Hamra Boy #2 // Count Down

I guess I should probably blog about our new little addition since I have been terrible about posting like I did with Sawyer (typical second child issue). I have very good about logging records and photos just haven't shared them.

I had my weekly appointment yesterday and everything went well. Last week my doctor had mentioned she wants to bring him early and she confirmed that today.

I am one centimeter dilated, his heart rate was 150 (what Sawyer's was the whole pregnancy), measuring at 37 weeks and my blood pressure looked great too. She said she is going to stimulate the cervix a.k.a "strip my membranes" at my next appointment on Tuesday, June 16. And when I asked what that meant exactly, she responded "Have your bags packed". The process can get you going in to labor right away or a few days later, so basically it sounds like we should be able to meet our baby boy next week!!! If you are wondering why she would try to bring him so soon, it is because Mr. Sawyer made an 10-day early appearance weighing in two pounds heavier than my doctor thought at 8 lbs. 11 oz. She wants to prevent me having to go through that again, I'll spare you the details.

One concern I had was that my platelets were low, a condition that if gets too low (under 100,000) means you can not get an epidural (mine were at 125,000).  I had never heard of before so it made me a little nervous. They did blood work yesterday and they only dropped 5 points, which mean so far I should still be good. They will do another round of blood work when I come in to deliver, fingers crossed they stay above 100,000.

I have been tracking my progress over the weeks with photos, so I will go ahead and share in case I don't get to take another one, ah! We also finished the nursery and will be sharing that soon as well but we might wait until our baby boy can see it first.

Prayers are appreciated as we prepare to become a Family of 4!

Here is a picture at 37 weeks with Sawyer (he came about 7 days later)

Baby #2 Weekly Photos (I skipped a couple weeks)

Sawyer: The Super Sibling

While we would love to assume Sawyer is going to be excited and 100% on board with being a big brother (in less than 60 days), we are very realistic and know most kids could really care less for their new sibling. So far, Sawyer has been 100% on board and so excited but we have heard this changes when the baby is actually out.

In order to maybe help alleviate some of his fears (and ours), we signed Sawyer up for the Sibling Class at Mercy. We loved their prenatal/birthing classes when we were having Sawyer and were excited to try this one too. This class was 2 hours long and really focused on the experience for the kids.

Here is what the class entails....

• Heard an adorable little story called "My Mommy has a house in her Tummy" and watched a movie (with snack) about being a sibling

• We learned about how he can be involved before, during, and after childbirth.

• Sawyer learned what toys are safe and not safe to share with his new brother as well as how to safely hold him

• Sawyer got to dress and diaper a newborn doll

• Hospital tour of the Mercy newborn nursery, the intensive care nursery, and mom's room

• Decorated his very own "big bro" shirt 

• Made a hand print to see how big his hand is compared to his brother

We highly recommend the class, especially because he got to experience "the hospital" before it is actually go time. They also had great pointers to keep attention on him while all of the attention might be on the baby. One huge thing we took away from the class that we will definitely be doing is to make sure Sawyer is the first person (after mom and dad) to meet his brother. We plan to have him spend an hour or two in the room with us and the baby and then have Sawyer introduce him to the rest of our family and friends. That way he feels like he has a role and isn't left out. 

Get more info here: http://www.mercy.net/teddy-bear

Took a nice long nap after, being a brother is exhausting!!

Hamra Boy #2 // Maternity Session

I was hesitant to get Maternity photos taken again but I really wanted some pictures of Sawyer with me pregnant to show his little brother one day.  While I don't love pictures of myself, I love the way they turned out, especially of Sawyer and John...the candids of him squeezing me and the pure joy on his face. Thank you J Designs for another amazing photo session.

Check out all the photos here: https://karitravels.shutterfly.com/3694

Here are a few of my favorites: