Introducing Lucas Edward Sawyer!

Lucas Edward came on Monday, June 15th at 9:44 am. He was born at Southview Hospital in Dayton, OH and he came out kicking and screaming to two incredibly happy and proud parents. He wasn't as big as we thought he was going to be (based on the ultrasound a few weeks ago we were thinking 9+lbs), but he was still big at 8 lbs 8 oz and 20 1/4 inches. Right now he has blond hair with just a touch of red (he gets that from his Mamaw) and blue eyes. So far the eyes are still blue...should they change, I'm not sure how quickly that happens. I will say with absolute certainty, the boy is beautiful! Lucas is healthy, and content and always very sweet.

We had his first doctor's appointment this past Monday (6/22) and everything looks great! His Mimi and Ganghi (my mom & dad) also came on Monday, and we're happy to have them here to get to know Lucas. Next week Lucas is having an ultrasound on his hips to check for hip dysplasia which is common in breech babies. Our pediatrician doesn't expect this to be an issue for Lucas, but it is routine to check it out around 3 - 4 weeks. Next week he's also meeting Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Mark!

And here are the pictures all of you have been anxious to see! Love to all of you and thank you so much for your prayers and well wishes.

Sawyer Family Birth Plan

Some of you guys have asked me about this now that we're opting for a scheduled c-section delivery. Below is the birth plan Will and I have discussed with our doctor - who is fabulous by the way.

Birth Plan for the Sawyer Family

General Preferences:
1. I wish to have my husband, Dr. Will Sawyer, and my doula, Amy Chavez, present in the operating room.

Drugs & Anesthesia:
1. Please place the catheter after the spinal has been administered.
2. I request the administration of Dermamorph prior to the removal of the spinal.
3. Please do not administer any sedatives/anti-anxiety medications without the express permission of myself or my husband, Will.

Positioning:
1. I would prefer to have the arm without the IV be left free.

Birth
1. I would like to view the delivery of our son either by lowering the screen or positioning a mirror.
2. If my baby needs assistance in the delivery process, please use a vacuum versus forceps.
3. My husband, Will, would like to cut the cord within the sterile field. If possible, please allow the cord to stop pulsating before cutting.
4. Please allow me to hold the baby as soon as he is delivered before any bathing is started for skin-to-skin contact.
5. If the baby is moved to the nursery, my husband Will, should remain with the baby at all times and be present for any medical treatment and/or procedure, barring a medical emergency.
6. I wish to be reunited with the baby as soon as I am taken into recovery.

Newborn Care:
1. Please refrain from administering any eye medication for the baby until we are past the first few hours after birth.
2. We REFUSE the Hepatitis B vaccination at this time.
3. Please support my decision to breastfeed exclusively by not giving the baby supplements, including formula, glucose water, or plain water, without my consent, unless there is an urgent medical necessity.
4. Please do not give the baby a pacifier.
5. We would like the baby to room-in with us. Someone will be with me at all times to provide assistance. Please do not take our baby to the nursery without expressed permission.

5 Days and Counting...

Okay so it has been ages since my last post. We've been rather busy what with baby showers, other babies arriving, and just in general - life. Since the family came up in April we've had 3 more generous baby showers (the Church, my girls in Michigan, & the yogahOMe family) and the nursery is totally set-up and ready to go. We caved to temptation and ended up with a super comfortable rocker-recliner. I couldn't be more delighted with this purchase!

The dogs are experiencing a new reality too. A girlfriend gave me a baby noise CD to get them acclimated to baby sounds. It starts out really nice - sweet baby coos and laughs - until is climaxes in an all out temper tantrum rage. For the most part - they ignore it. The two of them are also spending more and more time outside. Zoe doesn't seem to mind so much as long as there is a patch of sun to lay in. Loki, however, believes it must be mealtime every time they get back in...this is highly annoying. For those of you who have seen her when she's getting fed - you understand what I mean.

And then getting to the real reason for the post...Baby Boy Sawyer is breech and has absolutely no desire to turn himself around and make a normal, typical entrance into the world (Will and I are not entirely surprised by this). So Monday morning, June 15th, we are having a c-section. Before finally agreeing to this, I put myself and the baby through the following (in no particular order):

1. Ice pack to his head while my hips were elevated over my head...apparently babies don't like they're heads to be cold and there is some belief that they will turn.
2. Chiropractic treatments.
3. Round ligament massage - and no this isn't a comforting relaxing massage...
4. Acupuncture - which I really thought was going to work. And if you are wondering, I did not have a body full of needles. I think the grand total was 9.
5. Walking, Walking Walking followed by a variation of child's pose.
6. Crawling on the floor for 15 minutes at a time - this was the dogs' favorite!
7. Inversions of any kind.
8. External Version - a medical procedure where the doctor and assistant literally try and force the baby to turn. It was at this point that I looked at Will and said, "Yeah, ok. Let's do the c-section." EV is NOT a fun thing to do.

Can you believe it!? In 5 days we will finally meet our baby boy that we've been waiting on for the last 9 months. And he will get a name at that time. For now, we're still keeping quiet.

Here are the newest pictures taken at 37 1/2 weeks of the baby. Getting to see the baby was the 1 benefit of the External Version. They think he's 8 lbs - which makes large babies officially a Sawyer gene trait. He also has hair:-) Here you'll see his sweet little baby foot and also his face - which I can only imagine is very very cute and not at all alien-like!