a minor mama milestone
I fit into my size 12 jeans! I guess you could call it pumping the pounds away.... Little Man remains a slow eater, no matter how he's fed. We've reached my goal of mostly breastmilk for the first month, and he is thriving. It feels good to know that he is doing so well. I would quit pumping in a heartbeat, but anyone who has weaned knows it's not that simple, and I inevitably give in and pump to relieve the pressure, so to speak. At least he is satisfied after bottle feedings, unlike after most nursing sessions. In addition to mama's weight loss (almost 15 lbs so far, half of what I gained), baby's weight gain to 9 lb 5 oz is celebrated!
Showing posts with label sweet pea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sweet pea. Show all posts
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
I never thought I'd say this...
...but breastfeeding is harder than having a baby without the epidural. Maybe not physically, but emotionally it's WAY harder. Because when you think your child has eaten well, and then he or she hasn't, you feel like you have done something wrong, even when there is nothing else you could do.
We've made it almost 3 weeks. Hubby goes back to work tomorrow, which will be the test. My resolve is pretty low at this point. I take that back. My resolve to be a good Mom is stronger than ever. My conviction that breastfeeding is always best, not so much. In the grand scheme of things, the struggles I have dealt with in trying to nurse both of my kids are minor. They pale in comparison to what many of my friends have gone through with preemies and health problems related to pregnancy. I am blessed with a perfectly healthy daughter who thrived on formula after struggling with nursing. Our son is thriving on breastmilk, but I have chosen to pump and bottle feed after way too many extended nursing sessions which ended only to leave him unsatisfied. Maybe he'll grow into it, maybe not... but I was not about to let him start losing weight in the process, and he made it clear he was still hungry.
It's a challenge, because I would prefer to nurse than pump. period. But what's the point if he's hungry 5 minutes later? I know some might not agree with my choice, I also know that God gave each Mother instincts, and there are times that only the Mom can know what is best. Thankfully, this time we have had some sweet nursing sessions, not the latching struggles that I had with my first. However things turn out, I will be at peace with the journey, even though way was hard.
...but breastfeeding is harder than having a baby without the epidural. Maybe not physically, but emotionally it's WAY harder. Because when you think your child has eaten well, and then he or she hasn't, you feel like you have done something wrong, even when there is nothing else you could do.
We've made it almost 3 weeks. Hubby goes back to work tomorrow, which will be the test. My resolve is pretty low at this point. I take that back. My resolve to be a good Mom is stronger than ever. My conviction that breastfeeding is always best, not so much. In the grand scheme of things, the struggles I have dealt with in trying to nurse both of my kids are minor. They pale in comparison to what many of my friends have gone through with preemies and health problems related to pregnancy. I am blessed with a perfectly healthy daughter who thrived on formula after struggling with nursing. Our son is thriving on breastmilk, but I have chosen to pump and bottle feed after way too many extended nursing sessions which ended only to leave him unsatisfied. Maybe he'll grow into it, maybe not... but I was not about to let him start losing weight in the process, and he made it clear he was still hungry.
It's a challenge, because I would prefer to nurse than pump. period. But what's the point if he's hungry 5 minutes later? I know some might not agree with my choice, I also know that God gave each Mother instincts, and there are times that only the Mom can know what is best. Thankfully, this time we have had some sweet nursing sessions, not the latching struggles that I had with my first. However things turn out, I will be at peace with the journey, even though way was hard.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
2 weeks ago today & an update
(our birth story)
(our birth story)
(fyi DH= Dear Hubby)
Let's see here... backtrack...
Early Tuesday morning I woke up to pee at 3:30. Couldn't get back to sleep, so I got online for a bit. I ate a nutty bar and had a glass of milk. Had to pee again, and was constipated, so I decided to drink some prune juice, that was about 5 a.m. I went back to bed, and shortly afterward, contractions began. It was a little after 6, I think. But I wasn't sure if they were contractions or indigestion from the juice. I got up to go to the bathroom and felt a small gush, similar to the one I had felt the night before. Except this time, the gush was followed by more liquidy trickle and not just mucous. And gradually, each time I went to the bathroom, there was a teensy bit of pink mixed in. Around 6:30 a.m. I decided to call my doula and my parents. Mom and Dad arrived about 7:15, and we told our doula to meet us at the hospital. When we left the house, my contractions were 12-15 minutes apart, but I knew I was GBS+ and needed to get on the IV since my water had broken. Of course, we hit traffic, but we kept reminding ourselves how much worse it would be if we had been going north into the city (I delivered at a smaller county hospital, but it has a level II NICU.) Sure enough, once we hit the interstate, we were cruising for 5 minutes til we hit the exit, then we were there. Good thing, too... because let's just say the prune juice worked. Way too well. But I was contracting at ready to meet my baby and did not care too much to be utterly humiliated. (The denim, almost brand new capris did end up in the trash, though.)
By the time I got to my room and the IV was in, it was 8:30. They put me on fluids and the penicillin, as well as zofran for nausea (I have a bad gag reflex normally, so the onset of nausea came as no surprise to me), and told me I could only have ice chips. I HAD to rinse my mouth after being nauseous (I have a bad gag reflex anyway, and it kicked in as the contractions got worse), I also snuck sips of water. I knew I was not planning on the epidural, even though I did sign the forms just in case. At this point the contractions were about 5 minutes apart. My doula was coming down from the downtown area, and had not arrived yet, but hubby was doing well and they were manageable. However, when she did arrive, I was so relieved to see her. (Honestly, I was still a little apprehensive about having an almost-stranger who I had met twice before attend my birth, but I knew from talking to friends that the extra support would be helpful. I knew she knew what my goals were and respected them, I liked her, I just felt a little odd having a non family member and non nurse present. Little did I know how much I would come to value her support!....)
The nurse checked me when I got there, I was about 3-4 cm, but about an hour and a half later I was already up to a 7. At that point, I had a burst of confidence. It was hard, but DH and Heather were helping me stay calm and focused, telling me I was doing a great job and could do it. Shortly after this, it got REALLY, hard. Really painful, and burning pain. My hips were killing me, and DH and Heather each massaged one, my lower back, or my neck as I requested it. I was sitting upright, the bed was set so it was kind of a modified sitting/squatting, and I gripped DH's hand for dear life and my doula's, too. One of the nurses came in from the nursery to have me sign something, and as I was working through a contraction, she also encouraged me. It turns out, in her 20 yrs of nursing experience, she was a labor coach. She encouraged me to try to relax my grip as I breathed, and use lower tones instead of screams. (My doula had tried telling me this, don't know why it took another person for it to kick into my brain.)
At this point, I also began closing my eyes and doing neck rolls back and forth, that helped me relax. I also found that pelvic circles helped in between contractions. The pain was so intense, changing positions was really hard for me, so I stayed pretty much in the same position that whole time.
I had begun to give up, and told DH and Heather I wanted to ask about my options when the nurse came back in. When she came back, she checked me first, and I was at 8 cm, but she said she could stretch it to a 9 if I wanted. Um, of course! And I knew by the time the meds got there, they wouldn't kick in until after the baby came out, so we were going for it.
It was really hard. I cussed a lot (at least I am honest), prayed a lot, moaned a lot. I stated aloud, "This is better for my baby." My OBs and nurses never once questioned my goal of an NCB through the whole process. to the point that they did not even strip my membranes when I had gone in on Monday and found out that my water had not broken. During labor, when it got really bad, my support team reminded me that NCB is only better if I could stay relaxed and helped me focus my breathing.
As I hit transition, it was awful. My doula suggested I change positions and try side-lying, and even though it hurt even more, it was just what Brandon needed. The nurses were prepping the tables and tools, OB prepping with her gloves, and I knew the time was coming (they had been in and out doing their things, monitoring me and my fluids and BP, throughout, my DH and doula were the only ones there the whole time)
I can't really describe the pain. By the time I was able to push, I was lacking the strength, and gripping my husband's biceps for dear life. I had to let go and grip the handles on the bed.
The really cool part in the midst of the pain was that though I could not control the pain, I did not feel out of control in the same way I had when I had been medicated with DD. It was a different lack of control, but I kept reminding myself of the purpose.
I was almost scared to push when it was really time, and my team coached me when to breath, hold breaths, push, etc. I pushed for about 20 minutes, through 4 or5 sets of contractions, and his head made it out. Then his shoulders.
I got to hold my little guy immediately, all slimy and gorgeous. He was blue, which scared me, but his apgars were still 8/9, and he was alert, etc..
He weighed in at 8 lbs 9 oz, 21 inches long, 14 cm head circumference, at 12:17 p.m.
He is perfect. His head is perfect.
I have felt so much better physically than after DD was born. Still tired, of course, but not as sore, and am bleeding less. I don't feel like I am in the medicated fog that I was after DD's birth, and am so glad I tried to go natural and basically did, except for the fluids and antibiotic.
Would I do it again? I would like to say yes, but I will say, "I hope so." It was intensely difficult, and fortunately I had a quick labor, relatively speaking. I don't know that I could have done it with a longer labor. I am fortunate in that there was no need for extra interventions, my BP stayed good, baby's heartbeat was good, etc. And when the lead anesthesiologist came in to ask how I was recovering from the epidural (since I had signed the paperwork, I was on his list), I was able to laugh and ask and tell him I managed without it.
***
I'd like to say that nursing is going perfectly, but alas there are some physiological difficulties and my baby's mouth just needs to be a bit bigger for his suck to be more effective. Plus he nurses well for 5 minutes, then turns into a sleepyhead. So it's a struggle, but we're still giving it our best. My goal is to make it through the first month... sometimes it's just day by day. When hubby goes back to work, I doubt I will be able to nurse him for 1 1/2 to 2 hours almost straight and be the Mommy that our daughter needs, so he'd better pick up the pace.... I refuse to stress out like I did with Bear, and don't have it in me to consult various experts every other day for suggestions. Baby has to eat, period. And when he goes to kindergarten, they won't ask how he was fed as a newborn.
By the time I got to my room and the IV was in, it was 8:30. They put me on fluids and the penicillin, as well as zofran for nausea (I have a bad gag reflex normally, so the onset of nausea came as no surprise to me), and told me I could only have ice chips. I HAD to rinse my mouth after being nauseous (I have a bad gag reflex anyway, and it kicked in as the contractions got worse), I also snuck sips of water. I knew I was not planning on the epidural, even though I did sign the forms just in case. At this point the contractions were about 5 minutes apart. My doula was coming down from the downtown area, and had not arrived yet, but hubby was doing well and they were manageable. However, when she did arrive, I was so relieved to see her. (Honestly, I was still a little apprehensive about having an almost-stranger who I had met twice before attend my birth, but I knew from talking to friends that the extra support would be helpful. I knew she knew what my goals were and respected them, I liked her, I just felt a little odd having a non family member and non nurse present. Little did I know how much I would come to value her support!....)
The nurse checked me when I got there, I was about 3-4 cm, but about an hour and a half later I was already up to a 7. At that point, I had a burst of confidence. It was hard, but DH and Heather were helping me stay calm and focused, telling me I was doing a great job and could do it. Shortly after this, it got REALLY, hard. Really painful, and burning pain. My hips were killing me, and DH and Heather each massaged one, my lower back, or my neck as I requested it. I was sitting upright, the bed was set so it was kind of a modified sitting/squatting, and I gripped DH's hand for dear life and my doula's, too. One of the nurses came in from the nursery to have me sign something, and as I was working through a contraction, she also encouraged me. It turns out, in her 20 yrs of nursing experience, she was a labor coach. She encouraged me to try to relax my grip as I breathed, and use lower tones instead of screams. (My doula had tried telling me this, don't know why it took another person for it to kick into my brain.)
At this point, I also began closing my eyes and doing neck rolls back and forth, that helped me relax. I also found that pelvic circles helped in between contractions. The pain was so intense, changing positions was really hard for me, so I stayed pretty much in the same position that whole time.
I had begun to give up, and told DH and Heather I wanted to ask about my options when the nurse came back in. When she came back, she checked me first, and I was at 8 cm, but she said she could stretch it to a 9 if I wanted. Um, of course! And I knew by the time the meds got there, they wouldn't kick in until after the baby came out, so we were going for it.
It was really hard. I cussed a lot (at least I am honest), prayed a lot, moaned a lot. I stated aloud, "This is better for my baby." My OBs and nurses never once questioned my goal of an NCB through the whole process. to the point that they did not even strip my membranes when I had gone in on Monday and found out that my water had not broken. During labor, when it got really bad, my support team reminded me that NCB is only better if I could stay relaxed and helped me focus my breathing.
As I hit transition, it was awful. My doula suggested I change positions and try side-lying, and even though it hurt even more, it was just what Brandon needed. The nurses were prepping the tables and tools, OB prepping with her gloves, and I knew the time was coming (they had been in and out doing their things, monitoring me and my fluids and BP, throughout, my DH and doula were the only ones there the whole time)
I can't really describe the pain. By the time I was able to push, I was lacking the strength, and gripping my husband's biceps for dear life. I had to let go and grip the handles on the bed.
The really cool part in the midst of the pain was that though I could not control the pain, I did not feel out of control in the same way I had when I had been medicated with DD. It was a different lack of control, but I kept reminding myself of the purpose.
I was almost scared to push when it was really time, and my team coached me when to breath, hold breaths, push, etc. I pushed for about 20 minutes, through 4 or5 sets of contractions, and his head made it out. Then his shoulders.
I got to hold my little guy immediately, all slimy and gorgeous. He was blue, which scared me, but his apgars were still 8/9, and he was alert, etc..
He weighed in at 8 lbs 9 oz, 21 inches long, 14 cm head circumference, at 12:17 p.m.
He is perfect. His head is perfect.
I have felt so much better physically than after DD was born. Still tired, of course, but not as sore, and am bleeding less. I don't feel like I am in the medicated fog that I was after DD's birth, and am so glad I tried to go natural and basically did, except for the fluids and antibiotic.
Would I do it again? I would like to say yes, but I will say, "I hope so." It was intensely difficult, and fortunately I had a quick labor, relatively speaking. I don't know that I could have done it with a longer labor. I am fortunate in that there was no need for extra interventions, my BP stayed good, baby's heartbeat was good, etc. And when the lead anesthesiologist came in to ask how I was recovering from the epidural (since I had signed the paperwork, I was on his list), I was able to laugh and ask and tell him I managed without it.
***
I'd like to say that nursing is going perfectly, but alas there are some physiological difficulties and my baby's mouth just needs to be a bit bigger for his suck to be more effective. Plus he nurses well for 5 minutes, then turns into a sleepyhead. So it's a struggle, but we're still giving it our best. My goal is to make it through the first month... sometimes it's just day by day. When hubby goes back to work, I doubt I will be able to nurse him for 1 1/2 to 2 hours almost straight and be the Mommy that our daughter needs, so he'd better pick up the pace.... I refuse to stress out like I did with Bear, and don't have it in me to consult various experts every other day for suggestions. Baby has to eat, period. And when he goes to kindergarten, they won't ask how he was fed as a newborn.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Sigh
I've got a another slow nurser/weak sucker on my hands. He is perfect in every other way, and he latches far better than Bear ever did. But if he doesn't speed up, I'm a bit worried he won't get enough or build supply. I can't nurse for 2 hours at a time every time.... at least not after hubby goes back to work. And he hates trying to nurse after I've pumped. It's a vicious cycle.
I've got a another slow nurser/weak sucker on my hands. He is perfect in every other way, and he latches far better than Bear ever did. But if he doesn't speed up, I'm a bit worried he won't get enough or build supply. I can't nurse for 2 hours at a time every time.... at least not after hubby goes back to work. And he hates trying to nurse after I've pumped. It's a vicious cycle.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
A Public Service Announcement
Now that he's made his appearance, I plan to post Little Guy's updates on my kid-centered blog (Hannah Bear's Cave), and eventually return to posting some of my mind's random ramblings, er... wanderings... on this one. You can also find me on FB (e-mail me if you want to befriend me there).
Now that he's made his appearance, I plan to post Little Guy's updates on my kid-centered blog (Hannah Bear's Cave), and eventually return to posting some of my mind's random ramblings, er... wanderings... on this one. You can also find me on FB (e-mail me if you want to befriend me there).
Sunday, August 31, 2008
balloons from Granwendy & Grandaddy
flowers from hubby
sweet feetFriday, August 29, 2008
Home....
no play by plays like you are used to. :) we're doing well, tired of course. Brandon, aka "big shooter" as his daddy calls him and "squeaker" as i have dubbed him, is napping.
he is absolutely precious! last night was a making up for not eating night, so i am going to try to get some rest myself before he wakes up.
zann, i was already almost 3 cm at my last checkup, and by the time i was giving in to the fatigue and pain, it was too late... the epidural would have kicked in after the birth! i am still shocked that we made it through, and thankful. God definitely gave me the desire to try to deliver without the epidural (i did have to have iv meds for GBS+ and fluids, though). I am sure a longer labor would have been too much for me to take... when we left the house around 7-ish the contractions were 12-15 minutes apart, and my body kicked into full speed. I was barely on the IV for the amount of time they want the baby to get the medicine before delivery.
Hubby says next time we can hire 2 doulas, someone help me hold him to that, LOL! (If there is a next time, no rush here....)
no play by plays like you are used to. :) we're doing well, tired of course. Brandon, aka "big shooter" as his daddy calls him and "squeaker" as i have dubbed him, is napping.
he is absolutely precious! last night was a making up for not eating night, so i am going to try to get some rest myself before he wakes up.
zann, i was already almost 3 cm at my last checkup, and by the time i was giving in to the fatigue and pain, it was too late... the epidural would have kicked in after the birth! i am still shocked that we made it through, and thankful. God definitely gave me the desire to try to deliver without the epidural (i did have to have iv meds for GBS+ and fluids, though). I am sure a longer labor would have been too much for me to take... when we left the house around 7-ish the contractions were 12-15 minutes apart, and my body kicked into full speed. I was barely on the IV for the amount of time they want the baby to get the medicine before delivery.
Hubby says next time we can hire 2 doulas, someone help me hold him to that, LOL! (If there is a next time, no rush here....)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Thank you!
Thanks for all your prayers and well-wishes! My Dad brought his laptop to the hospital tonight, so I am able to check comments. I'm sorry I don't have time to respond to everyone individually.
I am very tired, but things are going well overall. Becca summarized things very well. Our little guy is precious. He has been a sleepy-head today, not nursing quite as much, but I'm told that is normal following "boy surgery."
I thought I would share today's quips:
The anesthesiologist came in to check on me. "You're doing well? No back pain from the epidural?" he asked. "I feel great, I didn't actually get the epidural." Apparently I was on his list since I had signed the consent forms just in case. He congratulated me and and moved on to the next patient. I did tell him that by the time I had decided to ask for it I Was already dilated to 8cm and figured it wouldn't kick in in time to help. And I am very glad, still a little shocked, that I was able to make it through. I am normally a wimp with very little tolerance for pain, but with an awesome support team including my beloved. And if you have seen the business of being born, do not let it scare you into thinking all hospitals are unsupportive of goals for natural childbirth. If you make up your mind to try it, your doctors and nurses may just surprise you... especially if you bring a supportive spouse and doula along for the ride.
We let Hannah hold her little brother in the hospital bed, with pillow support, of course. She lifted up her shirt with the hand that was not around her brother, and stated, "I feed Brandon milk from my breasts."
Let the adventures in parenting two begin...
Thanks for all your prayers and well-wishes! My Dad brought his laptop to the hospital tonight, so I am able to check comments. I'm sorry I don't have time to respond to everyone individually.
I am very tired, but things are going well overall. Becca summarized things very well. Our little guy is precious. He has been a sleepy-head today, not nursing quite as much, but I'm told that is normal following "boy surgery."
I thought I would share today's quips:
The anesthesiologist came in to check on me. "You're doing well? No back pain from the epidural?" he asked. "I feel great, I didn't actually get the epidural." Apparently I was on his list since I had signed the consent forms just in case. He congratulated me and and moved on to the next patient. I did tell him that by the time I had decided to ask for it I Was already dilated to 8cm and figured it wouldn't kick in in time to help. And I am very glad, still a little shocked, that I was able to make it through. I am normally a wimp with very little tolerance for pain, but with an awesome support team including my beloved. And if you have seen the business of being born, do not let it scare you into thinking all hospitals are unsupportive of goals for natural childbirth. If you make up your mind to try it, your doctors and nurses may just surprise you... especially if you bring a supportive spouse and doula along for the ride.
We let Hannah hold her little brother in the hospital bed, with pillow support, of course. She lifted up her shirt with the hand that was not around her brother, and stated, "I feed Brandon milk from my breasts."
Let the adventures in parenting two begin...
Thursday, August 21, 2008
because i'm obsessed...
pardon the richard simmons 'do on bear. she apparently sleeps like her mommy...
all over the place. my hair is a tad bit more forgiving. anyway, she has decided her bouncy ball is an exercise ball, but her feet don't touch the floor. it makes keeping my balance a bit more difficult.
tonight, before mexican food
pardon the richard simmons 'do on bear. she apparently sleeps like her mommy...all over the place. my hair is a tad bit more forgiving. anyway, she has decided her bouncy ball is an exercise ball, but her feet don't touch the floor. it makes keeping my balance a bit more difficult.
tonight, before mexican food
40 week self-portrait
... well, the most prominent physical part of my self right now.
I've been trying to keep myself occupied by keeping up with dishes, laundry, etc.... The hike halfway down the biggest hill in the subdivision did not make a lick of difference. I thought about ringing my friend Katrin's doorbell at 7 a.m. to see if the magic Xocaii chocolates she sells will induce labor. But I abstained, my mom taught me not to disturb people before 9 a.m. (Though sometimes she forgets that rule herself.)
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
the waiting game
he's still bakin'. my weight was the same as last week, still measuring good, doc d said the cervix is softening nicely and i am closer to 3 cm, effacement probably about 50% still. but of course those stats don't mean anything, except that's almost 3 cm less that i have to open up to push this baby out of me when the time comes. he's in a good position, but she didn't feel around enough to check for a station, which is fine by me. her philosophy is he'll come when he's ready or no later than 41 weeks when it's pretty much their office's standard to evict, i mean induce.
if for some reason he decides to stick it out til next week, i will go back next wednesday for an ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels and a non-stress test. but he's definitely still kicking in there, heart rate was good, yada, yada, yada....
hubby predicts we'll meet our little one within the next 3 days. parents predict the side effects from the tropical storm will work their way up here and bring on the action no later than my birthday. but they also predicted the full moon would bring him out. i do think the increases in twinges, hip/pelvis aches, braxton hicks that i've felt over the past couple of days can't be bad signs.
he's still bakin'. my weight was the same as last week, still measuring good, doc d said the cervix is softening nicely and i am closer to 3 cm, effacement probably about 50% still. but of course those stats don't mean anything, except that's almost 3 cm less that i have to open up to push this baby out of me when the time comes. he's in a good position, but she didn't feel around enough to check for a station, which is fine by me. her philosophy is he'll come when he's ready or no later than 41 weeks when it's pretty much their office's standard to evict, i mean induce.
if for some reason he decides to stick it out til next week, i will go back next wednesday for an ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels and a non-stress test. but he's definitely still kicking in there, heart rate was good, yada, yada, yada....
hubby predicts we'll meet our little one within the next 3 days. parents predict the side effects from the tropical storm will work their way up here and bring on the action no later than my birthday. but they also predicted the full moon would bring him out. i do think the increases in twinges, hip/pelvis aches, braxton hicks that i've felt over the past couple of days can't be bad signs.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
wondering...
is tonight the night? tomorrow? we'll see...
definitely having some crampiness... still irregular. getting up and down from any type of sitting position is, well, comical at best, sometimes painful. especially when bear helps me up and grunts as she tugs.
stay tuned... i'm watching some gymnastics and breathing a sigh of relief that at least i got the dishes from last night and tonight done, so if mom does have to come over she won't have to clean up my mess. maybe if i scrub some toilets or swiffer the kitchen floor, that will send me over the edge into labor... but that would require the nesting instinct that God didn't give me. ;)
my 40 week check up is tomorrow afternoon, 2:20 or so. i wonder if mom and dad will have to meet us at the hospital afterward. i can't help but hope....
is tonight the night? tomorrow? we'll see...
definitely having some crampiness... still irregular. getting up and down from any type of sitting position is, well, comical at best, sometimes painful. especially when bear helps me up and grunts as she tugs.
stay tuned... i'm watching some gymnastics and breathing a sigh of relief that at least i got the dishes from last night and tonight done, so if mom does have to come over she won't have to clean up my mess. maybe if i scrub some toilets or swiffer the kitchen floor, that will send me over the edge into labor... but that would require the nesting instinct that God didn't give me. ;)
my 40 week check up is tomorrow afternoon, 2:20 or so. i wonder if mom and dad will have to meet us at the hospital afterward. i can't help but hope....
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
38 weeksWhere has the time gone? I have been blessed with a smooth pregnancy. What has stood out the most has been the process of seeing our little girl "get it". Now, I am not blind to the fact that she doesn't yet understand all the ways her life is about to change (or mine, for that matter). But it is not uncommon for her to just come up and give my belly a hug, kiss, or both. She talks about him as if he were already here, which he is in a way. She is growing into such a big girl, and while it excites and awes me, part of me wants to scream, "No!!!! Don't grow up so fast!!!" I am amazed by her sense of logic and reason at a young age. And order. She already has the gift of communication and draws conclusions that some teenagers would not verbalize. She likes to help and that is going to come in handy when we need diapers, wipes, another blankie, etc.... Yet I also want to remember to not push her to grow up too fast, to encourage her to experiment... to play with caterpillars, pick tomatoes, paint her craft in her own way without fretting about the mess. There is a time and place for order, and there is a time and place for creativity.
Oh, wait, this entry was supposed to be about my 38th week of pregnancy with our little guy. Well, my check-up is not until tomorrow, so not much to report statistically today. Occasional Braxton Hicks, but nothing major. My biggest complaints are heartburn and getting up from the couch or in and out of bed. I am trying to go for walks once a day or so, or at least every other day....
I love feeling the movements inside, even when I get jabbed in the ribs or my bladder hurts. Bear was never as continuously active as Little Guy has been, and I can't help but wonder if that's an indication of his temperament. Or just a boy vs. girl difference.
I am a bit anxious about nursing, since it was so hard with Bear and she had such difficulty gaining weight at first, but trying not to worry about it.
I am looking forward to having hubby home instead of having him rush off to training 8 hours away. In fact, I'm looking forward to (hopefully) going into labor on my own, when my body and baby are ready. In that sense, this almost feels like a first pregnancy... without the fear of the complete unknown of labor, since I have labored before.
I am also a bit sad. I have several friends online and in real life who have lost babies during the time that I have been pregnant, one has lost her 2nd. (The first would have been due this week.) So I mourn for my friends, Moms who are wondering "why?", and wish they could experiece the journey of motherhood without the pain. I pray that they will not lose hope, that the Lord will bless them with healthy pregnancies and children.
This is a milestone week. Almost 3 years ago, I went into my 38-week check-up and my doctor offered the induction the next week because she knew our circumstances. That was best for us.
This time, I revel in the mystery and expectation... with a few aches and pains along the way. It's exciting!
Oh, wait, this entry was supposed to be about my 38th week of pregnancy with our little guy. Well, my check-up is not until tomorrow, so not much to report statistically today. Occasional Braxton Hicks, but nothing major. My biggest complaints are heartburn and getting up from the couch or in and out of bed. I am trying to go for walks once a day or so, or at least every other day....
I love feeling the movements inside, even when I get jabbed in the ribs or my bladder hurts. Bear was never as continuously active as Little Guy has been, and I can't help but wonder if that's an indication of his temperament. Or just a boy vs. girl difference.
I am a bit anxious about nursing, since it was so hard with Bear and she had such difficulty gaining weight at first, but trying not to worry about it.
I am looking forward to having hubby home instead of having him rush off to training 8 hours away. In fact, I'm looking forward to (hopefully) going into labor on my own, when my body and baby are ready. In that sense, this almost feels like a first pregnancy... without the fear of the complete unknown of labor, since I have labored before.
I am also a bit sad. I have several friends online and in real life who have lost babies during the time that I have been pregnant, one has lost her 2nd. (The first would have been due this week.) So I mourn for my friends, Moms who are wondering "why?", and wish they could experiece the journey of motherhood without the pain. I pray that they will not lose hope, that the Lord will bless them with healthy pregnancies and children.
This is a milestone week. Almost 3 years ago, I went into my 38-week check-up and my doctor offered the induction the next week because she knew our circumstances. That was best for us.
This time, I revel in the mystery and expectation... with a few aches and pains along the way. It's exciting!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Another Tackle in Progress
"word scramble"
"word scramble"
I asked Bear if we should paint the letters green to match her name above her bed, or blue.
"Brother likes blue!" she responded.
Meanwhile, Bear tackled her own painting project, mixing the two colors.And miraculously, she did not get any blue paint on her shirt.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Not-so Wordless Wednesday:
he's already spoiled (or maybe mommy is the spoiled one)
You have already seen the taggie blanket made by my friend Farmwife,
and the blanket a crocheted for our Little Guy,
These are some other handmade gifts which we have received.
Of course, all the clothes and other items we have been given are equally appreciated,
but I just can't take pictures of everything (believe it or not).
he's already spoiled (or maybe mommy is the spoiled one)
You have already seen the taggie blanket made by my friend Farmwife,
and the blanket a crocheted for our Little Guy,
These are some other handmade gifts which we have received.
Of course, all the clothes and other items we have been given are equally appreciated,
but I just can't take pictures of everything (believe it or not).
From top left, clockwise:sling made by Tech Mom, blanket & burp cloth made by my friend Heather
blanket and soap from Mirella, and matching bib and burp cloth from Becca
(made by one of her online friends)
Monday, July 28, 2008
36-ish week check-up
Baby's HB: 158 bpm
Fundal Height: "perfectly on track"
My BP: good
My weight: 166... up 4 lbs... it's the thick jeans, i swear! i wasn't wearing my thick, long jeans with big-ol' belly band last week.
group b strep: awaiting results
and since she was already invading my privacy, and my curiousity got the best of me, she checked for the following:
dilation- 1 cm
effacement- 50%
Those stats don't mean anything as far as when to expect our little guy to push his way out, but it is nice to know my body is getting ready for the big day.
I'm meeting my prospective doula in person tonight. :)
Baby's HB: 158 bpm
Fundal Height: "perfectly on track"
My BP: good
My weight: 166... up 4 lbs... it's the thick jeans, i swear! i wasn't wearing my thick, long jeans with big-ol' belly band last week.
group b strep: awaiting results
and since she was already invading my privacy, and my curiousity got the best of me, she checked for the following:
dilation- 1 cm
effacement- 50%
Those stats don't mean anything as far as when to expect our little guy to push his way out, but it is nice to know my body is getting ready for the big day.
I'm meeting my prospective doula in person tonight. :)
Saturday, July 19, 2008
could it be?
is there the slightest bit of nesting instinct in my body after all. now, before you think i've been going crazy, scrubbing every single thing three times and the nursery is ready, do not be fooled.
however, progress is being made in our preparation for our little guy's arrival. yesterday's project was to thoroughly scrub the bathrooms. i ended up having to get hubby to scrub around the toilet in the 2nd bathroom, because all the squatting was taking it's toll on my back. not to mention my gag reflex. i am ashamed to say, both bathrooms were pretty gross... it doesn't take much for them to get that way. so now they are better, albeit temporarily. and should contractions hit and i need to rest in a warm bath, i can now do so without worrying about lingering germs in the tub (though the tub was actually in decent shape... it's just nice to know something is really, really clean.)
today's project was operation baby clothes. hubby pulled down boxes of bear's clothes for me to go through. i pulled out all the neutral things that i found suitable... and was reminded of how much pink we had. between the old clothes, what i have picked up gifts we have received, little guy is pretty well set in the smallest sizes, especially in sleep and plays and onesies. so if he were to make an early exist from his cozy home, he'd have clothing.
there's still so much to do, but it's a start...
is there the slightest bit of nesting instinct in my body after all. now, before you think i've been going crazy, scrubbing every single thing three times and the nursery is ready, do not be fooled.
however, progress is being made in our preparation for our little guy's arrival. yesterday's project was to thoroughly scrub the bathrooms. i ended up having to get hubby to scrub around the toilet in the 2nd bathroom, because all the squatting was taking it's toll on my back. not to mention my gag reflex. i am ashamed to say, both bathrooms were pretty gross... it doesn't take much for them to get that way. so now they are better, albeit temporarily. and should contractions hit and i need to rest in a warm bath, i can now do so without worrying about lingering germs in the tub (though the tub was actually in decent shape... it's just nice to know something is really, really clean.)
today's project was operation baby clothes. hubby pulled down boxes of bear's clothes for me to go through. i pulled out all the neutral things that i found suitable... and was reminded of how much pink we had. between the old clothes, what i have picked up gifts we have received, little guy is pretty well set in the smallest sizes, especially in sleep and plays and onesies. so if he were to make an early exist from his cozy home, he'd have clothing.
there's still so much to do, but it's a start...
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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