At home ...

Happy Boy    8/30/11

As you can tell by the lack of blog posts, we have been a little occupied with learning Max's routine.  We are so blessed to have such a good baby but who knew that even a good baby was so much work!  My oldest sister, Melissa, came into Dallas last Friday when we were discharged from the hospital to provide much needed help/relief.  She and Josh (my oldest nephew who's birthday was Max's due date) left this morning to return to Alabama.  It was not only great to spend time with my sister but also have someone with recent baby experience to lean on during our transition from hospital to home.  I also want to thank Lester, Elli, and Nathan for sacrificing their momma to help me.  Melissa was great because she allowed Tyler and I the chance to figure it out on our own and just be there with added suggestions which is what we truly needed.  

I hate to be a cliche but when we arrived home from the hospital, Tyler and I looked at each other and our expressions said it all ... "now what?!"  With Max being 10 days overdue, I "thought" I was fully prepared for his arrival home.  However, bringing home a baby  is a totally different experience.  You build a routine at the hospital however your home is not set up the same way.  For instance, my bed at home doesn't have an awesome upright button for feeding and decline for sleeping ... something I truly miss!  We have made it work though and I think we have a good routine established leaving me the opportunity to write this blog.  :)

Snuggling with Mommy

Nap time with Daddy

We were also blessed to come home from the hospital to a house full of groceries.  Our amazing friends, the Schweizers, brought by an assortment of goodies for us.  And the best thing is that Courtney (Schweizer) made sure there were plenty of fruit and veggies for me.  Love her for that!  Also love the fact that they got me sandwich meat since you can't have it when you are pregnant.  First thing I did when I got home ... had Tyler make me a turkey sandwich!    Robert and Laura Crawford also brought by a lasagna to put into the freezer.  I am looking forward to it later this week.

Today we had another reminder that Max is home ... he received his first package.  

Hospital Living

Maximus gets some rest...something he is very good at

We have been residents of Baylor Medical since 4pm on Tuesday.  It's a little rougher than we're used to.  Our wifi has a firewall that limits nearly every website on the internet, including Netflix and Pandora.  We don't have a neighborhood pool.  And we certainly don't have a back patio with a porch swing.  We do, however, have something that our house has yet to contain. Max.

Nap time with Daddy

The rooms here are nice.  We have a a TV and DVD player, dark brown wood laminate floors, and a wonderful view of downtown Dallas.  Black and white photos of babies of Baylor past adorn the walls, some with hidden shelves behind them like a wall safe for medical supplies.  It's a great facility with an even better staff.  There are a lot of unexpecteds in this process, and the staff has definitely been the nicest surprise.  Nurses can easily get taken for granted, but they are your direct contact 24/7 for nearly all your needs.  From rubbing your back through contractions (while your husband slept) to nursing to checking vitals to fluffing your pillows to honoring Courtney's request for ice cream, they've all been very professional and personable.  A mix of young and older nurses have provided the perfect blend of personality and experience.  They're all good in their own regard, and all have been essential to giving us a wonderful visit to the hospital, which we didn't know existed.

These forceps ain't no joke

Everyone seems to absolutely love Max.  Perhaps it's just because he's a sweet, innocent, adorable newborn, or perhaps they're in front of his parents, or maybe they genuinely do love him.  His is undeniably precious, if I do say so myself.  The biggest trait that everyone picks up on is his RED hair.  Apparently they don't get many gingers around here.  And now that we gave him a bath this morning, there's no debate about the color of his hair.  It's not orange or blond, but an aesthetic strawberry blond.  For now anyways.  We get a new nurse and tech every twelve hours, so every time we start chatting about something, they're like "He's a C-section baby, right?" Well, he's not.  Max came to us with a pair of forceps at the helms of a Master Forcepsman in Dr. Gunby.  Max has just the slightest of a bruise and just two minor abrasions on the top of his head.  We're told they're usually littered with battle scars, but we got lucky that we have Dr. Gunby on our team.

We've also had a carousel of visitors as Max turned 1 day old today.  Don't worry, we aren't going to make blog videos about every day of Max's life...unless we get a fat corporate sponsorship.  Yesterday we had Laura Crawford, Nicole Pierce, and the Schweizer's  and today  we had Melanie (Murray) Eidson, Robert and Laura Crawford, Nicole Pierce and Forrest Perry all stop in for a round of visits.  Along with the beautiful flowers in the room, everyone made us feel right at home.

Happy Mommy just moments after delivery

Max has passed all of his mental and physical exams with flying colors.  He can hear great, see great, cry great, and shit great.  We've already gone through at least a dozen diapers here, so I think I had better get some extras on the way home.  Whodathunk?  I've learned to swaddle, kinda, and change diapers, although my first one did fall off when the nurse picked him up.  We're making progress and learning new things every hour.  By the time we get home, we'll know all we need to know about parenthood (right?).

Daddy (left), Mommy (right), Max (middle),
and Lucy (not pictured) ready for home

The only hiccup we've had so far is breastfeeding.  He got off to a slow start, mainly because he has been sleeping so much, but he's managed to pick it up a bit.  With several successful feedings under our belt, we're confident we'll be able to continue down this route.  The on-site lactation consultants have been wonderful, as well as our doula.  We've received a lot of good, professional advice albeit sometimes conflicting (and I don't think we need anymore).  It was the plan in the beginning to breastfeed, but we all know how quickly those can change.

All in all, we are ready to go home and be a happy family with our true first born Lucy.  We know she's going to be a fantastic big sister, provided Max doesn't wear a headband (Lucy loves to pull off hair bands and headbands off your head).  She is holding down the fort and has been very well taken care of by our wonderful neighbors.  Courtney and Max will be discharged on Friday, provided everything else goes smoothly.  The nursery is ready. The car seat is ready.  WE are ready.

-Tyler

Drumroll Please...

We now have a healthy baby boy!! Maximus Alexander Faison was born on August 24, 2011 at 11:19am at Baylor University Medical Center - Dallas.  He weighed in at 8 lbs. 9 oz. and measured 20 1/2" long.  Like a true Faison, he was stubborn from the day he was born.  It was no easy task as you should know by now, but he has made his presence known today.  A full feature story will come within the next few days, but for now we are going to try to get some R&R as best possible until Courtney is discharged on Friday.  Thanks to everyone for their support.  We certainly needed it and have definitely used it!

At The Hospital

Obviously, we're at the hospital...but here's a video to prove it.  And by today, Courtney means yesterday (Tuesday, 8/23/11)

Good Food, Good Meat - 8.22.11 Update

Super busy day.  I finally got around to finishing this last night and just had the opportunity to post this.

Change of Scenery

We are, in fact, at the hospital.  We got a call as I was on my way home from pseudo-working that there was an opening.  Some lady apparently delivered between yesterday and lunch time today, so here we are.  After some light paperwork, the nurses came in to take blood yada yada yada, and then Dr. Gunby showed up for Stage 1 of our induction process, which was to give Courtney the cervidil. This will soften her cervix and prepare it for "the big push."  She's having contractions constantly after having sharp pains late last night.  These are hurting a bit more than the ones over the weekend, so we're hopeful that this is all just really good timing.  It's taken me about an hour to write this because I've been helping Courtney get up to use the bathroom, shift sides, etc., so just imagine how long last night's video is taking.  Laura Crawford just brought me some Church's chicken, so I'm gonna scarf it down before I get called back into action.  Stay tuned for more.

Don't Fret, Update Coming Soon

We're off this morning to the Ballard Street Cafe here in Wylie for breakfast.  After that, I'll be back ready to post the video update from yesterday.  Look for it around lunchtime. In the meantime, enjoy the fact that Courtney's baby progress app on her iPhone told her congratulations yesterday on her new baby boy!  Technology fails us again.

-Tyler

Doctor Appt. Update

We met with the doctor today to see our progress.  Unfortunately, we are in the same position we were last Wednesday.  The doctor indicated that due to our lack of progress that an induction would be inevitable.  We currently do not have a date that we will be induced because the hospital's elective beds were all scheduled.  Since I am approaching 42 weeks, my doctor is trying to get me in.  We have to call our doctor tomorrow.

~ Courtney

Breakdown and Shopping - 8.21.11 Update

Lots happened today.  We had an emotional breakdown in the wee hours of the morning, but made our way through it to end with a great day.

Sea of Nothingness - 8.20.11 Update

Nothing much really went on today.  For such a big moment, you'd think we might be pretty excited!

Doula and Trees - 8.19.11 Update

We discuss our decision to hire a doula, redefine Tyler's role, and show some finishing touches.

Ten's Company - 8.18.11 Update

We've got more company and another project unfolds.

Doctor Visit & a Treat - 8.17.11 Update

Big day today.  We had a doctor's appointment that we almost didn't make it to, a hair appointment that we weren't going to miss, and we welcome some more visitors.

Impatience, Walking, and Burgers - 8.16.11 Update

Still playing the waiting game, but this time we're going on the offense.

First Time Grandparents

Tyler's parents talk about picking out their grandparent names for the first time.

Still Waiting - 8.15.11 Update

Still no baby...or is there!?

Shopping and Movies - 8.14.11 Update

Courtney & Cathy go shopping and we all go to the movies.
(Due to a technical error, Tyler will not appear in today's update <commence crying>)

Due Date ... came and went

Well, August 13th has come and gone with no Max.  I did suspect that Max would take his time like his father.  It feels as though I have been waiting for an eternity but I think that is just because I have been home on bed rest.  The following article within FitPregnancy reminds me that counting down to your due date is a bad idea.

• First time moms, if left alone to go into labor naturally tend to be pregnant for about 41 weeks and 1 day.  Women who’ve had babies before tend to deliver around 40 weeks and 3 days. Only about 10% of women go longer than 42 weeks.  That’s average.

So I guess I have one more week and a day (if we go by the average) ...

One thing I am sure of ...  Max WILL come (just at his own time) and we will be ready!

Overdue +2 - 8.13.11 Update

Today is Max's due date and we have a few special guests.

Painting the Town - 8.12.11 Update

Today we eat eggs, finish the patio, and get batteries! So exciting we made a movie about it.

Movies and Top Golf - 8.11.11 Update

Another day, another adventure. Check out today's update.

Getting Into The Swing Of Things - 8.10.11 Update

Today was all about the doctor, a swing, and ham.

Tuesday is Kid's Day

What's new today, you ask? Good food and more work.

The Last Hurrah - 8.8.11 Update

We're going to do a daily video update up until Max arrives to keep everyone informed of how things are progressing.  And yes, we do realize that Monday was indeed the 8th, not the 9th as stated in the video.

Nesting

Today, I have mastered the art of bed rest nesting ... spend hours on www.marthastewart.com getting cleaning tips.  I am a huge Martha fan especially post prison (she is just a little more down to Earth / human).  I've learned a lot of great things from her website over the years and my desire to clean today made me go straight to her site and do additional research.  Here are some things I have learned that I consider invaluable:

• Cleaning Windows - Throw out your windex especially if you have a dog that loves to get their nose right up to the window to try and smell the UPS man.  Windex does NOTHING for dog snot and I am sure little kid sticky fingers!  
• Get a small pail or big bowl
• Fill it with 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of hot water.  Vinegar is cheap so buy the big jug and store it with your cleaning supplies
• Using a washcloth or sponge wash the window - no elbow grease needed thanks to the vinegar
• Martha recommends using a squeegee which I have also found to be very helpful and an inexpensive purchase.  Starting at an upper corner, draw down the pane from top to bottom using the squeegee.  Overlap strokes and wipe the rubber edge after each stroke.  Touch up edges with a paper towel.  No squeegee then paper towels work just as well.
• See Martha's technique in this video
• *Fun Fact I learned today on Martha's site: to clean/disinfect kid's bath toys - fill a bucket with 1/2 cup of vinegar for 1 gallon of warm water; soak toys for 10 minutes; then rub gently with sponge and let dry.  
• Votive Cleaner - My love of candles leaves me with lots of burned votives and a break-your-finger-nails-scraping situation at the end.  Martha taught me that all you have to do to clean out your glass votive containers is just freeze the containers and voila out pops your candle remains (no scraping / cursing needed).  
• Carryall Apron - This is something I thought was such a great idea.  Right now I just lug my bucket full of cleaning supplies upstairs and all around the house.  Martha recommends just taking a plain white kitchen apron:
• Turn up the bottom 12 to 18 inches to create storage compartments.
• Determine pocket widths by using the size of your cleaning supplies as guides.
• Stitch vertically using a sewing machine.
• Martha's Checklist - I LOVE these and have even downloaded them and made minor adjustments (for example, exclude the cleaning of the library since we don't have one)
• 6 Things to do everyday
• Weekly Cleaning Checklist
• Monthly Cleaning Checklist
• Seasonal Cleaning Checklist

Martha sure does make me want to clean, be more green, and cook better food.  Who inspires/motivates you?

~ Courtney

Baby Luncheon at work

On Thursday, all the lovely ladies at my office threw me a baby luncheon.  It was so perfect and elephant themed from the invite, books, napkin rings, and grey/white m&ms.  It was great to get to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Mr. Max with all of them.  I think they all agreed that getting the ladies together for lunch needs to happen more often.  ;)  

Thanks again for a wonderful luncheon .... Elizabeth, Jody, Tiffany, Joey, Erin, Ashley, Adrienne, Jessica, Sarah, Jill, and Susan.


Baby update:  Max and I went in for our weekly checkup on Wednesday.  Things started off not so good with a high blood pressure reading of 130/100.  After laying on my left side in the examining room, we were able to get my pressure to normal.  The doctor put me on partial bed rest which means stop thinking you are invincible and slow down.  So I am laying on my left side for more than half of the day however I have the freedom to be up and about for a couple hours at a time before I need to lay back down.  I saw the doctor again today (Saturday) where my pressure reading was better but still not excellent.  He did notice that my swelling had decreased significantly.  I guess that is what happens when you aren't in this heat and laying down in a 65 degree house with the fan running at all times.  *Sometimes I feel like Father of the Bride II, soon Tyler will be wearing a coat and mittens in the house like Steve Martin.*  The good news from today's doctor visit is that he is not going to induce me like originally thought on Wednesday.  We will see him on Wednesday and see how things progress.  As of right now Max is no where near ready to make his debut (too much like his father, just chillin').

Pseudo Sabbatical

Today is going to be my last day of work for a few weeks. At least that's what I keep telling myself. I figure there's plenty of time to work the rest of my life, so I'll take this time to focus on what's seemingly more important. Courtney may be satisfied with telling her boss that she's going home at 3:30pm every day, but when you have no boss you can just not go.

I'm not sure exactly what I'll do. We've painted Max's room, got the crib, assembled countless swings and swing-like non-swings. We do have a carseat that needs to be installed. I think I can handle that. Maybe I'll find some YouTube videos on how to raise a kid or something.


A typical day in the life of a location sound mixer could have me occupied for 10-15 hours. It'll be much easier to not have to replace myself at the last minute. And what better show to leave on than a story about falling prey to parasites!? Check out Monster Inside Me on Animal Planet. And since I try to include at least one photo in each post, here's Lucy sunbathing on our back patio.

Location:Chestnut St,Teague,United States

Breaking records

I always said that I would never be pregnant in the Texas summer and now look at me.  When I calculated the due date of Mr. Max, I told everyone that this summer would be record breaking just because I always said I would never be pregnant in the summer.  Tyler said I was jumping on my conclusion mat a little too early to be predicting in January that we would have a record breaking heat wave.  But I was right all along ... here is a quote from today's Dallas Morning News:

"It turns out that summer was just getting warmed up.  After a month of triple-digit heat in DFW, temperatures are expected to hit 107 or 108 for the next three days, triggering an excessive heat warning."

"At 30 days and counting, the current heat wave is the second-longest triple-digit streak in Dallas history."

Reading this article just makes me want a popsicle and to sit under a fan with my A/C on 66.  Fair warning to the soon-to-be-grandparents when you come visit ... it is HOT!!!

~Courtney