Brotherly Love

Trent is now 2 weeks old and thriving! He is still eating about every 3 hours, then gives us a 4-5 hour stretch at night. He continues to be a very soft, patient, and calming baby!! Scott and I have a wonderful routine at night, therefore neither of us feels tired...yet!! Trent loves to be on his belly, and I wish we could let him sleep all night on his tummy. I guess I will ask the doctors opinion as soon as he holds his head up.

In all this bright and cheerful news-I do have some very annoying news!! Trent GRUNTS like Hunter did...not near as bad or loud as Hunter (thankfully!) Trent grunts/clears his throat at night, so we put him on a slight incline to see if that helps! Doctor said it is not reflux because there is very little spit up, and he is not in discomfort...in fact, he sleeps right through his noise making!! For now, the grunting is at a minimum...Scott and I have no complaints about sweet Trent!!

I have no words for how cute Hunter and Trent already are together!! Hunter is such a proud and HAPPY big brother! He gets so so excited when he holds Trent. I just love these boys and the joy they bring to us!

 

One Week Stats

Weight: 6.2oz (3rd percentile)

Height: 20.5in  (65th percentile)

The doctor was impressed with his growth in just one week. She said that it usually takes a couple weeks for the baby to get back to birth weight, and Trent has already exceeded his birth weight in one week! She said that my milk must be the "good stuff!" It should be because I have been eating like a horse! Breast feeding always makes me so hungry...Scott loves it!! Trent and I are both eating like champs and happy campers! 

She did predict that he is going to be tall and lean- like Scott! She still can't get over how long his arms and legs are, and how big his hands are!! He really does look like a monkey!! He did great at appointment, and she said that he looks wonderful...what a blessing!! I do not take this for granted. Thank you God for a sweet, healthy and precious baby boy!

One Week Old

My sweet Trent, you are already one week old! You are such a gentle soul...quiet different from your brother! Hunter's presence/energy filled the room the second he was born. His aura was immediately big, outgoing, and loud! His spunk has always reminded me of my mom- she could fill any room! Then comes Trent...his aura was immediately calming and quiet! Trent has remained very calm, easy going and laid back! I know it's way too early to say, but so far he is a very easy baby. Even though Hunter and Trent seem to have different personalities...they are both extremely content in their own form. I love that they give off completely different "vibes!" I bet we will have some serious fun!

Trent has VERY long legs, arms, fingers and toes! The doctor even said "Woa, this kid is all limbs!" Trent feels so tiny in your hands. He is a delicate, yet strong baby! Scott and I have a hard time releasing his grip sometimes...strong things come in small packages!! He cries very little and stops almost immediately when I pick him up. I love that I MAY have a momma's boy. Hunter preferred Scott from day one, and still is like a magnet to his daddy! Trent melts in my arms, and it is the best feeling.

We are a "on the go" type of family. Scott and I rarely sit around. We love to go out exploring and living adventurous lives! And Trent has been a serious trooper!! We hauled him around the day after we got home from the hospital. Call me crazy- but he is 7 days old and we have already been to church, a few restaurants, a Bar-b-Que party, and have had many visitors at our house. Don't worry- I keep him in the car seat with a blanket over it when we are in public and there is lots of hand washing! He is wonderful on the go, and I sure hope this continues! I absolutely LOVE scooting around town as a family of 4! It feels so natural!

Scott goes back to work tomorrow!!! I have been very spoiled to have him around. He is such a calming force that I always rely on! Hunter has adjusted nicely. He has his jealous moments where he demands a "hug peeeeassse!!" He also is attracted to Trent's pacifiers! I don't mind if Hunter has a pacifier, but we just got him weened to having one only at sleep time- so I really don't want to back track!

Trent is a sleeper! I notice he stays awake from about 2:30-3:30 in the afternoon, but other than that...he sleeps majority of the time! He has been breastfeeding wonderfully...it all has just come so naturally to me and him. It's like we've been doing this forever! He is a "power eater" like Hunter. He feeds about 20 minutes total, which is so nice for me! Then, he is content and sound asleep.

 I have been taking notes, and noticed he has already created his own routine. He eats every 2.5-3.5 hours, then he gives us a 4-5 hour stretch at night! The morning feeding is usually around 8:30, then 11:00, 2:00, 5:30, 7:00, 10:00, then a nice stretch to about 2am, then 5am. He has stuck to these times pretty consistently. He doesn't wake crying in the middle of the night, but he starts shuffling and moving around. I usually grab him before he cries. I feed him in bed with me, then Scott does a quick diaper change. We have a serious system set in place and is working smoothly!

 We have the bassinet by the bed, and he has been sleeping great in it! I have been doing most of the middle of the night stuff, but then Scott wakes up with Hunter and takes both boys until the 8:30 feeding...so I get a nice quiet stretch of sleep. I can't complain, and hope that Trent continues to "put himself right back to sleep" after feeding. All in all, we have had a very nice week. I do not feel like I have a newborn, I feel pretty rested!

 People say that Trent looks like me/my family. Hunter is a carbon copy of Scott, but has more of my personality. And Trent looks more like me, but seems to have Scott's personality!!! It will be interesting to see if Trent continues on this path! Trent does have Scott's dimple chin....which I LOVE! I think it is so handsome on men, and I am happy that Trent is going to have that like his daddy!

 

I have heard that the second time around is much easier, and so far- I agree! The unknowns are eliminated, the stress is much lower, the overall experience is just so enjoyable!! Trent is the sweetest baby. If I had to put Trent in one word...I would say CALMING! He instantly relaxes you when you hold him.What a gift to have that affect on people!!

Trent's Birth Story

July 16, 2012 at 2:00 am...the contractions were every few minutes and steady. I have been having contractions EVERY night since July 3 from midnight-2 am. Then they would always stop, like clock work, at 2am! I always said to myself "I will know when I am in true labor when these contractions continue past 2 am!" July 16th the contractions were hanging around 2am, 3am...then, I started thinking "this is IT!!!"

My doctor told me "you will know when you are in true labor when you can NOT walk through the contractions." My contractions were not increasing in pain- they were just steady. So, I decided to go on a walk!!

 Here was the 3am conversation with Scott...

Scott woke up to me getting dressed: "WHAT are you doing?"
Me: "I need to know if I am in true labor- so I am going on a walk to see if the contractions increase."

Scott: "You are crazy! Take Bentley and your phone- call me if you're in labor!"

I love this! Scott knows me so well, that he knew he wasn't going to stop me!

 So, off I go! After an entire hour of power walking....the contractions plateaued and seemed to level off, but remained every 2 minutes! I went home and truly didn't know what to think. I knew my stomach was ROCK hard and having tons of contractions, but nothing was that painful. I got back in bed as Scott was snoring. He never woke up to ask anything- such a guy!!

 I had my 38 week doctor appointment that day, in the afternoon. But, I called and asked if I could push up my appointment. They said to come early so she could do a quick cervical check. I see the doctor around 11:00. She examines me and guess what...I was almost 6 cm dilated!!! She sent me straight down to labor and delivery! I called Scott on my way down and he was SHOCKED! He had to pick up Hunter from vacation Bible School, he had to wait for my aunt to get to my house...but, I told him "don't rush!"

 Once I got checked in, etc. it was about 12:30. The monitor showed that contractions were in an obvious labor pattern, and she suggested that I get an epidural asap! Sounded good to me!  I got my epidural around 1:00, and was feeling great! Scott finally gets there around 1:30. My sister in law, Veronica, also came to visit. We were all very relaxed and calm! Scott decided that it was a good time for him to get lunch from Whataburger!! The nurse came in around 2:30 and told me I was 8 cm dilated and that Trent's head was "right there!!" Scott finally got back and ate lunch in the room...remember, I am in full blown active labor while Scott is doing all of this!I don't think it really "hit" him that we were having a baby..hahaha!

At 3:00- I felt a huge kick in my chest then suddenly felt a TON of pressure way down low- like he was literally kicking his way out!! I grabbed my crotch, crossed my legs and panicked! I, all of a sudden, got real serious and started saying "do something-do something!!" Veronica and Scott ran around like chickens with their heads cut off! Scott hit the nurses button a million times and Veronica ran out in hallway saying "she's holding her baby in!!!"

The nurse runs in and says "honey, I have been a nurse since 1974, and I promise you are not holding your baby in by grabbing yourself!" I said, "YES I AM!!" She examined me and immediately paged the doctor over and over! The doctor barged in the door with scrubs and mask already on- she was ready to go! They got me ready to push...5 pushes and10 minutes later...Trent was on my chest!!!! He arrived at 3:17!

Once he committed to being born- he FULLY committed!! Scott says that Trent thought "there is the light at the end of the tunnel- I've been looking for that! I'm out of here!!"  What a wonderful labor! We feel more than blessed. Hunter's first time to meet Trent went great! He was hesitant at first then poked him on the head!! It was very funny and cute! What a fun day- what a special day- what a memorable day- what a fabulous anniversary gift!! We love you Trent!!

Welcome Trent

Trent Joseph Monteverde

July, 16 2012

3:17 pm

5.15 oz

19 in

 HAPPY 7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! What an anniversary gift! Trent was welcomed into this world on a very special day! I was born on my parents wedding anniversary...now Scott and I get to share our wedding anniversary with sweet Trent Joseph!!

Trent is beautiful, tiny and perfect!! He has very long legs, arms, fingers and toes. Scott and I are so excited to start this journey as a family of 4! Trent is another piece to our puzzle, and we couldn't be happier. I will share his birth story soon. We are spending every second enjoying our boys as we adjust to this wonderful change! Welcome Trent, we love you!!

Happy Anniversary to my sweet, loving, supportive, silly, handsome and wonderful husband! Scott, I love you more and more everyday...and Trent is another reason why I am honored to be your wife! I feel so blessed to have "all these boys" in my life!! As the years come and go and things change...holding your hand always feels the same!

Any Day...

37 weeks pregnant! I am so happy that Trent stayed put this long, and I am ready to meet this guy! I am progressing nicely...about 3.5 cm dilated and 70ish% effaced. It literally could be any day. I stayed this way with Hunter for a couple weeks, so I guess we just never know?!

 July 4 at 1:00am- I started having pretty strong contractions for over an hour. The on call doctor said "considering my progression and my previous preterm labor symptoms, she wanted me to get monitored." So, I drove myself to the hospital and Scott stayed home with Hunter. Sure enough- I was having productive contractions every 1.5-4 min!!! The nurse said "you are having a 4th of July baby!!" But, they decided to give me fluids to see if that slowed down contractions because the on call doctor was worried that Trent may not weigh 5 lbs, which means he would need to be monitored in NICU. She wanted to buy a little more time. 

Well, after spending the night in hospital- the contractions did space out. I am now having them every 10-15 minutes. The doctor said, "okay, you can either progress in hospital or progress at home." Not knowing how long that progression will take...I jumped out of that bed and ran to our 4th of July celebrations!!

The hospital release papers say "Condition: In Labor"!!!! Hahaha, that made Scott a little nervous! So, technically speaking- I am in labor! My doctor said to come back if my water breaks or I have 5 or more UNBEARABLE contractions...the kind you can't breath or talk through! Until then, bake away Trent! I feel great and energetic, but definitely feel my body preparing for labor- so I'm getting anxious!

I love not knowing when he will make his debut! We do know that she will induce if he stops growing or developing. She does growth measurements weekly to monitor this. We also know that she will admit me into the hospital if I am 5 cm dilated. She said a hormone is released into the body at that point that jump starts active labor and she could not let me go home (this is exactly what happened with Hunter at my 39 week appt...it took me weeks to get to 5 cm, then BAM I was in full blown labor!) My next appointment is on Monday, so I am curious to see where I stand! 

Scott, Hunter and I are READY! We close on our current house next week, then will lease back from buyer until early August. Our house is fully packed, except for the bare necessities. We wanted to get all the heavy packing done so we could enjoy Trent as much as possible! The next post will hopefully be about a healthy Trent in my arms!!! Life is So good right now- we are very grateful!