Baby its cold outside.....

Early morning outing to Target for some supplies, it was only 24 degrees out but Dad warmed up the car and I got to wear a Colorado favorite, fleece!!!

Daddy made a fire and I snoozed.....

Yesterday my Grandma Nancy came to see me again and she brought some yummy food.

Life is good!

Drumroll.....meet Mr. Mason, my chunky monkey

Seconds old, sorry if this is to graphic for anyone. Our lil' guy was born on Friday November 28 at 12:52 PM. He was 9lbs 7.5 oz and 22-inches long, can you imagine if he would have gone another 2 weeks? Micah labored for 36 hours before the doctors decided a C-section was the only way this little guy was coming out. My water broke at 2 am Thanksgiving morning. We headed straight to the hospital per doctor's orders. I made it 15 hours before deciding an epidural was NEEDED!!!! God bless science. Those things are amazing. It actually allowed me to get some rest. There are two reasons they decided to do a C-section. 1.) He is HUGE 2.) I stayed at 9 cm for 5 hours, because he is HUGE.

My brother and his wife drove from Grand Junction to be there, luckily they brought Thanksgiving for my mom and Matt. Those two were troopers, trying to sleep in a hospital with a laboring woman is not an easy task, especially for that long:)

Matt and my mom were able to come into the OR. It was such a blessing because Matt held my hand during the delivery but I wanted him to be with Mason as soon as he was born and than my mom slid in and held my hand. I could hear the doctors saying this baby is huge and long, we just keep pulling baby out.

Dad cutting the cord.

Look at those feet, you should see his hands.

getting weighed

First time Mom got to see him, Kai you are so right "Love at first sight."

Masons first few days were rough. His blood sugar was really low. This is because I labored for so long and was on constant IV fluids that have some sugar in them. All of these fluids (like anything) also go to the baby. As soon as he was born his supply suddenly stopped. He also had a really high red blood cell count. This is because of his size and the altitude we live at. So with both of these things against him they had to keep him in the NICU for a few nights. He had an IV placed in his head to get him fluids and a catheter placed in his umbilical cord that went up to his heart. That procedure allowed them to give him saline solution which diluted his red blood cells. It was so hard to see your baby go through this but I knew he would pull through in the end. I also have to be mushy for a minute but I have the most amazing husband in the world. He was so hands on from the second Mason entered this world. He was there for every procedure, every feeding, changed his diaper from the start, and took care of me.

We finally got Mason back in our room on Sunday evening BUT they said he was slightly jaundice due to the red blood cells so he had to sleep under the bili lights. Those are his cool shades he had to wear!

Finally they told us the best news, we could go home and we could take our son. Here he is on his first car ride. I think he was excited to leave also.

Actually the hospital staff at Lutheran was amazing. We had some very special nurses helping me and Mason.

Mason is a great eater. He took to the breast immediately and is an eating champion. Most babies loose weight before they leave the hospital. Not ours he gained a whole ounce! He is not fussy so far and Matt and I and our families feel so blessed to have him here. I really can not imagine my life without him. Matt and I are happier than we have ever been. Thanks to all our friends and family for your prayers and support. I will keep posting photos.

Quick update: false hospital run

Lots of contractions yesterday. For three hours I had contractions about 3-5 minutes apart. I went for a walk to try and keep them going, ate some dinner and they stopped for a little bit but than they were back and more painful. I decided to call the doctor who encouraged us to come to the hospital. We packed all our stuff and headed out at 9:30. They checked me, still only 1 cm and my cervix is not effaced and was very posterior. They monitored me and of course the contractions stopped. So they sent us home. They told me to keep my doctor's appointment this morning. Not much to check at the doctor's appointment but the usual, at least Mason is doing great and I haven't gained any weight in the past 3 weeks:)

I guess I am one of those lucky people that will just have contractions for a while until my body and baby decide it is time.

Time to try and get a little shut eye!

Babies room,last year of my 20's, and STILL PREGNANT

So we finally finished the room. We won't get the crib until early January. We ordered it in August and the salesperson told us we should have done this months earlier, are you kidding? I am planner but I am pretty sure ordering baby furniture the day of conception is Faux pas! Regardless we are planning on him sleeping in our room for the first few months in his pack and play or with us!

It was difficult to capture the room in pictures.

From the door looking in.

Wall the crib will be on.....


Back wall with changing table that converts to dresser and Curious George picture

Peek-a-boo photos and desk.

This is where my polka dot chair needs to go but it is still in our living room because it is the most comfortable seating when we are watching TV.

All the clothes and blankets are washed, the diapers bought, the bags packed, the car seat in the car ect...I think we are as ready as we can be. We are just missing one thing.....THE BABY:)

I turned 29 last week. I didn't feel like doing much. We ordered in and Matt brought me these flowers. He knows how much I love unique flowers and these definitely fit that category.

We did go up to my folks on Saturday to help them move furniture (they are getting new carpet installed this week) and to celebrate my birthday. It was a wonderful day.

Last night we had an amazing sunset, this is the view from Mason's room.

The weather over the past few days has been in the mid 60's. We had the windows open in the house and it was wonderful. Does anyone else remember being really hot at the end of their pregnancy? I would sleep on the deck if Matt would let me.

On the pregnancy front there has not been a significant change. My last two doctor's visits were uneventful. I did get to go off the medicine last week and since than I have contractions everyday. They told me unless my water breaks or the contractions become unbearable and 3-5 minutes apart for two hours, not to call. I am praying this Wednesday's appointment will be different and they will tell me there has been more progress on the cervix front. I plan on walking everyday and trying some other methods the old wives speak of, wink wink.

I am such a science minded person and I love to know the facts. For instance what is the probability I will have this baby tonight? 10%, 90%? But I am learning that baby having is not an exact science so than I turn to what is really the most important faith. Some prayer to the big guy never hurts plus he helps me to remember this is in his timing. I would be lying if I said I wasn't miserable but I can endure as long as baby comes to us healthy. I can't wait to post new pictures of his cute face.

1 year anniversary and maybe 33 weeks maybe more???

A year ago(this past Monday) we were doing this and now we are anxiously counting the days until our home is filled with cries and giggles.

Our anniversary was nice, Matt sent me some beautiful flowers at work and than we headed out for a nice steak dinner that evening. I toasted with sprite and he with a beer, next year champagne:) When we got home we watched our wedding DVD and I cried and he sighed but we both felt warm thinking about how great that day and trip was. OK back to reality...

In the week since my last doctor's appointment things were going okay until Tuesday evening when the medicine just wasn't working and I got home from work and started to have some good contractions for a few hours. They continued most of yesterday but I fought threw it knowing that I had a doctor's appointment this morning.

My appointment was interesting. They did an ultrasound of Mason (I hadn't seen him since 21 weeks) and he is quite the big dude. Right now he is 20-inches and 6 lbs and some change. His head is so far down they couldn't get any pictures of his face but they did confirm he was a boy. There were definitely potatoes if you know what I mean:) The midwife and ultrasound tech think I am more in the 35 week range but my doctor won't budge on the due date? So who knows.....

I am 1 cm dilated and they agree that this baby is probably going to hang on 2 weeks more but definitely not to 40 weeks. He is healthy and I am too, other than the early labor, so lots to be thankful for.

I am still working but next week will be my last week until April. Matt and I both had a sad week at work. Due to the current economic uncertainties many of our clients are unable to get funding for their projects. My office laid off 10 people on Monday and Matt's laid off 5. We are very blessed we were not in that pool.

We will keep you posted!!!

Week 31 and 32: I look like I swallowed a pumpkin

I really do look like I swallowed a pumpkin, a really large pumpkin:) this was taken today, 33 weeks + 1 day.

I do have to mention my lil' bro celebrated his 25th birthday on the 10th. Em and Cade came down on Saturday the 11th and we met them and my folks up at Blackhawk for dinner and some slots. I just love Cade and Em, she is so cute and tells me how great I look pregnant (great sister-in-law). Cade just says "Wow your huge" but that is what brothers are for, I know he means it all in love.

Matt couldn't resist getting Mason his first snow suit!

We had a little art project and painted these already made letters and added some fun decals. I promise more room pictures as soon as we get furniture. Long story but it will be here soon.


The past few weeks have been busy in the Gilbreath household. On October 18th four of my dearest friends;Kathryn, Trisha, my mom and sister in law Emily, threw me a baby shower. Kathryn hosted it at her home in Highlands (an area near downtown denver). The theme was duckies and the food was Asian. It was so chic and fun. I need to get some pictures from the girls but here are a few:

Trisha and Kathryn cutting the cake

My best friend Kai (lives in Alaska) so she could not make it but she sent the next best thing her homemade sugar cookies. She made them as favors for everyone. They do say: " M + M =m"
Too cute, thanks Kai! All the gifts we received were wonderful and we can not wait to use them. Thank you, thank you!!!!

My friend Wes (from college) and his fiance Amanda got us this great back pack. We love to hike so we can't wait to share that with Mason.


A few weeks ago my mom and I were shopping for furniture at Potterybarn kids. They were having a floor model sale. So we got this steal of a deal on this rocker (75% off). It was even in the fabric cover I wanted. So with a trip to the dry cleaner the cover is good to go. Thanks mom and dad. The afghan on the back was made by my Aunt Kelly, when I opened it I started to cry, it reminded me of my grandma June. It is so soft and perfect and I just love it! Love all my california family, the gifts you sent were so thoughtful. I am blessed to have you as family.

The chair is in our living room for the moment, soon to be moved upstairs!

Now for the big news, this past week I started to have preterm labor. I spent Wednesday afternoon at the doctors office in a recliner hooked up to the fetal monitors. Mason and I just hung out, it was really neat to hear his heartbeat for that long and hear his kicks and jabs (even though you wish you weren't hearing them under these circumstances).

For 2 hours I was having regular contractions 2-5 minutes apart but no dilation or effacement going on, no bleeding. Everything looked healthy and normal other than the contractions being so regular and all the pressure I was experiencing in my pelvis. So they sent me to the hospital, hooked me up again and finally decided to give me shot of Tributlene. This is a drug that makes your uterus (a soft muscle) stop contracting. It also makes you feel like you drank 5 espressos and you shake and your heart races...not to fun but for the cause totally worth it.

I stayed home Thursday to rest. The contractions started again and in the afternoon headed back to the doctor. They ran some more tests and did an exam, still no effacement or dilation but she could feel Mason's head, he has dropped. So they sent me home with some oral tributlene to take every 4 hours or as necessary.

So currently we are taking this day to day, praying and hoping that we can get him to 36 weeks. The doctor said if we can get there we will just let nature take its course and let him come a little early. I would like to make it to 38 if possible, this way he will have developed one of the last but best skills, the ability to suck. I am very passionate about breast feeding but of course the number one thing is that he is healthy. I will keep you all informed of our progress:) but our lil' guy might be here for Turkey day. It is all in god's hands.

Week 29 almost 30, sorry no photos.

I can not believe it is October! I am huge but feeling very well and still loving being preggers. I am going to miss feeling him every day, even the good jabs that take your breath away for a minute! We finished all of the painting in Mason's room or I should say Matt did. So now comes the fun part, decorating. Photos to come in the next few weeks.



This Saturday we are attending an all day birthing class that is put on by our doctor's office. I am interested to see what it entails. I have been reading a lot about hospital births and quite a bit of the material is brutally honest about the downfalls to having a baby in a hospital. For example, their C-section and epistomy rates are very high and their drill Sargent attitudes about mothers remaining in bed and not giving you food and drink during labor. I am keeping an open mind but I also know we are in control of the situation and plan to make that very clear to our doctor. Of course in the case of an emergency you want the doctors to be in control and in reality the hospital is the safest place for baby but there is this part of me that knows women have been doing this for thousands of years and during a normal labor should be able to be free in the experience. Sorry to preach but I had no idea that this "institution" existed. If you are interested in a good book, Pushed by Jennifer Block has a lot of facts and statistics and is not all opinion.


On a lighter note, fall is in the air, though we have had seasonably high temperatures in the 80's! As a native Coloradan I know snow is in the very near future....I am so excited for that!


Matt and I have been working a lot, darn deadlines but we know this is just part of the beast. I am looking forward to December and the 4 months I am going to take off of my engineering work. I am excited for mommy work. We hope all of our family and friends are doing well and that the new season brings many blessings.