One Month Checkup

Today Cash went to see Dr. Rogers for his one month checkup. I swear, this boy is growing like a weed! He is now 22 1/2 inches long, 9 lbs 10 oz, and head circum is 38. To sum it up, he is still gaining a pound a week!!!! He has gone from the 28th percentile to the 45th. Dr. Rogers checked everything out and said Cash looks great. He did put some silver nitrate on his belly button as he is still oozing a little bit and not fully healed. He said that should help and if it is still oozing next week to come in and we'd do it again. Cash really didn't seem to even notice Dr. Rogers sticking the stick into his belly button and swirling it around. I on the otherhand cringed! I remember going to the dr. every week and every two weeks and having them put that stuff on my wound from my surgery from my cyst. Oh how it stung! But then again, Cash didn't have an open wound in his belly. His test results came back from his newborn screening and everything was normal there as well. He goes back next month for his 2 month checkup. He isn't going to be too happy at this appointment as he gets all his shots then. Until next time... (Sorry, no pictures this time.)

One Month Old

I know I just said it Friday, but where does the time go? It is really hard for me to believe that a month ago today, Ryan and I were at the hospital where we just delivered our new bundle of joy. Everyone says, the time goes by fast and to cherish every minute. Well, I had no idea just how fast the time does go by. Before long he's going to be crawling, talking, walking, starting school, going to college, I have to stop! But I definitely am cherishing every moment I have with him. When I go back to work, it's really going to be hard to not be around and see him smiling in his sleep, cooing and squealing because he has something to say, and watch him as he learns and discovers new things. In his first month, he really has already had some big firsts that I will remember forever.

Friday night, Cash had his first bottle. It was really weird for me to be giving him a bottle. He took it really well though. Then he had his second bottle Sunday night. Ryan fed him this time, so that was definitely a first since dad doesn't have the capability to feed him without a bottle. :) Cash got his tummy full and was happy until it was time for his next feeding. Right now, he is getting a bottle at his 6:30 feeding every other night. We will probably do this for a couple weeks, then start every night getting a bottle.


Saturday, Cash went on his first overnight away from home trip. Ryan's Aunt Sis and Uncle Bob are going to celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in December, so Kelly and her sister Tracy threw them a surprise party at the Theodosia Country Club this weekend. It is about a 4 hour drive for us to get there. Cash slept most of the way there. He woke up to eat, and went right back out. Bob and Sis were really surprised when they got to the country club. They had no idea this was in the works. Kelly and Tracy really pulled it off. For most of Ryan's family, this was their first meeting of Cash. Of course, they all thought he was just adorable and looked just like Ryan. He was passed around all evening into the arms of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, great-aunts, great-uncles, and cousins. I must admit, this night was really kind of hard. I have never gone that long without being able to hold him when I wanted to, but I get to hold him all the time, so I let the other family members enjoy him. Cash finally crashed a little after 11 that night and still only woke up once in the night. Sunday morning, he was sleeping hard when it was time to leave the motel and meet the family for breakfast. When he finally did awake, I fed him and we left for home. Since he slept so hard Sunday morning, he was an hour off of his normal schedule, so he was still ready to eat all day at his normal times, even though he had just eaten. He has an internal clock of eating times! But he was able to stay content with his binky.

In 2 weeks, Cash will experience his first wedding. We will be traveling to KC Saturday to celebrate with one of my friend's from college. I am sure I will have pictures of this first as well.

Great Grandpa Jim and Cash

Great Grandma Lil and Cash

Grandma Jeanette, Cousin Brenda, Mom, and Cash

Mom, Dad, and Cash

Sleepy Boy

I'm one month old today!

Smiling in his sleep

OH-and you know how I said Howie wasn't being deprived...

Uncle Brice and Howie watching tv

4 Weeks Already????

I cannot believe that 4 weeks ago today we were blessed with such a wonderful little boy. The time really has flown by! Cash is pretty much set in a good routine which is great! He eats every 3 hours and sleeps wonderfully at night. He began sleeping in his room when he turned 2 weeks old, which I didn't know if I was going to be able to manage that because it meant he was growing up, but I did. If I feed him at 9:30 and put him to bed at 10:00, he sleeps until 2:30 or 3:00. He will awake again between 6:00 and 7:00. He will usually then sleep again until 9:30 or 10:00. By 10:00 he is ready for the day and bright eyed. He is beginning to start talking to me during this portion of the day. He squeals, coos, and gurgles. It is so cute! He enjoys tummy time, his bouncer, his swing, and of course, cuddling. When he makes the most noise is when he sits in his bouncer in the morning looking out the back windows. He loves the light. He will usually stay awake until 12:30 when he eats again. Sometimes he will take a nap before his next feeding, but it may only be 30 minutes. Usually after he eats at 3:30 he will sleep until 6:00 or 6:30. Then he will play for a while and take a short nap before he eats at 9:30. He is awake for most of the day, so I think that is why he sleeps so well at night.


I stepped on the scale today with and without Cash and I gained 10 pounds when I stood on the scale with him. I truly hope he isn't 10 pounds already! If he is, I have no idea where it is because he is still lost in 0-3 month clothes and how big is he going to be if he keeps growing like this?


Last weekend, Sept. 12th, Cash took his first rode trip. It was Janice's sister's (Karen) 60th birthday and her daughter's (Dawn) 40th birthday surprise party. Cash was actually born on Dawn's birthday. Tracy, Karen's other daughter threw a surprise party for her mom and sister in O'Fallon at a park. The weather was great and we got to show Cash off to most of the McDowell clan. They all thought he was just precious of course. He did great for the ride up and the ride back. He slept most of the trip both ways, along with dad and Uncle Brice on the trip back.


I have gotten out of the house quite a few times by myself. Ryan has kept Cash a couple of nights to let me go to Hy-Vee and mom came twice this week during the day to let me go run some errands. It was nice to get out of the house, but it was even better coming home to a happy baby boy. On Labor Day, mom watched Cash for a bit so Ryan and I could get out of the house together and do lunch. We went to El Jimador and to Wal-Mart. Last night, Ryan's mom watched Cash so we could go look at cabinets for our dining room. It definately is nice that the grandparents like to push us out of the house so they can spend time with their grandson. I think it definately is good for Ryan and I to get out and do things together. But I must admit, it is going to be really hard to go back to work and be away from him all day. A couple hours here and there is ok, because it goes by so fast, but all day. I-I!

Dad watching tv as Cash falls asleep

Cash and dad in O'Fallon at the surprise party

Two Weeks Old

Cash turned 2 weeks old Friday and had his 2 week dr. appt. When Cash was born, he weighed 7 lbs 1 oz. and 19 1/2 inches. His discharge weight was 6 lbs 11 oz. We had our first dr. appt on the Tuesday following his birth. He had gained a little weight and grew just a tad. He weighed 6 lbs 13 oz. and was 20 inches long. His head circumference was 34 cm. At Cash's 2 week appt, I was in shock. He has been spitting up a lot lately and I was afraid he wasn't going to gain much weight. Well, he has obviously been getting plenty to eat! He weighed 7 lbs 14 oz! He is now 21 inches long and his head circumference is 36 cm. Dr. Rogers said he would have been happy if Cash just weighed 7 lbs! He was very happy that Cash is getting what he needs. He goes back in 2 weeks for his month checkup.

I know I keep saying what a great baby Cash has been, but I just can't get over how easy he really is making this for us. I am truly afraid that here in the next few weeks he is going to prove us wrong and start making things a little bit more difficult. But, hopefully I am wrong in those regards. Cash is a very happy baby. He still doesn't cry, only fusses a little bit when waking up or when he gets his diaper changed and that cold wipe goes across his bottom. I have heard his lungs a couple times though. He hates sponge baths. Hopefully when he's ready for a real bath, he will enjoy those more since they will be in warm water and not on a counter with a draft.

The last two nights, Cash has only gotten up once in the night. He goes down around 10:00 and wakes up around 3-3:30 to eat and get a diaper change, and goes right back down. He then sleeps again until 6:30. I hope this is becoming a habit and not just a fluke.

I truly am loving every moment of being a mom. Cash has the cutest smile when he makes faces while he sleeps. I enjoy cuddling with him at different times during the day. I enjoy watching Ryan talk to him and hold him. It is the cutest thing!

Uncle Brice enjoys laying in his bed and having Cash lay on his stomach on top of him. He puts his hands right at Cash's feet and Cash pushes his entire body further up Brice's chest. Cash makes lots of grunts and groans as he works hard to get as far up as he can. He is going to be a strong boy! His neck muscles have been strong since he was born. He lifts his head any chance he gets. At 4 days old, he was getting his picture taken and he had his head lifted way up high.

Howie is still being a wonderful big brother. He checks on Cash when he starts to fuss to make sure he is ok. He likes to come up and sniff his when he's being held or in his swing or bouncer. Likes to give him occasional kisses. He's been a GREAT big brother. Howie has not been deprived of any love either. He still cuddles with Ryan on the couch and Brice on the couch or his Brice's room. He still gets pet and talked to. Things really haven't changed much in his day to day affections. He will always be loved and Cash doesn't seem to be cramping his style. :)

I am attaching a couple of pics from the past couple of days and a video. I hadn't realized how much he had changed since he was born until looking back at the pictures! Well, I have been trying to upload the video for 2 days, so I am finally going to publish without the video. Sorry!

We're Home!

Sunday, we finally came home! We got home around 12:30 pm. Mom and Brice were here and had a surprise for us. There was a big stork in the front yard that said "It's A Boy!" I told mom that she really shouldn't have done that, as you shouldn't advertise that anymore, but she said we'd be ok in this neighborhood. Anyway, uncle Brice video taped us bringing Cash into the house and introducing Howie to Cash. Howie was just too cute! I haven't seen the video yet, but I am anxious to see it. I have never seen Howie's tail go so fast! He was very interested in what we had in that car seat. He just sniffed and sniffed. Since then, Howie has just been so interested in what is going on with Cash. Everytime I have to change Cash, Howie comes into the room to make sure I am not hurting his brother. Anytime Cash makes a noise, Howie goes to check to make sure he is ok. I am attaching a few pictures of Howie and Cash below.

Cash has been a perfect baby! He couldn't make things any easier for me. He is like clock work. Every two hours, he is ready to be fed, even through out the night. At least once a night, usually in the morning hours, he skips one feeding and sleeps for 4 hours instead of 2. That is great! He is so quiet! He hardly ever cries. He wimpers and lets out little cries, but I haven't really heard those lungs yet.

Ryan has been a surprise as well. He always said he didn't want any kids, so I didn't know what to expect when we did have Cash. You'd think he wanted this boy more than me! He is so attentative to Cash. He loves to just sit and hold him and talk to him. He really has enjoyed his time with Cash. Ryan didn't want to give in to a pacifier, but finally did one night when Cash kept whimpering after being fed. He doesn't like to give it to him a lot, but at least will give it to him when he wants it.

Cash had his first dr. appt. yesterday morning. Everything went well. Cash's weight when we left the hospital was 6 lbs. 11 oz. At the dr. appt, he was at 6 lbs. 13 oz., so he gained a few oz. Dr. Rogers said he looked great and to come back in a week and a half.

Well, I have been blogging for a few hours now, so I am going to upload these pics, and get off. I am sure I will updating you again soon!

Howie and Cash

Sleeping soundly in his swing

Welcome Cash!

Boy were we in for a surprise! Thursday, August 20th, was the first day of school. I had a wonderful day, but still had some loose ends to tie up to get ready for my maternity leave, so I planned on staying a while after school. At the end of the day, Kathy, one of the teachers at school, was talking in the hall with Janelle and someone else when I walked up. Kathy told me she thought I had dropped, and I told her I couldn't tell. Then, I went back to room to work. I ended up leaving school around 5:45. I was tired and ready for home. I went home and started cooking dinner. At 6:00, my stomach started bothering me. I thought I had gas pains, but when I sat down and paid attention to what was going on, I realized I was having contractions. I didn't say anything to Ryan, but I finished packing my things for the hospital and went and got on the computer to make Ryan his list of people to call and text when Cash did arrive. When I was all done, I laid down on the love seat. I was watching how often my contractions were coming and they were anywhere from 9-15 minutes, but irregular. I figured they'd go away. Later on in the evening, I told Ryan I was having contractions, but they were irregular. At 10, we went to bed. I didn't sleep worth a lick. I was up everytime I had a contraction. Finally, at 1:30, I got up and called the hospital to find out if I did indeed need to come in. The nurse told me to take a Tylenol PM and that would help me sleep and if I was in actual labor, it would regulate the contractions. Later on in the night, they regulated. They were at 9 minutes for a while, then 8. The next thing I knew, they were at 5. I wanted to make really sure they were, so I laid in bed from 5:40-6:00 timing them. I finally convinced myself that I wasn't making this up and they were. My alarm went off at 6:00 and I told Ryan that I thought we needed to go to the hospital. His response, "Can I take a shower?" Of course, I gave him a hard time, but told him to hurry. Then, he still had to get his things together. We ended up making it to the hospital around 6:40-6:45. They checked me into the triage room to check me out. I was only dialated to a 1, but when she was done checking me, a gush of something came out. I thought my water had broke, so, she checked me again. She couldn't tell if it had or not, but I was bleeding, so she sent in someone else to see if they could tell. When that lady came in, she couldn't tell either, but I was at a 3. I was going to be having a baby they told me. I was in my hospital room by 7:30. My nurse came in to draw blood and hook me up to an IV. SHe told me it would be an hour before I could get an epidural because we had to wait on lab results and I had to get the bag of fluid in me first. The contractions kept coming and they were getting worse. Finally, at 10:30, I got my epidural. That was a painful in and of itself. The dr. had to do it twice! When she was all done, the delivery doctor (Dr. Nolla) came in to check me and I was at a 7! She said my water had not broke, so she broke it for me. The epidural kicked in and was feeling no pain! It got to the point where I couldn't even lift my legs, so they had to turn off the epidural around 12:30. All the parents were in my room once the epidural kicked in, around 10:45. I had a room full! Mom, dad, Janice, Taylor, Jeanette, Doug, Art, Roxanne, Tony, and Ryan. The cameras were going! It definately made the time go by fast. Around 12:45, everyone was getting hungry, so they all headed to the cafeteria. Mom was still there, but the nurse came in and asked her to stand in the hall b/c she was going to check me. Cash's heartbeat was going down for the past 2 contractions. When she checked me, she saw Cash's head. She went and told mom to go to the waiting room and then started prepping me. At 1:00, I started pushing. Cash was born at 1:09pm on Friday, August 21st. I couldn't believe he was here and how easy it was. Ryan cut the imbilical cord and they washed Cash all up. About 1:20, Ryan went out into the waiting room to inform everyone that our precious little boy was here. No one could believe it. They just left!! Cash weighed 7 lbs, 1 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. He was just perfect! He looks just like his daddy, with my nose.

I had to include this pic, because this is where Ryan sat for each of my contractions with his computer, playing Mafia Wars and poker!

The waiting room

Cash's first picture

The proud family. (I wish they would have had me pull my hair back again first!)

Ryan, the proud dad! Can you believe it?

Friends Shower

On Aug. 8th, my girlfriends Lori, Stephanie, and Kim through Cash and I a wonderful shower. They went above and beyond the call of duty. They did a wonderful job all the way around. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. I had many friends come and share this day with me. We started out outside around Kim's pool. The atmosphere and decorations were just perfect. The only complaint I would have would be the heat. The weather had been so nice for so long and the day of the shower, it was blistering hot. When everyone arrived, we went inside for cake-which was decorated like Cash's room, cookies with his intitals, cheesecake, rice krispie treats, brownies, and punch. Everything was very good. When we all cooled down and finished eating, we headed back outside for games. The first game we played was identifying celebrity's children. I was awful! Of course mom got all of them right and was able to name the children as well. Then we did a little quiz on babies. Finally, Kim handed out the playdough. Everyone was to make their best "baby" and I was to be the judge. There were so many good ones! Of course, Beth and Stephanie made a baby turtle and a baby alien. I am glad they had fun, but it definately took them out of the running. :) (Sorry girls!) Then, we packed up all of the gifts and headed inside for opening. It just got too hot. Cash got a lot of wonderful gifts that finished up his room and finalized everything that he was still in need of. He is a very lucky little boy to have so many wonderful people in his life. I have attached some pics from that day. Again, girls, thanks so much for making this day so unforgettable.

Stephanie, Kim, and Lori (my hostesses)

Beth's turtle

Stephanie's alien