Splish splash

Splish splash Cash was taking a bath!

I have been procrastinating giving Cash his first bath since his cord fell off, because honestly giving a tiny wiggly person a bath kinda scared me! 

I'm glad I didn't wait any longer, because Cash loved it!

Also, thank goodness Scott was helping me because this first time bath thing definitely required 4 hands. Actually not sure when it won't require 4 hands!
Before giving him a bath I wanted to go over with Scott what needed to be done/how we were going to go about bathing him so that we weren't unsure once he was naked and possibly crying. With that Scott replied, "I don't need a tutorial, lets just give him a bath." Haha I'm glad I have Scott to give me a reality check sometimes, because I know I would be going crazy trying to have everything perfect otherwise.
We went straight to using the tub rather than the sink because for some reason our kitchen sink is absolutely teeny tiny. I was in the tub with Cash holding onto him and making sure his little bather didn't slide while Scott cleaned and washed him down with wash cloths.
It was so fun seeing his expression when we slowly set him in the water, almost like he wasn't sure whether to love it or hate it. We are so glad he chose to love it ;).
He was so relaxed that he didn't just pee once but TWICE during the bath!
He was a little fussy towards the end and getting out of the bath, but once we dried him off and set him by a heater he was happy once again.
I LOVE me a freshly clean and lotioned up baby boy.

Side note, last night as Scott was rocking Cash to sleep in his arms Cash let out a little giggle in his sleep which Scott and I just thought was the cutest thing! We both agreed that he was dreaming about fountains of milk ;). Love that little boy and his milk mustache.

Getting to know you

Cash is 12 days old! It's crazy to think how short of time he has been alive when I feel like it has been so much longer, almost like I've known him forever. Also, I think time passes slowly when you don't get much sleep ;).
 In the past 11 days, I feel like we have gotten into a routine and I know exactly what each cry or whimper means, to what he likes and doesn't like.

Some things I have learned about Cash:
+He doesn't like getting his picture taken (too bad, that's not going to stop me)
+He loves to cuddle his mama
+He loves going on walks/being outside
+His chin quivers when he is really upset
+He always smiles after nursing
+He LOVES having his hands near his face and prefers not to be swaddled
+He loves laying on his side
+Whenever I nurse him laying down he is guaranteed to fall asleep
+He loves his noise machine
+He loves being in his Mamaroo by the window
+He sleeps better during the day than at night, trying to fix this ASAP, I swear he is nocturnal
+He loves when daddy gets home
+He loves sponge baths, still haven't given him a real bath :/
+He loves kisses on the lips from his mama! This is his mama's favorite too :)
+He loves being carried in my Solly baby wrap, which I just discovered and am ecstatic about
+He always wants to eat!
+He likes being sung to
+He loves soft fuzzy blankets, I made him lots of little lovies before he was born, I'm so glad he likes them :)
+He loves when dad reads him books at nighttime
+He does not like to wait to be fed
+He is starting to like his binkis, if only he could keep them in his mouth
+He always has one eye open when he is drowsy or about to fall asleep
+He has the strongest little legs that he likes to flex when I am trying to change his diaper
+He likes to be patted, bounced, and rocked
+He likes the silly songs mom and dad make up for him
+He actually likes being in the car and always falls asleep
+So far he is a great shopper, fingers crossed this lasts!

I love my little Casheroo and I am one lucky mama to have such a sweet and wonderful baby boy!

Birth story

Cash Monroe Lindquist was born on September 13, 2014 at 10:14 am, he was 21 inches long and 7 pounds 12 ounces of perfection.
Scott and I still can't believe that he came on his actual due date, but we are so happy he did!
On Friday September 12, Scott and I drove down to Vancouver (where the hospital we delivered at is) with all of our bags packed and ready to stay at Scott's parents house JUST IN CASE Cash decided to come during the weekend, which we were crossing our fingers for. With Optometry school having started in August Scott couldn't really afford to miss any school days, so him coming on a weekend was the perfect situation.
All day Friday I was thinking that this baby is definitely not coming anytime soon, all along I had a feeling I was going to be overdue for sure. I did not expect our weekend in Vancouver to end with me rushing to the hospital and delivering our sweet little boy.
It started with Scott and I taking a long 4 mile walk around town to try to start things moving along. After the walk I didn't feel any different, and decided I wanted to make brownies, buy some ice cream to go with them, and rent a movie. At 10:30pm, as soon as we were about to settle down to some dessert and a movie my water broke. At first I didn't realize what was happening, I was in denial that I was actually going into labor. Scott and I didn't know what to do, we never thought we would be in this situation. So Scott called the on call physician at my doctor's office and she told us to go to the hospital. Scott and I were both in disbelief that the time had finally come to meet our baby boy. Scott kept saying, "holy crap, we're going to have a baby!" So as calmly as possible we gathered all the things we needed to head to the hospital. I waited for Scott in the car as he went in the house to grab our overnight bag, which he managed to forget to grab after three times of running in and out of the house, it's safe to say he was a little in shock.
I was admitted to the hospital at 10:50pm and was dilated at a 2. They wanted to make sure I was progressing before given an epidural, so Scott and I walked around the hospital for a while to get the contractions going. They started coming a minute apart. Contractions were way more painful than I imagined they would be, thank goodness I had Scott there to hold onto. Every contraction I would put my arms up around his neck and breath very deep and slow. I have to admit I even had to hurt him a little to get through some of them. At 1:00am I was dilated at a 4 and wanted the epidural ASAP. So they hooked me up to an IV and started giving me fluid so they could give me the epidural. At 1:50am I was finally given the epidural. I had always been a little nervous for this part, the thought of not being able to move or feel my legs scared me! But no. Numbness. Best thing ever. I was so relaxed. After having contractions for hours I was in heaven once the epidural set in. I was hooked up to a monitor which monitored the baby's heartbeat and my contractions. At one point the baby's heart rate was slowing so they put a monitor on his head and I was given oxygen. I couldn't help but stare at the screen checking my baby boys heartbeat all night long. 
Now we waited.
All night long.
Scott's mom Velenti stayed with Scott and I in the hospital that night anticipating the arrival of Cash. We all took our guesses as to when we thought Cash would be born, I said 6:45am, Scott 7:13am, and Velenti 8:23am. Boy were we all wrong! Scott kept laughing and saying "We're having a baby! He is ours to be responsible for forever!" Which to I responded that I wasn't worried about raising him, I'm worried about delivering him!
At around 8:00am I started pushing.  I pushed for 2 1/2 hours. pure EXHAUSTION, especially from being up all night long. Scott held my leg on one side with my nurse on the other. At every contraction I would push 3 times, 10 seconds each. Scott counted up to 10 out loud for me which helped a lot. The doctor kept telling me to push harder, push harder. Once the final push arrived my doctor told me to stop pushing right away, the cord was wrapped around his neck really tight and she had to cut it. After that, I felt him slide right out and he was immediately set him on my chest for about 2 seconds before they took him away. He was chalk white. Tons of nurses rushed in immediately to help, I was so out of it I didn't know what was happening besides the fact that I couldn't hear him crying, I kept asking Scott why he wasn't crying. He laid on the baby table motionless arms and legs laying flat at his sides. After rubbing on him and working with him for what seemed like forever he made his first little cry.
His first breath really did take ours away. 
He was cleaned off and set on my chest. Words can't describe what I felt in that moment. My heart has never been fuller, having my son laying on my chest, so innocent and pure. Cash was so alert with his eyes wide open just looking up at me. Scott and I both just looked at each other and at Cash and cried with happiness. We both completely fell in love with him.
Giving birth was definitely the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and the most rewarding.

You, me, and baby

As Scott and I get closer and closer to due date I can't help but think of all the changes that will occur in our life. It has been just the two of us for so long that it is hard to imagine having a third person coming into our family. It's a little scary to think it's not going to be just him and me, but him, me, and baby as a family of three. I know that things will be totally different, but I also know that they will be way better! We will have a precious baby that is part of him and a part of me and I just can't wait for all the love we get to welcome into our home.
Now a little bragging:
Scott has been the best husband throughout my whole pregnancy, he has been so patient, supportive, sensitive, and understanding. He has calmed me through all of my crying episodes, irritability, nausea, and tiredness. He has filled in for me when I wasn't able to cook, clean, or do the dishes. He has made trips to the store for either my upset stomach or sudden cravings.
He has been my rock through these 9 months of pregnancy. I honestly don't know what I would have done without him.
He has taken part in my obsession with baby gear, registering at stores, and researching/reading all the ratings on different brands. He has listened to my constant talk about the nursery all summer. He has become an expert at putting together "baby stuff." He came with me to all my doctor appointments and was very comforting when it came to my worries. Whenever I get scared and nervous about this whole parenting thing I just remember I am in it with Scott, and we make a great team. 

There is nothing that has warmed my heart more than seeing Scott prepare to be a dad, kissing his son, reading him books, talking to him, singing him songs, and touching my belly to feel him kick. I can already see how much he loves him. I cannot wait for the moment I see Scott holding our baby boy.  I know he is going to be the best dad.

39 weeks

I really cannot believe that I am only 5 days away from my due date! This is my last bump update!
It still feels unreal that in 2 weeks or less I will have a baby, a little tiny human that is mine, and I am his mama. He will depend on me for everything. Scott and I are responsible for caring and raising him. We are both so excited and scared at the same time (me more so for the pushing), but we are so ready for this great great adventure. We sure love this baby so much already and cannot wait to hold him in our arms!!!

How far along? 39 weeks!

How big is baby? As big as a watermelon (19-22 in & 7 lbs)

Total weight gain/loss: About 30 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Getting pretty tired of wearing the same maternity clothes every week, but buying anything new now would just be a waste. So I will stick to my go-to maternity t-shirts, dresses, and sweat pants :)

Sleep: I am definitely getting prepared for baby, because I am up about 3-4 times a night to use the bathroom and have not been sleeping the best

Best moment this week: Packing our hospital bags, washing baby clothes, and getting our car seat installed for baby boy, OH and even putting in the in-sight baby mirror. Can't wait to look in my rearview mirror to see my baby looking back at me

Movement: Of course, it is getting very squished in there. I can always feel his little bum wiggling and his feet are usually poking my right side

Food cravings: Ice cream, watermelon, and water! I have been drinking sooo much water. I don't know why I have been so thirsty lately, and along with drinking so much water, I have to use the bathroom almost every 30 minutes. I have to drink two bottles of water during the night because I get so thirsty. It's crazy

Food Aversions: Nothing really, but hamburgers still sound disgusting to me. I wonder if that will change after pregnancy or not???

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Lots and lots of Braxton hicks contractions but other than that, still not effaced or dilated

Pregnancy Symptoms: pelvic pressure, frequent peeing, my back hurts most of the time (I cannot sit for very long), swollen feet, and it is about impossible for me to bend over 

Belly Button in or out? Out!

What I miss: Oh where to begin? I will say my pregnancy has been very easy thus far and I have been so lucky, but I am ready for this baby to be out. I miss sleeping on my stomach and back, I miss being able to wear whatever, I miss being able to paint my toes and shave my legs without running out of breath, and I miss having a flat tummy. These 9 months have been great and I have loved having my sweet baby grow inside of me, but it is time to come out :)

What I am looking forward to: Seeing what baby L looks like! We haven't had an ultrasound since 20 weeks which I am super bummed about. I have been dying to see our boy again. At my OBGYN they don't do anymore ultrasounds unless there is something to be worried about, which is good and bad at the same time

Upcoming appointments/events: September 11, if I don't have the baby by my due date (Sept 13) they will induce me no later than a week after. So he will be here by the 20th at the latest!

Milestones: We are ready for you baby boy!!!

And baby makes three

We are so excited to meet our sweet little baby boy. He has already brought so much joy into our lives, we are thrilled to have him come and make our family of two a family of three!

Only 10 more days until due date!

Here's a little video I put together of our journey through pregnancy: