Monday, October 13, 2008

Fixing the wheel barrel

No thanks


No pictures please.

Hi mom

Coloring the window

Thanks for the cool markers Aunt Kate.

Sweet dreams

First bath


Home with mom

Max William is Born!

Max William Reinking was born on September 29, 2oo8 at 10:20pm. He weighed 6lbs 6oz and was 20 inches long. Mom went into the hospital that morning at 9:30am for an induction because he was overdue and mom wanted him born before October. We got set up in a room and within an hour, the baby's heart rate dropped. I was laying on my back at the time and once I rolled to my side and they put oxygen on, it rose again so they attributed it to being on my back. In another hour, after using the bathroom, his heart rate dropped again. The doctor came in and said if it happened again, we would have to stop the induction (and I would be sent home). After 2 hours, the heart beat looked great and we started the pitocin. They started it slow to make sure the baby could handle the contractions. By 6pm we were up to an 8 on the pitocin and all looked good. Around this time, the monitors fell off my belly and the nurse thought it was a decel in the heart rate again--she was NOT a good listener. So all was stopped again and I had to wait because my OB was in surgery. At 8pm they started the pitocin again and all was good again. I got an epidural around 9:30pm because I had progressed and they wanted the epidural in place "just in case" there was an emergency. About 20-30 minutes after the epidural was in, 5 nurses and my doctor rushed into the room because the heart rate dropped again and this time it wasn't coming back up. While the nurse was checking me (I think she was trying to stimulate the baby) my water broke. It was decided at that point that the baby needed to come out and I would have a c-section. Everything happened really fast. I was wheeled to the OR while Tim got changed into scrubs. I was put onto the table and he immediately started cutting but I could feel EVERYTHING, apparently the epidural didn't work. I yelled at him to stop as there was a mad rush to get medicine to put me under. He still had to cut while I was awake because the heart rate was still down. 5 seconds after the medicine was in, I was out. I woke up an hour later and Tim told me we had a healthy son. I was so relived to learn that he was OK. The NICU nurses came to the OR to check out Max but he was so healthy that they turned around and immediately left. I got to meet Max briefly around 1am. We really got to spend time the next morning around 9am. The doctor said that my placenta was old and not functioning correctly so he wasn't getting the blood he needed and couldn't handle the contractions. I am so glad I was in the hospital being monitored and didn't go into labor on my own and the same thing happen. It was a scary ordeal but I am happy with the outcome.

One last pregnant picture


in the parking lot of the hospital.

Still smiling


that is because it is early in the process.

Contractions are starting

Just born

Little toes

Cleaned off


and holding dad's hand.

Finally all snug

Being weighed

Being measured

Cousin Kyle

Mommom's 2 youngest

Last day in the hospital

Mom is out numbered!

My big brother

Meeting Gram

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

A new school year

September 9, 2008 brought Elliot's first day of school. He started Nursery School at St. Mark's. He will go on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:45am-11:15am. He was excited to get new school shoes and a new book bag. He had a blast on the open house day when he got to go and meet his teacher and play in his classroom. The first day was a little traumatic (for Elliot and mom). He was OK until he realized I wouldn't be staying with him. The teacher had to carry him into the school, kicking and screaming but she said he did great once he was in the classroom. He was very happy that "Mommy came back" and was all smiles when I picked him up.

First day of school


The calm before the storm.

School hair cut

Cape May--August 2008

We were fortunate enough to make it back to Cape May again this summer. The house was full of adults and kids and everyone had a blast. Elliot got to hang out with his cousins (Kyle, Mikayla, Gen and Evelyn) as well as grandparents and aunts and uncles. He is over his sand phobia and ran down the beach with no issues at all. To the delight of Poppop and surprise of mom and dad, he went "surfing" in the ocean and went deep into the water on Poppop's boogie board. For the first time ever, he slept on a bed and did great, except waking up WAY earlier than normal. We took a trip to the boardwalk and rode on rides, including the BIG ferris wheel. Elliot (and mom and dad) were exhausted by the end of the week but it was well worth it.

Time to go home

Cowabunga Dude, Hang 10

That's one way to keep them still

Somebody save me!!!!!!!!!

Buried with Gen

On Uncle E's real boat

1 pic with mom

Breakfast with dad

Boat ride with Kyle

Riding the Dumptruck

Getting back at Dad

Cooling off

Enjoying a snack

Busy summer

We have had an extremely busy summer, I can't believe it is already over. Elliot throughly enjoyed "sleeping in" (when it actually occurred) and spending the days with mom and playing with Kyle. We tried to keep busy by going to the pool, the playground and other places. We took a trip to the zoo and the Phillies game as well. We made it to Smith Memorial playground one time. We also spent our Thursday mornings at story time at the Haddonfield library and got to see Gram and Mommom, all in one trip. He is getting to be so grown up. This summer we worked on potty training which went pretty well and he now sleeps in a big boy bed with Diego sheets. The end of the summer marks a new beginning as we await the arrival of Elliot's little sister or brother (he says brother but I think he is confused because we keep telling him he is going to be a big brother--before that he always said it was a girl). We'll find out shortly.

"Elmo" hugs

Cheese with Gram

Disgruntled Bus driver


He didn't want his picture taken.

Found last year's beach hat

Paddle boat ride

First trip to the lake

Phillies Phan


He was enjoying himself even though it doesn't look like it.

Posing on a bear

Saying Hi to the Zebras

Trying out the travel bed

Making Pizza for dinner

Butterfly Project from Story time