austin asked me to wait it out another 20 minutes or so and then we would reassess. 20 minutes came and went and I announced loudly (I had been watching the clock) that this was BS and I wanted some drugs. At that time the nurse started taking a little more seriously and asked one of the residents to check my cervix. To their surprise I was dilated to a 4 (I was a 2 only an hour before) and the little accident I thought I had had turned out to be my water breaking. The nurse immediately offered me something she called the 'margarita shot'. She said it is like having a couple margaritas, you fall and hurt yourself but you dont care about the pain. I replied, "I will have salt with mine." :) After I was sure I was in labor I actually felt better about the pain I was in. I decided to sit in the rocker for an hour and wait on the epidural, trying to get to 5 cm dilated. I made it and then decided I had been brave enough, epidural please! Once I got my epi it was sleepy time bliss from there. An hour later I was a 7 and by 5 a.m. I was a 10 and Cib was fully effaced and ready to go. My doctor was in a surgery so she let me 'labor down' for a few hours since Cibber's head was so big. Basically this means I just laid there blissfully sleeping while my body did the work of bringing Cib further into the birth canal.

Around 8 a.m. they said the doctor would be arriving soon. And suddenly my epidural machine started beeping and saying 'low medication'. I freaked! :) I called for the nurse immediately and let her know I had no desire to feel ANY pain. They got that fixed ASAP. Then the doc arrived and pushing began at 9 a.m. I was so surprised at how different it was than my fears or expectations. The pushing was like a hard work out with my trainer but nothing I could not bear. After two and half hours of pushing, Cib made his big debut. Austin and I cried in wonder of this little guy coming into our lives. More love than I can express in words filled our hearts instantly.

Cib was immediately but on my chest and got to spend about 20 minutes there with me while the doctor delivered the placenta and checked him out. He was quiet and alert. I was amazed at how awake he was and it was a very special time I will never forget with my son.

They took Cib to a little warm next to my bed and completed his apgar testing, he received a 9! Suddenly everything in the room began to sort of glow. I heard the nurse tell the doc that my blood pressure was down to 90/30. YIKES! I said, " Am I ok?" The nurse was very reassuring letting me know I had lost an acute amount of blood from an enlarged placenta from carrying triplets for the first trimester. They got me some apple juice, a protein bar and things started to look a little more clear. I got to breast feed Cib for the first time with Austin's help due to my low blood and energy levels. It was completely peaceful in the room while Cib nursed. It was surreal that this was the baby that we had prayed and hoped for for so many years.

All in all my birth experience was actually very pleasant and special. I will treasure it always. The day the Lord gave me my miracle baby.

I steal my mommy's heart

After Much Debate the Jury is back! Cib has strawberry blond/red hair. It is really coming in and you can see it in this pic. YEA!

No!

Cib says 'I don't want a pacy!'

Happy 1 week birthday Cib!

You get a pacy.

Fun time with mommy

Cib doesn't know how he feels about tummy time.

Baby burrito in a swing

Making my afternoon poop

Bath time

First tummy time

Team Sleepy

we have decided to have team sleepy shirts made for mom and dad too.
Cib is down to two middle of the night feedings. Still lots of coffee
being had in the Fatheree house. Thanks aunt Tashi for the stock pile
of moms fav Berings coffee beans.

Checking in from the Grave Yard Shift

Today was a big day for us. Our first outing with Cib to the doctor's office and a visit with Papa Rusty, Uncle Russell and Aunt Trisha. Cib is handling all like a champ! The doctor's report was awesome! He is pooping, tee tee'ing and eating as he should be and the doctor said he is 'impressive' with all the progress he is making. Another answered prayer.

Nursing has been an adventure and I am afraid a full time job. I feel as if the boppy is permanently attached to my waste! :) I am glad to be doing my part though to ensure Cibber's health and happiness. With a total of 12 hours sleep since Monday of this week I am a wee bit emotional but couldn't be more blissfully happy. Austin and I have had several convo's about how lucky we are. Cib hardly ever cries and when he does it is because he is hungry or needs to be changed, then immediately quietens back down. We are so blessed with this (as the Baby whisperer would say) Angel Baby. I love my new life, late nights and all. When I look at my Cibbers and Bits I see the past 6 years of marriage to my best friend and the love of my life. He is my favorite person. Austin continues to be a real trooper. He makes sure I am resting even when I dont want to put the baby down and drinking plenty of water, and getting plenty of back rubs. Thank you again to all of you who are praying for my precious miracle boy! And for all the tasty treats that seem to be streaming into our home! :) We are gobbling it all up and using it for engery to love Cib.

ps- All of Austin's guy friends will be happy to know he heavily protested Cib's outfit today. Saying that bonnets are way out of style! :)

Go horns, Go!

Two A+s

One for Cib's health check and one for Amber's fashion sense!

Still waiting...

Only one hour after the appointment time.

Gaining weight back already!

Plus six oz. Since checking out of the hospital.

Off to the see the doctor.

Cib gets all dressed up for his Dr. Visit.

My Nana and Granny love me!

Sweet kisses

My first full belly nap

Monkey Butt!

Coffee time with daddy and harry

The Perfect Person

There are certain moments for a man and wife in life where the only other appropriate person that can be in the room is the wife's Mom. Renee' has been here for us and over last 24 hours through a number of potentially awkward and personal moments and I could not have asked for a more perfect person to have as my mother in law.

Amber and I are certainly not rested yet, but with Renee's help we've come out of the fog and we are able to thoroughly enjoy our beautiful baby boy.

Cib had a rough start to the night, but he settled in and has had two good 3.5 hour sleep sessions. We hate waking him up, but a boys got to eat! Mom is now on the milk train and she's handling the discomfort like a champ. Cib seems to b e enjoying this new phase and I'm sure his diaper is going to respond accordingly.

I'm silly

We are safe at home. Getting here was an adventure, but we are here
now and Cib seems content.

Cheeks!

My two favorites

A mother's love

Cib's first repot card

He gets an A! time to get ready to go home.

I don't believe in luck

It is time I emerge from my bubble world of drugs sleep depravity and bliss and give the mother's point of view. :) I of course write to you through tears of overwhelming joy. I am joyful because I am happy to admit I am not the luckiest girl in the world as I have said so often in these entries. I am blessed. This is all too wonderful to be luck. The Lord has been most gracious and blessed my socks off!
First, I will say labor, while hard, was not that bad. Drugs rock! Women every where listen up, "Get the drugs!" I dont think I could have imagined the joy I felt when I saw our miracle boy for the first time. Only one thought, He is Perfect! Cib is absolutely beautiful. He is an extremely peaceful boy. I have never known such an overwhelming love and joy in my life. WOW!
Austin has been a true rock star! My husband, who cant watch ER and swore he would be up near my head during delivery, was in the middle of the action and cheering me on! He hasnt swooned once. :) Not to mention he let me have two hours of sleep last night which were like heaven.
All of our family and friends who came from all over the great state of Texas to celebrate this amazing time - thank you!!!!! I had a surprise visitor pictured here who means the world to me. Thank you Tashi for always knowing me. I am SO glad you came! And all the comments here on the blog, I have cried and laughed as I have read them this evening. It is wonderful to share this all of you who have prayed for us, hoped with us and celebrated with us. Cib is finally here! After five years of thinking we would never have children - we now have a perfect one! See pictures below. I am totally guilty of not sleeping and just holding and staring at him. He and Austin are the true loves of my life. Praise the Lord for these last couple days, they are a treasure to me!

Cib gets ready for his first full day.

So this is what they mean...

It is the end of a long day...of the begining of a new long day. It
depends on how you read the clock.

Cib is next to me sleeping in his rolly basinette and we are in a long
quite hallway. Mom is in the room trying to get some well earned sleep.

Tomorrow just seems to get bigger as Cib has his first pediatrician
appointment and his little boy surgery. I can sleep when I'm dead
right?

So far this is a blast. I gave Cib his first bath today and that
was really special. Amber is teaching him how to eat and he is doing
great. He seems to be picking up pooping on his own. That is the only
annoying thing he has done so far and even that was kind of cute.

Visiting hours

We'd love visitors tomorrow, but we would ask that you call before
hand to make sure it isn't a a feeding time.

Sent from my iPhone

Cib's first view

No. You aren't dreaming. It is the cotton bowl.

Cib III

Moving on up

We have moved up to the seventh floor of the Johnson tower, room 705.
We may hold off until tomorrow for more visitors as amber is coming
off the epidural and in some pain.

Cib is already ready to eat and doing it well.

Sent from my iPhone

Cib is Here!

Clisby Austin Fatheree was born this morning, July 15th 2008, at 11:27 am. He weighs 8 lbs. and 13 oz. He is 21 1/4 inches long.

He is named after his Great Grandfather (and other great greats). You can call him Cib (pronounced Kib).

Mom and baby are doing well. We will post more room info later, but for now they are resting and getting to know one another. We will let you know a number to call when Cib is ready for visitors.

I'll post pictures soon.

Cib II

Cib

Holy smokes!

Sent from my iPhone

Still pushing! We can really see the head.

Sent from my iPhone

He is going to be a bald baby!

Sent from my iPhone

Pushing has started!

Sent from my iPhone

Waiting II

The doc just called and she is wrapping up some scheduled surgeries.
She should be here within thirty minutes.

Sent from my iPhone

Alert!

The epidural is beeping! Get the nurse! Close call, pleanty of drugs
left.

Here comes Cib

We are about 45 minutes away from pushing. Ten cm! The doc is on her
way.

Sent from my iPhone

Eye of the storm

No big changes here. They have added potosine to move labor along, but
right now the room is silent except for heavy breathing and the echo
of Cib's heart. Soon it will be push time and noise and excitement
will erupt.

Sent from my iPhone

The room is dark

Amber is pretty peaceful when she can sleep. They just checked her out
and she is now five cm dialated and one hundred percent afaced.(sp?)

They have added an internal monitor so we will have better readings on
the contractions soon.

Sent from my iPhone

A little sleep

The epidural Is letting amber get a little sleep.

Sent from my iPhone

Drugs

The epidural is in.

Waiting...

Amber is holding off on the epidural for now and is trying to rock him
out.

Big splash

Amber's water broke at around eleven pm. She is four cm and ninety
percent. She really wants her epidural and has been a champ so far.

Mom T is on the way to lend a helping hand. We may be having breakfast
with Cib.

Off to the hospital

Wish us luck!

Made it.

Here is the funky statue out side L&D.

Baylor in the distance

Watch this spot

We are headed to Baylor Dallas Hospital tonight! Cib should be here sometime on
Tuesday . Stayed tuned to the blog for updates on labor progress and Cib's arrival.

Sent from my iPhone

Happy Anniversary!

From Daddy Austin:

Today we celebrate 6 years of a wonderful marriage! Today I gave Amber a gift I have been waiting to give her for a long time. This gift is a remembrance and a celebration of our three precious sons.

Sapphires for Clisby Austin
Rubies for Mark Loyd

Emeralds for David Edgar

We hope to meet Cib later today or at least by Tuesday. We appreciate and want to honor Mark and David's sacrifice for him with this new family heirloom.

No News is Good News?

Well I am afraid the age old saying that "No News is Good News" is crap in this situation. :) While the cervix treatment was successful, stilll no baby! I have now been in labor for one week. Oh the joy! Now my contractions are anywhere from 5 to 9 minutes apart, but getting stronger and longer which is a great sign. I am very glad no one told me that being in labor for days (much less over a week was a possibility) Well enough whining!

Monday night we will check into the hospital at 8 p.m. for more cervix ripening meds and Tuesday a.m. my water will be broken and pitocin administered if needed to help labor along. Only three days until we meet our beautiful boy! Sunday is mine and Austin's 6th wedding anniversary and my due date! So to my sweet husband I say thank you. For all the support, love, patience and joy a wife could want. I am truly the luckiest girl in the world.

Update on Cib's arrival date

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! Ours was certainly entertaining! With two trips to labor and delivery this weekend, they have confirmed that I am labor! Unfortunately my labor is not progressing quickly enough to be admitted yet. So after three days of early labor, I am very ready to meet Cib! He is now at zero station (2 is time to push), 50% effaced, but only 1.5 dilated. Ugh...We are trying to remain patient and distracted. We will keep you all posted when labor progresses enough to be admitted to the hospital.

The Doctor has scheduled a cervix softener on July 9th in hopes to get things going. If this does not work, we have a scheduled induction on July 14th/15th.

Update: 39 Weeks

At my 39 week OB appt today we found out that I am 1.5 dilated with Cib at a -2 station and a very ripe cervix. Basically no change from last week, a little frustrating. Since there has been some concern about Cib's chubby status they will not let me go past my due date which is July 13th. Sooo...unless I do into labor before then, here is the plan! July 9th will be a Cervix Ripening treatment in hospital. Induction beginning on the evening of July 14th with the hopes of meeting Cib on July 15th! A little over a week to go! We are so excited to meet this boy!

Eternally Pregnant

Well, it's official. I am pretty convinced I am going to be eternally pregnant. My mom mentioned Christmas a few days ago and my first thought was, "I wonder if Cib will be here by then" :) These last two weeks have felt as long as my entire pregnancy in some ways. This is the hottest summer in Dallas on record since 1931. We have been at 99 or 100 everyday for almost two months now. I thought here 'up north' we would get a small break from the Houston like heat we have grown accustom to but you all know me, and I love the drama. :)
Today at almost 39 weeks, I am off to see the wizard! (aka Dr. Stevenson, OB extraordinaire) I had something delightful called a membrane sweeping a week ago which has given me irregular contractions for a week and is supposed to (we really hope) have helped me dilate, efface, etc. Today we will find out if we are any closer to meeting our little man and have a second membrane sweeping. The good news is he has slowed a whee bit in weight gain over the past two weeks. This means my risk of C-section and other unfortunate mommy damage goes down! Yea! But we are still looking at meeting a chubby cheeked beauty! More info after doc appt this a.m.